I stood on shaky legs, and it took me a moment to sense the uncomfortable energy in the room. Then I heard Noah addressing his audience.
“So that’s the truth behind the man you all thought of so fondly. He wasn’t a gentleman. He was a devil in a three-piece suit.” I realised quite shockingly that Noah had just recounted most of what I’d seen in my vision to the room. He’d told them all the truth about his family. “My father’s friends witnessed him act in the most inhuman ways. They even enjoyed it. And it benefited them to do nothing because Victor was a speculator. He made them a lot of money, once upon a time. So, what if he liked to beat his son, rape his daughter? It’s not your business to get involved, right? RIGHT?” There was that wildness in his eyes, the mania I caught glimpses of now and then shining through.
As I looked around the room, I noticed people were casting disgusted glances at Victor’s friends. I was disgusted, too. Especially at Principal Hawkins. He’d given false witness against Noah to save Sylvia from scrutiny. I couldn’t believe it. There were few things lower than conspiring to put an innocent man behind bars. No, an innocent child. Now I truly understood Noah’s disdain for Hawkins, and why he enjoyed messing with his head.
Now everyone in town knew the truth, and the weight of it hung heavy in the air. Noah picked up his glass, savouring the moment. I thought he might be a little drunk. Maybe he needed the liquid courage to make such a shocking and disturbing speech. Principal Hawkins had started making his way toward Noah. “That’s enough. Nobody wants to hear any more of your lies.”
Noah laughed, a crazed look in his eyes. “I think everyone knows I’m not lying, John.”
I spotted Sally and Kean, distress and fear on their faces. Their precious parents had been exposed for what they truly were. Matt O’Hare looked like he was ready to fight Noah, and Enda Riordan stood next to his wife, quietly furious. Mayor McBride’s husband held her to him as she wept shamefully.
I couldn’t believe the mayhem Noah had unleashed, all in the space of a few minutes, but I knew one thing was for certain. I had to get him out of there. Vee was nowhere to be seen. She probably fled as soon as Noah started telling his story.
I made my way through the guests and got in between Noah and Hawkins. I eyed my ex-principal square in the eye. “I think you should leave.”
“Oh, I’m leaving all right, but make no mistake,” he said, looking past me to Noah. “You’ll be hearing from my solicitor. What you said tonight is tantamount to slander.”
“It’s not slander if it’s the truth,” Noah retorted. “But you’re right. You should contact your solicitor. I hope you have a good one.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Hawkins fumed.
Noah grinned viciously. “You’ll see.”
I felt his warmth at my back, the fury for Hawkins radiating out of him in white hot rage. Hawkins looked scared now. He backed away, taking his shellshocked wife’s hand and storming out. I turned to address the guests still in the room. Someone had to put an end to this madness. “My apologies, but I’m going to have to ask you all to leave,” I stated loudly.
I turned back to Noah, and our gazes clashed. For a moment, he looked unsure, like now that I knew the truth, I might reject him. Didn’t he know that the truth only made me love him more? What he and Vee had gone through was horrifying, but none of it was their fault. I wrapped my arms around him tight. He seemed surprised by my embrace, his hands coming to rest unsteadily on my lower back.
“I’m so sorry for everything that happened to you,” I whispered into his neck. He didn’t say a word, his posture stiff. But I didn’t let go, and eventually he melted into my hug like he needed it more than oxygen. “I can’t believe Vee’s your mother. Why didn’t you tell me?” I whispered.
“Because I like the way you look at me, and I didn’t think you’d still look at me that way if you knew,” he answered. I pulled back to meet his eyes. “I’m an abomination, Estella, born from darkness and misery. Unlovable.”
“That’s not true. Victor and Sylvia tried to make you believe that, but you’re loveable, Noah. And I love you.”
“I don’t believe you,” he said, but his eyes were full of hope. He wanted to believe.
I brought my hand up to caress his cheek. “You once told me that sometimes you couldn’t tell if you were being righteous or irrational, and I told you I’d be there to let you know. Well, I think the same principal can be applied to this. Noah, you are not an abomination,” I said, my words unequivocal.