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.

Comments

[Frank Kennedy]

Laura

Well done. It was hard to make sense of all the information that appeared on your blog, but you managed it in the end, didn't you? Kim's Game turned out to be exciting. Congratulations to you, and to the BBC World Service for publicising your story.

Best wishes