by Cathy Sharp
Jinny’s cheeks burned with shame. She understood perfectly why her mother had not gone to the police for help. Fear had made her run from the vicious men fighting over who had the right to her home and her body, and it had held her back from entering a police station, because she feared they might put her in the cells again.
‘Do you think she was injured too?’
‘We found a man’s bloodstained shirt, which probably isn’t Jake’s,’ Sergeant Sallis said. ‘But none of the female clothing had more than incidental splashing that would’ve happened during the fight …’
‘When – when did it happen?’ Jinny asked.
‘Some hours ago – perhaps the early hours of this morning …’ Sergeant Sallis looked at with concern. ‘No blame attaches to you, Jinny. We know you cleared up a few things in the kitchen, but you couldn’t have known what was upstairs.’
‘I’d just seen the ceiling when Bert arrived,’ Jinny said, swallowing hard. ‘I thought it might be Mum …’
‘I do not imagine you regret Jake’s passing,’ the police constable said, busily writing down everyone’s answers.
‘That is irrelevant, Cotter,’ Sergeant Sallis barked. ‘Jinny isn’t implicated in any way. What she may or may not feel about the victim has no bearing.’
‘Sorry Sarge …’ The young officer looked abashed and crossed through something on his pad.
‘Well, we’ll leave it to you,’ Sergeant Sallis said. ‘One of my officers will stay here to guard the property until we’ve finished our inquiries. I dare say he would appreciate a mug of tea now and then, but knock the door and ask first, Nellie.’
‘Yes, if yer say so,’ she said, looking at Jinny anxiously. ‘I just wish I ’adn’t told yer ter come round and see yer ma …’
‘Perhaps if I’d come more – if I’d given her money – it wouldn’t have happened …’
‘Don’t yer go blaming yerself,’ Bert said. ‘Yer ma were alus in trouble, Jinny. Whatever yer gave ’er she’d ’ave spent it on drink …’
Jinny knew it was true but she still felt partially responsible for her mother’s behaviour. She’d wanted more money and when her daughter wouldn’t give it to her, Mabel Hollis had gone out picking up men off the street. Jake must have come back from hospital and found her with one of them lying in the bed he considered his and … after that it was impossible to know, and she could only guess, just as the police had. They would have to make inquiries, discover who Jinny’s mother had taken back to her home and where she’d got to …
It was going to be a long drawn-out affair and Jinny was anxious, both for her mother’s safety, and because, if the murder got into the papers, it might reflect on her.
Would Sister Beatrice want her at St Saviour’s if it all came out about her mother’s arrest for soliciting and her being in bed with a man when Jake came back from the hospital …?
‘You’re very quiet,’ Micky said as he opened the car door for her and helped her out. ‘Are yer worryin’ about yer ma?’
‘I’m worried that she might be hurt,’ Jinny said, ‘but if it all comes out … I might be asked to leave St Saviour’s …’
‘They’d never do that to yer,’ he said gruffly. ‘But, if it becomes too uncomfortable for yer, Jinny love, I’ll look after yer …’
‘No, you can’t …’
Jinny shook her head but he put his arms about her and held her close. ‘Don’t worry, love. I’ll be around to look after yer.’
‘It was horrible, Micky – thinkin’ it might be Mum lying up there – and it’s partly my fault she’d got a man with her …’
‘Don’t be daft, Jinny. She were always the same,’ Micky echoed Bert’s words earlier. ‘Jake was bad through and through. He was either goin’ ter kill someone or be killed himself. I reckon it’s a good thing he’s dead and out of the way. Jake was a devil, and would’ve come after yer again and again until someone stopped him …’
‘Micky … you didn’t …?’ Jinny stared at him, her eyes opening in distress at the thought.
‘I’m not a bloomin’ murderer,’ Micky said and glared at her. ‘I might ’ave put ’im in the ’ospital if I’d had the chance, though there were others only too eager to do it for me, but I don’t like knives and I don’t kill people … what the bleedin’ ’ell do yer think I am?’
‘You arranged that accident at the Docks?’ Jinny stared at him aghast. ‘Oh, Micky, you promised me it wasn’t you …’
‘It weren’t exactly,’ he said, looking angry. ‘I knew these blokes ’ad a grudge against Jake because he’s been double-crossing them and stealin’ what they think of as theirs – and they were lookin’ for ’im. I told them where to find ’im, that’s all … Besides, Jake deserved all he got …’
‘He didn’t deserve to be murdered,’ Jinny said. She felt like weeping because it was all so horrible. ‘I hated him but I didn’t ask you to do this – or tell someone else to … and now my mother’s gone missing …’
Bursting into sobs of distress, Jinny used her key to release the garden gate; she went through and shut it after her so that he couldn’t follow. He pushed against it in frustration as it locked itself.
‘Let me through, Jinny,’ he begged, staring at her through the bars. ‘I don’t want to leave yer like this. I know it was terrible for yer and I’m sorry you had to be there … but I can’t say I’m sorry he’s dead. I care about yer more than anyone and if killing Jake was what it took to make sure yer were safe, I might have done it – but I didn’t. Please don’t look at me like that, Jinny. You said you wished yer could break every bone in his body and he owed those men money … It wasn’t even anythin’ to do with Nellie.’
Jinny stared at him through tear-blinded eyes. Micky was right and she wanted to tell him that she knew he was her friend and she didn’t blame him for any of this, but she couldn’t find the words. All the pain and doubt of her unhappy childhood had come back to haunt her and she’d hit out at him in her pain.
‘I’m sorry,’ she whispered and fled through the night to the sanctuary of the nurses’ home and her room where she could sob and rage until this anger and hurt was washed away in her storm of emotion …
Upstairs in her room, Jinny flung herself on the bed and gave way to her storm of grief. She couldn’t bear all the pain and guilt that pressed down on her and because she’d been so worried about her mother, she’d lashed out at her best friend, because Micky had been her guardian angel since that day she’d run from Jake.
She wished she could take it back, but she’d seen the anger and resentment in his face and knew he wouldn’t easily forgive her. She’d been so happy and proud of her new role in the kitchen, Nellie’s comforting presence making it all seem so much like fun rather than work, and now it had all gone wrong …
CHAPTER 23
‘It never rains but it pours,’ Kelly said when she stopped for her break mid-morning and found Rose in the staff room making coffee. ‘That’s what my ma used to say and she’s right. Poor little Jinny, I don’t like to see her lookin’ so pale and anxious …’
‘She’s worried about her mother,’ Rose said and passed her a cup of coffee. ‘The police haven’t found any trace of her yet; she seems to have disappeared. Nellie told me that Sergeant Sallis asked her where Jinny’s mother drank and they’ve looked for her but she hasn’t been near …’
‘I suppose she’s frightened – if not of the man who killed Jake, then the police. They say she couldn’t have killed him, but she witnessed a murder and ought to have reported it. I expect she thinks she’s in trouble …’
‘Yes, perhaps, but the police wouldn’t prosecute her. They know she fled in fear of her life, but this uncertainty is awful for Jinny. She was there in the house when the body was found – and if Nellie hadn’t sent her husband round to make sure she was all right, she might have been there alone. She’s only a kid and this is all too much for her …’
‘I think it’s more than just her mother,’ Kelly
said thoughtfully. ‘I was in the kitchen when someone asked for her in the hall. She was disappointed when she heard it was someone from the council about the house. The rent hasn’t been paid in a while and they want it back – I think she thought it was that boyfriend of hers …’
‘You mean Micky. She brought him to Nick’s party …’ Rose’s voice trailed away as the door of the staff room opened and Nancy walked in wearing her uniform. ‘Nancy, I didn’t think you were back until tomorrow?’
‘I came back early,’ Nancy said and Rose noticed that she too was looking pale and unhappy. ‘My brother wasn’t well enough to see me. I tried twice and in the end they told me he was being kept in restraint … He almost killed one of the female attendants and they refused to let me see him in case it disturbed him.’ Nancy sat down with a bump in the nearest chair and burst into tears. Rose went to kneel by her side and hold her hands. Kelly watched for a moment and then mumbled an excuse before leaving them alone together.
‘Oh, Nancy, I’m so sorry,’ Rose said. ‘You’ve suffered so much because of your brother and this must be painful for you.’
‘I lost the brother I loved years ago when he attacked Sister Beatrice,’ Nancy said and brushed the tears from her cheeks. ‘I thought he might be getting better, but they told me he’s been worse lately and so they’ve had to drug him. It was that or lock him in a padded cell and they didn’t want to do that yet …’
‘Perhaps it’s for the best. At least he doesn’t know …’
Nancy stared at her and for a moment rebellion flared in her eyes, and then the resistance went out of her and she nodded once. ‘The doctor told me it would be better if I just let him go. They seem to think he may not have long left to him, because he has some kind of physical damage to his lungs now … He broke out of the home and stayed out for several days in the winter and that brought on his illness. He may just die in his sleep …’
‘Would that be worse than the life he has now?’ Rose asked gently.
‘No – it’s just that I hoped he would get better. For a while he did seem to improve, but they told me his mental state was always going to get worse and I must accept that he was gone from me in all practical terms …’ Nancy stared at her miserably. ‘He’s my brother. I feel so alone …’
‘You’ve got us,’ Rose said, putting an arm about her to comfort her. ‘We all care for you, Nancy – and I think Rob loves you. He’s been here every day looking for you, asking if I knew when you would be back …’
‘Has he?’ Nancy swiped her face with the back of her hand. ‘I wasn’t sure.’
‘If I hurt you by what I said about the party – it was Nick who invited me. I just assumed that others would be invited, because last time Rob was told to ask as many young women as he could …’
‘Oh …’ Nancy stared at her uncertainly. ‘I just thought it would be daft to let myself like him too much …’
‘It isn’t my business,’ Rose said and stood up. ‘But if I were you, I would give him a chance, Nancy. I know you’ve been hurt badly in the past, but don’t you think you should try to put it behind you and look to the future?’
‘If I can,’ Nancy said a little tremulously. ‘I’m not sure I’m capable of physical love. My father did that to me …’
‘I suspected there was something,’ Rose said and smiled comfortingly. ‘Sister would probably tell you to consult Mr Adderbury and I know he did give you some counselling when you were first here – but if I were you I’d trust Rob. He’s a decent man and if you could bear to tell him everything you might find that it doesn’t seem so terrible after all these years – at least, it is worth trying, isn’t it?’
‘Thank you, Rose,’ Nancy said and took the hankie she was offered, blowing her nose and slipping it in her pocket. ‘I’ll give it back clean …’
‘I’ve got Rob’s phone number on his works card – would you like it?’
Nancy hesitated and then inclined her head. ‘Yes please. I’ll telephone him this evening – and now I’d better get on with my job …’
Andy glanced over his shoulder. He had an uneasy feeling that he was being followed and had been ever since he’d left the school grounds that afternoon. He’d been helping Mr Barton prepare their equipment for the start of next term, and when he left he’d felt this sensation of being followed, though he wasn’t sure because he hadn’t seen any sign of his step-father.
Andy hoped the Beast wouldn’t turn up and spoil things, because Sister Beatrice had promised that he and Beth would be going on holiday before the new school term started.
‘How would the pair of you like a little holiday at the sea before you return to school?’ she’d asked them and Beth’s face had lit up like a star in the night sky. ‘Well, if you’re happy with the idea I’m going to telephone Angela Adderbury. She will fit you in and we’ll probably send Keith and Tom with you for ten days. I shall take you down to Halfpenny House myself on the train and Angela will be with you when you go to Hunstanton … or rather Old Hunstanton, because that’s where the cottage is, near the sea. You can just run across a quiet road and you’re on the beach …’
Beth had been so excited that she’d got hold of Sister Beatrice’s hand and kissed it, thanking her over and over again. The usually stern nun had bent and kissed the top of Beth’s head and then stroked her hair.
‘You both deserve a treat,’ she told them. ‘I’ll talk to Angela today – she’s lovely and you will like her. It’s nice down there and I think you’ll enjoy it …’
Andy had never seen his sister so thrilled and smiled to himself at the memory as he reached St Saviour’s. It would be lovely to be away from the grimy streets of the East End for several days and he wouldn’t have to keep thinking about his step-father. At least he was back safe because he’d reached the front door of his new home.
‘Got yer, yer little runt …’ Andy heard the voice he hated and feared as a hand descended on his shoulder, the fingers gripping hard. He kicked out and jerked away; struggling free he ran into the hall of St Saviour’s but the Beast followed him, an evil grin on his face.
‘Thought yer were clever, didn’t yer, thought I couldn’t find out where yer were hidin’ … but I’ve got yer now and I’m takin’ yer and that sister of yourn back where you belong, wiv me …’
‘Let me go, you rotten devil!’ Andy yelled. ‘You ain’t takin’ me back there and if yer touch Beth the police will lock yer up and throw away the key – that’s what Staff Nurse Wendy says …’
The Beast’s fist connected with Andy’s ear, making him scream out and another heavy blow sent him reeling. He staggered back into someone and heard a woman cry out in pain. Craning round he saw that Nancy had come up behind him and he’d knocked into her, stepping on her foot, but she wasn’t looking at him; her gaze was fixed on his step-father and he thought he’d never seen her look so angry. Nancy was always quiet and gentle, always looking after the little ones.
‘Who are you – and why did you hit Andy?’ she asked in a cold hard voice that he didn’t recognise as hers, but knew was one of authority. ‘This child is in our care and what you just did is physical abuse.’ She pushed Andy behind her as a couple of children came in the front door followed by a man Andy recognised as the one who’d painted their dorms.
‘Never you mind, you whore,’ his step-father muttered. ‘That boy is mine and so is his sister. I’ve found ’em now and I’m takin’ ’em wiv me.’
‘You will never be allowed to take Andy or Beth,’ Nancy said bravely facing up to him, though he was a big, heavily built man and towered over her. ‘I don’t know your name, but I suspect you’re the man they ran away from … their step-father, and as such you should’ve taken care of them instead of beating and starving them.’
‘Is that what the little runt told yer? ’E’s lyin’ through ’is teeth. I just asked ’em to ’elp me keep the ’ouse right … It’s my duty ter teach ’em how ter behave proper …’
‘I do not b
elieve you. I’ve seen the bruises on their flesh and I know what you did to them. You’re a bully and a brute and you should be in prison for what you’ve done. Scum like you are not fit to live, let alone have the care of an innocent child.… ’ Nancy said in a voice that carried to everyone in the hall. ‘You will not take these children from us nor will you touch them again. You’re a brute and a bully and I’m going to report you to the police …’
‘You watch yer mouth. Yer just like all the rest of the bleedin’ women – always naggin’ a man. Well, see if you like this …’ He moved towards Nancy with his hammer fist outstretched, his intention to hit her in the face. Nancy continued to face him fearlessly, refusing to let him get past her to Andy, but there was a sudden roar of rage from behind Andy and suddenly a man in white paint-spattered overalls rushed past him and launched himself at the Beast.
Arthur Phillips didn’t know what hit him. Rob landed a punch to his chin and then a flurry of them to his arms, chest and stomach, felling him and sending him crashing to the floor groaning before he’d even had time to land one blow.
He lay there groaning, looking up at them through bloodshot eyes, clearly stunned by the ferocity and power of the blows. ‘Who the bleedin’ ’ell are yer?’ he muttered. ‘Bloody Sugar Ray Robinson …’
‘No, but I was the school amateur boxing champion for a while,’ Rob said, grinning down at him. ‘Have you finished insulting my girl, mate – or do you want another taste? I don’t think I’ve forgotten much …’
They eyed each other warily just as someone came down the stairs. Andy saw Sister Beatrice surveying the scene with what he thought looked like satisfaction.
‘I think you should leave immediately,’ Sister Beatrice said with an imperious stare at the man now struggling to his feet. ‘I have telephoned for my friend Sergeant Sallis. He has been looking for you, Mr Phillips, and I think you will be sleeping in a prison cell for the foreseeable future …’