The Beachcomber

by Josephine Cox

  “Aye, you go on. I’ll sit here awhile, afore I take myself off for my tea.” He winked. “I reckon the missus will have a tasty hotpot bubbling away on the stove, time I get home.”

  “Hmh! It’s all right for you. Some of us ’ave to do for us-selves.”

  Concerned about Kathy, Jasper clambered his way out of the cabin and onto the deck; from there he shimmied up the mooring rope like a two-year-old. “You ain’t lost it yet, old-timer!” Jack called from inside the cabin.

  Jasper nodded appreciatively. “Yer should see me on a bad day,” he chuckled.

  In a minute he was wending his way across the green toward Barden House. Kathy saw him coming and ran to the door. “Oh, Jasper, I was hoping you’d come back when you saw them leave.”

  “What’s up, lass? Yer look badly.” Kathy’s brown eyes were red and swollen, and her face was all puffed up; it was obvious to anyone who knew her that she was distraught.

  Trying hard not to show her emotion, she said, “Tell me the truth, Jasper … do you think I was cruel to her? Do you think it’s because of me that she’s –” After the crippling confrontation with her mother, her resolve failed and she broke down.

  “Now then, lass. Take a hold on yersel.’” Grabbing her by the shoulders, he drew her to him. “For a start off, I don’t think you could be ‘cruel’ if you tried. And for another thing, it weren’t ’cause o’ you that she went out.”

  “But maybe I could have stopped her.”

  “No, lass! From what you tell me, that sister o’ yourn was a law unto hersel.’ I dare say if you’d pleaded with her to stay in that night, she would still have gone out and done things the way she wanted. God only knows, what happened to her was a shocking and awful thing, but there was nothing you could have done … except maybe to baby her and follow her everywhere she went.”

  He held her at arm’s length, his old heart breaking to see what a state she was in. “You gave her nowt but kindness. You let her into your home and allowed her to stay … even when she let it be known that she were out to take it from you.” He gave her a comforting shake. “No, lass, you weren’t ‘cruel.’ You were a good sister. Nobody can tek that away from yer. Just remember that.”

  Kathy found it hard to believe him. “Mother says I’ve been selfish and greedy. She says I should have sold this house and given her half … that it wasn’t much to ask, and I turned my back on her when she needed help.” Taking a deep, choking breath, she went on. “Maybe if I’d promised to do what she wanted she would still be here today.”

  “Now then! Don’t torment yersel’ with them kinda foolish notions. Y’see, lass … we’re all on us sent into this ’ere world with a number agin us. When that number is called, we’re away to God Almighty, and there ain’t nobody – not you, nor me, nor anybody else – as can mek the slightest difference to that.”

  For a time, Kathy couldn’t answer him. Instead, she held onto him, her face buried in his shoulder, and the tears ran freely as she thought of Samantha and the awful way she had died: slipping and knocking her head as she fell into the harbor. “You’re a good friend, Jasper,” she murmured. “I don’t know what I would have done without you.”

  “I’ll tell yer what, lass.”

  Sniffing, she wiped away the tears. “What?” Looking up at him, she felt safe; absolved somehow.

  “How about you mek us a brew, eh? An’ we’ll sit and decide what’s to be done.”

  A great, heavy sob escaped her, but with it came the tiniest of smiles. “I forgot my manners, didn’t I?”

  He wagged a podgy finger. “So yer did. Shame on yer!”

  He thought it would be good for her to busy herself and take her mind off things. While he waited, he asked about Rosie. “She’s been that worried about yer.”

  Kathy returned with the tea. “Rosie’s been wonderful … just like you.”

  Placing the tea in his outstretched hand, she sat in the other chair.

  Hesitating just a little because he knew it was a thing close to her heart, he asked pointedly, “D’yer intend asking Tom if he’ll come back?”

  “No.”

  “Yer do know where he’s staying, don’t yer, lass? I mean … he did give you an address of sorts, didn’t he?”

  “I have the address of his hotel, yes.” So many times she had been tempted to write to him or telephone, but she hadn’t, and she wouldn’t. “See, Jasper, if I were to phone him he’d be here straight away, and that wouldn’t be fair … to get him back just for my sake. He has a job to do, and the last thing I want to do is interfere with that.”

  “He’s bound to telephone you sooner or later.”

  “I know.”

  “And what will you say to him?”

  “That I’m all right, and that I’m missing him. That I love him and can’t wait for him to come home.”

  “Nothing about what happened, then?”

  “No.”

  “What’s the name of his hotel?”

  “I’m not saying.”

  “I see.” Jasper realized he’d been rumbled. “All right, but he’ll not be best pleased when he finds out what’s happened, and that you didn’t contact him.”

  “I know that.”

  “Your choice, lass.”

  “It’s the only choice I’ve got.” She was doing the right thing in leaving Tom out of it. Only she did need him so desperately, especially now.

  “I’m going to see Samantha, before she’s taken away.” Her voice broke, but this time she steadied herself. “I have to say my goodbyes. I have to see her one more time.” She bowed her head. “There are things I need to say.”

  “I understand that, lass. And you do right to go and see her.” Though he didn’t like the idea of her going on her own, not in her state. “If yer want somebody to come with yer, I’ll be on hand, lass.”

  Kathy thanked him. “Rosie’s going with me, but thank you all the same, Jasper. It’s good of you to offer.”

  She glanced toward the stairs. “There’s something you could do, if you don’t mind, that is?”

  “That’s what I’m here for, lass … to help wherever I can.”

  “Mother told me to get Samantha’s things ready, but I haven’t the heart to do it on my own.”

  “’Course not, lass. I’ll be glad to give a hand, whenever yer ready.”

  Kathy was in no hurry. “Mother said she’d be back in an hour. We’ve time yet.”

  When, an hour later to the minute, Irene and Richard returned, all of Samantha’s things were ready for collection.

  Fighting back the tears, Kathy had gathered the more personal items, while Jasper had folded her clothes and put them in the small case.

  Irene banged on the door in her usual impatient manner. When Kathy opened it, she barged through; on seeing Jasper she demanded to know what he was doing there. “I should have thought this was a time for reflection,” she said, spying the two teacups, “instead of drinking tea and behaving as if nothing had happened!”

  Up until now, Richard had kept his own counsel, but with Kathy looking so upset and Irene overstepping the mark, he stepped in to chide her. “Easy now, Irene. Everyone needs a friend at times like this.” Allowing Jasper a friendly nod, he gave his wife a gentle pat on the shoulder. “I think we should leave now.”

  Swinging round, she was about to give him a piece of her mind, when she remembered he was not the soft touch she had at first imagined him to be. He had only now reinstated her account because, being the good man he was, he thought she had suffered enough.

  “All right.” Since he could take her account away any time he thought fit, she needed to keep him sweet, particularly now she no longer had her elder daughter as an ally. “You’re right. There’s nothing to be gained by getting myself upset all over again.”

  Before they left she had a warning for Kathy. “I’ve spent the worst day of my life!” she told her. “The police have given me little peace. I’m desperate to organize for your sister to be ta
ken home, only they won’t release her, not yet.” Her voice trembled. “As for you!” She came forward threateningly. “You monster!”

  When Kathy involuntarily took a step back, Jasper was there to hold her, his face set hard as he looked at her mother, and thinking how he was on the verge of showing her the door.

  “It should be you lying there, not Samantha! I know you plan to see her at rest, but I don’t want you anywhere near her! It’s all your fault that this has happened. You’re a wicked, selfish creature, and I wash my hands of you. As far as I’m concerned, I have no family now …” She turned to smile weakly at her husband. “Only my darling Richard,” she added disingenuously.

  When again she turned to round on Kathy, Jasper stepped forward. “I would not normally interfere in family business,” he said respectfully, “and I’m very sorry for your loss. But I think you should listen to your husband.” He smiled sadly. “Best to leave now, I reckon.”

  “Really!” After staring at him for what seemed an age, she stormed out, with Richard lingering to apologize to Kathy before he, too, was gone.

  “She can’t stop you from seeing yer sister, if that’s what you want, lass.” Jasper had never before encountered such a horrid creature as Kathy’s mother.

  The tirade of abuse had shaken Kathy but after a minute or two at the window, watching them depart, she quickly recovered. She felt stronger and more determined. “If they’ll let me, I will go and see her. I have to.” Her mind was made up.

  Later that afternoon, she and Rosie set off. “Are you sure you want to do this, me darling?” Rosie was nervous for her. “Sure, it’ll not be a pleasant thing, you do realize that?”

  “She’s my sister.”

  “Ah, I know. I’ll be there with you, so I will.”

  Just as Rosie promised, seeing Samantha like that was not a pleasant thing. In fact, it was the hardest thing Kathy had ever had to do in the whole of her life. With her father, the pain of losing him had been lessened by the fact that, for him, it was a merciful release. That was not the case with Samantha.

  After being greeted at the desk, she was quickly taken downstairs; big green doors were swept open and she was led into a large, clinical-looking room. In the center of the room was a trestle, and on the trestle was Samantha’s body, covered in a white cloth. “We’ve done our best,” the policeman explained, “but you do realize she isn’t as you would see her in a chapel of rest.” The man was a kindly soul, with the gentlest of smiles. The police had been concerned at first, wanting to establish how Samantha had come to fall in backward: there was a nasty blow to the back of her head. But with no evidence of foul play, they were about to release her body.

  Kathy nodded. With Rosie at her side, Kathy stepped forward; while Rosie turned her head, she watched him peel back the cloth. There, cold and still, was Samantha.

  Catching a breath, Kathy fought back the tears. “Can I have a minute with her?” she asked brokenly.

  “I understand.” The policeman and Rosie stepped back, toward the far end of the room, from where they watched but could not hear. Only the soft murmurings of Kathy’s voice broke the silence.

  Taking a moment to gaze down on that familiar face, Kathy wondered at her sister’s proud beauty. In all her life she had never seen Samantha look so calm and pure. Her head was discreetly covered with a fine, lace cloth, while her face was like cold, chiseled marble. “You’re very beautiful, Samantha,” she whispered, “but you shouldn’t be here. You should be dancing and shopping, and wearing the fine clothes you love so much.”

  For a minute she couldn’t go on. Unbearable emotion clogged her throat and the tears fell, regardless of her determination not to cry. “Forgive me,” she murmured, “but I couldn’t let you take what you wanted. If that was wrong of me, then I’m sorry. I don’t know if I was right or wrong to refuse you, but oh –” her voice broke; the tears blurred her vision – “if only I could turn back the clock, we might have come to some sort of compromise. I don’t know. I’ll never know.”

  Reaching out, she touched her face, shocked by the coldness of her skin. “What went wrong between us? Why couldn’t we get it right?”

  Raising her hand, she wiped away the blinding tears. “Rest now, Samantha,” she whispered. “I only wish things could have been different …”

  She looked at her sister’s quiet face for a moment longer, taking it in, preserving it in her memory. Leaning forward, she kissed her, shocked to realize that it was a long time since she had done that. “Goodbye, Samantha.”

  When, a few minutes later, she and Rosie emerged from that formidable building, Kathy needed a moment to lean against the wall, her face ashen, her whole body trembling.

  In this moment of harsh reality, she needed Tom more than ever.

  CHAPTER 19

  TOM HAD CALLED in to his old office to say hello. “Well, I never!” The boss was delighted to see him. “I daren’t ask whether you’ve come back to work?”

  Tom laughed. “Still running full pelt, with never enough staff to keep it covered, eh?”

  John Martin laughed: Tom knew the ins and outs of this business almost as well as he did. “You’ve got that right.”

  “I just called in to see Lilian, but she wasn’t there. Gone out on an errand, has she?” Occasionally, she might have to go out for emergency supplies, such as typewriter ribbons when her own stock ran out; it was unusual but had been known to happen. Or meat pies from the corner shop, when the boss hadn’t had time for breakfast.

  John Martin explained. “Alice came up here this morning in a panic. She had this idea that Lilian was, well … not her usual self –” he grimaced – “if you know what I mean?”

  “Not really, no.” Having already heard disturbing news which he believed had to do with Lilian, Tom felt decidedly uncomfortable. “Is she ill?”

  “Well, yes, I suppose she is.” He still didn’t know what to think. “Well, anyway, I thought Alice might be acting a bit hysterical, but when I went down to take a look, she was quite right to fetch me …” He nodded to himself. “Sensible young thing, Alice. Yes, I can see her going places in this establishment.”

  Right now, Tom wasn’t interested in internal politics. “You were saying?”

  “Oh, yes! Lilian was acting very strangely, talking and muttering to herself. When I gave her some important papers to deal with, she immediately began tearing them up and throwing them in the bin.” His face contorted with astonishment. “Lilian, of all people! Can you believe that?”

  Tom grew increasingly worried. This news only heightened his suspicions that it really was Lilian in the churchyard. What was she playing at? Even now, he found it hard to believe. “Where is she now?”

  “I had to send her home. What else could I do? It’s obvious she needs a doctor. I laid a car on, and Alice went with her. I made sure Alice knew to call the doctor from a phone box once she’d got to Lilian’s house.”

  Before he could say any more, Tom was out of his chair and at the door. “I have to go and see her,” he said. “See how she is.”

  The boss nodded. “But you’ll call back, I hope. We could go out for a drink. I’d like us to catch up on things.”

  Tom had been his right-hand man. If he could persuade him back again, it would make life that much easier. “Dougie and John have been up in Leeds. Hang about until they get back, won’t you? Apparently they’re having serious problems with that roof design you warned about. You were right. It’s been nothing but trouble from the outset.”

  “Well, I hate to say it, but you should have listened.” Tom was a hard taskmaster when it came to business. He knew his stuff and had no patience when others chose to bypass him.

  “First and last time, I swear!” John Martin had no choice but to admit he was in the wrong. “Look, Tom, they really are getting into deep water with this one. I’m sure they’d love to talk things over with you. Spend an hour or so with them, will you do that, Tom … for old times’ sake?”

 
; “I’ll try.” Tom couldn’t say no. “When are they back?”

  “Any time now, I reckon … They’ll ring in today, anyway – I’ll let them know you’re in London.”

  “Okay.” With Kathy heavy on his mind, he wanted to get back as soon as possible, and that meant concentrating fully on getting to the bottom of who had caused the accident. He could do without distractions like these.

  He promised to see them if he was still in London when they returned. “I don’t know how long I’ll be here,” he admitted. Taking in a deep breath, he then blew it out in a soft whistle. “If I can, you know I will.” And, knowing how Tom never gave his word unless he meant to keep it, the boss was a happier man.

  Having run down the stairs two at a time, Tom was almost out the door when the receptionist called him back. “It’s Mr. Martin on the telephone for you, sir.” Being young and aware of Tom’s admirable reputation in this establishment, she addressed him with a degree of reverence.

  Thanking her, Tom took the call. “Tom here.”

  “Sorry, Tom, but Dougie just called. Apparently he’s just got back from Leeds to find Lilian in his house. Seems she broke a window to get in. She was stretched out on his couch, her arm dripping blood all over the place, and asking after you! Dougie reckons she’s drunk, or drugged, or some such thing, because she’s not making any sense. He doesn’t know what to do, so he asked me to go over, but when I told him you were here, he asked me to tell you that you’re probably the only one who can do anything with her. Look, Tom, I’m sorry. But he wants you to get over there as quick as you can!”

  Tom was both relieved and worried. “Right! I’m on my way. Thanks.” Replacing the receiver, he hurried out to the street and hailed a taxi. When one slewed over from the main run of traffic, he climbed in and gave the address. “There’s an extra five bob in it if you can put your foot down.”

  Five bob was the only incentive the driver needed.

  In a matter of seconds, he was screeching in and out of traffic with no thought for life or limb.