Deja Vu

By Pamela B Cherry

'DEJA VU' opens with a 'Prologue'- Poor Stephanie regains consciousness, to find herself locked in a shipping container, buried underground. She has been kidnapped and being held for ransom. Over the distressing days that follow, she looks back on the prior six weeks. Chapter one sees the Donnelly trio standing outside their large, Dublin suburban home. They have just returned from Phoenix Az. and still cannot get over the surprise of having won €6,000,000 on a lottery ticket that Mervyn bought at the airport. They discover that their house has been taken over by squatters. Worse still... the squatters are 'tinkers' (Irish itinerants). This inconvenience is eventually resolved but more problems ensue. Bugging, being followed, involvement in a double murder, threats from the mafia and common scams, making life very unharmonious for Stephanie, but good exercise in page turning for the reader.
The story circles around Stephanie, Mervyn and his daughter Brittany, but also introduces the Bútas. They live in the second floor flat of the house next door. Their problem is that their daughter gets kidnapped. Brock Richmond turns up, he is Stephanie's ex-lover who you met in Repossession. He's a wanted felon in the USA, owing a vast amount of money, having scammed and swindled unsuspecting people. He made his way to New Jersey to stay with his pal Mario where he discovers Mario is in deep trouble with the NY mafia. Brock barely escapes with his life and a new identity.Where does he go Ireland of course. He meets up with Penelope, a lovely lady but not great judgement in men. You will love the antics of Billy and Síle, the 'tinker' squatters, who have no regard for anyone’s property. After they leave the Donnellys, they provide the reader with hilarious pages of how they 'accidently' devastate a seven million euro mansion. Rupert Bramford Lavelle and his wife Caroline own the mansion - he is a very sought after high court solicitor and they are not at all impressed when they return and find Síle in the guest bedroom. Pandemonium breaks out.
The story is set in and around Dublin city and suburbs, with mentions of other counties and towns in detail, when visited by various personalities in the book.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pamela B Cherry
• Release date: Aug 4, 2015
• ISBN: 9781311135391

Pamela B Cherry

I was born and educated in Ireland. I had a lovely life growing up . Always loved the outdoors spending summers by the sea. I played lots of tennis, hockey and every spare moment was spent with horses. I finished my school education at Dundalk Grammar School and unlike many kids sent to boarding schools, I absolutely loved it. I emigrated to Canada and became a Canadian citizen. Growing up, like most kids I had a vivid imagination. I would spend hours reading and writing stories. Unfortunately the demands of life, earning a living and my joy of being outdoors at every opportunity, took my mind away from writing. I relocated to Ireland in 1986 and discovered that I had a bit of a talent for painting. The new millennium brought me into a new chapter of my life, met and married Robert and moved from Ireland to live in France in 2007 and spend the winters in Florida. My love for the USA is bottomless - having been a native indian in a past life .... but that's another story. Over the past few years I have found time to write. Now that Robert and I are of retirement age there seems to be so much more to do, and the days are just not long enough! Deja Vu is my second novel.... but not the last.

Book preview

INTRODUCTION

I did not intend Deja Vu to be so long; in fact I did not plan Déjà Vu to turn out as it has. Each time I sat at my computer the story just took its own course. Some mornings I’d wake up and the next plot, twist, or turn in the story popped into my mind and that was where the thread began for the day. Other days it wouldn’t happen till I sat in front of the screen and started typing.

I like simplicity when I read a book; the story needs to have a beginning, middle and an end. I hate stories that don’t have an ‘end’. I kept this in mind as I wrote. I love intrigue, excitement, funny and scary bits, and trying to figure out ‘who dun it’. I don’t like a complicated time line with dates and times, when I read, and this is why I have used simple weekdays for the reader to follow.

In Déjà Vu I have introduced some new characters, such as the Bútas and the Shane’s that live next door to the Donnelly’s. There are also several itinerant ‘Traveller’ folk, who are sometimes described as ‘gurriers’, which means ill-mannered, ignorant and loutish people. Billy, who likes to spend time in the pub drinking ‘scoops’ (pints) and his new wife Síle (pronounced Sheila), are a typical itinerant (pikey or padjo) couple with no regard for settled folk or their property.

I have written the itinerant dialogue in typical ‘Traveller’ pronunciation. I felt that this was necessary in order to maintain authenticity; I hope the reader won’t find this too difficult to cope with.

Déjà Vu follows the Donnelly family, their neighbours, Brock Richmond, Billy and Síle and a few others, through their daily lives for about five weeks, with a good dusting of intrigue, excitement, scary bits and fun, mafia and murder. I hope you will enjoy my book and recommend it to others.

Table of Contents

Dedication

Introduction

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Chapter 40

Chapter 41

Chapter 42

Chapter 43

Chapter 44

Chapter 45

Chapter 46

Chapter 47

Chapter 48

Chapter 49

Chapter 50

Chapter 51

Chapter 52

Chapter 53

Chapter 54

Chapter 55

Chapter 56

Chapter 57

Chapter 58

Chapter 59

Chapter 60

Chapter 61

Chapter 62

Chapter63

Chapter 64

Chapter 65

Chapter 66

Chapter 67

Chapter 68

Chapter 69

Chapter 70

Chapter 71

Chapter 72

Chapter 73

Chapter 74

Chapter 75

Chapter 76

Chapter 77

Chapter 78

Chapter 79

Chapter 80

Acknowledgements

PROLOGUE

Stephanie opened her eyes but all she saw was pure unblemished inky blackness. At first she thought that maybe her eyes weren't open - she gingerly put her fingers up and felt that the lids were in fact open wide, staring but seeing nothing.

'What the hell? Where on earth am I?' She groaned.

She then became aware that she was freezing cold and her back ached. She was lying on something, hard as a slab of marble and just as cold. She sat up, but immediately lay down again, her head was spinning and any movement, no matter how small, set off rockets, fireworks and a barrage of pain, such as she had never experienced before. As the pain subsided a little she tried to piece together what had happened but her mind was a blank. She stretched her arms out and felt a wall to the left of where she lay and behind her head, her right hand didn’t come in contact with anything until she dropped it down by her side and she realised that she was in fact lying on a thin mattress on a cold metallic floor.

'Ooooh God! What have you done to me? Where am I? Have I died and gone to hell?'

She dropped her arm over her face and closed her eyes trying hard to remember, something, anything!

"Hello, Hellllllooooooo’ she shouted. ‘Can anybody hear me?’

Her voice was hoarse and rasping in her throat. She was only greeted by a dull and eerie silence. A knot of fear started to grab her stomach, even though she couldn’t see anything she felt like she was spinning around, started to feel nausea. The smell was dreadful too, a dry metallic smell of emptiness.

Heeelp, HELP, she called with as much strength as she could muster. No one replied! She attempted to get up again. This time moving very slowly, rolled over on to her knees and felt her way along the floor, weeping and blubbering. A little more than an arms length to her right she felt another wall.

‘Ooh God, where am I?’ She breathed. Fear was now welling up inside her and she felt as if she was about to vomit, her stomach was turning over with the realization that this was real, not a dream, not just a dark room! She was in fact imprisoned! She crawled along the wall to her right and came to the end of her ‘now’ world within another six feet. Feeling along the end wall she moved to her left. Suddenly she felt some objects, she couldn't make out what they were but one felt like a torch. She quickly picked it up, she couldn't find a button or switch but there was a handle folded into the side.

‘I know what this is, one of those everlasting wind up torches!’ She exclaimed with some relief. She fiddled with the torch until she had released the handle and then wound it furiously, but stopped immediately as the fireworks started to go off in her head again. She sat quietly for a moment and then slowly turned the handle until she got enough light to see her surroundings.

Even though she had formed an image in her mind of her prison, her heart sank even further at what she observed. It looked like some kind of a metal packing or transport container. She carefully got to her feet and found that she could nearly stand if she hunched over. There appeared to be a door at the end where she stood. She grabbed a lever and attempted to lift it up but it didn't budge. She banged on the door but there was an eerie dull quietness to the noise that reflected, even though she banged as hard as she could, in spite of the agony that the effort set off in her head.

She returned to the other items at her feet. She wound up the torch, aimed the beam along the floor and noticed a small hatch with a loop of rope attached. She slowly pulled the rope and the door started to lift up, but she was scared to death of what might be revealed. What was in there - was it alive? Would it jump out?

‘I wouldn’t put it past the bastard who put me in here to have left mice or rats or even snakes in there, just waiting to get out as soon as I lift the hatch!’

It was difficult to get the torch wound up enough to provide sufficient light, for any length of time as soon as she stopped winding. She needed two hands to lift the hatch as it seemed to be stuck. She put her head level with the opening of the hatch, wound up the torch and then carefully eased up the little door shining the beam into the opening. Nothing jumped out but there was a horrible damp smell, reminded her of rotten potatoes or the compost heap when it was being turned over. Relieved that there was nothing alive in there, she again worked up enough light and holding the torch between her knees, she opened the hatch all the way back. What she saw was a deep hole - maybe two or three feet deep dug into what resembled turf like soil. She examined the hole to see if there was possibly a tunnel leading from it. Unfortunately it was a plain ordinary hole.

‘What the hell is that there for? Is it supposed to be a toilet?’

Stephanie closed down the lid in the dark and examined the small stack of items in the corner. There were twelve large bottles of water, a bag of apples, a huge plastic container with cooked rice in it, six bananas, a huge bag of granola and power bars and six toilet rolls. Her handbag was also lying in the corner; she grabbed it up and searched inside for her phone.

Yeeeeees, she shouted as she found it in it’s little inside compartment.

She couldn't wait to turn it on and see if it worked. 'Da da di - da da', it jingled with the familiar sound. She inhaled big intake of breath and pressed the green call button… no signal!

DAMN, BLAST! Ooooh Nooooooo! Oh well it was too much to hope for, she said as she threw it back into her bag. Her head was throbbing, her knees were hurting and she suddenly realised and crawled back to the bed holding on to the torch.

"Whoever put me here seems to want to keep me alive or they wouldn’t have left water and food, such as it is! Why? Where am I? How long have I been here?’’

She felt her wrist and was relieved to feel her watch. She wound up the torch and looked at the time, it was three twenty five, but she had no idea if that was day or night. She didn’t even know what day it was!

She ate the apple and the banana and lay in the pitch-black darkness fighting with every ounce of her being, not to give in to the terrible fear that was ranting about her body. Fear that was trying to take control of her mind and which she knew, if she didn’t keep calm now, would only make her situation worse.

"As if it could get any worse!’’ she said out loud to herself.

Her body went into spasm, she started shaking uncontrollably, she hugged herself and rolled into a fetal position ball and then she just screamed, shouted and cried.

Please, someone hear me. Help me. Get me out of here! Please help me!

Eventually she fell asleep with sheer exhaustion.

Stephanie didn’t know how long she had slept but when she awoke nothing had changed. She was still in this nightmare, in this cold black box! She wound up the torch and looked at her watch again. It was six fifteen. She presumed she had only slept for just under four hours. She was so frightened she buried her head in the pillow and wept.

Eventually as the ache in her head subsided she started to work things out a little.

‘OK, so whoever it is wants to keep me alive, therefore they have probably kidnapped me and will have blackmailed Mervyn to pay a ransom to get me released. It will only be a matter of time before someone comes and gets me out of here! I’ve just got to hold on and keep myself positive.’

She reflected over all the things that had happened since returning from America over a month ago.

Chapter 1

Bútas

Marina came into the kitchen/living room and sighed, looking around at the mess. The dinner dishes piled in the sink and the greasy pan still sitting on the gas stove. Toys that her daughter Anna had been playing with were scattered about the floor, her husband’s mud covered boots by the door, his jacket thrown over the back of a chair. Marina thought to herself, ‘I suppose I should be grateful that at least Petras doesn't tramp about the flat in his boots as he used to, that's some improvement, but I wish he would help a little around the home - I have to do everything!’

Petras was stretched out on his recliner watching the TV. Did she go off alright, you were a long time? he asked distractedly.

Marina went over to the sink and ran the water till it got warm.

I know, she was a little bit teary tonight. We had a slight run in with those people next door today and she said that she was frightened that they would come and take her away in the night!

Petras jumped up out of his chair without even un-reclining the chair, which left it rocking precariously.

What do you mean Marina? Why would our little Anna think that we would let anyone take her away? Tell me exactly what happened? I’ll go over there and sort them out once and for all.

No, No Petras. Marina turned off the tap and turned around to face her husband, leaning back against the sink. You mustn't get angry about this, I can handle it. We don't want any trouble with the Gardaí or we could find ourselves sent back home to Lithuania!

So tell me, tell me what happened? Petras asked again, pacing around the room.

I had been to the shops with Anna and we were coming back past next door. The young man with the red blond hair was standing near the gate talking to another fellow who looked like a tinker. He was unshaven and dirty and had long hair too; I didn't like the look of them at all. I just wanted to pass by without them noticing us. Just as we got to the gate Anna dropped her ball and it rolled in through the gateway and before I could stop her, she ran in after it! The blond guy shouted at her and then made to chase her, gave her a terrible fright and me too! He shouted that he would come and get her and send her back to where she belongs! I grabbed her up in my arms and we hurried on. Poor little Anna was crying and in a terrible state. The two men just laughed and guffawed as if it was great fun. It took me half an hour to quiet Anna down when we got home and have her forget about what happened. I didn't tell you about it when you came home because I didn't want her to remember and get upset again.

Those bastards! Petras exclaimed. "Marina, I will have to go and tell that young GURRIER that I won't put up with him and his nasty ways. We have to listen to them fighting and the music so loud at night that it keeps us awake; everyone around is afraid to go near them. I don't think they are legally living in that house anyway. Mrs. Shane downstairs told me that there used to be a very nice couple and their daughter living in that house, but suddenly a few months ago, they just disappeared and no one knows where they went. The next thing was the house had 'For Sale' signs up and now we have this lot living there. I think they could be squatters."

Whatever it is Petras, we mustn't get involved, Marina said as she turned again to the sink and started to wash the dishes. It was hard enough for us to get our papers to come here and for you to get a job while you finish your studies. We have a nice little flat and everything is working out well for us, so please don't do anything to cause any trouble. If I go out with Anna again I will use the shops at the other end of the road and I won't pass that house any more. That is the best solution.

Petras looked at his wife and thought about the hard time they had had over the past few years since they got married. They had met in Klaipeda and fallen in love, got married within six months. They both had the same ambition to get out of Lithuania, to live in a country that offered more opportunities and freedom to them and the family that they hoped to have. Now, only six months in Ireland they were experiencing this trouble from next door.

OK Marina I will do what you ask this time, but if anything happens again, I am going to the Gardaí, we are here legally so we have nothing to fear. I’m going to see that my little Anna is sleeping quietly now.

Petras picked up Anna's little furry bunny from the settee and went off to her bedroom.

Marina sighed again. She had not told Petras that there had been several instances when she was out on her own or with Anna when she had run into those people from next door and their friends. They had intimidated her and told her that she should go back home and if she didn't they would make sure that she did. Marina, being quite an intelligent girl just put their behaviour down to ignorance and jealousy. Once they started aiming their nasty remarks at her daughter and frightening her, she had decided it was time to tell Petras.

She finished clearing the dinner things, hung up the jacket and put away Anna's toys.

'There is time for me to do some painting tonight,' she thought to herself, got her art materials out of the cupboard and settled herself down at the table. She was lost in her thoughts and her art and didn't notice the time passing until suddenly she realised that it was after nine and Petras had not come back. She got up and walked quietly down the corridor looking into their bedroom on the way, tip-toeing on to Anna's room. There was Petras fast asleep with Anna enveloped in his arms, also sleeping soundly. She smiled happily to see such bliss. But realising that it was important for Petras to get a good night's sleep she went over and gently stroked his cheek. He slowly opened his eyes and looked questioningly at her.

Would you like a cup of tea mano branguūs vienas? she asked using an endearment from her homeland. It’s nearly half past nine and the news will be on TV soon. I think Anna is over her fright now and will be all right to sleep on her own. Little children forget quickly and it’s better if we don't make a big issue of them. Come on, tuck her in and come for your tea. I have been painting a lovely picture while you have been snoozing.

Marina went back to the kitchen with a big smile on her face and put the kettle on. She was really as happy as could be at the way her life had turned out. She had brothers and sisters still in Klaipeda; they did not have her ambition or drive and were happy to continue to live in the old traditional way. If she had not met Petras and each fueled the other’s eagerness to make a life elsewhere, she might still be living in Klaipeda. It was a lovely place but just didn't have the opportunities to offer that Ireland did. She loved the freedom and friendliness that she had found in Ireland and was not going to let anyone spoil it for her. She settled back at the table just as Petras, her 'Rock' came back in.

I'll make the tea, what have you been painting? he said, looking over her shoulder. That is very good Marina! Is that not the little dog 'Pompey' that belongs to Mr. and Mrs. Shane downstairs? Such a cute little poodle.

Marina held up the photograph of the poodle and compared it to her work.

Yes it is, I didn't even think you knew that they have a dog. They have been very kind to us and especially to Anna, they are always giving her treats, it’s a shame they never had any children, they would have made very good parents… not like those awful people next door! Have you seen how they treat their kids! I was in the garden one day and I could hear them over the fence, he was shouting at the little fellow. Then I am sure I heard him give the kid a smack, there was a lot of howling and crying, but all he did was shout at him some more. Maybe we’ll look for another flat to move into in a quieter neighborhood? What about moving out of the city? I don't mean right away, but when you have your certificates?

Petras poured a mug of tea and brought it over to the table to Marina.

I think that is a good idea. When I am qualified we will look at where we could move to, somewhere that I can find work of course and with a nice school for Anna. Maybe we will go over to Galway?

Yes, that will be something to look forward to, Marina said, I’d love to live in Galway. I could get recognition for painting people's pets and make some money too. I don't always want to be a translator, it gets very boring sometimes.

We have a great life in front of us in this wonderful country. Marina, I am so glad I met you and we are here together with our darling little Anna. Did Mr. or Mrs. Shane ask you to paint the picture, are they paying you to do it? Petras asked.

No, I asked Mrs. Shane if she had a photo of Pompey, I told her I wanted to show it to Anna. I thought it would be nice for them to have a picture of their pet, they treat their little Pompey as we do our darling Anna. To them the poodle is their child. Marina continued with the intricacies of painting the whiskers.

You are such a kind girl Marina. OK, the news is coming on. Petras settled back into his recliner.

The next morning Petras went off to work as usual at seven o'clock. Marina got Anna up and they had breakfast together. Marina had no assignments today and had decided to take Anna to the Phoenix Park to feed the ducks; they would go on the bus. It was a lovely sunny day so when breakfast was over they went out into the garden where Petras had tied a rope as a swing in one of the huge trees. Anna chuckled happily as Marina pushed her gently. High, high Mama, she cried. At three years old Anna's vocabulary was growing every day.

Mrs. Shane came out when she heard the happy laughter. Pompey rushed ahead of her, barking and running around in circles.

Hello you two, she said. Oh Anna, you are having a great time aren't you! Can I have a swing too?

Marina stopped pushing Anna and welcomed Mrs. Shane giving her a kiss on both cheeks and a little hug. How are you Mrs. Shane? I can see that Pompey is in great form!

Ooh yes Pompey is always full of fun and I am well too, how are you Marina?

High, High Mama, Anna shouted, getting impatient.

OK sweetie, I would like to sit and talk to Mrs. Shane now, so please jump off the swing and come and look after your babies in your pram. I think I hear one of them crying, maybe she’s hungry and you need to give her a bottle.

Marina lifted Anna off the swing and she ran off to tend to her dolls, talking happily to them as if they were real babies.

Marina and Mrs. Shane sat down on the picnic bench.

Please call me Bernie dear, Mrs. Shane is so formal and now that we are friends as well as neighbours I think it would be nice, Mrs. Shane said putting her hand over Marina’s, which was resting on the table.

Well thank you 'Bernie', it will seem strange because where I come from we must always address the elders of our community with respect and it would not be respectful to call them by their first name. But we are in Ireland now and we are delighted to follow the customs here.

Marina smiled back at Bernie and then they turned their attention to Anna who was busy pushing her pram around the garden, with Pompey running beside her.

It is so nice for Anna to have your little Pompey as a friend. It’s good for children to have pets, but Petras and I agreed that we would not have any pets until we settle down permanently, Marina said smiling as she watched the antics of her daughter.

Bernie looked wistfully at Anna, I wish I had had a daughter, but then it was not to be. Joe and I tried but it didn't happen and we preferred not to adopt… so we have our Pompey and she gives us much joy. It sounds like you and Petras are not planning to stay around here?

Marina looked at Bernie for a moment wondering if she should tell her about yesterday.

Well we are very happy here, we have a nice flat and nice neighbours like you and your husband, but we would like to move to a quieter place, maybe in the country and if Anna ever gets a little brother or sister we would need a bigger flat. I think I should tell you something though.

Bernie turned and gave Marina her full attention, What is that Marina dear? she asked Marina related to her the events from the day before.

It was quite frightening Bernie. The man was so aggressive; he could see that Anna was only running just inside the gate to get her ball. What kind of a man behaves like that with a little child! And I am sure I heard him beating his son one day, out in the garden! I mean, who are these people? They don't own that house do they? Are they renting or what? They are so dirty and nasty, how is it that they are allowed to live there?

I don't know Marina, I was only asking Joe the same question last week, Bernie replied I remember, about last February I think it was, a woman knocked on the door and asked me if I knew anything about the couple who lived there. I did see them coming and going, nice big posh cars, they had a daughter too. Lived fairly quietly, no big parties like that lot that's there now. All of a sudden they were gone, the place was empty and ‘For Sale’ signs went up. Maybe the bank crash affected them too, who knows. I think it was her sister who was looking for them - funny that, you'd think her sister would know where they were! Anyway, I have a strong feeling that that lot are squatting. I also heard that there was a raft of burglaries in the area. If the Gardaí went and searched that place they might find the stolen goods, but then people like that are smart, they wouldn't keep stolen goods where they are living, they're probably locked up somewhere or already sold on more than likely. Best to just keep out of their way. They'll be moved on sooner or later.

Anna and Pompey were now having a great game of chase around the garden; the dolls pram had been abandoned. Anna was laughing loudly and Pompey was barking.

SHUT UP. Shut that bloody dog up or I'll do it for you! Came a yell from the other side of the fence.

Bernie and Marina looked at each other in fright. Marina jumped up and ran over to Anna, picking her up and holding her tight in her arms.

Time to go in Anna, let’s get your pram and take your dolls up to your room.

Marina let Anna slide to the ground when they were beside the pram, she had panicked but quickly controlled herself, not wanting to convey her feelings to her daughter.

What's the matter Mama, Pompey and I were having a game? Anna asked. She obviously had not heard the shout, as she was so engrossed with Pompey.

Pompey, Pompey, come on girl, Bernie called lifting up her dog to take her inside.

That's right, you run along into your little boxes and pack yourselves off back to where you came from! Came another tirade from the other side of the fence. And if I was you Mrs. I'd keep my eye on that little barking scut, there's enough meat on it for a good meal and I might just be hungry enough to try it one of these days! He went off and they could hear his cackling laugh receding and then a door banging.

Ooh my Lord, what a terrible thing to say about my little Pompey. I won't let her out of my sight. I have been allowing her to run about the garden on her own at times, never again. Marina this is terrible. This is not a reflection of Irish people. That fellow is deranged. I think I will call the Gardaí and see if they know anything. I'm going in to tell Joe. Goodbye Marina. Bye bye Anna, see you soon. Come in later and I’ll give you some sweeties. Bernie hurried into her ground floor flat.

Marina carried Anna and her pram up the stairs to their second floor flat.

What was that mean man saying about Pompey? Pompey is not a scut, she's a Poodle… silly man!

With great effort Marina laughed with Anna, You are right Anna, he is a very silly man!

That evening when Petras came home he asked Marina if there had been any trouble from next door and although she was tempted not to tell him she didn't like to keep secrets, so she told him the whole story. He was livid.

So you can't even go out in our back garden now, without this gurrier shouting abuse over the fence! Marina I will have to go and sort him out. Petras drummed his fingers on the table.

Bernie said that she was going to tell Joe and they were going to call the Gardaí Marina told him, wishing now that she hadn't said anything.

OK, well I'll just pop down and see if they did and what transpired, I'll be back in a minute.

Petras went out of the door and Marina was left sitting in silence. She got up and proceeded to do the routine clearing up of the evening. Anna was in bed asleep, worn out after her fun in the garden and her trip to Phoenix Park.

About fifteen minutes later Petras returned and sat down in his recliner.

Well? What did they say? Marina looked at him expectedly.

They called the Gardaí and were told that they are aware of the situation. Evidently the bank have repossessed the house, the owners simply packed up and disappeared about six weeks ago. The people who are there now are squatters and unless the Gardaí have a court order to move them on there's nothing much they can do. The Shanes were told to just ignore them, they are all mouth and if there is anything further, to call back, but in the meantime they suggested it is best not to annoy them.

Not to annoy THEM! Marina exclaimed. THEM! We are paying rent and we are law-abiding people and living nicely here! They are illegally living in there and they shout at us to go away and the Gardaí tell us not to annoy THEM! Marina was really fired up and couldn't understand that Petras was just sitting in his chair drumming his fingers on the arms and looking straight ahead.

Mmmmm, but the other thing is that they have 'friends'! The reason the Garda said not to annoy them is that there could be reprisal. The Gardaí are working on legally moving them on but it could take time. If the Shanes or we cause any trouble for them, they or their 'friends', said Petras clicking his fingers on either side of his head, might come and take it out on us!

What do you mean? ‘Take it out on us'? What could they do? Marina asked sitting down on the settee.

Petras got up and moved over to sit beside her. He put his arm around her and said, Well they could come and hurt little Pompey, throw some poisoned meat over the fence, or fling a brick through a window. There are lots of things they could do. You know I would love to go in and sort them out, but I could be upsetting a hornet's nest, if we ended up having their friends come after us!

This just gets worse and worse, I thought we were in the land of freedom, but this is freedom for the bad guys too! Marina leaned back into his arms and closed her eyes. All we have to do is carry on as we have been doing, avoid any contact with them. Mrs. Shane is not going to let Pompey out in the garden or out of her sight for a minute. Very soon they will be gone out of our lives. They have been there for a while but evidently it won't be long before they will be gone. This is the best way Marina. Make sure you always have your cellphone with you if you are out and call me immediately, if there is any trouble. Now, let’s have some tea. Petras smiled at her, gave her a squeeze and got up to put the kettle on.

Marina went to check on Anna who was sleeping peacefully. ‘Well at least we live on the second floor with secure windows and hall door. I wouldn't want Petras tackling that lot anyway, getting hurt and who knows what could happen,’ Marina thought to herself as she wandered back to the living room.

She looked around and again felt happy with her lot. They had a nice little flat here, it wasn't too expensive, two bedrooms, a little room that they used for all the extras like Anna's larger toys, a little desk and computer for herself and Petras to use, some camping equipment, it was amazing how things accumulated. They had a fair sized bathroom with a bath and a shower. The kitchen cum living room was quite large allowing for a table to eat at beside the kitchen. They had a nice sitting area at the other end with big windows that looked out on the garden. When they moved in they had painted all the rooms bright colours. Anna's bedroom was pink of course with lots of little girlie decorations, theirs was a nice cool moss green with several ‘stick on’ flowers and willow branches for effect, the kitchen wall was tiled in multi colours with fitted wooden cabinets and the living room was a warm shade of primrose yellow. Marina had made the curtains for each room using material that she bought at the markets. The floors were all carpeted, seeing as they were above the flat below they couldn't have hard floors which would have been easier to keep, especially with a three year old running about. The carpet had been newly laid when they moved in and she liked the colour, which was light brown. She loved this home of theirs, even though it was only a stepping-stone to where they would ultimately set down roots. No lay-abouts like that lot next door were going to spoil this.

The Bútas and the Shanes carried on their lives carefully avoiding any contact with the squatters next door. Bernie never let Pompey out in the garden and always kept him on a lead outside the house. She enjoyed going to the park where she could let him off the lead for a run about. In the same way Marina kept strict control on little Anna, never going past the house next door and she changed the area of her shopping to the opposite direction. Life fell into a more relaxed pattern and both families reduced in stress to the extent that they virtually forgot about the nasty neighbours. Reminded only occasionally, when they heard the man yelling or shouting about something.

Chapter 2

Tuesday ~ Donnelly

The April morning air was crisp but the sun was shining as the Donnellys stood and looked at the hall door, they were so delighted to be back home again. One thing seemed very strange as they stood gazing at their home; they noticed that all the windows had what looked like sheets hanging across each one.

Stephanie turned to Mervyn and said, Mervyn, how come there are sheets hanging on the windows?

Mervyn had been looking around the garden and gathering up some of the luggage to carry up the steps and into the house.

What do you mean Stephanie?

Mervyn stood up straight, stretched his back and looked up at the windows of the house where he too saw what looked like scraggy sheets hanging across all the downstairs windows.

Well, I don't know Steph, it's certainly not the way we left it, looks horrible. Maybe the bank sent someone over to put covers over the windows and that's the best they could come up with!

Stephanie was half way up the steps; she had left all of her luggage sitting on the driveway, she was so eager to get into the house. Meanwhile Brittany had taken a little walk around the side of the house. She came running back.

Dad! There is a guy sitting at the table on the deck at the back of the house! What is he doing there?

Mervyn was lugging one of the large suitcases up the steps, he stopped to catch his breath, not really comprehending what Brittany was saying to him. He continued to the top of the steps with the suitcase and fumbled in his pockets for the keys.

What did you say? A man is sitting at our table, on our deck, at the back of the house?" Stephanie asked Brittany.

Yes, replied Brittany. He looks a bit rough, his clothes are old and his hair is long and greasy!

What is going on? Come on Mervyn open the door and let's get inside! Stephanie said.

Brittany joined them at the hall door and eventually Mervyn found the bunch of keys, which included the hall door key. He reached up and put the key in the lock, but it wouldn't go in! He had a good look at it and then searched through the other keys on the ring and tried another similar key. It didn't work either.

What the heck is going on, is right! he said. I can't understand this, I put a piece of red tape on the key so I'd know which one it was, but it won't fit in the lock!

Oooh here let me have a go. Stephanie impatiently said as she grabbed the keys out of Mervyn's hand. She selected the key with the red tape on it and tried it this way and that but there was no way it was going to fit into the lock, that was obvious.

While they stood there it suddenly came to them that there was music coming from within!

Do you hear music? Stephanie asked looking from Mervyn to Brittany who both responded by nodding their heads up and down.

Tell you what, said Mervyn, I'll go round the back and see who the chap is, sitting on the deck, you girls stay here and watch the luggage.

What do you think is going to happen to it Mervyn! It's hardly going to walk itself down the drive is it? I'm coming with you, I want to see who the heck this guy is!

Stephanie stomped down the steps and headed for the back of the house.

OK, Brittany pet, would you just stay here and we’ll be back in a minute. Sit on the blue case and take it easy, Mervyn said giving her a quick hug before following Stephanie.

Brittany heaved a big sigh and sat on the blue case, which was Stephanie's and was the largest of the entire luggage.

Stephanie hurried along the path which ran around the side of the house, through a nice little rose arbor and past a large lock-up box that they used to keep some garden seat covers and cushions in. As she reached the corner that led into the rear of the house, she stopped and stepping in behind a bush that grew up against the wall, she carefully separated the small branches and peered through the leaves. Mervyn caught up with her by this time and she held her arm out so that he would stay behind her. As Brittany had said, there was a man sitting at their table on the deck, where they had so often enjoyed a cocktail or glass of wine on a summers evening.

Ssshhhhhh, Stephanie whispered to Mervyn, He’s there and he does look a bit of a rough type!

They swopped places and Mervyn peeked through the bush.

The man looked to be in his early twenties, unshaven face, shoulder length greasy reddish blond hair, green woollen sweater, worn jeans and cowboy boots. He was sitting quietly smoking a cigarette and drinking from a large mug. While Mervyn and Stephanie watched, they saw a female emerge from the sliding patio door.

Billy! There's some cat out front, at the bottom of the steps, sitting on a huge suitcase! There's a pile of luggage and bags! Have you told anyone to come live here? I thought I heard someone trying to get in through the hall door! What about Mick? Did he say anything at the party the other night? We don't have room for anyone else to move in!

Mervyn and Stephanie watched as 'Billy' jumped up from the table and ran indoors to follow the female.

What the hell are you talking about woman? I haven't told anyone about this place! You think I’m mad! Let me have a look!

Mervyn and Stephanie looked questioningly at each other and then both whispered in unison, Squatters!

They dashed around to the front of the house again where Brittany was patiently sitting on the case waiting. They looked up and noticed that one of the sheets was moving a little and they had no doubt that someone was looking out.

What shall we do? Stephanie said.

What's going on, did you talk to that guy? Brittany asked, getting off the case.

No we didn't, we think they're squatters, Mervyn replied to his daughter.

They! You mean there are more? Brittany shouted, standing up and looking at the sheet covered windows.

Sshhhhh Brittany, they don't know that we know they are in there! Let's think, what is the best thing to do. Mervyn turned his back to the house and started stroking and pinching his chin. We can knock on the door and demand that they leave, but from what I know, squatters won't go that easily. The alternative is to go over to the Garda station. That might be the best thing to do. What do you guys think?

Well, this is a fine kettle of fish! Stephanie grumbled as she settled herself sitting on the blue suitcase. I mean whatever we do, we have to drag all of this luggage with us! Another thing, we ordered those beds and they’ll be arriving soon! Do you think we should phone and move the delivery over a few days?

I feel we should knock on the door and see who is in there, Brittany remarked. Maybe they’re not squatters, maybe they’re just people passing through and needed somewhere to stay for a couple of nights. They might leave now that we are back.

They all looked at each other and after a few seconds, Mervyn turned, stared at the hall door and started up the steps. Nothing to lose by knocking on the door and seeing who is here and at least we will know what we are up against.

He rang the doorbell but didn't hear any sound, so he proceeded to bang on the door with his fist.

Nothing happened. The music had stopped. Mervyn banged again, Open the door, we know you are in there! We are not leaving until you come out!

All quiet. Mervyn banged again… If you don't open the door I’m going to call the Gardaí and that will be worse for you!

After another 15 seconds they heard a little shuffling noise inside.

Who are you? A male voice called out.

We are the owners of this house. More to the point, 'WHO' are you?

We live here, so go away and leave us alone. This was a female retort.

Mervyn banged on the door again.

I told you, if you don't open the door I’m going to call the Gardaí and then you will have more trouble on your hands!

An argument broke out on the other side of the door, 'he' was obviously intending to open the door and 'she' was objecting, scuffling could be heard. The door opened a few inches and they could see the blond man looking out.

What do you mean? You own this house? We know it's for sale and no one could have bought it so quickly. We have a right to be here so you may as well sling your hook!

Mervyn was thoroughly exasperated; this was not a situation he had anticipated.

We owned this house, we went away and left the agent to sell it, but we decided to come back and so we still own it and you certainly don't have any right to be here. Now, let us come in so that we can sort this out. I’m sorry if you thought that you could just park yourselves here but you’ll have to move on now.

Billy started to open the door a little more but the woman jumped forward and slammed it shut.

What do you think you are doing? Don't let them in or we'll never get them out. Then to those outside she shouted, Get off with you, do what you like but we're here and this is where we're staying!

Time was running on and Mervyn could see that they weren't going to achieve anything by standing there arguing with this pair of no-goods.

Come on girls we may as well find somewhere to stay for tonight and get this sorted.

He led them back down the steps and took his cellphone out, called directory inquiries for the Radisson Hotel and when he was put through he booked a couple of rooms. He also asked them to send a taxi over to pick them up.

It had passed through Stephanie's head, that while Mervyn had both of the squatters at the hall door she and Brittany could have run in through the back patio doors. But then what would they have done! Surprise the occupants and bashed them over their heads, overpowered them and pushed them out followed by any belongings they had in the house! Who knew what was going on in there? They could have been karate experts, or even armed and Stephi and Brittany would have ended up in big trouble. Broken limbs would not help the situation.

Mervyn went back up to the hall door, rang the bell and banged on the door, when he heard someone on the other side he shouted, ''Don't you think you've got away with this, we will be back and you better be gone when we return!''

‘‘Oooh yeah, you and who's army?'' the woman shouted back.

Mervyn, Stephanie and Bethany wheeled their luggage down the drive to the gate and waited for the taxi all deep in their own thoughts.

I'll ask the taxi driver to take us via the Garda Station and we can inform them of what's going on and see how we can get rid of these gurriers. Mervyn told his wife and daughter.

The taxi soon arrived and the driver took them over to the Blackrock Garda Station. Mervyn and Stephanie both went in, leaving Brittany in the cab.

There was a nice young Garda on duty and they explained their predicament to him. He asked them to wait a minute and he would get someone for them to talk to.

Five minutes of reading all the posters on the wall and starting to get a bit impatient before a Sergeant came out of one of the doors in the reception area.

Hello, I am Sergeant Morgan. I hear you have a bit of a problem with squatters? Would you like to come in and tell me the whole story?

Mervyn and Stephanie followed him along a corridor where there were a number of doors. Sergeant Morgan entered one that had a plaque on the door that said 'Interview Room 2'.

Hmmmm, thought Stephanie, I wonder what's going on in Room 1

Have a seat. Morgan indicated two chairs.

‘Ooh my! Talk about ‘déjà vu’! Stephanie whispered to Mervyn, as she looked around the room, noticing the large 'mirror' on the wall. Interview rooms in the USA or in little ole Ireland seem to be all the same!"

There was an untidy pile of papers on the table, which Sergeant Morgan gathered up and shuffled into shape, stacking them in a neat pile in front of him.

Let's start by getting some particulars, your names, dates of birth and address?

Mervyn, had not intended to commence a full-blown investigation, Brittany was sitting in the taxi outside and that the meter was running.

"Well Sergeant, it's very good of you to give us your time, but my daughter is waiting outside in a taxi. We are on our way to the Radisson, seeing as how we cannot access our house because it has been taken over by squatters! We stopped by to quickly find out what we need to do to get rid of them? If this is going to take some time, maybe we would be better to head on over to the hotel. Check in, get my daughter settled and then come back?''

Sergeant Morgan again picked up the papers and bounced the stack on the table, getting them even more neat and tidy.

I think that might be the best plan of action. I will need to record all of your particulars. There are several ways you can go. I can send a car over to your house with a couple of my men and see if we can ruffle the feathers of these people and get them to move on. But I’m sorry to say that my past experience of this kind of situation is, that you will probably have to take out a court order to have them evicted and this could take months to be accomplished.

MONTHS!! Stephanie and Mervyn cried out in unison. What are we supposed to do in the meantime?

Well, I suppose you will have to find somewhere else to live! Sergeant Morgan replied. You did leave the premises unsecured.

OK, Mervyn announced, standing up. Come on Steph, let’s get to the hotel, Sergeant Morgan, may we come back and see you after we’ve had something to eat and go through this in full?