Strange Sally Diamond

And yet, I do not feel free of him. My life has been blighted and destroyed. It is only because of the age of the internet that I was able to get any information about you or him, or my mother. I finally learned that my mother was dead. After you hit the headlines when you disposed of your adoptive father’s remains two years ago, I began to investigate what happened to you and where you had been. Previous reports gave the impression that you had been adopted in England.

When the newspapers subsequently confirmed that you had not murdered Dr Diamond, and that you were ‘different’, I realized that you were probably like me. That’s why I sent Toby to you. I thought he might bring you some comfort at such a difficult time.

It didn’t cross my mind when I sent you the teddy bear that it would lead to a police hunt for our father in New Zealand. I didn’t think it through at all, but obviously you must have thought that he had sent it to you to torment you. The police tracked me down and questioned me, but I lied and denied everything. I was a coward. I am so sorry, but I did not want to be dragged into a public scandal. I showed the police Dad’s fake passport. I guess they didn’t investigate that too much, because they didn’t come around again. And anyway, they weren’t looking for a man with a son. I don’t understand that. They didn’t seem to be aware that our father had a son?

This year, I realized that you would probably not know your date of birth so I sent you the birthday card, but I did not know how or if I should reveal myself to you. I hope that my existence is merely a surprise rather than a shock. Or perhaps you have always known about me?

The main reason I am contacting you is because I have nobody in my life. I have never had a friend or a colleague, but now I find a sister who might understand me. Do you think that is possible?

I am currently in Dublin in a hotel. I bought a pay-as-you-go mobile phone and even though I am not used to talking on the phone, I will make an effort if you would like to talk to me.