by Kitty Neale
‘Yes, I’m fine.’
Pearl knew that Nora was sensitive to John’s feelings, and it was obvious his words had failed to reassure her as she looked at him sadly.
Hoping to lift the mood, Pearl was about to give John his present when the doorbell rang. ‘I’ll get it,’ she said, thinking that it might be the postman.
‘Hello, Pearl.’
‘Bernie! I wasn’t expecting you.’
‘It’s all right. I know John won’t come to Southsea with me, but as this is a present I couldn’t put in the post, I left early to deliver it myself. It’ll be nice to see the lad, but I can’t stay long. I’ve got to get back to Dolly. She hasn’t heard from Kevin again and despite her medication she’s getting herself in a right old state.’
‘Come in, but please, don’t mention Kevin in John’s hearing.’
‘Now look here, Pearl, this can’t go on,’ Bernie protested. ‘I know you felt you had to tell John the whole truth about Kevin, but we haven’t seen the boy in ages and it isn’t fair that we’re suffering for it too.’
‘I know and I’m sorry, but John won’t visit you while there’s a chance he’ll bump into Kevin.’
‘Let me talk to him. I might be able to persuade him to change his mind.’
‘No, Bernie, it isn’t the right time. John’s upset enough about us moving to Battersea tomorrow and I don’t want anything else to ruin his birthday.’
After a pause, he agreed, ‘Yeah, all right.’
Relieved, Pearl ushered Bernie into the kitchen. Derek looked surprised to see him too, while John’s face was a picture as he looked at his grandfather, part pleasure, part panic.
‘Happy birthday, lad,’ Bernie said, placing the box on the table. ‘Now don’t hang about – open it.’
As he lifted the lid, John gasped with wonder. He reached inside to lift the tiny ginger kitten into his arms. ‘Oh, Granddad …’
‘There’s a farm up the road and I knew that one of the cats was having kittens. The farmer was happy for me to have one, and thankfully it worked out the right time to take it away from the mother. Sorry, Pearl, I hope you don’t mind.’
Even if she had minded, Pearl wouldn’t have had the heart to burst John’s bubble. Her son looked happier than he had in weeks. ‘I’m fine with it, Bernie, but it’s just as well we’re moving out tomorrow. My mother isn’t keen on cats.’
‘Granddad, is it a boy or a girl?’ John asked.
‘It’s a ginger tom, lad, a boy.’
‘Has he got a name?’
‘Not yet. It’s up to you to choose one.’
John lifted the kitten onto the palm of his hand, gazing at it, and Nora came to his side, obviously enchanted too. ‘Look, Johnny, he got stripes.’
‘Yes, like a tiger. How’s that for a name?’
Nora shook her head vigorously. ‘No. Don’t like tigers.’
‘There’s no hurry, John, think about it for a while,’ Pearl suggested.
‘My goodness,’ Emily said as she walked in, ‘what have you got there?’
‘It’s a kitten, Gran,’ John said, holding it aloft. ‘Bernie gave it to me for my birthday.’
‘Yes, happy birthday, darling. Though I’m not a lover of cats, I must admit it’s rather cute,’ she said, then turned to Bernie. ‘Has anyone offered you a cup of tea yet?’
‘I suppose by anyone, you mean me,’ Pearl said, smiling.
‘I’ll make it,’ Derek offered.
Pearl persuaded John to open his other presents, but none could compete with the kitten. Not that she minded. It was just lovely to see her son’s delight.
Only twenty minutes later, after Bernie finished his drink, he asked for their new telephone number and then rose to leave. ‘I’d best get back to Dolly, but good luck with the move. I hope you settle in all right.’
‘We’ll be fine,’ Derek said.
‘John, say goodbye to your grandfather,’ Pearl urged.
‘Bye, lad, and I hope you’ll come to see me and your gran soon.’
John’s head went down. ‘I … I don’t know … maybe.’
‘I suppose maybe is something to work on. Just remember that you mean a lot to your gran and she’s missing you.’
John didn’t respond to that, saying only, ‘Thanks again for the kitten, Granddad.’
‘You’re welcome.’
As Pearl saw him out, Bernie paused at the door. ‘If you can talk John into visiting us again, I don’t mind driving to Battersea to pick him up.’
‘I’ll let you know,’ Pearl told him. But in truth, as long as John didn’t want to see his father, she knew he wouldn’t go to Southsea.
Kevin had made so many plans while in prison, but now, when he’d been in agony every time he moved, it wasn’t his parents or his son on his mind. It was Vincent Chase. His hate festered, taking over his every thought, and every time he looked at his face in the mirror, the thin scar that now cut through his eyebrow made Kevin’s teeth grind with fury.
He was determined on revenge, to make Vince pay for ordering his henchmen to lay into him with their fists and boots. The beating had served to show him one thing; that Vince placed a very high value on Adrianna and she must be really special for the man to keep her so close.
Kevin smiled sardonically. Vince probably thought the beating had frightened him off, but he would learn differently. When the time was right he’d strike, and to rub salt into the wound, he’d also take Adrianna from under Vince’s nose.
He’d been laid up for a long time, April passing into May, but now Kevin was on his feet again. With his suit ruined, Rupert had just surprised him with two new ones, along with some very expensive-looking shirts. There were casual clothes too, and Kevin had feigned suitable gratitude.
‘Time for elevenses,’ Rupert said as he walked in with a tray. ‘Coffee and cake.’
‘I’m not hungry.’
‘Now then, if you want to build up your strength, you must eat.’
‘You gave me a huge breakfast, and I’m still full. In fact I’ve been inactive for too long and I’m going out for a walk.’
‘Oh dear,’ Rupert said anxiously. ‘Do you really think you should?’
‘Rupert, I’m sick of being cooped up.’
‘All right, but I think I should join you.’
‘No thanks.’ Kevin said firmly. ‘I’d prefer a nice quiet stroll on my own.’
‘Why? Is it because you’re sick of the sight of me?’
‘I didn’t say that,’ Kevin said as he pulled on a pair of new jeans. ‘It’s just that walking alone helps me to think.’
‘Think about what?’
‘About getting a job,’ he lied, ‘and earning enough to repay the money you spent on my new clothes. Along with that I want to find my own place – something I was planning to do before those bastards put a stop to it.’
‘It’s awful that you were picked on by those drunken thugs, but those clothes are a gift, Kevin. I also don’t think you’re well enough to think about getting a job, and as for finding your own place, there’s no need for that. I’d love you to stay here.’
‘I can’t go on living off you and I’ve got to find work,’ Kevin said, grunting in pain as he bent to tie his shoelaces.
‘See,’ Rupert tutted. ‘You’re not fit to work yet.’
‘I’ll have to manage. I should go to see my parents, but I can’t even afford the train fare. I’m broke, Rupert.’
‘I can soon sort that out,’ Rupert said. ‘If you really feel up to it you can go to see them today. Wait there. I won’t be a minute.’
Kevin smiled. Rupert was about to open his wallet again. Of course when the money was offered, he’d protest, say he couldn’t possibly take it, but then he’d give in.
He just hoped that Rupert wasn’t going to be stingy. If he was … well, there was more than one way to skin a cat, and if he played up his injuries his father might cough up some money again.
Chapter Fourteen
&nbs
p; Dolly couldn’t stand the way she was feeling, the anxiety about Kevin and the hurt that John wouldn’t come to see them. To make sure that Bernie was fit to drive, she hadn’t given him a half pill that morning, but he’d returned without John. She blamed Pearl, hated Pearl, wanting nothing more than to wring her neck, to see the life squeezed out of her.
‘You should have talked to John,’ Dolly said, trying to stay calm when Bernie returned alone from Winchester. ‘You should have told him yourself that Kevin really has changed.’
‘Pearl didn’t want him mentioned. It wasn’t the right time.’
‘You fool. Can’t you see what she’s up to?’
‘She’s only doing what she thinks is best for John.’
‘And that’s keeping him away from us.’
‘Don’t be daft, woman.’
Dolly’s temper flared. ‘Who do you think you’re talking to! Woman! I’ll give you woman,’ she yelled, waving her fist in his face.
Bernie reared back, shocked. ‘Now I know you haven’t taken your pills.’
‘When you dish them out, I take them, but you’re getting more and more forgetful lately,’ Dolly said, glad that her mind had quickly given her a way to use Bernie’s fears against him.
‘Forgetful?’ Bernie said, blanching.
‘Did you give me my pills before you left this morning?’ she asked slyly.
‘Yes, I think so … but maybe I didn’t,’ he said. ‘Can’t you remember?’
‘I can’t recall taking them.’
‘Bloody hell, I’ll get them now.’
Dolly didn’t care. She’d become adept at pretending to take them, sometimes palming them in her hand, or secreting the pills under her tongue until she was able to spit them out.
‘This explains a lot,’ Bernie said as he handed them to her, ‘and I’m beginning to wonder how many times I’ve forgotten your medication.’
Dolly said nothing, leaving him to stew, and as usual she feigned taking the pills. She would shortly have to appear calm, even-tempered, yet with her mind filled with hate, it wouldn’t be easy.
It was two thirty in the afternoon when there was a knock on the door. When Bernie went to open it, he called out, ‘Look who’s here, Dolly.’
Kevin walked into the room, and Dolly surged to her feet, ‘Kevin, thank goodness. I was so worried about you.’
‘Mum, there’s no need. I’m a grown man now, though I’m sorry if I’ve caused you any concern.’
‘I expected you to keep in touch,’ she said, but then looking at Kevin closely she exclaimed, ‘Your face! Have you been in some sort of accident?’
‘Yes, I’m afraid so. I was doing a bit of driving work for an agency, but that came to a swift end when someone slammed into the back of me and my face had an argument with the windshield.’
Dolly’s stomach lurched. Kevin could have been killed! ‘Oh, my poor boy. No wonder you haven’t been to see us.’
‘I must admit I wasn’t a pretty sight for a while.’
‘Why didn’t you ring us?’ Dolly asked. ‘We’d have come to see you.’
‘I’m afraid I wasn’t in any fit state to do that. I was laid up with concussion.’
‘Oh, Kevin, you’d better sit down,’ Dolly cried. ‘How long were you in hospital?’
‘I wasn’t. Rupert’s been taking care of me and I saw his private doctor. Now that I’m on my feet again I’m looking for a job, a permanent one this time.’
Worried, Dolly asked, ‘Are you sure you’re fully recovered?’
‘Ready or not, I must find work. Rupert has refused to take a penny off me while I’ve been ill, and I want to repay his generosity.’
‘What about the money your father gave you?’
‘I can’t touch that. It was a donation.’
‘But he just said that to encourage you to take it,’ Dolly protested.
‘Thanks, Dad,’ Kevin said, turning to his father, ‘it was good of you, but I’ve put the money into the refuge fund.’
Bernie just acknowledged Kevin’s thanks with a nod, and Dolly asked, ‘Kevin, how much have you got in this fund?’
‘So far there’s just your donation, but I hope to get the mission I told you about on board.’
‘I thought this chap you’re staying with was going to help?’
‘When I find the right premises, he will.’
‘How much will it cost to get the place up and running?’ she asked.
Kevin’s lips pursed in thought. ‘It’s hard to name an exact figure. There’d be the lease, but Rupert will pay for that. We’ll need beds, bedding, clothing, kitchen equipment, along with ongoing costs such as food for those we take in. I could go on, but that should give you an idea.’
‘Bernie, we should help,’ Dolly said.
‘What?’ he said, startled. ‘Sorry, I was miles away.’
‘I said we should give Kevin another, larger, donation.’
‘I don’t know. I’ll think about it,’ he replied.
Dolly wasn’t worried. Bernie was welcome to think about it, but soon she’d be in control. She was going to help her son, and Bernie wouldn’t be able to stand in her way.
Dolly was asking Kevin for his telephone number and as they continued to chat, Bernie’s thoughts drifted. His mind was sometimes so foggy that he was unable to think straight, but at the moment he felt all right. It wouldn’t last though. He’d seen it before, had watched his father’s gradual deterioration, only small signs at first, but then he’d become more and more forgetful.
Bernie shuddered, remembering how his father had sunk further into senility until his mother had to tend to him as though he was a child, feeding him, cleaning up his bodily functions, until it had almost broken her.
‘Are you all right, Dad?’
‘What?’
‘I asked you if you’re all right.’
‘Sorry, Kevin, I was miles away,’ Bernie said. Yes, he was miles away, travelling the same route as his father. He was losing it. He was going senile.
‘Bernie, you’re always drifting off into a world of your own,’ Dolly complained.
‘Am I?’
‘Yes. Sometimes it’s like talking to a brick wall.’
Bernie’s stomach churned as he wondered how long it would be before he couldn’t look after himself, let alone Dolly. His mind felt clear at the moment, yet as he’d forgotten to give Dolly her pills that morning, maybe that was just an illusion.
‘Dad, I can see you’re worried about something. Is there anything I can do to help?’ Kevin offered.
Bernie knew that he had no choice. There was nobody else, only Kevin and before he lost it completely, he’d have to put his affairs in order. ‘I … I’m getting forgetful and I think I might be going senile.’
‘I doubt that, Dad. You’re only around your mid-fifties, aren’t you?’
‘I’m fifty-six, and my father was about that age when he started showing the early signs of senile dementia.’
‘That doesn’t mean you are too. You seem fine to me, maybe a little tired, but that’s all.’
‘That’s because your father drove to Winchester and back this morning,’ Dolly said. ‘It’s your son’s birthday today, Kevin, something you seem to have forgotten.’
‘Of course I haven’t. Even though I’m still on the mend it’s another reason why I made the journey. I was hoping to see John.’
‘He isn’t here,’ Bernie told him, ‘and it’s just as well. You said you wouldn’t try to see him without Pearl’s permission.’
‘Whose side are you on, Bernie?’ snapped Dolly. ‘And you’re forgetting that John doesn’t want to see Kevin now. Pearl’s seen to that.’
‘What do you mean?’ Kevin asked.
‘She’s turned him against you.’
‘Now then, Dolly, that wasn’t Pearl’s intention,’ Bernie said, quickly going on to explain things to Kevin, impressed when he didn’t react angrily.
‘I see,’ Kevin said quietly. ‘So because
they’re moving back to Battersea, Pearl felt she had to tell John the truth. I can understand why she felt it was necessary, though I’m sad that my son doesn’t want to see me.’
‘I blame Pearl. She’s a vindictive cow,’ Dolly snapped. ‘She didn’t have to tell John about the rape charge too. It was dropped, but she conveniently forgot that.’
‘Now then, Dolly, you know it wasn’t intentional,’ Bernie reminded her. ‘Pearl said John overheard them talking about it, and it was the last thing she wanted.’
‘It doesn’t matter, I’m just glad that the truth is out,’ Kevin said. ‘God forgave my sins and I can only pray that John will too.’
Bernie still found it strange to hear Kevin talking about prayers and God, but he also drew a little comfort from it. If it was genuine, then when the time came Kevin would take care of his mother. Of course he would need the means to do it, but what if Kevin was making a mug out of them? What if this was all just an act to get money out of them? He rose to his feet, deep in thought as he stood looking out of the window. Maybe he could test Kevin, suggest something to see how he responded. He had just come up with an idea when Dolly broke into his thoughts.
‘Bernie, you’re off in a world of your own again.’
‘I’ve been thinking, that’s all,’ he said, deciding that this was as good a time as any, ‘about giving Kevin a bit of money to help him out. Not only that, now that Pearl has inherited Bessie’s place, we should change our wills.’
‘What has Pearl’s inheritance got to do with changing our wills?’ Dolly asked.
‘Because the shop and flat must be worth a good few bob and one day it’ll go to John. He’ll be nicely set up then, so I think we should leave what we have to Kevin.’
‘No, Dad, I’d rather it went to John. And as for giving me money, there’s no need. You haven’t got a regular income now and with many years ahead of you, I wouldn’t want you to break into your capital.’
‘I invested well and we can afford it, son.’
‘Maybe you can now, but things can change. Interest rates can fall, and there may come a time when you need to do things to this cottage, a new roof for instance, and your car won’t last forever.’