by June Tate
‘Yes, I know, it’s all right.’ The boy looked at him. ‘I’m so glad you’re here, Ben. Phoebe needs you.’
‘She needs you too, Tim. We men have to be strong for the women in the family. You’ll help me, won’t you?’
The boy sat up and straightening his shoulders said, ‘Yes of course I will. Mum would want that.’
‘Good lad. I knew I could rely on you. Tomorrow after breakfast we’ll go and make the necessary arrangements.’
The next morning, the three of them went to the funeral directors, showed the man the death certificate they’d been given and booked a date for the funeral, a week hence. Phoebe handed over the money to cover the cost. It had taken almost all of their savings.
Ben suggested they went for a walk and then stopped for a hot drink and some cake on the way home. He couldn’t think of anything else to do to break the spell of despair that was hanging over them.
They settled in a small cafe and all drank hot chocolate and ate sponge cake.
Ben turned to Phoebe. ‘I think that tomorrow we should return to the market. Tim, you can help Phoebe until the funeral. You have to work to make up the money that’s been paid out today. You understand this, don’t you?’
The boy nodded. ‘I’ll work hard, you’ll see.’
‘Is there anything else I can do, Phoebe, before I go back to my flat? I have to have a bath and get a change of clothes and I have things to do. If that’s all right with you?’
‘Oh, Ben, of course you must go. You have been such a help. I don’t know what we would have done without your support, but Tim and I will be fine. I’ll see you in the morning at the market.’
Leaving the cafe, Ben kissed Phoebe goodbye and went to Tim’s school, where he spoke to the headmaster to explain the boy’s absence. The man was most understanding and agreed to let Tim stay away until after the funeral.
‘He’s only ten; he needs time to get used to the idea. Working with his sister for a few days will do him good. Please give my condolences to Miss Collins.’
From there Ben reported to his superior at the police station, explaining there had been a death in the family, not explaining whose family.
It was decided that Ben should continue in the market for another month. If by then the Stanley brothers hadn’t tried to move the stolen goods, the case would be put aside, but left open.
On his way home, Ben wondered how he would explain to Phoebe his eventual departure. Would he be free to tell her the truth or would he continue to have to lie to her? Well, he’d sort that out when the time came. Right now, he needed to soak in a bath and get some clean clothes. Sleeping on the settee was not conducive to clean living.
Phoebe and Tim decided to walk along the pier before going home. It was nice to be out in the fresh air. They walked hand in hand, looking through the slats to the water below and then bought some sandwiches to eat. Sitting, looking out over the water.
‘Will Mum go to heaven?’ Tim suddenly asked.
‘Yes, love. She’ll be with Dad now. He’ll be glad of her company, because he must have missed her.’
Tim pondered over this for a moment. ‘Yes, I hadn’t thought of that. I’m glad she’s not wandering in a strange place on her own. I wouldn’t like that.’
Phoebe smiled to herself and wondered at the innocence of children.
‘You’ll have to help me to sort through the goods on the stall tomorrow. We must make sure to move anything that looks stale. We have to keep up our good reputation.’
‘When I leave school, I’ll work full-time to help you.’
‘That’s very kind of you, Tim, but by then you might want to do something else. We’ll wait and see. Now, let’s get home. We need to get ready for tomorrow. I’ll fill the bath for you later and have one myself, so we’ll be ready for the customers.’
‘Marj will wonder where you’ve been,’ he said. ‘I like her, she’s kind. She gives me chocolate.’
Phoebe was looking forward to seeing her friend. Marj had always been there for her from the very beginning and she needed the warmth of her friendship now more than ever.
In a strange way, Phoebe was looking forward to returning to the market. It was a feeling of normality she needed at the moment, and she worried about her young brother. They both were grieving over their loss and being busy would be their saving grace.
The following morning, Phoebe and Tim arrived at the market, opened the shed and wheeled out the stall. They pushed it over to its patch and saw that Marj was already setting up. She hurried over to them.
‘Oh, Timmy, Phoebe, I ’eard about your mother. I’m so very sorry.’ She gathered them both into her arms. ‘Is there anything I can do, anything you need?’
‘No thanks,’ said Phoebe. ‘Ben has been with me ever since we found mother so sick. He even waited with me in the hospital and helped me arrange the funeral.’
‘Ah, God bless that boy! I knew he was a good’un!’
She looked at Tim and held his chin gently. ‘You are the man of the house now, young Tim. You have to look after your sister.’
‘We look after each other, don’t we, Tim?’
‘Yes, we do. Dad’s looking after Mum up in heaven and I’ll look after Phoebe down here.’
Marj couldn’t speak for a moment so moved was she by his words.
‘And I’ll keep an eye on you both!’ she declared. ‘Oh look, there’s Ben.’
They turned to see Ben putting his stall in place. He walked over, put an arm around Phoebe, kissed her on the cheek and smiled at Tim.
‘Everything all right here?’
‘Looks bloody marvellous to me, laddie!’ Marj was grinning broadly. ‘Well, best get set up if we’re to make any money today.’
Phoebe and Tim went through the fruit and vegetables on the stall, making sure the goods were still fresh.
During the day, other stallholders came over to give their condolences, which was kind but Phoebe was relieved when it was over and they could get on and work.
Ben treated them to fish and chips midday, which gave Tim something to do. The boy was quiet but worked hard when they were busy. Closing time eventually arrived and they packed up ready for home.
Ben came over to see they were all right. ‘I’m sorry I can’t come back to the house with you, I have to meet someone to talk business.’
‘We’ll be fine,’ Phoebe said. ‘We’ve had a busy day and, to be honest, we’re so tired I think an early night is on the cards for both of us.’
He kissed her goodbye and left them to go home.
Ben was keeping watch on the Stanley brothers in the hope that they may decide to move the stolen jewellery. Every night he kept out of sight and saw them go into their local as was their habit before going home. But after waiting for a couple of hours, it was apparent they were home for the night, Ben made his way back to his flat, frustrated that the case in question didn’t appear to be progressing.
Percy Stanley, though, was thinking that, as things had quietened down, he could possibly retrieve the stuff he’d stolen. But who would buy it? Without a buyer, he didn’t want his ill-gotten goods in the house, just in case the police called. No way was he going back up to the Smoke to trade with Charlie Blackmore, who would pay him a pittance. His only other way was to visit second-hand shops in other towns and sell the jewellery piece by piece. He had no choice. Perhaps next week.
Chapter Ten
It was the day of the funeral. Ben arrived early to be with Phoebe and Tim when the hearse arrived. He took one look at the grief on Tim’s face and walked over to him. Placing a firm hand on the boy’s shoulder he said, ‘Take a deep breath, lad, we are the men here and we have to be strong. OK?’
Tim nodded and walked to the door.
Outside stood the hearse. Phoebe, Tim and Ben stood behind it and were joined by near neighbours as the hearse moved off. Soon Marj and Tony Jackson joined the mourners as they made the sad journey to the church. Unable to look at the coffin, Phoebe
kept her gaze upon the ground as she walked.
Once inside the church, Ben sat between Phoebe and Tim, with Marj and Tony behind, along with the neighbours and friends of Mary.
Phoebe went through the service automatically, turning the pages of the hymn book as was required. Her mind devoid of feeling – almost in a trance. She scarcely heard the words the vicar spoke from the pulpit, but as the congregation stood for the final hymn, it all became real and her tears flowed. Ben put an arm around her shoulders and held her close as they made their way to the interment.
‘Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.’ The vicar’s voice carried in the quiet air.
Eventually, Phoebe took Tim’s hand and stepped up to the grave and each of them picked up a handful of earth, threw it on the coffin below. It was only then that Tim’s tears flowed. Holding him tightly, Phoebe walked back and stood cuddling him as the other mourners took their turn. At last it was over.
Phoebe looked at the small collection of wreaths waiting to be laid and was grateful to those who had sent them. The mourners followed Phoebe and Tim back to the house. She’d made sandwiches and cakes the previous day, wrapping the sandwiches in damp tea cloths to keep them fresh. Ben made pots of tea and helped where he could.
Marj had her arm around Tim. ‘I’m so proud of you, lad, and so would your mother ’ave been, the way you stood today at ’er funeral. A young man, not a boy.’
He looked pleased. ‘Thanks, Marj. Ben said we had to be the men of the house.’
‘You were all of that, my love. You know, don’t you, that we are mates me and you, and if ever you’re worried and want a chat, but not with your sister, you come to me. All right?’
He smiled. ‘Thanks, Marj.’
She hugged him. ‘Now, go and eat. A growing boy like you needs to feed ’imself.’
Tony Jackson had been listening to the conversation. ‘That was kind of you, Marj. You have a big heart.’
‘I love those two!’ she declared. ‘They ’ave ’ad a ’ard life and now it won’t be any easier.’
‘That Phoebe is a strong young woman, she’ll cope.’
‘Yes, and now she has Ben. I always hoped they would get together. Tim would have a father figure in his life too. A boy needs that.’
After everyone had left, the three of them washed up and cleared away. Then they collapsed in chairs now the ordeal was over.
Ben spoke. ‘I know we’re all shattered so I booked us a table at a restaurant in Oxford Street. It isn’t far to walk and I’m sure Phoebe doesn’t feel like cooking.’
She looked at him with surprise. ‘Oh, Ben, how thoughtful − and you’re right. To cook a meal would be one task too much today.’
‘What do you think, Tim? Are you for it?’
The sadness reflected in the boy’s eyes changed to one of excitement. ‘Oh yes, that would be great.’
Settled at the table in the restaurant a while later, they tucked into roast chicken and all the trimmings. After such a traumatic day, they were all hungry now that they’d relaxed.
‘I thought the funeral went well,’ Ben said. ‘It was so nice to see that Marj and Tony had closed their stalls to come and pay their respects.’
‘There were some lovely flowers,’ Tim said. ‘Mum loved flowers.’
‘I expect there’ll be plenty where she is,’ said Phoebe.
He stopped eating for a moment. ‘Will she forget us now she’s with Dad?’
Ben looked at the boy. ‘Never! Both your mum and dad will be watching over you both. You won’t forget them, so why would they forget you?’
Tim shrugged. ‘I don’t know, it was just a thought, that’s all.’
‘Tomorrow you have to go back to school, Tim,’ said Phoebe gently. ‘I expect your friends will ask about Mum. You must expect that, but in time they’ll forget and you’ll be back to normal. We all have to get back to normal, she would want that.’
‘Leave some room for some ice cream, Tim,’ said Ben with a grin.
The boy’s eyes widened. ‘Ice cream! I love ice cream.’
‘I know, we’ll all have some, then we have to go home and go to bed, ready for the morning.’ Ben turned to Phoebe. ‘Will you be all right tonight?’
She smiled at him. ‘I’ll be fine, but thanks for being with us through everything. I can’t tell you how much it helped us both.’
‘Oh, you won’t get rid of me that easily, Phoebe. I intend to be around for quite some time.’
She saw the look of affection reflected in his eyes and wondered exactly what he meant by that. The future had never been mentioned between them. Was he to be her future? She knew that’s what she wanted, but how serious was this man she’d grown to love?
Ben walked them home and saw them safely in the house. He kissed Phoebe goodnight.
‘I’ll see you in the market.’ Turning to Tim, he said, ‘I hope school goes well. I’ll see you soon.’ Then he left.
‘I like Ben,’ said Tim as he undressed in front of the fire. ‘He’s a nice man.’
‘Yes, he is,’ Phoebe said as she helped him. ‘Now, off to bed, I’ll call you in the morning.’ She gave him a quick hug. ‘I love you, Tim.’
He hugged her back. ‘I love you too. I’m going to take good care of you, you’ll see.’
She felt a lump rise in her throat. ‘I’m sure you will. Now, off you go.’
Once she was alone, Phoebe sat in front of the fire staring into the flickering embers. Well, her mother was laid to rest and she was alone to look after her brother, be responsible for him as he grew into a man. ‘I’ll do my best, Mum, I promise,’ she whispered. She let the silent tears flow. The house seemed so empty without her mother’s presence. It was still so hard to accept that she wouldn’t be in this kitchen again when she came home. But now the funeral was over, life had to go on. She alone was the breadwinner now. There was rent to be paid as well as household bills, and Tim seemed to grow daily, which meant new clothes and shoes. Taking a deep breath, she got to her feet, saw to the fire and went to bed.
Chapter Eleven
Percy Stanley had decided to try and sell the rest of his ill-gotten gains. It bothered him that he still had them, and he’d decided to go to Salisbury and try and sell some pieces to one of the jewellers in the town. He was unknown there and felt safe in trying to get rid of some of it. He didn’t mention his plan to his brother. The less he knew the better.
That evening, after closing the stall, going for a pint as was their habit, he grabbed a sandwich and made an excuse to leave the house.
Ben had secreted himself in the doorway of an empty house along the road where he had a clear view of the brothers’ front door. Surprised to see Percy emerge on his own and look around furtively before walking off, Ben wondered if he was about to retrieve the stolen goods. He followed him discreetly, glad of the fact that tonight there was no moon and the streets were dark. But where was he headed?
He was surprised to see Percy enter a public toilet and emerge shortly after, clutching a package, then walking off, looking around to make sure he hadn’t been seen. Ben followed at a distance, making use of the dark to cover his existence. Eventually, after a roundabout route, Percy returned to the house. Ben waited for a while but eventually decided the man was home for the night. He walked back to the toilets and entered. There were the usual urinals and two private cubicles. He entered one and looked around. He looked at the cistern and lifted the lid, but it was empty, so he moved to the next one. The lid of the seat was wet as was the lid of the cistern. He could only assume that this was where the goods were hidden. He shook his head at the audacity of the man. The chance he took that the toilet would continue to flow so no one would have to look inside the cistern. The stuff must have been in a waterproof cover.
Although it was late, Ben went to the police station to report, but the detective in charge of the case had gone home hours ago. The desk sergeant told him, ‘I’ll leave my report to be read first thing. Go home, laddie, there’s no
thing more you can do tonight.’
Ben walked home, frustrated, certain that a search would uncover the stolen goods, but unable to do anything about it. He went to bed a very disgruntled man.
Early the next morning, Ben was surprised to see Arthur Stanley open up the stall on his own. When he was set up, he wandered over to Stanley and casually said, ‘Strange to see you on your own. Is your brother ill?’
‘No, he’s off on business, that’s all.’
‘Oh, that’s good news. Will he be back in time to help you pack up?’
‘Probably. He said he was only going to Salisbury, that’s all.’
‘Let’s hope we have a busy day, it makes the day pass that much quicker. Well, best get back.’ Ben had seen the two police who usually inspected the market arrive. They made their way round the stalls, chatting to the stallholders, but lingered at Ben’s, picking up various items while talking quietly.
‘The house was empty when the men called earlier. Where is Percy Stanley?’
‘Salisbury, I’m told. The house should have been searched last night!’ He held up a shirt for inspection.
The officers strolled over to another stall and eventually approached Arthur. ‘On your own today, then?’
With a glare he answered, ‘You’ve got eyes, ain’t ya?’
‘No need for that tone of voice, young man, I asked a polite question. It’s so unusual not to see you both together, that’s all.’
Arthur just stared at them and they walked away.
Ben was certain that Percy was off trying to sell the pieces of jewellery and was still annoyed. Had they searched the house last night, he felt sure they would have found the goods, but at least they knew where to look. No doubt they’d be on the phone to the local police in Salisbury with the information.