by Molly Green
‘Yes, it’s here.’ Michael handed him a sheaf of papers.
The inspector grimaced. ‘Good. We’ll charge him. It’ll be his third time in his short life.’
Dora walked out of the room, her chin high, Ronnie following, not allowing her eyes to stray one second to Michael who was holding open the door, her mind too desperate to take in all that had transpired at the station just now.
What a shock, Dora being Will’s mother. The father sounded a dreadful man and Will didn’t sound much better. No wonder Dora never acknowledged him as her son. Poor Dora. Thank goodness Dolly had been such a good friend to her.
Will. Ronnie briefly shut her eyes, ashamed of how foolish she’d been over him, sticking up for him even when Jess had told her bluntly never to be alone with him, and Dora had specifically warned her to stay away. Dora knew only too well that he would let her down. And so he had – telling such an outright lie which might have been enough to send her to some sort of reform place herself. She shuddered. Why? What did he have against her? He was the first boy ever to kiss her. That first time had been swift and cheeky, but it had stayed with her, and she’d built him up to something more than he was. But that second kiss … She felt her cheeks flame, recalling how shocked she’d been, tearing herself out of his embrace. That must be it. He was angry that she’d acted like a baby.
But she hadn’t been a baby when Michael kissed her. For the first time in her life she’d felt like a woman. His kiss hadn’t ended like that one of Will’s at all. Michael’s was tender and full of affection – or so she’d thought. And she’d instinctively returned his kiss. But the few times he’d spoken in the interview room, he hadn’t directed anything whatsoever to her. She could feel a spark of resentment within her, building to something like rage.
Outside, he’d made sure she and Dora were safely in the rear seat before he got into the driver’s seat, though he didn’t say a word.
Ronnie watched as Michael removed his helmet and laid it on the spare front seat, then started the engine. Sitting immediately behind him, Ronnie could study the back of his head without Dora realising. His nut-brown hair was shiny clean, and she couldn’t help noticing his ears were a good shape and lay close to his head. Angrily, she drew herself up. She had no business thinking such things. He couldn’t have made it plainer that their dance was something of the moment and now he’d dismissed it. No doubt he’d had a few drinks that evening which would have put him in a rosy mood. He was probably courting Penelope by now.
That thought made her cringe.
As though he’d tapped into her head, Michael twisted his neck round, startling her.
‘Are you all right in the back?’ He glanced at Dora but his gaze lingered on Ronnie.
Ronnie’s mouth was too dry to answer.
‘Yes,’ Dora said tersely. ‘All I want ter do now is get back ter the boats and finish my pipe.’
‘I’ll get you there in no time,’ he said.
True to his word, he pulled up on the slushy road as close as he could to the towpath, then nipped out and opened the rear door.
‘Thank you, officer,’ Dora said, climbing out of the back of the police car. She looked at Ronnie and frowned as though battling with herself. ‘Yous’d better ask the officer in fer a cup of brew, miss.’
‘I’d like that very much,’ Michael said quickly, as though to pre-empt any argument from Ronnie.
But the thought of her and Michael cramped into the small cabin under the curious stares of Jess and Angela filled Ronnie with alarm, especially the way she felt about him now. But there was nothing she could do.
Dora gave Michael a stern look. ‘Don’t keep her long, mind. I’ve got plenty of work ter get through.’
‘I won’t,’ he said, and followed Ronnie to Penelope.
He put his hand out for Ronnie to climb over the towpath onto the deck but she pretended not to see it.
Only Lucky looked up as Ronnie dropped into the cabin, thankful neither Jess nor Angela were there. She stroked the little cat’s head and told her she was a good girl, then filled the kettle to make the tea, all the while conscious of Michael close behind her, stroking Lucky’s ears, making her purr.
‘How much sugar?’ she asked as she set a mug of tea in front of him with a clatter. A little spilt over the edge.
He shook his head. ‘None, thanks. I gave it up when rationing started.’ He took a sip of tea, then put the mug down. ‘Ronnie, I’m sorry I had to treat you so formally at the station.’
‘You could’ve given me some sort of sign that you were sorry to see me there, at least,’ she flashed. ‘Why didn’t you?’
‘I couldn’t risk it. Inspector Jackson has eyes in the back of his head. He already suspects I know you a little more than in routine police work, so I knew I’d have to be extra careful.’ He hesitated. ‘The thing is … I knew you were being used.’
Ronnie’s back stiffened. ‘What do you mean?’
‘When he asked you to go with him to the station to help with further enquiries it was Dora he really wanted to interrogate – not you. He knew you were underage and it was natural that she’d go with you. Then she’d confirm what we already suspected about Will, but we needed her to admit the relationship and that she wasn’t going to cover up for him. Jackson was convinced that Dora knew about the kind of rackets her son was in, though we had no evidence, but he wanted to scare her into thinking she’d be dragged into Will’s criminal activities, which would be the last thing she’d want. He knew she’d already spent time in jail.’
‘So why was I there if the inspector knew I was innocent?’
Michael cleared his throat. ‘So you’d be right in front of Dora. She’d have to look you in the eye – a frightened girl – and he hoped she’d have enough decency not to drag you into this mess and would come out with the truth.’
Ronnie swallowed hard.
‘So the police used me as a pawn?’
‘If you put it like that – yes.’
A fury as she’d never known shot through her body. She stared at him without blinking. This was far worse than she’d imagined. How could he sit there and tell her Inspector Jackson’s twisted plan in this calm way? Why the hell hadn’t he warned her?
‘Ronnie, what is it?’ He tried to pick up her hand but she snatched it away.
‘Leave me alone!’ she rounded on him, her eyes blazing. ‘Do you realise what you’ve put me through? Thinking I was going to have to ring my mother and sisters and tell them I’d been detained in a police station …’ Tears streamed down her cheeks. ‘Then face court and maybe even a prison sentence? I was petrified that’s what they’d do to me. And all the time you knew.’
‘That would never have happened—’ Michael started.
She put her head in her hands, the tears spilling through her fingers. She felt Michael’s hand on her shoulder and jerked her head up.
‘Just go!’ she shouted. ‘I never want to see you again!’
She heard him give a heavy sigh.
‘If that’s what you really want, but you might let me explain—’
She sprang up to face him. ‘You’ve already given me an explanation. It wasn’t good enough.’
He nodded. She turned her back and heard the hatch slide open, then close.
The only sound was Lucky, still purring contentedly on her cushion.
Chapter Thirty-Six
‘What’s the matter, Ronnie?’ Jessica immediately asked when she and Angela came through the hatch.
‘Nothing.’ Ronnie pushed back her curls and gave Jessica a wan smile.
‘Something or someone’s made your eyes all red and puffy.’
Ronnie sent her a warning look. She didn’t want to discuss anything in front of Angela.
‘Why’ve you two been gone such a long time?’ Angela demanded. She narrowed her eyes. ‘Miss Dummitt was very mysterious just now, but said you had the post.’ Her gaze darted to the table and she pounced on the package and shook out th
e individual envelopes.
‘I suppose you’ve already helped yourself to yours,’ she said. ‘Never mind the rest of us.’
‘Oh, do shut up, Angela,’ Jessica said irritably, turning to Ronnie. ‘Was there anything for me?’
‘Yes, a couple,’ Ronnie said, keeping her eye on Angela who was looking through the post again.
‘Here are yours, Jessica,’ Angela said curtly, pushing the two envelopes into Jessica’s hand. ‘I’d better take these over to the others. They’ve been waiting ages.’
She disappeared through the hatch.
‘Good riddance,’ Jessica said. ‘I really can’t stand that woman. I think I’ll have to speak to Dora again about swapping.’
‘Don’t you go and leave me with her,’ Ronnie said.
‘I don’t mean that,’ Jessica grinned. ‘I mean swap her for a nicer model.’
Ronnie forced a smile.
‘I know it’s way past teatime but I’m putting the kettle on.’ She gave Ronnie a sharp glance. ‘You look all done in. Have you had one this afternoon?’
‘No, I’m dying for one.’
‘Coming up.’
Ronnie ripped open the letter from her sister. She pulled out a sheet of paper, written in Suzanne’s neat hand on both sides.
Dearest Ronnie,
I hope this finds you well and they’re not working you too hard. It was such a shame I couldn’t see you when you had a few days at home but by the time I’d got there I’d have to turn round and go back again. I’m longing to hear about your adventures on the boats and if you’ve really taken to it. Also what the other girls are like. Do you all get along nicely with one another?
Maman told me something rather worrying in her last letter. She said the police came when you were home, asking questions about stolen goods and cameras. What was that all about? She sounded very upset.
Ronnie bit her lip. Not half so upset as she’d be if she’d known about this afternoon. She was determined never to let her know such an interview had taken place. She read on.
Anyway, I expect it was simply routine but do be careful, Ronnie. You can be a bit headstrong sometimes!
Ronnie lifted her chin. She turned over the page.
I’ve had an awful cold – it might have been flu – and was laid up all last week. Throat so sore I could only croak. But I’m feeling a lot better now and can’t wait to get back to the troops. I miss it now when I don’t sing. Isn’t that amazing? I do miss my violin as well but I shall take it up again when this is all over.
Well, I suppose I’d better end this. I shall be singing to the boys tonight for the first time since the cold so wish me luck.
Hope it’s not too long before the three of us all meet again – the boys now ask me to sing that Vera Lynn song at every concert. I must say it gives me hope as well as the soldiers. I’m thinking of you and Raine much of the time. Remember when things get you down to keep that determined chin up, Ronnie. You’re doing an important job that many girls would never be able to tackle!
Much love,
Suzy XX
Ronnie skimmed it again before folding it up and putting it back in the envelope. Her sister’s lovely letter had come at exactly the right moment.
She opened the one from Lois.
Hello Ronnie,
You’ll never guess. I’ve joined the WAAFs!! Me. Lois Park. Can you believe it? I realised I had to do something before I was forced into one of the services I didn’t want. And as the boys in the RAF look so dashing in their uniforms, I thought that was the one to be in. I start training on Wednesday, so hope you get this letter. In my next one I’ll tell you all about it – if I’m allowed!
How are you taking to life on the canals? I don’t know any girl who’s doing that. Trust you to do something different! Not a very easy place to meet boys though, I shouldn’t think. But you never were one to bother about them anyway, so you probably haven’t even noticed, haha.
Sorry this is short but I’m in a whirl with packing and saying goodbye to everyone. Don’t know where I’ll be based so don’t bother to answer this until I let you know.
Love and XX
Lois
Ronnie gave a wry smile. Trust Lois to go for what she considered the most glamorous uniform on the men. She shrugged. Lois had already had at least three boyfriends to her none at all. Had her friend learnt anything about boys in that time? Had she? Ronnie chewed her lip as she thought of Will. Why had she been so attracted to him? On appearance, or in his speech, he would never have met Maman’s approval – or Raine and Suzy’s. But on those occasions when she’d needed help he’d been there. Surely then, it was what people did that mattered. Judging a person by their appearance and the way they spoke was acting like a snob. But Will had spoilt it all by lying.
She gritted her teeth. She was just about to ask Jess’s advice when Angela came back, looking on as though she’d just sucked a lemon. Well, it was too bad. The question was burning her.
‘Jess?’
‘What, Ronnie?’
‘When a boy kisses a girl, is it normal that they put their tongue in her mouth?’
Ronnie heard Angela’s breath hiss.
‘It’s vulgar.’ Angela practically spat the word. ‘No well-brought-up boy – or man – would do something like that.’
‘I’ll explain,’ Jessica said firmly. ‘If a boy does it against your will, then it’s not nice at all. He’s forcing himself on you and is working himself up and wants to go to the next step. And you know what I mean by that?’
‘Course I do,’ Ronnie stuttered, feeling her cheeks go hot.
‘So he feels annoyed if she rejects his advances, as he realises he’s not going to get his own way with her. But if the two people love each other, it’s absolutely right – in fact, it’s wonderful because they’ve both consented.’
‘I don’t want to listen to any more of this disgusting conversation,’ Angela said. ‘I’m going back to the motor. Maybe it will all be over when I come back for supper.’
Jessica burst out laughing. ‘I’m only giving her a bit extra of the facts of life,’ she said. ‘She’s such a little innocent.’ She looked at Ronnie. ‘Because we’re talking about you, aren’t we, Ronnie?’
‘And Will,’ Angela threw over her shoulder as she slid back the hatch, ‘if his disgraceful behaviour when he brought the box of food that time is anything to go by.’
‘Angela’s right on this occasion,’ Jessica said. ‘I could tell by his expression he didn’t like being pushed away.’
Ronnie was silent. That’s why he’d lied. He was getting back at her for pulling away from that kiss, at first thrilling, then turning into something she now admitted she’d found repulsive. She waited until Angela had disappeared. She had to tell someone what had happened this afternoon in the police station – about Will, and Michael’s strange behaviour – at least she could trust Jess not to let it go further.
‘I must say I’m not surprised at Will.’ Jessica poured more tea into Ronnie’s mug. ‘I tried to warn you about him, if you remember.’
‘But he brought those boxes of food for all of us,’ Ronnie protested. ‘He paid out of his own money. It was such a generous thing to do.’
‘Ronnie, he didn’t.’
‘What do you mean? You saw him come in with it. And his friend took another one to the others.’
‘Yes, physically he brought them. But he didn’t pay for them with his own money.’
Ronnie stared. ‘Who did, then?’
‘Don’t you remember I gave him a pound?’
‘Oh, yes, I’d forgotten.’
‘And then, of course, Dora.’
‘What did she do?’
‘Sally saw her hand over some money to both of them as they were leaving.’ Jessica’s mouth tightened. ‘She didn’t know I’d already paid Will and the little beggar took it. So he got paid twice. I wouldn’t call that a thoughtful gesture – I’d call it downright stealing.’ She threw Ronnie a firm
look. ‘And I was never happy about the marmalade and the coffee. That would have cost an arm and a leg – if you could get your hands on it, that is. And if you did, it would more than likely come from black-marketing practices.’
Ronnie swallowed. She wouldn’t mention the stockings. Jess would pounce on it as evidence Will was mixed up in shady dealings. How could she have been so stupid?
‘From what you told me at the station this afternoon, Dora wants to discourage any connection with him, particularly where the police are involved. But blood’s thicker than water and there’s a bond between a mother and …’ Jessica’s voice shook. A tear ran down her cheek and she quickly brushed it away.
Ronnie glanced at her, concerned. Why was Jess so upset?
Jessica pressed her lips together, then without meeting Ronnie’s eye, she repeated, ‘There’s a bond between a mother and her son that’s difficult to break.’
A terrible thought struck Ronnie. ‘Jess … did you … have you—?’
‘Yes. I had a baby – a little boy.’
Ronnie sprang up and put her arm round her friend. ‘Oh, Jess, what happened to him?’
‘I had to put him up for adoption.’ Jessica bit her lip hard. ‘He was so beautiful. Hair the colour of corn and liquid blue eyes. The spitting image of his father. I was only allowed to keep him for six weeks. But that was enough. I loved him to bits.’ Her voice wobbled.
‘Was … is the father the married man you were in love with?’
‘Yes. I don’t want to go into it, but I’d hate anything similar to happen to you. There’s a part of my heart that will never heal.’ Jessica gazed at Ronnie. ‘I’d understand if you were furious with Will, but I don’t understand it where Michael’s concerned.’
‘Because he didn’t stick up for me. I’ll never forgive him.’
‘Ronnie, he has a career to think about so he daren’t argue. He might be up for promotion and has to keep his nose clean.’
‘So his promotion comes before an innocent person who’s supposed to be a friend gets convicted?’
‘No, I’m not saying that. But what do you think would have happened if Michael had tried to intervene? Do you think his sergeant would say, “Oh, all right, Constable, I’ll listen to you even though you’re way below me in rank. Yes, we’ll forgo our plan to trap Will Drake.” Jessica sent her a stern look. ‘Of course he wouldn’t. This is the real world, Ronnie, and you need to grow up.’