Ken McClure: Tangled Web

The people for whom they might have harboured hatred, and suffered the ill effects of such a cancer growing within them, were mercifully dead with the exception of Sonia Trool. She was now a virtual prisoner in her own home while the powers-that-be decided what to charge her with. Davies had warned them that proving anything would be difficult.

The refusal of any of them to talk to the media had not dimmed the media’s interest however, and the Palmers’ return to Felinbach with their daughter attracted wide attention. The people of Felinbach responded to the media invasion with smiles and decorations and expressions of welcome. Special mail deliveries were needed to cope with presents for Anne-Marie that flooded in from well-wishers, and it seemed as if the whole world wanted to be the friend of the tragically wronged couple and the heroic village doctor who had believed in their innocence.

With media collusion, the Palmers’ neighbours threw a party to welcome them back and it was publicly announced at it that a nationwide appeal for funds to help secure Anne-Marie’s future had topped £100,000 with more to come. Tom attended the party with Mary, watching the smiles and returning the handshakes but with an inner numbness. At some stage, he found himself speaking to Julie Rees.

‘So you were right and I was wrong,’ she said.

‘No hard feelings, it was never obvious,’ replied Tom. ‘How are things at the surgery?’

‘We’re managing, but people keep asking about you. They’re wondering when you’re coming back.’

Tom smiled and said, ‘We’ll talk.’ He hadn’t made up his mind about that. After a little more chat about Julie’s husband and children, he moved off to where he saw Lucy detach herself from a group of friendly neighbours. He had been watching her for some time. Her mouth had been smiling but her eyes had remained cold throughout and he suspected that she was feeling the same way he was. ‘All right?’ he asked.

Lucy’s eyes softened for the first time. ‘Fine,’ she said.

‘Good to be back?’

Lucy looked down at the floor for a moment. ‘John and I talked last night,’ she said. ‘We’ve decided to leave the village: it can never be the same for us here, now that I know.’

‘Know?’

Lucy looked at all the happy faces around them and said, ‘I’ve seen the other side of these people, remember. The insults, the graffiti, the malicious whispers, the crowds outside the court.’

‘People are people wherever you go. You shouldn’t expect too much.’

‘I realise that,’ said Lucy. ‘But I’d like to go somewhere where I didn’t know for sure, if you know what I mean?’

‘Yes I do. I think I feel the same but I’m going to give it a little time.’

They both looked over to where John was chatting to a group of local people, his eyes bright and trusting as if nothing had ever happened. ‘It’s incredible. He doesn’t know the meaning of the word bitterness,’ said Tom. ‘Maybe we could both learn something from him.’

‘He is rather special,’ said Lucy with an affectionate smile. ‘But then so are you, my brave Tom, and we’ll never forget you.’

‘I should hope not,’ he joked. ‘I’ll want to hear how you’re all getting on, wherever you go.’

‘Let’s mingle,’ said Lucy, turning her social smile back on.

As she moved off, Mary came over and took Tom’s arm. ‘Good heavens, you’ve managed to remain upright and perfectly conscious all evening,’ she said cheekily. ‘Can this be a day when Tom Gordon is in no need of medical attention at all?’

‘Depends what kind of medical attention is on offer...’ he responded.

Mary looked at him out of the corner of her eye and asked, ‘Was there anything specific you had in mind?’

‘I do feel a sudden strong desire to go back to bed,’ murmured Tom. ‘What d’you reckon?’

‘Just what the doctor ordered,’ she whispered back, and giggled.

Hand in hand, they left the party.