‘Any news?’ Tom asked, when she walked in.
‘Nothing, I’m sorry to say, but they’re widening the search. They’ll let us know as soon as they have anything to report.’
Tom drew Dora away from Lily, who was busy drawing at the kitchen table. ‘Nothing was said about someone coming round to see if we’re all right, then?’
‘It wasn’t mentioned. Reg seems to be handling the investigation, and he knows us, so I’m sure he’ll tell everyone that.’
‘I expect so.’ Tom looked relieved. ‘You rushed off to help Stan. How is he?’
‘Exhausted.’ Dora told her brother what had happened, and what Winnie had said about Stan’s injuries.
‘That’s bad news, but I’m sure he’s pleased to be doing something useful. We’ll just have to hope we haven’t asked him to do too much for us. Shall I pop in and see him now?’
‘I wouldn’t, Tom. He needs to rest, and he isn’t in the best of moods. You and Lily go and see him in the morning before you go to school. He seems to like her.’
‘Good idea, and perhaps I can drop a hint about him taking it easy.’
‘You can try.’
Tom frowned as he thought over what he’d just been told. ‘We mustn’t be selfish and expect him to do any more for us. I’ll ask him if he needs any shopping. I can get that along with ours on my way home from school.’
‘I’m sure he’ll appreciate that, Tom.’ Dora had always known that Tom had a kind nature, but since their mother had disappeared he had become a caring young boy. This crisis was making him grow up quickly.
‘We’d better get Lily to bed.’ Tom lifted her off the chair, making her squeal, and started up the stairs with her.
Once the little girl was tucked up in bed, Dora held on to Tom, making him stay. ‘We’ll all say our prayers together tonight, and include Stan in them.’
Lily had fallen asleep quickly, and they went back to the kitchen to make themselves a cup of cocoa. Then they sat down to talk things over.
Dora stared at her hands wrapped around the cup. ‘Tomorrow I’ll ask Mrs Marsden if she knows of a family who need a daily maid. If she doesn’t then I’ll take a couple of hours off and visit a few shops and apply as an assistant. They’ve said I can do that if I need to.’
Tom nodded. ‘You take all the time you need. I’ll see to Lily and get the dinner ready.’
‘Thanks, Tom.’
‘How long can we afford to pay the rent, and buy enough food for us? And Lily’s growing out of her shoes.’
‘I know she needs new ones.’ Dora opened her purse and tipped the contents on the table. ‘I’ve put aside the money we found. That’ll take care of the rent for a little while, but Lily must also have her shoes. Then there’s our bus fares …’
‘If you can’t get another job our money isn’t going to last long, is it? I don’t want to move from here, Dora. Lily likes her school, and so do I. But we’ve got to face the fact that Mum isn’t coming back, haven’t we?’
Dora’s insides heaved with grief and worry. Tom was voicing her own conclusions. Something dreadful must have happened. But what? She gazed at her brother, deeply troubled. ‘I think we must plan as if she’s gone for good. We’ve got to keep us together. It isn’t going to be easy, but we’ll find a way. Between us we’ll do it, Tom.’
‘Of course we will.’
Chapter Eight
That was the best night’s sleep he’d had in a long time. But it was hardly surprising; he’d been exhausted. Stan stretched cautiously, aching from head to toe, and wondering if he was going to be able to get out of bed.
Pushing back the covers he eased his legs out and sat on the edge of the bed. So far, so good. His leg was badly bruised where the young lad had kicked him but, as far as he could see, no other damage had been done. Reaching for the stick he kept beside the bed, he braced for the effort of hauling himself to his feet. After the third attempt he was standing.
‘Attaboy, Stanley,’ he muttered. ‘Now all you’ve got to do is move.’
It took him nearly an hour to wash, shave, dress and get down to the kitchen. He was breathing hard by the time he slumped on a chair, but he was well pleased with himself. After what he had put himself through yesterday, he’d had grave doubts that he’d be able to get out of bed this morning.
‘Ah, you’re up then,’ Winnie said as she came in the back door.
‘Of course.’ Stan raised his eyebrows. ‘What are you doing here so early?’
‘Thought you might like breakfast in bed.’
Stan sighed. ‘You know I never do that.’
‘No, well …’ Winnie looked slightly uncomfortable. ‘I was worried about you—’
Stan caught hold of his sister’s arm. ‘You’ve got to stop this, Win. You’ve got enough to do looking after your own family. I’m fine. For the first time since I came home I have something useful to do – something to take my mind off my own problems. The three Bentley children need me, and that makes me feel good. We’ve got to find out what’s happened to their mother, and when we do, it won’t end there. I have a nasty feeling there’s going to be an almighty mess to clear up. Mrs Bentley was obviously living a secret life, and if it turns out to be something shady, then those children are going to be hurt.’
‘You can’t be sure about that, Stan.’ Winnie sat down and poured them both a cup of tea from the pot she had just made. ‘There might be a perfectly reasonable explanation for lying about the job she was doing. Perhaps she was working in a club or something, and didn’t want her children to know?’
‘You might be right. Dora did tell me her mother took any kind of job so she could move them to a better area. After her husband was killed, she might have had to earn as much as she could to keep them here. But whatever it was, I’m going to see this through. If that means pushing myself hard, then that’s what I’ll do.’
Winnie gazed at her brother with love and admiration. ‘Of course you are. If I stop fussing over you, will you promise me something?’
‘If I can.’
‘When this is all over you’ll go and see the doctors again?’
‘It’ll only be a waste of time, but I promise to do that. Just to please you though – and stop you fussing.’
Smiling with relief, Winnie opened the kitchen table drawer and took out a pencil and paper, then she slid it towards him. ‘I’ll have that in writing, please.’
‘You’re pushing your luck, Win.’ But Stan was chuckling as he wrote down the promise. ‘Now, as you’re here, you might as well cook me a nice big breakfast. I’m starving.’
After finishing off eggs, bacon, sausages, fried bread, two slices of toast and three cups of tea, Stan sat back and lit a cigarette.
‘My goodness!’ Winnie exclaimed. ‘You are feeling better. That’s the most I’ve seen you eat in a long time.’
‘I was exhausted at the end of yesterday, but it did me good.’ Stan’s expression sobered as he took out his wallet and handed Winnie ten shillings. ‘It’s Dora’s eighteenth birthday on Friday, so would you buy her something from me? It’s also the day she loses her job.’
‘Oh, poor thing.’ Winnie put the money in her purse. ‘We’ll give a little party for her. Not that she’ll feel like celebrating … but I’ll bring Reg and June with me, as well.’
‘Thanks Win, that’s a kind idea.’ Stan stood up. ‘Now I must get going.’
‘Where are you off to?’
‘I’m meeting Reg at the station. They’re letting me hang around in case anything comes up, and they thought that as I know the family I might be able to spot something they’d missed.’
‘How are you going to get there?’
‘On my bike.’
‘Stan!’ When she saw the expression on his face, she held up her hands. ‘Sorry, sorry. I promised not to fuss.’
‘That’s right.’ He grinned. ‘I think signing that paper was a good idea.’
At that moment there was a knock on the front
door. When Winnie opened it, Tom and Lily tumbled in, all concerned.
‘Where’s Stan? Is he all right? Dora said he wasn’t too well last night. Is he still in bed?’ Tom was already heading for the stairs.
‘I’m here, Tom.’ Stan stood in the hallway.
Tom spun round, studying Stan intently. ‘Oh, good, you’re up. You feeling all right now?’
‘I’m fine.’ Stan was touched that the youngsters should be worried about him. They had enough troubles of their own, for goodness sake! ‘As you’re here we might as well tell you what we’ve planned for Dora’s eighteenth birthday.’
Winnie explained about the party.
‘Oh, thanks.’ Tom looked from Stan to Winnie, his face glowing with gratitude. ‘Eighteen’s a big birthday and we ought to mark it. I’m sure Dora will be pleased.’
Lily tugged at Stan’s arm, her eyes bright with unshed tears. ‘Mum told me she was going to give Dora a big cake and jelly and stuff. She said it must be special because Dora would be all grown up then. She told me not to say anything as it was going to be a surprise. Can you find Mum so she can come to the party?’
Stan bent slightly to look into Lily’s bewildered eyes. The poor little thing just couldn’t understand what was happening. ‘We don’t know, Lily, but we’ll try and make it special for your sister, shall we?’
‘Yes, please.’ Her little mouth trembled. ‘I love Dora. She’s nice – and Tom as well, of course.’
Tom pulled a face and took hold of his sister’s hand. ‘I think I came as an afterthought. Come on, urchin, it’s time we were at school. Take it easy today, Stan, and I hope you find something soon. Do you need any shopping or anything? I could get it on my way home from school.’
‘I’ve got everything I need, Tom, but thanks.’
‘You sure?’ Tom hesitated by the door, and when Stan nodded, he said, ‘You just ask if you need anything.’
The children left, waving as they walked up the street. Winnie turned away from the window, her eyes filled with sadness.
‘Find that woman, Stan! If she’s dead then let those sweet kids bury her and move on with their lives. I’ll take them on myself if they haven’t got anyone else. I won’t see them struggling to fend for themselves.’
‘We’ll do our best, Win, but this is a damned strange case.’ Stan placed an arm around his sister’s shoulder. ‘Whatever Mrs Bentley’s done, you have to admit she’s made a good job of bringing up her children.’
‘Yes, she has, and I can see now she wouldn’t have left them like this. When I first heard the story I had my doubts about her, but seeing how her children love her and how she’s obviously cared for them, I’m not sure now. I think she must be a decent woman doing the best she can for her children.’ Winnie gave a troubled sigh. ‘And that means she’s being held somewhere and can’t get away, or she’s dead.’
‘Let’s hope it’s the former.’
‘Oh, I do hope so, Stan. But all this speculation isn’t getting us anywhere, is it? It’s a complete mystery.’ Winnie shook herself as if to push away the unpleasant thoughts. ‘I must get a move on. I’ve only got two days to make a cake and arrange a party.’
‘I’m having second thoughts about the party. Don’t you think it’s a bit insensitive at a time like this, Win?’
‘Some might see it that way, but I don’t. Dora’s carrying a heavy burden on her slender shoulders, and I think we ought to try and give her a treat on her eighteenth birthday. Tom and Lily think it’s a good idea.’
Stan nodded and watched his sister hurry off. Then he went to the shed, tied his stick on the crossbar of the bike, and set off for the police station. He pedalled along cautiously at first, and then more confidently. He was stiff, but it wasn’t nearly as painful as the first time he’d ridden the bike. He grunted in satisfaction. So much for the doctors’ predictions that he was going to be confined to a wheelchair if he didn’t have the leg amputated. What did they know?
Stan was disappointed when he saw the superintendent as he walked into the station. Most of the others knew him when he’d been one of them, but the super was a stranger to Stan. He could be ordered out of here, and he desperately wanted to stay. If any information came in, he needed to see it. He couldn’t sit at home and wait. It would drive him crazy.
Reg introduced him to Superintendent Greenwood and explained the case they were working on.
‘Neighbours of yours, are they?’
‘Yes, sir,’ Stan replied smartly. ‘Nice family, and I’d like your permission to stay here and see any information that comes in. I was a policeman at this station, so I know the ropes.’
The superintendent cast a glance over Stan, noting the stick. ‘Get that injury in the war?’
‘Yes, sir.’ Stan was almost afraid to breathe. He hadn’t been ordered out yet.
‘Permanent, is it?’
‘So they say, but I’ve got my own opinion about that!’ Stan spoke forcefully.
The super’s stern expression relaxed. ‘I expect you have. Stay if you wish. You know the family and might be able to help.’ With a nod to the room, he strode out.
Reg slapped Stan on the back, grinning. ‘You handled that well. He obviously liked your determination. Now, to work. You can share my desk. The reports will be handed to you to see if there’s anything that might connect with Mrs Bentley, no matter how unlikely.’
It was a couple of hours later when something occurred to Stan. ‘Reg, all these reports are from the poorer areas of London. Do you remember those expensive items Mrs Bentley had in her wardrobe?’
Reg sat back thoughtfully. ‘You think we ought to look at the West End?’
Something was niggling at the back of Stan’s mind. He’d always been known for his uncanny intuition. It was one of the qualities that had made him a good policeman. ‘And places like Park Lane.’
‘What?’ Reg looked astounded, then gazed around the room. In the silence all eyes were fixed on Stan.
The sergeant heard and came to sit on the edge of the desk. ‘What makes you think the woman might be in the classy parts of London?’
‘Just a feeling, and there’s nothing here.’ Stan tapped the pile of reports he’d been reading.
The sergeant gazed into space for a while, then stood up. ‘Right, let’s do it. We need names of any deaths, murders or otherwise, missing persons, and any unusual goings on.’
‘That’ll take time,’ one of the constables pointed out.
‘Then the sooner everyone starts, the sooner we’ll have the information.’
Stan watched as the men were given their assignments, wishing desperately that he could get out with them, but he’d never be able to keep up. He was being allowed to play a small role in the investigation, though, and he was grateful for that.
Reg wasn’t around at lunchtime, so Stan went to the cafe on his own. It was late afternoon before the men began to return. They all had the same to report. The other stations had agreed to compile the reports, but it could take a couple of days.
‘You might as well go home, Stan.’ Reg sat down wearily. ‘I’ve walked miles today, but there’s nothing more we can do till tomorrow.’
It had been a frustrating day, and Stan was glad to be home. He was just wondering what to get himself to eat when there was a knock on the front door.
At first Stan didn’t recognise the fashionable girl standing on his doorstep. She was dressed in a dark blue coat, and a hat in the latest fashion which he had likened to a pudding basin. But it suited her beautifully, and so did the black shoes with a silver buckle on them. ‘Dora!’
‘I hope you don’t mind me calling, Stan? I knew you were here because I saw your bike round the side. Lily and Tom aren’t home yet so I thought I’d pop in and see if you had any news.’ She began pulling off her gloves nervously.
‘There isn’t any, I’m afraid, but come in.’ Stan stepped aside. ‘Don’t look so doubtful. I won’t shout at you again.’
She walked s
traight into the kitchen, removed her coat and draped it over the back of a chair. The dress she was wearing was of a lighter blue, and had a delicate lace collar. Stan couldn’t take his eyes off her. She looked lovely – and grown up.
‘That’s a smart outfit you’re wearing.’
‘It’s Mum’s, we’re about the same size. I’ve been looking for a job in a shop and I thought I might stand more chance if I was well dressed.’
‘Any luck?’
‘Nothing definite. A couple of shops said they’d let me know, but I don’t suppose I’ll hear from them. There are so many people looking for work.’ Dora filled the kettle to make tea.
She looked so dispirited that Stan wanted to reach out, take her in his arms and tell her that everything would be all right in the end. He’d take care of her, and her brother and sister. He recognised the danger at once and slammed his mental door shut, sliding the bolt in place. What he was feeling rocked him. My God, he was attracted to her! He had to get any such thoughts out of his head. Dora Bentley already had more than enough to cope with. And if he allowed his admiration for her to turn into something stronger, then he was in for rejection and pain. And he had enough of that already. No, no, he mustn’t go along that route – for all their sakes.
Much to his relief Tom and Lily arrived at that moment, and ran into the kitchen to see him, their expressions eager. They became subdued when he told them there wasn’t any news, and Dora said she hadn’t been able to find a job.
Lily soon recovered. ‘I’m hungry, Dora. Can Stan eat with us tonight?’
‘Of course, if he’d like to. Why don’t you ask him?’
‘Please come and have tea with us tonight.’ Lily gazed up at him, pleading.
It was on the tip of his tongue to refuse, but how could he? ‘Thank you, I’d like that very much.’
Dora nodded in satisfaction. ‘Come round in an hour.’ Then she hustled the children out, leaving him to drink the tea on his own.
Stan felt he shouldn’t have accepted, but one look at their faces and only a heartless man would have refused. And he was beginning to realise that he did have a heart after all. He thought it had died in the trenches.
Diamonds in the Dust Page 7