Chapter 84 Acceptance
The evidence suggests that I might love my children.
I give so much to them while getting nothing in return, which suggests something more than just a transactional relationship.
My actions are no different from my friends’ except I’ll go the extra mile to ensure things work out well for them.
Perhaps in feeling less, I even love them more.
I’m standing alone in the kitchen with Sophie’s letter.
I feel a sense of excitement that I’ve purloined this potential golden ticket.
I slowly peel open the envelope and take out the perfectly folded letter.
I’ve prepared myself for bad news, but I don’t know what steps I’ll take if Ellie has also been rejected.
I might have to hound them into changing their minds with a malicious social media campaign.
I hold the letter in my hand and slowly unfold it. I see the beautifully embossed school coat of arms, and the first line, ‘Dear Mr Caldas and Ms Hills’. I close my eyes momentarily, then read the first word. ‘Congratulations.’
I make myself a cup of Earl Grey tea, thinking through the options. I sip and mull. I wonder about the relationship between the admissions department and the senior staff, and whether data changes are shared. I imagine not.
I find the telephone number on the letter and call Adams.
‘Hello, this is Sophie Hills, I’ve just received an offer for my daughter, and I’d like to accept,’ I say.
‘What’s your daughter’s name?’
‘Eleanor Caldas,’ I say.
‘Well, congratulations. I’ve noted that now, and you’ll receive confirmation by letter. Is Eleanor pleased?’
‘She’s absolutely delighted.’
‘We’re so happy that she’ll be coming to Adams.’
‘As are we,’ I say. ‘Just one more thing. I need to inform you of a slight change of our details?’
‘Of course,’ she says.
‘It’s a delicate situation, actually. Mr Caldas and I are splitting up, but Eleanor doesn’t know anything about it yet.’
I wait a moment as she types away at her keyboard. I am banking on there being no information about parents’ marital status. I know that it was not something they asked for on the application forms.
‘We certainly won’t break any confidences,’ says the woman’s low and sympathetic voice.
‘I’ve had to change my contact details. My husband’s not behaving well, and it’s for the children’s safety.’ I put a little touch of desperation into my tone for good measure.
‘Of course. Shall I put you in touch with our safeguarding lead?’
‘I’ve done that already, but thank you. I just want to make sure that he doesn’t get any letters or communication. He even stole my email password, you know.’
‘Gosh, how awful for you,’ she says in a breathy whisper.
‘Well, you know how some men are, don’t you? Charming for a while, then simply beastly.’
‘I’m so sorry,’ she says, sounding entirely genuine, which is nice. It’s a horrible feeling when you fake bad news and people are unsympathetic.
‘Firstly, can you update our address. It’s 44 Ennerdale Avenue. Eleanor will be with me in my new address,’ I say.
‘Yes, of course. I’ve put that in the database now.’
‘And please delete my previous address. I don’t want any mistakes.’
‘Of course, it’s your data, you’ve got a right to say what we keep. Anything else?’
‘Well, as I say, the email you have is compromised. Can you delete it and put my new email in?’
‘Of course, no problem.’
I give her my email, which is one of my pseudonyms that I use for online accounts.
‘There, that’s all done for you.’
‘Thank you, that’s so kind. I can’t tell you how helpful you’ve been,’ I say.
‘We’re here to help,’ she says.
‘Oh, I nearly forgot. Eleanor won’t be using her father’s surname. She’s going to take a different name so she can’t be found.’
‘Oh, this does sound awful. Right, let’s get this set up. What would her surname be?’
‘Rook. She’ll be known as Eleanor Rook.’
‘No problem at all, I can change this right now. I know how difficult these things must be.’
‘And can you also note that she prefers the name Nelly to Eleanor.’
‘Of course, no problem. That’s all changed for you.’
‘So pleased, and do please keep these changes private. He’s a violent man and I would hate for any indiscretion to put my daughter at risk.’
‘Fully understood,’ she says.
I put the phone down and smile. Of course, there’s a residual chance that someone will recognize Nelly and ask questions but, as Adams has over a thousand applications, I think this is a small risk worth taking.
Anyway, I plan a new haircut for Nelly before September, so that should confuse any curious minds.
It’s only Mrs Pembury I’m concerned about – she would remember Nelly, I’m sure – but her absence from school suggests that the evidence of financial impropriety that I’ve sent to her governing body has had the desired impact.
It was quite simple really once I had her bank account details (purloined from a bank statement found in her recycling bin).
No one is concerned about security when you’re putting money into an account, and I just transferred three separate payments to her using a new Bitcoin account.
I sent copies of these payments, and of three anonymous emails of thanks for her generous support, along with a letter accusing Mrs Pembury of taking bribes for school places, to the chair of trustees, along with a suggestion that they talk to her PA about any cash changing hands.
Of course, Mrs Pembury would deny it all, but evidence speaks volumes and schools hate scandals. She would have deleted the anonymous emails, of course, but they’ll be in the system, and once they initiate a search, well, it’ll look rather like a cover-up.
The English hate financial impropriety even more than they hate queue jumpers, so I don’t think we’ll be seeing Mrs Pembury again. It’s a shame, really, as I think we would’ve got on well, given different circumstances.
I also receive a phone call from my solicitor, and although it’ll take months for the will to be executed, she gives me positive news about Hollis’s will.
He did indeed die intestate, and as his wife, I am the sole heir.
If this isn’t challenged, I’ll be able to afford to buy my Hampstead house.
I feel newly rich and head to Harrods in the afternoon to spend some money.
We’d been there before Christmas and the children had enormous fun.
I buy a large panda for Nelly, which costs nearly ￡600, a lot for a soft toy but what price love?
Nathan’s cuddly octopus is ￡700 – the additional price probably due to extra limbs, or tentacles as he would tell me.
I’m not completely altruistic as I manage to spend ￡4,500 on a dress for myself.
I’m not even sure if I like it, but that’s what being rich is all about, not having to care.
I get a taxi all the way home and find Aimée reading to Nelly and Nathan in French.
It is rather an idyllic scene and I think she’s bonded with them rather well.
Even the most inadequate person can surprise you.
I give them their gifts, which are popular, and hug them. I don’t know why, but I don’t want to let go. Our idyllic moment is ruined, however, when the police appear. I know what they’re going to say, so I stand in the doorway and allow DS Birch to elaborate.
‘We found Mercer.’
‘You did?’ I say, worried momentarily.
‘Well, we found his phone, notebook, and his blood was all over his phone.’
‘Where?’
‘Matthew Hollis had a rented flat in Hackney. We didn’t know anything about it but got an anonymous tip-off. Someone must’ve seen his picture in the papers.’
Yes, I think to myself, I wonder who that was.
‘By the look of things, Hollis might have killed Mercer and thrown him in the Thames.’
‘Like he tried to do to me.’
‘People repeat patterns,’ says DC Mattoo, nodding.
‘They were probably in dispute about money. We just wanted you to know.’
‘I’m grateful, Detective. I expect his body’s been dragged out to sea by now.’
DS Birch stares at me. There’s a hunger in there still undiminished. An instinct that she can’t quite itch.
‘Anything else?’ I ask.
‘No, not for now,’ she says.
‘It’s been nice getting to know you,’ says DC Mattoo.
I watch them head back down the path and feel a sense of peace and inner satisfaction.