Chapters One to Twelve
Chapter One
My name’s Danny and today my wife and I separated and I’m having a beer just the one to celebrate the occasion. I know that the annulment of a marriage not normally a time for celebration so I won’t celebrate too loudly. My ex-wife and I were married civilly and our annulment has also very civil The kids are in bed these are the same kids that have given me a reason to get up in the morning go to work make money and build a life for us all and we have a good life. How and when did I meet my wife, where is she now? These are good questions that I don’t hear anyone asking but I’ll give you the answers anyway I must stress however that this story must not go any further than us two,
It wasn’t so long ago that I lived alone in a small house in Dún Laoghaire I worked and still work as a debt collector, by phone, online and sometimes door to door. It’s not a glamorous job but I make a living. I had an old green van that I used at weekends for furniture removals Danny O’B’s removals, the van got me from A to B and it was good on diesel. I worked from Monday to Friday for Clancy and O’Clancy Debt Collecting Services as a field operative and Area manager. The title sounded good until I realized that we were all Area Managers. We all had own little domains and on every debt collected we received a commission and all debts uncollected we received a penalty. The only ones who made any real money were Clancy and his dad O’Clancy.
Monday morning started the same as every other Monday started I had a hangover from the weekend and my mouth felt like a witch’s armpit and my head hurt. Sunday night I’d been to a party at John Kohoe’s and I was still wearing the same vest and underpants I’d slept in. I found the cleanest looking shirt from the wash basket put on a jumper over it to hide the creases and stains. It was lucky for me that I wasn’t making social calls. Today I was going to get these lazy bastards to cough up what they owed me one way or another. I wasn’t going to lose any more commission this month; the brewery and Benson and Hedges were depending on me
I knocked on the first door on my list; the door was opened by a little girl crying. It was always a little girl crying this was always their first ploy. I’d seen kids crying many times on O’Connell St I didn’t fall for it then and I wasn’t going to fall for it now
´´Is your mammy in? “
I asked as dispassionately as I could.
´´ I haven’t got all day, just tell her to come to the door I’ve come for my money. She’ll know what I mean“
The little crying girl informed me that
“Mammy was asleep and that she wouldn’t wake up. “
By this time two more little faces appeared between the legs of the half clothed little girl.
´´Get back inside yous two. This doesn’t concern you. “
Barked the suddenly older girl I was struck by the grown up voice that came from the mouth of such a small child.
´´ let me talk to your mother. It’s very important. I’m a very busy and a very important man and you’ll get into serious trouble, if you don’t call your mother now. You don’t want to go to prison, do you? “
´´ No mister“
Said the girl, reverting miraculously back to the little girl who answered the door a few moments before.I could see small tears forming in the little girls eyes as she beckoned me inside
´´You’d better come in“
I came in the hall way and peaked into the front room, it was strewn with bottles and cans. I could see and smell old pizza boxes. The two youngest were watching television. They were seated on the floor flanked by cushions. The sofa was covered in rubbish I could’ve sworn, that there was a horse curled up asleep under the rug, until the horse started to growl and bark.
´´Don’t mind him“
Said the girl reassuringly
´´He’s a pussycat“
The girl pointed to a door along the hall, which I assumed was her mother’s bedroom. I was, at first, a little reticent about going into a strange woman’s bedroom, even if she did owe me money. I wasn’t going to take favours for cash. I’d seen too many in my profession fall down that deep hole. Idiots of that kind always ended up owing money to their offices and most lost their jobs, homes followed quickly by wives and kids. I had no home or wife to lose but I did have my integrity, commission to earn and I still a fierce hangover
´´so forget it lover I want my money“.
I knocked politely on the door there was no reply this didn’t surprise me it was just normal procedure. I opened the door slowly I was careful I’m a seasoned debt collector I had encountered a few nasty surprises before. It would not have been the first time that I’d completed my rounds smelling of piss that had been thrown over me. I would never go home and change it was a waste of a day and time was money.
I called out a greeting, as you do. I do have some manners after all and I always try to show my clients respect. It was when I got into the room that I smelt an all too familiar odour, it was the smell of death. I remembered that bitter smell from my grandfather’s death bed. Every member of my family was born at home and died at home. I could smell the shit and the piss of death. I wondered, just for a moment, why the children hadn’t followed me in. I was after all a stranger, well at least, not a friend and I was going into their mammy’s bedroom. It struck me, sadly, that maybe I hadn’t the first man they had seen go in there but I was the last. Mammy or Claire the name as I knew her, lay there peacefully just like she was taking an afternoon nap. Claire’s eyes were only half closed. It was like she was teasing me and at any moment she would spring up with a big smile and say
´´ Got ya “
But no, she was dead. I had a feeling that the little girl had known all along, that her mother was dead I was only invited in to confirm her diagnosis. Poor Claire! These poor children! What would happen now? What happens to children if their single mum dies?
The debt is cancelled you can’t sue the dead, so that was OK. It was a load of my mind and I did have a job to do not that it mattered now. I remember the room vividly; it was the nicest room in the house. There were ivory white curtains, a fine double bed with a beautiful pink silk duvet that matched the pink walls. There was no carpet just a fine thick piled rug that led from the door to the bed.
It wasn’t a grown woman’s bedroom it was too sweet and too pink. I started to wonder how old Claire actually was. The eldest daughter was about seven. The two youngest were about two and three years of age, before phoning the police and the ambulance. I looked in her bag to see if there was anyone I should call.
There was no one. Claire Costello aged 23 was alone, just like me and now her children were alone. I still don’t know what come over me that day I just turned around left the room and closed the door. I went back into the hall the children were still watching television. The oldest one was by now in the kitchen trying to find some breakfast for the two babies. There was some bread and some jam. She was spreading the bread as I come into the kitchen.
´´Your mammy’s had to go away for a while“
I said stupidly expecting her to believe me
´´She’s gone to heaven, hasn’t she?
Murmured the little girl, holding back her tears. She would be the mammy now. She was the biggest the oldest! She was Mammy’s big girl.
´´You can’t stay here alone”‘
I said in my most assuring voice
´´Where’s your da?“
´´We don’t have one“
Said the little girl with great pride
´´ we don’t need men in our life they’re nothing but pain, heartache and trouble“
The older woman who had possessed the little girl’s body earlier was there again. I explained as best I could to the children that mammy had been very sick and that now she was happy with the angels. I found, with the help of my young friend, clothes for all of the children.
We then, all of us proceeded in tidying up their home as best we could in as short a time as possible. The dog took a little persuading, that I could be trusted but after a relatively short time he accepted me as a friend but this was only after I fed him.
The next moment was very perplexing then and now I don’t know what came over me. I just came to a decision; I would not let these children go into an uncaring system. I had read the papers I knew what went on inside Care homes the abuse and the neglect. I was a well read working class Dublin boy and what I read I believed. It was clear to me what had to be done! I Danny O’Bernstein had to save these children.
The first task was to get rid of Claire’s body. She still looked as if she was sleeping; she looked so lovely and so peaceful. I went back into her room I took the time before removing Claire’s body to comb her hair and wash her face. I’d done the same for my granddad my dad couldn’t bring himself to look at his father’s dead body. I wrapped her in her pink duvet, they cost a bit those duvets, but I thought what the hell! You only get buried once. I picked her up as gently as I could and took her out into the hall and then out through the front door. Somehow I managed to open the back door of my van I bundled her in and closed the door. It was only then that I looked around, to make sure that no one had seen me. I saw no twitching curtains, no curious neighbours, and no old bill there was just me and Claire.
Soon after that it was time to dispose of Claire’s body Enja and I dressed Kylie and Roan and I put all the kids into the front of my van. I prayed that I wouldn’t get stopped by the police, my prayers were answered. We made a quick stop at MacDonald’s and then B & Q to buy a spade and a wheel barrow and finally onward to the Dublin Mountains.
After an hour’s drive I spotted the perfect last resting place for Claire Costello. It was next to a peat bog and not a tree in sight. I didn’t want to bury her under a tree because I was afraid that hikers, dog walkers or townies on a day out might find her. A tree is great place for a picnic and a perfect toilet. Claire’s last resting place had to be far away from the road and anonymous. I measured my steps from the road and took down my exact mileage so I could maybe find her again one day and give her a decent Christian burial.
As I stopped the van I contemplated a little about Claire’s cause of death, maybe she had been she murdered. Maybe I was letting a killer go free to murder again, should I have called the police and let them do an autopsy?
I didn’t’ know the answer to any of these questions and the kids couldn’t tell me. Claire was dead that I did know and the kids needed looking after and I was the man fate chose for that job. My life up until then although I didn’t realise then was empty. I had no one to care for and no one that cared about me. Today was the day that Danny O’B was going to make a difference
The kids played on the bog whilst I dug the grave, my little friend and I had conceived a plan to explain the significance of this elaborate burial site. We were burying treasure and we couldn’t tell anyone where it was. I knew that the kids would never have been able to find this place again anyway. I’m not a physical man I’m not a labourer I dug the grave as deep as I could in the time allowed and people have been known to drive over The Dublin Mountains from time to time so I thought it best dig the grave as quick as I could. I laid her body still wrapped in the duvet slowly down into the hole. I said a little prayer, the kids didn’t know any prayers so they each sang a song and with the ceremony over I buried their mother. She was a small woman you couldn’t see her inside that huge duvet so the little ones had no problem believing that it was a buried treasure. The children were now going to be my responsibility a sane man i know would’ve just called the police
I should tell you the children’s names there was my little Mammy Enja aged 8 going on twenty and then in age order there was Kylie aged 3 and finally young Roan aged 2
Chapter Two
When the hole was filled in me and my new little crew left Claire in peace, we walked back and climbed into the van. It was now time for me to check my phone; there were so many messages. There were so many people dying to give me their hard earned or State given cash. I knew also, that the Clancy’s were itching for me to take their money to the bank I wasn’t sure now what to do. I was starting to feel a little panic coming on I calmed myself down and we drove back to the city where I tried to take stock of the situation.
I couldn’t raise any suspicions I had to act normally I took the kids back to my place; I hadn’t long moved into my new house so turning up with a little flock of children would not raise too many eyebrows. I bought some food on the way back and after a quick meal I asked young 8 year old Enja to watch the kids while I went out to earn some money I raced around my patch like a man possessed I didn’t take any shit or excuses I just wanted my money so I could get back to my new family as soon as possible.
It was four O’clock when I returned to the kids; my home was quiet a little too quiet. I opened the front door and went slowly inside, everything looked fine. The two youngest were fast asleep on the sofa and Enja was sitting on the floor watching television. She smiled when I came in. She jumped up, ran towards me and gave me a big hug and said
´´ Hi Da “
Enjas sudden outburst of affection was touching but I must confess I found it a very disturbing I just said
´´ Hi Shall I make us some diner? ”
Enja nodded and gave me a big smile. She explained that the normal procedure was Fish and Chips or pizza. It had been a long time since anyone had cooked them a meal I’m not Jamie Oliver, but I can cook simple food. When the food was ready we woke the other two and we all sat at the table and ate. I’d never done this before I felt a tear in my eye so I quickly blew my nose
That night after the kids were asleep in their makeshift beds I drove down to their home and collected as much of their belongings as I could without raising suspicion from the neighbours, as it happened the kids didn’t have much. I took all Claire’s papers, her phone and her Laptop. I now had Claire’s entire life in my hands. I was in Claire’s room and only a scarce few hours had passed since that I had discovered her lifeless body in that same room. I could still see her I could still smell her. I stripped her bed bare there were empty syringes under it, roaches in the ashtray and the drawer was filled with empty pill bottles. Who was she? What kind of life did these children have?
I went into the kids’ bedroom. It was almost bare but for a few toys, there was paper, crayons and a big TV I had seen enough for today so I left, I knew I’d have to come back again and clear the place out. It was lucky for me that on this estate everyone knew my face and my line of work. It wasn’t so unusual to see me coming out of a flat with a television, furniture or any other household goods that could be sold in lieu of debts owed.
All the lads knew me and they all knew that I carried money but they let me be. They all knew me but I knew all of them and I didn’t mind being a snitch I’d finger any one of them without hesitation.
There were also their parents to be considered, they wouldn’t have been happy if their lines of credit were suddenly cut off. In this area the rule was
“Hands off Danny”
I would be able to clear the flat slowly over the next following days. On my journey home I started to think about all the things I’d have to do to keep the kids safe the next day I had to inform the housing association that Claire and her family were leaving forthwith, this task could easily be dealt with online I had all Claire’s papers and other files with me God Bless the internet but where did I go from here? When I returned home I started to think of some of the practical things like school for Enja or Child minding for Kylie and Roan. I didn’t know where Enja went to school I knew I’d have to take her there at least for the first few days just to introduce myself as Claire’s new partner and I had to be certain, that Enja wasn’t going to say anything at school about her mother.
It was time to sleep it had been a long strange day my head was filled with too many things to think about. I just had to lie down and close my eyes I carried the sleeping Enja into my room; I put the two smallest in the box room for me it was the sofa. I had a 3rd bedroom, an empty shell I had no real use for it until now. I could fetch the kid’s beds at the weekend I grabbed a blanket and a cushion and I put my head down in an instant I was in a coma, asleep, dead to the world. I was awoken next morning early, by Roan, being the youngest he was the first to feel the discomfort of hunger and thirst
´´Where’s mammy“
He said surprised but not unduly concerned
´´ She’s gone away mate but we’ll see her again “
I replied. I then picked him up took him into the kitchen and made him some breakfast.
´´Sweets, Sweets, Sweets“
He chanted this over and over again
´´ No mate breakfast first, sweets later much later! “
Roan’s early morning chant awoke Enja and Kylie. They came into the kitchen smiling neither of them asked after their mother. I made breakfast for all of us. I’d never prepared food for so many guests before, maybe a cup of tea for that very rare one night stand, but this was different. This was great I felt like a dad. I wasn’t but it still felt good and after breakfast it was back to the real world school and Child minding
´´You do go to school, right? “
I asked Enja innocently
“Yes of course I do“
´´ I think I had better take you today, so that the school can get to know who I am. You know that my name is Danny yes? “
Enja nodded and smiled
I dressed the two smallest and helped Enja, she didn’t need my help she just wanted it, she came downstairs holding two socks and her shoes and I helped her put them on and with that little job over we all left and jumped into the van, a quick note to myself I needed to buy a car. Enja’s school was not too far away it was St Mary’s Catholic primary school. The title Catholic School said so much to me I’d have to be careful here suddenly so many questions went through my head.
“Are you related to one of the children? Are you and Claire cohabiting now? Can we expect the sound of Wedding Bells?”
I had remembered last night to take the pushchair and it was big enough for two. Enja me and the young ones, walked from the van to the school. It wasn’t far from the car park and I wanted to get to know the area a little better. As a bachelor I had never looked around my neighbourhood, my home was just a roof and a front door to keep out the cold and the rain I only knew where the pubs and shops were. Today was a good day to explore. We came to the school gates I went in with Enja, so that the teacher could see my face and maybe talk to me. It had been a long time since someone had walked through the school gates with Enja; Claire was never up in time so Enja just got up and took the bus alone
It was now time to make things look natural I waved to the teacher and she came over to me and shook my hand. She laughed a little, unsure of whom I was so I introduced myself.
“Danny O’Bernstein, Claire’s boyfriend I’m looking after the kids for a while Claire is staying at a clinic she’s not been well”
She smiled I wasn’t sure why. I thought that maybe she knew that Claire had some problems or maybe because she thought I wasn’t who I said I was
´´ Danny O’Bernstein! “
She said
´That’s a name I won’t quickly forget,
I’m Miss Theresa O’Flyne See you again I hope. “
Miss O’Flyne then took Enja by the hand and they walked into the classroom together. Day one was not over but the school test had been passed with no awkward questions. Kylie and Roan joined me on my rounds. I was popular that day almost everyone stopped and smiled they all wanted to talk to the kids
´´ I thought that, all you debt collectors were bastards. But I can see that these two aren’t“
Said a woman before breaking her heart laughing
We ate lunch at Mickey D’s. The children got a free toy I bought an extra toy for Enja. After lunch Kylie and Roan fell asleep in the buggy. I finished my rounds and at four and we collected Enja. When we arrived at the school gates Enja ran up to me with a big smile, she jumped up into my arms and gave me a big kiss on the cheek
´´Hi Da“
She said this with such strong conviction that everyone who was in ear shot would have no doubt that we were supposed to be together. I was taken aback but I just said
´´ Hi Darlin How’z it goin? “
and then I let her down gently
In the van Enja gave me the key she had from a mother
´´ I don’t need this anymore do I Da?
She asked
“No you don’t”
I said this with a lump in my throat and a small tear in my eye
I felt like a dad, a protector and a sense of wellbeing came over me. This was the right thing to have done I had to save these children I would have done anything for them. Up until now their lives had been shit and I was going to make their lives good. I was really going to look after them I was a dad, a protector and a child abductor. I put the van into first gear and we drove home
After tea the kids settled down in the living room and watched the box. I was in the kitchen washing up and all of a sudden I thought! What about the dog? The dog had been on his own in the flat, all day and all night, something had to be done the horse under the blanket. I couldn’t ask my neighbour to watch the kids. There would have been too many questions, so I checked on the kids ran outside and jumped into the van. I drove as fast as I legally could and parked outside the flat. I was lucky that this was an area, where everyone kept themselves to themselves, so a crying, barking dog would just be ignored, He was still there and he was alright, he was hungry, dirty and smelly in a bad mood and he needed a walk, well that’s what the pile of dog mess in the corner told me. I pulled him out into the kitchen and gave him some food by now he knew my smell, and sensed that I meant him no harm. After he had eaten I took him around the block to let him clear his bowels but judging by the state of the floor in the living room there wasn’t much left to vacate. Claire hadn’t given him a name, so I called him Bouncer, he was a good doorman and a friend to the children I didn’t really want a dog but it seemed to me that I had to take the whole package.
Whilst we drove home Bouncer seemed to cope quite well in the back of the van. When I got back I put Bouncer in the kitchen then I put the two sleeping little ones to bed. Enja had also fallen asleep on the sofa. I carried her up the stairs to my room, she stirred little opened her eyes smiled then went back to sleep. I tucked her in and then went downstairs to sleep on the sofa. I lay there and so many thoughts ran through my head I knew that again tomorrow there would be more things to sort out. I’d have to return to Claire’s home, pack some black bags and get rid of as much of her stuff as possible, not all of it though. I had to take some clothes and possessions back here because there had to be some trace that Claire lived here
Eventually my body gave way to my mind and I dropped off. I awoke early next morning and prepared breakfast for the children I had some bread that was nearly fresh and some cornflakes which were an offering from an old lady who owed me money. She tried to offer them in barter to settle her debt. I accepted the cornflakes on condition that she had money the following week the lady in question reluctantly agreed and I left with five packets of cornflakes I had milk and sugar I love my sweet tea in the mornings I had cereal bowls so everything was ready for a family breakfast
I woke Enja first she blinked open her eyes and then looked at me a little nervously. I stood right back and well away from the bed and told her not to rush or worry I’d be downstairs making breakfast. I then left the room Enja hopped out of bed and followed me downstairs, she then sat at the kitchen table smiling and tucking into her cornflakes. This little girl’s smile was so beguiling that I couldn’t help but to smile back and chuckle a little Enja carried on eating
I had packed some clothes for Enja before we left her old home; there were not very many clean clothes in the drawers of any size. I don’t think Claire was so fastidious when it came to her children. I had a washing machine out the back so I could wash the clothes that I had found later on that day, just another job I’d have to find time for
Enja was nearly finished breakfast so now it was time to wake Kylie and Roan I crept upstairs I didn’t want to frighten them though I had a sense that were used to being, looked after by strangers. They were both fast asleep and so peaceful, it seemed a shame to wake them but life had to go on I slowly lifted up the duvet that both Roan and Kylie were wrapped themselves over with. I could smell that one of them had an accident during the night. I couldn’t tell which one though I assumed that it was Roan; They both woke up happy enough it didn’t take long to work out who was wet, it was Roan. I put one of my old tee-shirts on him and then we went down to eat. They both sat politely at the table and waited for their breakfast. All three children had in fact impeccable table manners maybe I was a little too quick to judge their mother and her ability as a parent. I just thought that she was some young slut who let her kids drag themselves up but no I was mistaken. I did suffer from my own personal prejudices but I believe that Claire had taught her children how to behave and conduct themselves. They were better behaved than many of the other children I had come across during my working day and theses were children raised by well adjusted parents in hard working conventional families. While the children ate I phoned work to give them a plausible explanation as to why I was taking the morning free and to assure them that all my calls would be made and that they wouldn’t lose any money. I don’t remember exactly what I said but they seemed happy enough I was after all a good worker and a good moneymaker.
Breakfast over faces and bodies washed everybody dressed It was now time to get Enja to school and for me to carry on with my improvised plans and continue my campaign of action. A client of mine Sheila Donovan was a registered Child Minder and she only lived a few doors down from me I could call in on her on my way home from the school. I couldn’t ask Sheila to look after the children full time I would have to apply to the local council and fill in some forms so I asked Mrs. Donovan to help me out just for today I always found that a wad of cash usually stopped any reluctance or awkward questions I thought maybe later that day I would ask my sister to take Roan and Kylie for the short term, she was at home with her two children and she always needed cash.
I dropped off Enja again with a smile and wave to Miss O’Flyne she was lovely I just wasn’t available and there was always that slim chance that she didn’t fancy me. Enja gave me a hug and then ran through the gates I then took Kylie and Roan to Mrs. Donovan Sheila took the cash and didn’t ask any questions I told her I’d pick the kids up at 4 and then we could have a chat. She smiled agreed and then said goodbye, Roan and Kylie seemed happy to be playing with other children. I made a few house calls on the way back to Claire’s I still had to do my job, earn some money and above all act naturally. I parked my van outside the flats and as I got out Mrs. Price one of Claire’s neighbours came up to me.
“Hello Danny”
she said in a cheerful voice
“I see you’ve been into young Claire’s again, she must owe you quite a bit”
“I don’t discuss my clients’ personal business with anyone but my client”
She carried on the conversation only her tone changed a little to one of menace tinged with a little sarcasm
“Ok sorry I’m sure! I’m glad I caught you though, Danny I wonder if you could sub me 50 Euros until they end of the month and I need the money today”
she added hurriedly
“Yes”
I said quickly I didn’t want hang around too long
“I’ll just get my pad for you to sign”
“No I meant off the books like I don’t want to have to pay anymore charges”
Her tone again changed a little
“Can you not just lend me 50 Euros until the end of the month?”
“No sorry It’s more than my job’s worth and I’ve been caught before when people have let me down I’ll tell you what I’ll sub you 50, If you sign my book and give me back the 50 then and I’ll cancel the transaction I just won’t date it and nobody needs to know, unless of course you don’t pay me back on the first, this way and just this once, no extra charges I’m not lending you any money without a signature “
I was trying to help I’m not a hard man I knew that she needed the money but I’m not a bank I was just a man trying to make a living and who didn’t want to get caught out again
´´Well just give us 20 then“
Mrs. Price wasn’t going to give up easily ´´
“And what are you doing here again? You were only here two days ago. What’s going on? Are you taking advantage of that poor young single mother? It’s not right! I‘ll report you to your superiors. Just lend me the 20 and we’ll say no more”
She said this with hope in her voice and a smile in her eyes
“Mrs. Price I don’t like your insinuations and if I were you, a bad credit risk in payment arrears I would be very careful who I offended . I’ll give you the 50 Euros if you sign my book. As for young Claire I’ve never laid a hand on her or made any inappropriate suggestions. I’m here because I wanted to help her and her children. Claire will be away for a while; she’s in a hospital with her depression. I’m picking up some of her things and some clothes for her children. Claire’s social worker contacted my Company and asked us to help. This has nothing to do with you it’s not your concern. Now do you want the money or not? ”
I hoped my little speech might give me, Claire and the kids a good cover story. Mrs. Price just frowned and walked away without saying another word. I went into the block and opened the door, the flat felt eerie and quite. I relived that day again I could see her room and her dead, still and stiff body. I could still smell her I remembered cleaning her body to stop the smell getting worse and seeping into the hall or the other flats. I tried to be respectful but I had to lift up her night dress and wash her intimate areas I hated the feel of her dead hard body I remember removing her bracelet and her rings even her earrings because I didn’t want some anorak with a metal detector to find her body. I had to put all this behind me and concentrate on the job in hand. I put some more of her things into black bags as much as I could carry without running the risk of attracting too much attention. Suddenly my heart missed a beat there was a sound, a ringing phone I thought I had taken her phone on my last visit. It didn’t occur to me that she would have more than one phone I quickly searched the bedroom, it was under her bed I looked at the screen Number withheld I answered it
“Hello”
I said, trying to sound as calm as my shaking body would allow me.
“Who`s this?”
Said the angry voice on the other end.
“I’m Danny, Claire’s boyfriend. Who’s this?”
I retorted as bravely as I dared.
“ No no you’re alright”
Said the voice on the other end of the line and then the call was over. I quickly searched Claire’s phone address book I sent the same message to everyone who seemed to be a friend. The rest of the names on the list surprised me a little in fact they weren’t just names many seemed to be customers, these names were in block capitals and they all were men. Everyone one her directory who I perceived as a friend got the same message that day.
Hi RUOK? I’ve met a nice bloke. Danny He’s a Keeper He’s going to look after the babes I’m going into rehab. I can’t be contacted for a while. Sorry they’re taking my mobile away now CU soon x Claire
They nearly all replied and I read all the messages one by one. No one was suspicious they were all pleased for Claire and they all wanted to meet me one day. This was a result, Yes! I packed up the rest of her things and then just sat down in the living room for a moment to collect my thoughts. I surveyed the whole room and then the kitchen and all the other rooms. There was in fact very little furniture but what little Claire had bought was clearly expensive There was a new telly a good expensive sound system, all paid for on credit I imagine. This credit debt could one day prove to be a problem I could clear Claire’s debt with me but the other creditors were a different matter I took all Claire’s papers home with me so I would be to read through all of them and work out exactly where Claire stood financially
I had some idea from my own records but my files couldn’t tell me the whole story. I emptied Claire’s fridge and cupboards of everything. I turned off all the electrical appliances that I couldn’t carry and left. I knew a firm that would come around and empty the flat for me they were discreet and dealt only in cash
Chapter Three
It was now June, Enja would soon be on her summer holidays and we could go away as a family, but first I had to do some things that needed to be done. Mrs. Donovan had to be officially registered as a child minder. This would solve my babysitting dilemma and Roan and Kylie would be cared for safely while I was out earning some money
While the children slept I went through all of Claire’s papers I had all her bank details and her pin numbers she had hidden them all on her phone. All Claire’s benefits were paid into the bank, so there was no need for her to turn up in person at the post office. I added Claire’s name to my account and I ordered her a new card online as my partner. The next thing to do was to, transfer all her bills into my name and
I informed the Social Services by e-mail that
“I Claire Costello would no longer need financial assistance of any kind. My new partner Daniel O’Bernstein had a fulltime job and could support me and my family”
It has always been in my experience that if you don’t ask for anything then people leave you alone and Claire’s creditors would raise no objections to being paid on time every month.
The next morning after the school run and dropping off the children to Mrs. Donovan a quick stop at ASDA to buy Baby seats for the van I went down to the council and told them at reception to give a message to Claire’s Social Worker that Claire and I were now living together. I told the woman behind the desk about Claire’s rehab treatment in Scotland. She seemed very glad to hear that I was paying for it privately and that we wouldn’t be needing any financial help from social services anymore. I had a good job and I was going to look after Claire and the kids from now on. She gave me a smile and wished me and Claire good luck for our future. I thanked her and we arranged that someone would call over and see Claire after the summer holiday’s to check and see how things were going. Over the next few weeks I cultivated a close relationship between myself and Aoife, Claire’s Social We spoke on the telephone we wrote e-mails to and from
I explained to Aoife that Claire had checked into a retreat in Scotland that was way up in The Highlands I gave her a Clinic name that she could verify and she seemed satisfied I also explained that patient confidentiality was a strict rule of the clinic and that all forms of correspondence had to go through their main reception which was based in California. Aoife was just glad that Claire was receiving treatment and that the children were being looked after. She did come by two or three times to make sure our living conditions came up to their standards. We lived in a reasonably sized house with a large garden and the child minder was council approved.
As far as Aoife was concerned, when Claire came home from the clinic that apart from the odd visit or maybe a phone call it was case closed and Social Services could use their resources on to help another young mother in need
I realised however that Claire and I just living together, even in this new modern Ireland wasn’t going to be enough to fully satisfy Dublin social services. The only alternative I had to securing my new families safety was to marry Claire and make my guardianship official. After we were married I could plan Claire’s demise or permanent disappearance. How was I going to marry Claire? She was dead and buried on a Dublin Mountain I knew that it was going to be a challenge but to every problem there’s a solution.
The marriage predicament didn’t turn out to be such a big problem, neither Claire nor I needed passports or visas and we weren’t looking to borrow money or gain profit. We were just a young couple in love, who wanted to get married, so after hours of internet searching and a bit of cash we got married on-line. The Right Reverend Dr John Michael McKenzie married us from his virtual Church in The Philippines. On the evening of our wedding I e–mailed copies of our passports and Birth certificates. I answered all the questions on the form, filled in the payment section and then pressed Submit. An hour later I received an e-mail, a copy of our marriage certificate. It was so easy
I didn’t think for one minute that it was in any way legal or binding it just a piece of paper to satisfy Social Services and it did. They all liked me down at Social Services they regarded me as a good influence on Claire and they all agreed that the children needed stability and that stability was me. Since the day I came into Claire’s life Enja had attended school every day she clean well fed, rested and happy the younger children were happy and were thriving. It was a good day when Claire met Danny
It was on Enjas last day of term and when I picked her up from school I informed Miss O’Flyne that Claire and I had got married and that Claire was going to remain in Scotland for a few more months. Miss O’Flyne was a little shocked; she smiled and wondered why Enja hadn’t mentioned this in class. I explained that we didn’t want any fuss especially at this crucial time in Claire’s rehabilitation program. She was only allowed out for a couple of days for the ceremony. We promised the clinic No big party No alcohol and No stress. I explained to Miss O’Flyne that I was a man of my word I did feel gutted telling Miss O’Flyne that I was married because she was so lovely
My next mission would be undertaken and I hoped completed during the summer I decided to adopt the children they needed a mother and a father I filled in the forms I sent them off with a copy of our marriage certificate and all the other relevant documents I hoped that the adoption process was going to be just a formality; it was a good time of the year in Ireland to send off an application because everyone wanted to have a clear desk before their summer holidays. Each of the children’s Birth Certificates stated Father Unknown and in Ireland every child needs a father. I was right about the Irish Civil Service and the call of a summer break, after two phone calls and one letter from the county we got the papers back. I was now officially their dad. Claire and I were officially parents. Sadly now I was going to have to become a widower or an abandoned husband I wasn’t sure of which option or how to make it happen
In a couple of week’s time Claire would be coming home from the Rehab centre. A short holiday with people who love her would do her some good and would facilitate in Claire s rehabilitation. That’s what I told everyone who asked, thankfully there were not that many inquisitive people around me. I had always kept myself to myself
I started to form a plan in my head I told the children that we were going to France to a town called Roscoff. It was a town very close to White sand beaches and there were plenty of fine activities for the whole family. I’d read all the brochures and we would take the ferry over from Cork to Roscoff. It’s a fourteen hour crossing, plenty of time to maybe stage a tragedy
Working out some of the details of my plan was difficult I had envisaged driving up to Claire’s grave, digging up her rotting corpse buying some extra thick gardening sacks to put her body in I quickly abandoned that plan. I had to find another solution I booked our crossing on-line, a car plus three passengers. Little Roan and Kylie didn’t count. I thought of bringing the dog along, killing him and then throwing him overboard so that everybody would hear the splash but once again, I changed my mind. Bouncer was a good dog I actually knew of a farm near Cork that took in dogs, for a fee and their charges weren’t too exorbitant. Bouncer as it happened turned out to be a Great Pyrenees a full-bred rare breed which was handy because if one day he got on my nerves I could sell him to a dog breeder. I solved the Bouncer problem however quite easily. A dog loving neighbour who I’d got to know quite well since I moved in said that she would look after him while we were away for a small fee
I applied for passports for all the children they took about two weeks to arrive which was fine. This gave me enough time to arrange my holidays from work and save up some money I also needed to buy a new car. I couldn’t take the kids away in my old van, they would never have let me get on the boat and I didn’t want to draw any undue attention to ourselves. The only attention I wanted to receive had to be planned and well in advance and I didn’t want any surprises.
We were all up early on the 19th July eating a hearty breakfast; it was a long drive to Cork. All our bags were packed, passports safely stowed in my rucksack and a beaming new Hyundai Estate waited patiently outside for its driver and passengers. The children were almost as excited as me I’d never been on a family holiday before I’d never been to France I’d never taken a ferry, this was going to be great. After breakfast and an obligatory bathroom visit for everyone I changed Roan, he was a smelly little bugger every morning. When we got back from France it was definitely time for potty training for my stinky little friend.
It was time to go it was time to start our adventure. Everybody in, buckled up, the boot loaded and it was time to go on holiday. Before we got on to the N8 I spotted something that I was looking for a hitchhiker. There were actually two a young man and a woman and I really needed a woman. They were holding a big hand-written sign saying Cork Please! I stopped and gave them a lift they were a nice couple who were actually trying to get to Rigaskiddy to take the ferry, it was everyone’s lucky day.
The journey took about 5½ hours, the travel plan said maybe 4½ but we weren’t in a hurry. We stopped a couple of times on route, to eat stretch our legs and take the inevitable pee stops. Our hitchhiker’s names were Brian and Neeve they were friendly and talkative I put Neeve in the back and Brian sat up front with me. Neeve got on well with the children she asked where their mother was I pretended to choke back a tear and she rapidly changed the subject. They were going to live in France, at least for the next six to eight months they had been offered jobs over there I don’t know what the jobs were I didn’t really care I was too busy going through my plan to hear everything they said I just knew that I wouldn’t see them again and that was fine.
When we got to the Port office I asked Brian and Neeve to wait in the car. I told them, that I was going to try to get them on the ferry for free I’d explain to the man that we were a family, all going on holiday. If I told the ferry company I was carrying hitchhikers, they might charge them separately, as foot passengers. Luckily, now with our European open borders policy passports are not so important to the Irish ferry companies. You should of course have a valid passport, but they aren’t so stringent when leaving Ireland if we were going to be stopped it would be on the French side or on our way back
I walked into the ticket office. I had already checked in on-line so I had a boarding pass. I just wanted the clerk to see me leave Ireland I pointed out to Neeve in the car saying that she was my wife Claire I also pointed to Brian I explained that he was a hitchhiker that we’d picked up The clerk waved to the children and everyone waved back. I confirmed my booking a car plus 5 passengers I also started to explain to him that this was our first holiday abroad he feigned some interest gave me back my papers and wished me a good trip
Chapter Four
A fourteen hour ferry journey awaited us we had a cabin booked but Brian and Neeve had to opt for the Pullman Passage, these were just beds down at the bottom of the ship, they looked comfy enough the accommodation was clean but basic. Young Brian and Neeve’s plan was to get to France and then travel up to one of The Wine Regions to pick grapes over the summer. Oh the wonders of being young I think I must have been born old I don’t ever remember hankering to go travelling through Europe or go fruit picking in the summer. Australia or England had never appealed to me and I couldn’t stand Americans so it was always Good Old Ireland for me. When I say Ireland I really just mean working, making money and drinking beer
I’d never been on a proper holiday before, my parents couldn’t afford to take us away, all my school holidays were spent at home with my brother and my two sisters Mam was around and Da seemed to be always working.
I suppose now and because we are becoming friends I should at least tell you my full name I was actually Christened Daniel Michael John O’Bernstein and I have a brother called Patrick Michael Vincent O’Bernstein and two sisters called Mary and Bernadette who are now married and have shed the old name which is something we all prayed for. I call myself Danny O’Bern because it’s easier I can fit in better and I don’t have to tell the whole story of how we became The O’Bernstein’s. I can tell you that story later if you’re interested. I will however secretly reveal to you that I know that there are some branches of The Calhoun family that started off as Cohen and it’s the same for some of The Burke lineage or should I say Berkovich.
My brother Patrick picks and chooses how he uses the name, he’s a private detective and he works all over Ireland and The North. In Dublin he’s O’Bern in parts of Belfast he’s just Bern and in Portobello where he has a few clients he calls himself Patrick Bernstein. Patrick can actually tell you his own story right now; I’m telling you mine.
Being a family friendly ferry they had a family friendly lounge with a little play area for Kylie and Roan, Enja and Neeve chatted for hours I still can’t remember what they spoke about. I find it hard to talk to anyone under the age of thirty but the girls seemed to laugh a lot. Brian and I just looked at each other and grinned not knowing what to say I’d point to his glass buy him a drink and then he’d point to my glass and do the same. Kylie and Roan stopped playing and came back to us, they both rolled up on both sides of me and fell asleep. I did notice a frosty look coming from one of the stewards as he spied four little feet resting on his clean sofa I beckoned him over deliberately using my middle finger I asked him what the time was in France, he answered politely whilst I carefully removed Roan and Kylie’s shoes. I disturbed Roan and Kylie’s slumber at about 7 o’clock and we all ate the sandwiches that I been carrying with me the whole day.
They didn’t look as fresh as they did first thing that morning but they were eaten with no complaints I had heard from folk tales about how expensive the food was on these boats and I’m not made of money. After we had all finished eating I took my entire crew back to our cabin I knew that I couldn’t leave them there alone so I packed them all off to bed and I watched television until I dropped off. I knew that in the morning there was some family entertainment laid on by the children’s entertainment officer, he had arranged a Pirate treasure hunt for all budding young pirates I persuaded young Enja that she was indeed a young child and off they went. We all met again at breakfast after which the hunt continued I knew that there wasn’t a real treasure but I wasn’t going to let on I was enjoying some Danny time
The boat finally docked at Roscuff and we were ready to embark, we all got into the car and I told Brian and Neeve that I would drop them off at the bus station they were very pleased to accept my seemingly generous offer. As we drove slowly out of the Ferry terminal Kylie needed the toilet I saw a kiosk on the corner just by the entrance so I stopped outside and we all got out. Neeve said that she would take her and I happily agreed. I don’t speak French so asking where the toilet was would have been a challenge for me. I found the Kiosk building really fascinating; from the outside it looked tiny but inside it seemed to go on for miles. There was the main shop and adjacent to the shop there was a small cafe and a souvenir shop and all the signs were in English and Gaelic there was not a single sign in French.
My original fascination was eclipsed by a small sign that said 3 items for the price of two and there I saw something that I had never seen before, a vacuum-packed straw hat including Sun glasses. I thought what an ingenious product I bought 6 and I got an extra discount I love the French. When Neeve and Kylie came out of the toilet I gave them one each and everyone else got a vacuum-packed straw hat including Sun glasses, we all laughed and tried them on.
It was a short drive from the terminal to the hotel and the Bus Station it was in fact easier to drop Brian and Neeve off before we booked into the hotel. I however asked Neeve if she wouldn’t mind doing me the favour of helping me book in I explained that my French was almost non-existent and this was my first time abroad, she agreed without hesitation. When we arrived at the hotel Brian waited in the car with the kids Neeve and I walked into the reception still wearing our straw hats and sunglasses I actually knew that there would be no language barrier, the brochure for the hotel made it very clear that all the staff spoke excellent English I just needed Neeve to come in with me. The hotel receptionist hardly looked up as he greeted us I handed in all our passports including Claire’s and gave him our booking number
He proceeded to tell me that I could collect the passports from reception again tomorrow; he then gave me the key to our apartment and wished us all a good stay. The young receptionist completed this entire interaction without taking his eyes from the screen. Neeve and I left got back in the car and I gave them a lift to the Bus Station. They got out and waved goodbye and I prayed that I would never see them again. I had booked a medium sized apartment which housed up to 8 people I wanted plenty of room for the children to move around or just play and I wanted some place to retreat to if things got too much for me. I would of course be watching over my little charges but the brochure did say that there were many activities arranged by the hotel with supervision even for the very small ones.
Our apartment was more like a little cottage or an oversized hut I had my own room and the kids had run of the rest of the place. They quickly chose where they would like to sleep I thought it best to have little Roan in with me, there were no locks on the doors so if Kylie or Enja got scared during the night then they could always bunk in with us boys. I unpacked our things I took some of Claire’s clothes with me a pair of jeans; some shorts a bathing suit and some tee-shirts. The apartments were cleaned every day and I wanted to make sure that the cleaner saw some women’s clothes strewn around, so every morning before I left the apartment I left a damp towel and an item of Claire’s clothing on the bed
I pride myself with the ability of being able to read people it a side effect from my job I believe that I can build up an instant profile of people the moment I see them and there’s a second nature resides in me that enables me to tell when people are lying or they are actually having difficulties
“I’m skint this week Danny”
I would just wait for a moment and say nothing I didn’t want to get into any bother I wasn’t paid that much. I found that a simple stare, a smile and a reminder of interest penalties usually brings a satisfactory result.
I knew in an instant if they were secret drinkers, I knew the part time prostitutes, the drug users I don’t judge I just collected the money. Another aspect of this gift I believed was being able to spot unmarried mothers or just single women in the street. I had a 100% record when it came to spotting single or divorced mums I mean to say women alone through no fault of their own I will quickly say that this was not a gift that I used to take advantage of vulnerable women it was just a little game of chance that I played in my head.
It was our first full day alone and I needed to put my ability to the test. The hotel complex grounds were surrounded by a hedge this wasn’t a feeble security measure it was just a way of separating us rich holiday makers from the other poor people who lived in the local area.
We were staying in an apartment but there was also the main hotel and all guests had a right to use the hotel’s facilities. If you were not a guest and you wanted to use the pool and everything else this place had to offer, then you’d have to purchase a ticket from the reception or just buy one from our ever vigilant, and I say this with more than a hint of irony, security personal who sat in deck chairs drinking, by the entrance.
It was easy to spot the tourists who bothered to pay; they all wore loose white armbands. My assignment on this first day was simple I had to find a single female day visitor with children
I needed to talk to her and be seen talking to her, she had to be a single mother on her own with kids preferably not too many, one child would be perfect. We arrived at the pool early in the morning immediately after breakfast. The kids wanted to play and have a dip in the pool Roan and I found a good little spot by the paddling pool I moved a couple of towels I knew they had been left there by some guests taking the mick. I carefully placed them somewhere else and we settled down. Roan just ran into the pool and quickly back out again screaming and laughing
At this time in the morning there were very few people around but I surmised that if I were a single parent on a limited budget then I would take advantage of a place like this. I mean for a couple of Euros you got a clean and safe environment for yourself and your kids. There was a cafe, a little bar and people whose job it was to stop your kids running unaccompanied out the exit or into the deep end of the pool this area was like an all day crèche.
Kylie and Enja jumped into the shallow end of the pool and played they came back periodically to take a drink or to scavenge for bits of food. We had a little kitchen at the apartment and I had stocked up with food and treats at the little kiosk the day before. It was on their third or fourth visit back to our little encampment that I saw my prey. She was a single woman wearing a bracelet accompanied by a little girl. She looked perfect her entire body language cried out
“Single Mother”
I told Enja to run and ask the girl if she wanted to play; this is before they had even sat down. Enja just ran over to her, the little girl let go of her mother’s hand slipped of her sandals, her tee-shirt and jumped into the pool with Enja. The poor woman just looked totally alone and lost I waved to her and smiled
“Sorry my but daughter never takes no for an answer”
The young woman smiled back and came over to us she looked so much like Claire but to be honest I think nearly every girl in Dublin today, looks a lot like Claire did.
The young woman asked me if the sun lounge next to me was taken I told her that it wasn’t she gave me a faint smile and sat down on the lounge.
The towel squatters hadn’t yet returned to claim their territory and I didn’t care I was ready for them if they did come back to claim their spot. She put her things down next to the lounge she wasn’t carrying much. She smiled nervously again and laid herself down. The young woman didn’t undress or speak it was clear to me that she was hot and wanted to enjoy the sun however she was lying next to a total stranger I think we are all a little shy in the presence of strangers. Suddenly Enja came running back to us soaking wet and smiling with her new best friend
“Can we have a drink Da?”
The young woman sat up immediately
“Not for us thank you”
I said to the young woman
“No she’s fine and we have plenty, can I offer you a drink as well? My names Danny and this is my daughter Enja and over here we have Kylie and this little scallywag is Roan. Will you not have a drink with us? We’re harmless”
The young woman smiled she seemed a little more relaxed and she began to speak, her accent was soft she spoke in a clear, quite refined manner
“Yes please and thank you, my name’s Mary and this is my daughter Anne Louise and she’s eight, we’re just here for a few days. We’re staying at The Our Lady of Grace Convent just outside Roscoff, it’s very nice”
As Mary spoke her face crumbled a little and her eyes seemed to well up and then composed herself again and smiled. I listened to her but my mind was still focused on my mission. I pointed to Mary’s bracelet and told her that she should carefully remove it so that she could use it the next time she came Mary looked at me with a little uncertainty as I explained
“Right now you’re sitting here with us, so it looks like you’re like us a resident; ergo you don’t need a bracelet I’ve noticed that when the bracelets get wet they start to disintegrate at an alarming rate. The bracelets are cheaply made and quite delicate, this means that they can’t be used twice so if you take yours off now and put it in your bag then it will still be fresh if you want to come back tomorrow and come in free I mean, you could have bought it at the reception, here let me help you take it off”
Getting something for nothing appeals to most people so Mary put out her arm and I gently removed an obstacle to my plan, with the bracelet safely removed and placed in her bag I got up and started to walk over to the bar
“Would you mind watching Roan for a moment? I fancy a cup of coffee, do you want one? It’s on me!”
Mary smiled and said yes to both questions, when I got to the bar I ordered the coffees and tried to engage the bar tender in some kind of conversation. He couldn’t have been more disinterested if he had tried I did however manage to say the word wife a couple of times and when I came back with the coffees I waved to one of the girls I had seen behind the reception desk, she didn’t remember me but she smiled and waved back I didn’t care I just wanted her to remember me today and the following days.
After drinking her coffee Mary became a touch more relaxed, I know that it’s always hard for a girl on her own and difficult to know who to trust. She finally removed her dress and she was wore a very charming but discreet one piece. Mary seemed like one of the good girls, a well brought up a girl who made just the one mistake. I wasn’t going to judge her; after all it wasn’t that long ago I’d buried a dead girl on the Dublin Mountains. Mary told me everything about her life, the failed romance, the unwanted pregnancy, her parent’s disappointment and the gossip spoken about her at St Patricks Church Millstreet. Mary was no longer allowed to take the bread and the wine up to the altar. She told me that she was going to go to University when Anne Louise got a bit older
Mary’s entire life and dreams and sorrows just flooded out of her mouth and over me. The only thing I really heard, that really grabbed my attention was Millstreet County Cork, which was a long way from Dublin. Mary as lovely as she was would be a girl that I would never see again. As Mary continued, a long shadow drew slowly over where we were sitting and a man and a woman with two teenage children stood over us glaring. I asked polity
“Can I help you?”
The man spoke first in a loud country, Cork accent
“You’re on our Sun Lounges Move!”
I thought how could I resist such a sincere plea? I sat bolt upright I looked at the back of the sun lounge and a little peek under and said
“Sorry there’s no name on this sun lounge are you sure it’s yours? Perhaps yours is over there”
I pointed to the towels that I had found on the lounges some hours earlier. The man started to get annoyed and told us again, to move to which I answered
“No Feck Off”
He grabbed me and threw me off the bed, the barman and a security man woke up and came over, they both spoke at once
“What’s the trouble here?”
The angry man answered
“They’ve taken our fecking place. We had our towels here”
The Bar man pointed to a sign that said
“Do not leave unattended property by the pool area”
The angry man disappointedly read the sign and relented; he apologised to both members of staff and proceeded to the other sun lounge with his family but, if only life were that simple. The security man ordered him to leave the area, his bill would be made up and he would have to leave the hotel and if he didn’t leave then they would call the police. Any form of violence would not be tolerated by this establishment. The assistant manager was called to the scene to make sure that calm had been restored
I didn’t want too much attention but this little confrontation had made my job a little easier, there was a load of fuss and attention but no police involvement. The assistant manager hardly took a glance at Mary as he embarrassingly asked me my name I didn’t mind him asking my name I knew that they had hundreds of guests staying at the hotel they couldn’t remember everyone’s name.
“It’s Danny O’Brienstein I’m staying in one of the apartments with my family and don’t worry it’s fine, there’s no harm done”
The assistant manager smiled and with some relief said
“Please accept our deepest apologises. You will receive a 50% cash back reward on the day of your departure with our compliments. Please enjoy the rest of your stay”
That was a nice result
“Thank you God! And thank you angry Mr. B F from Cork”
Chapter Five
I didn’t plan this little incident but it was perfect for my cover story I just smiled at Mary and I let her carry on talking. I remember some vague details but I must confess I wasn’t really that interested in Mary. Lovely as she was, Mary was just a means to an end I thought to myself if I had been sitting next to Miss O’Flyne that would’ve been a totally different matter I could see in my mind her smile and I remembered her soft Dublin accent I could listen to Miss O’Flyne all day.
This day was a beautiful summer’s French day; the sun seemed to shine brighter in France than it did in Ireland and the sky looked bluer. Mary, Roan and I got into the pool, the hotel photographer came over a couple of times but I said
“No thank you”
I wanted witnesses but I didn’t want a photographic record. I treated everyone to an evening meal I could afford it thanks to Mr. County Cork; it was nothing fancy it was just a little cafe with outside tables and not too far from the hotel. It was cheap, cheerful and refreshingly old fashioned. After the meal we walked Mary into town. She and Anne Louise took a bus back to the Convent and me and the kids went home to bed. It had been a long first day but before going to bed I took Claire’s phone out and sent a couple of texts to her friends with photos of the kids in the pool I thankfully got no replies.
The next morning we were all up and fresh ready for another day by the pool I thought that if Mary came back that we could all go to the beach. I made breakfast and when we were all stuffed to the point of bursting, we all left for the pool. I remembered to throw one of Claire’s tee-shirts on the bed and leave two towels on the bathroom floor.
At about ten O’clock I saw Mary walking towards the opening in the hedge the ever vigilant security guard smiled and let her come by Anne Louise ran over to Enja and then they both jumped into the pool laughing. Mary seemed a little subdued that day, she gave me a faint smile and sat next to me. Shortly after she told me that the Nuns at Our Lady of Grace were displeased at her because Mary and Anne Louise had not been present for Evening Song the night before and that Mary had not informed the Convent that they would not be sharing the evening meal with them. The Reverent mother scolded Mary about this and told her that she would be making a call to the Parish Church in Millstreet. Mary and Anne Louise were staying at the Convent by The Grace of God and at the expense of The Diocese of Kerry and that she should have to learn show more respect for the church especially after falling so far from Grace. I said
“Feck Um! Let’s just have a good innocent day, us two sinners and four beautiful non-sinners”
Mary broke a smile and said
“Yes Feck them I deserve a holiday “
I smiled nodded with agreement and then went off and bought us both a cup of coffee. It was another glorious French summer’s day and I protested that it would be a shame to spend it by an artificial swimming pool I suggested that we should all go to the beach. This was one of my better suggestions it was a great day, the kids loved running in and out of The Bay of Biscay with its calm blue shallow waters. Mary and I talked I told her a little about me and my past but I stuck to faithfully to the my, me and Claire story I made sure that when it came to talking about Claire that
“Less is indeed more”
Mary intimated to me, albeit tacitly that my past was of no great interest to her. Mary was a young single girl still looking for that one perfect man who would take her and Anne Louise away from all this. I truly felt sympathy for her but I wasn’t going to be that man. The day went by so surprisingly quick I suddenly realised the time, it was fast approaching five O’clock. If Mary wanted to avoid the wrath of The Reverent Mother then we had to get her and Anne Louise on the five twenty bus. We gathered up our things I made sure that all our litter was put in the bins provided and we quickly made our way to the bus stop.
It wasn’t that far away and we made it in plenty of time. Mary gave me a hug and a kiss on the cheek before boarding the bus and said
“Thank you”
She and Anne Louise waved ferociously out the window to the children and me. When the bus had disappeared from view we made our way back to the beach for one last dip. I didn’t want to return too early it was important to me that there were not too many people around when I came back to the apartment alone
The following day was a weird one, well weirder than some of the days that I can recently recall. Myself and the children were sitting by the pool and I spied Mary and Anne Louise coming towards the hedge, only this time they were accompanied by someone who I perceived to be a slightly older woman, with short hair, dressed in sturdy jeans and a modest long sleeved tee-shirt. They both came unchallenged through the entrance and walked over to us. The unknown woman held out her hand for me to shake it and then spoke in to me in excellent English
“Hello you must be Danny I’m Postulant Brigitte Francis from Our Lady of Grace I just wanted to make your acquaintance “
She then pulled up a chair and sat down Anne Louise and Enja went off to play Kylie and Roan just stared at the stranger. The sun even at this time in the morning was very bright and warm, so Postulant Brigitte reached into her satchel and pulled out one of the same straw hats that we had bought two days earlier, she plonked it firmly on her head, at the front of the hat was a big smiley badge with the words
“I get high with Jesus”
Kylie pointed to the hat and laughed
“We have the same hats she screamed excitedly”
This sudden outburst from little Kylie seemed to soften the face of Brigitte she gave her a brief slight smile and then began to speak
“We at the Convent feel a responsibility to everyone who stays with us; we believe that we as an order would not be doing our duty to our church or our charges if we do not investigate fully those who wish to join us in communion. The Reverent Mother just felt that it was appropriate for one of us to meet you in person and introduce ourselves and tell you a little about our work and our achievements in saving young lost souls. Mary is only staying with us for a few days, she is not part of the order but we feel that we have a responsibility to all the women and girls who come through our doors to be helped”
I understood every word she said but I didn’t know what she was going on about. I think I just sat there looking blank and I did not want to mess with the Church, In Ireland no one messes with the Church they can reach a lot further than the Irish and French Police. Postulant Brigitte Francis started to interview me, she asked me a series of questions, although Brigitte had no pen or paper I felt that my answers were being recorded in some way to be played back at a later date.
This modern Catholic Church inquisition was not as hard as I thought it was going to be and the interview was soon over and done with I hoped to everybody’s satisfaction. I quickly ran over and bought us all a cup of coffee as I returned I could see that Brigitte had fished some coins from her purse to give me I politely refused and she put the money in her purse. Brigitte hung around for at least another hour just looking and listening and then she made her excuses and left.
It was when Postulant Brigitte was far enough away not to hear that Mary exploded in a fit of rage, she screamed and swore and sobbed. All of a sudden my Claire lookalike and I were getting plenty of notice and attention but I didn’t want too much. I waved to the all the staff and smiled with embarrassment I then put my arms around Mary pulled her close to me and let her cry on my shoulder and my embrace seemed to calm her down Mary’s screams became softer and her violent sobbing calmed down to just gentle falling tears. As I held Mary close to me her rage subsided, she lifted her face up to mine and tried to kiss me I turned my face quickly to one side and avoided would have been a complication. Mary was offended she felt rejected, she punched me on the shoulder I just smiled and bore the pain I grabbed her hand the next time to avoid more discomfort, that little girl could pack a punch, I took both her hands and kissed them, this surprise act of improvisation distracted Mary just enough to settle her down.
Anne Louise by this time had left the pool and was standing there trembling by her mother. I gave Anne Louise a towel and put my arms around her and Mary pretty soon my entire clan joined in and we stood there in a group hug, saying nothing, as everyone else in the area got back to their daily lives. The mood of the day did change a little, even after everyone had calmed down. No one at the hotel, outside our little group knew exactly what had happened, the spectators saw a hysterical woman hitting her husband and some much shaken up children. I could have been a Wife beater or the screaming lady could have been suffering from some kind of psychological problems
Mary was suddenly very distant I had rejected her and I could see that she was feeling hurt. I didn’t know what to say to her, this wasn’t part of my plan. My only goal was to make Claire disappear and get on with looking after Enja, Kylie and Roan I didn’t need or want a girlfriend at this time, my life was complicated enough as it was. The kids started to play again as Mary and I just lay next to each other saying nothing, thankfully young Enja came up to me and said
“I’m hungry Da”
She had every right to be hungry, the time was nearly two O’clock I took everyone over to the cafe and we all ordered some lunch. We were very lucky they were just about to close for lunch, but business is business I told the kids to eat up quickly so we could let them close the cafe After the meal we all went to the beach Mary and I walked together and the kids all ran ahead of us carrying little Roan, as we approached the beach front Mary began to speak.
“Do you not fancy me Danny?”
“I think you’re lovely Mary and any man would be mad not to fancy you. I’m just not ready for a new relationship. Claire and I are finished but she’s still in my heart and I still love with the memory of our relationship. I hope you understand, it’s not you, pretty girl, it’s me!”
Oh God! How many times have we heard that before?
“It’s not you It’s me”
But it seemed to do the trick Mary smiled and put her arm under mine and we sat down on the beach to watch the waves and the children. This was actually Mary and Anne Louise’s last day in Roscoff .The next morning they were to take a bus to Cherbourg and take the ferry to Dublin and then back to Cork. It sounded like a really strange route to take but Mary explained to me that Stena Line and Irish Ferrys had given The Catholic Church a limited amount of free tickets and all were subject to availability.
Mary started to cry she told me that she loved me and that no man had ever treated her as well as I had I thought what a life she must have had, this poor girl! My life hadn’t been so perfect I had been dumped more times than a Tesco shopping trolley I was a money collector I lived alone and I had to steal a dead woman’s children to get a family but I still felt sorry for poor sweet Mary. She was the three Irish No’s; No job, No education and No husband. Mary would have a long struggle ahead of her, she’d have to be strong and resilient and not waste her time on losers like me.
We walked Mary and Anne Louise to the bus stop at five and we waved our goodbyes. I will admit I was sad to say goodbye to Mary, another time another situation I would have been happy to get to know her; she was a pretty, lively and lovely girl it was just the wrong time and wrong place.
Mary gave me her number and her address I reluctantly gave her my details and prayed to God that she would never contact me. I hugged her, we kissed each other on the cheek and said goodbye.
It was on the Thursday whilst the kids were on an all included excursion and I knew that they would be away for a few hours that I visited the reception and asked them where the nearest police station was. They were a little curious to know what the problem was and if they could help. There had been some petty thefts in the local area and it was with of some relief to them that nothing had been stolen from me at their hotel.
I explained to the receptionist that I couldn’t find my wife and that I hadn’t seen her the whole day. The kids and I had been asleep when she came in the night before and that we assumed that Claire had got up early that morning and gone into town but nobody had seen her. The young screen gazer behind the desk told the manager that he had met Claire when we booked in and that she seemed very nice. The Manager did offer to phone the police for me but I insisted on visiting the police station myself. The manager did however offer me a lift to the station and the accompaniment of his assistant to help if there were any language problems I of course thanked him and agreed. The station was only a few kilometres from the hotel, the assistant came into the station with me and explained the whole state of affairs to the policeman behind the desk.
The policeman was very sympathetic but he explained to us that Claire was an adult and from what he had been told there had been no sign of foul play so there was very little he could do. He did however offer to circulate Claire’s description to the local police in the area and if she was spotted she would be approached and asked to phone the hotel. I furnished the policeman with a description and gave him an old photo that I had found on Claire’s phone. To make matters sound a little more pressing I explained to the policeman via the assistant manager that Claire did have a drug abuse history. The assistant manager had heard the story about Claire’s hysteria by the pool and he felt obliged to give the policeman all the information that he could. The young man also mentioned that the staff had noticed the lesbian drug dealer who they had seen with Claire. The policeman nodded to me but this time with a little more sympathy and gave me a form to fill in, the assistant manager did the honours and I signed it. I was given a copy and then we left, Claire had now officially been reported missing in France.
You could be forgiven by now for thinking that I’m a heartless calculating bastard who has no regard for the feelings of others. You’d be wrong and I do forgive you. You also might wonder how a man, a normal man could devise this plan to make a person disappear. My story is not an everyday story and desperate men do desperate things People don’t find dead bodies every day and depose of them and if they do they don’t hatch out elaborate plans to adopt dead women’s children. I have however studied people and in my job I have met so many devious folk. My brother Patrick could tell you a tale or two concerning intrigue and deception I’m really just a man who is making things up as I go along and I’m trying to turn all my lies into some form of truth so that I don’t have to remember everything
We didn’t speak on our way back I supposed that the assistant manager probably found it hard to strike up a conversation with a man whose wife had just been reported missing. I was just very glad that it was a short car journey. I didn’t really want to talk to anyone, every time I spoke to someone the lying continued and the lies seemed to get bigger more elaborate and my story more complicated. I just wanted to keep the situation simple. I had reported Claire missing, Mary was traveling back to Ireland, Brian and Neeve were off somewhere picking some sort of fruit and Postulant Brigitte Francis was back behind the closed doors of the convent. Now I just had to get through the next three days without resorting to anymore unnecessary interaction.
I have never enjoyed small talk I could never get to grips with talking about nothing; to me conversation was a means to an end either gathering or imparting information or in some cases telling people how you felt about them. I was not a great small talker. I think that’s why I was so good at my job I’m a good listener I considered this listening talent to be an essential part of my job when dealing with the public. I remember at school during English we read the play Hamlet by William Shakespeare there was a short scene in Hamlet, a conversation between Laertes and his father Polonius. Laertes was about to go on a journey and Polonius was giving him some advice about traveling and meeting new people. There was the bit about not lending or borrowing money that’s a lesson I stick to unless it’s family and maybe not always to my brother Patrick but when it comes to conversing with people I always remember this line from Act one
“Give every man thy ear but few thy voice. Take each man’s censure but reserve thy judgment”
This meant to me, listen to people but don’t tell them what you think. I think that this piece of Shakespearean philosophy has saved me from many a good kicking. I sometimes wish my brother Patrick had been there that day in class.
Chapter Six
I was outside the reception area at four O’clock and the minibus arrived I could hear the sound of kids singing in French. I’m sure that they didn’t know what they were singing but they were bursting their lungs out doing it. The bus parked and out stepped, among the rest of the children, Kylie and Enja. My heart stopped just for a moment and then, after what seemed like an age but was actually barely a minute a young woman stepped off the bus with an exhausted young man sleeping over her shoulder. She gave me a Sympathetic smile, she knew my story, and then she gently handed young Roan over to me. The young girl didn’t have to be so gentle because my experience of Roan has taught me that once he had fallen asleep then roaring cannon’s and stampeding elephants would not have woken him.
The girls had eaten; the hotel had made sandwiches for all the kids and for only a small extra charge. The excursion was free but the food was extra and I happily put my hand in my pocket to pay for the sandwiches. I knew that there was not a Cats Chance in Hell, that my two girls would come quietly back to the apartment and relax, which was all I wanted to do.
They had made new friends, it had been an exciting day and now they were going to carry on having a good time. I would have had more chance of stopping the tide from coming in, than persuade these two girls to come home. I borrowed a pushchair from the hotel I laid it down as far as it would go and I put Roan under a parasol, he just slept on and I read an English paper with him next to me by the pool. In the animal kingdom the young cubs always come back when they’re hungry and sure enough at about six o’clock they came running Enja’s first words were so predictable
“ Da I’m hungry”
My answer was short and monosyllabic
“Yes and?”
“Feed me!”
I couldn’t keep it up I had rehearsed a whole speech about being back on time and not expecting me to wait on them hand and foot. She should consider the feelings of others; she was now of an age where she should learn responsibility but no, none of that I was just glad my girls were having a good time. The little café was only a stone’s throw from the pool and we could always go food shopping tomorrow I wasn’t going to pay café prices every night.
The meal was good and I sneaked down a cold beer when we got back to the apartment. Enja and Kylie cuddled up together on the sofa and fell asleep I waited for about an hour and then I gently lifted them both up and into their room Roan having woken up for a short time to eat, slept like a baby or like a baby should. I checked Claire’s phone again thankfully
“No Messages”
I then settled down to bit of telly, Danny time and a cold drink. There wasn’t much on that night, the apartment had Cable TV which meant that I could watch some English language television but after a few moments of telly zapping I turned the TV off and switched over to the radio. I opted to listen to Easy FM; the music was not too loud, not too soft, no heavy rock just easy listening.
It was a bit like listening to my life. I was one who never made waves I never sought controversy I had never committed a crime I was ordinary. By rights I should not be the one here, Patrick was the impulsive one, not me but on the other hand Patrick wouldn’t be here because he practically had no empathy.
If Patrick had found Claire he would have just walked out and then called the police from a phone box. As I thought about Patrick I once again started to think about my family and our family’s longevity or the O’Bernstein legacy. We were the last of The O’Bernstein’s I won’t tell you our story now, that tale can wait for awhile. I will tell you though that I hate my surname.
I lived with the ridicule of this name as did we all did our entire lives. The first signs of ridicule always came from our class teacher and this derision was always mirrored by our classmates. Patrick would punch anyone who messed with us I should have stood up for us I was the oldest brother but that job always fell to Patrick. Mary and Bernadette also fought their own battles; they would never ask me for help, they never saw the point. As well as being gifted with the surname name O’Bernstein my father also gave the entire family the name, Michael. There was Mary Michael, Bernadette Michael with Daniel and Patrick Michael. This was a tradition started by my Great grand Dad his reasoning was quite simple
“Don’t let anyone try to take the Michael or Micky out of our name”
And nobody could, I am actually Danny junior after his dad and his dad and so on that it matters to anyone outside the family. Patrick and I are the last of the male line and if I get away with this kidnapping caper and don’t get caught then the children will still have their mother’s name Costello as they should. I’ve never been married, long that is. I don’t see any future Mrs. O’Bernstein ducking up in my life soon. I like women I always have but the women I have liked didn’t like me and the women that did want me I didn’t want them. I have met several women who have made advances toward me, but in my line of business and the places I frequent most of these women have an ulterior motive to seduce me. These women either want to clear a personal debt or the debt of a loved one and I didn’t need that kind of relationship. It’s clear to me that for the O’Bernstein family, this was the end of the line. I have no prospect of becoming a father and my brother Patrick will never settle down.
While I pondered my own existence and the demise of my dynasty my thoughts switched again to Enja, Kylie and Roan I knew so little about them I had collected up every document and piece of paper I could find at Claire’s home in an effort to establish a new clean identity for Claire but her children were still a mystery. I didn’t know for instance who their fathers or father was I had their Birth Certificates
“Father Unknown “
They had all been christened and I knew that they were catholic, they all had God parents but I couldn’t find any mention of Grandparents or any other family members I just hoped that someone from the children’s past wasn’t going to suddenly turn up and bite me on the arse. I decided that there was no point pondering the imponderable so I joined little Roan in the bedroom and tried to get a good night’s sleep
The next day was just as beautiful as the last, so up, wash, breakfast and then out the door I didn’t need the extra damp towel this time and all Claire’s clothes had been packed away. I knew that I would have to get rid of them all before we got back to Ireland but there’s a time and a place for everything. I sat by the pool again, my usual spot had been taken but I didn’t mind there were plenty of spaces left. I parked myself up and unpacked our usual essentials, you know the sort of things sun cream, towels, hats and spare of pants for Roan, he was almost out of nappies but he still had the odd accident. Enja found her new gang of friends and Kylie followed after her Enja was good with Kylie she looked after her I think that this is a role that she had adopted very early in her short life. Roan and I we were just the two amigos who were going to hang out together. He would run into the paddling pool and then run back again laughing and every time he did so I acted like it was the first time. I was so pleased when more kids and parents turned up that was when Roan decided that other children’s company was way cooler than mine.
The day went by and the evening drew close, there was no message from the police I knew there wouldn’t be, it’s hard to spot a woman who doesn’t exist. At six or thereabouts we left the pool and I took us home to cook some food. It was really cozy, we were a family sitting around a table eating together on holiday and we didn’t have to rush our meal or leave a tip. I must confess I hate leaving tips they should pay these guys and girls more money.. Ok! That’s my rant over, now back to the evening. It was nice and not just for me I’m sure of that. All the children looked so brown I was still pink and they were tanned I think life can be so unfair I hate looking like a lobster especially when my kids look like warm toast . We ate our food and the kids spoke, their entire day came flooding out between every mouthful of food and a swig of juice, us guys we just sat there in silence listening because there was no point us talking about our day, the girls were just not interested.
The meal was over dad cleaned up and washed the dishes and while this was happening the girls and Roan danced around the apartment to MTV. When the chores were over we all sat cramped up together on the sofa for a bit of Disney Channel and at the appropriate time everyone except the grown up went off to bed. Roan made no protest when I put him down he just rolled over and slept, the girls just cuddled up together still in the one bed closed their eyes and dropped peacefully off to sleep. After about an hour later I was also ready to go on my journey to the land of dreams
The Next few days quickly went by, it was the pool, the beach another outing for the kids and me buying food, cooking followed by cleaning up after the kids. I was still desperately trying to get brown and tanned but I was still pink. I went to the reception desk twice to ask a member of staff to phone the police for me, they always did and the answer came back the same Claire hadn’t been seen. I had to keep up the pretence but at the same time I didn’t want to sound over anxious. It was a hard to set a balance between concern and over concern I was convinced that if I sounded over concerned that they might suspect me of having something to do with Claire’s disappearance. It has always been my experience that nobody ever expects anything out of the ordinary. This man’s wife has done a runner it was sad but it happens and he obviously was not to blame.
On our last day I packed up all our things I put Claire’s clothes in a separate plastic carrier bag and put everything in the back of the car.
In the main town I stopped off at a charity shop and I gave them the bag. We then made one final stop to the police station. I could feel my heart pounding as we entered the police station but I tried to look calm, in my job it always paid to look calm even when you were scared and I had been frightened a few times especially when confronting some of my predecessor’s old clients. The officer behind the desk spoke nervously to me I could tell that there was nothing wrong, he was just a bit shy when it came to speaking English. I spoke slowly and I enunciated every word I explained that we were going back to Ireland. This didn’t seem to be a problem the authorities had all my details and I wasn’t a suspect I was just a poor guy whose wife had left him alone with three children. He told me that they would leave the matter open, right now he insisted there was no case, just a report of a missing person and that they would keep me informed if anything happened or if Claire contacted them but I was free to return to Ireland with my children. We left the police station and drove to the ferry terminal. We were on our way home
Chapter Seven
The Voyage home was nothing to write home about I drove onto the ferry we found our cabin and then settled down for the 19 hour journey. The kids were tired I had to get them up early to make sure that they were fed and that I hadn’t forgotten anything. The ship Pont-Aven was a floating holiday camp during our outward journey I didn’t realise how much there was onboard I was just concentrating on the important matters in hand. I wanted to make friends with Brian and Neeve and I was trying to work out details on the hoof I was scared and now that we were returning home I felt a feeling of relief, as far as the French authorities were concerned my wife Claire Costello had just done a runner.
There was a pool and a spa which I wasn’t going to use but they had a cinema and that would keep me and the kids occupied for at least a couple of hours. The ship actually sailed at 8:30 in the evening so this meant that one trip to the cinema a quick bite to eat and then I could put the kids down to sleep. The arrival time in Cork was 9:30 in the morning, so a good night’s sleep a long breakfast and we’d be arriving in Cork. The kids were great and everything went to plan they enjoyed the film, they ate and then they slept. At ten O’clock the next morning we were on the M8 back to Dublin, 4 hours later we were back in Dublin 17. The first job was to pick up Bouncer and then back home for a cup of tea and a biscuit.
Our journey and holiday was over and now it was back to the same old same old. I parked the car in the drive and the two girls hopped out and ran to the front door
“Where are yous two going?”
I enquired
“We’re going to open the front door”
Answered Enja now sounding a little unsure just for a brief moment Enja looked scared this was her home wasn’t it? Or were they not going to live here anymore? It is easy to read a face of innocent so I didn’t hesitate
“You’ll need the key”
“Oh yes, Can I have the key please Da?”
I gave her the key and she unlocked the door, it was difficult to open at first I’d forgotten to cancel The Irish Independent and those weekend papers are filled with crap. I took bouncer out from the back of the car and he ran through the front door after Enja I could hear her scream with delight as Bouncer nearly knocked her over. I unpacked the car carried a sleeping Roan into the house and then closed the door. We were home! We spent the weekend relaxing, eating, watching The Box, the girls occasionally venturing out to find someone to play with life felt good!
Monday morning was my first day back at work and I knew that I had a lot of money to collect and earn, so after a hearty breakfast I dropped off the kids at Mrs. Donovan’s. I said my goodbyes and assured Mrs. Donovan that I wouldn’t be late back. I knew that day, my first real day back in town I had to make one stop and call in somewhere before I could start collecting and earning.
I wasn’t sure if I had the balls to do this but it had to be done I had to strengthen my cover story I had to visit Corrig Rd or to be more precise Dun Laoghaire District Garda Station. I parked up near the station and made my way to the entrance I opened the main door and walked in. There was a familiar smiling face behind the counter I knew most of the local Garda through my work or seeing them on the street on their occasional Street patrols. I was greeted like an old friend by Garda Aedan O’Connell
“Hello Danny I hope you’re well, what can I do for you? Wait, before you answer! Tell me is it true? The gossip on the street is that you’ve shacked up with a young girl. You dirty old bastard! Don’t mind me I’m just jealous! Have you seen the state of my missus?
I knew that gossip spread fast in this town but instant messaging could never compete with the townsfolk of Dun Laoghaire. I answered Aedan in a prepared neutral voice I didn’t want to sound overly anxious but at the same time I wanted to sound like that I was actually concerned
“Yes Aedan its true but I haven’t just shacked up with anyone, we’re married and she and the kids moved in a while ago”
“Good on you, so Danny how can I help you?”
I told Aedan the whole story about Claire, me and the kids in France, how she had done a runner and that I had reported the whole incident to the local police in France. I showed him the copy of the missing persons report in French and Aedan listened attentively to my entire story and when I was finished he gave a sigh and said
“I’m sorry Danny I really am I know this must be hard for you but I don’t know what we can do mate. You see Danny, Claire went missing in France and we don’t have to resources to follow up every missing people case especially not on foreign soil. There were over 9000 missing person reports filed in Ireland last year and all but a handful of these people were found or just came back. I’ll take a report but I can’t promise anything. I’m sure she’ll come back, just tell all her friends that you’re sorry and you’ll never do it again, that always works for me when my missus stays away”
I gave Aedan Claire’s details and a photo I was obviously glad that things went so well but at the same time I felt a little uneasy that it seemed so easy to make a person disappear I knew that I wasn’t out of the woods yet but it seemed like I was getting there
Irish school Summer holidays are long and my working day depending on where I am visiting can also be long. The kids were never left unattended but I did feel guilty sometimes because I couldn’t spend more time with them. I did however always make them breakfast and that was a meal we all ate together and I was always home to cook them an evening meal I hadn’t been to John Kohoe’s since the day before I’d met the children. I gave up drinking with my mates for Enja, Kylie and Roan I think it was a good bargain the money I used to spend on beer I now used to put food on our table.
There were some rare days during the summer holiday that I did manage to take a few of days free but between out playing with the local kids and the local summer club I don’t think the girls even noticed. The girl’s busy schedule did mean however that Roan and I could hang out together and we did. I started to get really close to young Roan and to me that was important. It was it was relatively easy to get close to Enja and Kylie they were both so open, friendly and affectionate, whenever I sat on the sofa they would both cuddle up to me, The children had never had the experience of having a constant male presence in their lives before. I had known Claire for quite a few years and we debt collectors or finance providers all keep our own private files and I had also bought a load of files from my predecessor. That’s how I knew so much about Claire and her lifestyle. It was just Claire, the kids and a few passing uncles I saw her once a week I held her new born baby while she fetched her purse, sometimes she was bright and alert other times she didn’t seem to know what day it was. These and other observations were written down in my customer journal and my notes mirrored my predecessors
I’m not going to Judge Claire and I’m not going to speak ill of the dead Claire was a troubled girl, she was a young mother I didn’t know much about her past before she came to live here and I didn’t want to know. I did know that Claire was 23 when she died and her oldest daughter is eight years old. I can’t believe that Claire’s short life was a happy one and she shouldn’t have died the way she did, someone failed her, the system failed her and I wasn’t going to fail Claire’s children.
It was now approaching August 15th this date was young Kylie’s 4th birthday and this also meant that she could start school after the summer and that I could save a little more money on child care. I organised a small party for her I spoke to the parents I knew locally so that I could invite some children. Enja and Kylie had made a few friends over the summer I invited my sisters Mary and Bernadette. They were a little taken back to receive my invitation, seeing as they didn’t know that I had children.
My only way of contacting Patrick was by texting him; he never answered his phone in case it was someone chasing after him for money. I don’t know how he managed to get any work by not answering his phone, but I had stopped being concerned with Patrick’s day to day survival a long time ago. He didn’t answer the text but the invite was sent. Regarding my sisters I assured both of them that I would tell them the whole story about me, Claire and our three children one day just not today.
It was the morning of the 15th I got up early to prepare the kitchen for the grand birthday breakfast for my big four year old girl. By 7:30 everything was ready, the special birthday napkins, the balloons, the bunting I had baked a big pile of pancakes, there was scrambled eggs, bacon and toast but there was just me sitting at the table. I sneaked into the girl’s room and there they were both fast asleep and in my room Roan was dead to the world. I was so excited it was our first celebration together and all three of them were fast asleep, even bouncer was curled up snoring in the corner. The girls finally stirred at eight o’clock, the news had just begun on the radio. Enja and Kylie descended the stairs and came into the kitchen Bouncer woke and bid them both his customary good morning.
Kylie’s face told me that I’d done good; her mouth and eyes were wide open she didn’t blink for quite some time and then she let out a scream
“Is this all for me?”
“Yes”
I answered
“You’re the birthday girl! Happy Birthday young lady”
She screamed again and then ran across the room I pulled up a chair at the head of the table and beckoned her to sit down; she did so without hesitation Enja followed her and took her place I then quickly ran upstairs to get Roan, a birthday would not have been complete without the whole family. Roan wasn’t a morning person so I picked up Mr. Grumpy and we went down to join the girls Roan could see that there was something different about the kitchen and he smiled when he saw the balloons I sat him down in his chair and then we all sang Happy Birthday to the birthday girl, after which we all stuffed ourselves on reheated bacon with scrambled eggs on toast followed by the pancakes.
The meal was over and now came my special moment I gave Kylie her first present, she would be getting more presents at her party but with this little present I wanted to see her face, just us, in the privacy of our little kitchen. I gave Kylie the little square shaped parcel, her eyes widened again as she ripped off the pink paper. Kylie pulled the lid off the box and inside were two tiny pink ballet shoes. I thought I had heard Kylie scream loud before but this was a shriek, she tipped the shoes out of the box she flung off her slippers and tried on the shoes they fitted perfectly. I knew they would because I had surreptitiously measured her feet so many times over the last month. Kylie hopped up and danced around the room, today she was going to be a dancing princess. I knew that it wasn’t Enja’s birthday until January I also knew that January was a hard month for everybody who lived on Claire’s housing estate. Enja’s facial expression didn’t show any sign of envy I imagined that jealousy would not have gone down well in her old home. Enja had looked after Kylie and Roan and their needs always came first. I went to the cupboard and I took out a little parcel and gave it to Enja
“This is a Big sister present for you”
Enja looked bewildered; the only person to get presents on a birthday was the birthday girl or boy that had always been the way, until that moment. Enja grabbed the parcel and opened it. I had seen Enja looking at the summer dresses as we passed by them at Tesco’s on our way to the food section, so I grabbed one on my way home from work. I guessed her size but I did have a little help from one of the assistants. Enja was delighted she ran upstairs to try it on and 5 minutes later she ran downstairs again flung her arms around me. Young Roan didn’t know what was going on he just sat there in his chair. The party wasn’t until 3 o’clock so I had the rest of the day to get the house and the kids ready I persuaded Enja to change out of her dress until the party, Enja was certain that she wouldn’t get the dress dirty in the garden I wasn’t quite so sure
Chapter Eight
It was three O’clock and time for the guests to arrive I’d blown up all the balloons, set up the table for the food I’d made, with Enja’s help. There was, a big placard outside the door saying
“Welcome to the party”
Everything was ready for the birthday girl I’d invited Patrick, mum and dad and I didn’t forget Mary and Bernadette. They all arrived at about the same time. Dad pulled up in his big white van I knew that mum hated that van; she had been trying to get Da to buy a car for years. Mary and Bernadette pulled up at the same time in they came with their children. The girl’s husbands and I didn’t get on too well, they had both tapped me for cash one time and I assumed that they had told my sisters. I was wrong I forgot the first rule of business “Client Confidentiality” I just thought of them as family I soon found out what they thought of me.
The other kids all ran in after being dropped off by their parents and we were able to start the party I made sure that everyone had a drink Mary and Bernadette were driving so everybody got the same choice. Coke, Fanta, Stella or Water I set up a little disco room at the back of the house. Enja played music and the little ones, got on down. I waited for about an hour into the party before I started to put out the cakes and snacks and after a few trips to and from the kitchen, the table was bursting and the children came politely in and helped themselves.
Mum stayed in the kitchen and fussed around making sure everything was grand. She had only met the kids a few times and she still wasn’t totally convinced about my cover story however she was happy about having more grandchildren to spoil.
Daddy O’Bernstein just sat contentedly at the kitchen table watching the rugby. Just after I had finished laying all the food on the table the doorbell rang, it was my brother Patrick the dick, the private dick. I opened the door and in he came. I could see that he still had that old scooter that he had won at cards I assumed that his car was still in the shop. Patrick looked like a Gangbanger, he was wearing a baseball cap with had large fake gold chains around his neck and jogging trousers and he donned a hoody.
I had to ask!
“What have you come as?”
“Nothing”
he replied
“I’m on a case!”
I didn’t say anymore I just thought I’d wait for Da’s reaction. I didn’t have to wait long Da heard the doorbell ring and got up to answer it, he always did no matter who’s house he was in. Da didn’t say much at first, he just stood there looking at Patrick eyed him up and down and then walked around him and then after a brief pause said
“I didn’t know that it was fancy dress! What the feck are you suppose to be?”
“I’m no one Da, I’m under cover!”
“Well you stand out a mile in that get up I thought that when you were under cover you were suppose to look inconspicuous”
Patrick tried to defend himself and his chosen profession
“I’m working undercover on the mean streets of Dublin and on Campus trying to flush out a drug dealer I’m under contract with UCD”
Before going back into the kitchen to watch the rest of the match Dad added one piece of his fatherly wisdom.
“You look more like you’re on LSD and don’t scare the children”
Patrick took off his baseball cap and removed his chains I put them in a drawer for safekeeping and we both went in to see the Birthday Girl and say hello to Mary and Bernadette. The kids all knew Uncle Patrick, he had been by many times usually for a good meal or a loan but they were too young to know his reasons for him calling around to see us, mum popped her head out of the kitchen and gave Patrick a big hug
“Come here give your mammy a kiss or I’ll belt yer”
and then she popped back in again
A few moments later the doorbell rang again I was certain that all the children had arrived and The Jehovah’s Witness weren’t due, they’d done all their calling last month so I went to see who this surprise late guest was. I opened the door and there stood a middle-aged woman with long blond hair, her makeup was heavy but not too lavish, just enough to disguise her true age. The woman was wearing a short leather bomber jacket and under the jacket she wore a tight thin white blouse that left little to the imagination. I noticed also that she was wearing a very mini skirt; she had bare tanned legs and wore high black stilettos. Before I could speak the woman rushed in through the front door flung her arms around me and then kissed me straight on the lips. This kiss lasted an uncomfortably long time and then she moved her leg slightly so that it pressed up against my crouch. The woman then let go of me and screamed
“You must be Danny! Claire told me all about you. I’m Rose Costello I’m your mammy in law. Give me another hug I love being in the arms of a strong young man”
And then she kissed me full on the lips again, Rose then took a quick look around the house and said
“My Claire’s a lucky girl, now where are my babies? Oh! Before I forget there’s a few things for the kids in the taxi, could you be a dear and fetch them in for me?”
Without saying another word Rose went into the house to find her grandchildren and I went out to the taxi. The taxi driver was friendly enough, as he asked me for 35 Euros; upon receipt of the cash he opened the boot. It’s surprising how much you can get into the boot of a Dublin taxi. I reflected on that thought as I took all the cases from the back and deposited them on the pavement outside my house. I closed the boot assuming that I’d finished the job and then the taxi driver pointed to the back seat where there were three more suitcases. I thanked him and waved him goodbye and then took all Rose’s possessions into the house. My brother Patrick stood smiling in the doorway with a can of Stella and just let me get on with it. After everything was stowed and stacked in my hall I went into the back room Enja and Kylie were sitting on Rose’s knee and young Roan was standing beside her holding Kylie’s hand. Ma and Da had both come out of the kitchen to meet their new in-law but they and Rose said nothing to each other. Rose just smiled at everyone and Da eyes were almost glued to Rose’s blouse Rose eventually spoke to the kids
“Right yous two up you get Nanny Ra Ra wants a ciggie, the girls both hopped down and Rose reached into her bag and before I knew it she’d lit one up. I ran over to her and said
“Rose there’s no smoking in this house and certainly not with all these children around”
She smiled and said
“Oh you don’t believe all the science rubbish about passive smoking do you? I thought that you would have more sense “
I answered
“It’s got nothing to do with passive smoking I just don’t want you smoking in my house”
“Surly it’s yours and Claire’s house now I believe you are cohabitating with my daughter. I mean I didn’t receive an invitation to the wedding did I? Where is Claire?”
My Ma chipped in
“Neither did we!”
As Rose asked after Claire’s whereabouts she carried on smoking her cigarette
“Claire is in France she’s been reported missing here and in France, now will you please take that cigarette outside?”
Rose called Enja over to her and asked
“Where’s your Ma Enja?”
Enja looked at me, she was nervous and had just been put into an impossible situation she didn’t want to lie to her grandmother she answered the question slowly and clearly
“Ma’s gone away and I don’t know where she is”
This was in essence the truth, Enja didn’t know where her mother was I knew but if I told the truth then we would all lose everything. Claire’s kids were happy now, they were safe, well nourished and living in a decent home. They were loved and looked after.
Claire didn’t have the physical or mental resources to cope as a mother the system had failed Claire and her children and I wasn’t going to entrust the lives of Enja, Kylie and Roan to Rose.
Rose accepted Enja’s answer but I could see that she was getting ready to interrogate Kylie and to avoid this I offered her a can of Stella and asked her to take the can and her cigarette out into the kitchen she raised herself up and followed me in.
Da was back in front of the television watching the rest of the match and Ma was still fussing around the kitchen making sure that Kylie’s guests were fed. Rose sat on stool not too far from my dad and his attention wandered from the screen to Rose’s blouse. This might sound paranoid but I’m certain that Rose somehow loosened a couple of buttons between the front door and the kitchen. Rose and I came to a quick firm agreement about smoking; if she needed a smoke then she would have it outside in the garden. I always did I must admit I still got the odd craving for a smoke now and then.
The party carried on, the kids danced Mary and Bernadette knew plenty of party games and at six o’clock the parents started to arrive to pick up their children. As each couple arrived Rose would greet them and introduce herself she would then shake the hand of every woman and kiss every man followed by a quick glance to the wife
“Don’t mind me it’s just me nanny Ra Ra’s It’s always been my way I was born friendly”
Not one of the men objected and I was sure that another button miraculously came undone at the first of the doorbell ring
When the party was over and all the kids and adults were gone, Patrick and Da disappeared into the garden for a smoke, a beer and a chat. Rose made herself comfortable in the living room and watched telly with the kids. She appeared from time to time making her way out to the garden for a smoke. Mammy and I started to big clean up, it didn’t take too long most of the plates were paper so they went straight into the recycling bin and the rest went into the dishwasher. The carpet looked ok so there was no point getting out The Dyson I just made us both a cup of tea and we sat down and talked. Ma began the conversation they were the usual questions
“So when’s Claire coming back? And why didn’t you invite us to the wedding? And why didn’t we know about Claire?”
I gave the same usual answers
“I don’t know! There wasn’t much time before Claire went into rehab and it was a whirlwind romance with love at first sight. Can you just not be happy for me Ma?”
Ma wasn’t convinced but she wasn’t the Social Services or The French and Irish Police so she wasn’t my biggest challenge. My interrogation was thankfully cut short by Da as he came into the kitchen looking a little shaken
“Patrick is on the streets of Dublin every day trying to buy drugs and I’m not happy about that Ma”
I reassured Da as best I could, by saying;
“Patrick is working undercover Da. It’s a job for UCD he’s trying to stop people from selling drugs”
Da: “By buying drugs?”
Me; “In a way yes! You’ve seen The French Connection right? He’s a private narcotic agent”
Da” Well it sounds a little dangerous to me. What if he gets hooked then it’s a hard road back. You’re wife is in rehab isn’t she?
Me; “She was and now she’s disappeared”
Da; “I don’t like it mammy, you’ll have to have a word with him. He’ll not listen to me”
Ma put on her soothing official voice
“Listen to me Mr. O’Bernstein, we raised good, honest, decent children and I don’t think that they are suddenly become thieves, liars or narco men. You can rest assured that and they are too scared of me to take one step out of line. So come on, get your coat and say good bye to everyone, we’re off home I’m tired”
That was just enough to put Da in his place and calm him down, he left us reassured to find his coat and when all the goodbyes and hugs were over Ma and Da left the building, followed shortly by Mary, Bernadette, Patrick and the rest of the crew. It was then just me, Rose and the kids I made us all something quick to eat after which I put Enja, Kylie and Roan all down to bed. This wasn’t a difficult task they were all very tired and delighted to be tucked in by Nanny Ra Ra, as well. Even little Roan had cottoned on to who Nanny Ra Ra was , she was mammy’s mammy and he loved her.
The house was now quiet and the kids were asleep Rose was in the front room zapping through all the channels trying to decide what we were going to watch tonight. This surprised me because I assumed that she would soon be on her way home, so I enquired
“Shall I call you a taxi Mrs. Costello? You’ll want to be getting home soon won’t you?”
“Oh call me Rose dear Mrs. Costello was my mother well it was also Miss Costello actually so call me Rose. No, I thought I’d stick around for a while, well at least until Claire gets back. I’d like to spend some time with my grandchildren and after all this is also my daughter’s house. I’m between dwellings at the moment I recently sold my house in Blackrock and I got one point five million for it. I was over the moon and then I foolishly trusted all that money with an investment broker and he lost the lot.
Don’t worry I’m not totally poor I’ve still got a cool half million tied up in long term bonds but I can’t touch it yet, you see I put it all in trust for the grandchildren for when they got older. I should be receiving a yearly dividend from my investments starting from next year, so I’ll be ok”
I thought that, that was a good story, well rehearsed and well executed and I wasn’t going to call my mother in law a liar
“So Rose, in effect at the moment, you have no money and nowhere to live”
” I thought I might be able to book a room locally for tonight but with the Rugby match going on, there were no vacancies, so at least for tonight you’re stuck with me. I hope that’s alright I am after all the children’s grandmother and I don’t think Claire would like to see her own mother thrown out of her own home. It’ll give us a bit of time to get to know each other until my daughter comes home”
Well, talk about “fait accompli” I was cornered I couldn’t just turf Rose out in the middle of the night. What would I say to the children? Rose was clearly an operator; this dilemma she put in was planned at the outset. I had no choice Rose had to stay for the night and then tomorrow I would have to consider my options
Chapter Ten
The next morning I got up at my usual time to wake the children for church. It was an 11:30 mass so they didn’t have to get up too early I always left young Roan until last, he slept so peacefully and the girls gave me the most trouble in the mornings. These two girls could argue over anything I came out of my bedroom to go in to wake the girls and I was greeted by the smell of cigarette smoke coming from the spare bedroom. I knocked quietly on the door and asked politely
“Rose are you smoking in there?”
The door opened slightly and Rose popped her head out
“I’m only having a quick puff in my bedroom, before coming down. You’ll forgive me this one little transgression won’t you? I’ll be down in a minute”
I didn’t know which was worse Rose having a cigarette in Roan’s bedroom was bad but when Rose said the words
“My bedroom”
I felt a shiver go through my back Rose Costello was not moving into this house. I nodded to her and then went in to get the girls up and after a quick breakfast we all got in the car and drove down to St Michael´s. Rose didn’t manage to get down to the kitchen but I assured the children that Nanny Ra Ra was still here and we’d see her when we got back. In fact we didn’t see Rose when we got back I could see that she’d been in the kitchen cooked herself a full English and had forgotten to clean up after herself. We didn’t see or hear from Rose the whole day she didn’t have my phone number and I didn’t have hers. The kids all asked where she was and young Kylie started to cry. She had a notion that Nanny had gone to the same place as Mammy and she wasn’t coming back. I assured her that Nanny was coming back; all her things were still in the hall she quickly calmed down again.
We just spent a quiet Sunday together Kylie and Enja sorted through Kylie’s presents and they found a couple of games that they could play together, little Roan and I did some manly things in the garden, just until he was too tired to stay awake I then put him down for his afternoon nap. By early evening he awoke again refreshed and we all ate supper together. Rose however was still absent. At eight o’clock the girls went upstairs to get ready for bed and I settled young Roan down to sleep again and after a short good night song and a story, he went out like a light. The girls came into my room quietly demanding the same care and attention I’d just given to their little brother I happily obliged
It was now 9 o’clock and still no sign of Rose, she was a big girl so I wasn’t unduly worried just a little annoyed but only for the sake of Enja, Kylie and Roan. I didn’t know Rose I did know however that to my knowledge she had never visited Claire in all the time that I had been calling on her; she just turned up out of nowhere. I stayed up until gone 11 I knew what time the pubs closed on Sundays and if Rose was down the pub she’d have to come back soon. Eventually I heard a little tapping on the front door I opened it and there stood a very tall middle-aged man holding up a very drunk Rose. I could see the taxi they came in driving slowly away and the strange man led Rose in through the door and into the living room. He set Rose gently down on the sofa and sat himself down in a chair. He then got out a packet of smokes and asked for an ashtray I stopped him there
“I’d rather you didn’t smoke here, thank you”
He glared at me and put the packet back in his pocket and then spoke
“Do you have a beer in the fridge? “
“No”
I said
“No sorry no beer, thank you for bringing Rose home, shall I call you a cab or are you walking back?”
“No no I’m fine here thanks I’m not going anywhere”
I was trying to keep my cool, he was a big bloke and he’d been drinking
“It’s a school night the kids are in bed , they’re getting up early tomorrow and we weren’t counting on having guests tonight, please let me call you a taxi I’ll make sure that Rose gets safely upstairs, she’s home now”
The words “she’s home now “almost got stuck in my throat but I wanted this man to leave. He stood up very quickly and walked right up to me; our faces were nearly touching he paused for a moment then turned his head to look at Rose. He gave a long sigh and then backed away. When he was at a more comfortable distance he reached into his pocket and took out his phone and rang for a taxi. A few moments later I heard the sound the sound of a car horn outside and mercifully he left.
After I heard the front door close I turned my attention to Rose she hadn’t moved since the big fellow laid her down I put my hand on her shoulder and shook her gently back and forth, her eyes flickered open she smiled and wrapped her arms around me. I stood her up slowly and backed out the door with her I then freed myself from her embrace and led Rose up the stairs to Roan’s room I opened the door and then I guided her body onto the bed. The room was starting to smell of whisky and cigarettes so when I was absolutely certain that she was not going to fall off the bed I left the room and closed the door. It was now time for me to go to bed. It was almost midnight and I was knackered I had a full day’s work ahead of me in the morning.
The next morning I awoke still tired but I had a quick shower and then woke up the girls Enja and Kylie had discovered their own rhythm now, they knew exactly what to do to get ready in the mornings. They both came down and got their own breakfasts and I got Roan ready, Enja still wanted help with her shoes and socks, she didn’t need help she just wanted it. The girls asked where nanny was and i explained that nanny came in late last night and was tired, so they could see her when they came home from school.
This answer seemed to satisfy them, so off we all went Enja to school Kylie and Roan to Mrs. Donovan and me to earn some money. I dropped Enja by the school gate and as she ran in I caught a glimpse of the lovely Miss O’Flyne, she saw me too smiled and waved I waved back with a smile and just a tinge of sadness. I ran myself rugged that the morning I called at every home on my list. There were a few homes in the area that I couldn’t call on until after lunch. Yes it is true that everyone on my lists owes me money but I still owed them the respect of calling around at a time of their choosing. I wasn’t that far from home, so I thought I’d save myself some money and go home and eat I also wanted to have a chat with Rose to find out where she was going to sleep that night. I was outside my house ten minutes later trying to think what I had in the freezer. I opened my front door and was hit by the smell of smoke again I was furious I couldn’t see Rose downstairs so I shouted up to her
“Rose I’ve asked you not to smoke in the house”
As I stood at the bottom of the stairs I noticed a strange jacket hanging over the banister and an old pair of Nikes by the door. Rose appeared at the top of the stairs wearing, thankfully, a long tee-shirt
“What is it Danny I’ve just got up, I was about to get in the bath”
I don’t know which appalled me more, her innocent face or her barefaced lies so I had to ask
“Have you got somebody up there?”
As the words left my mouth the Big Fellow came storming out from my bedroom and screamed
“What has that got to do with you wee man? You’re aunty is a grown woman and she’s a saint for letting you and your children stay here. Now if you’ve got a problem with your aunty then you have a problem with me”
I didn’t know what to say I was gobsmacked, my aunty? Her house? I wondered what other lies had come from this woman’s mouth, and then Rose spoke again
“I thought that you wouldn’t be home until four, I fancied some company so I invited Shane around for a chat, he wasn’t feeling well so i told him to go upstairs and put his head down for a bit”
“Well aunty Rose I’m picking up Enja at one, she’s got a half day I’m sure she’d love to keep you company”
I could see that Rose was feeling a little embarrassed as she continued with her cover story
“I think Shane’s looking a little better now, the nap must have done him some good I’ll have a bath later and I’ll see him out. You go into the kitchen and get yourself a bite to eat and I’ll make myself decent”
I don’t know why I did, but I laughed and then retreated into the kitchen and closed the door I opened the freezer found a pizza and put it in the oven, as I was doing this I could hear loud and sometimes angry whispers coming first from upstairs and then from in the hall. I heard the front door open and after a brief hiatus I heard it close again. Rose didn’t come in immediately she ran upstairs to her room and slammed the door.
This I supposed was a time of reflection for Rose and this pause gave the pizza enough time to cook and me plenty of time to eat it I put the plate in the dishwasher and then made my way to the front door, as I opened the door Rose appeared at the top of the stairs, still wearing, as it happens, one of my tee-shirts
“Danny, can you hold on for a moment?”
“Yes” I replied
“I still have a little time before my next appointment”
Rose ascended the stairs smiling as she spoke
“That Shane, he is such a donkey I never told him I owned this house I mean I know that my daughter owns half this house not me. As for being your aunty, I’m too vane and too pretty to be a grandmother! Don’t you think so?”
Rose was now at the bottom of the stairs smiling with her arms around my waist
“You’re fine Rose we’ll talk tonight”
I backed myself out the door and away from her friendly embrace. I had a busy afternoon ahead I had a particular client I’ll tell you his name because you’ll never meet him. His name was Antony Fox; he liked being called Foxy because he said the he was Fox by name and Fox by nature. Mr. Fox was never in when I called and he assumed that he was getting one over on me every time he avoided talking to me. I saw him in the street sometimes but I would never confront a man about his private debt in public. I just gave him a nod and told him I’d see him next week and he would smile and say
“You’ll have to catch me first Danny Boy!”
He would then smile at me or whoever he was with to let them in on the joke and then go on about his day. There was something however that Mr. Fox didn’t realise and he would have done, if he had read any of the many cards I popped through his letter box. Every time I called around to a home at a specific time agreed to by myself and the lender and there was no answer and they had not tried to contact me or my office, then there was an additional charge of Ten Euros plus the extra interest and let’s not forget the late payment penalty charges. So when Mr. Fox hid behind his sofa laughing at me every time I called around, he should really have read the big black print on my cards.
I didn’t want to put people in more debt I know times are hard but Foxy to my mind was an idiot. He was harmless in fact a very nice person but still an idiot I called around that day and he was out so I just put another card in his letter box. My next few calls were ok, people were in and paid their instalments. I’d say yes to yes to cheques and cash, if a cheque bounced it wasn’t my problem, it was there’s. It was now getting close to four o’clock and I was just finishing my last call before driving by the school to pick up Enja and my phone rang, it was Sheila Donovan the child minder
“Hello Mr O’Bernstein its Mrs. Donovan, there’s a woman here claiming to be Kylie and Roan’s grandmother she wants to collect the children. I’ve never seen her before so I thought I’d check with you first”
“Thank you Mrs. Donovan can you put her on the phone?”
She did and Rose answered
“Hello Danny It’s Rose I thought I’d save you a trip and pick the kids up I am after all their closest relative”
I was a bit taken aback, but I said yes
“Can I talk to Mrs. Donovan please?”
Rose handed the phone back to Mrs. Donovan and I explained who Rose was and that it was ok, we then said goodbye and I drove to the school to pick up Enja. I stopped quickly outside the gates I wasn’t supposed to but I was never there long. I’d hop out of the car, Enja would run up to me give me a hug and then jump in the front then off we’d drive home.
I opened the front door and Enja ran in to say hello to Roan and Kylie she paused for a moment to have a peek in the living room to say hello to Nanny Ra Ra but the room was empty so she ran upstairs. Rose was actually in the kitchen I could see that she had cleaned the entire kitchen and was preparing to cook an evening meal. Rose was not a woman born to be in a kitchen and this meant that the entire meal came from the freezer or a can but I was grateful
“Thank you Rose this is nice of you. Have you started making arrangements about finding somewhere to live, we don’t have a lot of space here and I’d like to eventually give Enja her own room”
Rose was still very busy preparing the meal and she hardly looked up as she began to speak
“I think I’ll stay around for a little while, the girls really need a woman around the house. I’ll go down to the Social tomorrow and sign on I should be able to get a jobseekers allowance and that’ll tide me over until the money from my investments kicks in. I’ve told Mrs. Donovan that we don’t need her services anymore, so I can look after Kylie and Roan until Kylie starts school and then I’ll just stay home and look after young Roan until Claire gets home. What do you think Danny?”
What did I think? I thought many things , my first thought was that I’m not letting this woman get her feet under my table or her hands on anything that’s mine in this house. I knew that she couldn’t cancel Mrs. Donovan without giving her or the council notice, so that decision that could be easily dealt with but before I could speak Rose stopped doing what she was doing, looked straight at me and carried on speaking
“This house belongs to you and Claire and I am her mother I’m only looking out for my daughter and my grandchildren. I do still know a lot of people in this area and I made a lot of friends in the pub last night, you met Shane didn’t you, he’s a lovely bloke, a bit dim but built in the right places, if you know what I mean!. All the men I met last night would do anything for a lady in distress and nearly all of them would love an excuse to put one on Danny O’Bern… Stein. No! This house belongs to my daughter and I have every right to stay here for as long as I think I’m needed. I thought that if I watch the children for you while you are at work, you could pay me a little cash in hand I mean, you don’t get that much on the dole”
When Rose had finished talking she reached for the cigarettes in her handbag, she was just about to light up and then she remembered and took it outside into the garden. I just stood there in the kitchen staring into space. I’d already buried one Costello woman maybe I could bury another one but I dismissed that thought very quickly. After he smoke Rose came back into the kitchen and carried on preparing the meal, now it was my turn to talk.
“Rose you can’t just cancel Mrs. Donovan, you have to give her and the council notice I pay in advance for childcare, so I’ll talk to Mrs. Donovan tomorrow and as for paying you cash in hand to look after your own grandchildren, no that’s not going to happen and how long do you propose to stay? We don’t know where Claire is or when she’s coming back. You can stay for a few days and then I want you out. The law in Ireland is very specific regarding property bought prior to a marriage Claire does not own half this house and you have no right to be here”
“But I’m their grandmother and Claire’s mother I have a right to see my daughter and my grandchildren”
I answered with some authority I had read up a little on parents’ rights because I felt that it was important to know as much as possible if I were to deal with the Social Services
“The 1997 Children’s Act states that Grandparents can apply to the local court if they wish to have access to their grandchildren and this application process will examine the relationship the grandparents have with the children. The current legal position is that grandparents do not have an automatic right to access with their grandchildren and the process of obtaining access through the Courts is not an easy one. The Constitution of Ireland does not recognise any rights of grandparents or other members of a child’s extended family. You have no rights here Rose”
Rose’s tone changed she was now clearly angry. She wanted a piece of Claire’s action and she wasn’t going to get any
“You listen here Danny Boy I’m not going anywhere until I see my daughter”
Rose then stormed out of the kitchen and into the hall to grab her coat as she reached the coat hook young Roan started walking down the stairs and as he did I heard him cry out
“Nanny Ra Ra”
Rose took her hand back from her coat and very quickly turned her scowl into a smile
“Hello wee man, come to Nanny Ra Ra”
I came out of the kitchen to see young Roan arrive at the bottom stair and give his grandmother a kiss. I could see then that it wasn’t going to be easy to get rid of Nanny Ra Ra. I took myself back into the kitchen and carried on preparing the meal I had a strong premonition that Rose had given up on the idea trying to impress me. After dinner the kids all sat themselves in front of the television to watch The Disney Channel and Rose decided to take a shower. I didn’t mind too much I was by now use to clearing up after feeding time. These snatched moments of solitude in the kitchen gave me some time to myself and RTE radio. When I was finished I sat myself down with the children in the front room, the kids watched television and I did some work on my laptop. Rose came down and sat on the sofa with the three children looking at the television but I could see that she wasn’t watching any the programs. Each time the girls laughed at something funny they would glance at Rose to see if she also found the joke funny Rose would just smile and nod. The work I did on my computer was quite straight forward and needed very little concentration, it was literally ticking boxes indicating who paid me that day and who didn’t. I always had a good deal of cash in the house from my calls and with three kids at home it wasn’t always practical to leave them alone and drive to the bank’s night safe. Before the kids arrived it wasn’t a problem, my house was well secured I had a safe and a big Shillelagh or Granddad’s walking stick. I never worried about security until the children arrived but now it did worry me constantly, especially since Rose graced our doorstep. I knew that Rose had some, what I would call, dodgy acquaintances and I didn’t want any of them putting their feet under my table.
Chapter Eleven
I closed my computer and then commenced with my usual battle to get the kids to stop watching television and go to bed. I did make a point of always waiting until the show they were watching was over before sending them up the rocky road to Bedfordshire and that usually softened the blow. Young Roan went down quite quickly and the girls brushed their teeth and went into their rooms. The house was now quiet I went into the living room and sat myself down on the sofa. Rose was flicking from channel to channel and she eventually settled for MTV. It was a 70’s night and Rose wanted to dance she suddenly turned the television up full blast and began dancing around the room and singing at the top of her voice. I have to admit that Rose could sing but not here and not now. I grabbed the remote control and cut the sound Rose stopped dancing and turned to me, she was livid
“Danny what are you doing?”
“It’s a school night Rose, if you want to sing and dance, do it somewhere else, the kids are asleep”
“A bit of music won’t do them any harm, me and Claire use to sing and dance all the time, it never did her any harm. Come on turn the music back on and I’ll let you dance with me. Claire won’t mind I’ve smooched with many of her boyfriends I even had some of them”
I knew that Claire was ten years younger than me and from what I could tell Rose wasn’t that much older than me but the thought of being intimate with Claire’s mother made me shudder I was starting to see where Claire came from Rose seemed to have little regard for the needs of others. Claire and I didn’t speak much she was just a client I knew nothing of her life she was only a name on my ledger like everyone else. I didn’t know anything about Claire’s mother or her past she was just a young woman who gave me fifteen Euros a week. We would sometimes pass the time of day and if the kids were home then they would always come to the door to greet me. I showed her the respect all my clients deserved but I didn’t care about any of them I knew that in my job it never paid to be too friendly. There were many people on those estates who would take advantage of a too friendly debt collector. As I lost myself for a moment in my own thoughts Rose stepped forward and put her arms around my shoulders and demanded that we should dance together
“Come on Danny dance with me Claire’s not here and I won’t say a word”
The strange thing was that it had been a long time since I had held a woman and my arms automatically wrapped themselves around her waist and then I looked into her face and I saw Claire. I immediately let go I didn’t see the sweet face of the young woman who answered the door I saw the face of a dead woman lying under a pink duvet. I let go and I backed away Rose looked hurt and offended
“Am I not good enough for you? It was ok for you to take advantage of my sweet daughter with your big house and your deep pockets I only wanted to dance. What’s wrong with you man?”
“There’s nothing wrong with me I just don’t want to dance, the kids are in bed asleep and I don’t want to disturb them, surly you can understand that?”
“No I don’t Claire use to be up at all hours of the night with me dancing, singing, she and I use to drink together and smoke the odd joint. We had a great relationship”
I asked Rose
“What about school?”
Rose answered contemptuously
“Schools were not for the likes of us, when I learnt to read and write I didn’t need school anymore and I told Claire the same. If the school rang me because she was absent I always told them that she was sick and they left us alone. When Claire was fifteen we were was just two girls out to have a good time. We could go into any pub in Dublin and walk out legless without spending a single cent. This all changed when Claire got herself pregnant and she couldn’t remember who the father was. The council gave Claire a house on the estate when Enja was born and then I saw her have one loser boyfriend after another and with each one a child. I stopped seeing Claire after she fell with Roan. Roan’s father had scarpered even before Roan was born I washed my hands of her we haven’t been in contact since”
Rose then went into the hall to get a cigarette from her bag I gave her my usual look and she went out to the garden to smoke it, while she was out there I put the kettle on I opened the back door
“Do you want a cup of tea?”
Rose nodded and carried on smoking her cigarette. I will admit that seeing Rose out in the garden smoking always made me want to go outside with her and ask for one. It was only when she came back in again stinking of smoke that I changed my mind. Rose finished her smoke and came inside I made us both a cup of tea and we sat at the kitchen table.
We were alone and I felt a little uncomfortable, Rose had revealed a little about her and Claire’s past and it seemed to me that she didn’t really care much about Claire or her grandchildren. Rose just needed somewhere to stay. But everyday Rose stayed here put me and the children in danger; it just took one word out of place, one question too many and our entire world could crumble. I had to get rid of Rose but I couldn’t just put my children’s grandmother out on the street. We sat and drunk our tea I found some rich tea biscuits in the cupboard I always kept packet there for the kids if they were a bit peckish I didn’t like having too many sweets around the house but the odd biscuit didn’t do any harm. When we had finished our tea we went into the front room and sat next to each other on the sofa and watched the news. It felt quite pleasant having an adult sitting next to me and a woman to boot. While the news was on, Rose received a text on her phone she got up and took her phone into the kitchen I assumed to answer it. She came back a few moments later; she smiled and then went into the hall to fetch her coat
“I won’t be late back” She said “I’m just popping down the road to see a friend. You don’t have to wait up, can I borrow a key?”
I got up from the sofa and went into the kitchen, there was a spare key hanging up by the back door I gave it to her and she left. I watched the rest of the news, checked my e-mails along with my itinerary for the next day and then I took myself off to bed. I was awoken at midnight by crashing noises coming from downstairs I jumped out of bed pulled on my slippers and went down to see what was happening. Rose was standing by the cooker putting some bread under the grill; we have a toaster so I wasn’t sure why she was doing making toast that way and from the smell of her; she’d had a skin full. Rose saw me and smiled and let go of the grill which made an even bigger crashing noise. I took the bread from the grill and got the toaster out from the cupboard I listened for a moment to make sure the children were still asleep and then I plugged in the toaster put in the bread and then closed the kitchen door.
“You’re a lovely man Danny Boy come and give your mother in law a kiss”
Rose then walked towards me and gave me a kiss full on the lips. I’m only human, it had been a long time since a woman kissed me I started to feel a little aroused and then the taste of cigarettes and whisky filled my mouth and this shock taste sensation halted all feelings of arousal I pulled my face away and gently swayed her body to the side Rose looked at me and started to cry
“You think I’m old and ugly don’t you”
I tried to console Rose
“No I don’t but I’m married to your daughter, it’d be like having sex with my mother”
Rose’s reply took me right back
“That didn’t bother Enja’s dad nor Roan’s I had them both that’s how I knew that they were no good for Claire. My own father’s brother tried it on with me more than once but I told him I’d scream the house down whenever he came into my room. I never let him go anywhere near Claire he did try and take her once while we were on a family holiday but I screamed and he left her room”
I assumed that it was the drink that made Rose let slip this family secret, I mean everybody knew that this sort of thing went on but it wasn’t something that people spoke openly about I tried to give Rose a little comfort
“You’re not ugly Rose, you’re a very desirable woman I’m just not available, now have your toast and go to bed”
Rose smiled my little speech seemed to help I hoped that in the morning she would’ve forgotten this incident and conversation. The toaster popped up and I spread some butter on her toast put it on a plate and gave it to her I then left Rose in peace to eat and went back to bed
The next morning I got up as usual I was tired partly because of the ructions the night before but also because I’d been lying awake that night considering what to do about Rose. I couldn’t just throw her out on the street my parents had taught all us children better than that I decided to let Rose stay at least for a few days just until we could find her some permanent accommodation. She was still in bed when I got the kids up so I got them ready and we left
I told Mrs. Donovan to pay no attention to anything Rose told her concerning the children I was paying the bills not Rose and I would decide who looked after the children. I left Roan and Kylie then dropped Enja off at the school but before I could start my rounds there was one pressing matter that I had to attend too. I wanted to go home and sort this out but having a temporary lodger barred that option. I took myself off to the reading room of the local library I had my laptop with me and I had my own internet connection so I only needed the services of dlr libraries for a warm place to sit at a table in peace.
My only problem now was they didn’t open until 9:30. I stopped off at The Sunshine for a cup of coffee and the loan of a newspaper , that was a nice way to spend the half an hour wait until The Library opened. The doors were just being unlocked as I came in, the car park costs 6 Euros for the day I wasn’t going to pay that just to sit in the warm, so I left my car down the road close to The Sunshine.
Chapter Twelve
My old mate Noel still worked at the library, there was a rumour going around that he’d been working since The Partition but that would have been impossible he’d have to be nearly a hundred to have worked there that long Noel gave me his usual welcome
“Hello Mr.O’Bernstein Can I pay you next week?”
And then he would laugh like it was the first time he’d ever made that joke before
“Only joking Danny, how are you? Do you need a book? We have a few knocking around here somewhere you know”
The jokes just kept coming I smiled at point at him like I always did Patrick and I and the girls had been coming since we were children and Noel never changed a bit he always looked the same and always made the same jokes. You couldn’t help but like him but at the same time I hated having to talk to him at any great length.
“Hello Noel I hope you’re well I’d just like to sit down a while at one of your study tables I’ve got a bit of work to do, that’s ok isn’t it?”
There was that usual look of disappointment when he heard that I didn’t want to borrow a book but he nodded and said yes. I sat myself down turned on my computer and then Noel pulled up a chair and sat beside me. The library had just opened and it was just us, so I assumed he either wanted to keep me company or he wanted to have a chat until rest of the staff arrived.
“Is there something I can do for you Noel?”
“No! No! No! I just thought I’d keep you company for a while”
“It’s kind of you Noel but I’m going through some of my customer records and you know how I am about people’s privacy”
“Oh mum’s the word with me Danny Boy I could tell you a thing or two about debt, there’s a lot of people who owe this library a lot of money in unpaid fines but I’m not at liberty to tell you who these people are, so you can trust me”
“I’m sure I can Noel but this won’t take long and then we can have a cup of tea and a chat”
The promise of a cup of tea and a chat did the trick Noel left the table and went to stand behind his counter. It was true this wasn’t going to take very long. I had lied to Noel I would never have gone through my files at a public library I knew all my clients and I always worked at home. No! I needed to go on line to the County Court, it had been two months since Claire had disappeared and I was applying for a marriage annulment. It’s true that Claire and I were married by Dr John Michael McKenzie who resided in The Philippines but we lived in Ireland and everything from here out, had to be done by the book. It is true that I did marry a dead woman and kidnap her children I did fill out a false missing persons report in France and Ireland I did lie to Social services and to Enja’s school but I was reasonably confident that if I stayed calm and filled in the right forms then everything would turn out alright in the end.
I had thought of killing Claire i was going to make up some elabourate story about an accident in France maybe a train crash or a fire I was reading all the foreign news websites in English hoping to find a disaster somewhere that Claire could have died in. But then I’d have to plan a funeral and maybe bring back an empty coffin. No I thought simple is better Claire had just run off I had been told by more than one of my regulars that Claire had been seen in Dublin and I wasn’t going to correct them Claire like I said before looked like half the girls in Dublin
I found the form I was looking for and I would have to lie again but at least this time I could answer some of the questions truthfully. Claire and I never consummated our marriage and she had deserted us. I copied the form onto my laptop I thought I could do the whole thing online but I needed to sign it and I needed a witness I would have to print the document out at home, fill it in and then find a witness. The most credible witness I could think of was Old Father Brenan I wondered if he would remember me. I closed up my computer and went over to have a chat with Noel as promised.
It was three days later that I had the form filled in and enough time during the day to stop by and see Father Brenan I parked outside the Presbytery I’m think that The Catholic Church is one of the few places in Ireland where you can park your car for free I knocked on the door and Father Brenan answered it and before I could say a word he said
“Bless my Soul if it isn’t Daniel O’Bernstein, come in son and what can I do for you?”
I don’t know how priests do that but they never seem to forget anyone I came in I showed Father Brenan my form and he read through it. In Ireland and in the church there are six basic grounds for an annulment they are;
1. an existing valid marriage,
2. where either party was under 18 and had not received a judicial exemption,
3. substantial failure to observe formalities (such as the required three months’ notice),
4. absence of consent (including duress, undue influence, fraud and mental illness),
5. where parties are within the forbidden degrees of blood relationship or
6. where the couple are the same sex
But there are more reasons for being granted an annulment such as, desertion or breaking your vows and the state laws governing an annulment are of little consequence to the Catholic Church. I told Father Brenan my version of what happened. It was a version that I was sticking to, and as far as he was concerned if I didn’t get married in a church then I wasn’t really married. We all learnt in school about sin, there were ordinary sins and there were Mortal Sins. Mortal sins were things that we did during our lifetime that could never be forgiven. These were sins that we would have to account for on our day of judgment as we stood before Our Lord.
The Sins listed were Murder, Incest, Adultery and telling lies to a priest, our parents, a teacher or a policeman. I knew that, come the day, I would have a lot to answer for and I would be sitting on Gods naughty step for a long time. Father Brenan offered me a cup of tea a biscuit; he gave me absolution and then signed the form. I left Father Brenan’s office feeling clean and free from sin I knew I’d have to go back there next year and confess everything but for now I felt good
The one thing I did know about the laws of separation in Ireland was that Claire and I could not be legally separated for at least a year after she deserted the family Our family holiday was only three months ago which is why I opted for the annulment strategy. I thought to be on the safe side I would apply for an annulment and a separation. There was a strong possibility that either application would take a year Claire’s sudden death was still on the table but I didn’t want to have to produce a death certificate or plan a funeral. Yes death was a quick solution but a complicated one
I drove myself to the County court and submitted the Separation Form. There was a spotty young man standing behind the counter he glanced at the form and told me in official tone
“I’m sorry Mr. O’Bernstein but I can’t accept this, you’ll have to come back in nine months”
I answered him with a little more respect than he had given me but nonetheless I was somewhat abrasive
“I wasn’t aware that I had the honour of addressing a County Judge. I’m sorry I just assumed that you were just a receptionist at the County Court, Judge!”
“Don’t get smart with me mister I’m just doing my job. You have to wait a year”
I don’t like being addressed as Mister especially when the title is bestowed on me with more than just a tinge of irony
“Well sonny The Act of Annulment can take place just moments after the ceremony. One of the parties could just change their mind and as long as the marriage hasn’t been consummated then the union can be annulled”
“And are you trying to tell me Mr.O’Bernstein that your marriage was never consummated?”
“I’m not trying to tell you, anything. I’m putting in two applications one for my marriage to be annulled and another to apply for a separation agreement. I’m paying the fees for both applications and I want a judge to come to a decision not a receptionist. I would now like a receipt for payment and an acknowledgment that the County court has received both my applications.”
I then took out my credit card to pay the young man; he then with obvious reluctance stamped two receipts and gave then to me as I ran my card through the payment machine. I left the County Court office with a sense of achievement the applications were going to be processed and I had put some smug young civil servant in his place.
The rest of my day went by so quickly I parked up at the housing estate and I walked from home to home collecting payments and then on to the next area. It was same old same old my work days were just a matter of routine and at four I picked up Enja. I was starting to like my life I now had something else or somebody else to care about I knew that my life was a house of cards that could so easily come tumbling down but I was going to do everything I could to keep my house intact.
The school run took its usual time I then picked up Roan and Kylie. We arrived home Rose was still there I knew I had to get rid of Rose and get rid of her soon, she was a just another complication and I didn’t need more complications. It’s true that she was probably the only real family that that my children had but I didn’t considerer her to be a role model I felt that she was just as lost as Claire had been but by the Grace of God Rose managed to survive and Claire didn’t. I told Rose that she had a week to find somewhere else to live. Rose did actually stay for six months and in that time the kids got to know their grandmother for the good and the bad.
I kept in touch with Aoife the Social worker and she seemed happy that Roan. Enja and Kylie were settled. Kylie started school and Enja made sure that her little sister came to no bother. It was great picking up my two girls at the school gate and Miss O’Flyne just got prettier and prettier. I did tell the school that Claire and I had separated so I still had high hopes that one day Kathy O’Flyne might want to go for a drink with Danny O’Bernstein. Young Baby Roan was developing at breakneck speed into young child with a voice and opinions, he and Rose became quite close as she collected him from Mrs. Donovan’s every day. Rose never dropped him off it was far too early in the day her.
We had a good old-fashioned family Christmas together and celebrated the New Year Rose had her own money now, not from her investments but from the Dole office.
She eventually moved in with my good friend Shane, they were made for each other. Shane was a volatile man with a bit of a temper but Rose seemed to keep him calm
Shane had never been anywhere and had never achieved anything and like Rose he liked to have a drink and a good time. I hoped he and Rose would end up doing each other some good. If things didn’t work out then it wasn’t really my problem but I felt some responsibility for her so I knew that I’d help her again if she needed us. But at last Rose was out of my house
Patrick and I helped Rose move out and in to her new home. My younger brother owed me more than a few favours so he was glad to help at least he said he was.
Rose was gone and it was just us again,
Rose wasn’t as bad as I thought she could have been when she lived her. I didn’t like her late nights or her drinking and I hated her smoking in the house. There were also so many nights that the doorbell would ring at three in the morning followed by hammering on the door and shouting for Rose to come out or preferably let someone in. I would just run down the stairs with my Shillelagh in hand and threaten to call the police. I was glad that day she came home and told me that she was going to move in with Shane but at the same time I was a little worried for her safety Rose was sure that she could keep Shane in line. There were many things that happened during Rose’s stay but they can wait for now I can tell you those stories another time.
Anyway with Rose gone Enja moved into her own room and the two youngest had to share. Kylie and Roan as it happened were happy to share a room all the kids ran in and out of each other’s rooms anyway, it had always an open house.
Each day from then on just seemed to run into another Christmas was long gone and the New Year’s celebrations also became a distant memory. Enja had her ninth birthday Roan had his third and we held parties for them both Shane and Rose came bearing cheap gifts; mum and dad came too along with Patrick, Mary, Bernadette and their kids.
We are now a family Danny, Enja, Kylie and Roan. Claire was gone and no one has questioned where. Just as before, people have told me that they have seen Claire on a tram, at a bar or in town nobody has ever approached her or spoke to her, she was just spotted.
It was on the morning of the 15th of July it came in the post from the County Court, it was my letter of annulment. That’s why I’m celebrating quietly now Danny O’Bernstein is single again I’ve still got a long road ahead. It’s true I’m a single man but I’m a single man with a family and I want to keep hold of this family. I adopted these children in order to keep them and have some say in their future. They say that “Possession is nine tenths of the law” I hope that old saying is going to help if anyone comes to try and take my children away from me I know that my story is not over yet, but I hope that this is the beginning of the end of this adventure
Sláinte
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