Post by michael on Nov 14, 2015 19:08:44 GMT
It was then time to make their way to the hall where the wake was to be held. Since they were travelling in different cars it was not possible for Janet to quiz Keith on how it was that he knew about the existence of Carol and she did not, but she lost no time once they had arrived.
“Who is this Carol, and how do we know if she is genuine?”
“She is Bob’s daughter because he told me about her in strictest confidence” replied Keith. “She is the result of an affair he had with a married woman also working at DLC before he met you. She could not leave her husband, but Bob was happy to acknowledge paternity and never lost contact with her and her mother. I think he felt a degree of responsibility and wanted to make it up to her in some way”.
Douglas had joined Carol and was questioning her for his own satisfaction.
“You are something of a shock to the family; are you really my half-sister?”
“I’m afraid so. Mum did not explain things to me until after Dad’s death, well, as it turns out he wasn’t my Dad but Mum’s husband, if you see what I mean”.
“But how did you feel once you knew the truth?”
“Mum showed me some of your father’s letters and told me how he had been sending money after Dad’s death”.
Douglas was beginning to get the picture but he had a further question.
“And how did you receive news of my Dad’s death and the funeral date and place?”
“We had a long and explicit letter from your Uncle Keith in which he said that he had important information to impart to me in person”.
Douglas wanted to have words with his uncle in private but the hall was now abuzz with people eating and drinking and seeking to offer their condolences and reminiscences. Two men button-holed Douglas:
“We worked with your father at DLC. He was a straight forward sort of man; you knew where you were with Bob”.
“Really? I’m pleased to hear it” Douglas replied, thinking “you don’t know the half of it”. Meanwhile, with a large glass of gin & tonic in her hand, Rachel seized the opportunity to have words with Janet.
“I cannot believe that you knew nothing about this Carol person. She and Bob were obviously in contact with each other” was her opening salvo.
“I can assure you that it has come as a complete surprise to me. Bob never even mentioned her name” retorted Janet.
“But they must have written to each other! Particularly around her birthday” Rachel replied accusingly.
“I was never in the habit of looking through Bob’s private mail. Not like you used to do, as I understand”. Janet felt that she had scored a point there. “Anyway, why do you mention her birthday?”
“We must find out how old she is. It could be interesting”. The significance of this remark was not lost on Janet.
Meanwhile, Douglas had at last managed to find an opportunity to talk with his uncle.
“Uncle Keith, how much do you know about this latest member of the family?”
“Carol? Well, not a great deal actually. Your father only told me about her once he knew that the cancer was terminal. I made a few inquiries and it seems a genuine situation. Strangely though, on her birth certificate it lists her father as “unknown”. From that I take it Carol’s mother’s husband was not prepared to accept paternity. But she did take the family name, Williams. I must take her to one side as I have some important information to impart to her which could upset the family”.
Having delivered this intriguing news, Keith turned to go but then added “I understand that Janet has invited us back to the house afterwards for some tea and cake. It would be preferable if Rachel was also there. Can I leave that in your hands?”
Douglas had no option but to say “Yes, of course, certainly” but thinking to himself “There could be trouble ahead!”.
“Who is this Carol, and how do we know if she is genuine?”
“She is Bob’s daughter because he told me about her in strictest confidence” replied Keith. “She is the result of an affair he had with a married woman also working at DLC before he met you. She could not leave her husband, but Bob was happy to acknowledge paternity and never lost contact with her and her mother. I think he felt a degree of responsibility and wanted to make it up to her in some way”.
Douglas had joined Carol and was questioning her for his own satisfaction.
“You are something of a shock to the family; are you really my half-sister?”
“I’m afraid so. Mum did not explain things to me until after Dad’s death, well, as it turns out he wasn’t my Dad but Mum’s husband, if you see what I mean”.
“But how did you feel once you knew the truth?”
“Mum showed me some of your father’s letters and told me how he had been sending money after Dad’s death”.
Douglas was beginning to get the picture but he had a further question.
“And how did you receive news of my Dad’s death and the funeral date and place?”
“We had a long and explicit letter from your Uncle Keith in which he said that he had important information to impart to me in person”.
Douglas wanted to have words with his uncle in private but the hall was now abuzz with people eating and drinking and seeking to offer their condolences and reminiscences. Two men button-holed Douglas:
“We worked with your father at DLC. He was a straight forward sort of man; you knew where you were with Bob”.
“Really? I’m pleased to hear it” Douglas replied, thinking “you don’t know the half of it”. Meanwhile, with a large glass of gin & tonic in her hand, Rachel seized the opportunity to have words with Janet.
“I cannot believe that you knew nothing about this Carol person. She and Bob were obviously in contact with each other” was her opening salvo.
“I can assure you that it has come as a complete surprise to me. Bob never even mentioned her name” retorted Janet.
“But they must have written to each other! Particularly around her birthday” Rachel replied accusingly.
“I was never in the habit of looking through Bob’s private mail. Not like you used to do, as I understand”. Janet felt that she had scored a point there. “Anyway, why do you mention her birthday?”
“We must find out how old she is. It could be interesting”. The significance of this remark was not lost on Janet.
Meanwhile, Douglas had at last managed to find an opportunity to talk with his uncle.
“Uncle Keith, how much do you know about this latest member of the family?”
“Carol? Well, not a great deal actually. Your father only told me about her once he knew that the cancer was terminal. I made a few inquiries and it seems a genuine situation. Strangely though, on her birth certificate it lists her father as “unknown”. From that I take it Carol’s mother’s husband was not prepared to accept paternity. But she did take the family name, Williams. I must take her to one side as I have some important information to impart to her which could upset the family”.
Having delivered this intriguing news, Keith turned to go but then added “I understand that Janet has invited us back to the house afterwards for some tea and cake. It would be preferable if Rachel was also there. Can I leave that in your hands?”
Douglas had no option but to say “Yes, of course, certainly” but thinking to himself “There could be trouble ahead!”.