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‘You said yourself Carole made most of them up.’
‘I’ve researched them, looked at school records and reports made at the time. I now know what’s a lie and what’s the truth. When he was five years old, he bit a girl on the leg and drew blood. When he was eight, he slapped a girl so hard on the side of her face she lost the hearing in her right ear. When he was ten, he stole and killed a neighbour’s cat and left its body on the owner’s doorstep. He was evil when he was born, and it would have continued. He needed destroying.’
‘Terry?’ Barbara asked, standing up. ‘What are you going to do?’
Epilogue
Monday, 4 January 2021
One year ago today, Anthony Griffiths took his own life. The pain he was suffering from the bone cancer which had spread to his lungs and lymph nodes was insurmountable. His evil, murdering son was dead by his own hand, and he felt he could finally join his wife.
Dear Dawn,
Meeting you has been one of the greatest pleasures of my life. My only regret is that we didn’t meet sooner. It would have been a joy to watch you grow from a beautiful baby into the strong, confident woman you are today. However, in the short time we have known each other, my life has felt richer than at any other time in the past twenty years.
You are a wonderful young woman, and a credit to your mother. I know for a fact Carole would have loved you, and I could not be prouder to call you my granddaughter.
As we’ve mentioned, I’m leaving now to join my wife, and although this is a sad occasion, I’m blessed that we will be reunited. I wasn’t the best husband, but I did what I thought was right at the time.
I am leaving everything to you in my will. The house, the insurance policies, everything in the savings account, will all go to you. Do with it as you wish. I only have one stipulation; whatever you decide to do with your life, make sure you enjoy it. So many young people think they have all the time in the world, but before you know it, you’ll turn around and you’ll be fifty and realise you’ve done very little. So, waste it on fast cars and luxurious holidays, lose it in a casino, spend it on expensive jewellery and clothes, but enjoy every penny.
This last year has been very special. I will go to my grave with a smile on my face and you forever in my heart.
Love,
Grandad xxx
There had been two suicide notes in Anthony’s bungalow when Dawn found him the morning after his death. As planned, Anthony had written one for the police, but she had seen the envelope meant for her eyes only and taken it with her. It was something she kept with her at all times.
It was a chilly morning. The sky was grey, and rain was forecast for later, but it was dry for now. There was a slight breeze, and Dawn was thankful for her heavy winter coat. She kneeled down by the grave and placed a bunch of deep red roses on it for her grandfather and the grandmother she never met.
‘I can’t believe it’s been a year,’ Dawn said, as she stood up.
‘Time passes so quickly,’ Rita said, standing behind her.
‘I don’t want a funeral.’
‘Where did that come from?’
‘Look around you, all these graves abandoned, lost to the past, and there’s nobody to mourn them. Who will come here when I’m gone? I don’t want a gravestone of mine being used by vandals for target practice.’
‘You’re very morbid this morning,’ said Rita.
‘Well, we are in a cemetery.’
Dawn smiled. She linked arms with her mother, and they headed down the incline to the gates.
They spotted Barbara coming towards them, a bunch of flowers in her hand. They all stopped, a distance away from each other.
The year 2020 had been one nobody would ever forget, thanks to a pandemic sweeping the planet. The whole of the country had been locked down, and shops, restaurants, libraries and coffee shops had been forced to close. Barbara and Dawn hadn’t seen each other since the night in her living room almost one year ago. Barbara had aged terribly.
‘I had a feeling I’d see you here this morning,’ Barbara said. ‘I hope you don’t mind. I thought I’d lay some flowers of my own.’
‘Of course not,’ Dawn said. ‘How are you?’
Barbara took a breath. ‘I’m… fine,’ she said, with a fake smile. ‘It’s certainly strange getting used to living on my own after all these years.’
‘Mum, could you give us a few minutes?’ Dawn asked Rita.
