Chapter 45
ED
Now
The temperature outside has just taken a slight dip, and I shiver, put my phone in my back pocket and go inside.
I busy myself by tidying up a bit. I’ve been out so much recently; I haven’t really spent much time enjoying my beautiful apartment that costs me an arm and a leg each month.
I thankfully do have a cleaner, Tanya, who comes in once a week that Sid kindly arranged for me.
She’s one of Sid’s many nieces and she lives just off Teddington High Street.
She’s lovely; nice and discreet and not into music or celebrity, so she is the perfect person to have around.
I’m just loading up the dishwasher when I feel my phone vibrate in my back pocket. Jez and Mark are always telling me to take my phone off vibrate as I so often miss calls and messages.
I notice that there a few other cups and plates that need to be washed so I spend a few minutes finishing stacking up the dishwasher before I sit down on the sofa.
I pick up the remote and idly flick through the numerous channels before settling on the news.
As Clive Myrie reads the headlines, I remember that my phone beeped earlier, and I probably have a message.
I glance at a WhatsApp message from Jez, sending me another healthy breakfast recipe!
I’ll read it properly later but send a thumbs up back to him.
I then look at my social media feeds, starting with Instagram first and there are my usual @ notifications.
They are mainly complimentary but with every positive comment there’s always a few from the trolls who hide behind anonymous accounts.
But there almost hidden in between a load of message requests offering me all manner of things is the message that I’ve been waiting for.
A message from Genie McNamara. It’s brief, but straight to the point.
Hi Ed, I’ve been watching a few of your recent TikToks where you said to get in touch. So, I’m here if you want to talk.
Kind regards, Genie/Evie
I read and reread the message, wondering if after all this time, is it really her?
The message doesn’t give much away. It’s been years since we had any contact.
She must be almost fifty now, the same as me.
Her Instagram account @geniemc is the same as the one that Amira Malik identified, so surely it must be her.
I hesitate before replying. I’ve waited for a lifetime for this message, so I need to think about exactly what to say.
Of course I want to see her; to look her in the eyes, to hear the truth once and for all from my Evie who so didn’t want to be found, she even changed her name.
All I want to do is open a bottle of beer to bolster my confidence in replying to her, to find the right words.
Ask me to write a love song and I’ll have no problem but replying to a message potentially answering all the questions that I’ve ever wanted to know seems impossible.
Was that what it was like for Evie when she composed her message too?
Is that why her message was so vanilla. I would have to respond in the same manner, keep it light, keep it simple.
I resist opening a beer and pour myself a sparkling water and gulp down a large mouthful, eager to quench my parched throat.
Hi Genie, Thanks for reaching out. I know that must have been difficult after all these years and the recent publicity. Of course I’d like to talk – in person preferably, as I’m never sure how safe these messaging services are. I’ll message you my number in a separate message.
Thanks. Ed
I send the first message and then follow it up with a second one containing my mobile number. And then wait……
Now that the message has been sent, I find myself pacing up and down the apartment. I feel a trickle of sweat run down the back of my spine and my hands feel clammy. I don’t have to wait too long before my mobile vibrates and there is a message on WhatsApp from Genie.
Hi Ed, I suggest that we meet up somewhere discreet. You are welcome to come to our house if that suits. We’re in Richmond so not too far from you.
Genie
Meeting at Genie’s house could be an idea as long as no one sees me.
I could ask Jez to drop me off nearby and then walk the rest of the way.
I reply to Genie agreeing to meet at her house in a couple of days and she shoots me a message with her address in Richmond.
I sit back on the sofa. This is really happening.
I’m finally going to find out the truth.