2

About the Author

Christine Ripley was born and raised in the mining town of
Normanton, West Yorkshire.
She is married and has two sons and three grandchildren.
She started her career as a clerk/typist and later qualified as a
nursery nurse, although her passion has always been writing.

Dedication

To all my family, who have given me so much encouragement in

following my dream to become a published author.

Copyright Christine Ripley (2015)

The right of Christine Ripley to be identified as author of this
work has been asserted by her in accordance with section 77 and
78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be
reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any
form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying,
recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the
publishers.
Any person who commits any unauthorized act in relation to this
publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims
for damages.
A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British
Library.

ISBN 9781784553562 (Paperback)

9781784553586 (Hardback)
www.austinmacauley.com
First Published (2015)
Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd.
25 Canada Square
Canary Wharf
London
E14 5LB

Printed and bound in Great Britain

10

Introduction

Do we really know people? The old saying is that you

shouldnt judge a book by its cover. Do we really know
anyone, I mean truly know them; their inner thoughts, their
feelings. Whats in their past?
The people of Humby congregate in the local caf and
watch and listen to their neighbours conversations. Harmless
chatter, however - what secrets do they hold? Each one
terrified that the truth will come out. Each one with a secret
that could ruin lives, take away loved ones. The past
sometimes resurfaces with devastating consequences.
Humby was a small village nestled between the wonderful
East coast of Yorkshire and the colourful fields of
neighbouring farm lands. Its charm was in the old village
cottages and shops that lined the main street. The cottages,
with their small doors and quaint windows, lead to the village
square where the large town clock always displays the correct
time. Nearby stood a highly polished gold plaque proudly
displaying the names of the fallen of World Wars One and
Two.
Was this the most idyllic place in England? Or had the
residents of this village some unsolved issues, some dark
secrets that only they knew?
Was everyone so nice and respectable, boring and set in
their ways or did this village harbour philanderers, rapists or
even murderers? Everyone harbours secrets, something they
11

remember in their deep, dark past, something they did, and the
residents of this small village were no different.

12

CHAPTER ONE

Thomas Michael Moore was born in February 1949 to Mary

and Robert, a middle class couple who doted on him. He
would inherit The Old Green in Humby, a large house in its
own grounds, when his parents died. It was common
knowledge in the village that the Moores had money and came
from money, yet they were not brash or arrogant about it, they
were respectable people popular in this small village.
Thomas grew up in a loving happy environment and after
university applied for a job at the local Grammar school,
where he acquired a position as an A level Maths teacher.
However, Thomas was shy and awkward and preferred his
own company. Not a loner, however he just preferred to be
alone. He was especially shy with young women, even at
university he felt uncomfortable, unable to engage in
conversation. The only place he loved was Mrs Beams
Cockleshell Caf in the village. He could sit there marking his
books, watching the people come and go and stay as long as
he liked, chilling with one cup of coffee.
It was on one of these occasions he met Dolly. She was
beautiful, with black shiny hair and brown eyes. Her vivacious
body swayed from side to side as she walked. She was loud
and confident, with a cockney accent, the complete opposite
of him. Dolly had come for a job waiting on tables as Mrs.
Beam was getting on a bit and was finding it hard to run the
caf by herself.
13

Look, give us a chance, how about a trial. Ill serve this

gentleman.
Mrs. Beam smiled, Well all right, a trial of two weeks, if
things pan out, well well take it from there.
Dolly approached Thomas. He stood up, ready to leave.
Oh dont leave, I need you to stay and order sumfink so I
can get this job, Dolly whispered.
But I dont want anything, Thomas replied.
Look, I need this job badly, please just order a tea or
sumfink. She was angry that this stuck-up fella wasnt
playing ball.
Okay Ill have two iced fingers to take out and another
cup of coffee please. Then he whispered Was that all right.
Just the ticket.
She had him eating out of her hand. Perhaps things were
looking up for her at last. She walked off with her high heels
tip tapping on the slate floor.
That was it - that was the moment his life would change
forever. A chance meeting when fate had brought them
together, where evil meets good, where a young man who had
been nurtured and loved as a child crossed paths with a young
woman who knew nothing of love or compassion.
Dollys family had moved into the village from London so
nobody knew much about them. There were four of them
staying in one of the small cottages just outside town; Dollys
two siblings, Susan, aged ten and Maggie, aged twelve, and
their mother. Although there was actually another member of
the family, George, who was serving time in prison for armed
robbery.
They were on the run, running from their past, or rather,
Dollys past. She had swindled an old man out of his savings
before leaving him bruised and battered. Old people were her
speciality, they were vulnerable and nave, a little like
Thomas. They looked for the good in people and that made
them a perfect target.
Dolly went home that evening with a smile on her face;
she had managed to secure a job and hopefully a mug to
finance her plans. For thats how she saw Thomas - an end to
14

a means. She would have a little fun at the same time, why
not, didnt she deserve fun in her life?
She shuddered at the thought of her early years, the
beatings from her father, the men that came and went. Well
maybe she was owed some luck, but for now she would keep
it to herself.
It was 1980 when Robert Moore died of a sudden heart
attack, and Thomas took it very badly. They had done
everything together, he had taught Thomas all he knew. If
ever Thomas had a problem he would mull it over with his
father. They played chess, fished, and went to the football and
cricket. This was the turning point in his life. He felt lost and
alone, even though he had his mother for comfort. However
she was grieving too. It was inevitable that he turned to Dolly.
The biggest mistake he would ever make.
After the funeral he went to the cafe and sat, grief stricken
and alone in his usual place.
Dolly pounced. So sorry to hear about your dad, I know
what its like to lose a father, I lost mine at fifteen.
She was lying; lies flowed from her mouth like water
from a tap. Thomas couldnt answer; he knew if he did he
would burst into tears.
Look, lets take a walk later on, I could do with some
fresh air myself. What do you say - is it a date?
Thomas could only nod, he was too full of grief to answer,
his heart was heavy, he just wanted to be held and loved, to
feel some relief from this awful pain he felt in his heart.
So that was it, the beginning of the end, they were married
at York Registry Office on the 19th February, 1981. No-one
attended from her family - all down with flu apparently another lie. She couldnt risk the kids telling the truth, she had
told so many lies she had forgotten most of them.
Her first job was to get rid of the mother-in-law, as she
was in the way of achieving her goal. The second was to get
rid of him.
For Thomas he had never felt so happy. He was married
to a beautiful girl and he could see no wrong in her. He

15

dreamed of having a big family and giving them the kind of

childhood he had enjoyed.
Dollys dream was totally different, her dream was to get
as much money out of this scam as she could. She only had to
keep her cool, to act the doting wife and to fool everyone.
However, as time went on she was finding it increasingly hard
to keep up the pretence of the loving wife and cracks were
beginning to show.
One day she came down to breakfast to see his mother sat
at the table, chatting. The family closeness made her want to
puke. It had been increasingly hard to keep Thomas away
from her family she was running short of excuses. Thomas
had already arranged for a visit that day. She had to cause a
distraction.
Well this is a nice fucking scene, mother and son
together.
Thomas was totally shocked, so shocked in fact he could
hardly speak. This was the turning point, she had shown her
true colours, no going back now. He followed her out into the
hall.
Dont you ever use that language in front of my mother
again. What came over you?
You want to know what came over me? You came over
me, with your boring habits and your cosy mummy fing. Im
bored with you Thomas, Im bored senseless.
A wave of panic came over him. What had happened to
the girl he had fallen in love with? She was like another
person. Oh God, he had only been married two months.
She continued, and another fing, why do you want to
visit my family when they dont fucking want to know you.
Please Dolly, dont use that language.
Why? Why not? Im in my own house, Ill say what I
fucking like.
Its disrespectful, Dolly, Then he stopped and looked at
her. She was smirking. I wont have it - not when mothers
here.
Then get rid of the fucking old bag.

16