When Ruth was told that Rose would be visiting her she was jumping of joy. Finally there was her chance to convince her of her guiltlessness, to make her see how ridiculous the charges against her were and even more important to tell her one or two things about the righteous gentleman Roger Lindsay. Ruth had spoken to Nancy beforehand, who had laughed about her excitement.
"Ya see, everything go fine," she had said, to which Ruth had nodded reluctantly.
Nancy was a good person, but she didn't seem to understand the trouble Ruth was in, moreover she didn't have any children and couldn't imagine what it was like for a mother to be concerned about her daughter even if this child was a grown up woman already.
Several times Ruth had mentioned to her Rose's secure childhood and told her how Rose had had no idea about the real life. She didn't know if Nancy had realized what this meant. Nancy was between thirty and forty, but Ruth guessed more to the latter – whether her real birthdate she didn't want to tell her or didn't know herself Ruth had no idea.
As the door open harshly revealing that particular officer and behind him attractive and beautiful, but yet looking stressed and fragile behind her fiery-piercing eyes - Rose, Ruth gasped inwardly as she had never looked of hopeless.
"Here we're, Mrs Dawson," the officer said not acknowledging Ruth, who knew how much he enjoyed this kind of game.
He immediately sat down on the chair in the edge never even thinking of giving them some privacy. Ruth was wretched about it, but Rose didn't seem to mind.
Rose even refused her mother's wish to kiss her.
Eventually the two women were seated too, but the conversation – never having been easy between them – was now even more at low ebb. Finally it was Ruth, who broke the awkward silence.
"I believe congratulations are in order, Rose."
Rose watched her confused.
"Mr Lindsay was here a few days ago and he informed me about your pregnancy. Now, well, I can't say that I'm awfully happy about it, but if you're I will, we will certainly find a way around," Ruth tried to put on a brave face.
Rose needed to finally realize that she wasn't alone in the world and Ruth was determined to change what she had done wrong in Rose's infancy or with her forced engagement to Cal. Her daughter's face meanwhile showed no emotion whatsoever and Ruth had no indication of what she was really thinking.
"Thank you, mother," she said though in a way that was more like – I wish I would never have to see you again, mother.
She didn't look like a joyful mother-to-be at all, quite the contrary.
Ruth sighed, looking over at the officer, who grinned at her maliciously.
"You know," Ruth began turning back to Rose "...I've met a really nice woman here."
Maybe some talking about other things, about which didn't involve Jack or Roger Lindsay or Cal…something totally different would do them good?
"Her name is Nancy and she is quite funny, though she had a really hard life. You see she is judged with murder, but…," she stopped, when she noted that Rose wasn't listening.
"Rose, dear? Is everything alright with you?" her mother's voice was softly and indeed concerned.
I'm alright? She has the guts to ask me, if I'm alright? My husband is in hospital and dying…and I'm…I'm pregnant by the most awful man I know and she…she asked me, if I'm alright?
Rose was angry, but sad all the more and couldn't stop the tears from flowing.
Ruth immediately walked over to her and wanted to give her a hug, to which Rose just as quickly backed away.
"Rose I'm your mother. I want to help you. You and your happiness is all that I want."
"My happiness? You want my happiness and you try to murder my husband?" in between she wiped the tears away with her sleeve, "Just to inform you mother, you were quite successful in your attempt. The nurses…they….they told me that Jack is going to die soon," she cracked down again in endless sobs.
When Ruth wanted to lay a hand on her shoulder to comfort her daughter the officer was there immediately, rejecting it.
"Sorry, Mrs Dewitt Bukater, but it's against orders," he was so extremely friendly that it hurt all the more. "I'm certain that you know we can't make any exceptions here, not even for you."
Ruth cringed inside, but on the outwardly remained calm. This was not the time and place to start a battle.
"My god Rose, I had no idea that it was this bad," they both had moved further to the door by now and Rose was standing with her back to her mother "…I never wanted anything of this to happen and you've got to believe me that I've nothing to do with it. Please Rose, go and speak with Mr Hastings, he's my lawyer…"
Ruth was shocked at the look she received in return.
"You hated Jack from the first moment you saw him and wanted him dead. Why should I believe you now?"
"Fine, Rose, alright you've some point here. I wasn't overly happy about you choosing him, but I've accepted it, I've accepted him. And by god, Rose, even if I hadn't you can't really assume that I would murder anyone," Ruth begged her to believe her.
Rose looked like she was more confused than angry now.
"Rose, say promise…please talk to Mr Hastings…"
"I've to reconsider it, goodbye mother."
Ruth realized that this was the best she could for now and watched as Rose departed again.
…..
Rose had spent the rest of the day with Jack, convinced that she had soon to organize his funeral.
I don't even know his favourite flowers.
She was lying on the divan, trying to read some novel to distract herself, but her thoughts constantly returned to Jack. Roger had said that he would be here at ten. Truly she wasn't happy about living here. But what could she do? She had no choice, but to stay with him.
Her mind wondered and her head with it –finally coming to rest on the telephone.
Cal? Should she…?
He had twice wanted to call her mother and he would…but would he help her to save Jack? What if Roger Lindsay and Cal turned out to be best friends? Then everything would be lost. Maybe, still, there was a chance that Fabrizio would pick up the telephone and she could tell him.
Slowly Rose sat up and grabbed the receiver, before rethinking it once more.
She couldn't know of course that neither Cal nor Fabrizio were answering the telephone, but Cal's on-off girlfriend Clarissa.
"Yes, what can I do for you?" asked a female voice Rose had never heard before.
Clarissa had come back yesterday, after Cal had finally had the guts to call her and beg her to return to him. Rose, however, having never been told a word about her, couldn't know that she was stirring up a hornet's nest.
"I want to speak with Cal, I mean Mr Hockley," Rose corrected herself.
She wasn't his fiancée anymore after all and had to act like it. Cal was of no more interest to her, not in private matter that is.
Rose for sure couldn't see Clarissa's angry face on the other line.
"May I ask who is requiring him?" she wanted to know from Rose.
Rose waited for a moment, wondering if she should tell this woman the truth, but then went for it. In fact, if Cal decided on helping her, he would find out anyway.
"My name is Rose. I'm Cal's ex-fiancée," Rose told her.
The name Rose instantly rang a bell in Clarissa's head. So this was the woman that Cal hadn't wanted to marry her because of. She really had the courage to call him. Clarissa was more than angry.
And he said that he had changed. Now his fiancée wants to speak with him.
Clarissa had gladly overheard the ex. She was furious. What else had Cal concealed to her?
I've trusted him, even broken off an engagement for him and he has nothing better to do, but to call his fiancée again? Moreover, he had lied to me, told me that she was dead.
That bastard – Clarissa balled her fists.
"Miss, are you still there, may I speak with him now?"
"I don't know where he is, I'm sorry but I can't tell you anything," she quickly told Rose and hung up the receiver, before the latter one could ask anything more.
Rose was left stunned about this ill-disposed servant. Had there been a hint of jealousy in her voice? Rose really wouldn't know why.