Someone to Trust
Page 24
‘You look…’ Words seemed to fail Rob, too.
‘Lovely?’ she prompted, her spirits lifting.
Before he could say anything Lucy’s shoulder was seized by Barney. ‘What the heck is that frock you’re wearing?’
‘It’s a shimmy,’ Maureen answered for her daughter and her eyes were damp as she looked at Lucy. ‘You look a treat,’ she said huskily. ‘Times are terribly hard for millions, and who’s to say they won’t be again for me or you? You make the most of your life right now, darlin’. I bet the bustle was frowned on in its time. The waltz certainly was! It was considered scandalous, a man putting his arm around a woman’s waist in public.’
‘That’s all very well,’ said Barney, ‘but…’
‘But nothing,’ said Maureen firmly. ‘Now it’s considered shocking for a couple not to touch, but how many of the women who dance today don’t have a man to hold? Eleven years it is since we all thought the war would be over by Christmas. How many hearts have been broken in those eleven years?’
There was silence.
Then Owen said with a grin, ‘Does that mean we get to dance?’
Blodwen laughed but his mother cuffed him across the head. ‘There’ll be none of that jungle dancing while I’m around, boyo.’
For a moment he looked really annoyed. He flicked back his hair and took out a comb. ‘Don’t be a spoilsport, Mam. I’m a man now, not a boy. So don’t be telling me what to do?’
Mrs Davies’ face crumpled but before she could answer, Rob said, ‘Shall we move into the large kitchen? There mightn’t be any dancing but you’ll all be expected to do a turn. Perhaps Lucy’d like to step into the spotlight and show us how to shimmy?’
‘No, no! There’ll be none of that,’ said Barney, his voice harsh with anger. ‘She won’t be doing anything so shocking!’
Rob’s eyes glinted. ‘Double standards, Barney? I bet you see a lot worse up on the silver screen.’
Was Rob championing her? wondered Lucy, her treacherous heart skipping about inside her chest.
Blodwen spoke up next. ‘That’s uncalled for, Rob! Mr Jones is only thinking of the girl’s reputation.’
‘Who’s arguing?’ said Rob, flushing. ‘But you’re only young once and I’m not going to be here to see it. I’m on duty in half an hour.’
‘You’re working?’ Lucy looked at him and his eyes met hers. For a moment it felt as if there were just the two of them, and her heart pounded in her chest. Then he moved away and walked into the large kitchen. She realised everyone was watching her and was suddenly angry and near to tears. ‘What are you all staring at?’ she snapped. ‘I’ll go home if you like?’
Barney dropped her coat over her shoulders. ‘You keep that round you, girlie. There’s no need for you to go home.’
‘There certainly isn’t,’ said her mother, giving him an exasperated look. ‘My Lucy’s a good girl. She knows what’s right and wrong. Come on, girl, let’s go in.’
Lucy followed her, knowing the rest of the evening would not match up to its beginning for excitement. Rob kept his distance. There were turns as he’d said: singing, poetry and even a tap dance, but he had left by then.
Refreshments were served at ten-thirty. It was then that her mother came and sat next to Lucy who was sipping lemonade. ‘See that one,’ said Maureen, smoothing her dark green taffeta skirts.
Lucy’s eyes followed her mother’s to where Barney was talking to Blodwen. ‘He feels sorry for her,’ muttered Lucy, hating her with every fibre of her being. ‘Says she’s suffered.’
‘Tush! Haven’t we all?’ said Maureen, sounding vexed. ‘You don’t want to believe all you see and hear. Young Owen… you stick close to him. Dilys is making a play for him – see! Over by the refreshments table. You go over there, say you’re bringing me an egg sandwich.’
Lucy shrugged off her coat. She was fed up of sitting there clutching it about her – and all because Barney had, as Rob said, double standards.
‘So, no dancing,’ commented Owen as she went over to the table. He looked at her greedily as if he could eat her.
She thought of what her mother had said, and of Rob saying he was in love with Blodwen. She smoothed Owen’s sleeve and smiled. ‘You’re stating the obvious, Owen lovey. I should have had more sense than to wear this frock here.’
Dilys drawled, ‘You said it! I don’t know how you had the nerve.’
Lucy felt cross. ‘Oh, shut up, Dil! It is New Year’s Eve. The time to have a bit of fun… but if I can’t have any here then I’ll have to hope someone will take me to the Grafton on my next evening off. I’ll wear it then.’ She gave Owen what she hoped was a sultry look. ‘I’ll need a partner.’
He didn’t disappoint her. ‘I’ll take you,’ he offered immediately, his gaze resting on the swell of her breasts which no amount of binding could quite flatten.
Dilys’s cheeks flamed. ‘What about me?’ she cried, forcing herself between Owen and Lucy. ‘I want to come as well.’
‘I’m sure you can find someone to take you,’ he said, grabbing Lucy’s hand and drawing her away.
‘You’re making a mistake,’ snapped Dilys, thrusting her face in front of Owen. ‘Just like Barney Jones made a mistake by marrying her mother!’
‘Hey!’ said Lucy, startled and annoyed. ‘Keep my mother out of this.’
Miss Griffiths appeared suddenly at Dilys’s shoulder. ‘What’s going on between you three?’ She eyed Lucy up and down with obvious disapproval. ‘Really, Lucy, hardly a frock to go to church in.’
Lucy had just about had enough. ‘That’s it!’ she said, tight-lipped, pulling her hand out of Owen’s. ‘I’m going home.’ She walked over to the sofa where she had left her coat and picked it up. Timmy sidled up to her, a sandwich in each hand and cheeks bulging. ‘Where are you going?’ he said in a muffled voice.
‘Out of here!’
His face brightened. ‘I’ll come with you. The food’s good but now the turns are over there’s nothing to do.’
‘Right!’ She looked around for Maureen and Barney to let them know they were leaving but both of them looked to be deep in conversation with different people so she and Timmy left without saying goodbye.
Lucy had intended going straight home but once outside she changed her mind. It was New Year’s Eve after all and there were plenty of people out and about. Brother and sister wandered aimlessly, not caring where they were going, but found themselves on Scotland Road when the ships’ hooters sounded on the Mersey and the church bells rang out. There was dancing and singing on the streets and they got caught up in a congar line. Complete strangers shook their hands and many a drunk aimed a kiss in Lucy’s direction while several women took Timmy’s face in their hands, told him he was luv’ly, kissed him and pressed a coin into his palm. ‘They’re all crazy,’ he said with a grin, pocketing the money. ‘It’s just like when I was a kid. So where next? Do we head for home?’
‘Might as well,’ Lucy agreed cheerfully, feeling much better for the fresh air, the walk and the unashamed enjoyment of the crowds.
They were silent as they made their way to Great Homer Street and were just thinking everything was quietening down when they walked into an enormous brawl. Lucy did not doubt it was of sectarian making, there being plenty of orange and green on view. Men, women and children were swapping punches, kicking and scratching, pulling hair. Some were rolling over on the ground. A police whistle sounded somewhere. Then there was a positive flurry of them. The fight began to break up as the whistles grew louder. ‘Let’s get out of here,’ said Lucy, taking her brother’s hand and making a run for it.
They didn’t get far before being seized by a burly bobby. ‘Come on, you two. What have you been up to?’
‘We haven’t been up to anything, Constable,’ said Lucy, struggling in his grip. ‘Will you let go? You’re pinching my arm.’
‘I’ll do more than that to you, girl, if you don’t keep still.’ He frowned down at her.
 
; ‘Are you going to take us to gaol?’ said Timmy, his expression lively. ‘I’ve never been in a lock up before. It’ll be something to tell the boys at school.’
‘It’s no laughing matter, my lad,’ said the constable sternly. ‘Now, the pair of you be good and you might get off with a caution. You look clean enough and I guess you’re only kids.’
Lucy fired up. ‘I’m no kid. Look!’ She unbuttoned her coat and shook herself. The silver threads in the fringes of her frock shimmered in the lamplight.
‘Good Lord! That’s indecent that is,’ the constable said, eyes protruding from their sockets. ‘I see what your game is but you shouldn’t have involved the lad. I’m arresting you for soliciting.’
‘What?’ Lucy stared at him. He couldn’t believe that she was… Her mind refused to finish the sentence. ‘Listen, I’ve got friends in high places! They’ll tell you the sort of girl I am.’
He closed his eyes briefly as if in horror. ‘You ought to be ashamed of yourself, girl, and so should they. Fasten your coat! I don’t want to be looking at you.’
Lucy stared at him and suddenly found the whole thing ridiculous. As she buttoned up her coat she began to laugh. ‘You’re making a mistake. I’m just a girl wanting some fun like the bright young things. You ask Detective Constable Rob Jones about me. We’re friends.’
He shook his head, his expression severe. ‘I don’t think that’s anything you should be telling me, miss, if you don’t want to get him into trouble.’
‘It’s the last thing I want to do,’ Lucy said good- humouredly. ‘So why don’t you let us go? It’ll be easier all round. I’m not what you think.’
He was silent for a moment and then looked at Timmy. ‘I’d best see you home.’
Lucy decided it was easier not to argue but as they walked up towards St Domingo Road she began to feel apprehensive, wondered what Barney would say when they arrived home.
At first she thought there had been no cause for her to worry because he was charm itself when he opened the door to the policeman, listening patiently to what the man had to say. It was not until the door had closed behind the bobby that his smile vanished and he swore at them softly. It was so shocking to hear such words on his lips that Lucy and Timmy froze in their tracks. Then, in a voice like the crack of a whip, Barney ordered Timmy to bed.
The boy refused to move and stood with his arms close to his sides, his chin up. His cheeks were pale but he looked determined. ‘I won’t let you hit her! Where’s Mam? She won’t let you hit Lucy either.’
Barney had raised his hand but now he dropped it. ‘I’m not going to hit her,’ he roared. ‘But you, Lucy!’ He turned on her. ‘You do realise how much you’ve embarrassed me this evening? I didn’t know where to put my face when you took your coat off at Miss Griffiths’ – and then to go off the way you did without a thank you or a tarrah – and now a police officer coming to the house! I never expected you to turn out like this. I must warn you, I won’t allow you to go from bad to worse.’
Lucy had an overwhelming desire to defend herself, to argue with him in an effort to make him see that she hadn’t done anything wrong, but she decided it just wasn’t worth the effort. What had Owen said about her wearing blinkers? She wasn’t the only one. On some things her stepfather’s opinion would never alter but she didn’t want to fall out with him. He’d been good to her and given her so much. If he wasn’t the saint she had once thought him, he could be a lot worse, as she knew from experience.
‘I’m sorry, Uncle Barney. It won’t happen again,’ she said quietly, and placing a hand on her brother’s shoulder turned him gently in the direction of the stairs. ‘Goodnight,’ she called over her shoulder. ‘And a Happy New Year.’
The next morning before Lucy rushed off to work she expected something more to be said about the events of last night but both her mother and Barney were strangely silent on the subject. Maureen saw her out on to the street and, to Lucy’s surprise, took her head between her hands and kissed her forehead. ‘I hope God gives you a good year, darlin.’
Lucy was touched. ‘The same to you, Mam.’ She hugged her before taking the steps two at a time and running for the tram.
She enjoyed her day. The film was a light romantic comedy starring Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks. Everything felt normal. She did a stint as usherette and the manager had suggested she might like to have a go at the cash desk, an idea she had floated to him when she had asked his advice on where to invest her money. He knew her ambitions, and although he’d laughed at them, he hadn’t completely discouraged her.
Lucy entered the foyer after the last evening performance, dragging on her gloves. She stopped in her tracks at the sight of her brother sitting on one of the sofas. ‘What are you doing here? It’s late! Does Mam know you’re here?’
Timmy stood up, throwing down the Boys’ Own comic he’d been reading. ‘I saw him again!’
For a moment Lucy couldn’t think who he was talking about. She’d pushed everything to do with her private life to the back of her mind today. ‘Who?’
‘Him. That O’Neill fella. He was in a car again but this time it was going along St Domingo Road and he was with a woman. She was driving.’
Lucy stiffened. St Domingo Road! That was really close to home. ‘Have you mentioned this to Mam?’
Timmy looked chagrined. ‘She was out when I got home. I waited for ages. Agnes didn’t know where she’d gone. So in the end I decided I’d come looking for you.’
Lucy was worried. She hoped her mother would be home when they got there. Too impatient to walk and save money, she decided to take the tram.
Barney opened the door to them before they could even knock. He looked worried. ‘So there you are, Timmy. Have you seen your mother?’
Lucy stared at him in dismay and pushed her way past him. She was remembering what Timmy had said about seeing Shaun O’Neill along this very road and her fear escalated. She ran upstairs, thinking maybe Barney hadn’t thought of looking in the bedroom, but Mam wasn’t there. Lucy went downstairs again.
‘What d’you think you’re doing?’ Barney asked, sounding exasperated.
‘Looking for her, but she’s not there.’
‘Of course she’s not upstairs! Agnes and I have already looked.’ He turned and clunked his way into the music room and went over to the fire. ‘You’re no idea where she is then?’
Lucy took a deep breath and laced her hands together in front of her. ‘Not really.’ It was one thing to have believed for years that Shaun O’Neill might be out to get her and her mother, but now the idea seemed suddenly fantastic. Things like that didn’t happen, not in real life. But then she thought of Mick and the terrible things which had happened the day the house went up in flames. She cleared her throat, gazing up at Barney and trying not to sound scared. ‘I can’t remember or not if we ever mentioned a man called Shaun O’Neill to you?’
Barney’s expression became alarmed. ‘You don’t think he’s been here… that he’s got your mother?’
‘I don’t know.’ Lucy made a helpless gesture. ‘Maybe not here… perhaps he saw her along the road, shopping.’
There was silence as Barney took a cigarette case from his pocket and lit up with a silver lighter. She noticed his hand was shaking. He inhaled a lungful of smoke before saying, ‘We can’t do anything this evening. But in the morning, if she still hasn’t turned up, we’re going to have to do something.’
Lucy agreed. The police! She remembered how she’d told Rob about the Irishman when Timmy had first mentioned him, but he couldn’t have done anything about it and for a moment she was angry with him. She felt a chill at her heart, hoping it wasn’t too late. A knife in a dark place… a gun… Bang, bang! She felt she would suffocate just thinking about her mother lying dead in some filthy back alley. It seemed unreal. This couldn’t be happening. She would make hot drinks and maybe her mother would come through the door as she was pouring them out.
Lucy made four steaming
cups of cocoa but Maureen wasn’t there to drink hers. Barney suggested they should go to bed. ‘I’m a light sleeper. I’ll hear if she’s forgotten her key and has to knock.’
Lucy thought there was no way she would sleep that night and she doubted Timmy would either but it was no use staying up. At least in bed they would be resting. But as soon as she lay down, her imagination kept throwing up pictures of Shaun O’Neill looking mean and dangerous. She must have drifted off eventually because she woke sweating and frightened from a nightmare. It was light in the room.
She dressed hastily and ran downstairs, hoping despite the nagging anxiety pulling her down to discover her mother in the kitchen. Instead she found Timmy, Barney and Rob.
Her brother came over to her and jerked his head in Rob’s direction. ‘I went for him. Uncle Barney was in a bit of a state, clumping about the floor, smoking like a chimney. It’s a wonder you didn’t hear him.’
‘I dozed off for a while.’ Lucy was painfully conscious of Rob staring at her. Why did her brother have to go for him? She found herself inconsequentially wishing she had taken the time to brush her hair and wash her face. ‘You OK?’ said Rob softly.
She did not want him to be nice to her because she was angry with him. ‘You promised to get O’Neill! I depended on you to keep us safe!’
Rob stiffened. ‘It’s not that easy, tracing someone. An Irishman in Liverpool is easily lost. Besides, we don’t know for certain that he has anything to do with your mother’s absence. She hasn’t been missing twenty-four hours yet. She could still turn up.’
Lucy hoped he was right! She sank on to a chair opposite him at the table. ‘I’m sorry. I just feel sick with worry. It’s not like her.’
He nodded briefly. ‘I’ll pass on her description to the men on the beat so they can look out for her.’
‘Thanks! Although if he got to her last night she could already be—'
‘Stop it!’ shouted Barney.
She stared at him in astonishment and then before her eyes his face crumpled, his shoulders shook and a huge sob broke from him. Lucy was completely taken aback. Didn’t know what to do. She darted a glance at Rob who looked embarrassed, ran a hand through his hair and mouthed, ‘Can’t you stop him?’