Chapter 3: No Longer Missing

Midafternoon on the Wednesday of the following week, Matthew and Shirley appeared at the Crown Court. John’s solicitor had made a request to the court beforehand for a decision on Vernon’s mothers will. That had been scheduled for the same hearing.

The Judge saw Dannys evidence and read the statements, then sentenced them both to eight years. ‘It is my belief that Shirley was the driving force,’ the Judge told them. ‘But any benefit that might have given Matthew is cancelled out by his abuse of the boy he was supposed to be caring for.’

‘As part of that abuse occurred whilst he was still a minor, the press is forbidden to name him.’ the Judge ordered.

‘I have an additional matter to rule on as well,’ the Judge said. ‘That is appertaining to the will of the registered owner of the house. Its wording is perfectly clear. The legacy to Matthew is completely dependent on his providing a home for her son until he has a home of his own.’

‘Being in prison, he clearly can no longer do so, therefore he loses his claim to a share of the house. As the son has now found other lodgings, I rule that the house should be sold, and the proceeds split equally between the two children.’

Word was passed to John the next day. That evening when Vernon and Charlene came home for dinner, John told them what had happened in court. ‘That means,’ John told him, ‘That you and your sister will share the proceeds from the sale equally between you.’

‘The solicitor is still working on finding your sister,’ he told him. ‘With your permission,’ John said, ‘Tomorrow I’ll ask the solicitor to handle the sale and leave him to put the house in the hands of an estate agent.’

‘Yes, please,’ Vernon said, ‘The sooner I sever all ties with that place, the better.’

‘Now Charlene,’ John said, ‘I have some news for you too. Your uncle’s car which I asked a dealer to sell has been sold. Because it was me who asked him to sell it, he has sent a cheque for seven thousand pounds made out to me. I will pay it in to my bank tomorrow then transfer it to you.’

They went to the table and the meal was even more jovial than usual. Towards the end of the meal, Charlene said, ‘John, is going to university expensive?’ ‘Very,’ John said, ‘You have to pay not only university fees, but all sorts of books and things as well as pay for accommodation.’

Charlene went quiet for a while then she said, ‘I’ve got an awful lot of money in the bank and I’m very, very, happy now I’ve got you and Vernon. None of that would have happened without you and Danny. I’d like you and Danny to have that money.’

‘I’m sure Danny would say the same as me,’ John said, ‘There’s no need for you to do that.’ ‘No, I insist.’ Charlene said, ‘It’s a practical thank you.’ Seeing she was determined John said, ‘Then if you agree, I will accept. But I’ll send it all to Danny towards their university costs. Like you two he is very special to me.’ ‘That’s settled then.’ she said.

They finished their meal and as usual as John had prepared it, he was sent to sit in the lounge whilst they cleared up and washed up. Bringing three coffees into the lounge they sat chatting.

They had almost finished their coffees when the front doorbell rang. ‘I’ll go.’ John said as he got up. He was away for several minutes then he returned followed by a lady, a man and two children.

Vernon had stood up as they came into the room and John said, ‘Vernon, this is your sister.’ Whilst Vernon stood with a look of astonishment on his face Samantha went straight to him and gave him a hug and a kiss. ‘Hi little brother,’ she said, ‘My you have grown.’

Then the two of them burst into tears and cried on each other’s shoulders. There were a few other wet eyes too. The two children who were about ten, stood watching their mum looking quite concerned.

When they finally stopped, Samantha introduced the man to him, ‘This is my husband Tim.’ she told him. They shook hands, then she called the young boy over. ‘This is your nephew Ron,’ she told him, ‘Ron this is your Uncle Vernon.’ Vernon squatted down and gave him a hug. The little girl had followed Ron over. ‘This is your niece Ginny,’ she told him. ‘Ginny this is your Uncle Vernon.’ She put her arms round his neck and gave him a kiss.

Vernon stood up his eyes still very wet. He introduced John as his unofficially adopted dad. ‘This is my girlfriend, Charlene.’ he said introducing her. Both children gave John and Charlene hugs, Tim shook hands and Samantha gave them both a kiss.

‘Make yourselves at home,’ John told them, ‘I’ll go and make everyone a drink.’ he took their orders and went into the kitchen. Vernon and Samantha had another hug, then they all sat down.

Vernon gave them a very brief and heavily edited version of how he came to be living there. ‘We’ve just heard from the solicitor today,’ Vernon said, ‘The house is going to be sold and shared between the two of us. John is going to put it up for sale tomorrow.’

John returned at that point and handed round the drinks. ‘If you want to take over,’ he said, ‘You’re very welcome.’ ‘If you’re willing,’ Samantha said, ‘We’ll leave it with you, as you’re local.’

‘We live in Yorkshire,’ she told them, ‘We heard from the Solicitor in this morning’s mail. His letter arrived just in time for us to keep the kids out of school, Tim took a day off work, and we headed down. We booked into the Manor Hotel and had a meal then came straight over.’

‘We’re going to stay a few days and go back Sunday.’ ‘Mummy,’ Ginney asked, ‘Is Charlene my aunty?’ Samantha looked at Vernon who replied for her. ‘Not yet, Ginney. But she will be one day when she and I get married.’

Ginney went over and got up on Charlene’s knee. ‘I’ve never had an aunty before.’ she told her and gave her a kiss. Charlene was clearly very moved and put her arm around her. ‘Well, I’ve never had a niece before either.’ she told her. Then looking over at Ron she said, ‘I’ve never had a nephew either.’ She got a smile back.

They sat and chatted for several hours then Tim said, ‘We had better get back to the hotel and put the kids to bed.’ ‘Come round as soon as you are ready tomorrow.’ John said. ‘Vernon I’m sure if you ring Ken in the morning, he’ll give you time off.’

Vernon looked at Charlene, ‘I’ll try too,’ she said, ‘But you’re the most important one and I’m off Friday and Saturday anyway. We both work at the same place.’ she explained to Tim and Samantha.

When they were ready to go there where hugs and kisses all round.

After they had all seen them out and waved them off, Vernon put his arms out and they had a three-way hug. ‘I can’t believe this is all happening,’ he said, ‘It’s wonderful.’

THURSDAY

The next morning Charlene decided she would go into work as usual seeing as how she was off Friday and Saturday anyway. Vernon had rung Ken and explained what had happened. He was told to take the next four days off.

At eleven o’clock Tim, Samantha, Ron and Ginny arrived. John had put everything ready for three coffees. ‘Why don’t I take the kids into town if they’ll come with me,’ he said, ‘Whilst you do some catching up.’

Ginny went straight over to him and held his hand. ‘I like you,’ she said smiling up at him. Samantha looked at Ron who nodded. ‘Ok children, you go with Uncle John.’ ‘Is there anything they can’t eat or drink?’ John asked.

‘No,’ Samantha told him, ‘I love McDonalds milk shakes.’ Ron announced. ‘So do I,’ John said, ‘Perhaps we could go there for lunch. Now.’ he said, ‘If you need the toilet before we go, you’ll find it upstairs.’

They shot off up the stairs like a rocket. Samantha smiled at him, ‘You seem to be a hit.’ she said. ‘They probably sense an easy touch,’ John said laughing, ‘We never had any children.’

Soon they were ready to go, and John walked down the drive with a small hand in each of his. They went into town and went to the play area in the park. Then after an hour there, John called them to him. They went to McDonalds.