by Cathy Sharp
They would receive stars for good behaviour or for merit. Each month the teams with the most stars would receive certain privileges which could be used for some kind of activity chosen by the children themselves – a trip to the zoo or the pictures was suggested.
Sister Beatrice had rejected the suggestion at first glance because it might cause envy or bad feeling, but then she began to realise that Angela’s idea was to give the children pride in themselves, to give them something to strive for and to teach them that hard work and responsibility to each other could earn its own rewards.
Remembering their quarrel, Beatrice frowned. Did she really want Angela to resign? Now that her anger had cooled, she had begun to realise that she might have made too much of the whole thing. It was that old sin of pride again.
Beatrice took the heavy silver cross she always wore in her hand and prayed for guidance. She could not put her sense of humiliation above what was right for the children …
The telephone rang and Beatrice reached for it, Michelle’s anxious voice jerking her thoughts firmly back to the present.
‘Sister, could you please come to the sick ward? Johnny seems very restless and I’m worried about him.’
Beatrice shelved her problems immediately. The children came before anything else and she’d been worried about Johnny when she’d looked in earlier that morning.
‘I’m coming now,’ she said. The problem of her relationship with Angela could wait.
Angela came back late from a shopping expedition to buy some gifts for the staff. She wanted to give them all a small gift, but one or two of them deserved something really nice. Sally and Michelle in particular had become friends and she was going to miss them when she left. The shops were not yet stocked to pre-war levels, but she’d found some beautiful Swiss lace hankies for Michelle and a pretty silk scarf for Sally, as well as the nylons she’d managed to accumulate for each of the girls, and she was going to enjoy wrapping them in gold paper and ribbon.
She deposited the parcels in her office and then went along to the sick bay, intending to see who was on duty; if it was Michelle, she might ask if she’d like to go to a film together one night the following week.
As she entered the ward, she saw that the curtains had been drawn about Johnny’s bed. Wondering whether she ought to leave, she was hesitating as Michelle came out of the curtains and walked up to her.
She put a finger to her lips. ‘Johnny isn’t very well. We want to keep him quiet today, because his head aches.’
‘I’m so sorry,’ Angela said in a soft voice. ‘Is there anything I can do for him?’
‘Sister Beatrice has been to see him. She sat with him for a while and it seemed to ease his spirit. She really is wonderful with the children. I don’t know if it is because she is a nun, but when they are very ill she seems to know just what to say to them. I don’t know what we would do without her.’ Michelle hesitated, then, ‘I promised him we would take him to see the Christmas tree. He’s too unwell to go in a wheelchair; do you think Mr Adderbury would come in and carry him down?’
‘I’ll telephone his office and ask,’ Angela said but at that moment she saw Andrew Markham enter the room and her eyes met Michelle’s. The girl nodded and they both looked at him expectantly as she explained what was needed.
‘Yes, I think that would be the best way of taking him down,’ Andrew said, looking grave. ‘A wheelchair would shake him too much, and he doesn’t weigh more than a feather. Sally has just finished dressing the tree. I’ll take him now.’
Angela stood to one side as he went behind the curtains, followed by Michelle. She heard his gentle voice ask if the sick boy wanted to see the tree and his voice saying yes, please with more enthusiasm than she’d heard in days.
A moment or two later, Andrew emerged from behind the curtain carrying Johnny wrapped up in a blanket, Michelle following behind as they left and went straight to the lift.
Angela went down the stairs, and then stood in the hall watching as Andrew Markham carried the boy right up to the tree so that he could reach out and touch the glass balls and smell the fresh, sharp scent of the pine. She saw Johnny’s face light up with pleasure and her heart caught, tears stinging her eyes as she realised how much the brief visit meant to the fragile child.
After a few minutes, Andrew took the boy back to the lift, once again accompanied by Michelle. Angela knew that she was crying, because despite all the care and love the child had been given they all feared that this was Johnny’s last Christmas. Sister hadn’t given up hope but the doctors had told her that he was failing and all the staff knew that his heart was too weak to go on for much longer.
Her own heart aching for Johnny and all the sick children that Christmas, Angela wished that she hadn’t fallen out with Sister Beatrice. It was a pity to be at odds with her – and perhaps she was at fault in this instance. She would have to apologise, because it felt wrong to have an atmosphere between them at Christmas, when everyone should be happy and preparing for such a special time. There was enough sadness without her adding to it unnecessarily.
‘Sally, I wanted to speak to you …’
About to leave for the night, Sally was surprised to see Keith waiting for her outside. She hesitated, because she was tired and would rather just have caught her bus, but he’d been a good friend to her and she didn’t think she could ignore him.
‘I want to get straight home,’ she said. ‘But you can walk to the bus stop with me if you like.’
‘All right.’ He looked at her unhappily as he turned to walk beside her. ‘I’ve been miserable since we stopped seeing each other, Sally. I’d like to be friends again – more than friends …’ He caught hold of her arm, swinging her to meet him. ‘Please, Sally. You know I love you …’
‘No, Keith,’ Sally said, more sharply than she intended as she pulled away from him. ‘I don’t love you. I like you as a friend but … I can’t go out with you again.’
‘It’s that bloody Markham, isn’t it?’ Keith flashed at her, his face white with temper. ‘I never took you for a fool, Sally Rush. He’s just leading you on. A man like that doesn’t marry girls like you. He’ll get you into bed and then when he’s had enough …’
Sally’s temper surfaced. ‘Girls like me? So that’s what you think of me, is it? You talk of love and then speak as if I’m some cheap little tart who would fall into bed with someone just because he has money and …’ She gasped as he grabbed her, pulling her hard against him and she felt the burn of his kiss, his lips grinding against hers. The kiss was more a punishment than a caress and she tasted blood on her lips. Giving a cry of rage, she struck out and hit him with the palm of her hand.
Keith held her fast by the arm, his eyes narrowed with fury. He lifted his right hand as if to strike her, but before he could do so his arm was grabbed from behind and he was prevented from moving by the iron force that held his arms pressed against his sides.
‘If you ever try that again I’ll make you sorry you ever lived.’ Andrew’s voice was throbbing with anger. ‘I’m telling you and I shall not warn you again. Next time, I’ll carry out my promise.’ Keith wrenched away, turning on him in hatred. Sally flinched, expecting him to try and hit the doctor, but something in Andrew’s face must have stopped him, because he took a step away.
‘You can have the cold bitch,’ he muttered resentfully. ‘She’s a bloody fool if she doesn’t know what you’re after – but why should I care. She deserves what’s coming to her.’
He spat in their direction, then turned and strode off, clearly simmering with anger.
‘Are you all right?’ Andrew looked at Sally in silence for a moment, then reached out to take her into his arms. He held her as she stood there trembling, upset by Keith’s spite as much as the threat of violence. ‘I’m sorry you had to suffer that, darling Sally.’
‘I’m sorry,’ she said. ‘That was horrible …’
‘He deserves a good hiding but this wasn’t the place to do it,�
� Andrew said. ‘If you know where he lives I’ll go round and make sure he never tries anything like that again.’
‘Please, don’t do anything silly,’ she said, pulling herself together. ‘I’m all right, Andrew. Keith wouldn’t hurt me, not really. He’s just angry because I … I don’t love him and I don’t want to go out with him …’
‘He means nothing to you?’ Andrew looked down at her, his eyes questioning. ‘Is there someone else you do quite like, Sally?’
‘You know I do,’ she whispered, her cheeks warm. ‘You must know how I feel …’
‘Darling Sally.’ Andrew smiled. ‘I should’ve spoken more openly before, but I’ve been holding back, thinking I’m too old for you …’
‘No, I like it … I like that you’re older and a respected surgeon, because it makes me feel proud to know you and know you like me too …’ Sally blushed and couldn’t look at him. ‘Oh, I shouldn’t …’
‘Yes, you should,’ he said and touched her cheek. ‘I wish I could just sweep you up and take you off somewhere so that we can talk, my dearest girl – but I have meetings this evening and I can’t miss them … but soon. He touched her mouth with his forefinger. ‘Let me put you in a taxi home, Sally …’
‘No, it’s all right. Keith won’t come back. I’m not frightened of him, Andrew. You mustn’t worry. Just get off to those meetings.’
‘Christmas Eve,’ he promised, smiled and then hailed a taxi for himself, leaving Sally looking after him. His special smile was just for her. He did care for her a lot, just as she’d hoped.
Angela was about to leave her office to change for the evening when the telephone rang. She picked it up and heard Mark’s voice.
‘Thank goodness I caught you before you left,’ he said in an apologetic tone. ‘I’m sorry but I shan’t be able to make it this evening. I have an urgent case and this is the only time I can see my patient.’
‘Oh, I’m sorry,’ she said, feeling disappointed. ‘Of course work comes first and I shall see you another time.’
‘As soon as I get a free moment I’ll ring and we’ll go somewhere. I hate to do this at such a late date but there’s nothing else I can do.’
‘Please don’t apologise,’ Angela said. ‘I understand Mark – and I’ll be seeing you at Christmas.’
‘I’ll be in touch soon,’ he promised and the phone went down.
Angela took off her coat. The thought of a lonely evening in her room did not appeal; she would be better off staying here and making herself useful. If Nan was still around she would ask what she could do to help.
Angela had been too busy to bother much about her flat, but it was time she started to look round, because if she had somewhere of her own she could cook a meal for herself in the evenings. She made up her mind to start looking in the London evening papers and perhaps she could move in after Christmas …
THIRTY-SEVEN
Alice had been on the early evening shift and the streets were cold and dark, a slight frosting on the pavement as she stepped outside. She shivered and drew her coat tighter about her. It was too cold to walk all the way home but she thought the last bus might have gone, because it was Wednesday, and they didn’t run mid-week. Sighing, she set off at a good pace and wanting to get back to the bed she shared with Mavis; at least under the cosiness of the eiderdown she would eventually get warm.
Alice jumped as the shadow moved out of the darkness, blocking her way. She looked up, half-hoping that it would be Jack, but found herself staring into the face of a man she didn’t know. He had a scar over his left eye and his eyes were dark, menacing. She shivered but not from the cold this time.
‘Someone wants ter speak ter yer, Alice Cobb. He wants ter ask yer a question about a mutual friend.’
The man reached out and took hold of Alice’s arm. She gave a little cry of fright and shrank away. ‘I don’t know you or your friend. Leave me alone.’
‘You know our friend though, Alice. Mr Lee wants you to tell him where we can find Jack. Now that’s not too much to ask, is it?’
‘Who are you? I don’t know what you’re talking about,’ Alice said and struggled, but the man had hold of her arm and was dragging her towards a large car parked at the side of the road. ‘Let me go or I’ll scream.’
‘I think you know me all right,’ he leered at her, his face so close now that she could smell the strong drink on his breath. ‘Jack told you about his friend Harry, didn’t he? I’m just payin’ a friendly call, no ’arm in that, is there?’
‘Let me go!’ Alice screamed and kicked out at him, and as she did so, a man on the other side of the road came sprinting across. He grabbed hold of her attacker’s arm and gave him a hard shove. ‘Bob …’
‘Get away from her, Harry,’ Bob snarled, not looking at Alice. ‘I know who you and your boss are – and I’m not frightened of you. Alice is my girl so just leave her be.’
‘Your girl?’ the man sneered. ‘I was told somethin’ different …’
‘Well, you were told wrong. I’m warning you, leave Alice alone – or you might get a visit from the military cops. I’ve seen your face before, Harry Miller, and I know you were a deserter from the Army in the war. You’re wanted on a hanging charge. I only have to drop a word in a certain person’s ear and you’re done for.’
A flicker of fear showed in the bully’s face, but then he glared at Bob. ‘Keep yer mouth shut or you’ll get a knife in the ribs,’ Harry snarled but a voice from the car called to him and he backed away, getting into the vehicle seconds before it drove off at speed.
‘Bob …’ Alice gasped as she looked at him. ‘Thank you … but he’ll come after you now.’
‘I’ll be waiting for him,’ Bob said. ‘But I reckon he’ll give me a wide berth from now on. I know too much about him.’
‘Is it true that he was a deserter?’
‘Yes. I know him from the boxing club Eric and me go to sometimes, but I knew of him before that. He’s a murderer. He killed a military cop. They never forget, Alice. They’re still looking for him – and I wouldn’t want to be in his shoes if they get him, and I’ll be putting in a report that I’ve seen him in London. He’ll be glad of the hangman’s noose when our lot have finished with him.’
Bob was walking by her side. Alice was glad of his company, because the man with the scar had frightened her. ‘How come you happened to be around when I needed you? Eric didn’t tell me you were on leave.’
‘I just got back. I’m based in London now for a while …’ Bob looked a bit bashful as he said, ‘I’ve been made a military cop, Alice. It’s a career change and means promotion for me. I’m on special detachment at the moment, looking after someone important. I’ve been training in all the special skills, boxing, martial arts, firearms, so I can qualify as a military bodyguard, and a lot more – and I was on my way to the boxing club when I saw you leave St Saviour’s. I followed you, because I wanted to talk to you, but I wasn’t sure you’d want to talk to me …’
‘Oh, that sounds an important job.’ Alice wasn’t sure what to say next. ‘It was good of you to rescue me, Bob. You don’t have to walk all the way home with me. He won’t come back tonight.’
‘Eric will talk to a few friends of his and they’ll think twice about coming after you again, Alice – unless they want a turf war.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Don’t ask, but Butcher Lee and his bullyboys aren’t the only ones with influence round here. Your cousin knows most of what goes on, even though he’s away a lot. And I’ve got some good pals at the boxing club, most of them special services Army like me. Big Harry throws his weight around, but he’s like all bullies, stand up to him and he’s not so clever. If he’s got any sense he’ll clear off before the Army gets wind of what he’s up to.’
‘Eric has influence? Did he tell you Jack has gone? Butcher sent Big Harry after him. Jack thought they meant to kill him so he went off and I’ve heard nothing since. There are rumours that he died in the fir
e but I’m not sure …
‘Yes, Eric told me what had been going on,’ Bob said grimly. ‘I’m not asking you for anything, Alice, but I shall be around for a while – and if you need help, come to me. Eric will always know where to find me.’
They had reached the end of her street. Bob stopped walking and smiled at her. ‘I think a lot of you, Alice. I’m just saying if you’re in any bother tell Eric to let me know.’ He reached out and touched her cold cheek. ‘Go on and get in the warm. I’ll watch until you’re inside.’
‘Thanks, Bob.’ Impulsively, she reached up and kissed his cheek and then turned and ran, not stopping until she was in the house.
Alice’s mother was in the kitchen and she could hear her angry voice as yet another row between her parents erupted. Alice’s father sat in his shirt sleeves at the scrubbed pine table, a glass of beer in front of him, while her mother had grabbed a heavy-bottomed saucepan and was brandishing it at him. On the table were spread a few shillings and it was obvious that the row was about money, or the lack of it.
‘How am I supposed to pay the rent and pay for our food with that?’ Mrs Cobb demanded bitterly. ‘I had two pounds in that jar and now there’s bloody sixteen shillings and sixpence. You took it for drink, don’t deny it, you great fool of a man. Why I ever married you I don’t know.’
On the stove a pot was boiling over and the smell of burning potatoes was heavy on the air. Alice moved the pot from the heat, avoiding her mother as she stomped about the kitchen.
‘I drink because that’s the only pleasure I get in life,’ her father said, rising to his feet in anger. He snatched the saucepan from his wife and threw it across the room. ‘That’s the last time you threaten me, bitch. I wish I’d never seen you, let alone wed you. If you’re not satisfied, get off your lazy arse and find a job. A man needs a drink when all he gets is the dirty jobs and all he has to come home to is a scold like you.’