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WENDY [ part 4 ] We left the shop with bags full of clothes including underwear and a couple of training bras which, much to Wendy's embarrassment, Trudy took great delight in showing me. We dropped the bags into Martha's car, securely hidden in the boot, and then went to a Burger King for something to eat - Wendy's choice as all her friends would talk about burgers and Wendy never seemed to get a chance to try one. We did buy some dolls for Wendy and a special gift which she wanted, before getting back to Martha's car where Wendy made me sit beside her again, and she started taking an interest of where we were going. As Martha's car arrived in my road I looked at my daughter, holding onto the small teddy bear I'd given her. She had looked at it and I knew from the look on her face that she wanted it . . . and so I brought it, you would have thought I'd handed her a million pounds. Then Wendy looked out of the window of the car, she was talking under her breath, "A large dog lived there . . . and a cat, a black cat, lived there" I thought back . . . yes there had been a dog and nearby a neighbour did have a black cat, she still had that cat, I smiled, I'd like to introduce Wendy to that neighbour. When we got nearer to my house Wendy began to get agitated, I tapped on Martha's seat to get her to stop a few doors away, Wendy looked at me puzzled, "We're not there yet daddy!" She exclaimed in an accusing tone. I smiled at her, "No darling not just yet." I said and then Martha drove slowly forward, she was about to drive past my house when suddenly Wendy spoke again. "Stop! Stop! You're going too far!" She said . . . and she was right! "How did you know where we lived?" I asked her. She looked at me, with a strange look in her eyes, "I donno, it's just that I used to dream of this house." She said softly. Martha backed up and parked outside my house, I opened the car door and got out, I made performance of taking my daughter out of the car and up to my door - just to show her off to the Wilson's - she'd been cautioned about her actions against me. I opened the front door, Wendy took a step inside and paused, "There are two bedrooms and a bathroom upstairs," She said, "Mine is to the left, first door?" I nodded, she ran up the stairs and entered the room, I heard a scream and immediately dashed upstairs. Wendy was sitting on the bed, a doll held tightly in her arms, "This was mine . . . mummy said you'd taken all my toys away and burnt them . . . that was the only time I ever hated you . . . but you . . . you . . . didn't." she said and started to cry. I sat down beside her, "No Wendy, I couldn't destroy any of your toys, I hoped that you'd return to get them back." Now I had tears in my eyes and I held her. Which was where Martha found us, she had been left to bring in Wendy's clothes, she smiled at us. "Well I know that the Social Services are supposed to help its clients, but do you think you could help me?" She asked. Wendy put the doll down and ran to Martha, she took a couple of bags and put them on the bed, opened them and started to pull out the clothes. "Hey, hold on, there's more downstairs." I said and was startled at her actions. She threw herself over the bed and raised her dress at the back. "What's that for?" I asked her "I made you angry, so you've got to smack me." She said simply. "No Wendy, darling, I wasn't angry with you, I just wanted to . . ." I stopped and picked her up, hugging her. "Wendy, you are my daughter, I don't expect you to be perfect . . . god knows I'm not, but I'd never hurt you, not in anger." I told her. She looked at me and my heart melted, "But there isn't any other way." She said simply, and looking in her eyes I could see that she thought that was the truth. "That's not true." Martha's voice broke the link between us and brought our attention to her she was standing back in the doorway, "There are plenty of times when love can hurt or when you can be hurt with love, it feels painful but then you know that the person doing it, is doing it out of love for you." There was a wistful look on her face as she said that. "Mummy never said she loved me, she always shouted at me, 'Don't do that', 'Obey your betters!', 'Always smile when you undress for daddy!'" She said and then covered her mouth in fear. "Your mother told you that?" Martha said quietly Wendy hung her head, "I was never to say . . . mummy said I'd be taken away and locked up for years and years if I told anyone." She said quietly I picked her up and held her, "Mummy lied, you wouldn't have been locked up, but mummy would have been. She was being bad when she told you those things." I had to keep it simple for Wendy, but inside I was angry, angry with the woman I had married so long ago now, angry with the things she had made my daughter do, and angry with myself for letting it happen. Martha didn't say anything; she went downstairs leaving us alone. ---- When we had pulled ourselves together we went downstairs to retrieve the rest of the clothing and toys, Wendy was acting like a child again as she played with the dollies. Martha pointed out to me that my answer phone - yes I could afford one now - was flashing away with several messages. I clicked on the play button and listened to them, they were all from one person and the general context of the messages was. "Listen you ungrateful pile of horse-shit, you don't just hang-up on me! When I give you an order I expect you to do it! Well you've had your chance. I'm getting Human Resources to send you your papers but I'll guarantee you that you won't get a job anywhere near here! You've screwed with the wrong man!" Clive voice was rather high pitched when he reached that part. I sat down, "Well that's that. I'll never get another job. What are my chances of getting family allowance?" I asked Martha. "I've already told you don't worry. You just concentrate on helping your daughter . . . but may I have that tape?" she pointed to the answer phone's tape. I took it out and handed it to her, "Thank you. I think your boss may find he's got some troubles coming." She added smiling. She checked on Wendy, making sure that she was happy here and settled in before she left, after handing me a card with her number on it, "If you have any questions or problems phone me." She said before leaving. ---- It was an hour after Martha had left when I received a phone call. Expecting it to be Clive again I picked it up and almost snarled into the mouthpiece. "Well I understand your feelings, I'd be like that at well!" It was Janet! "Sorry Janet, I was expecting someone else." I said "He's under company orders not to contact you again. He's also been told that you're on a month's compassionate leave. Now I suggest you get to know your daughter, I understand she's had a lot of problems in her life." I looked at Wendy who was watching me. "Well she's just overwhelmed at the moment, I'm sure she'll be fine." I said smiling at Wendy, then I realised something. "Janet, just what time is it there?" I asked her "Oh, it's quite early. I'd just gone to bed when I got called." She said but her voice didn't show any tiredness. "I'm sorry I caused you all this trouble." I said - I was actually concerned about her. "It's not just you John. I've checked back and we've lost too many good people from your area, all the indications are that there may be a vacancy in senior management. . ." Janet said. "Not me Janet, but you might think about Adam in my section, he's really good." I said - I had too much on my plate to worry about doing Clive's job. "Hmm! Adam Batley . . . why not? . . . Okay thanks John, enjoy your vacation." Janet said and hung up. "What's happening daddy?" Wendy asked me. "Well darling it seems that I've still got a job and that I'm officially on holiday, so we have plenty of time to spend together." I told Wendy who jumped with delight at this news. ---- Wendy wouldn't leave my side as I stayed with her in our living room, I didn't try to pry about her past life with her mother, we ate dinner and after that I noticed that Wendy was yawning. I looked at the clock, where had the time gone to, I smiled at my daughter. "It's time for bed Wendy." Almost immediately she started to sob, before I could ask her what was wrong she moved into the centre of the room and, keeping her head down, began to strip off. I didn't know what to say but as she went to remove her dress I told her to stop. "Wendy, why are you undressing here, why haven't you gone to your bedroom to undress and get ready for bed?" I asked her. "But . . . this is how . . . mummy and . . . and He . . . told me . . . to get ready for bed." She said. "They made you undress in front of them? For how long?" I asked her. "Since I was eight years old." Wendy started to sob. I pulled her to me; she tensed up but then relaxed as she felt me stroking her hair. "You don't like doing that do you?" I asked her, she shook her head - not daring to speak her mind. "Then you don't have to do that with me." I told her. She pulled back at looked at me. "Do you mean that daddy?" She asked me. "Of course Wendy, I don't want you to do anything that you don't like doing, except school! I expect you to go there regardless." I added smiling at her. "Thank you daddy . . . but do I really have to go to school? I hate it." She said with a slight smile on her face. "We'll cross that bridge when we get to it." I told her. Then I turned her towards the stairs. "Now go to your room and get ready for bed." I told her. "Will you be inspecting me like He did?" she asked me, fear showing in her face again. "Not at all Wendy, I expect you to get into bed and go to sleep. But tomorrow I'd like to hear exactly how you were supposed to behave when you were with your mother and . . . that man." I told her pushing her to the stairs. She stopped before the first step, "But mummy said I was never to tell anyone about that!" I nodded my head, "Because she didn't want to get into trouble. I wouldn't worry about that now Wendy - you're with me now, not them." She smiled, "Thanks . . . daddy, goodnight." I kept smiling until I heard her door shut and then my face dropped. Having to undress in front of both of them? Inspections by him? What the hell had they been doing to my daughter? These thoughts were going over and over in my head. I didn't know what to do, who could I talk to? I started to pace up and down with worry, then I remembered someone who might help. I checked my wallet and removed a card. Picking up the phone I dialled the number on it - it was rather long. "Mrs. Jones's residence, who is calling please?" The voice was a youth's but the attitude was that of a servant. "Is Janet there please, its John Argent calling." I said. "Thank you Mr. Argent, I'll just enquire." The young boy said and the phone started playing music. "Good morning John." Janet's voice answered the phone then she paused, "Or rather good evening, it is still evening where you are, isn't it? What's wrong? Didn't we give you enough time off?" She asked with a laughing lilt in her voice. "Hi Janet . . . I . . . I'm worried about . . ." I couldn't even voice it. "John. Sit down! . . . Now take a deep breath. . . . Okay now talk to me." She directed me and I found myself following her instructions. I told her what Wendy had told me and they way she had acted while doing so. "John, I don't know what to suggest, I mean if you needed I'd get you here and have our people talk to her." Janet said concern sounding in her voice. "I don't think I could afford that." I said "John you don't need to worry, it can be part of the company's package, all you'd have to do is to give me a call and I'll arrange it." Janet was speaking seriously now, all trace of amusement gone. "Thank you Janet, but I hope I can get through this without needing help . . ." I said. "Bullshit John. This is something for which you need all the help you can get. Remember I'm always her for you at anytime, anytime at all. Amanda asked me to do what I can, and don't forget we owe you, and we always repay our debts." And with that she hung up. "Well . . . thanks Janet. I think." I said to the, now dead, phone. I took one more look at the T.V., but it had been an eventful day and I was tired, I went upstairs and entered my bedroom but, remembering how Amanda had surprised me, I wore a pair of jockey shorts as I climbed into my bed and close my eyes. |