The Real Me - Chapter 11

OTHER PARTS | ALL STORY LIST

They landed thirty minutes ahead of schedule, helped by a tailwind across the Atlantic. Rachel had feared immigration with her charge but was relieved to find, that for some such formalities can be waived, provided Daddy pulls the right strings. They walked a passageway, turned off following their escort leaving the hordes behind. They went through a gate, passports were checked, and out to a waiting black Jaguar.

They waited ten minutes and two huge suitcases arrived and were packed into the boot. Simone wasn’t traveling light, as she explained, she had all her dresses and as many possessions as she could bring. Rachel and Simone sat in the back, a chauffeur drove and a suit sat in the front passenger seat, who was apparently, a Foreign office flunky. ‘Where will we drop you Miss?’ he asked Rachel ‘I need to go to King’s Cross Station.’ ‘Then we’ll do that first.’ Simone squeezed her hand. ‘Thanks for looking after me. I hope everything’s OK at home with Dannie.

If I can be of help, just give me a call.’ She handed Rachel a card, a Pre-Raphaelite design, very feminine. Somehow, after a fourteen-hour flight, she looked immaculate, sexy yet dignified. She could have been a top fashion model. The driver pulled into the King’s Cross drop zone. He was out in a flash to open the car door and by the time Rachel had kissed Simone goodbye, her bag was waiting for her. She wheeled it behind her into the station. The next train departure was in fifteen minutes.

Dannie would be home and hopefully doing homework. She found a seat on the train and flipped open her phone. She called her little sister, but there was no reply from the landline. She rang Dannie’s mobile, also no reply. Desperately, she checked her phone in case that was acting up, and of course, it wasn’t. She knew it wasn’t but just clutched at any straw. In desperation, she phoned their neighbor, Mrs. Simpkin. The phone rang it seemed for an age. Finally, it was answered. ‘607389. If your sellin’. We aren’t interested.

Goodbye ‘Wait, Mrs. Simpkin, it’s Rachel.’ ‘Rachel? Where are you?’ ‘On the train from London. I can’t get anyone at home. Is everything OK?’ ‘Well, I don’t know. There was a rumpus last night, the police were called and I don’t know what.’ ‘Was Mum there?’ ‘Well later, called ‘home from work I think, because she arrived at eight-thirty.’

‘Where was my brother?’ ‘Well now, you know ‘ee’s dressing as a girl, so let’s not pretend Rachel. I saw ‘im come ‘home in ‘is school uniform these weeks. Right sweet ‘ee looks.’ ‘So, she’s OK.’ ‘He, oh I better say, she, yes, she was at four yesterday, when I saw ‘er walk up your garden path. I ‘heard a man’s voice. Would that be your Dad?’ ‘I hope not. He’s not supposed to come near.’ ‘Well, I dunno Rachel.

I don’t think there’s anyone in now, but the ambulance came last night and they do say your Mum was taken to hospital.’ ‘Who says?’

‘Mrs. Riley and you know what she’s like, nose into everything.’ ‘And Dannie?’ ‘Haven’t seen ‘im. There’s no sound next door now, but the ambulance men were there and the police, so I’m sure we'll be OK. Probably gone to a friend.’ Rachel felt sick. She would have dry retched but managed to restrain her natural impulses.

‘Oh well, thank you, Mrs. Simpkin.’ She managed to say. Rachel was more worried than ever. If there was trouble yesterday, how come she had spoken to Dannie? She tried to work back remembering the time difference of ten hours. So, she had messaged Dannie at around noon and she had replied at midnight, UK time. That would have been about two o’clock in the UK, probably just before afternoon lessons. All the trouble started after that. Where was she? How was her mother? Serious if she had gone to the hospital in an ambulance.

Oh, my bloody family, she thought. Why couldn’t she have been born into a nice honest hard-working family, even if it was the wrong side of the tracks? Politicians were always talking about hard-working families. Did they even know how the working class lived? Why had her mother ever fallen in love with a bit of rough like her father? He had always been a rascal, a no-good as her grandpa had called him. All these negative thoughts whirled about in her brain. Central was the whereabouts of little Dannie and the state of her mother.

The train had slowed. It was now crawling along for no apparent reason. Rachel was consumed with impatience. She felt like walking along, entering the driver’s cab and kicking him, except she couldn’t. She was absolutely helpless, in the hands of invisible powers that seemed to be combining to thwart her return home. She rang Dannie’s phone again, but the call went to message. She rang her Mum. The phone rang a long time before it was at last answered by a quavering and confused voice.

‘Mum?’ Rachel asked. ‘Rachel?’ ‘Yes Mum, I’m on the train.’ ‘In America?’ ‘No Mum, the train from London. If the driver has not fallen asleep, I’ll be home in an hour. What’s going on? Where are you?’ She was answered by sobs. ‘Mum? Where’s Dannie? Why doesn’t she answer her phone?’ ‘I don’t know.’ ‘What do you mean.

You were supposed to look after her.’ ‘Rachel, I was at work when it happened. I was called home because Mrs. Lambert called the police when she heard screams. I got home, to find your father there, He was drunk, his eyes glassy and bloodshot. The house was in chaos. He said Dannie had run off. I went up to Dannie’s room, it was wrecked.

I screamed at your father and he took all the money he could find, emptied my handbag on the floor. I tried to stop him and I fell down the stairs. ‘Mum! Where are you now Mum?’ ‘I’m in the hospital, in the General.’ ‘Why? How?’ ‘I broke my arm and some ribs.’ ‘And Dannie?’ ‘I don’t know Rache, not there when I came in.’

‘Is Dad there now?’ ‘I don’t know. I’m still in the hospital. I have some internal bleeding. You’ll have to find Dannie.’ ‘Oh, what a mess. Don’t you know where she’s gone?’ ‘No Rachel. You sort of took over maternal duties, letting her cross-dress. I went along with it but I always knew there’d be trouble with Dad.’ ‘Mum! Why had father come home?’ ‘We met up and he promised to change, he said he understood Dannie now. Promised to lay off the booze and be home more.’ ‘Mother! You knew what he’s like, he’ll never change. You knew what he was like towards Dannie.’ ‘Perhaps we are wrong to indulge Dannie.

I knew there would be trouble. I tried to tell you, but you have all these new-fangled ideas. Boys becoming girls and such. If he’s gay then be gay, no need to dress as a girl.’ ‘He’s not gay Mum, he’s transgendered. I thought you understood.’ ‘I thought I did.’ ‘I’ll come and see you Mum, but first I need to find my kid sister, you understand Mum? She comes first.’ ‘I understand. I did tell you.’ ‘Mum, this is your fault, not mine. I told you, you should get rid of that bastard father of mine. We don’t owe him anything. He’s a bully and a liability.

What the hell were you thinking?’ She ended the call without waiting for her mother to reply. She was so furious, so distressed about Dannie. Whatever was happening at work, where she already felt under pressure, she had to make finding Dannie her top priority. She looked at her watch. It was nearly four in the afternoon. She debated whether to phone Richard Moss. She sat in a stupor of indecision for five minutes, in which time the train, at last, picked up speed.

As though that gave her energy, she called Richard at work. The phone was answered after a time, but it was Jamie Southern, another associate. ‘Hi Rachel, you want Richard? He took the afternoon off. Try his home. Have you the number?’ Rachel took down the number. She phoned Richard’s home. ‘The Moss residence.’

‘Is that Mrs. Moss? It’s Rachel Artherton, Richard’s pupil. May I speak to Richard, please? It’s rather urgent.’ ‘Hold the line, Rachel, I’ll fetch him in from pruning the roses.’ She waited impatiently. Her hand was unaccountably trembling. She strove to gain control, taking deep breaths. A man opposite looked at her curiously, then looked away. Rachel turned away in an attempt at privacy. She picked up her handbag, left her seat, and walked to the end of the coach.

The door opened and closed behind her automatically. ‘Richard here. Is that Rachel?’ ‘Yes, Richard.’ ‘No trouble with your charge?’ ‘No, Simone is safely in the hands of the Foreign Office.’ ‘Good, good work Rachel. So, what can I do for you?’ ‘Richard, my mother’s in hospital with a broken arm and broken ribs. She says she fell down the stairs but I suspect my Dad. Worst of all my little sister has gone missing. Apparently, my Dad went home drunk and something happened.

The police attended and called after screams were heard by our neighbor. My sister has disappeared and doesn’t answer her phone. My mother is in hospital. I have to find Daniella, Richard.’ ‘Of course. I’m sorry. Did you know your father was returning home?’ ‘No, well, he was subject to a domestic violence protection order. He shouldn’t have been home at all but mum had mistakenly trusted him once again. She’s in hospital and little Dannie is missing and so is the father.’ She felt calmer, once more able to think clearly and speak coherently.

‘Oh dear, Rachel. Of course, you must take time off to find her. Just keep me informed and if there’s anything I can do, just ask.’ ‘I shall have to find a flat for the two of us, Richard, me and little sister. It’s down to me to look after her.’ ‘And your Mother?’ ‘It is up to her what she does. I have to think of who is most vulnerable and that is Daniella.’ ‘I see, of course. Take what time you need but keep me informed.

If I look for accommodation, would that help? I have a few contacts.’ ‘That would be a help. I feel a bit desperate.’ ‘How far away are you now?’ ‘The train should get in in fifteen minutes but I think we are already ten minutes late.’ ‘I’ll pick you up at the station.’ ‘Thank you but I don’t want to impose.’ ‘Rachel, we take care of our own. I’ll be waiting for you.’ ‘Thank you, Richard.’ She rang Jenny, asking whether Dannie was there? ‘No, she wasn’t at school today. I asked Lisa if she knew where she was, but she hadn’t heard from her either.

What’s happened. We both phoned but her mobile is dead.’ ‘A row with her Dad and she’s not been seen since.’ ‘I’ll phone all around, but she’s not got that many friends, and I think, she would have come to me first.’ Jenny said worriedly. ‘I think so too. You are certainly her best friend, Jenny. She would have run to you. If you hear, phone me immediately, won’t you?’ ‘Of course.’ She found Richard sitting in the Land Rover as soon as she exited the station.

She climbed up into the passenger seat. ‘Where to Rachel?’ ‘I guess home. After that, I can get my car and I’ll go to the police.’ ‘We’ll find her. Well done in America, thank you. The Earl sent a message of thanks. How was your charge?’ ‘I rather took to her. Actually, I liked her though we are chalk and cheese. She’s beautiful. I thought I was sitting next to a film star or a model. It blew my mind about trans people.

I would never have known.’ ‘And the authorities, the police?’ ‘Sheriff Daynes was nice, cool, kind, humorous. They thought Simone was related to the Royal Family. I don’t know why they thought that?’ ‘I may have misled them. Anyway, she is home safe. So was Las Vegas a riot?’

‘I was fearful of going out alone. Actually, it was all I hate about human behavior, greed-driven, sitting in front of a machine and pumping in coins. On the street, people are selling themselves or someone else, or so the cab driver told me, he laughed telling me that. I found it sad. It was like some futuristic dystopian film set.’ ‘Well, I think Las Vegas is the last place on earth I would want to see, but others love it. It’s good to have you back Rachel.

Where do I turn?’ ‘The next left Richard.’ The house looked the same, in need of attention. The street was just as mean as it was when she left three days ago. Rachel felt ashamed of its shabbiness and hated that Richard saw it. ‘Richard, can you wait? Do you have the time?’ ‘Of course, Rachel. My garden can wait. Shall I come in with you?’ ‘Richard, it’s a poor home.’ She said. ‘Yes, but it’s a compliment to you, that you have done so well. Never be ashamed of your roots.

Your friend Simone had every advantage and an Eton education, yet she’s a trans-dancer in a Las Vegas revue, or was.’ ‘Yes, but that’s because of her gender dysphoria. She can’t help that Richard.’ “And you can’t help where you were borne. You should be all the more proud, that by your own efforts you are succeeding. Simone was given everything on a plate.’ Rachel used her key to unlock the front door. Dusk had fallen early because the sun has disappeared behind thick low clouds.

They stepped into a silent house ‘Hello,’ she called, ‘anyone home?’ There was no reply. She opened doors and looked in the ground floor rooms, small kitchen, small lounge, and the dining room they never used. The kitchen was untidy, not as they usually left it. She brushed past a motionless Richard and took the stairs. There was a reddish-brown stain on the staircase wall. Her mother’s room looked as it always did, except the bed is disheveled and unmade.

Her own room was neat and tidy, as she had left it three days ago. Dannie’s room was a mess, cosmetics thrown on the floor, a new blouse torn to shreds. There were stains on the carpet and on the white-painted door. They looked suspiciously like dried blood. The mirror of the desk come dressing table was cracked and the little vase Dannie had used for posies picked from the garden, lay in shards of blue glass over the table and the floor.

‘Richard!’ ‘Shall I come up?’ ‘Please Richard.’ She heard him climb the stairs. ‘In here Richard.’ ‘What on earth?’ He said from the doorway. ‘There was some battle. This is Daniella’s room. I think those stains on the floor and on the door are blood.

On the staircase too.’ Rachel said. ‘I think you need to phone the police.’ ‘I already know they were here, my neighbor told me that.’ ‘Rachel, then we should go to the police station and ask them what happened.’ ‘Yes, Richard. I’m terribly afraid of what I’ll find.’ ‘It may not be that bad. There’s not a pool of blood, the amount is just what could have been a nosebleed.’

Rachel was not comforted by that. ‘Even that, if Dad has smashed her pretty face, I’ll do for him. If only I had been here. She is so innocent.’ ‘Come, no good staying here Rachel. We’ll go to the police station and see what they know about what happened. It may also explain why your mother is in hospital and we need to hear what she has to say.

I know you blame her, but I think she’s also a victim.’ ‘Yes Richard, but the police first.’ He put an arm around her to guide her from the scene of what looked like a battle. ‘Wait Richard,’ She bent down and picked up a shred of the torn blouse, beneath was Dannie’s smashed phone. ‘Well, that’s one mystery solved.

That’s why she doesn’t answer her phone.’ ‘Come along.’ ‘I’ll kill Dad if he’s harmed her.’ Richard drove her to the police station. As they waited in the reception area for someone to speak to them, Richard phoned his home to let his wife know what was happening. They had a long wait before someone came to talk to them.

A woman of around twenty-five entered the interview room. ‘I’m DC Anna Rainsford. I understand you are making inquiries about the accident that occurred at 36 Greenways.’ ‘I’m not sure that’s right. The address is correct and you may be referring to my mother’s accident on the stairs. That’s not why I’m here.’ ‘First, can you identify yourselves please?’

Anna Rainsford asks. ‘It’s my identity you want because It’s my transgender sister who is missing. Here’s my passport, I’m just off a plane from the USA.’ Rainsford looked at the passport and compared the photo with the young woman standing in front of her. ‘You’re a lawyer?’ ‘Yes.’ ‘And this gentleman?’ Anna asked ‘I’m also a lawyer, her employer. I’m here in moral support, giving what help I can to find her fourteen-year-old sister.’ Richard replied.

‘We have no report of a missing person. Two constables attended to this address after screams were heard. A lady of fifty-six was found at the bottom of the stairs having had a fall. A neighbor had raised the alarm.’ Anna informed them. ‘Was anyone else in the house?’ Rachel asked. ‘Not according to the two constables, well, I don’t think they would have carried out a search. The incident was treated as a domestic incident, a misadventure, the lady, presumably your mother having tripped and fallen down the stairs.

There were no suspicious circumstances according to your mother’s statement.’ ‘I’ve just been there. My little sister’s room is wrecked, there is what looks like blood on the stairs and the carpet in her room, and on her door. Perhaps you don’t know that my father's domestic violence protection order against him?’ Rachel said, trying to keep impatience and exasperation under control. ‘Oh! We weren’t told that, according to the officers’ report your mother fell. Your theory is?’ ‘My belief is, my father came home, defying the order, found his son dressed as a girl.

Dannie fears and hates her father. She’s transgendered, a trans-girl, and is on prescription medication. My father is a violent and dangerous, abusive man, particularly when drunk, who has beaten Dannie before because, well, she was never the boy her father expected. I would suggest that the screams were my brother’s, my sister’s. and that mother coming in later was pushed down the stairs by him.’ Rachel theorized.

‘If that is true, then we have a very different case. The attending officers just went on with what they were told. There was no reason to investigate further. Perhaps they would, had they connected the address with the order against Mr. Artherton. I’m afraid we have a problem with the liaison in the police.’ Anna Rainsford explained apologetically. ‘You have a serious problem. A DVPO or DVPN is issued by the police.

It should be there on the computer and when another incident occurs, bells should ring. It’s incompetence. Did your officers just go through the motions?’ ‘Miss Artherton, I’m sorry, I can only apologize on behalf of the Constabulary. I’ll make a report and something will be done about it.’ ‘That doesn’t help this situation, does it? Mother is safe in the hospital.

My fourteen-years old sweet and innocent transgender sister is missing and so is my father. I would like you to concentrate on finding her.’ ‘Have you a recent photo and a description please?’

‘Sure.’ Rachel took a deep breath of exasperation. ‘I’m really disappointed in the police. I hope those officers will be disciplined. It’s surely either lazy incompetence or there’s something very wrong with the way you operate?’ She opened her phone and displayed a photo of a young smiling Daniella in a blouse, mini-skirt, and ballets, looking as cute as any kid that age can. ‘Pretty. You’d never know she’s trans. Height?’ ‘Shorter than me.

I should say five-feet three, blue eyes, hair, as you see, is dark blonde, naturally. No other distinguishing marks, except a mole on her right calf.’ ‘And that’s a recent photo?’ ‘Yes, she’s only been transitioned a month.’ Rachael struggled to control her temper. ‘Download that photo to me will you,’ She displayed her mobile number. Rachel did so. ‘You have reason to think your father is responsible?’

‘Of course. Understanding LGBT, especially in his own child is not what our father is into. He’s a thug and a bully, free with his fists even in the home.’ ‘Did he know she had transitioned?’ ‘Yes, and he hit her, she had a night in hospital with a suspected concussion a few weeks ago. Hence the Domestic Violence Protection Order.’ ‘I’m sorry.

Have you any idea where she might have gone?’ Anna asked. ‘Friends, relations?’ ‘Our relations leave us alone, because of father. He’s alienated all of them. She hasn’t many friends, trans children aren’t usually popular but I have spoken to her best friend and she hasn’t heard from Daniella since they parted at school two days ago. She had just two good friends. I have their numbers. That’s Jenny’s and that is Lisa’s. She, well, as a boy, was shy and timid, because she tried to disguise her real personality.

I think she has more friends now she’s out.’ ‘I’ll get a description sent out. Will she have reverted to being a boy, do you think?’ ‘I rather think not. We got rid of all her boy clothes.’ ‘You say there’s blood in her bedroom?’ ‘Yes, not a lot, but well, the room was clean three days ago. Now it looks as though a hurricane has hit and the blood.’ ‘I’ll put out an APB for your father.

Do you really think he would harm Daniella?’ ‘Mother didn’t fall down the stairs, she was pushed, I’d be sure of that, but covered up for Dad. He has hurt Dannie in the past, as I told you, Constable Rainsford.’ ‘We will talk to your mother too. Where are you staying?’ ‘At 125 Greenways. Mum’s in the General, broken arm, ribs and internal bleeding.’ ‘125 Greenways, the family home? I think we would prefer you did not in the circumstances.

We will have to send a team in tomorrow in case there has been an assault on your sister and we need to examine the staircase and other areas if your mother’s accident was caused by your father as you allege. I have to warn you, that seeing this case for the first time, it could be serious.’ ‘You mean murder? That’s why I’m so distressed Constable.’ ‘Anna, would you call me Anna? I’m a family liaison and child protection. You should not stay at your address.’ ‘You can stay with us,’ Richard says.

‘If Daniella returns I would want to be there.’ Rachel explained. ‘Could she not see a neighbor?’  Rainsford asked. ‘Because she’s transgendered, we are dealing with a shy teenager, traumatized by the reappearance of her father. I don’t think she wants to return to an empty house, nor go to a neighbor.’ ‘Mm, Rachel, do you think she will come back at all if she thinks your father is there?’ Richard asked. ‘I don’t know, Richard. Just, what do I do?’

‘Firstly, contact her few friends,’ Anna Rainsford says decisively. ‘We will try and locate your father and bring him in for questioning. We will try to locate his car. Do you have the number?’ ‘Yes.’ Rachel scribbled the number. ‘Thank you. I can only apologize for what seems incompetence. We will institute a search of the house from eight o’clock tomorrow. You should be there for access. We will also send someone to speak to your mother in the hospital.

Meanwhile, you ring her friend, Jenny, to see if she knows anything. You could leave a note on the door for Daniella to go to Jenny’s and wait there for you.’ ‘Well that all seems quite sensible. I think we might go by the house and call, maybe talk to your neighbor again and leave contact details with her, so if Daniella does appear, she can contact you.’ Richard said. ‘Then I think we have touched all bases.’ ‘There’s no point in talking to our neighbor, not tonight.’ ‘You better let me know where you’ll be staying.’ Rainsford said.

Richard produced a card and scribbled his home address and phone number. ‘Let’s call this Jenny as it’s on the way to my house.’ ‘I spoke to her once already. They hadn’t seen her at school.’ ‘Call again. I’ll call my wife again to let her know what’s happening too.’ Richard spoke to his wife hands-free as they drove in silence to Jenny’s house. Rachel was too distressed to speak. The place was in darkness, the time was now ten-thirty and Richard and Rachel surmised that everyone had gone to bed. As they sat outside, Richard said, ‘Well, Rachel, it’s got to be done. Phone her.’

‘Yes.’ Rachel phones. It rings a long time before being answered by a man who sounds rather annoyed. ‘Yes?’ ‘Mr. Simons? I’m so sorry to disturb you. My sister Daniella is a friend of Jenny, you may have met her. My name’s Rachel, Jenny and I have met.’ ‘Yes, I know who you are. What do you want at this hour?’ ‘Daniella is missing. I wonder whether Jenny has heard from her since I last spoke to her.’ ‘Oh, I see. You must be very worried.’ ‘Yes, intensely.’ Rachel would cry, and let go but somehow held it together in front of her boss.

‘Hold the line.’ Rachel waited. She bit at her lip and tears were in her eyes. In spite of her efforts, a whimper escaped. She knew that this phone call would be a waste of time. ‘Hello again, I needed to explain to my wife.’ ‘Sorry, Daniella has disappeared and there are signs of a fight in her bedroom. I just wonder whether Jenny heard anything from Daniella?’ ‘Well, Jenny’s asleep.’

‘Yes, I rather thought she would be, but we’re desperate. I have been to the police and they suggested I phone her friends. I know I spoke to Jenny earlier but there is disturbing new evidence. Our mother is in hospital with a broken arm and ribs, Daniella is missing without a trace, and her phone is broken in her bedroom, which is in chaos. I know it’s late, but she is only fourteen and so vulnerable.’ ‘Oh, dear! This must be very distressing, I’ll wake her and ask, but I know she won’t sleep afterward.

If Dannie turns up, you better let us know, whatever the time may be.’ ‘Thank you, yes of course I’d let you know.’ Rachel replied. She waited again, her foot began to tap. ‘Hi, Jenny here. I haven’t heard from her, Rachel. The last thing was her phone rang my phone, came as a missed call, last evening. When I woke this morning and saw the missed call, I phoned her back but was told the phone was off. I thought I would see her at school but she never showed.

What’s happened?’ ‘We don’t know Jenny. Perhaps her father. If you hear anything, let me know, won’t you? Failing that, phone the police immediately.’’ ‘Of course, and if she shows, I’ll look after her, of course, I will. I’ve saved your number.’ ‘Would she have gone to anyone else?’ ‘She didn’t contact any of her other friends at school, because we all wondered and no one said. I know she was worried about her Dad turning up.’ ‘Yes, yes she was.

Look, as soon as I have news Jenny, I’ll call you.’ ‘Me too. It’s so worrying.’ Richard drove them to his house. His wife was solicitous and welcoming. A cold supper of cooked meats, salad potatoes, and green salad was there for them. Rachel tried to show gratitude by eating. She managed a little salad and some ox tongue and a slither of pork pie. She apologized for her poor appetite. She was shown to an en-suite bedroom and within half an hour she had washed her travels from her skin. She had been nearly forty-eight hours without a shower.

Rachel was soon warm in bed. She was convinced she wouldn’t sleep. Tomorrow, she must be home to welcome the police at eight in the morning and worried about that, while also worrying about not sleeping. She was asleep in minutes, utterly exhausted.