Chained in Time
Page 48
*
Friday, November 11th, 1988
Jennifer Earl sat, legs curled under her bottom, on the sofa of her bedsit less than a mile from Marie's former home. She had a largely empty evening, a sudden surfeit of free periods, courtesy of Marie's and Joe's enforced absence from school, having allowed her to complete the bulk of her marking and preparation within normal school hours.
Her work completed by the unusually early hour of seven pm, she had settled down to a rare evening of television and, on opening her copy of the Radio Times, was delighted to discover that one of her all time favourite films, The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, was being broadcast that very night at nine. Accordingly, she took the phone off the hook and settled down to her treat, even putting up with the mindless dross that preceded the film.
The movie was over and a distraught Miss Brodie cast out, having unwittingly dispatched the most brainless of her crème de la crème to an early grave in the Spanish Civil War, whereupon Miss Earl wiped away a sentimental tear as she put the kettle on to make her favourite nightcap of hot chocolate laced with brandy.
As she settled back onto her sofa the late news headlines were being transmitted. The eternally elegant newsreader, for once, wore a smile on her face.
“And finally, a happy ending to the horror that has gripped London since August. Marie Kelly, the intended fifth victim of the Jack the Ripper copycat killer, today jetted off for a holiday in Spain with her parents and boyfriend.”
The screen filled with the image of Marie, a carefree smile on her lips at last as she climbed the steps to the plane, followed by an equally happy Joe and her parents. The camera then cut to a delighted looking Sally Ferguson with two figures at her side. One was that policewoman who had refused to leave Marie even for a moment whenever she had gone round to collect work. She had been a cold, severe fish then, but now she seemed relaxed and at peace with the world. The other was a small old man with a balding head and smiling, crinkly face. Both were waving Marie off.
Sally Ferguson was speaking. “For three months the country has been gripped by the most distressing news story I have ever had to report. Although the danger has now passed, and we can all breathe again, let us not forget that, because of what this man did, the friends and relatives of Mary Anne Nichols, Roberta Henderson, Edward Stride, Cathy Kelly and PC Gerry Dawson must go through the remainder of their days without a person whom they loved. At least the friends and relatives of Marie Jeanette Kelly have been spared that. This is Sally Ferguson at Luton Airport.”
Cutting back to the newscaster, her face was serious again. “Police have named the killer as Nicholas Trent, a thirty year-old civil servant who worked for the Greater London Council. Council officials were unavailable for comment today. Neighbours expressed dismay that he should be the Ripper, describing him as a quiet, inoffensive man who kept to himself. Detective Chief Superintendent Abberline, leading the investigation, today issued a statement that the case had reached a satisfactory conclusion, and that the Ripper investigation would now be scaled right down.”
THE END
of the first Rutter Book. The second, ‘Rutter’s Reunion’ is now available.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
David Waine is a writer, born in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, so long ago that he won't mention the date. He has been happily married to his wife, Helen, for more than a quarter of a century and both are proud to be the parents of Michael and Paul. They live these days in the foothills of the Pennines and raise their animals on a smallholding. He began writing seriously, initially plays, while a schoolteacher, and his adaptation of Shakespeare's 'Macbeth' was performed at the Cockpit Theatre in London (the forerunner of the reconstructed Shakespeare's Globe) as part of the appeal to raise funds to rebuild the legendary playhouse. A programme of that production resides in a time capsule in the Globe's foundations.
Although he began his first novel more than thirty years ago, it was not until he left the teaching profession that he was able to devote himself to writing as a career. His first novel was published in 2011.
The 'Avalind' Books
'A King's Head' Trilogy
Part One: Usurper
Part Two: A Sovereign's Honour
Part Three: A New Queen Rises
'A Queen's heart' Trilogy
Part One: The Ancient Realm
Part Two: The Shattered Realms
Part Three: The Power of Four Queens
The 'Rutter' Books
Chained in Time
Rutter's Reunion
Other Works
The Planning Officers
David Waine particularly recommends the work of Elaine Waldron
Rift
Arizona Skies
Deep Shadows