©GeraldineBanks2025
The payments were being processed each week . On Monday morning, Sandy would pass the Bank Details that were on the invoice she had received the previous Friday to Gerry’s secretary in the form of an expense claim. It was a hand written note which was duly shredded once it was processed. Gerry’s secretary took no interest in the process, she just did as she was asked. Over the years she had got used to the need for confidentiality and discretion in all areas of her work concerning Mr Reid. Gerry would move the funds himself on his computer. For the last six months the delivery van had arrived at Sandy and Martin’s door.
Sandy felt that she and Martin had kept their side of the bargain and she had one burning desire. Sandy wanted to see Alex. The week Sandy received a handwritten card from Alex to “My Mummy and Daddy”, it nearly broke her heart. Alex was being taught to read and write. Sandy had in turn sent pictures of her and Martin and the twins with little notes to her little boy. Updates on Alex’s Health had been positive and Sandy just wanted the chance to hold him and tell him, he was loved, she wanted him to come home and be with his little brother and sister. That was Sandy’s dream to have him back. Sandy told Martin her plan and left a note asking if this was possible in one of the secret compartment of the boxes being returned. . It was a few weeks before she got her reply, but she was delighted when she read that the meeting could be arranged and more information would follow. There would be additional costs which had to be covered and complete secrecy would have to be maintained.
Another few weeks passed and a new delivery driver appeared on the doorstep. It was Maria Turner, the lady who had first approached Martin. Martin recognised her even in the rather dowdy work clothes she wore. Sandy invited her to have a cup of tea with them as she usually did when she received a delivery. They all sat down at the kitchen table and Maria began to tell them about the process of visiting and seeing Alex.
” I’m afraid , it can only be one person, so you will have to decide which one is going to go.” Maria grasped her mug in her hand and looked from Martin to Sandy.
” It’s going to be me. ” Sandy looked at Martin. ” That’s best isn’t it?” Martin nodded.
Maria continued ” We have to be so careful. If the authorities locate us; then all our good work is ruined. ” Maria looked across at Sandy. ” The less people who know what we are doing , the better. I want to help you, I was in your position ten years ago, my child, my daughter was taken from me. I never saw her again.”.
” I’m very sorry, do you know what happened to her? ” Sandy said.
” I think so, like so many of them who don’t escape the State’s clutches she was killed, or denatured as they call it. I fight now to stop this inhumanity, this attempt to create a perfect society. Our organisation is a business , an ethical business . We have to finance our work ourselves. I’m so glad that you can afford to pay for what we do , I never could have and my daughter died.”
” I’m so sorry for your loss, I won’t go into details but money is now no object to us, let’s just say that we have a rich benefactor, a very rich benefactor. We never have to explain why we need the money , we ask and it is sent to you. I’m desperate to see Alex, how soon can it be arranged?”
“If you can pay, it’ll be expensive. We need to protect our locations and our people.” Maria turned her head and looked at the kitchen clock.
” Will I be able to stay with Alex, you know for a few days?” Sandy asked , sensing that Maria was preparing to go.
“Let me see. I’ll have to confirm the arrangements to you, I won’t know until next week. I’ll bring your delivery again next week. I should have some news then.” Maria drank the last of her tea and stood up.
Martin said to her ” I’ll show you out”
Martin spoke to Maria in the hallway.
“Maria, how long has Alex got, you have doctors looking after him, don’t you?”
” Oh yes, doctors and nurses, we have a fully equipped hospital on site. Some of the children need round the clock care, but not Alex, he’s in our school. His medications are doing the job. A lot of the research is interrogating old records from before the ” Health Act” We are trying to piece together a lot of the old research archives which the then Government destroyed. It’s a slow process but it does bring benefits. We’ve made inroads into many conditions, and this will help us in the future. We are undercover at the moment but our time will come.”
Maria continued ” Alex is doing really well , he rarely fits due to his meds and he’s a very active , bright little boy. I hope the information we are sending you shows that. Sandy will meet the wonderful people responsible for his care, she will be impressed and perhaps they will be able to tell her more about his prognosis. We believe all life is important and the State cannot play God with our children. People do not realise what is going on. I shall speak to you next week about the arrangements, but for now I wish you Goodnight. .”
Martin opened the front door for Maria and watched her walk down the driveway and get into her van. He closed the front door and went back in the kitchen. Sandy was just washing up the cups.
“Alex is going to school I can’t believe it! My little boy!” Martin smiled at Sandy.
“Yes, and we didn’t even get a chance to send him off on his first day. Oh why Martin, why has all this had to happen?
” I’ve no idea. Something seems to have gone terribly wrong. There is no such thing as perfection, we’ve been blind, very blind.”
There was a cry from upstairs.
” I better go, Mabel has got a bit of an upset stomach. I don’t want her to wake Simon. Sandy turned and went upstairs to comfort the child and Martin went into the living room and turned on the television. Millie’s face flashed up on the screen.
Martin turned the Television off.
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thenotsomightyom 