The Dream of Millions. Jane Scott's Years

Chapter 10 - Old water under the bridge.

Time as it does moved on. I got Joe a.new games console for his birthday and we had a romantic candle lit dinner at his house.

Joe's mum Rachel was getting better. She was looking happier every time I saw her.

College was as dull as ever but as Christmas got closer we put in some time to study for our tests. We both did well. Joe slightly better than me which bugged me

Just before Christmas Rachel came home and we were to have a big family Christmas with my parents and Joe's mum and then Christmas day came I was at home unwrapping presents. Dresses, make up, a bracelet from Joe, etc etc. But I was looking forward to the meal most. We were to go round to Joe's at around 11 am . As far as I knew my mum and dad had never met Joe's mum before so I was nervous.

We all arrived at Joe's house and he answered the door and led us all to the living room with many happy Christmas's and hello's. We all sat down and my step mum introduced her and my dad to Rachel.

"Alex?" said Rachel to my dad.

No one moved. we were all in shock. We could not understand how she knew his name.

"Rachel? it's you? I haven't seen.you in nearly 30 years." said my dad.

"Not since that night you threw me and Freddie from your place" said Rachel.

I went tense. I had not heard that name in a long time. the last time I heard it I was kidnapped and was on a boat.

My dad looked at me. understanding passed through our eyes.

"Its ok Jane" he said "When was the last time you saw Freddie Rachel? "

"Not in over 10 years. I heard he had been killed. He left me and Joe years ago" said Rachel.

"Wait. what? " I said.

"What's going on?" said Joe. confused

"Freddie was the guy that kidnapped my Jane and shot and killed her real mum Joe. " said my dad

"wait my dad what? "

I spun around on him "Your dad? that murdering psychopath was your dad? " I said.

"No. Joe  Freddie was like your step father . your real father left long before he did." said Rachel.

"I need some air." said Joe and walked out into his back garden.

"I better see if he's alright." I said and went after him.

Joe was sat on the back step when I went out his head in his hands.  I sat down next to him.

"Im sorry Jane."said Joe

"What for?" I asked.

Joe hesitated and then took a deep breath.

"For what that man did to you. He was more like my father than anyone I had ever met. He was kind and nice. Taught me good manners and took me places and then one day he just took off. He had a right big row with my mum about how he needed to finish some business and it would make us all rich. But my mum was not bothered. She just wanted us to be a happy little family. So he told her that he didn't need her and me in his life and walked out.  That was the last we saw of him."  said Joe. shaking slightly.

"Then he took me for ransom and shot my mum. Just because dad won the lottery years ago." I said.

"Im sorry. I never knew"

"its ok Joe. your not him. I trust you I love you."

"I wouldnt you know." Joe said shaking his head. "I wouldn't ever use you for money or hurt you for it."

"I know" I said and rested my head on his shoulder.

We went back inside and sat down on the couch.

"He's ok" I said to Rachel.

"Thanks sweety" said Rachel and she turned back to my dad and step mum " yeah as I was saying. I didn't know how he got all that money or anything. He never told me and I was too dumb to ask. After he left i got rid of almost everything he gave me. Everything except this. "

She held up her might hand and on her finger was a really beautiful ring. similar to my mum's engagement ring.

"Oh my god" said my dad. "That's the ring I bought Louise when I first won the money."

Rachel took the ring off and handed it to my dad. "I never knew."

"Its ok Rachel. Times have gone on since then. I guess it's all water under the bridge now. Keep it." said my dad. "Im still might come in use" and he looked at Joe.

"You forgive me for what happened all those years ago?" said Rachel.

"It happened so long ago Rachel and you seem to have changed for the better. yeah sure". said my dad.

After that the conversation took a more Christmas kind of tone. We all had Christmas dinner and pulled crackers and it turned out to be a really good night.