The Heart of Deception

Chapter 3

Kurt stepped into the nursery feeling happier than he had for a long time. He lifted Jessica out of her cot.

“The nasty old dragon is gone Jessie,” he declared cheerfully. “I only tolerated that woman for your Mummy’s sake, and it turns out she couldn’t stand her either. Three months of torture for nothing! Things are definitely looking up, Baby. And I get to play with you whenever I want.”

He drew the curtains and opened the sliding door, chatting to the baby on his arm as he stepped outside onto the wide veranda. Perching himself on the railings, he positioned the child comfortably on his lap.

The smiling infant clutched his finger and gurgled up at her father. Her curly auburn hair fluffed up around her head like a rusty halo and big brown eyes gazed trustingly up into his blue ones.

At first, he had been disappointed when Jessica looked so much like Diane, and nothing like him, but he had grown to love her regardless. Now it actually pleased him. His little girl would grow up to be as beautiful as her mother.

“Mummy’s home Jessie,” Kurt told her with a hint of excitement in his voice. “And this time it looks like things are going to be different.”

“I’ll say,” piped Helen scathingly from the doorway.

“Oh dear, your Aunty Helen has something bothering her, Jessie,” he said, acknowledging his sister.

“The reason your Mummy is so different, Muffin,” said Helen, chucking the baby under her chin, “Is because she’s not your Mummy.”

“What on earth are you talking about, Helen,” demanded Kurt impatiently.

“That woman is not your wife, Kurt! She’s an impostor.”

He gave his sister an incredulous look then shook his head.

“I mean it Kurt. Open your eyes. She’s changed far too much in the last month to possibly be the same person.”

He treated her to a tolerant smile.

“Helen, you have a fertile imagination, and as a kid I loved it. But, I think you’re allowing your dislike for Diane to cloud your judgement.”

He reached out and placed a hand against his sister’s cheek. His face became serious as he begged. “Please Helen, for Jessica’s sake and mine, will you give her a chance. I really think she wants to make this work. Could you at least try to like her - just a little?”

“That’s how I know she’s not Diane,” Helen tried to explain. “I’ve always hated Diane. But I like this woman, and so does Digby.”

“Ah, that explains it,” exclaimed Kurt with a grin, giving her a hug with his spare arm. “Your miserable mutt has finally taken a shine to someone other than you, and your nose is out of joint.”

Helen gave her brother an exasperated look, but allowed him to draw her into a game with the infant on his lap.

                                                                              **********

Lauren had observed the scene out of ear shot, from the far end of the veranda, feeling every bit like the intruder she knew she was!

Still uncomfortable, she decided to tour the house while she had a few minutes to herself. Most of the rooms in the house seemed to have sliding doors leading to the veranda that surrounded the whole house.

She discovered Kurt’s room next-door to her own. It was much smaller than the master bedroom, and had that “spare room” appearance. It shared a walk-through bathroom with another room adjacent to it.