Page 117 of Vengeance is Mine

Barbara stood up, left the room and walked quickly upstairs.

‘Is she all right?’ Terry asked.

‘No. She’s not. She’s been a changed woman ever since Dominic came out of prison. Her head’s all over the place.’

‘She’s a smart, intelligent, law-abiding woman,’ Terry said. ‘Suddenly, she finds herself wishing a man dead and hoping his killers get away with it. She’s got hugely conflicting messages running around her mind. It can’t be easy for her.’

‘No. I suppose not,’ Harry agreed. ‘We’ve had a few rows.’

‘Well, hopefully things will calm down a bit now.’

‘I hope so. Are you going to visit your dad?’

‘Yes. I’ll pop round this evening and tell him.’

‘I really am proud of you, Terry,’ Harry said, looking at his godson with a beaming smile. ‘Your dad is as well. I know his mind isn’t what it was, but I know for a fact he’s proud of how you’ve turned out.’

‘Thank you. That means a lot.’

‘Now, you need to concentrate on yourself, Terry. Find yourself a good woman and think about settling down.’

‘I’ve got a date arranged for next week, actually,’ Terry said, blushing slightly.

‘Good. And remember, until you find yourself a good woman, there’s no harm in going out with a few bad women.’ Harry winked.

It started raining when Terry left the Whites’ house. By the time he arrived at Lavender House Nursing Home, it was pouring down. He ran from the car park into the building where he signed in, had a chat with the receptionist, then made his way to his father’s room.

‘I love the rain,’ Ian said. He was by the window when Terry entered. ‘I could stand here and watch it for hours.’

‘Remember when I was a child, and I used to stand and watch thunderstorms?’

Ian turned to his son, a huge smile on his face. ‘I do. I do remember that. You always wanted to go outside in the back garden.’

‘Mum was terrified I’d get struck by lightning.’

Ian returned to looking out of the window. ‘We don’t get good storms anymore, do we?’

‘No.’

‘Just a lot of rain.’

‘Are you all right, Dad? You look a bit down.’

‘I’m worried.’

‘What about?’

‘Barbara and Harry.’

‘They’re all right. I’ve been to see them this afternoon.’

‘Terry, you’ll go easy on them, won’t you?’ Ian asked, a desperate look on his face.

‘Dad, I don’t know what you’re talking about.’

‘Harry and Barbara. Stephanie’s parents.’

‘I know who they are, Dad. Look, come and sit down. Talk to me.’