Page 122 of The Stranger in Room Six

Belinda

Despite my efforts with the locket, Mabel ignores me as I go about my care duties. I’ve lost my friend. A woman who, a year ago, I hadn’t even known. But Mabel has become such an important part of my life that I cannot bear to see the distrust in her eyes.

A week later, I go to the manager to hand in my notice.

It’s only right that I leave Mabel to live out her last years in peace.

Hopefully my short experience here will help me find another job, although I’m nervous about using the fake DBS certificate again; I might not be able to fool another home so easily. Besides, I don’t want to lie any more.

‘She’s in a meeting at the moment,’ says the manager’s secretary. ‘Please wait in her office. She won’t be long.’

As I wait, the phone rings. No one comes in so I answer it.

‘Hello?’

‘Is this the manager I am speaking to please?’

‘Err –’

‘Ciao! My name is Isabella. I have seen the online photographs from the 1940s of your Mabel Marchmont. I believe I am her great-granddaughter.’

My heart skips a beat. ‘Her great-granddaughter? Can you prove that?’

‘Well, I have copies of the same photographs, and also a small piece of lace my grandfather has had since he was adopted.’

‘Lace,’ I repeat excitedly, remembering what Mabel had told me. ‘Could you hold on a minute?’

I run to get Mabel. Something tells me that the caller is genuine.