Don't Lie to Me Young Lady

Chapter One


Mia

On the outskirts of a small town, there was a large home painted white. The people who lived there, Lord and Lady Swan, were very wealthy. They had servants who loved the family and liked working for them.
The nanny was in charge of three children; two girls and a boy. Nanny did not have any children of her own nor was she married; so living with the family was the best job she could think of. Then, there was the gardener who was good at looking after the rose bushes and making sure the lawns were kept in good order. He was married and had two sons who were just about to leave school and start working as gardeners.

The cook was a large lady who had rosy cheeks. She made delicious meals for everyone, so even the staff looked forward to her dinners.
One January morning, when the ground was hard with frost, a baby girl was born to the mistress of the house. The doctor came downstairs to announce to the staff. “My Lady has given birth to a lovely girl and both mother and baby are doing well.” He asked the cook to take a cup of tea and a light meal up to the room and said that she had to rest.
Later that morning, the nanny took the three children to their mother’s room to see the new arrival. Nanny said. “She is gorgeous, My Lady; have you got a name for her?”
“Yes she will be known as Mia.”
The three children started to dance around the room chanting.
The nanny said. “Come on children let’s leave Mia to get some sleep.”
Going downstairs, Linda, the eldest girl, said she would make a card for her mother and her sister Mia, while Graham and Paulette went outside to play.
Kevin and Sonya, the parents, were so smitten with Mia that they named a rose after her. Mr Hebden found a rose in his catalogue that would be perfect. It was white with a pink tip at its fringe. So, after showing it to his master, he ordered a bush. It took almost one week before it was delivered. Kevin said he knew just where he wanted the roses to be planted in the garden, right under the nursery window.
Miss Thomas the nanny was sitting at the table talking to Mrs Richardson the cook about Mia and planning the christening, the food that would be needed and the baby gown Mia would be wearing for her big day. The family would, as required by tradition, normally make it an elaborate event that lasted
all day.
“It will happen in two weeks,” said Miss Thomas. “Plenty of time to make a cake.”
Mr Parr the chauffeur had to make sure the car was cleaned and ready for the big day. He wanted to put fresh flowers on the back shelf of the car, so he spoke to Mr Hebden to see what flowers would be ready that morning. After choosing them, Mr. Hebden put a pink ribbon around the plants so that he could pick them fresh on the morning of the christening.
The vicar came to the house to talk to Kevin and Sonya. They decided on the date and time and started to send out invitations. Linda, Graham and Paulette had new clothes to wear. Kevin wore a morning suit with red lining on the inside of the jacket, Sonya had a long duck blue dress with short sleeves. On the morning of the christening when they were all in their finery, they posed for a family photograph, but then Kevin stopped the photo shoot as he had forgotten something. Running upstairs, he went into his office and opened one of his desk drawers and came down holding a long box, giving it to Sonya.
“To my darling, for giving me another daughter,” he said. “Mia is perfect.”
Sonya opened the box and took out a pearl necklace. Kevin fastened it around her neck and they had another photo taken for the album.
The party went on until the early hours as most of their parties did and Mia was an angel all day.

The family was happy until Kevin had to go on a trip, which would take him away from home for about three months. So, packing his suitcase, he took a photo of the family to put next to his bed. He had never left his family before, but he had to go on the trip to see his mother, whom he had been told was very ill. They had not seen each other for years as she did not like the way he had spent the family fortune. All his wealth came from his father’s family, but his dad ensured that his mother was taken care of. She had servants and a lovely house to live in, but she was lonely. Friends are only friends but the family is the real thing and sometimes they are so far away it’s hard for them to visit.

Kevin went out one day to see his mother’s solicitor to ask if he could let him know if his mother had money problems. “I know my father had provided for her, but he died many years ago and money can soon run out.” The lawyer told Kevin he was sure his mother was still wealthy and if he did find she was short of money, he would let Kevin know.

On his way back to his mother’s home, Kevin met a woman who was much younger than he was and she started to flirt with him. Kevin thought he could take her out for a meal and get to know her better, but he was a married man and his mother was not well. He asked her for her phone number and said he would call and arrange for them to go out for a drink or a meal. That was the beginning that would break his family apart.

Kevin started to see Shirley on most days. They would walk along the country lanes, go for meals at the local restaurant and have a drink after she finished work. She worked at the local ball bearing factory as a cleaner although she thought she was worth more than that. When Kevin told her he was married with four children, the youngest being a few weeks old, that did not put her off. Once she had determined how rich he was, she had to get her claws into him. She started to plan how she could get some money and she told Kevin that she needed to find her rent money or she would be evicted. Kevin was a soft touch when it came to women.

Kevin’s mother was starting to feel better. She would sit outside in the garden wrapped up in a warm blanket, reading her book and drinking a hot cup of tea. When Kevin came to visit, she looked up at him.
“I love sitting out in this beautiful garden,” she said, “the birds are singing.” They sang all the time, but it made it more special now that Kevin was with her.

Sonya phoned Kevin to ask when he thought he would be home. “She is feeling much better now so I should be home soon. How are the children, is Mia growing?”
“Yes,” said Sonya. “She misses you as all of us do.”
“Tell the children I will be home soon and give them my love, bye love,” Kevin said, hanging up.

Kevin packed his case and said goodbye to his mother. “I will visit soon, but in the meantime, if you need anything, let me know.”
“I will son, thank you for coming to see me.”
With that, Kevin left the house and entered a taxi heading for the station.

Looking out of the window, he saw Shirley walking along the street all dolled up. Kevin thought she was at work, but it must have been her day off. Telling the taxi driver to stop, he rolled down the window.
“Hello there,” Kevin said. “Are you going somewhere nice?”
Shirley turned her head to see Kevin sitting in the taxi. “Oh hello. I am just going to see a friend. It’s girls’ day out.”
Kevin asked if she would like a lift. “That’s kind of you to ask,” she said.
Shirley climbed into the taxi.
As they chatted, Kevin said. “Did you manage to get your rent money sorted?”
“No. I must see if my friend can help me.”
Kevin put his hand inside his pocket, to get some money to give to Shirley. She put it into her handbag and told the taxi driver to stop. She got out of the taxi, and without looking back, started to walk in the opposite direction. Kevin made his way back home thinking he had been made a fool of.

Arriving home, he could hear the children playing in the garden. It was a warm day. He saw Sonya sitting under a large parasol with Mia next to her in her pram.

“Daddy!” The children shouted and started to run towards him. He opened his arms wide to give them all a big hug.
Paulette asked. “Are you home for good now? We have missed you.”
“Is grandmother feeling better?” Linda asked. Mia was fast asleep in her pram wrapped up in a shawl.
Sonya said, “She is so beautiful with her hair sticking up on the top of her head. She has been excellent and she has gained a little weight.”
Kevin picked Mia up to hug her. She stretched as he kissed her. “Hello, my little angel. Daddy is home.”

After the evening meal, Kevin and Sonya sat in the lounge by the fire, talking about his mother. “She is doing very well. I spoke to her solicitor to see how her finances were doing. He tells me she is still wealthy, but if anything changes, he will let me know.”
“That’s good to know,” said Sonya. “We must go and visit her in the summer and take the children. I am sure she would love to see them.”

The children’s tutor Miss Evens was due back the following week. She bought some books for the children to read before the term started. This was good news for the girls but Graham wanted to play soccer.
“No,” said Kevin. “You must read one of the books Miss Evens bought for you.”
Looking through them, Graham picked one and took it to his room. Lying on his bed, he started to read. He had read almost half of the book when there was a knock on his door. It was his mother who said it was time to put the book down and get into bed.
Kissing the top of his head, Sonya said, “Good night my darling.”
“Good night, Mummy,” said Graham. Snuggling down under the covers Graham fell fast asleep.

The next morning Graham was up early. He dressed and headed downstairs with a book in his hand. Cook had made breakfast, and it was ready in the dining room. Sitting at the table was his father reading the newspaper.
“Good morning, Daddy,” said Graham.
Putting the newspaper down, Kevin replied. “Good morning son. How are you today?
“Well thank you.” Graham put the book down on the table and went to the sideboard to help himself to bacon and eggs.
Kevin saw the book and read the title it was called ‘Up in the Sky’.
“Is it a good book,” Kevin asked.
“Yes,” said Graham with the biggest smile on his face, and with that, the girls arrived for breakfast, each holding a book.
Linda’s book was titled ‘On the Front Line’ and Paulette’s book was titled, ‘Little Nurse’.

Miss Evens arrived early to start her lessons. The children were so excited to tell their tutor what the stories were about. She was pleased to hear that they could not put the books down and that they were planning what books they wanted to read after they had finished these. After, the lessons were over the children spent the evening with their parents.

Kevin started to wonder what was happening to Shirley and so after a few days, he plucked up the courage to give her a ring. She started to cry and said she had to move out of her lodgings as the owner had some new tenants moving in. She had tried finding another place but to no avail, and with that, Kevin said he would find a place and that he would let her know the progress as soon as possible.
He phoned a friend who ran a hotel to ask if he had a spare room for a few weeks. He then phoned Shirley to tell her that she had a room close to her work so she would not need to catch a bus every day.
Telling her landlord, she was moving out on the weekend she started to pack her possessions into boxes and got one of her workmates to help with moving her belongings into her room at the hotel. Shirley thought she was moving up the ladder.

After a couple of months, Kevin told Sonya that he wanted to see his mother for a few days. He booked his train ticket, packed his case and set off for the train.

Arriving at his mother’s house, Kevin spent some time with her talking about the children. He asked how things were with her and if her health was improving. She said that she had a doctor visit the week before as she had a chest infection. He put her on antibiotics and it was almost cleared-up. She asked Kevin how long he was staying, and he told her he had some business in town, so he would be there for a few days.

Kevin arranged to meet Shirley that evening. They went out for a drink and then back to her room in the hotel. They talk for hours. Shirley asked if he was staying the night. Kevin said he was staying at his mother’s but would stay a little longer. They lay down on the bed kissing. One thing led to another and running her hands down his back, Shirley stopped at his bum. They looked at each other and after more kissing, they had sex again.
Kevin rolled over onto his back and said, “That was fantastic.” He had a big smile on his face. After an hour, he got dressed and headed back to his mother’s home.

The next day, after Shirley had finished work they went out for a meal. While they were holding hands, the people at the next table looked as though they knew Kevin. After some whispering, the man said, “It is you. I thought it was you Kevin. You and your wife came to our dinner party a couple of years ago.”
Trying to think who these people were, Kevin suddenly remembered they were the Wilsons. Mr. Wilson was the bank manager of the local bank who had retired the year before.
“Hello, how are you doing?” Kevin asked. “Are you enjoying retirement?”
“Yes,” replied Mrs Wilson. “We can do more now that he doesn’t have to go into the office.”
Looking at Shirley, Mr Wilson asked. “And who is this?”
“Oh this is my friend Shirley,” said Kevin, and with that Shirley wanted to leave.
Kevin asked the waiter for the bill, paid and said goodnight to the Wilsons.

Heading back to the hotel, Shirley asked Kevin if she could have a word with him. That was an excuse to make love again. She loved having sex, the more she could get it the better she felt.
This went on for a couple of years and Sonya had no idea that Kevin was having an affair. When he could not cover up his feelings for Shirley any longer, he told Sonya he was leaving her to set up home with Shirley and that she was pregnant. Sonya was devastated. They had the biggest argument ever and Kevin told her that it had started when he had gone visiting his mother when she was ill and he had met Shirley then. Kevin told the children and his staff that he was leaving but that things would continue as normal. The children were upset about this news, although Mia didn’t understand as she was too young.

Years later, the news arrived that Shirley had had another child and that Kevin was missing his other children so much that he wanted them to go and stay with him and Shirley. Sonya was unhappy about this and got in touch with her solicitor, who said that it would benefit the children to spend time with their father. After thinking about it, Sonya asked the children if they wanted to go and stay with their father for a short while.
“Why?” Said Linda. “Do you not want us anymore?”
“I will always want you darling, but your father is missing you and he wants you all to go and stay with him.” The children looked at each other and then back at their mother, who had tears in her eyes. Linda said that they would go for a short while and then come back home to her. Sonya told Kevin he could come and collect the children, but he could only have them for two weeks, then they had to be returned to her.

Kevin arrived the next day to collect his children and then took them on the train to meet Shirley.
At first, Shirley seemed to like the children, but when Kevin had to go and meet some acquaintances and, she had to look after six children she did not like it. The older children could entertain themselves, but Mia was too young to read a book and needed attention. So, when the older children were out in the garden, Shirley would hit Mia even though she had not done anything wrong. After two weeks the children went back to their mother.
Arriving back home, Sonya hugged them. Cook had made them lunch and nanny was so pleased to see them that she even gave each of them a kiss. That evening, when the nanny had put the children to bed after they had their bath, she went downstairs to have a word with Sonya.
“My Lady can I have a word with you about the children? Mia to be precise.”

Sonya told the nanny to take a seat and asked her what the matter was. Nanny took a deep breath and said that when she was bathing Mia, she found marks on her back.
“It looked like she had been whipped,” Nanny said.
“What!” Said Sonya. “Whipped! Who could do a thing like that.”
Sonya went upstairs to look at Mia’s back and sure enough, there were marks on her baby’s back. Shaking, Sonya had to sit down and Nanny went to get her a stiff drink. When Nanny went back upstairs, Sonya had her head in her hands, crying.
“My Lady here have this,” Nanny said, handing a glass of whisky.
Sonya took a sip and placed the glass on a table. “I must phone the police straight away and report this.” Thinking she should tell Kevin, Sonya decided to wait until the police had been to see her.
Cook answered the door and showed the police officers to the lounge where Sonya was waiting with the nanny.
“Hello,” said Sonya, “please take a seat.”
The officers sat down and took out their notebooks. They started to write down what Sonya had told them. They wanted to know where her husband was living and whom she thought had done this to her child.

The only person Sonya could think of was Shirley, but she could not say for sure, and as for where her husband lived, she would have to phone him to get his address. The officers had enough details to work with and a officer asked if they could take photos of Mia’s back. The nanny took him upstairs to Mia’s room. Nanny lifted Mia’s nightdress so that the officer could take the photo. He took a big gulp of air and said, “Poor thing.” After taking quite a few photos he left the room and thanked the nanny. He spoke to Sonya and said they would be in touch and then they left.

Sonya phoned Kevin to say that the children had loved being with him and asked if he would give her his address as the children wanted to send a picture to him.
“Yes, my address is 21, Northeast Gate, Forth Town.”