Written for Pancreatic Cancer UK to fundraise and help raise awareness of this terrible illness after losing my dad in November 2020.

Part five of five – Crolly doll – word prompt from Gloria Mcbreen

Alone

I’ve been alone for over a year, and most of that time I’ve been angry at Robert for leaving.  The police hadn’t found his car, it had been decided that he had left me and was leading a new life.  The lockdown hadn’t helped, the police had tried to find him but the case was quickly dismissed.  I should have pursued it and believed in my marriage, but we had been going through a rough time. It was easy to think that he had just upped and left me.

Since learning that Aoife had been watching and listening to me most of my life, last year’s hurt had re-emerged. My husband hadn’t left me, he had been taken.  How can I explain this to the police? They closed the case months ago, how do you get a cold case reopened?

The answer came a few days later. Removing the doll from her box I was desperate for answers.  Holding it tight I closed my eyes, trying to see Robert. Nothing happened, just darkness, disappointed I put her down.

The grey haired man

Later, I was adding sugar to my tea as I saw a grey-haired man in my mind.  I didn’t know him, but I did recognise him.   About a year ago I had been buying coffee as a stranger knocked into me.  Since then, he has always nodded to me in the coffee shop.  Could it possibly be that Roberts captor is hiding in plain sight? Is he watching me too?   Sitting drinking coffee, I thought back to happier times.  I had been happy with Robert until he disappeared, I should have pursued him after the police dismissed his case.  I believed the police officer when he said that he had obviously left me.

Picking up the doll again, I saw the grey-haired man.  I had seen him so many times in the coffee shop, maybe he was known to them.  Glancing at the clock, it was just 3pm, grabbing my coat I needed to know who the grey-haired man is.

Walking to the shop, this last year has been hell, I need answers, it’s a shame that the doll can’t talk as I’m sure she knows where Robert is.

The coffee shop

As the owner told me his name, I stumbled, I had heard of him before.  Robert had mentioned him, but I had never thought that he might have captured him.  Walking back out of the shop, I pulled out my phone and dialled 999 and reported him.

It soon evolved that Rick Hayes owned a large estate and was known to the police.  Soon his land was crawling with police and police dogs.  A few hours later my phone rang.  A undisclosed number, I could feel my heart leap.

“Laura, you found me.”

“Robert, you still at the station, ill be straight there.”

“Laura they are bringing me home, wait there.”

Home

How had this been so easy? A year missing and its now that the doll chose to talk or communicate with me.   Pulling the doll out of its box, I stood it on the fire hearth.

As the police car arrived, I ran to the door and swung it open.  Seeing Robert standing there I was shaking to finally see him there.  Running to him, I held him close, walking into the house the police followed.  Noticing the officers nudging each other, something was wrong.

“The Crolly doll, how long have you had it?”

“Over forty years, but it’s been in a box most of it.”

“Our grey headed man was waffling about a Crolly doll when we arrested him. Do you know much about them?”

“All I know is that my Grandmother bought her for me from a charity shop, we don’t know its history. However, a lady called Aoife in a care home in Limerick made them.  She says that when making them she saw me.  This was before I was born, so not sure why Robert and I are so significant.”

“Well Rick Hayes doll saved Robert’s life.  It is the only reason why he hid him rather than kill him.  Have you heard of the Crolly legend?”

“What legend?”

“It is said that when the dolls were made, close family relatives of the makers would be forever protected.”

“I think I need to talk to Erin, Aoifes daughter”.

Erin must be in her eighties; my grandmother would have been a similar age to Aoife if she was still alive. My parents had both passed away.  The only answer here is that Aoife is maybe my grandmother’s sister.  She did have a sister, but they hadn’t spoken in many years.

A changed life

Pleased to have Robert home and I now have two aunts that I didn’t know existed.  Our family are now back together, thanks to the Crolly dolls.  If only I had pulled it out of its box sooner.  Aoife had spent her life listening to me, she didn’t know that I was her niece.  Things could have been different, but it’s always made me nervous.  Now it sits watching over the room,  the doll and Aoife had saved Robert from a lifetime of torment and possible death.

My life has completely changed, I look at Robert and hold his hand.  I’m never going to lose faith in him again, he is staying, no plans to disappear anywhere. Things have changed for the better even with our creepy doll watching us.

Here is my  fundraising page if you would like to donate.  Any size donation is appreciated,

Written for A story a day for Pancreatic Cancer UK