by Sheila Riley
Evie was grateful Connie hadn’t insisted on calling in the authorities as she might, being a nurse and all that. Jack could have got into serious trouble with the police if he had been found trespassing on the dock. Even if it was only to collect a bit of driftwood.
‘I’ll make sure he stays out of trouble from now on,’ Evie whispered out of her brother’s earshot. The older woman had been a real help but, still wary of outsiders, Evie informed her she would take over for now. She needed to find out what happened before Jack started answering questions from the authorities.
‘This might sting a little.’ The doctor’s comforting tone lulled Jack, but moments later his body was rigid. Evie could tell by the distorted grimace on her brother’s face that the pain must be excruciating.
‘Jesus, Mary and Joseph!’ Jack gasped, covering his eyes with his hand and gripping the side of the chair. ‘Sting a little? It nearly took me effing leg off! Sorry about the language.’
‘The saline will help it heal quicker,’ Connie said with authority when he wiped tears from his eyes, watching as the doctor finished tending his leg.
‘Jesus! That hurt like the coals of hell!’ Jack said when he could speak. ‘How can it be good for you if it hurts like that?’
‘If that is all, I will leave him in your capable hands, Connie. Any problems, do let me know.’
‘How did this happen, Jack? You haven’t answered my question.’ Connie was binding Jack’s thigh with bandages that the doctor had brought with him
‘Is it any wonder!’ Jack was reluctant to tell her everything. However, it didn’t take long for Connie to coax him. She did it in such an open-minded, cunning way.
‘Don’t worry, I won’t be hot-footing it to the authorities,’ Connie said. ‘You were looking after your sister, the only way you knew how.’
‘I’m like a tiddler in a goldfish bowl,’ Jack said when Lucy peered over Connie’s capable shoulder.
‘Can I have a little peep at your wound, Jack?’ Lucy asked, enthralled.
‘Maybe tomorrow, Lucy,’ Connie said kindly. ‘We don’t want your cocoa to get cold now do we?’ Lucy shook her head,
‘I hope tomorrow comes soon,’ Lucy said with an angelic smile. ‘I can’t wait to see Jack’s stitches.’ The more gruesome the better. ‘Not that I’m glad you’re injured and in pain,’ she explained, ‘but I’m not squeamish about blood.’
Jack rolled his eyes to the ceiling. Growing up on a farm affected some people that way, he thought. ‘She’s the only kid I know who would cut a worm in half, so it had someone to play with.’
‘I beg your pardon?’ Connie asked puckering a confused brow. Jack looked to his young sister and then back to Connie.
‘Someone told Lucy if you cut a worm in half you get two worms, so she did. Just so the ugly thing had a playmate. I ask yer!’ Jack grinned when Connie threw her head back and laughed until tears ran down her cheeks.
‘I have heard nothing so funny in all my days – cutting a worm in half so it has a playmate,’ she wiped the tears from her eyes with the pad of her hand. ‘Precious!’
‘Are you sure the bullet didn’t go right in? It feels like it did,’ Jack asked, certain he had been mortally wounded.
‘Trust me,’ Connie said, watching Evie and Lucy clearing away the water and soiled lint, ‘you would never have made it to Reckoner’s Row if the bullet had gone right through.’ She was horrified somebody had opened fire on a fourteen-year-old boy. But she would say nothing. News travelled faster than lightening around the dockside, and some people would put two and two together and come up with five, adding a bit on for good measure.
‘I can deal with cleaning and dressings every day and the doctor said he will call in if need be – he’s a good friend, I’ve known him for years, he’s doing this as a favour to me,’ she told Evie.
‘But surely we should tell the police?’ Evie said. ‘Whoever did this must be punished.’
‘We don’t know what we’re dealing with, here,’ Connie said gravely. ‘Your mother knew some very dodgy people – who knows what they are capable of if Jack can identify them.’
‘Leo Darnel?’ Evie asked, but Connie didn’t acknowledge the question.
‘I’m only next door if you need anything.’ Connie’s tone belied the gravity of the situation, but Evie soon cottoned on when the former nurse whispered, ‘He’s going to need careful monitoring. It may only be a flesh wound, but I’ve seen enough of these injuries to know they need careful handling to reduce the risk of infection.’
Putting a steadying hand on Evie’s arm she realised the girl was shaking. ‘Doctor Johns is very discreet. Whoever did this is hardly an altar-boy. I think Jack got caught up in something that didn’t concern him. But until we know, it’s better to keep the authorities out of it.’ Connie’s tone was low so Lucy couldn’t hear.
‘What’s that supposed to mean?’ Evie asked defensively, remembering Darnel’s warning. Her fears grew from a minor vortex and ripped through her body like a tornado.
‘All I’m saying is, if we take Jack to the infirmary, there will be many questions. Some would even delve into his mother’s absence.’
‘I’ll make sure they’re well looked after from now on,’ Evie said, understanding the situation more clearly and knowing she would have to put her secretarial ambitions on hold for the foreseeable future. ‘I can do without the complications. But I need to know what happened when…’ Evie stopped when Connie put her hand on her arm.
‘Jack needs to rest and heal,’ she said knowing Evie had even more concerns to worry about. Keeping her family safe being the most important of all.
11
‘Let’s go out here where we can talk,’ Connie said, leading Evie to the back kitchen. Evie shivered. The place smelled of her mother’s 4711 cologne and fried food. She hadn’t noticed before.
‘What’s happened?’ Evie asked, and Connie put a finger to her lips to let Evie know she must keep her voice down.
‘I think Jack stumbled on something that wasn’t his place to see. There’s been another warehouse robbery tonight and old Sid Harris was caught up in the middle of it,’ Connie whispered.
‘Is he all right?’ Evie asked, her heart sinking. ‘He’s not…?’
‘No, not dead, but certainly shook up by the sound of it,’ Connie said. Rene knew people who were mixed up in stuff that could be dangerous for all the family. Why else would she flit for this long?
‘For all of your sakes, let’s hope this isn’t a consequence of Darnel’s business dealings.’
Evie knew Darnel had his finger in a lot of sticky pies, which was why her mother didn’t ingratiate herself with neighbours. Mam used to say they were a shower of nosey beggars who minded everybody else’s business but their own – but Connie was different. Her mam liked Connie.
‘This isn’t the wild west, Connie.’ Evie said, ‘people don’t go around carrying guns.’
‘Not even in the wild north-west.’ Connie’s stab at humour went straight over Evie’s head she was so worried.
‘I’ll check Jack’s settled.’ He was sleeping on the couch and would stay there for the time being. ‘I’m not one to interfere, so let me know if I overstep the mark,’ Connie said. ‘I nursed injured soldiers in Italy during the war, so I can get a bit bossy.’ Evie smiled. Mam never spoke about her employer, so Evie knew little about her. But she seemed like a decent sort.
‘I’ve seen injuries like this many times,’ Connie said, ‘and little can be done, except keep it clean and infection-free. Fortunately, I can pop in each day and keep an eye on how well his injury is doing. If that’s alright with you. It saves awkward questions.’
‘I understand,’ Evie said, wary of the authorities. Mam was always telling her to keep away from the powers-that-be and tell them nothing.
‘Don’t worry about it now,’ Connie said. ‘Take time to get to know your family again. Questions will be answered later.’
‘I only have one more
,’ Evie whispered. ‘How bad is his leg?’
‘He’ll live,’ Connie said, sidestepping her question, ‘but he was lucky.’
‘That’s the first time I’ve heard being shot is lucky,’ Evie answered. ‘But I’ll stay until Mam gets back home.’
‘It’s good to see you again, Evie,’ Connie said. ‘I must get back to Mim.’
‘Just let me know what needs to be done, and I’ll do it.’ Evie’s confident tone was in complete contrast to the helplessness she felt. But her pride would not allow her to ask for any more help than was necessary.
‘Don’t worry,’ Connie put a reassuring hand on Evie’s arm. ‘Nobody will hear about this from me.’ Evie breathed a sigh of relief. She was grateful it was Connie who had found Jack and not one of the other neighbours in Reckoner’s Row. Ada Harris especially.
‘I didn’t mean to sound ungrateful.’ Evie’s voice softened knowing she shouldn’t be so quick to judge. ‘People make snap decisions about other people… I didn’t mean to…’
‘Think nothing of it,’ Connie said heading out to the front door. ‘I won’t take no for an answer.’
Evie woke early the next morning. She was amazed at the change in her brother and sister since she last saw them. She lit a fire in the hearth and put the kettle on to boil, leaving Lucy to sleep until she had some tea and toast ready for her breakfast.
They had a lot to catch up on. Jack was a long streak who looked like a good feed would do him the world of good, Lucy also. If she had her mother here now, she would tell her exactly what she thought of her for letting this happen. But Evie knew she had to stay calm. Be strong. Not let them see she was just as terrified as they must be.
‘I’ve kept all of your letters,’ Lucy said thickly, hardly awake as she headed for the warmth of the fire she sat on the mat staring into the flickering flames, ‘and the little lace hankies you sent me. Oh Evie, we have missed you so much.’
Evie’s heart swelled when she saw the tears spill on to her little sister’s pale cheeks and all the bravado of the night before had disappeared to show a vulnerable child who was scared and helpless.
‘Well, I’m here now.’ Evie put her arms around Lucy’s skinny little body and hugged her, vowing never to let her go again. Her family needed her, and while she had breath in her body, she would not let them down.
‘It’s good to be home now you’re here, Evie.’ Jack’s strong voice, thick with the Irish intonation surprised Evie for a moment. He hadn’t said much last night. Shock, she supposed. And why wouldn’t he have a different accent, she thought. He had spent just as much time in another country as he had in his own.
‘Help me put this lot away, Lucy.’ Evie took the remaining contents of her store cupboard from the bag and put it on the table. So much had happened last night, she had forgotten all about them. But there were rations here that they could make good use of this morning.
A packet of loose-leaf tea, an uncut loaf, a packet of margarine, a pint of milk, a twist of sugar, four potatoes, a tin of dried egg and a few other bits and pieces that would come in handy seeing as her mother’s cupboard was completely bare.
‘We’ve got all the time in the world to catch up,’ Evie said. ‘I’m going nowhere.’
‘I’m glad to hear it.’ Jack gave her a lopsided grin, looking more relaxed as the heat of the crackling fire took the chill off the room.
‘We’ll soon warm up,’ she said as there was a knock at the front door. When she answered it, Connie was heaving Jack’s cart up onto the step and pulling a heavy-looking sack into the lobby. ‘It’s only nutty slack, but it’ll keep you going for a while,’ Connie said. ‘Luckily, I found some of the wood Jack collected last night – he dropped it on the way home.’
‘Do you know who helped you home, Jack?’ Connie asked, knowing Jack would never have been able to get back to Reckoner’s Row from the dockyard on his own.
‘I couldn’t say,’ Jack answered cagily. He would talk to Evie before he told anybody else. ‘I kept drifting in and out, you know…’ Everybody nodded, thinking they knew what he meant, but knowing nothing of the sort.
‘I’ve brought fresh dressings,’ Connie said putting clean bandages onto the table.
‘Oh Connie, what would we do without you?’ Evie’s heart nearly burst with gratitude. Unaccustomed to being helped by neighbours, she found Connie’s kindness overwhelming and only just stopping herself from bursting into tears. Connie wasn’t like the rest of them in Reckoner’s Row. On the chance occasion Mam talked about her employer, she said Connie was one of those rare women you could tell your deepest secrets to, knowing it would go no further.
‘Come and have a cup of tea.’ Evie pulled out the straight-backed chair, eyeing the tray her mother had pinched from the tavern. ‘I’m sure she intended to take it back, eventually,’ Evie said, her face glowing with embarrassment.
‘Don’t mind me,’ Connie said. ‘I think you’ve got enough on your plate without worrying about a tin tray.’ She gave a compassionate smile knowing Evie had never had it easy. It didn’t look as if things were about to improve any time soon.
After finishing her cup of tea, Connie stood up to leave. The family would not discuss anything of importance while she was here. And she was sure they had a lot of catching-up to do.
‘I’ll call in later,’ she said, heading to the door.
‘Thanks, Connie. I’ll keep an eye on these two. They’re safe now.’
‘I know, love.’ Connie patted her arm. ‘Back later to change those dressings, hey Jack?’ Connie smiled when Jack grimaced, knowing full well that being a typical lad he would have left well alone until his leg dropped off. ‘No jitterbugging now, d’you hear me?’
‘I couldn’t jitterbug before.’ Jack managed to laugh, and Evie knew that he would bounce back, come what may. He was going to be her mainstay. ‘Thanks for everything, Connie,’ Evie said walking Connie to the front door.
‘Think nothing of it,’ Connie answered. ‘If the truth be told, I’m glad to get away from Mim’s wittering for a while – now, don’t forget if there’s anything that you, Lucy or Jack need, you know where I am.’
‘We’ll be fine.’ Evie said, hugging her cardigan around her slim frame and hurried inside to close the front door on the cold weather. She let out a long stream of pent-up panic. What the hell was she going to do now?
From the shadows of the bridge, he watched the landlady scurry into the tavern on the other side of the jigger. Evie was back, he thought, just like he knew she would be. Opening the palm of his right hand he looked down at the single brass key. Not yet, he thought. Give them time…
12
‘You should have seen them, Mim,’ Connie said the next morning, ‘God only knows when they last ate, and the house was so cold, you could have stored dead bodies in there.’
‘And only next door, too,’ Mim said, shaking her head. ‘What is that mother of theirs thinking of?’ It was common knowledge that the widow Kilgaren liked her drink and men in equal measures. ‘I’m not surprised they were on their own, she was always gallivanting on her nights off, but I thought she’d turned over a new leaf when she gave the spiv his marching orders.’
‘And especially when those two kiddies came home.’ Connie nodded, knowing nobody called Leo Darnel by his proper name if they could help it. ‘We don’t know what goes on behind closed doors.’
‘I’ve a good idea,’ Mim said. ‘I know everybody said Frank Kilgaren was a hero, but he was an outside angel and an inside devil, if you get my meaning.’
‘I know exactly what you mean, Mim,’ Connie agreed, ‘but we shouldn’t speak ill of the dead – although I do remember he had a temper on him, and even watched her when she was only going down the yard to the lavatory. She’s well shot of both of them.’
‘She can’t half pick her men. I know that much,’ Mim said with a sharp disapproving sniff, knowing her longest-serving barmaid liked a good old time, especially when the American ships were
in port. Mim took another sip of her morning cup of tea, shaking her head in wonder. She didn’t have sympathy for women who neglected their children
‘She had a good heart, though, Mim, and that’s why I want to help them.’ Connie said.
‘How long have you both been home?’ Evie asked, watching her brother and sister tucking into their food.
‘We came home two weeks into the New Year,’ Jack said.
‘My good shepherd brought us on a ship,’ Lucy said excitedly, not wanting to be excluded from this very important family conversation. She was glad Evie was back.
‘You’ve been home for a month? And nobody thought to tell me.’ How could her mother be so heartless? ‘I was saving every penny for the boat fair to bring you both home.’
‘I did ask Mam why you weren’t here,’ Jack explained, ‘and she said you didn’t get on with the lodger.’
‘That’s an understatement, if ever I heard one,’ Evie said, watching the fire splutter into life, but she didn’t go into detail. Nor did she tell her brother that bringing him and Lucy home had been a bone of contention between her mam and Leo Darnel.
‘So, who is this Darnel?’ Jack asked, resting his leg on the sofa. Evie wasn’t sure what to tell him. Although, she was sure he would find out soon enough when he was fit enough to go back into the streets.
‘You don’t want to hear about him,’ Evie said, trying to change the subject. ‘Tell me all about Aunt Martha, is she still as demented as she ever was?’ Evie laughed, knowing their father’s older sister was a bit eccentric, but she had a heart bigger than herself.
‘She gave me a box of charcoals so I could keep up with my drawings,’ Jack answered, ‘I’ll have plenty of time to use them now I’m laid up with this thing.’ He nodded to his leg. ‘And Darnel?’ It was obvious he wasn’t going to give up asking questions until he got a satisfactory answer.