“I don’t know, Jack, I really don’t know. Well, that’s not true. I want to be with you. But then I hardly know you so maybe that’s illogical. I know I’m scheming and I know I’m hard but I can’t bring myself to destroy Jed.”
“But you don’t love him, not really. You may like him alot and you may be great friends with him but you don’t love him.”
“He needs me.”
“I don’t think he does. I think he needs looking after. That’s an entirely different thing. I don’t think he craves you like I do.”
“Don’t do this, Jack,” she said raising her voice now. “It’s not fair. You can’t ask me to do this.”
“But you’re happy for me to finance the business and provide Jed with a new truck. Haven’t I at least got a right to discuss this with you?”
“So that’s what this is about is it?” she said with her voice rising in anger. “You think you can buy me and Jed, do you? You come knocking at our door one bank holiday, walk into our lives and think you can take us over. Well, sod you, Jack Malikov! You can take your money and your lorry and you can piss off, ‘cos no one’s buying me.”
She threw her apron to the floor and rushed upstairs.
Jack strode purposefully along Duck Lane avoiding the muddy potholes which littered the road. He couldn’t decide whether he was hurt, angry or sorry. He was hurt because Alice had suggested he was trying to ‘buy’ her. Genuinely, he felt that this was a gross misinterpretation of the situation – which led to his next feeling, anger. How could Alice possibly believe that his offer of an investment in the business was anything but honest? He was investing in a good business proposition because he believed that, in time, Jed could become successful. And he was sorry because he had acted stupidly. He had let his guard down and allowed himself to become vulnerable. All his previous experience behind enemy lines during the war and building his business in the East End of London had taught him to present an impregnable front to the outside world.
Alice lay on the bed in the main bedroom, shaking. She hadn’t intended the conversation in the parlour to take that turn. She didn’t really think that Jack was trying to buy her but she was confused by the conflict of loyalties and by her own realisation that there was a question of morality here that she hadn’t previously considered. She knew she didn’t love Jed but then she had married him knowing this to be the case and to her knowledge many marriages were based more on pragmatism than love. And without Jack’s money and his advice, the business would certainly fail. If this happened, their marriage would surely fail too.
Jed finished securing a new roof beam and lay down his tools. He felt exhausted. The last week had been traumatic and without Dan he was having to cope alone with the workload. He decided that a short break would be in order so he clambered down the ladder to the floor below. The barn was used to store an odd range of municipal requirements from temporary seating to market stalls. But the main incumbent was hay, stored as feed for the many horses which still provided the bulk of transportation within the town. Jed spotted some bales to one side of the barn and settled down behind for a short sleep.
Flora was preparing to leave the dress shop where she worked. She was only required to put in a half day as compensation for having worked on Saturday. It had been a quiet morning with only three customers venturing into the shop. It had given her time to think about Jack. She hadn’t seen or heard from him for over a week since he had driven her home after the news of Dan’s death. It surprised her. She felt that she had left the door open for Jack to contact her and given what he had said about his feelings for her, she was surprised that she had heard nothing, not even a letter. She took her bag from behind the counter and gathered up two boxes of dress patterns which she had promised to dispose of. Outside, the day was sunny with a slightly chilly breeze blowing in from the coast. She gathered her shawl tightly around her.
Jack turned out of Duck Lane and into the high street. He strode towards Market Square with the idea forming in his mind that he might continue beyond there and find solace in the Fox and Hounds. He knew he would have to return soon and face Alice but a stiff drink first would help to harden his resolve.
In the barn, Jed had fallen into a deep sleep, the stresses of the past days having drained him physically and mentally.
Jack quickened his pace as he entered the square, convinced now that the Fox and Hounds was a good destination. Suddenly, he clashed with a person coming out of a side turning, sending boxes spiralling onto the cobblestones. Apologising profusely, he bent down to pick up the scattered papers and found himself staring into Flora’s eyes.
“Flora, it’s you. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to crash into you but how lovely to see you again. It’s my lucky day.”
They were both on their knees on the cobblestones surrounded by papers which were blowing in the breeze.
“I didn’t know you were here, Jack. I thought you had gone to back to London.”
“I had but only to find Jed a truck and sort out some paperwork. Then I came back yesterday to deliver the truck – and to see you, of course.” He was aware that this sounded hollow. Kneeling on the cobblestones seemed an inappropriate place to carry out a conversation and they were beginning to attract attention from passers–by. They quickly gathered up the patterns and Jack helped Flora pack them back into the boxes.
“I was going to contact you again when I got back to Frampton, so no need to do that now. I’ve thought about you, Flora, I really have.”
“I’m sure you’ve been far too busy to think about me,” said Flora, turning her gaze away from him.
“Look, Flora, I was just going to the Fox and Hounds for a spot of lunch. Why not join me?”
Flora had never been in a pub before. It was strictly against the rules of the Brotherhood. But now there was really no reason to stop her accepting Jack’s invitation.
“Alright, but not for long mind. I’ve got to get back to keep a check on my parents.”
Alice came down from the bedroom and poured herself a cup of tea. She sat with her mug cupped in her hands, staring out of the parlour window into the unkempt garden beyond. She was starting to think more clearly now. It was critical that Jack’s investment remained in place otherwise the business would fail, Jed would have no income and the house would have to go. She would be back to where she was a couple of years ago at the bottom of the pile. It would also be a terrible disservice to Jed if that happened because he was unlikely to find any other employment other than low paid farm work.
The price was deception. She knew that Jack wanted to continue their affair and a big part of her wanted this too. She still tingled at the memory of their love making and knew that marriage to Jed would never provide that degree of fulfilment. Realistically, she believed the affair with Jack would not last. He would return to London and meet someone more eligible. And if the affair didn’t last long Jed would never even know. Yet the business and their future would be secure and she would have lingering memories of a passionate affair to sustain her through a lifelong dull marriage. Suddenly, it all seemed clear. It was her duty to protect Jed and their future. If that meant sleeping with Jack it was simply part of the process by which people like her had to fight their way up from the bottom. It was a strange logic but then she had grown up knowing that to succeed there is always a price to pay.
Jack held the door open for Flora and she went nervously into the public house. They were standing in the main bar which contained a handful of men in shabby working clothes drinking from tankards. They looked up as Flora entered and their conversation tailed off.
“Not here, Flora, we’ll go into the snug.” He took her arm and led her into an adjoining room, closing the door behind them. It was a small room with padded leather chairs arranged around three tables. There were no other customers in the room.
“Look, they don’t serve much in the way of food, Flora, but they do quite a good pork sandwich with pickle. Could you manage one? And they do a
very good local cider too. I’ll order you a glass.”
Jack brought the food and drink to the table. The bread was soft and fresh and the cider was still and chilled. Flora suddenly felt very relaxed.
“It’s really good to see you again, Flora, I missed you. I’m sorry about my behaviour last time. I hope you won’t hold it against me.”
Alice’s mind began to turn to the practical question of how to tell Jack that she would continue their affair. He was angry at the moment and she didn’t want to risk upsetting him further. She decided that a strategy of leaving little clues would be the best course of action. Gathering fresh flowers from the garden, she arranged two large bunches in vases and placed them in his room. She sprinkled rose petals on his pillow and put lavender by the side of the bed. Standing back to observe her handiwork, she felt pleased with her guile.
Flora was happy to be leaving the Fox and Hounds. The second glass of cider had gone to her head and her sight was slightly blurred. Jack had his hand around her waist as they made their way back towards the town square.
“Flora, I’m so happy we’ve met again. But we can’t just leave it like this. Is there somewhere we can go?” asked Jack.
“What do you mean?” asked Flora, struggling to understand.
He whispered into her ear “I’d like to kiss you again properly, not like last time.”
“It might have to wait, Jack, people go up on the heath for that sort of thing but it’s a bit of a walk from here.”
They were passing an old barn on the edge of Market Square. A side door was open and workman’s tools and materials were lying outside.
“What’s in this place?” asked Jack, pushing at the door.
“It’s just an old barn – the Maltings. They store hay in there for the horses.”
“Let’s go in there quickly. I want to kiss you – now.”
“Well, I don’t think it’s ...”
But he had grabbed her arm and was pulling her in. The inside was cavernous and lit by shafts of light from windows above. Paraphernalia from civic life was stacked around the sides, folding seats, trestle tables, piles of bunting. Against one wall, bales of hay were stacked high.
Jack pulled Flora urgently towards him and began to kiss her. Forewarned this time, she placed her arms between them.
“Slowly, don’t be so anxious. Just kiss me nicely like.”
From behind the hay bales, Jed was roused from his slumber. He had heard strange noises and momentarily couldn’t make out where he was. Quickly his orientation returned and he tried to make sense of the sounds. All he could hear were the occasional muffled cries of a woman urgently saying “No.”
Jack was starting to grab at Flora’s clothing, pulling at her shirt and trying to untuck it from her waistband.
“No, Jack, you said a kiss, that’s all – just a kiss.”
Jed wasn’t keen to be seen lying behind the hay bales as he had been employed to work, so he decided the best option was to remain hidden and hope that the intruders left. He turned round on to his knees to see if he could get a glimpse of who was making the noise.
Jack pulled Flora sideways onto the scattered hay and pinned her down with his legs. She let out a scream and tried to wrestle him off. He reacted instinctively. He was back in combat. He had to overpower his attacker quickly. Seizing hold of Flora’s throat with both his hands, he stifled her cries.
Jed could see now between two hay bales. His heart missed a beat when he recognised the two people. He could just make out Flora underneath Jack, her clothing dishevelled, her legs and thighs exposed. Jack had removed his jacket and was sitting astride Flora, holding her down.
Jed’s first reaction was to stand up and shout at Jack to stop. But he held back, unsure of what to do. Then it struck him that if Jack was pursuing Flora, he wouldn’t also be pursuing Alice. He had suspected that Jack and Alice were interested in each other but perhaps he had been wrong. Perhaps it was Flora. Perhaps Flora was taking part willingly. He was no expert in these matters. Also, he didn’t want to fall out with Jack now that the money had been agreed. He decided to remain out of the way. It would be over soon.
Jack was seized by an urgency he couldn’t control. He felt anger gripping his body – anger that he’d suppressed for so long. When he looked down, it wasn’t Flora he saw. It was Yvette. He looked for passion in her eyes but all he saw was mockery. He cried out and slapped her face with his hand. But it wasn’t Yvette. It was the face at the window – Simone, accusing, knowing, her lips silently rebuking as he bore down on her. He could show no mercy. None had been shown to him. He would be dead soon so nothing mattered. But it wasn’t Simone. It was Alice who looked up at him longingly, lovingly, but it was too late now. He had lost her too. He let out a yell and seized hold of Flora.
Jed glanced again from behind the hay bales. Flora had stopped shouting but was whimpering quietly. Jack was on top of her, their bodies nearly naked. Ripped and tangled clothes lay on the straw around them. Jed sunk back behind the hay bales. Perhaps he was wrong. Perhaps he should have intervened. He felt soiled and unworthy. Had he failed Flora when she needed him most?
Jack rolled off Flora and sat beside her. He looked around, half expecting a German guard to lash him with a rifle butt. Then he heard Flora crying quietly by his side. He looked at her – her clothes lying strewn around. Suddenly, he realised where he was and what he had done.
“Flora, I’m so sorry. I got carried away again. You’re alright, Flora, I know you are.”
Flora turned her back to Jack and the sobbing continued.
“Sorry if I was a bit rough, Flora, but that’s how it takes me. I get seized with this fire and I can’t stop myself. I’ll make it up to you, Flora. I’ll buy you something nice.”
Jed saw Flora get up and put on her clothes. Jack tried to hold her arm but she brushed him away and rushed from the barn – sobbing and gasping for breath. He saw Jack standing, running his hands through his hair and looking confused. He watched him sit on a hay bale and light a cigarette, drawing on it strongly as he stared into some unseen place. After five minutes, Jack stubbed out the cigarette on the sole of his shoe and walked morosely from the barn. Jed remained crouched behind the hay bales, a sickening realisation coming over him that he had behaved like a coward.
The Guest Who Stayed: Chapter 13 – August 1921
Alice expected that Jack would return later in the day, once he had taken time to cool off. She had consciously taken a little more care over what she was wearing, having discarded the housecoat that she usually put on for tasks around the home in favour of a loose fitting summer dress with a high hem line. But having changed out of her work clothes, she found it difficult to attend to her usual chores so resorted reluctantly to darning whilst nervously awaiting Jack’s return.
Jack headed back to the Fox and Hounds. It was the only place he knew in Frampton other than Hope Cottage. He avoided the snug that he and Flora had occupied earlier and chose instead to sit at the far end of the bar in a dark alcove, clearly indicating to anyone who wanted to engage him in idle talk that he wished to be left alone.
Jack had considered following Flora back home but then he realised that would cause her further distress if there was a confrontation in front of her parents. He downed his ale and tried to focus his thoughts. He knew he had lost control of himself and raped Flora. There was no other word for it. He felt sickened. His hands were shaking as he emptied his glass and signalled to the bar man to bring another. As the drink took effect, images that he had tried to obliterate flooded back into his mind – the lash of a whip biting into his bare skin; the thud of a fist penetrating deep into his stomach; the sound of his own voice emitting a high pitched squeal.
“Wake up, sir, are you alright? Having some sort of turn, are we?” It was the publican who was shaking him by the arm.
Coming out of his trance, Jack tried to regain his composure.
“I’m sorry, George, bad dream that’s all. Must be your p
iss awful ale.”
They knew each other well enough.
“Never mind my ale, mate. It’s your mind I’m worried about.”
Jed packed his tools deeply troubled by what had taken place. Should he tell someone or remain silent? If he confronted Jack or told the police, his whole business venture could collapse. If he told Flora what he had seen it would make him out to be a coward or a voyeur. Then should he confide in Alice? In one respect it would be good to do so because it would show her what a bastard Jack was but, on the other hand, it would make his behaviour seem shameful.
As the truck pulled up outside Hope Cottage, he had resolved to keep quiet. There was little advantage in spreading gossip and plenty to lose. He was sure he hadn’t been seen and therefore, as long as he kept quiet, life should go on as before.
When he entered Hope Cottage, he was surprised to see Alice in a summer dress rather than her usual work clothes. He thought how pretty she looked but said instead,
“You got a date then, all dressed up like that?” It wasn’t what he had wanted to say but, as usual, it came out wrong.
“Some chance of a date when I’m married to you. More chance of the moon being made of cheese.”
Jack weaved his way back from the Fox and Hounds having drunk five pints of ale. He wasn’t thinking clearly and was struggling to order his thoughts. If Flora told Alice that he’d forced himself on her then everything would be finished. Perhaps if he told Alice first and tried to explain why it happened, she might listen to him and give him another chance. Whatever happened he wouldn’t renege on his promise to fund the business and support Jed. What had passed was his fault and if he had to return to London and support Jed from a distance, then that was a price he would have to pay.
The Guest Who Stayed Page 16