Mandy directed Tom Hutchinson to the edge of the housing estate where there were some rented garages and where she had stored her few belongings just prior to her home being repossessed.
As they approached the garage, it was clear that Mandy had been right to fear the worst. The garage doors were open and Mandy didn’t have to go inside to see that the garage was completely empty.
She slumped in her seat, trying not to burst into tears. At least she owed Tom Hutchinson that.
“Did you leave any financial information in the garage,” asked Tom Hutchinson, sympathetically. “Information such as credit card numbers and bank statements could be used to steal your identity.”
“To be honest,” said Mandy, “nobody would want to my identity. I don’t have a bank account because it was closed. I don’t have credit cards because they were taken back. The contents of that garage was essentially the contents of my home, carefully packed. Do you think there is any chance for me to get them back?”
“It might be worth making yourself known to the local police. I know that they had been investigating this case but they couldn’t find the owner of the garage so it was just put on file. I am afraid I don’t think there is much hope unless the belongings were identifiable to you. However, you never can be sure. Miracles sometimes do happen.”
“Not to me,” said Mandy, through clenched teeth.
Then Mandy was gone. Uncontrollably, she doubled over and sobbed into her arms pressed tight against the VW campervan dashboard.
She felt an arm round her shoulders and Tom Hutchinson drew her to him, holding her tightly. It was the hug of a friend not a lover. It was a hug that sought to comfort and not take advantage. It was a hug that went on for a long time and was very much needed.
Eventually, she her sobs quietened and Tom Hutchinson released her and then drove to the police station where she filed a statement that she was the owner of the belongings in the garage. The police wanted the belongings to be itemised in detail and Mandy promised to send them a list.
“Where to now,” said Tom Hutchinson, when they were again seated together in his VW campervan.
“I haven’t the faintest idea,” said Mandy. “Right at the moment, I really can’t see much point in carrying on. Nothing has any point and the whole world, except you, seems to be against me.”
“I am definitely not against you,” said Tom Hutchinson, “In fact, I’d like to go further. I would like to be of help you and I think there is a possibility you might be able to help me.”
“How on earth could I do that? I’ve got nothing to offer. What would you want me to do?”
“I wouldn’t want you to do anything. All I would need would be for you to keep your eyes open and let me know of any suspicious activities going on where you work.”
“I thought you were a writer not an investigator?”
“You could describe me as an investigative reporter,” said Tom Hutchinson, carefully. “what is even better from your point of you is that I even have a budget for any inside information that leads to a good story. Can I be completely honest with you?”
“It worries me to think you might not have already been completely honest with me. Especially as only a minute ago you were the” only person I could rely on.
“I said I was a writer and I am. I said I enjoyed our time together and I have. Nothing I said to you has been false, except perhaps that I don’t really want to buy a motorhome from your employer and the reason that I said I did was because I wanted an excuse to spend some time around the farm where you work.”
“What exactly is it you suspect? I can’t imagine a worse employer but also I’m not used to doing anything underhand. At least Ruarc gave me a job when I really needed one. “I think I would just be grateful if you would take me home,” Mandy said frostily.
As Tom Hutchinson drove slowly back to Ruarc’s farm. Neither of them spoke and when Mandy got down from the VW campervan, her goodbyes were very restrained.
Later, Mandy found some eggs in her larder and made an omelette. Then she cried herself to sleep. It seemed that even Tom Hutchinson had an ulterior motive and wanted something from her.
For Mandy, the world had never felt so lonely and in the night she again awoke and heard the screams.
