When the Music Stopped

by Matthews, Beryl

  After the initial shock the boys were on their feet hugging each other and slapping the radio operator on the back.

  ‘Does it say how they are?’ Lester asked, dragging the man out of his seat.

  ‘No, that’s all.’ He was grinning now. ‘Who are these girls?’

  ‘Lillia is my sister and Ruth is James’s cousin, and we owe you a drink. Join us in town tomorrow.’

  ‘Thanks, I’ll see if I can get away.’

  They were too excited and relieved to sleep so they talked for a while.

  ‘So you did know Lillia was in danger.’

  Lester nodded. ‘It looks as if the old communication is still working in extreme cases, but I’m glad I had doubts because I would have been worrying until I heard from her. That was terrible news about the ship and a dreadful thing for the girls to experience, but thank goodness they are safe.’

  ‘Agreed,’ James said as he raised his cup of tea. ‘A toast to our two lovely girls.’

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  ‘I received your message,’ Alex told his father. ‘It sounded urgent. Is there a break in the case?’

  ‘There is, but as you weren’t able to be with us for New Year, have a drink with me to toast 1917 before I explain. How are your trainee pilots coming along?’ he asked while pouring them both a generous brandy.

  ‘A mixed bunch. Some good, some who won’t make it as pilots.’ They clinked glasses and Alex waited for his father to explain why he had sent for him.

  ‘They’ve caught Barber. He was trying to hide away on a ship that would be making a stop to unload goods in Ireland. When he was discovered, the master was suspicious and called the police. No one would run the risk of stowing away on a merchant ship unless they were desperate to get out of the country.’

  ‘They certainly wouldn’t,’ Alex agreed. ‘You know a hospital ship was sunk recently? Ruth and Lillia were on board, but thankfully have survived.’

  ‘I had heard. It’s a risky way to travel with U-Boats around, so in view of the dangers, you can understand why the master was suspicious. I believe you have never met Sara’s husband?’

  He shook his head and studied his father apprehensively. ‘You are surely not still connecting the two?’

  ‘Barber’s activities are being investigated,’ he said, ignoring his son’s question. ‘He appears to have used a few aliases and been involved in many unlawful pursuits.’

  ‘Such as?’

  ‘Theft and extortion by impersonating the wealthy have been uncovered so far. Most of the time he seems to have been a small-time criminal, until the war. That gave him the chance to move on to more serious crimes, and he must have thought the police were getting too close …’ He paused. ‘Or the fact that the army had been looking for him made him decide to run.’

  ‘You do think it’s the same man.’ Alex couldn’t believe what he was hearing. His worst fears were being confirmed. ‘What proof do you have?’

  ‘None yet. The officers on the case wanted to ask Sara to the station to identify the man they have caught but, in view of the fact that we are acquainted with her, I have persuaded them to let me handle it.’ He picked up an envelope from the desk. ‘In there is a police photograph of Barber. Have a look at it.’

  He studied the image for a moment. ‘This means nothing to me. I have never seen this man before, and if you believe it is Holdsworth then his children bear no resemblance to him.’

  ‘Agreed. That also poses another question. If this is Holdsworth – and that is a false name – then his marriage to Sara could also be false.’

  ‘You are assuming an awful lot. You admit there isn’t any proof, and yet you are talking as if it is a certainty. Why? There must be something you aren’t telling me.’

  ‘When we searched his bag we found several small items of value, but the most interesting were paintings of two children – twins.’

  Alex drew in a deep breath.

  ‘Joshua identified them as Lester and Lillia at five years old. He remembers them being painted, and the pictures are worth a lot of money.’

  ‘Perhaps Sara’s had a burglary?’

  ‘She hasn’t, but Joshua said her husband often took items from the house to sell when he was short of money.’

  ‘Oh, good Lord, that poor woman. Did you show Josh the photograph? He would have seen him over the years.’

  ‘I did, but he couldn’t be sure. The general had a beard and moustache, but Barber is clean-shaven and roughly spoken.’

  ‘I still think they can’t be the same man, but you obviously believe there is a connection. What are you going to do next?’

  ‘I am going to visit Sara and ask her about the items we found on Barber. If she can identify them they can be returned to her when the case is settled, and I want her to look at the photograph. I want you with me when I do this in case she becomes upset.’

  He gave his father an incredulous look. ‘Of course she’ll be upset. She must already be in a delicate state after nearly losing her daughter. When do you intend to see her?’

  ‘Now.’

  ‘Can’t it wait for a few days?’

  ‘No. Barber is scheduled to appear at court in a week’s time, and we must gather all the information we can before then. Will you come with me?’

  Alex drained his glass and stood up. ‘Let’s get this over with.’

  Sara greeted them when they were shown to the sitting room.

  ‘Forgive the intrusion,’ Charles said, wasting no time, ‘but the man the police asked you about has been caught. He had in his possession certain items that have raised questions, and we hope you can help us.’

  She frowned. ‘It is good news he has been caught, but I don’t know how I can be of help. Please be seated and tell me about it.’

  ‘Is your husband here? This would also be of interest to him.’

  ‘He is away at the moment.’ She cast Alex a concerned glance. ‘But your son knows that.’

  ‘I was hoping he had returned.’

  Alex watched his father smile to put Sara at ease, but he saw this was a policeman with a case to be solved and not a friend. He was grateful his father had called on him because this charming woman was going to need the support of someone who cared about her. He was certain now that the police were sure of the connection between the general and Barber or they wouldn’t be pursuing this line of enquiry so persistently.

  ‘I was relieved to know Lillia and Ruth were safe,’ he said, changing the subject to give Sara a chance to recover. She was clearly disturbed now.

  ‘Yes, it was a miracle that both the girls survived. What a terrible experience that must have been for them, but I’ve had a letter from my daughter. She said the navy ship that rescued them was a sad place so she gave a concert to lift their spirits. That was so like her, and very brave, wasn’t it?’

  ‘Indeed, and her singing would help everyone forget the grim facts for a while.’

  She gave him a grateful smile and turned her attention back to his father. ‘I think you had better tell me exactly what is going on with this case. I didn’t expect to receive a visit from another policeman, for I suspect you are here in that capacity.’

  ‘And also as a friend to make this as easy as possible for you.’

  ‘Thank you. Please continue with your questions.’

  ‘When Barber was captured he had items in his bag that we believe came from this house.’ He listed them.

  Sara’s lips compressed in a straight line, and she did not try to hide her anger. ‘They do sound like mine, for I have pieces like that missing. I will be perfectly straight with you; my husband was often short of money and, with my permission in most cases, took certain items to sell. This man, Barber, could have got them from anywhere.’

  ‘You say – in most cases?’

  ‘The miniature portraits I did not say he could sell. I would never have parted with those and I would like them returned, if that is possible. The other items I am not concerned a
bout.’

  ‘Once this man is tried and sentenced all items belonging to you will be returned.’ He removed the photograph from the envelope and held it out to her. ‘Do you recognise this man?’

  She studied it in silence for some time, then she handed it back. ‘There is something familiar about him, but I could not be sure. I have never seen my husband clean-shaven and would need to see this man in person to make a positive identification.’

  Alex tensed. She was quite calm now, but his sense of foreboding increased. She wasn’t denying that this was her husband, and he had expected an outright denial from her. Indeed, had hoped for that denial so they could walk away and leave her out of the investigation.

  ‘Could you say who you think it might be?’ Charles asked.

  ‘As I’ve said, I can’t be sure from a photograph …’

  ‘But?’ Charles continued, pushing for an answer.

  She looked him straight in the eyes. ‘There is a resemblance to my husband, but that is all. As I’ve said, I would need to look him in the eyes to know for sure. What is this man accused of?’

  ‘The charges are theft, extortion and selling arms, to mention just a few. Would you be willing to come to the station and see him? If you can definitely tell us that the man we are holding is not your husband, we can eliminate him from our enquiries, and you will not be troubled again.’

  ‘That does seem to be the best course of action. When would you like me to do this?’ she asked without hesitation.

  ‘Now, if you wouldn’t mind. We need to clear this up as quickly as possible, and my car is outside.’

  She stood up and said briskly, ‘Let us get this unpleasant business over with.’

  Alex sat in the back of the car with Sara, who was pale and composed, but he knew she was under tremendous strain. If this man turned out to be her husband, the ramifications could be devastating for her and her children. There was no doubt she was aware of this, but the determined lift of her head told him that she was prepared to face whatever happened. Sitting beside him was a different woman from the one he had first met, and he admired what he saw. There was courage and strength here. He was certain now that she did believe the criminal was the man she had married, or she would not have agreed so readily to see if she could identify him. He wanted to reach out and grasp her hand to give comfort and support, but he instinctively knew this would be the wrong thing to do. She would face this in her own way, but he would be beside her now and in the future.

  It was at that moment he realised he was in love with her – and had been from the moment they had met. It had begun with a talented son who had been forced to attend the academy against his will, and when he had seen him with his twin sister his heart had ached for them. They should never have been separated. Music was their life, but that unfeeling man had tried to thwart their ambition, and the war had completed his plan for them.

  Their arrival at the police station brought him out of his troubled thoughts and he helped her out of the car.

  ‘You needn’t come in,’ his father told him. ‘This won’t take long.’

  ‘I would also like to see this man, if Sara will permit it?’

  ‘Of course you must come in.’ Sara gave him a grateful look and put her hand on his arm for support.

  He could feel her trembling slightly as they walked in.

  Charles didn’t waste any time and ordered that Barber be brought from his cell, and they went to a small room to await his arrival.

  He was brought in almost immediately and the superintendent of the station turned to Sara. ‘Do you know this man, Mrs Holdsworth? Take your time.’

  Alex had been allowed in the room only because of his father’s influence, so he was standing by the wall and watching intently. What would she do if it was her husband? The easy way out for her would be to deny it and walk away. He would be tried under the name of Barber without a trace of scandal attached to her or her family.

  No one spoke while Sara studied the man in front of her, who had his head turned slightly away. ‘Look at me!’ she said in a firm voice.

  When he did she took a step towards him. ‘How dare you deceive my family all these years? Did my father know who you really are?’

  He smirked. ‘Fooled you and him, didn’t I? I got quite used to acting the toff, and I was good at it. Brought me in a lot of money that role did.’

  ‘And now you are going to pay dearly for that.’ She turned to the superintendent. ‘This is the man who called himself General Gilbert Holdsworth.’

  Alex moved away from the wall and his father motioned him to stay where he was. This was police business, and he understood that, but he knew what this must be costing Sara emotionally. He had an overwhelming desire to punch that man in the face for all the heartache he had brought to Sara and her children. It had taken tremendous courage to identify him, knowing as she must the scandal his trial would cause.

  ‘Well, well,’ he snarled, ‘I didn’t think you would have the nerve to denounce me. That was a foolish thing to do because I can make sure your nasty little secret gets a public airing. What are your precious children going to think of you then, eh?’

  ‘My children will be relieved to know that you are not their father.’ She spun round. ‘Are we finished here, sir? I don’t wish to spend another moment in the same room as this odious man.’

  ‘Certainly, madam. If you will come with me there is some information I need from you.’

  ‘Of course.’ She didn’t look at Alex or his father as she left the room.

  When Barber had been returned to his cell, Charles went up to his son. ‘That woman has courage. She could have denied knowing him and that would have been the end of it for her; instead, she has opened up a Pandora’s box of trouble for herself. She’s an intelligent woman and must be well aware of what she faces, but she didn’t hesitate to unmask him, and even admitted in front of witnesses that he is not the father of her children.’

  ‘That is something I had begun to suspect, and do you know, I am pleased about that.’ Alex pushed away from the wall and took a deep breath. ‘She is going to need friends.’

  ‘She has them.’

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  An hour later they were back in the house with glasses of much-needed brandy in their hands.

  ‘I am sorry we had to put you through that,’ Charles said.

  ‘There is no need to apologise. It was necessary because I had to know. What happens now?’

  ‘I have asked them to keep you out of the trial, if possible, but the newspapers could pick up on the story. The next few weeks will be unpleasant and distressing for you.’

  ‘I am aware of the consequences, but they will have to be faced.’

  ‘You could have saved yourself by denying you knew him. I don’t think Barber had any intention of admitting his bogus role as General Holdsworth because, once investigated, it could well add more crimes to the list.’

  She shook her head. ‘He deserves to face the penalty for his criminal activities – all of them – and in a way I am quite pleased this has happened. I am now free of that odious man, and my main worry is telling the children. But once that is done and we have accepted it, we shall be able to get on with our lives without continually worrying what he is going to do next.’

  ‘That is very true and a good way to deal with this revelation.’ Alex spoke for the first time since arriving back. ‘There is a difficult time ahead for you, and we want you to know that you have our friendship and support.’

  ‘Even though you now know I had illegitimate children? After they were born I urged him to adopt them, but he always found excuses not to do it, and now I know why.’ Her expression clouded. ‘I tried so hard to save them from that stigma.’

  ‘You have two of the bravest, most talented youngsters I have ever met. That is something to be proud of,’ Alex pointed out.

  ‘You are right about that, and I have never once regretted their birth. They have been a const
ant joy to me, and my only regret is that I allowed myself to be pushed in to a disastrous union to avoid scandal. Now it has caught up with me, and there will be an even greater scandal.’

  ‘I imagine you felt alone at that time and had no other choice, but that is not the case now.’ Alex leant forward. ‘If you would like to leave London for a while we can easily arrange that for you.’

  ‘Thank you for that kind thought, but I have finished running. I am staying in my own home and will weather the storm when it comes.’

  ‘If you change your mind at any time you must contact us,’ Charles urged. ‘May I ask a personal question? Do not answer if you would rather not do so.’

  ‘I have few secrets now, so what would you like to know?’

  ‘Where did the marriage take place?’

  ‘It was a small church, but I cannot tell you much about it as I was too distressed at the time and seven months pregnant. To avoid scandal, I was told, it was arranged for ten o’clock at night. The man my family were forcing me to marry took care of all the details, and my father was only too happy to leave it to him.’ She looked directly at Alex. ‘Did you discover anything from the details I sent you?’

  ‘After a thorough investigation the captain working on this came to the conclusion that Holdsworth was not a general in the army, and he could not find any trace of a Gilbert Holdsworth anywhere.’

  ‘And you did not tell me?’

  ‘We had no proof. It was all speculation and I didn’t want to worry you with something that could turn out to have a perfectly reasonable answer. It would have been wrong to slander a man without evidence that he was using a military rank he was not entitled to.’

  ‘But now we know the truth of the matter, and when this becomes public knowledge I pray my children will not hear of it. I cannot send letters because a matter as grave as this cannot be put on paper; I must face them with the truth.’ Her voice trembled as she turned her face away. ‘My poor darlings. Now my shame is going to touch them. For myself I don’t care, but they are completely innocent …’