The Midwives of Lark Lane

by Pam Howes

  Her heart almost pounding out of her chest, Olive stared again at the artist’s impression on the screen and knew for sure it was the same man she’d served yesterday. She picked up the phone and, her fingers shaking, dialled the number she’d written down. An officer told her they would send someone to see her right away to take a statement. She didn’t know what use that would be as she had no idea where the man had gone when he left her shop, but at least they’d have it on record that he’d been seen in the area.

  Jack knocked on the door of Lorraine’s flat and stood back, waiting for a response. The door opened a fraction and he heard the safety chain being removed, then Lorraine was standing in front of him, her hair in rollers and her dressing gown pulled tightly around her waist. She stared at him, her mouth open. ‘What the hell do you want? It’s nearly midnight.’

  Jack was surprised that she’d recognised him. ‘That’s a nice welcome, I must say.’

  ‘Well what do you expect, Jack after what you’ve done? You’d better come in before my neighbours see you. But you’re not staying so don’t get any ideas.’

  He followed her into the narrow hallway and through to the small sitting room.

  ‘Sit down.’ Lorraine ordered. ‘The police are everywhere looking for you.’ She picked up a newspaper from the table and threw it at him. He was plastered all over the bloody headlines. The old mugshot alongside an artist’s impression of what he looked like now, which was why Lorraine had recognised him, no doubt. ‘And why have you come here? I don’t want to get involved.’

  Jack shrugged. ‘I thought with you writing to me, like, you might help me.’

  ‘Writing to you?’

  ‘Yeah, when you told me Alice had got remarried.’

  ‘Jack, that was over three years ago and you never wrote back. What gives you the right to think you can land on my doorstep now?’

  ‘I’ve nowhere else to go, gel. I’m wanted for murder.’

  ‘Murder? Oh you mean the prison officer? You’re wanted in connection with that and running off, but you didn’t pull the trigger. You should have given yourself up there and then.’

  Jack fiddled with his beard and scratched his chin. ‘Not the officer. A young girl at the fairground.’

  Lorraine nodded. ‘She isn’t dead, Jack. No thanks to you.’

  He stared at her. ‘Isn’t she?’

  Lorraine shook her head. ‘You left her for dead, which in my book is as bad as actually murdering her.’

  ‘I had no choice, she’d recognised me.’

  ‘Well I bloody recognised you too.’ She jumped to her feet and grabbed a poker from a stand beside the tiled fireplace. ‘So what you gonna do? Try and kill me?’ She advanced towards him, swinging the poker.

  He got to his feet. ‘There’s no need for that. What should I do? I thought you’d help me.’

  ‘No chance, Jack. I want you out of here and go and give yourself up. You won’t last five minutes out there. There’s scuffers all over the place. If I had a phone I’d be on to them right now.’

  Jack took that as meaning he should go and she wouldn’t phone the police. He hurried out of her flat and Lorraine slammed the door behind him.

  He walked out of the communal hallway and onto the dark street. He had nowhere to go and not a soul to turn to. All he could do was try to find an allotment, bed down in a shed again and take it from there. He’d no doubt that Lorraine would phone the police as soon as she could.

  Jack settled down in his sleeping bag on a pile of old sacks in the outbuilding of the old house on Woodlands Road. He’d decided to head over here after spending the night after his visit to Lorraine’s in an alleyway. He couldn’t think of anywhere else to go. He was starving, but couldn’t chance going out to get anything to eat.

  When he’d arrived at the house early this morning, he’d been surprised to find it in the middle of a lot of changes. There was no one on-site when he’d arrived and he’d kept out of the way all day, listening to the men doing the work and carrying on conversations. He had been shocked when he’d peered through the dirty old window to see that it was Millie’s husband Jimmy, and that bastard Johnny who had married Alice. Well, there was little he could do about it now as he’d struggled up the stairs – which were steeper than he remembered – and there was no way he’d get down there again in a hurry without breaking his neck. He wondered what the hell they were doing working here.

  Had Johnny bought the house for Alice and the kids? Typical of her to fall on her bloody feet while he was facing life in prison. He reached for his rucksack and pulled out the bottle of whisky he’d bought last night. There was just over half of it left and he slugged it down to try to shut out the pain in his leg.

  He threw the empty bottle across the room and lit a cigarette, hoping he’d sleep okay tonight. He’d need to be up and off again first thing before he was found. God knows where to though. He certainly couldn’t stay here with Johnny around. Before he gave up all hope, though, he would have one final shot at seeing if he could get Cathy on her own. She’d either be at Ma Lomax’s bungalow or Alice’s place. He’d be lucky, but he could dream, he thought, and lit another cigarette, a smile playing on his face. He’d show her what she was missing, married to that bloody biker. She needed a good seeing-to by a real man and Jack felt he was the one to show her. She wouldn’t forget him in a hurry.

  When the news was conveyed back to Lucerne Street that Jack had been seen in the area buying drink and cigarettes, Alice felt sick. An officer had been dispatched to tell them they were combing every inch of Aigburth in their search for him. Alice cried in Johnny’s arms after the officer had left, and Gianni comforted Cathy. A report had also come in from someone Jack had been acquainted with who’d seen him in the area.

  ‘He could be anywhere,’ Alice sobbed. ‘It terrifies me to think of him out there, just waiting to get vengeance. That’s why he came back here with the fair, to get his own back for being sent to prison. Knowing how his warped mind works, he’ll think it’s all our fault. Anybody else would be miles away by now.’

  Maria and Luca stopped by after visiting Eloisa, who was making a good recovery.

  ‘I can’t believe they haven’t caught him yet,’ Maria said. ‘I hope they hang him when they do.’

  ‘Not sure if they will do that, love,’ Luca said. ‘He hasn’t actually committed a murder as such. But he was an accessory to the prison officer’s death in that he ran away and didn’t report it, according to the officers that were also involved. He left Eloisa for dead, he’s no idea if she’s still alive, and he raped Ellie. He’s a very dangerous man, especially to women, and needs to be kept in a secure prison when they catch him. One from where he can never escape again.’

  ‘Well I for one hope they chuck away the key,’ Alice said. ‘I hate him for everything he’s done, except my children. But the poor kids don’t deserve a father like him. Thank God they have you, Johnny. Hopefully Rodney won’t remember him, and Sandra and Rosie never mention his name. I just hope this doesn’t stir up bad memories.’

  ‘We’ll give them all the support they need,’ Johnny assured her. ‘Eloisa is getting better and that’s what matters right now.’

  Luca looked at Gianni. ‘Son, it’s time you re-evaluated what’s important to you. I’ve seen how much you enjoy being with Cathy and Lucy. Maybe it’s time to put your family first now. The fairground isn’t where you should be.’

  ‘Dad, I’m really glad you’ve brought the subject up,’ Gianni said. ‘I’ve decided I want to leave. To stop riding the bikes and settle down here with my girls. I was going to finish the season with you and Marco, but to be honest I’d like out right away, if that’s okay with you.’

  ‘It’s more than okay. You’ve got a lovely home waiting for you here. Ideal for bringing up Lucy and any more bambinos you may have. Maria and I have been talking this over for a while. I’m going to retire early. Marco wants to buy me out and bring in some younger riders. We will go back to Ita
ly at the end of the season and take Eloisa with us so she can make a full recovery and think about what she wants to do for the rest of her life. I will pay you your quarter-share when Marco pays me. That way you can take your time finding work. Get your home sorted out and enjoy all the new adventures coming your way.’

  Twenty-Two

  Woodlands Maternity Home January 1964

  Alice and Sandra took off their coats and hung them on the hall stand. The first week of the New Year and it was all hands on deck at Woodlands in a final mad rush to get ready for their open day at the weekend. Sandra had been helping as much as she could and had been offered a place to start as a cadet nurse at the Royal at Easter. Alice was thrilled that her second daughter was following in her older sister’s footsteps, and that she’d had the opportunities to do so. For the next three months Sandra was going to get a bit of hands-on practice in and assist where she could at Woodlands. Things really had improved for the Lark Lane girls, even if Jack was still at large…

  All planning applications for the business had been passed with no problems and the necessary permissions had all been granted. The financial matters were in place, the building works almost completed, deliveries of furniture and equipment were all under way and the NCT, social services and NHS were supporting the project. The midwives were helping to clean the downstairs rooms of their new home and business premises. Marlene had put herself in charge of all cleaning operations and as well as issuing orders she provided pots of tea and sandwiches to keep her small army of helpers fed and watered.

  The bedrooms and bathrooms were ready to use. New beds and bedside tables were being delivered later today and then the patients’ rooms could be organised. Carpets had been fitted this week and curtains hung. Johnny and Jimmy, with Gianni’s help, had built wardrobes and cupboards in all the alcoves for storing towels, linen and clothes. Jimmy had made the suggestion to do that and had told the girls it would save on floor space and the need for free-standing wardrobes. They were all pleased with the neat and tidy streamlined look.

  The washing machines and dryers had been going all morning and the freshly laundered sheets were folded on the table ready to take upstairs. ‘That’s much better,’ Marlene said, smoothing out the creases in a cotton sheet she’d just fished out of the dryer. ‘They were a bit too starchy and rough to the touch to put straight on the beds. Nice and soft and they smell fresher too. I’m going to set to and iron the bedspreads now, ready for later. They need to look nice and crease-free.’

  Karen smiled and gave Marlene’s arm a squeeze. ‘You’re a good one. We’d have probably just put them straight onto the beds without thinking. We’ll definitely be ready for our open day on Saturday. We’re bang on time with everything.’

  ‘I can’t wait,’ Cathy said. ‘I can’t believe it’s happening at last.’

  ‘I know. And we’ve already had enquiries for our services after our leaflet drop-off sessions,’ Karen said. ‘I think we’ll have the first bookings this weekend. It’s all come nicely together. And to think we’ve got council approval too.’

  ‘Doctor Kelso from the surgery on Aigburth Road is being really supportive as well,’ Ellie said, her eyes shining. ‘He’s told a few of his patients to get in touch if they want to have their babies here. He said any time we need him for a delivery, just to pick up the phone.’

  ‘Is that for the patients or you, Ellie?’ Karen teased as her friend blushed prettily. Ellie and the young doctor had grown close during meetings over the last few weeks. It was the first time she’d shown interest in a member of the opposite sex since Jack’s assault on her a few years ago. The other girls were waiting with bated breath for him to ask her out. He was also shy, but they looked good together, so fingers were being crossed all round.

  ‘This place will be like a home from home,’ Marlene said. ‘It’s more like a posh hotel than a hospital environment. Right, you girls get stuck into that pile of sarnies before those beds arrive. Then we’ll get the rooms ready upstairs. We could do with a few vases of flowers as well. I know it’s not spring, and choices will be limited, but I’m sure the florist on Lark Lane would do us proud if we asked her nicely. A colourful display on the table in the hall so visitors can see it as they walk in, now that would look lovely. It’s the little touches that make a difference. Oh, and by the way, has anybody had that big cheese and onion pie that was in the fridge?’

  They all shook their heads.

  ‘Well that’s a mystery. I’m sure it was in there, I wrapped it in greaseproof to cut up for later. Must have a pie-loving ghost on the premises.’

  Alice smiled. Bringing Marlene in on this enterprise had been a good idea. ‘Perhaps you dreamed it. I’ll get the flowers sorted,’ she said. ‘The lady who runs the florist is an old friend of mine. She’ll maybe give us a discount. Johnny said he and Jimmy will be over mid-afternoon to put the beds together.’ She strolled into the large, light and airy sitting room that Jean insisted on calling the lounge as it sounded so much posher, and looked around with pride. Three large sofas and a coffee table were arranged in front of the fireplace and a unit with a decent-sized television stood in one alcove, with a record player on a built-in cupboard on the other side. It was a lovely room for expectant mothers to gather and to get to know each other.

  The rooms were tastefully decorated in pastel shades, with contrasting colours in the floral curtains and cushions, and the carpets were neutral, mainly light beiges with small unobtrusive patterns. Millie’s Lewis’s staff discount had come in very handy in the last few weeks, and Alice had picked up some china figurines and brass ornaments at Paddy’s Market, which gave the place a homely feel. The girls all had stylish taste and together they’d worked their magic. Cathy and Gianni had brought boxes of books over from Granny Lomax’s bungalow and Johnny had built shelves in one of the dining room alcoves, where the books had found a new home. Granny’s old grandfather clock now stood in the hallway, where it had chimed away the hours while they’d all scrubbed and polished over the last few days.

  Freddie had come to look at the grounds but due to the cold weather and the ground still being frozen he’d been unable to do much in the garden, so had helped with the painting and decorating. He said he loved being with the lads and feeling like part of a team again and they’d welcomed him with open arms.

  Cathy had finished her course and passed her final exams, both practical and theoretical, and she and Gianni had toasted the fact that she was now a fully qualified midwife at the same time as they celebrated moving into the bungalow just before Christmas.

  The month before the Christmas celebrations, the country had been plunged into a period of mourning following the assassination of the American president John F. Kennedy in Dallas, Texas. Alice couldn’t believe that anyone could do something so wicked and cold-blooded. That wonderful man, the head of the nation and the great source of hope, was gone. Everyone in Liverpool had been deeply affected and it was all anyone talked about for weeks after.

  Cathy and Gianni had waved his dad, Maria and a fully recovered Eloisa off to Italy at the end of November. They kept in touch frequently and Luca said he was missing the bikes, although he was delighted to be back in Italy. Eloisa had met Dino, a boy she’d known years ago, and had been dating him for a few weeks. Luca said Dino seemed to be the making of her and they were keeping their fingers crossed that she would settle down at last. Maria was hoping for a grandchild in the not-too-distant future. She was missing Lucy and kept seeing baby images in her crystal ball, Luca had told them.

  ‘Probably the maternity home keeps popping up,’ Gianni joked, adding, ‘just as long as danger keeps a low profile from now on, once they finally catch Jack.’

  The ringing alarm woke Cathy with a start. She sat up, rubbing her eyes. Gianni was sprawled out beside her, dead to the world. He’d sleep through a bomb dropping on the roof, she thought, climbing out of bed and sliding her feet into warm slippers. Today was the day. She’d worked her final shift
at the Royal yesterday and was raring to get going at Woodlands. Today was going to be a busy day.

  There were no sounds coming from Lucy’s bedroom, so she shut herself in the kitchen and made a mug of strong coffee to help wake herself up properly, and pushed two slices of bread under the grill. She looked around the shiny new kitchen that Johnny and Gianni had fitted in place of Granny’s old one, which had been there since the bungalow was first built. Even though it now looked different, Cathy was often struck by memories of Granny cooking her wonderful dinners here and the smell of freshly baked bread that she remembered so fondly. She missed Granny, but was so pleased to be living in her home, the place where she had always been happiest.

  Gianni had done the planning and designing for the new kitchen and had really enjoyed it. There were more cupboards than you could shake a stick at, but Cathy had nearly filled them with new stuff as well as keeping some of Granny’s favourite china and glassware for best. Gianni had bought her a new cooker and fridge and a smart twin-tub washing machine. She loved the way everything just fitted in the spaces he’d made for them and how the new worktops in black-and-yellow-speckled Formica set off the yellow cupboard doors that were all fitted with shiny chrome handles. It was very modern, like a smart magazine kitchen.

  Some of Granny’s pieces had gone across to Woodlands and she’d kept some here. The old and new complemented each other and Cathy felt happy that there were still many of Granny’s things around. They’d kept the dining room furniture, reupholstered the chairs and added a nice cloth on the table to protect it from Lucy’s paints and crayons. Gianni had taken up the old carpets that had been down for over forty years. He’d painted everywhere in a fresh cream emulsion and he and Cathy had chosen a mid-green carpet with a small leaf design, which had been fitted throughout, apart from Lucy’s bedroom, which was carpeted in her favourite pink.