Deliver Me From Evil (28 page)

I give evidence for two days. The relief after it is over and I’ve done it, I’ve spoken the truth at last, is enormous.

Thomas was on after me, and shortly after he finished, the trial was briefly adjourned when Eunices dad died on 26 February, and on 7 March she was allowed to attend the funeral.

The media was banned from reporting on the trial as it was progressing, so it was only once it was over and I read the papers that I got more details. I read how Sarah described the first instance of cruelty she could remember, when she was four years old and Eunice made her eat dog fod, and then eat the vomit when she threw up. I read how Thomas described Eunice holding his hand over a hot plate until it looked like a gooey mess’ and that he had compared what she did to us to torture.

I wondered what Eunice was thinking as she sat and listened to us Bad children, describing how she’d abused us. I knew she would show no emotion as the terrible evidence against her piled up. And as I feared, she said that we were lying, that the only physical punishment she gave us was a smack on the bottom, as a last resort. She said, ‘I’ve sweated blood and tears for those children. I’ve worked non-stop to give them a good upbringing and education. I still love them.’ She was always very convincing, but this time it didn’t work

On 20 March 2007, the phone rings. Ivy is sitting on the floor in a pretty little pink outfit with sparkly sequins, playing with coloured Lego blocks and chatting away to herself merrily. Missy and Pansy are snoozing in a ray of sunshine that’s falling through my sparkling, clean windows. I’m on the sofa, watching her play as I pick up the phone. Panther-black Wolfy hops up on the back of my seat, purring loudly and starts nibbling at my hair in its long sideways ponytail, like he always does.

‘We’ve got a conviction.’ DC Martell sounds ecstatic in my ear.

‘She’s been found guilty of twenty-six counts including child cruelty unlawful wounding and assault.’

I stop breathing for a second, before I thank DC Martell, wholeheartedly. To be honest, I’m a bit shell-shocked as I put the phone down. She’ll go to prison for many years.

Ivy looks up at me, beaming, and proudly shows me a red Lego block

‘Look, Mama.’

‘That’s lovely, sweetie. You building your little house?’

By way of an answer Ivy goes back to fixing the red block onto a blue one and I feel sheer pride in my beautiful little girl’s endeavours mixed with an enormous surge of relief at the news. I can breathe free at last. I lean over and ruffle Ivy’s golden curls gently in the sunlight as she continues to play.

CHAPTER 21:

After the trial finished I chose to waive my right to anonymity and talk to the press. I felt that too much evil had been going on behind closed doors for too long, and it was essential to bring Eunice to book. Not her random Bad Book or Good Book, but the book of the legal system that is supposed to protect children in this country in the twenty-first century.

On 19 April 2007, Eunice went back to court for sentencing. The newspaper reports said she was as emotionless as ever. They also quoted Judge Simon Darwall-Smith, who said, ‘It is difficult for anyone to understand how any human being could have even contemplated doing what you did – let alone with the regularity and premeditation you employed. You were careful to carry out what can be described as sadistic torture without being found out. This is the worst case of its kind I have experienced in forty years of dealing with criminal cases.’

He sentenced her to fourteen years in prison. She’ll be seventy-two by the time she gets out and Ivy will be seventeen – the same age I was when Eunice abandoned me in Bristol.

My main goal now is to get myself a proper education and because I’ve always loved animals I’d like to train to be a veterinary nurse. I want to work so I have the money to educate my daughter, so she never has to go through what I have gone through, in anyway. I also want to buy my own house eventually and be financially independent. That really would be a fantastic goal to work towards and I intend to achieve it.

At Christmas 2006 I invited Mum, Dad and Nan over to my new place in Lockleaze and cooked Christmas lunch for them and Sy. In a way, I was attempting to bring us all together, to create some kind of family life. It isn’t easy after so many years apart, but I did the same at Christmas 2007 and hope it will become a family tradition, creating good memories to replace the bad.

And when I have nightmares about Eunice and life at the farm, Sy is by my side. He is a wise, kind man who protects me and makes me feel like I am a good person, and worth something. He is wonderful with Ivy, a real father-figure to her, and we are slowly growing into a family. A loving, caring, normal family, which is all I ever wanted. I don’t know what the future will bring but I am hopeful that we will spend it together.

I’d like to thank the following people: DC Victoria Martell, for believing us, for working so hard over two years to bring Eunice to trial, and for supporting us ‘Bad’ children throughout that period. The staff at Connexions in Bristol – without them I’d really have been lost. Becky, a kindred spirit and my first real friend. Corinne Sweet for bringing my words to life. My agent Ivan Mulcahy and my publishers Pan Macmillan.

Above all I’d like to thank my family, for their love. And Sy for loving me and my daughter; you know how much you mean to me.

First published 2008 by Pan Books

This electronic edition published 2010 by Pan Books
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ISBN 978-0-330-54013-1 PDF
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Copyright © Alloma Gilbert 2008

The right of Alloma Gilbert to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

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