Barefoot and Lost

by Brian Francis Cox

  ‘The last I heard she has gone to Belfast in Ireland, where the Germans have surrendered all their U boats that were in the Atlantic. There are a lot of subs to decommission and a lot of prisoners to register, so I guess she will be there for quite a while.’

  ‘Orville, June is out, she won’t be back until half twelve, will you stay, she will be so disappointed if she misses you.’

  ‘Reg, I have a couple of hours to spare so yes I’ll stay until she gets back, but only if Phil here stops adding two and two, and getting six, okay Phil?’

  ‘Okay Orville, sorry I’m going to watch cricket would you like to watch as well until June comes?’

  ‘Holy Moses no, I’d be frightened of falling asleep I’d sooner watch paint dry. What a boring game can’t understand how anyone gets enjoyment from cricket. Now, if you had said baseball then that would have been different. No thanks Phil, thanks for asking but I have some things I need to discuss with Reg and June.’

  Awful is right, the game is boring. At one end there is a fast bowler who is bowling to the offside, all the batsman does is step aside not attempting to play the ball. At the other end they have a spinner; the batsman at that end is playing a dead bat with a fear of being caught. Two overs have been played, and only two runs have been scored and they were byes because the wicket keeper missed catching the balls.

  June has arrived, Maisy is sitting in the sun with her eyes closed; I could sneak away,

  She wouldn’t know. I wish I knew what they were talking about downstairs, I could creep downstairs and listen at the door, but they would be bound to hear me. Curiosity is getting the better of me; I then remember that you can hear what is said in the kitchen when the door on the dumb waiter is open. I gently slide up the door, hesitating when it squeaks; I daren’t push it any further so squeeze my head into the gap below the door. I can hear Awful clearly, ‘All I’m saying folks is if it doesn’t work out with you, Lana and I would be delighted to adopt him, he’s a great kid.’

  ‘Why do you think it won’t work out for us?’

  ‘June as I see it, from where I’m standing, you are on six months probation, the authorities may look upon this business yesterday as neglect on your part. I couldn’t bear it if I knew that instead of staying with you two that truly love him Phil, would go to someone he doesn’t know all I’m saying is, if that happens, contact me via the American Embassy, and I will put the wheels in motion to get him to the States.’ I get a slap on the bottom causing me to bang my head on the door removing myself from the lift I find Maisy grinning at me.

  ‘Trying to escape are you?’

  ‘No, I was just seeing how far up it went’

  ‘I see, nothing to do with eavesdropping then?’

  ‘I don’t know what you mean?’

  The kitchen door opens, Reg calls, ‘Phil, Orville is leaving, come and say goodbye.’ At the foot of the stairs Awful takes hold of both my shoulders as he crouches down to bring his face level to mine,

  ‘Phil, if ever you find yourself alone and in need of help; contact me at the American Embassy in London. In the meantime give these two folks all the love you can, they certainly deserve it; so long little buddy.’ He stands and returns to the kitchen, takes hold of Reg’s hand, and gives June a kiss. ‘Remember what I said, contact me.’ Awful then, without turning around, leaves through the basement door and clatters up the steps, disturbing Jet, who gives a half hearted bark when he realizes it is not the coalman.

  Maisy is replaced at seven by the constable who was here last night. I am still not allowed to go out. I’m fed up and so is Jet. I’m fed up with playing cards and Biggles is not much fun, having read it before. I would like to ask about going to America but I can’t, I don’t want them to know I overheard anyway, listening down the lift shaft may come in handy.

  Sunday morning, when Gran was here was always special. Breakfast was taken with all of us at the table, chatting about everything and nothing, usually with Reg reading out aloud items from his newspaper. Today is not like Sunday at all, Reg is in his chair with his head stuffed in his paper, the Policeman is peering into his cup as though he expects something to rise from it, and June is washing some clothes in the scullery. Nobody, except Jet, looks up when I walk in. He comes to me with that expectant look. ‘We are going for a walk today, aren’t we?’

  ‘Will I be able to take Jet for a walk today?’ No one answers; I walk over to the policeman who is still deep in thought, ‘Can I take the dog for a walk’ He snaps out of his daydream,

  ‘Sorry son, what did you say?’

  ‘I want to take the dog for a walk, can I?’

  ‘No son I’m sorry, my instructions are that you are not to go out under any circumstances.’

  ‘That is ridiculous Constable, we can’t keep Phillip inside indefinitely, and he will have to go to school on Monday.’

  ‘I do realize that Mrs. Milligan, but the Superintendent is arranging something but, until then, I’m afraid Phillip stays inside.’

  Jet leaps from his basket barking and races to the back door, closely followed by the policeman. Pop clatters down the steps clutching a book in his right hand; under his arm is a newspaper.

  ‘Good morning sir, can I ask who you are?’

  ‘I might ask you the same question, but seeing as you are wearing the uniform, I am Sam Cohen, a friend of the Milligan’s.’

  ‘Come in Sam, sorry about the security.’

  ‘What is going on Reg, why are the police here?’

  ‘Let me pour you a tea and we will adjourn upstairs, then I will tell you all about it.’ I start to make my way upstairs. ‘Not you Phil, Sam, and I have some private things to discuss.’ As they make their way upstairs I sidle over to the dumb waiter, but it doesn’t work the other way around, all I can hear is muffled conversation.

  Pop has left both, the Talisman and his newspaper on the table, the paper is open at the second page, the head line reads.

  TWO BODIES IN ONE COFFIN PAEDOPHILE RING EXPOSED

  The body of a young runaway from a children’s home was exhumed by Sussex police on the suspicion of foul play. The coffin contained the body of 14 year old Lionel Bates and the body of an eight year old boy, as yet unidentified, both had been sexually assaulted, severely beaten and strangled. The police are unable to reveal further details as this is an ongoing investigation but, an unofficial source has said that there have been irregularities in the issuing of death certificates and, a senior pathologist, in the coroners office in a south London borough, is being held on remand.

  I can feel the tears running down my cheeks and I start to sob. ‘Phillip whatever is the matter?’ I can’t answer, my throat has seized, and June puts her arm around my shoulder and reads the paper.

  ‘Oh! My God Phillip, what have we got ourselves into; that poor boy?

  I still can’t speak, the words won’t come, June turns me to her, as we cuddle I can feel that she is crying too. After a few minutes I find my voice, ‘June, why do people do those of things?’

  ‘Phillip, I just do not know, it is beyond my comprehension. God knows what suffering they went through?’

  ‘The paper says they were sexually assaulted, what does that mean?’

  ‘Phillip I can’t tell you I cannot imagine what those perverted individuals are capable of, but now, I hope you can see why I was so frantic when you didn’t come home on Friday.’

  ‘I do now, I’m sorry’

  Feeling a little better, I take the Talisman up to my bedroom and read until lunch. When I come back down, Pop has gone. Lunch is a very quiet affair; no one speaks of the newspaper story. The policeman seems to have made himself at home, even clearing the table, and drying the dishes for June. It is supposed to be my job but I am not going to stop him if he wants to do it. I sneak up to my room back to Sir Kenneth; chapter twenty three is much more interesting. But even so, at the back of my mind is Lion, what did they do to him, would they have done the same to me if they had caught me? I wish I kne
w what sexually assaulted meant, is it the same as Flynn putting his dick in Lion’s mouth or something worse. What could be worse than that, I wish I knew I’ll ask Pop, he will explain it to me.

  After tea John Langdon calls, accompanied by Maisy; Reg, June and he go upstairs, I’m made to stay with Maisy.

  ‘Maisy, did you see the news about digging up my friend’s body?’

  ‘No Phil I didn’t, and if I had I would not be discussing it with you, it is not the sort of thing adults discuss with children.’ I can hear Reg’s limp, clump down the stairs, he looks very drawn. Behind him June follows, she has clearly been crying again, the Super looks very grave. ‘Phil, I want you to pay attention and listen to what I have to say, and not ask any questions until I ask you to, is that clear?’

  ‘Yes Captain, I understand.’

  ‘Good; clearly, I can’t have someone to guard you, twenty four hours a day, until the investigation and the subsequent trial is over. You have to go to school, therefore it has been decided that you will go to a boarding school. There is one here in Saint Leonards, where you will sleep and attend classes without leaving the premises; it is very secluded and discreet. You will stay there until this investigation is complete. You will have no contact with anyone outside of the school, other than me. I envisage you being there for approximately two months; okay, do you understand?’

  ‘I think so, will I be able to see June and Reg or Pop?’

  ‘No Phil, no one, only me, it is for your own protection. You have read the paper and have seen what these people are capable of.”

  ‘Why do they want to get me? All I did was write a letter to Pop, I only know what Flynn did to me, and what Lion told us, happened to him.’

  ‘That is true, but my belief is that they think you know more than you do, and are a threat to them.’

  ‘Who are they, I don’t know them?’

  ‘We don’t know who all of them are but, believe me there are some very important people amongst them that are quaking in their boots, knowing we are breathing down their necks.’

  ‘Will I be able to swim at this school?’

  ‘You certainly will, they have their own pool, you will like it there I’m sure.’

  ‘Not without June and Reg and Jet I won’t.’

  ‘Sorry Phil, you have no say in it. It is in your interest to make the best of it, I will collect you at ten o clock tonight, so you had better go and get packed.’

  ‘What tonight?’

  ‘Yes, tonight Phil, after all, it is only for eight weeks and then you can come back here.’

  Turning to June, ‘Do you have any questions?’ June shakes her head, ‘Reg what about you?’

  ‘No John, you have been very explicit.’

  ‘Then I will be off, see you all tonight.’

  Chapter Sixteen

  I am in a room with three other boys, I can’t see how old they are, they were asleep when I came in, but they look about my age. The bed is much more comfortable than the one at ST S’s, but it is not my room it’s not fair. The first time I have a room of my own it is taken away from me. June cried so much when I left, the Super almost had to drag me away, she was holding me so tight. She said, ‘Don’t despair Phillip, we will do everything in our power to get you back.’ Reg told her to be quiet. Why would she say that, I’m only going for eight weeks; or am I? Why did Reg tell her to shut up, do they know something I don’t and are not telling me? Perhaps they have been told they can’t foster me anymore. It’s my fault, if only I had not gone swimming, leaving that note was stupid. What if they can’t, will they tell Awful, or will I have to tell him? I like Awful, but I’m not sure I’d want him for a dad, but it could be fun living in America. I think he lives in Texas, that’s where the cowboys come from; perhaps I would learn to ride a horse.

  I am woken by someone shaking me. The one doing the shaking is short and about sixteen years old, ‘Pray tell me boy what is your name?’

  ‘Who are you?’ I attempt to sit up but he puts his foot on my chest.

  ‘Don’t answer a question with a question, what is your bloody name?’

  ‘Phillip Snell, what’s yours? Get off, you’re hurting me.’

  ‘Well Snell, this is not hurt, if you cross me or do not do my bidding, you will find out very quickly, what hurt is.’

  ‘You still haven’t told me your name!

  ‘Don’t be insolent with me, the name is Bateman, got that Snell? Remember it well.

  ‘How old are you?’

  ‘Twelve.’

  ‘What month is your birthday?”

  ‘ July.’ the boy in the bed opposite gives a cheer.

  ‘I believe that makes Snell two months younger than you Porter, is that correct.’

  ‘Yes Bateman.’

  ‘Then you are relieved of your duties Porter, Snell will take over from you as of now.’

  ‘What duties, what do you mean, like cleaning the toilet, things like that.’

  ‘Yes, things like that. In fact everything I tell you to do, that is your duty.’

  ‘Supposing I don’t want to and refuse?’

  ‘Suppose all you like, but what it comes down to is, my need is your duty, when you hear me shout Snell, you are to come running, Snell sounds very much like the German word Schnell, which means fast, so, when you hear your name, drop whatever you are doing and run to me Schnell Snell, is that understood?’

  ‘Yes, I understand, clearly you are a bloody bully, you can get some other mug to do your needs I will not be running to you and certainly not run away from you.’ Bateman lifts his foot off me and reaches down to grab me. With the only free arm I have above the bedclothes I swing a punch, catching him squarely on the nose. As my fist connects I feel his nose give way, blood spurts all over his face, spraying me as well. Bateman screams, aiming a kick at me but his movement takes him off balance and he staggers back. Leaping out of bed I take another swing at him, but one of the other boys grabs my arm. I turn to free myself feeling a blow to the side of my head which feels like it is being separated from my shoulders, my ear rings, bright lights flash before my eyes, then darkness overcomes me, my knees buckle and I fall to the ground. I come to, still on the floor; I can see a pair of shoes standing and another pair as though sitting. I can hear Bateman’s posh voice, ‘Yes sir, the little blighter attacked me, and he came at me like a bull. All I said to him was hello; my name is Bateman, what is yours? With that he flew at me, I had no choice but to hit back, look at my nose, I think it is broken.’

  I try to sit up but a pain in my side catches me and makes me wince, my ear is throbbing and I have a headache, I speak, but it doesn’t sound like me, ‘You’re a bloody liar, you were holding me down with your foot, I just hit you to escape.’

  ‘Now that is a likely story I’ll be bound, why on earth would I wish to stand on you?’

  The standing shoes speak, I recognize the voice of the principal from last night, he was waiting for me when the Super brought me here.

  ‘That is enough Bateman, go to your room and clean yourself up, then get Matron to look at you nose, it doesn’t appear broken to me but get her to check it. Snell, quickly get yourself dressed and come to my office, I will speak with you there. The rest of you stop standing around, you have less than an hour before classes begin, so hurry along’.

  The throbbing in my ear has reduced to a stinging sensation, but the pain in my side hurts when I walk. Russell Saville is seated at a large, highly polished, dark wooden desk. ‘I accept you to assist a friend and, within less than eight hours, you have turned this school into a battlefield, what do you have to say for yourself?’

  ‘Sir, Bateman bullied me, he held me down with his foot, preventing me from getting out of bed. I won’t be bullied, I have had it happen to me before, so when I got the chance I hit him, he hit me back and knocked me down and, when I was lying on the floor, I’m pretty sure he kicked me, my side hurts a lot.’

  ‘That is not what Bateman is saying, he reckons you
, without provocation lashed out at him.’

  ‘That is not true Sir, he is lying, and I’m not. That is something I never do, I never lie, anyway, if he is telling the truth, why would he kick me when I was on the ground?’

  ‘Let me have a look, lift your shirt.’ God I hope this man is not another Flynn, but I needn’t have worried, he, just examines my side.

  ‘Snell, you could be right, I can clearly see a bruise in the shape of a heel, and, without doubt, Bateman was the only one wearing shoes.’

  ‘I told you, I never lie.’

  ‘That is as may be; what provoked this altercation?’

  ‘Bateman told me that I had to run to him whenever he needed something done. I’m not his slave and I told him I wouldn’t do it.’

  ‘Well, he was right there, it is a tradition of this school that freshers look after the needs of senior boys, it stems from our founders, and they were Harrow school boys, where they have carried out this practice for centuries. We believe in the principle that, if it is good enough for them, it is good enough for us. After all, Harrow has produced some excellent scholars, Lord Byron; Winston Churchill to name a couple, the list is endless. As freshers they too, without exception as you put it, were slaves, the practice teaches humility.’

  Well I’m sorry Sir; I won’t do it I am not a slave. I would sooner take my chances on being kidnapped than run around looking after the needs of a toffee nosed bully.’

  ‘I see, I think I should contact John Langdon and review our arrangement. Find your way to the dining room and see if there is any breakfast left for you, then come back here.’

  After cold porridge like glue, and two pieces of toast that shattered into several pieces, I return to find a jolly lady probably about sixty, her smile lights up her face as I walk into the room.