Scarlet Runner

by Lily Ennis

  The sister rushed out of the ward scooting the remaining police out of the room. ‘Out, out. You can wait outside the building with the rest.’

  Mary frowned. What were they talking about? She found Archie’s hand under the covers and clasped it. He didn’t stir. She studied his bandaged head and lacerated cheek. She willed him to flicker his eyes to tell her he knew she was there.

  ‘Oh, Archie,’ Mary whispered. A tear trickled down her cheek as she relived tender moments they’d shared and she subconsciously spun the rings on her finger.

  She sat for hours and nobody came to get her or bring her a cup of tea. She was a pariah. She thought the nurses would have been more compassionate, professional. At least she could be with Archie, she was grateful for that. It was the longest time she’d ever sat and gazed at him. She wanted to trace his strong jaw with the back of her hand. She wanted to kiss away the rawness on his cheek so that when he opened his chocolate eyes he was perfect again.

  Sometime in the late afternoon Mary was interrupted by a hand on her shoulder. She startled, surprised that she’d nodded off. She looked up to see a nurse.

  ‘There’s a lady here for you,’ the nurse said in a broad Scots accent.

  Mary followed her out of the ward, glancing at the scabs who lay in their beds as she passed.

  Isabelle rushed at her friend, a gaggle of children clinging to her. Fanny and Thomas ran to Mary.

  ‘Can we see daddy?’ asked Fanny.

  The women exchanged glances. ‘He’s not awake yet,’ Mary explained, ‘but if you’re very quiet I’ll take you in. She held a finger to her lips and took each of the children by the hand. ‘Wait for us,’ she said to Isabelle.

  The children squeezed Mary’s hands and looked all around as Mary led them to their father’s bedside.

  ‘Daddy’s sleeping,’ whispered Fanny. Thomas tried to climb on the bed but Fanny checked him. ‘Don’t, Thomas,’ she said pulling him back down. ‘Daddy’s tired. He’s sleeping,’

  Presently Mary returned to Isabelle, who took her aside. ‘Things have moved fast, Mary. There are mobs of Arbitrationists going about town telling families to leave and if they don’t they’ll blow up our houses or burn them to the ground.’

  Mary clasped Isabelle’s hand. ‘To you? Have they been to you?’

  Isabelle nodded and clutched the baby closer to her. ‘They have.’

  ‘They can’t do it, Issy, they can’t!’

  ‘They’re doing it, Mary.’ She dropped her voice to a harsh whisper. ‘The police led the attack on the hall. They planted a policeman to lead an attack. The whole thing was planned. And now the police are going around searching our houses and seizing whatever they can.’

  ‘When’s Ian coming home?’

  ‘He’ll be on tonight’s train.’

  Mary bit her lip. ‘Issy, I must stay with Archie. Can you keep the children a bit longer?’

  ‘Of course.’

  ‘Surely it’s not safe for you to go home alone?’

  Isabelle forced a smile. ‘It would be a sad day if a woman and five children couldn’t walk home without being attacked.’

  * * *

  Mary went back to her vigil and when the ward sister tried to remove her she made such an impassioned plea to stay that the sister relented. As darkness fell Ian arrived. He rushed to Mary.

  ‘How is he?’

  Mary shrugged. ‘I don’t know. It just looks like he’s sleeping.’

  Ian peered at Archie. ‘He’s taken some fierce blow by the look of it.’

  ‘Yes he did.’ Mary clutched Ian’s arm. ‘They say Archie shot that man over there and that he’s a policeman.’

  ‘Did he?’

  Mary wrung her hands. ‘I don’t know. Archie would never shoot a man. Although I know he was armed, but...’ She frowned. ‘I just don’t know.’

  Ian took a step towards the man with the stomach wound who was awake but groggy.

  ‘Police!’ Ian spat. ‘If you think this is the end think again. It’s just the beginning for you. You’ll never get away with it.’

  Mary shushed him. ‘You’ll get us thrown out.’

  ‘Mary, you can’t stay here all night.’

  ‘I can’t leave. I can’t.’

  ‘Have you eaten?’

  She shook her head.

  ‘There’s nothing you can do by sitting here all night,’ said Ian. He gently took her by the elbow. ‘Let me take you home.’

  Mary still resisted. ‘The children are with Isabelle.’

  ‘They can stay there. Come on,’ he replied. ‘I’ll walk you home to your mother’s. Come back tomorrow. You’re no good to Archie if you can’t stay awake.’

  Suddenly the thought of sleep in her own bed was appealing.

  ‘It’s dangerous on the streets, Ian. It would be safer if I went on my own.’

  ‘Nonsense. I’d not be doing my duty to Archie if I let you walk through town alone.’

  Mary forced a smile then turned to Archie. She kissed him on his forehead.

  A strong police presence remained outside the hospital but they let Mary and Ian pass without comment. As they neared the main road Mary saw people dashing past, most carrying bags or pushing a trolley.

  ‘What’s going on?’

  ‘People are leaving,’ Ian answered. ‘They’re heading for the train.’

  As they crossed the road someone called out to Mary. ‘Pack your bags, Mary. Come with us. They’ve won.’ It was Bessie. She lugged two suitcases, stumbling as she tried to keep up with her husband and kids.

  ‘What will we do, Ian?’ asked Mary.

  In the dark Mary couldn’t see the worry on Ian’s face but his voice betrayed his fears.

  ‘You take care of Archie for now,’ he said woodenly. ‘I’ll not be leaving.’

  They slipped off the main street taking the back road, but there were still folk panicking to leave. Then a great explosion ripped through the air. A glow pierced into the night above the housing.

  ‘Oh my God!’ Ian yelled. ‘The hall.’

  Without pause they threaded back up onto the main street where a riotous commotion was in full swing. Jack was running away giving clasping Arbitrationist hands the slip.

  ‘Jack!’ Mary called. ‘Jack!’

  ‘Stay there,’ Jack yelled. ‘Don’t come any closer. They’re mad, the bastards. Threw gelignite at the hall.’

  Mary threw her hands to her face. ‘Oh no! Is anyone hurt?’

  ‘Nah.’

  Jack approached them, still in the shadows and watched the riot. It was a fever they’d got themselves into, fuelled by the riot. It gave them the courage to do what they’d always wanted.

  Suddenly the sign on the hall demanding that William and his comrades be released was torn down and then a British ensign was hoisted to much cheering.

  Ian tugged Mary’s arm. ‘Come on. Jack, go home. Don’t leave your sister at night. Do you hear me?’

  They arrived at Emily’s without incident although Ian could see shadows at the far end of the street. He quickly saw Mary to the door then took a circuitous route home.

  * * *

  Emily rushed to greet Mary and embraced her. ‘I’ve been so worried. Sam says there was a shooting. Where have you been?’

  Mary threw herself into a chair while Percy and Sam joined their mother to hear Mary’s news.

  ‘Archie’s in hospital with head wounds,’ Mary explained. ‘He took a knock. He’s unconscious.’ She buried her hands to her face. She wanted to cry but couldn’t and sighed deeply.

  ‘Sam,’ said Emily. ‘Please tell me you’re not involved.’

  Sam was incredulous. ‘I’m here aren’t I? I’m not out there threatening people.’ He shook his head sadly. ‘I told you, I only want to work. I haven’t done anyone any harm. I haven’t done anything wrong.’

  Emily patted his hand.

  ‘What about Jack?’ asked Percy.

  Mary hesitated. Percy would find out sooner or later
what Jack’s been up to. What right did she have to filter information to him. She forced a thin smile. ‘Jack’s fine.’

  ‘Are there really so many people leaving?’ It was Emily.

  ‘I saw them,’ Mary replied.

  ‘Jack wouldn’t leave without his dad,’ said Percy. ‘Did you see him, Mary? He could be in trouble. Could I go and get him? And Errol and Catherine. They’d be safe here.’

  Emily bristled. ‘Absolutely not! Have you been listening to your sister? It’s dangerous on the streets.’

  ‘But, ma.’

  ‘No one is leaving this house tonight. We’ll see tomorrow. Sam can go with you.’

  Emily set a cup of tea in front of Mary. ‘I think it’s time you gave this up,’ she said.

  ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘I’ve seen my family torn apart by this strike. And by you,’ she added.

  Mary gasped. ‘Is that what you think? That this is my fault! How can you say that? What about Sam?’

  ‘What about me?’

  ‘You started it,’ Mary snapped. ‘Going out on your own. You started it.’

  ‘Stop it!’ Emily cried. ‘I’ll have none of that in my house. This family will be united from now on. Do you understand?’

  Mary chewed the inside of her cheek before carefully choosing her words. ‘You’re asking me to choose a life of unprincipled peace over the man I love.’ She slowly shook her head. ‘How can I simply change sides just to stay out of harm’s way? Do you think I’m playing a game just because it’s Archie’s way? No! I cannot do as you ask. I love Archie. We are in this struggle together. I will be at his side until the end.’ She held up her ring finger to emphasise the point.

  Emily huffed. She wished Gerald was here. She let Mary go to bed then sat alone in the dark wondering what to do.

  The next morning Percy left the house before anyone got up so Sam accompanied Mary to the hospital before he started work. A few people were out and about. Even Dardar was on his seat.

  ‘Is Rose with Clara, Dardar?’ Mary asked.

  ‘As far as I know,’ he grumbled. ‘Didn’t come home last night.’

  ‘If you see her, tell her I’m at the hospital,’

  Sam dragged Mary’s arm. ‘Come on, sis. I have to go to work.’

  Police still milled around the hospital. Mary braced herself to walk through the throng while Sam peeled off to go to the mine.

  A fierce antiseptic smell hit her as she walked in. She wondered if it was as strong yesterday or she was too preoccupied to notice. The same ward sister was on duty, her demeanour softer than yesterday.

  ‘No change today,’ she said simply.

  Mary took her place by Archie’s side and kissed his cheek. Did he appear paler? Was his breath more shallow? What did she know about any of those things? Mary placed her hand on Archie’s and waited.

  The minutes ticked by, her mind filled but not filled, thoughts banished to tomorrow. Minutes turned into hours and although there was activity around the shooting victims, Mary was only disturbed by the occasional staccato breath of Archie.

  Suddenly Archie appeared to gasp and then there was nothing. Mary let out a little scream and shook him, panic rising in her gut. ‘Archie!’

  There was no response.

  ‘Sister!’ Mary cried. ‘Quick, sister.’

  The woman rushed to Mary’s side and shut Archie’s eyelids.

  ‘No!’ Mary moaned. ‘No, no, no.’

  The sister put an arm around Mary’s shoulders, but Mary threw herself on Archie, screaming. ‘Archie, no, no.’

  ‘Come on, dear,’ said the sister.

  With tears streaming down her cheeks, Mary shrugged the woman away. ‘Leave me.’

  The sister sat Mary down. ‘Shush now. I’ll give you a few minutes. Is there a next of kin?’

  Mary nodded. ‘Joe. Joe Wright.’

  By the time the sister returned word had got around that Archie had died. Joe and Ian arrived at the hospital at the same time. An uneasy peace settled between them. Mary had quietened to silent sobbing, her whole body wracked with involuntary bursts. Through her haze she heard Ian and Joe discuss what should happen to Archie. When Ian suggested Archie would be seen as a martyr Joe agreed his brother could be buried in Auckland, all expenses borne by the Federation of Labour.

  Ian helped Mary out of the hospital past the now silent crowd of police. ‘Pack your bags, Mary. We’ll all leave tomorrow morning with Archie. Joe will take you home.’

  ‘We’ll all leave? Where will we go?’ she asked.

  Ian frowned. He knew she meant who would she stay with but he had no idea and he didn’t want to add to her worries. ‘Auckland,’ he answered.

  Chapter Twenty Eight

  Garrick collected Mary before dawn. She left a note on the table for her mother telling her not to worry; she’d be home soon. As they rode up the main street shop owners had got up early to watch who was leaving. Some hurled insults. At the corner to Jack’s road Mary called Garrick to stop. She climbed out of the cart.

  ‘Wait here,’ she yelled, already hitching her skirt and running up the hill. She tore through the gate. Everything was still, the air punctuated with only the distant sounds of wagons in the main street. She ran to the front door and knocked but there was no response. As she started to go around the side of the house a ladder dropped out of the tree.

  ‘Wait,’ called Jack.

  He climbed down.

  ‘Jack! Are you all right? Where’s your brother and sister?’

  Jack called them down and Mary explained they had to leave. She gave them ten minutes to pack.

  ‘How long have you been hiding in that tree?’ asked Mary.

  ‘Only two days,’ said Catherine. ‘It was fun the first night, but not so much fun the second night. I’m glad you came.’

  Mary smiled. ‘Percy was worried about you,’ she said and took the little girl’s hand.

  At the station other Federationists waited. Isabelle and Clara stood with Ian, five children between them and piles of suitcases. Clara fished a white handkerchief from her purse and handed it to Mary. Trust Clara to notice Mary’s red eyes, puffy from a night of sobbing into her pillow. Mary took it without thanks. Clara had always dreamed of living in the city but not like this; not without her beloved treasures, her husband still in gaol. Perhaps, of them all, Clara would not return to Waihi. Rose and Meg rushed to Mary.

  ‘I’m so sorry, Mary,’ they said in unison, both embracing her.

  Then the tears flowed again. She was all right all morning. Too busy for more tears. She wondered how she still had so many. She dabbed at her face with Clara’s handkerchief.

  ‘Is Archie on board?’ Mary asked.

  Ian nodded.

  Suddenly Mary remembered the children. ‘Fanny! Thomas! Where are they?’

  ‘With Joe and Sybil,’ Isabelle replied.

  Mary shook her head. ‘Archie wouldn’t want that,’ she said.

  ‘It’s just for now,’ said Isabelle.

  ‘I want Fanny and Thomas to farewell their father.’ Mary gripped Ian’s arm. ‘Please.’

  A whistle sounded and then there was a call to board. Garrick helped Mary with her suitcases and she climbed aboard but would not settle. She leaped from her seat and ran down the aisle.

  ‘Mary!’ called Rose. ‘What are you doing?’

  The conductor headed Mary off. ‘I need to see Archie,’ Mary cried. ‘I mean, his coffin. Are you sure it’s aboard?’

  The man was taken aback but kindly. ‘If you’ll follow me, miss,’ he said. He led her through to the last carriage. It was empty but for Archie’s coffin. Mary smiled weakly to the man. ‘Thank you.’

  The ride to Auckland was sombre. Mary sat wringing her hands and let everyone else’s lives whirl around her. It felt like hers had stopped.

  * * *

  Jim Campbell and Ernie Hardcastle had been busy. They had notified the Auckland unions of Archie’s arrival and by the time the train drew int
o the station the numbers to meet it had swelled to the hundreds.

  Mary surveyed the platform and heaved a sigh. Rose clutched Mary’s hand and smiled tightly. ‘You can do this, Mary. You have to. For Archie.’

  Mary found herself swept into the melee but again it was Garrick who smoothed the way for her. Suddenly she didn’t have to think what to do. Former Waihi strikers had turned out in large numbers. They immediately welcomed their friends, gathered up their suitcases and ferried them away.

  Jim greeted Mary. ‘I’m sorry for your loss, Miss Bell. There is an automobile hearse waiting.’

  She glanced along the platform to where some men were lifting Archie’s coffin onto their shoulders.

  ‘The hearse will move slowly through the city before taking the body to the morgue and then there’s to be a meeting at the Grey Hotel.’

  Mary nodded.

  ‘Mary.’ It was Clara. ‘Come with me. Please.’

  Garrick led Mary to a waiting group of friends. ‘The girls will look after you now,’ he said. ‘I’ll come and find you tomorrow.’

  Mary watched the hearse move off flanked by at least two hundred people. Garrick joined the procession and marched along Queen Street to the corner of Wellesley Street drawing a great deal of attention as they passed shoppers. Everyone observing stopped and raised their hats as Archie’s body was transported through the street.

  As the hearse reached the hill it increased speed and left the procession behind. A number of men walked straight to the hotel. Ernie called for quiet. ‘Thank you for turning out today. It’s a dark day for New Zealand industrial relations. You have witnessed history, for never before in this country has a man had to pay with his life for the chance to better his working conditions.

  The Federation of Labour fully support our brothers in Waihi who remain loyal to the cause. Every man, woman and child, whether in exile or not, shall not have the worry of money. Strike pay will continue.’

  A soft murmur rippled through the bar.

  Jim continued. ‘On the matter of events that have occurred at Waihi, the Federation will not remain silent. We will ask the government why, when a town with a population of only five thousand, could one tenth of the entire country’s police force not keep the peace. We know that Massey brought them in to back the scabs. We witnessed police brutality. They had a mandate to incite peaceful picketers to violence and they got it. Questions will be asked as to why police in civilian clothes were allowed to side with the scabs in storming that hall.