I don’t enjoy what I have gained. There is not a great deal left of your father’s fortune which seemed such riches to me in the beginning. Hamish had a large part of it … and kept wanting more. It set him up in the business which finally brought him to his end … I was blackmailed all the time. I would not marry him. I think he realised that that might have been dangerous. The murder of your father was Not Proven; there might be some who wanted to discover the truth. He ceased to press for that but he wanted the lion’s share of the spoils.
Then there was Ellen. She used to come back regularly claiming her dues. Ellen is not a bad sort, though. She, too, has found life hard. She is planning to go abroad. I told her of that place which helped you and Lilias Milne. But she wanted a little behind her before she went. She made her regular demands and I think she may well be on her way to Australia or New Zealand. I think she learned a lesson. She was a frightened woman … always afraid that someone would find her. Hamish should never have brought her into it. She was almost as upset as I was every time she came to make her claim. She wasn’t a natural criminal … no more than I think I am. Impulsive we both were … trying hard to get a place in the sun … not realising how much we should have to pay for it.
Well, Hamish will not be able to do more mischief … and I am on my way.
You will find enclosed an account of what happened. I do not want the sordid details of my life made public. That is for you alone. The letter enclosed you will give to your Ninian. He will know what to do with it. It is my confession. It explains everything that is necessary. It is all people need to know and you will be completely exonerated from all guilt. No more Not Proven.
God bless you, Davina. In spite of my wickedness I did love you. You became like a daughter to me. I love little Stephen and I want everything to be perfect for you. I want to rub out that stigma forever.
No one can say now that the case against you was Not Proven.
Be happy. You have a chance now.
Goodbye, Davina,
ZlLLAH
I could scarcely read the note she had prepared because of the tears in my eyes.
And later I showed it to Ninian.
He read it through and when he lifted his face to mine I saw the joy there.
He stood up and took my hands in his. Then he held me tightly against him.
“She’s right,” he said. “We’re free. It’s over, Davina. I knew we were right to come back and face it. It happened here and here was the solution.”
“It is strange,” I said. “She did that … and I really loved her. She was truly … lovable … and yet … she could do that.”
“Life is strange. People are strange. And she is right when she says we can be happy now. The case is proven, Davina, my dearest, proven without a doubt.”
He was radiant with joy; I suppose we both were. Life was good and seemed the brighter because of the darkness. I could now look ahead without fear. I had my husband; I had my child; and Zillah had cleared for me the way to contentment.