A Sister's War

by Molly Green

  Raine came back, a serious expression on her face.

  ‘Well, we could have done without that visit, I must say.’

  Ronnie bit her lip. She felt drained now it was over. She turned to her mother who was sitting very still. How on earth was she going to explain it all to Maman and Raine? But what was there to explain? She was innocent. Well, innocent of any wrongdoings where cameras were concerned, but she knew Maman would closely question her on her friendship with someone who seemed to be mixed up in murky dealings.

  ‘I’ll go and make a fresh pot of tea,’ she said with a false bravado she didn’t feel. ‘I’ll go and make one.’

  ‘I think you need to give your sister and me an explanation first,’ Simone said, ‘and how it is that you hit your head.’

  ‘Let her make the tea, Maman,’ Raine said. ‘I’ll go and help her.’

  ‘And leave me to think bad things alone?’ Simone said. ‘No, we will all stay here and Véronique will give us the explanation.’

  But Ronnie had already disappeared to the kitchen. She’d just boiled the kettle when Raine appeared at the doorway.

  ‘It’s going to take quite a bit of explaining, Ronnie,’ she said. ‘It sounds like you’ve got tied up with an unsavoury character.’

  ‘That’s all you know,’ Ronnie flashed. ‘I know he’s not well educated but he’s helped me when I needed it on the canal and he brought us a box of food when the boat was iced up and we couldn’t get out to replenish our larder. But he never mentioned giving me something expensive like that camera. We’re not going out together or anything, so I don’t understand it.’

  ‘So the note was definitely meant for you, then? And the camera?’

  ‘I suppose so.’ Ronnie looked at her sister, her lower lip trembling. ‘But I know he hasn’t done anything wrong.’

  ‘Sorry, Ronnie, but you don’t know,’ Raine said. ‘The police don’t usually make such serious allegations if they haven’t got proof.’ She gave Ronnie a stern look. ‘You haven’t fallen in love with this boy, have you?’

  ‘Don’t be ridiculous,’ Ronnie said. ‘I’m not in love with anyone. He’s just a friend.’

  ‘Then why have you gone so red?’ Raine demanded.

  ‘Raine, please …’ Ronnie made a sign towards the front room.

  ‘We’ll talk about it later,’ Raine said. ‘Meanwhile, for goodness’ sake let’s have that cup of tea.’

  Five minutes later the three sat silently drinking their tea. Ronnie chewed a biscuit without really tasting it. Her mind flew in all directions. Was Will really involved in something crooked? If he wasn’t and he’d really bought the camera for her with his own money, why had he risked putting it in her saddlebag where anyone could easily lift it out? Maybe he thought it wouldn’t come to harm under Dora’s beady eye. And what was worse, if he had stolen it, she’d be implicated. That’s why the police were nosing around. She swallowed. The pair of them obviously suspected she was mixed up in something shady.

  ‘Now, Véronique,’ Simone began, as she put her cup down with such force it rattled in the saucer. ‘You will start at the beginning and tell me all.’

  ‘There’s nothing to tell, Maman,’ Ronnie said. ‘Will Drake is a boy I’ve spoken to on about four occasions. He helped me a couple of times, once on one of the locks that was so heavy I couldn’t move it. That was when I hit my head, but I didn’t come to any harm.’

  Simone’s mouth tightened with annoyance. ‘This is what I told you. It is men’s work. I do not know what your father would say to all this.’

  He would have calmed you down, Ronnie thought.

  ‘And you have not seen the camera before?’

  ‘No, Maman. I already told the police I’ve never seen it. Do you think I would lie to them?’

  ‘Maman, for goodness’ sake don’t keep going over things we already know,’ Raine said.

  ‘And as for you, Lorraine, you will not smoke in the house. When did you begin this disgusting habit?’

  ‘When Audrey was killed last year,’ Raine said flatly. ‘I only have the occasional one.’

  ‘Oh, I remember. That was so awful.’ Ronnie bit her lip. No matter how she tried not to think about it, to her mind her sister was still part of a highly risky organisation.

  Simone stared at her eldest daughter. ‘That poor girl is proof you are doing dangerous work. And she would not want you to smoke because of her.’

  ‘Audrey smoked like a chimney,’ Raine said with a short laugh. ‘She’d have loved having a fellow smoker.’

  ‘Do not talk lightly of the dead,’ Simone snapped. She fixed her gaze on Ronnie. ‘It was very nice of Margaret’s parents to give you her bicycle. But if it is still on the boat, how did this boy know about this bicycle to put the camera in the bag?’

  ‘I don’t know,’ Ronnie said, her voice shaking. ‘Maybe he came to give it to me and I’d already gone, so Dora or one of the girls must’ve said to put it in the bag and I’d get it when I was back from my leave… Oh, I don’t know – it must be something like that.’ She burst into tears. ‘I don’t know anything about black-marketing or stolen goods. Will wouldn’t give me anything that was stolen.’

  Raine sprang up to put her arms round her sister.

  ‘You can’t be sure of that, Ronnie,’ she said. ‘But it’s for the police to find out, and not for you to fret. But I would steer clear of this boy in the future.’

  Ronnie pulled away from her sister in fury, tears streaming down her red mottled face. ‘Don’t you dare tell me who I should and shouldn’t have for a friend. You’ve always been bossy with Suzy and me, especially me, just because I’m the youngest. Well, I’m sick and tired of it.’ She leapt up. ‘Come on, Rusty, I’m going to my room.’

  She ran up the stairs, Rusty only just managing to pull his tail in before she slammed the door shut, then flung herself on her bed and sobbed her heart out.

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  ‘Ronnie.’

  It was Raine shaking her awake.

  ‘Come on and have supper. Maman’s kept it simple. Baked potato topped with scrambled egg – all right, it’s powdered, but I seem to remember you don’t mind it.’

  ‘I’m not hungry.’ Ronnie’s voice was muffled.

  ‘You’ve got to face her sooner or later,’ Raine said. ‘And me, come to that. You know – your bossy sister.’ She gave a chuckle as she sat on the bed beside her sister.

  Ronnie emerged from the eiderdown.

  ‘She’ll go on and on at me.’

  ‘No, she won’t. I’ve told her not to mention anything more about Will Drake, cameras or bicycles, or the police. I told her I know you’re telling the truth.’

  ‘What did she say?’

  ‘She said, “Véronique has never lied,” so I said, “There you are, then. No more to be said.” And she agreed.’

  ‘If she sticks to it.’ Ronnie gave a half smile. Then she remembered. ‘Oh, Raine, I’m sorry I was so nasty to you. I was just—’

  ‘Forget it,’ Raine said. ‘Having the police turn up unexpectedly in the evening is pretty nerve-wracking for anyone, I should think.’

  ‘But you were so calm and collected.’

  ‘All a front,’ Raine laughed. ‘With the help of a cigarette.’

  ‘Did you really start smoking because of poor Audrey?’

  Raine’s laugh stopped abruptly. ‘Yes. I have to admit it did shake me. She was a damned good pilot. There was low cloud that day which makes it very difficult to see where to land.’ She paused. ‘She was the first female pilot to die since I started and was such a character. She became a good friend.’ Raine’s eyes glistened with tears.

  ‘Poor Raine. And poor Audrey. You know something, I’m sick of this war, even though we’re hardly aware of it on the canals. But it’s doing such terrible things to people.’

  ‘I know.’ Raine patted her arm. ‘But your friend Margaret died and it was nothing to do with the war.’

  ‘I thought tha
t at first,’ Ronnie said, ‘but none of the trainees would even be taking the cargo up and down the canal if it wasn’t for so many of the boatmen volunteering to join up. So indirectly it still comes down to the bloody war.’

  ‘Try not to swear,’ Raine said mildly. ‘You don’t want it to slip out in front of Maman. Anyway, splash your face with cold water and come down. I want to hear more about your job.’ She rose to her feet. ‘By the way, have you heard from Suzy lately?’

  ‘Yes. She sounds as though she still enjoys her singing, doesn’t she?’

  ‘I bet she has some rough times in between,’ Raine said sombrely. ‘She’s like me – doesn’t let the family know the full story.’

  Ronnie looked at her sister. Yes, she thought. Raine would hide anything awful until it was over. It was probably how the pilots all survived. She caught sight of Raine’s engagement ring again.

  ‘When are you planning to get married?’ she asked in a small voice.

  ‘I’ve got to help win a war yet,’ Raine chuckled. ‘And winning is not yet on the horizon – so to speak.’

  ‘When do you think it’ll be over?’ Ronnie said anxiously.

  ‘It’s turning our way,’ Raine said with conviction. She ruffled Ronnie’s already dishevelled curls. ‘It won’t be long, I don’t think, before we get that madman on the run.’

  The house was quiet when Raine left after a quick cup of tea and slice of toast and jam the following morning.

  ‘I didn’t think you’d have to go this early,’ Ronnie had grumbled.

  ‘It’s difficult at this time of the year to be sure of transport,’ Raine said. ‘I’d rather be too early.’

  There’d been nothing more to say.

  ‘Don’t look so worried,’ Raine said, giving her a hug at the bus stop. ‘Rusty will keep you company until you go back this afternoon. And about that police visit – forget it. It’s all routine to them. You’re innocent, and they both know it.’ She smiled and gave Ronnie a kiss. ‘They’ll be after Will Drake from now on. Meanwhile, don’t get into any arguments with Maman. It’s not worth it – you know how she likes to win!’ She hugged Ronnie again. ‘Don’t forget to write.’

  She was gone in a whirlwind.

  Ronnie was thankful to say goodbye to her mother. Simone was looking subdued. At least she had kept to her word and not mentioned the police visit again. Rusty’s eyes were doleful as Ronnie told him to be a good boy.

  ‘Telephone me as soon as you arrive,’ Simone called as Ronnie had just breathed a sigh of relief that the door would close behind her at any second.

  She grimaced. Maman would never understand that she didn’t have access to a telephone whenever she wanted.

  ‘Thank God you’re back.’ Jessica swooped upon Ronnie as soon as she saw her walking along the towpath. ‘It’s been hell here.’

  ‘What’s happened?’

  Raine had warned Ronnie not to bring up the black-marketing subject unless anyone else did. ‘Someone will, there’s no doubt about that,’ her sister had said, ‘but it will be interesting to hear from them first before you go spouting off – particularly with this Dora woman.’

  Ronnie brought herself back to Jess who was regarding her with narrowed eyes.

  ‘Surely you know.’ Jessica took one of her bags. ‘Didn’t the police come and see you about the black-marketing racket? That sergeant who was here before, and a constable – but not our Michael Scott. They talked to all of us and I heard the sergeant ask where you were. Dora was obliged to give them your address. Did they turn up?’

  ‘Oh, them,’ Ronnie said, making her voice casual. ‘They were just making a few enquiries.’

  ‘From what you’ve told me about her, I bet your French mother threw a fit.’

  ‘No, she didn’t,’ Ronnie said untruthfully. ‘There was no reason for her to. I wasn’t under any suspicion or anything.’

  ‘Really?’ Jessica’s pencilled brows shot up. ‘They showed us an expensive camera and asked us if we’d seen it before. We said no. Then they asked us who the bicycle belonged to and Dora casually told them we all used it, but Angela immediately said it was yours. They asked if we knew anyone with the initials W.D. and Angela chimed in again with “Will Drake, Ronnie’s boyfriend”.’

  ‘She can’t keep her mouth shut, can she?’ Ronnie said bitterly. It all fell into place now.

  ‘They implied the camera was stolen property and that as they found it in your bike’s saddlebag it was in your possession.’

  ‘I didn’t possess it. I never even knew about it until yesterday when the police told me.’

  ‘I believe you – thousands wouldn’t,’ Jessica chuckled. When Ronnie opened her mouth to protest, she said, ‘Sorry, couldn’t help that. I know you’re not involved with anything crooked. But you already know how I feel about Will Drake.’ She gave Ronnie a sharp look as though to ascertain her reaction, then shrugged. ‘Well, I’d better warn you that Dora’s looking for some answers. But that’s the least of it. I can’t stand living with bloody Angela. Thank God I can escape for a couple of days.’

  ‘Is Lucky all right?’ Ronnie asked, feeling awful she hadn’t enquired before now.

  ‘Yes, I’ve made sure of that – but Angela is making a meal out of sneezing every time Lucky brushes past her. She hasn’t forgiven Deadly Dora for allowing Lucky to stay on board. I can’t tell whether the sneezing is put on or not, and quite honestly, I don’t care. Lucky’s a dear little cat. I think I’d have gone even more crazy without her making me laugh.’

  Immediately, Ronnie warmed to her friend. She’d been worried about leaving Lucky under Jess’s care, but she needn’t have. Jess obviously liked cats and had come up trumps.

  As for that police visit, she would do as Raine said – forget it.

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Ronnie decided that unless Dora brought up the subject of whether she’d had a visit from the police, she wouldn’t mention it. Jessica and Angela disappeared for their short leave and Dora was busy giving some last instructions before the five trainees would take over their own boats in a fortnight’s time. Ronnie gave an inward sigh of relief. She’d been worrying about nothing.

  The two weeks fairly flew by and Ronnie couldn’t believe it was now February. The snow had only just begun to melt and it was the last two days that Ronnie and the other girls would be working together with Dora.

  Minutes later Dora put her head through the hatch.

  ‘Both boats must be thoroughly cleaned inside and out terday before we split up,’ she said. ‘And I’ll be doin’ the inspection.’

  Jessica groaned and Dora sent her a stern glance.

  ‘Ver-ron-eek, you and Jess and Angela will keep with the same boats, and May and Sally will be goin’ with me to another pair of boats where they’ll meet the new member of the team – Laura McKay. She’s a Scot, but she can’t help it.’ Dora roared with laughter.

  Oh, no. They weren’t going to be stuck with Angela from now on, surely. Ronnie glanced at Jess. Would she say anything to Dora? To her surprise her friend simply stared ahead. She was probably right. Once Dora had made a decision there was no point in arguing.

  Late that afternoon they tied up at Uxbridge.

  ‘Any volunteers to pick up the post at the post office?’ Dora asked as the six of them were squashed into Persephone’s cabin.

  ‘I’ll go,’ Ronnie said immediately.

  Several of the girls said they would be busy packing with the forthcoming move and as usual Angela didn’t volunteer.

  ‘Can yer find yer way, miss?’ Dora said.

  ‘Of course, Miss Dummitt. I shall quite enjoy it.’

  ‘Don’t make an expedition of it.’ She gave a few puffs on her pipe. ‘I expect yer back before dark.’

  ‘I will be.’

  Ronnie felt a little skip of excitement as she took Margaret’s bicycle out of the cratch. An escape. And not having to listen to constant chit-chat. If only she had Rusty it would be perfect. How she mis
sed him. He used to love their walks together.

  ‘I’ve come to pick up the post for Miss Dora Dummitt,’ Ronnie told the short balding man behind the counter. ‘There might be some letters with other names on them,’ she explained. ‘We’re working on the boats and are moored on the canal.’

  ‘What names would they all be?’ he said, peering myopically at her over the top of his spectacles.

  ‘There’s Jessica Hamilton-Bard and Sally—’ She hesitated.

  ‘I think you’d better write them all down, miss, so I don’t make no mistake.’ He handed her a scrap of paper.

  Try as she would, she couldn’t remember Sally’s last name. In the end she just wrote Sally.

  ‘I think it begins with “L”,’ she said apologetically. ‘But I’ve got all the others. Oh, and me, of course.’ She giggled as she wrote her own name and passed the slip over to him.

  He looked at it and nodded. ‘It might take me a while to get them all together,’ he said.

  The minutes ticked by. Ronnie tapped her foot impatiently. Where on earth was he? She looked at her watch. Quarter-past four. It’d be getting dark soon and she’d be in trouble. Oh, where was the man?

  ‘Sorry to have kept you, miss, but there was quite a stack to check and tick off in the book that they’d now been collected.’ He looked at her. ‘Have you identification?’

  Blow it. She’d forgotten to bring her letter to say she worked for the Grand Union.

  ‘I’m sorry, I don’t seem to have it.’

  ‘Don’t worry. You wouldn’t know all them names and Miss Dummitt’s if you wasn’t who you say you are,’ he chuckled, handing her a package. ‘I’ve put them all together in here so they keep safe.’

  She saw it was addressed to Miss Dummitt with ‘To Be Collected’ printed in large letters. How she longed to open it and see if there was anything for her, but she didn’t dare. Thanking the clerk for his trouble, she stepped out of the building. As she feared, clouds had gathered and what had been a slight mist from the canal had got worse. It wasn’t going to be such a pleasant cycle ride back.