Kim's Game

if you've just arrived

                                                           Read from the beginning                      

Epilogue

Most of you will now know what happened when I finally met my father and Helen in Peter’s flat.

I’d spent weeks as one person only to discover that I had been quite another for the last year or two.  But I’ve decided to stick with the person I invented.  The Laura who did all those things for her father wasn’t the real Laura anyway.  I’m going to be a new Laura now.  I know who I am and I'm going to be satisfied with that.

I went to the police. By the time they got to the bar, my father was long gone.  Which just leaves me.  My lawyer says that if I give evidence, if I ‘fully co-operate’ and tell them everything I know, I may get a suspended sentence.  Helen and Peter are prepared to vouch for me.

I am still living at Peter’s flat – but not as man and wife or anything like that.  He’s a good friend and we would both have been lonely without the other this past fortnight.  He’s going to help me through the next few months until this is all settled.

My mother and sister have also come to London.  It was great to see Kim and, in a way, my mum as well.  Of course, they’re shocked by what I did and what I got involved with.  But they know it’s in the past now.   

When Stephan joined us, it was just like old times.  Mum was a bit frosty to begin with, but then she started teasing him – was he Geoff, was he Jonathan?  He blushed – he always thinks he’s got to keep things ‘discreet’, make sure the embassy doesn’t find out.

But Nicolas, where are you?  Where have you gone?  Just as I discover everyone else, I lose you.  You were right to go.  I wish I’d gone with you.  But I’ve got the photo of you and I hope you've still got the photo of me.  Get in touch when you’re ready.

And in spite of everything, I hope I see my dad again some day.  He did a terrible thing, but he knew I was going to the police and he didn’t try and stop me.  He knew it was what I needed to do.  That means something.  He gave me a chance and now I've got to use it.

the end

To find out the whole story, listen to the BBC World Service on February 16th 2008. 

Australasia: Sat 0801 rpt Sun 0201, 1001
East Asia: Sat 0801 rpt 1001
South Asia: Sat 2201 rpt Sun 1101, 1501
East Africa: Sat 1801 rpt Sun 0101, 0801
West Africa: Sat 2101 rpt 0001
Middle East: Sat 1801 rpt Sun 0001, 1001
Europe: Sat 2001 rpt Sun 0201, 2201
Americas: Sat 2001 rpt Sun 0201, Mon 0601
All times GMT

Or listen on-line.

If you'd like to leave a comment, click on Comments below.

By posting a comment below, you agree with the terms which allow the BBC to use your contribution here, on-air or elsewhere

Now I Know, And It's Not Safe Any More

As soon as I saw Peter, I recognised him.  And I remembered how we met and, more importantly, where we met.  I went into his apartment - our apartment? - and felt home, felt secure.  I know here - this is Peter's laptop I'm using - I am safe. 

But he's right, I can't keep telling everyone what I'm doing, letting people know where I'll be - there are those who are worried about what I know, what I might say.  I'm going to have to stop blogging.  This will be my last post.  So thank you everyone who has helped me to get this far.  I wouldn't be here without you.

Peter says I should go to the police but how can I?  'Family' has to mean something, doesn't it?  I wish my sister Kim was here - she feels like the last member of my family I can trust, she'd know what to do.  I thought about phoning my mother but even if she wanted to, I don't think she could help much.

But Helen, I've been following you.  I've been watching you and I watched you go all the way to the club.  You pretended to be such an innocent, such a Good Samaritan, rescuing me, and all along you were just covering for him.  Weren't you?  I'm so hurt.  And Anna, you were the first to alert me to Helen.   But then you disappeared and I've been left to deal with her alone.

Peter's just come in the room.  He says there's a man at the door.  One of the men he saw at the club - the man in that photo I found at Helen's.  And there's a woman with him.  Apparently they won't go away until they've talked to me.

I've got to go and face them.  Whatever happens, I have to do this. 

And then I'll know everything.

By posting a comment below, you agree with the terms which allow the BBC to use your contribution here, on-air or elsewhere

I'm Back In London On My Way To See My 'Husband'

So much has happened.  I've gone back to London (sorry, Mo, no time to meet you), I've picked up my credit cards and everything else - Martin, you should have told me there was my phone and those notes and everything.   And I have rung the man who said he was my husband.  I'm just posting this in an internet cafe on my way to meet him.  We didn't want to talk too long on the phone but  he says he can explain.  But he also said he was worried about this blog, that 'others' might be reading it and maybe I should keep my discoveries to myself until I know everything.  I've been starting to think the same.

By posting a comment below, you agree with the terms which allow the BBC to use your contribution here, on-air or elsewhere