Writing for Fun
August 2018
One for Sorrow - my bucket list - Gerry Miller
A bucket list, what an idea! Sandy had never had any time for such a thing. Why plan for things to do before you die, just do them as you travel through life and Sandy knew that was just what she had done. Yet the thought lingered on whilst she had indeed done all the things she had enjoyed, there were some lingering issues to be dealt with. Some even lingered from whence she was a teenager but her self control and perhaps even self preservation had kept these issues firmly under control. Maybe now was the time, she would never be suspected of dealing with these issues now at her age. The nursery rhyme kept repeating in her head.
One for sorrow evoked memories of the bullies at the boarding school where she was forced to become of age and her innocence was lost to her. Joanna's picture of her election as local councillor had brought back the torments and abuse led by this outwardly beautiful but inside revolting young woman. Along with her cronies she had inflicted huge cruelty on Sandy and others, yet in the midst of all the sorrow and pain caused no-one spoke out. Hmm, she mused, justice needed to be both balanced and apt, how many others lives had this monster made miserable. Many were the answer. Sandy went to bed relaxed that evening and in sleep the resolution came to her.
Finding Joanna was so easy and the nights spent tailing her resulted in some good photos of her and her connections finally leading to the Rochdale abusers. Evidence accumulated over the weeks with Sandy travelling to various internet cafes setting up a blog detailing Joanna's hobbies, habits and idiosyncrasies. All photos were downloaded. These she timed to be released over several days, sending copies to the various child protection agencies and newspapers. Police soon moved leading to her arrest and charging. The so called squeaky clean Councillor was at last to be punished for the sorrow and pain she had inflicted coldly and without thought. Many a school friend would sleep tonight with a smile on their face.
Sandy was strangely content with herself and her own peculiar bucket list was given focus by the rhyme in her head. Her growing problem would be how to serve justice adequately. The next line left her with but one choice. 'Two for joy' could only be the one event in her life where she had indeed let somebody else down? It was time to pass on some joy and make amends, if Justice was to be her guide, it applied to Sandy herself. The information regarding Peggy would be harder to come by; all sorts of confidentiality rules would apply. Sandy had been neighbours to the foster carers. Sandy at times had been cruel to some of the children placed there. Peggy had often given Sandy such a look but yet never told on her.
Sandy had always enjoyed temping work and returning to her old agency saw her placed in the local children's department. Taking minutes of the adoption panel meetings, at last brought her face to face with Peggy and whilst she stared at Sandy for a second or two her nerves on this special day seemed to block any recall of Sandy. Her married name would not be familiar to Peggy. The panel deliberated and it seemed that the decision to adopt Julie all centred on finances. Peggy was told that the decision would have to go to the director as budgets were incredibly tight.
Sandy visited her solicitor and within a few days a letter was sent to Peggy's bank by her solicitor. This contained a large check to pay off Peggy's mortgage. One condition applied the donation was anonymous. Sandy did not minute the next meeting of the adoption panel, but heard that the adoption of Julie by Peggy was approved. Peggy whilst puzzled was overjoyed.
Sandy's psychological and physical health was improving and she realised that her very own bucket list was contributing to her welfare. Doggedly now she focused on her list 'Three for a girl and four for a boy' left her with Carol and Peter, both were such obvious targets, both definitely needed their cards marked and this time Sandy wanted them to have a good idea that she had administered justice.
Sandy remembered perfectly the meeting concerning the family of Bethany, Freddie and parents. The teenagers at that time were aged eighteen and sixteen; Sandy tried so hard to persuade the pair not to attend. Yet they were both convinced that their parents would be contrite and admit the abuse they had caused. After all prison was meant to be about rehabilitation! Both parents had served custodial sentences and were just out of prison. Carol and Peter would have to remain on the sex offenders register for life. The parents had walked in that day self assured and arrogant and then Bethany and Freddie arrived. The proverbial hit the fan and the parents lambasted the pair with lying and ruining their lives.
The young adults had the poise and grace the parents certainly never had and, with tears in their eyes, standing they left the room never to see them again, the parents totally unaffected left chatting and smiling to each other. For Sandy it took some time to find out their new identities and location but Sandy was at her most tenacious. Whilst a custodial sentence had been served justice had not been done. Sandy was delighted with her finished project and to cap it all both parents had completely breached the rules in changing their names, living by a primary school, becoming involved in local child minding.
Four major newspapers and the local director of children's services eventually received complete packages of information. Sandy, the previous evening, had travelled to Milton Keynes and took a cab to their address, she asked the cab to wait, knocked on their door. Peter answered and Carol came in to the hallway. Their shock and stunned look was satisfaction enough for Sandy. 'Remember me because I have remembered you,' she said and turning her back returned to the cab and drove off.
Next morning as Peter and Carol's paper was delivered, their house was besieged by television, reporters and thence the police. They had indeed breached their bail conditions, changed their names and breached the Sex Offenders' Registration. They were returned to prison and further investigations were put in hand regarding issues of inappropriate child minding. Sandy read and watched all the news and settled back with a smile on her face, her life was good.
Not believing in a God, justice through her bucket list had been such a fantastic idea. What indeed would be next? 'Five for Silver' brought back her memories of 'Silver End' the home she had been born in and where she had ten happy years. Located in Buntingford in Hertfordshire the cottage evoked such happy memories. She would take a trip down memory lane and have a ramble through the village. One off the list purely for herself.
The village was as remembered and parking the car by the church gate, she gasped with pleasure seeing the church yard. The ground was covered with beautiful bright yellow cowslips in full bloom; here was her 'Six for gold'. Memories of her husband flooded her mind this was where he was buried. The road accident happened just outside the village, after only six months of marriage. She gazed around as the sun shone reflecting on the golden flowers gently nodding their heads. His grave was neat and tidy and fresh flowers were placed in the vase. Michael remained close to where he was born and suddenly her heart ached with a passion. The cottage was both her life of silver and Michael had indeed given her six months of a golden life.
Sandy's bucket list was completed and 'only six tasks' I hear you say. Only six fulfilled but of course the seventh is this story written anonymously. Only you, the reader, is in on the secret and of course you can never tell, after all who would believe you. As they say in many a news story, names have been changed to protect the innocent and, unfortunately, in this names are changed to protect the guilty. As justice has been meted out Sandy's health returned, her bucket list had been very therapeutic. At least she now understood why the rhyme 'Ten Little Indians' was now dominant in her mind.