Page 61 of The Forsaken (Echoes from the Past #4)

“My mother was nearly fifty when Quentin came into her life. She’d raised her children, supported her husband’s career for nearly thirty years, and had been looking forward to some time to herself, to enjoy life.

She thought Dad would scale back his hours and they would travel, or take up a new hobby.

They both enjoyed golf, and Mum had this idea of visiting some of the world’s most famous golf resorts.

She had no desire to start all over again at her age, but once my father made the announcement to the press, she could hardly refuse. It would have made Dad look bad. ”

“Had he not consulted her?” Quinn asked, shocked.

“Not really. My father never consulted anyone. He presented them with a situation that they had no choice but to deal with. So, Mum did what she did best. She dealt.”

“How?”

“She hired a nanny. She just wasn’t up to taking care of a newborn. Sleepless nights, teething, daily trips to the playground; she was past all that. She was very much involved, but more in a managerial capacity. The nannies did all the hands-on work.”

“Nannies?” Logan asked.

“Yes, there were several.”

“So your mother never made peace with your father’s decision to adopt Quentin,” Quinn interjected.

“No, she didn’t. She cared for Quentin deeply, as did my father, but adopting her had been an impulsive decision that near tore our family apart.

My brother and I were ready to go off to uni.

We resented Dad for springing this new sibling on us and couldn’t wait to leave, which we did as soon as we could.

Michael went first, and then I left home a year later.

We saw Quentin when we came home, but we never developed a close relationship with her.

At the time, she seemed to us to be an interloper in our family.

Of course, we were young and selfish, and focused only on our own needs. ”

“So, what happened?” Quinn asked. She noticed that Karen spoke of Quentin only in the past tense. She hadn’t mentioned any current feelings or circumstances.

“Mum died just after Quentin turned seventeen. She’d been ill for some time, and spent the last few months of her life in hospice care.

Quentin had been planning on going to university but suddenly changed her mind.

She asked Dad for a sum of money, which he gladly gave her, out of guilt I presume, and took off.

We haven’t seen her since. She didn’t even come for Dad’s funeral. ”

“Are you in touch with her?” Quinn asked.

“No.”

“So how would she know about the funeral?” Logan asked.

“She would have found out through our solicitor. Dad arranged for a very healthy trust fund for Quentin. She would never need to work if she had no wish to.”

“Does she?” Logan asked.

“No idea. Like I said, we haven’t seen her since she was seventeen.”

“And you’re okay with that?” Quinn asked, her blood pressure rising again.

“No, I’m not, and neither is Michael. We were beastly to her, and we feel awful about that. We tried reaching out to her over the years, but she never replied.”

“Do you know if she’s well?” Quinn demanded.

“As far as we know, she’s all right. I’m sorry I couldn’t be of more help. Seeing you brought it all back,” she said, blowing her nose delicately on a tissue.

“May I ask you one more question?” Quinn’s heart rate increased and she held her breath without realizing it. “Are we identical?” Karen would know the answer to the question that had been plaguing her since she found out about her twin.

“No, but you look very much alike. Seeing you was a shock.”

“Can you give us the details for the solicitor?” Logan asked .

“Of course. He’s right here in Leicester. Would you like me to call him for you? He’s not in the office on Saturdays, but I believe he’d see you as a favor to me.”

“We would greatly appreciate that,” Quinn replied coolly. She had nothing more to say to this woman who’d been so selfish and unfeeling toward an innocent child and a neglected teenager. It seemed that Quentin’s life hadn’t been nearly as charmed as they’d first assumed.

Dr. Crawford pulled out her mobile and made the call. She spoke to the solicitor and turned to Quinn and Logan. “He can see you in a half hour. Here’s the address. His name is Louis Richards.”

“Thank you for your time,” Quinn said as she got up to leave. She heard the disdain in her voice, but didn’t care. She’d never see this woman again.

“Cheers,” Logan said as he followed Quinn out the door.

“God, what a cow,” he said as soon as they exited into the street.

“I wouldn’t want to keep in contact with her either.

I bet she’ll still charge the NHS for the appointment.

After all, she took your blood pressure, didn’t she?

What is it, Quinny?” he asked, noticing her pained expression.

“For years, I agonized about finding my birth parents instead of appreciating the wonderful parents I had. I see now how foolish and selfish I’ve been, especially since Quentin wasn’t as lucky.”

“Quinn, don’t beat yourself up. You’re only human, although Saint Quinn does have a nice ring to it,” he said with a wicked smile. “We all need to know where we came from, even if our origins are not very exciting.”

“But I was wanted and loved. It seems that no one really wanted Quentin.”

“Still, I’m sure she had a better life than most unwanted children. I wouldn’t say no to a trust fund myself,” Logan added .

Quinn ignored his flippancy and reached for her mobile to call Gabe. The solicitor’s office was within walking distance, so there was no sense in Gabe interrupting Emma’s play time.

“Gabe, we’ll meet you at the playground as soon as we’re done. I don’t imagine it will take long. I’ll fill you in later,” Quinn assured him. “All right, Logan. Let’s go.”

She didn’t protest when Logan wrapped his arm casually about her shoulders.

He didn’t say anything, but she appreciated the gesture of support.

What they’d learned so far upset her, and she didn’t hold out any great hope for their interview with the lawyer.

Solicitors were notoriously tight-lipped, so Quinn didn’t imagine he’d tell them much.

Logan pulled her close and lightly kissed her temple, nearly making her cry.