Bella (26 page)

   
“
This is Simon.
”
She told him.
“
He has come here searching for his Mother.
”

  
“
Do you know her?
”
I asked hopefully.

   
“
Yes, I know her. Your mother Barbara is my sister, my name is
Caroline.
”
She told me quietly.

   
“
Where is my Mother?
”
I asked her.

   
“
I am sorry to say that she has been unwell for many years and is in
hospital.
”

The old lady came
over; her steely grey hair was tied back in a bun and made her look awfully
severe. Caroline took her  to one side; I could see they were arguing over
something. Not long after Caroline came back over to me.

 
  
“
I will take you to see your mother later Simon. Visiting hours are
very strict at the hospital where she is.
”

I went for a walk to explore the town; There were little
alley ways tucked between buildings, and very small cottages. The weather was
exceptionally nice for this time of year. I decided to call Bella and tell her
I arrived safely; She answered more or less immediately. It was nice to hear
her voice.

  
“
Hello Simon, I have
been waiting for your call; have you found your mother and father?
”
 

  
“
I don
’
t know where my Father is but I think I have
found my mother.
”
I am staying at a
hotel and the old lady who owns it is my grandmother. Believe me she is one
frosty old bird but my auntie Caroline seems a lot more helpful and she has
told me my mother is ill in hospital.
”

  
“
You have been busy
then.!
”
She said rather
surprised.

  
 “
Bella, please
tell Lizzie I have found mother, I have to go now, chat later.
”

I went back to the hotel because I knew the
hospital
’
s visiting hors must
be soon. Caroline was waiting by the front entrance. We drove out of the town
and into the country; the hospital was a really old building set back in lovely
grounds. It looked more like a large country manor than a hospital.

We walked down a long corridor, what seemed to
go on forever. Eventually we came to some double doors; reading the signs, I
couldn
’
t help but notice:

Secure unit, please
ring for assistance

I had thought my mother was physically ill; but
soon realised she was mentally ill. Caroline noticed the worried look on my
face.

   
“
Don
’
t worry Simon; she is
much better now believe me, weeks ago she was very poorly.
”
We waited about ten minutes before someone
opened the secured doors.

  
“
What exactly is wrong
with her?
”
I asked Caroline.

   
“
Your Mother has been
in and out of hospital for many years Simon.
”

I was worried how my mother would react in finding out who
I was, especially under the circumstances.

She was sat in a chair by the window. Her long auburn hair
was tangled and needed a good brush. She was very beautiful; I could see where
my sister Lizzie got her looks from. Caroline introduced me to my mother.

I thought it was better to say I was a friend of the family
until I gained her trust.

My mother stared at me for a good five minutes.

  
“
You have my eyes
Simon.
” 
She said,
looking up at me. I didn`t know what to say.
‘
Does she know I am her son
’
?
I thought.

I took her hand and asked.

  
“
Do you know who I am?
”

  
“
Of course I do. You
are my son,  A mother can never forget my babies.
”

She had tears in her
eyes, and asked me how I had found her. I explained that I only found out a
short while ago and I had to find her.

  
“
You were taken away from me because your father was a violent drunk.
I was very ill at the time and was admitted to hospital. I should have done
more, but at the time I was powerless.
”

  
“
What do you mean powerless?
”

  
“
I was a very wealthy woman, if I hadn
’
t
been ill at the time, I could have taken you and left. We could have gone
anywhere.
”
She cried.

  
“
Calm down. It doesn
’
t matter now. We can
’
t change the past, even if we wanted to.
”
I
said trying to reassure her.

  
“
I need to explain many things to you Simon.
”
She said.

   
“
I will be happy to listen.
”

   
“
Many years ago when you and your sister Lizzie were born, I suffered
from terrible postnatal depression. As I told you, your father was a violent
drunk. My father was a very wealthy man but your grandmother was very mean and
spiteful. When my father died he left all his money to me and Auntie Caroline,
mother wasn't having any of it and tried to contest the will.

We were left a considerable amount of money, enough to have
a very comfortable life.
 
I was admitted
to hospital shortly after you and Lizzie were taken away from me. My mother and
auntie Caroline moved to Sandy Cove where they are living now. They bought a
hotel with some of the money. I can honestly say that I can count on one hand
how many times I have been to the hotel. I have been locked up in here most of
my life. My mother said I was mad and even  convinced doctors of this. I should
have stood my ground, but at the time I was depressed not mad. Over the years I
have just kept my mouth shut. I know my mother wanted the  

money and used Auntie Caroline to get the hotel. So in some
ways I was very wealthy but could never get the money that what was rightfully
mine. There hasn't been a day that you and your sister haven`t been on my mind.
Every birthday, I light candles for the two of you and sing happy birthday. I
would love to be out of here, but no one listens to me. All the doctors say is
I am not well enough.
”

   I told my mother I would ask the doctors and find out
more about her illness. She needed to rest so I told her I would be back the next
day.

I had many questions to ask Caroline and my grandmother.

    Later that evening after Auntie Caroline had finished
serving the evening meal, I asked her if we could talk. She took me away from
the hotel to a nice park with a pond.
 
We sat on the bench and Caroline said she wanted to
explain many things.

  
“
Years ago as you
know, you and Lizzie were adopted. I tried to get custody of you both myself
but at the time, the authorities thought you would have a better life if you
were adopted. Your mother could have taken you away because she had enough
money, but your grandmother decided to contest the will. It took a few months
nevertheless she lost. Your mother and I were left a few million and I decided
to buy the hotel. But your grandmother appealed and was given some of the
money, then she told doctors lies about your mother saying she was unstable and
needed locking up. She finally managed to convince them, and so your mother was
locked up. I tried to help her but because she was so depressed at times I was
fighting a losing battle.

Your grandmother
wanted your mother to stay where she was so she couldn
’
t
have any of the money. She paid for the best doctors and I would say, she
probably still pays them to keep her locked up. I am not saying she wasn't ill,
because she was, but not enough to be locked up forever.
”

  
“
How come you never said anything?
”
I
asked Caroline.

  
“
I did try Simon, but your grandmother is a very powerful woman and
comes across quite nice when she wants to, even though we know differently.
”

I thanked Caroline
for being straight with me and we walked back to the hotel. She told me she
would come with me to talk to the doctors the very next day.

That evening, after
my evening meal, I decided to call Bella and tell her everything. Just thinking
about her made me go weak at the knees.

 She was really
happy to hear from me and I told her everything.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

    
“
Do you want me to
come there to help you Simon?
”
She asked me.

 
“
At the moment, I need
to do this alone and I wouldn't be good company.
”
She seemed disappointed but understood why. She
told me if I changed my mind she would come straightaway.

The next morning I wanted to go straight to the hospital with
Caroline and ask the doctors many questions.

On the way there I asked Caroline who exactly owns the
hotel.

   
“
Good question Simon!
As a matter of fact, your mother and I own the hotel, however, your grandmother
thinks it
’
s hers and takes
over. That's why she doesn`t want your mother home.
”

When we arrived at the hospital I popped in to mother
first. She seemed very sleepy and her words were slurred. I couldn't believe
the difference since yesterday.

Caroline took me to see Doctor Brown who was looking after
my mother. He shook my hand and told me to sit down.   
I got straight to the point and asked him
everything about my mum
’
s illness and why she
was locked up. I also demanded why she was so different compared to the day
before. He seemed rather uncomfortable with the questions I was asking and
couldn
’
t look directly at
me.

He told me that mother was up and down and had a psychotic
illness.

  
“
But she is so
different today.
”
I pointed out.

   Your mother was very upset when you left and we had to sedate
her.
”
The doctor said
shifting around in his seat.

  
“
No! When I left her
she was very happy and far from upset.
”
Now I was furious. I knew my grandmother had something to
do with it.

  
“
Believe me Doctor
Brown; I will get to the bottom of this. And for your sake I hope you
’
re not involved.
”

I stormed out of his office and headed straight to my
mother
’
s room. Caroline came
running after me.

  
“
Simon stop
!
”
She shouted, trying to catch up with me. Catching her
breath she whispered.
“
You need to calm down
before you go and see her. Your mother doesn
’
t need the hassle.
”

I stopped in my tracks. I had just been about to open
mother
’
s door. Caroline was
right. My mother had gone through enough pain and suffering.

Caroline took me down to the cafeteria to try and calm me
down.

 
“
I want my mother to
come home with me."

  
“
The doctor
’
s won
’
t let that happen Simon.
”
Caroline told me.