‘I mean, to start with I was completely unsuspecting. Why would I question him when I trusted him?’ Beth sighed loudly. ‘And being the supportive and generous girlfriend that I was, I was always happy to help . . . Until his requests started to be for bigger chunks of cash, which I didn’t have.’ She paused and took a breath. Kirsty nodded reassuringly at her. ‘Whenever I questioned him, which was ironically what I did for a living after all, he always confidently reassured me, dispelling any fears I had.’
He was always able to explain and rationalise, and she soon learned to ignore any doubts she had. She didn’t want to be alone, especially as she had invested several years of her life in their relationship. She blinked hard to stop any tears falling as she told Kirsty how, even when they started to explore the adoption process, he had failed to get his DBS check. He had told her that he couldn’t have children himself and had suggested adoption. It was something that Beth was very happy to consider especially as she would have been happy to take an older child. But even when Beth had received her DBS and reminded him about his, he claimed it must have been held up in the system. Her mind rationalised his behaviour. Especially when he said he thought they should take a break from talking about adoption as they needed to focus on each other for a while. ‘His final parting gift was when he persuaded me to remortgage my flat as he was having “cash flow” problems. Then he abruptly ended our relationship and vanished. Along with all the money I had lent him.’
Kirsty’s eyes widened in horror. ‘Oh Beth. That’s horrific.’
She shook her head. ‘Even then, I thought something awful had happened to him. Meanwhile my own finances were in a complete mess and I couldn’t afford to pay the huge mortgagerepayments. That’s when I was forced to put my beloved home on the market. I was mortified, too embarrassed to tell anyone what had happened, especially my dad and my friends, most of whom I lost touch with anyway. I knew they would just think I’d been foolish. I was supposed to be an intelligent woman. What a mug, eh?’
Kirsty shook her head sadly. ‘It sounded like he knew exactly what he was doing. What happened next?’
‘Are you sure you want me to go on?’
‘Of course. As long as it’s helping you to talk about it.’
Beth exhaled loudly. ‘Sharing all of this is tough. But it’s actually good to say it all out loud.’
Kirsty nodded.
‘One night, after watching a documentary on television about romance scammers, the penny finally began to drop. I felt totally humiliated, embarrassed and ashamed over what had happened. I’m ajournalist. I kept telling myself that I should have seen the signs, I should have been savvier and known what was happening. When I was commissioned to write an article on romance fraud for a women’s magazine it was cathartic. That was when I finally realised and accepted what Tim had done, and realised that it wasn’t my fault. Interviewing other women for case studies, I realised I wasn’t alone. It’s sadly quite common, and the target is usually women, often vulnerable for a mix of reasons, who are successful and own their own property or business. I also learned that Tim probably wasn’t his real name. Not long after that I spoke to the police about him. They told me that his real name is Zander Evans. He was known as a conman, and there were multiple complaints and reports against him.’
‘This is horrendous Beth. Did they catch him?’
‘Yes. He was eventually caught and sentenced to a ten-year prison term for defrauding two women, but I wasn’t able to recover all the cash I had lost. By then I had started renting aroom in Deptford and begun to piece my life back together. I knew that things could have been worse. Some of the women I’d interviewed, their lives had been completely devastated. Their confidence had been shattered to the point they couldn’t leave their houses, and one woman contemplated suicide. Even at my lowest point, I kept holding on to the tiny positives I could find every day. I got a job working at a café, which gave me a focus and a purpose.’ Beth was just beginning to realise now how grateful she was to Frankie for reaching out and giving her that lifeline.
‘I’m not surprised that you feel wary about any new relationships, Beth. That’s a lot to go through.’
Beth was grateful that Kirsty hadn’t fled the scene, that she’d stayed and listened. For too long it had all felt too raw to share. But sitting here now, she realised how much she’d needed to. ‘Thank you for listening Kirsty. It has really helped.’
‘Beth, I am sorry that you had to go through all of that. Thanks for telling me, and thanks for trusting me. I can see now why all the stuff with Callum has thrown you.’
It was true. Her feelings for Callum had surprised her. Being with him had given her a sense of hope, which was something she’d lost after Tim. And Callum was different, she told herself.
‘Speak to him,’ said Kirsty softly. ‘Speak to Callum.’
Beth frowned. She and Callum were connected through their past. Surely that had to count for something.
Chapter Thirty-Six
A couple of days later Callum pulled into the driveway of Edie’s house. Two large pieces of driftwood framed the door of the whitewashed building, and above it hung a little sign:Welcome to Coorie Cottage.A stylish Christmas wreath was hung on the door. As he knocked and stepped back to wait, he wondered if she would mind if he had a wee peek at the shepherd’s hut she had at the bottom of her garden. Fergus had told her all about Coorie Cabin, and he was intrigued to have a proper look. He knew she’d had it brought over a couple of years ago and now rented it out to visitors.
‘Hello Callum,’ said Edie, swinging the door open. ‘Lovely to see you. Come on in.’ She closed the door behind him, ushering him through to the bright living room at the back of the house. ‘Just watch these boxes. They are a bit of a hazard, which is why I need your help.’
He was welcomed by Molly the dog, who immediately ran over to him, wagging her tail and sniffing his hands. Rubbing her ears, he was rewarded with a lick.
‘Honestly Molly, what are you like?’ asked Edie. ‘She’s always liked the men. She’s exactly the same with Fergus.’
Callum laughed. ‘Well, I don’t mind. In fact I’m flattered.’ He looked around and immediately felt at home. The cottage was warm, with cushions and throws and a log burner ablaze in the centre of the room. There was a small Christmas tree in the window that twinkled with fairy lights.
‘Now, first thing’s first. Can I get you a cup of tea?’ asked Edie.
Callum always made a point of declining tea, otherwise he would never get any work done. But something about the way Edie was smiling at him made him want to make an exception. ‘That would be lovely please. Though only if you’re making it.’
‘The kettle’s just boiled. I am gasping for a cuppa.’
‘Great, thank you, and I take it with just a splash of milk.’
‘Back in a moment. You take a seat and I’ll be with you shortly.’
Callum sat down. His eyes flicked around the brightly coloured framed prints and canvases on the walls. Then his eyes rested on the orange flames of the log fire. Molly settled at his feet. When he felt his phone buzz in his pocket, he realised that he was very tempted to ignore it. But he knew he should answer it in case it was the school or another customer. It was a number he didn’t recognise and, when he answered it, he realised it was Beth.
