The Secret in the Cellar : Episode 548

Our story begins in the '70s, when Harry Jarvis met Carol Maynard.

Carol was just 17 years old at the time.

Harry was 29, a 12-year age difference that, particularly given Carol's age, this caused some concern within her family.

But despite family opposition, the relationship continued and developed, and in 1982, Harry and Carol were married.

The couple went on to have four children: Susan, Graham, Kevin, and Kimberly.

And in 1991, the family made a significant move, leaving London and relocating to Scotland, settling in the town of Bathgate, which is about 20 miles west of Edinburgh.

Carol enjoyed it in Scotland.

She settled really well into her new community.

She became a Brownie and Girl Guide leader, something that she really enjoyed.

She didn't have a huge amount of time for hobbies.

But when she was able to get a night out, she loved to go dancing.

But more than anything, Carol loved being a mum.

She was caring and devoted to her children, immersing herself in all aspects of their lives.

Harry, meanwhile, he was different.

He worked as a coach driver, a job that involved traveling long distances and often meant he was away from home for extended periods, leaving Carol to manage the childcare and the family life back home in Bathgate.

But there would be even longer periods when Harry was absent, this time due to his involvement in petty criminality.

He served prison sentences for dishonesty offenses, including embezzlement and fraud.

In 1985, a judge described him as a thoroughly dishonest man.

On one occasion, Harry failed to answer bail, and he was eventually found sleeping in his car at Epping Forest and arrested.

He also frequently used checks knowing that they would bounce.

And although he was always trying to get rich and attempted to set up various businesses, he simply didn't have the capital or the ability needed to get them off the ground.

Thankfully, Carol was of a very different nature to Harry.

She was responsible, proactive, and her first thoughts were always about her family, and particularly her children, in stark contrast to the way that Harry lived his life.

The old cliche we're always told is that opposites often attract, isn't it? But in this case, their very different personalities would gradually begin to put a real strain on their relationship.

But even so, Carol, who was loyal almost to a fault, remained devoted to her husband and did everything she could to shield the children from his behavior and the problems that he was getting himself into.