“But I can’t understand why he never left you anything?”
“I’m not bitter about it. Remember he cared for me when I was young and continued to support me with jobs and accommodation. I led my own life, you know had boyfriends and did my own things. I was never going to marry him and he never asked me to. But because I was your mother he kept an eye on me.”
“I see, I understand it all now I think.”
“All my life I’ve watched you grow up, I couldn’t have given you all those opportunities that he gave you. He encouraged you all the way, and I was so proud to stand aside and watch you.”
The tears returned.
Eileen hugged Darlath who was now unable to hold back his own tears. But the meaning of his tears was to him uncertain. Too much had happened too quickly. He was bewildered and pensive. Shortly afterwards he left saying that he would call again the following morning.
“Please make sure you do Darlath, I’d like you to meet up with Wemyss as well so that we can all discuss this new situation together.”
Wemyss returned to his home later in the day and was greeted by Eileen.
“I’ll tell you about my visitor earlier.” She said.
He followed her into the sitting room where they both relaxed on the sofa.
“I’m glad I told you first, you needed to know. As expected, the Solicitor informed Darlath about his past and I’ve told him everything else I know. Everything, that is, except about my recent trip to Shettleston.”
“That secrets safe with me Eileen, I won’t tell anyone.”
“You’re such a good man. I’m so fortunate in being able to stay here with you.”
“As I said before you’re very welcome. I rather enjoy the company. Now, time for a drink I think. Whisky and soda OK?”
“That’s fine. You know I’m so lucky I’ve got you and Darlath caring for me now.”
“It’s an honour Eileen, it just seems right to rekindle our old friendship again, especially with Dermot gone. I didn’t mind you seeing Harry; he was much younger than me anyway. But I’m pleased you’ve returned to an old friend for protection.”
“I’ve put his ring away you know?”
“It was your decision Eileen, no pressure from me. But I would be lying if I wasn’t pleased.”
“He’s written a few times but I haven’t replied. I think its best to let things drift apart. It was a pleasing few months but time to finish it now. Especially, with you offering me a home; and him being sent to prison. God knows where he’ll end up.”
Wemyss clinked their glasses together and Eileen leant across and kissed him.
Chapter 30
March 12th 1943.
Darlath was unable to sleep; his mind was frantically racing. Firstly Andrew’s death, Harry’s arrest, Dermot’s death, Eileen’s revelations – ‘God I need a drink.’
He sat alone in his hotel room and drank whisky and tried to think through what he should do next. He was unsure whether he should become closer to Eileen as she would wish him to. He’d help her financially of course, but Wemyss appeared to be taking control now, especially since Harry had gone off the scene. He became overwhelmed by the grief of losing Andrew again, a sorrow that was still raw and brutal within him. Later when he had calmed he dressed and walked across to Andrew’s flat. On the doormat he found a letter that had been mailed to him from Harry.
‘Darlath, I’ve taken the liberty of writing to you c/o Andrew’s flat as I guess you will go over there. I’ve tried unsuccessfully to contact Eileen, I don’t really understand what’s happening, perhaps you would take a little time out to write to me and explain?
I’m sorry to impose on you this way but you are the only person that will tell it as it is. Regards, Harry.’
Darlath pulled away the dust cover from Andrew’s desk and sat down to write a reply.
‘Dear Harry, I hope they’re treating you well at Catterick, I’m confident that you’ll soon get back to the action shortly. Whilst I think of it all of Ted’s bills were lost at the garage.’
Harry stopped and re-read the sentence and smiled to himself upon realising that the counterfeit money had been destroyed. ‘Just as well - that last project was all getting a bit too dangerous for comfort!’ He continued reading.
‘I’ve been tying up a lot of the loose ends regarding Andrew’s death. I miss him terribly.
You may not know that my stepdad (Dermot) also passed on around that time.
Now Harry, turning to your question, I’m afraid the news will not be pleasing to you. I regret telling you that Eileen is living at Wemyss’s home. With Dermot gone and you arrested she’s found refuge there.
Harry, I’ve also discovered that Eileen is my Mother – she was helped by Dermot in Ireland when she was expecting me. My real father is unknown. Dermot, as you know, helped her over the years but with his death and you gone she has turned to Wemyss for comfort and stability. I know you’ll be upset by this but she needs people around her to include her in their day to day activities. She had many of her younger years ruined by stress and loneliness. I’ve tried to assist her but at the moment I’m not best suited to that task. She is content now. Leave her alone Harry, you must also move on – I know you can and you have the courage and ability to succeed.
Thank you for all the work you did with me and Andrew – it was sometimes a bit risky but always was good fun!
Remember this episode in your life favourably Harry.
For me, my days are static, grey and sad – despite trying I can’t shake this mood off. But you still have choices to make, a luxury now unavailable to me – I don’t know what to do, in some ways I don’t care. I’ve no purpose here now.
God bless you Harry,
Darlath.’
Darlath sealed the envelope and posted it from the letter box outside before returning to Andrew’s flat.
With tears streaming down his face he carefully examined the contents of Andrew’s wardrobe to find a dressing gown that he put on. The subtle aroma of his partner was still present within the garment.
Darlath walked around each room of the apartment and closed the curtains before returning to the sitting room. He quickly found Andrew’s favourite gramophone record ‘Bruch’s Violin Concerto Number One’ and set the needle to play the Adagio and the Finale. He then settled down by the fireplace resting his back against a settee and reached for the whisky. He drank deeply of his partner’s liquor.
Later, as planned, he turned the gas fire on but didn’t ignite it…
Epilogue - Harry’s Story
28th February 1943.
After two days being held in Peebles police station Harry was escorted by Sergeant Green onto the train heading south towards Catterick. A space had been reserved for them in the mail cage of the Guards Van. After travelling south for an hour the Guard came in carrying a ‘billy can’ of tea for them,
“There’s the local paper as well if you want a read. Do you both take sugar?”
They both answered “No.”
“Well don’t stir it then!”
He then left them alone.
“Could I look at the headlines?” Harry asked.
Green bent down and retrieved the newspaper from the floor.
Harry couldn’t believe what he read,
‘Ex Police Inspector from the Glasgow Constabulary admits to the mutilation and murder of business man Andrew Kirkland. Police have now formally charged Steven Beecham with the offence. This follows Beecham’s full confession to the crime after a witness, James Cowie, spotted Beecham leaving Kirklands flat in the early hours. James Cowie is the proprietor of the Newsagents situated opposite Kirkland’s residence.
When interviewed, Mr Cowie confirmed that Beecham, who was a regular customer of his, was seen coming out of the flat where he later discovered that a gruesome murder had taken
place.
“Here’s your tea Harry.”
“Thanks.”
Harry read the newspaper report again and smiled to himself.
‘Beecham had got what he deserved at last!’
Harry later tried to sleep but the cold of the late afternoon air prevented him.
“Sergeant, I wonder could you pass my mac over, it’s getting a bit chilly in here.”
Green assisted him in pulling the coat around his shoulders.
“There’s something in here Harry, look in the lining.”
Harry ran his fingers down the coat to the bottom seam,
“Can you turn it over for me?”
“There’s something here can you feel it?”
“Yes, that’s strange. Do you mind opening it up a bit?”
Green opened the stitching along the seam and Harry reached inside,
“Bloody hell! It’s a ring, the ring I redeemed from the pawn shop!”
Harry checked the pockets and discovered a small hole, the ring that he thought he’d lost had slipped through into the coat lining.
Harry held it up close to his face and stared at it for a full minute.
“You’ll never believe the trouble this ring has got me into over these past few months!”
Green turned his head, his face showing no emotion,
“For a moment then I thought you were going to propose to me!”
They both roared with laughter as the train continued rattling southwards deeper into England.
March 18th 1943.
Tears welled up into Harry’s eyes as he finished reading Darlath’s letter. He’d already guessed that Eileen’s lack of response to his enquiries indicated that she was unwilling to return to him. But he was more deeply saddened by Darlath’s message, his outpouring of grief that had probably been written just before he’d taken his own life.
The day before Tommy had sent a message to the garrison Padre asking him to break the news about Darlath to Harry.
July 20th 1943
The door of the Mess hut burst open, “Davies, Harry Davies?”
“Yes, that’s me.”
“Colonel Atkins wants to see you, follow me.”
Harry dutifully followed and was introduced and left alone with the Colonel.
“Sit down Davies.”
Atkins shook hands and removed his cap.
“You’re lucky not to be still in custody. In the last war many deserters signed on again using a different name and their histories were never tracked down. At least you told us the truth and took your punishment.”
The Colonel read through the file,
“But I see that you did some good things that were reported to the Courts Martial.” The Colonel scanned the pages of Harry’s file,
“In Belgium wasn’t it? - suffice to say we’ll give you another chance Davies.”
“Thank you sir, I’m grateful.”
“Remember this though Davies, your desertion has been forgiven but not forgotten, do you understand?
“Yes sir, I’ve got to stay in line, I mustn’t stray again. But tell me sir, can you provide a little more information on the report on my file about what occurred in Belgium. It was read in detail by the Courts Martial team but was only outlined to me. I didn’t request a full explanation then, especially as the information speeded up my release so to speak!”
The Colonel reviewed the documents,
“I have it here somewhere, yes – ‘after the officers commanding your unit were killed you assumed responsibility and with the remaining men held the defence of Veurne. You also assisted a number of elderly villagers and two pregnant women safely out of the area away from the advancing Germans. Those villagers managed to board a ship to England and one of them, Erik Van den Eeden, a former Mayor of Veurne, wrote to Army H.Q. about your leadership and courage.’
This report greatly assisted the leniency in how you’ve been treated. You could have been given five years hard labour you know?”
“I didn’t know that they had written. I was just giving them a hand – sort of instinct I suppose?”
“Well this ‘leadership’ and integrity is what is needed for this special assignment I want to tell you about. You’re to be seconded from your regiment for some special training. You are to join an airborne division that is an amalgamation of different units.”
“Sir?”
“Look, to get this fucking war finished we’ve got to confront the enemy in northern Europe sooner or later that’s our only choice. There’s a special force being gathered together and you can be part of it. You’ve little choice really, but remember this, you have been selected. It’s not because we simply want to dump you into a high risk unit. It’s because of your bravery and stubbornness in holding that position in Belgium and of thinking of others.”
Harry interrupted, “I understand sir. I just want the chance again. I’ll do what is asked.”
August 8th 1943
Soon afterwards Harry found himself stationed at an airfield near Cirencester, Gloucestershire. Life for him became and endless routine of maintaining fitness and participating as crew members of the new Horsa Gliders that were towed into the air by Halifax aircraft. With their eighty foot wingspan and flimsy wooden construction the gliders appeared unwieldy on the ground but were transformed into silent carriers of men and materials once released from their tow ropes. Daily circuits and bumps were conducted, sometimes at night. About twenty-eight fully equipped airborne troops in each craft rehearsed landing positions and scrambles into the surrounding countryside the moment they became stationary on the ground.
In September the group transferred to Brize Norton in Oxfordshire for further training and briefing. During night flying exercises they circuited the river nearby as they were told that it was not dissimilar to where they would be sent.
At the end of May 1944 they moved to an airfield at Rushton Tarrant in Dorset. After several intensive training days that included runs and re-runs of a film depicting the forthcoming operation Harry and his group were given an afternoon and evening of free time. However they were restricted to the confines of the camp. Communication outside by mail or telephone had ceased and they were therefore isolated on a desolate airfield pock marked by a variety of Nissen huts and hastily constructed offices and billets.
In the evening a ‘NAAFI Social’ was hastily arranged. This amounted to a few glasses of beer, music from gramophone records and a get together with the WAAF’s based at the camp. Whilst the party was well underway Harry strolled outside for a cigarette and met a group of WAAF’s walking towards the canteen. One of them stopped,
“Hello, are you staying here or going back inside?”
“No, I’m going back in. You’ve missed the start of the social I’m afraid.”
“Yes - I - we have been working until now but we thought we’d come up to join in anyway.”
“I haven’t seen you around. Are you new here?”
“Good Lord no. We’ve been locked away in the office these past few days but a new team has taken some shifts for us.”
“It’s all beginning to hot up isn’t it?”
“Absolutely.”
“Let’s go in. Can I get you a drink?”
“Thank you yes. That would be nice.”
Inside they found that the dancing was underway,
“It seems as though your friends have found partners.” Harry said.
“Yes, we always try and attend every ‘do’ here. There are never enough girls to go round so us WAAF’s try and make sure all the men have an enjoyable time. You know dancing and a laugh. It’s never too serious; it’s just our effort to make their lives a little more bearable before this new mission begins.”
“Very commendable. Sorry I don’t know your name?”
“Roisin, you’ve
probably detected my accent already?”
“And where in Ireland are you from Roisin?”
“Ah you have. Clogher, County Tyrone.”
“Can I ask how long you’ve been over here?”
“It’s about five years now. Clogher is a tiny place and I just needed to find a different sort of job to do. There were more opportunities over here.”
“Did you enlist straight away for the air force?”
“No. I was in London doing secretarial work and a friend of mine I met in the office said she was joining so I decided to follow her. It’s certainly more exciting than my old job. Especially now with all that’s happening.”
“Well I’m very pleased to meet you.”
“What about your name?”
“Sorry Roisin, my names Harry. Harry Davies.”
“Harry Davies. I’ve seen your name on the listing, you’re about to go aren’t you?”
“Yes as soon as we get the order. Where exactly do you work in the camp?”
“It’s the meteorology section; we provide all the weather reports to the Ops. people. That’s where I saw your name listed.”
“Well the sooner we move out the better. I’m getting cabin fever penned inside this place.” Roisin laughed.
“Look, should you be circulating. I don’t want to commandeer all your time?”
Roisin looked around to find that most of the men remaining inside had linked up with the WAAF girls, “No, everyone seems happy; I’m content to stay for a chat if you want me to?”
“Of course. What about another drink?”
“I’ll come with you to the bar.”
They stood and chatted for a while but immediately took to the floor when a recording of Glenn Miller’s ‘Moonlight Serenade’ began.
“You know something Harry, this piece of music is the one that will stay with me all my life. It captures this moment in the war, the people we miss, the longing for a home again, just peace I suppose.”
Harry noticed that she had tears in her eyes.
“Did you have a boyfriend somewhere?”
“Not now. I lost contact with him two years ago. He’s still alive somewhere but it’s likely he’s found closer comforts.”
Shadows of Deceit Page 25