Page 88 of Jessica

‘Billy Simple, madam. May I introduce myself? My name is Runche — Richard Runche.’

Meg smiles inwardly. She recalls the name, not only from Jessica and Joe, but from the newspapers reporting the trial which had, on several occasions, mentioned the notorious Liquid Lunch, the incompetent barrister in charge of Billy Simple’s defence.

‘How do you do, Mr Runche,’ Meg replies, glancing knowingly at Hester.

‘Do you think I might come in? I’ve taken the liberty of giving my horse to your stable boy to mind.’

Meg nods and she and Hester step aside to let Richard Runche pass through to the large, cool enclosed verandah which contains a wicker setting, four chairs and a small table. A large marmalade cat is asleep on one of the chairs. Richard Runche removes his hat and looks about him. He indicates the chairs. ‘Shall we sit here?’ he asks. ‘Mother, could you ask Martha to bring us some tea,’ Meg says. ‘Yes, sit down, Mr Lunch.’

‘Runche. Ah, tea, yes, how jolly,’ the lawyer cries. Settling himself into the chair next to the cat, he reaches over and strokes the back of the animal’s ear. ‘Ah, a marmalade cat, quite the best ratters.’

Both women ignore the remark and Hester turns to her daughter. ‘Meg, wait until I return,’ she commands. Meg looks annoyed. ‘Mother, I’m quite capable of .. .’ ‘Oh, yes, we shall wait, I’d like to talk to both of you,’ Richard Runche says, smiling at a grim-faced Hester.

When Martha, a fresh-faced country girl, brings the tea and a plate of biscuits Hester pours a cup for each of them. Handing a cup to Meg and Runche, she takes up her own and sits back, resting her cup and saucer comfortably on her lap. She tries to look unconcerned. ‘Well then, Mr Runche, what is it you wish to see my daughter about?’

‘Both of you, really. I’d like to talk with you about the boy Joseph “Joey” Thomas.’

The barrister can see the sudden anxiety in the eyes of both women and Hester hurriedly places her cup and saucer on the wicker table.

‘And what about the boy?’ she asks sharply. Runche deliberately ignores her and turns to Meg. ‘There is some doubt that the boy is your legitimate son, Mrs Thomas. I need to talk with you.’

Hester rises from her chair. ‘I think you should leave, Mr Runche.’ She points to the door. ‘Right now!’

‘I don’t think that would be in your daughter’s ultimate interest, madam,’ Runche says softly, not in the least intimidated by Hester’s imperious command.

‘Just who do you think you are, barging in on us like this without so much as a by-your-leave and making these horrible claims?’ Hester shouts again.

‘Calm down, Mother,’ Meg says in a surprisingly composed voice. She turns back to the lawyer. ‘What are you trying to say, Mr Runche?’

Richard Runche KC looks surprised. ‘Why, I’m not sure I can put it any more precisely than I just have, madam.’ He pauses and looks at Hester, then back to Meg. ‘Do you wish me to repeat what I have just said?’

‘Take no notice, Meg, the man’s quite mad. I’ll call two of the boys from the stable.’

‘You’ve seen Jessie, haven’t you?’ Meg says, still ignoring her mother.

‘Yes, that I have,’ Runche agrees.

‘And you know she’s ... she’s in the lunatic asylum?’

‘In Callan Park, yes.’

‘Well, that’s why. She has delusions — she thinks I’ve stolen her baby.’

‘Oh, but you have, my dear,’ Richard Runche replies, smiling.

‘He’s mad! Look at him, he’s a mess. Are you trying to threaten us, Mr Runche?’ Hester shouts. ‘Because if you are, you’re going to be very, very sorry you ever came snooping around here!’

‘Mother, do sit down!’ Meg. cries. She turns to Richard Runche. ‘Mr Runche, I don’t think you quite understand — my sister is insane. She’s been committed!’ ‘Ah, glad you brought that up.’ Richard Runche turns to Hester. ‘I believe it was you, Mrs Bergman, who signed the committal papers?’

‘I had no choice, she attacked me.’

‘She?’

‘Jessica.’

‘And why would Jessica do that?’

‘She was hysterical, she said ... I mean, she deluded herself that Meg had stolen her child.’