by June Francis
‘I’ll stay here with Lucia,’ said Bobby.
So Nick and Chris went out with Jerry and Joseph next door. The door was ajar so they followed the two youngsters inside. Jerry shouted, ‘Dad, visitors!’
A door to the right opened and Tim popped his head round it. ‘Oh, it’s Nick – and Chris, isn’t it?’
‘That’s right, Mr Murphy,’ said Nick. ‘I hope you don’t mind us dropping in? We called in next door to see Lucia and I thought I’d see how you’re getting on with those articles for the Mersey Beat.’
‘I’ve done a rough draft,’ said Tim. ‘Come in. You can read it through and check I haven’t made any mistakes. You can check Tony’s as well, if you don’t mind.’
‘No trouble at all,’ said Nick.
He and Chris followed Tim into the front room and were waved to a seat. They sat on the sofa pulled up at an angle to the fireplace. Jerry and Joseph had disappeared.
‘Would you like a coffee?’ asked Tim.
Aware of Tim’s disability Nick said, ‘We don’t want to trouble you. But if you want one just point me in the right direction and I’ll make the coffees.’
‘That’s nice of you, Nick,’ said Tim. ‘But it’s no trouble. I have an electric kettle in here and the doings to save me going backwards and forwards to the kitchen.’
In no time at all the three men were warming their hands on steaming cups of coffee and balancing small plates holding fairy cakes on their knees. Tim apologized for the messy icing. ‘Jerry wanted to ice them so I let him. They taste good, though.’
Chris took a bite of the cake, and with his mouth full said, ‘You’re right. This tastes better than the last lot my sister made.’
‘I’ll tell Jerry that,’ said Tim.
‘And I’ll keep quiet about it,’ Nick said.
‘I meant my other sister, not Grace,’ murmured Chris.
Tim stood up and fetched the two articles he had written and placed them on the arm of the sofa next to Nick.
Chris glanced across at Tim and said, ‘How are you getting on with your book?’
‘I’ve come to a halt because Isabella and I disagree on some things.’
‘Is it anything I could help you with?’ Chris asked. ‘Another man’s point of view could be just what you need.’
Tim hesitated and then, leaning forward in his armchair, said, ‘Truthfully, she’s got me confused. It was her idea that I write this book, and then not so long ago she seems to be hinting that I’m wasting my time and the readership I was aiming for won’t read it. She thinks I shouldn’t use the real names of the gang, so I asked her if she wanted me to fictionalize my story?’
‘What did she say to that?’ asked Chris.
‘She said no – that real-life stories pay well; and besides, it’s what the publisher wants,’ said Tim.
‘Maybe she’s concerned that the gang might seek revenge if you use their real names?’ suggested Chris. ‘Although their names appeared in the Echo when the case went to court.’
Suddenly Nick joined in the conversation, ‘I don’t suppose you’ve realized, Mr Murphy, but all of the gang except the leader are due to be released in about a month’s time. Dad mentioned it to me when I told him I’d seen you at the Gianellis’ house. I don’t think you need to worry unless they find out where you live.’
Tim was silent a few moments and then said, ‘And what if they do find out where I live and that I’m writing an autobiography?’
‘A member of one of their families might have heard about the book,’ said Chris. ‘It was mentioned in the Echo.’
Tim frowned. ‘That’ll be Isabella wanting advance publicity for it.’
‘I presume she’s getting a percentage of the royalties,’ Chris said quietly.
Tim nodded. ‘Which is only fair considering the help she’s given me.’
‘Have you any reason for thinking a family member of the gang might have discovered where you live?’ asked Nick, looking up from the sheet of paper he was reading.
‘I recognized the passenger and the driver of the car on Boxing Day,’ said Tim.
‘I remember now that Isabella said it had to be an accident,’ said Chris. ‘A colleague had suggested to her that maybe someone had it in for you.’
‘Lucia and Michael believed the car was heading straight for us – and I recognized the bloke driving from years back, but he wasn’t a member of the gang; he used to go out with the sister of a cousin of the gang leader. The cousin was the one who escaped with me and perished in Australia.’
‘I imagine you’re including your escape and time spent in Australia?’ Nick asked.
‘Yeah, I thought readers would be interested. It’s a vast country and not without its dangers. Really poisonous snakes, to name but one!’ Tim shuddered. ‘The bloke who escaped with me was bitten.’
‘What did you do?’ asked Chris. ‘Suck the poison out like you used to see in old Westerns sometimes?’
‘You must be joking. He was dead in minutes. Besides, I didn’t even think of it. We weren’t the best of mates. When I escaped I had no intention of taking any of the gang along with me, but he’d hung about outside the shop and jumped on the running board as soon as I started moving and I couldn’t get rid of him. I discovered later why he was so intent on coming with me. He’d sneaked some of the booty from an earlier robbery into the car.’
Nick nudged Chris. ‘I think it’s time we were making a move. Bobby and Lucia will be wondering what’s happened to us.’
‘Can you see yourselves out?’ asked Tim, wincing as he made to get up. ‘I’ve enjoyed your company. Drop in again sometime.’
‘Will do,’ said Nick.
Tim struggled to his feet. ‘I’d better check up on the boys. See yer!’ He raised a hand in a gesture of farewell.
Nick and Chris left the house and went next door.
‘About time you showed your faces,’ said Bobby. ‘We should be getting back. Mam and Dad were talking about going the flicks and they’re going to want one of us to babysit.’
‘And my mam and the girls will be back from Gran’s, and no doubt Grace will be wanting to see Nick,’ Chris said. ‘I’ll babysit with you, Bobby, if you like?’
‘Thanks,’ she said. ‘We can listen to the LP that Nick bought me for Christmas.’
‘So had Tim written the piece about you, Nick, for the Mersey Beat?’ Lucia asked.
‘Yes, and there was scarcely anything to pick him up about. Just a couple of spelling mistakes,’ said Nick and changed the subject.
Bobby started to make a move. ‘So we’ll be seeing you, Lucia. Probably see you at the coffee bar soon.’
Lucia saw them out and then settled down with a library book and tried to immerse herself in the detective story, but her mind kept drifting to a report she had read in the Echo about a murder in Knotty Ash, the murderer having taken advantage of the fog to make his escape. When it was real life, it made much scarier reading. Catching sight of the time, she decided to send Theresa next door to fetch Joseph. Even though she was tempted to go herself, she thought it might be better not to seem too keen. She need not have concerned herself because before she could send Theresa to fetch Joseph, there came a ring of the doorbell. James went to see who it was, and came back into the kitchen with the news that it was Joseph, Jerry and his father and should he invite them all in?
Before she could change her mind and be sensible, Lucia said, ‘Of course!’
A few minutes later the two boys, followed by Tim, entered the kitchen. When he saw the table was set for a meal, he said, ‘I won’t stop if you’re about to have your tea.’
‘You’re welcome to share it with us. Regard it as a thank you for putting up with Joseph.’
‘You’ve put up with Jerry often enough,’ Tim said. ‘But thanks, I accept. I’d enjoy a chat.’
‘About Nick and Chris?’
‘How did you guess?’
‘Easy-peasy! They’d just been to visit you. Let’s have tea
first, though,’ said Lucia. ‘Then we can go into the parlour and have a bit of peace for half an hour.’
Tim sat at the table and searched the faces there. ‘No Michael?’
‘No,’ Lucia let out a sigh. ‘He’s out with Marjorie again. We see very little of him. I’m concerned because he told me he’d be having exams any day now and he seems to have done little revision for them.’
‘He might be burning the midnight oil and studying after he comes in,’ suggested Tim.
‘I’d like to believe that,’ said Lucia. ‘I don’t like to pry, in case he thinks I’m getting at him. He knows how important exams are if he’s to get a decent job.’
‘Couldn’t your uncle have a word with him?’
‘You mean Father Francis?’
‘I didn’t. I meant your Aunt Nellie’s husband, but it’s true that Father Francis runs a boys’ club and has done for years, so he does know something about lads.’
‘I know, but I could see Michael resenting his interference. Especially as I have a feeling Marjorie isn’t a Catholic.’
‘I see. You’re probably best leaving things alone. I reckon Michael has a good head on his shoulders and knows what’s best for him.’
‘I hope you’re right,’ said Lucia. ‘Now help yourself to some sandwiches. There’s egg and lettuce as well as cheese and pickle.’
Tim helped himself to one of each and placed a jam tart on his plate as well. As he ate, he listened to the babble of noise about him, thinking about Jerry being an only child and what it meant to his son to be welcomed into this family. Before the Brookes had become part of Jerry’s life, he’d only had Marty’s daughter, Josie, to play with, apart from the children at the nursery school and primary school he’d attended near Marty’s home.
It wasn’t long before they were at the jelly and custard stage, and soon after Lucia helped Theresa clear the table and wash the dishes. Then she left Theresa to keep an eye on the younger ones while she and Tim had a coffee in the parlour.
‘So how can I help you?’ Lucia asked.
‘I don’t really need help,’ said Tim. ‘I just thought you might be interested to know that I mentioned to Chris and Nick about recognizing the two men in the car and that I believed it possible they were aiming the car straight at me. Maybe they were only thinking to put the wind up me.’ Before Lucia could comment, he added swiftly, ‘You might also be interested that Nick told me some of the gang are due to be released from prison next month.’
‘Does that worry you?’
‘Yes, because those two blokes can tell them where I live, but at least Nick and his father, Detective Inspector Walker, are aware of some of what’s going on. Mind you, them finding me and there being a confrontation is probably the kind of ending that Isabella would go for, but she’s going to be out of luck,’ said Tim. ‘What kind of ending do you like, love?’
‘Happy ones, or at least ones that leave me feeling satisfied.’
‘I’ll see what I can do,’ said Tim. ‘Although I’m not expecting miracles.’
‘What kind of miracle would you like to happen?’
‘I’d like to be able to walk normally again or, if not that, to be able to drive comfortably.’
‘Why is it you can’t?’
‘I fractured my pelvis. The only reason I can walk at all is because a surgeon pinned it together.’
‘So you have bits of metal inside you?’
‘Exactly. I’m grateful that the surgeon was able to do that much for me.’
‘That would have been unheard of years ago. Our ancestors would have considered it a miracle,’ said Lucia.
‘True; but enough about me. Have you any news to tell me?’
‘Nothing new. I told you my aunt Babs is coming over from America towards the end of June. I can’t wait to see her. She’s such fun. Although she’s bringing her mother-in-law and I don’t know what difference it’ll make, but I am sure it will be fine.’
‘She won’t be staying here, though, will she?’
‘No, she’ll be staying with Aunt Nellie. Mam was the middle of the three sisters.’
‘Nellie being the eldest?’
‘Yes, Uncle Francis is older than the girls, and there was another brother who was killed during the war.’
‘Shame.’
‘Yes, but if he had lived, most likely my great-grandfather wouldn’t have left the house to Nellie despite her looking after him in his old age. The brother who died was the favourite. I heard he was a bit of a lad but had lots of charm.’ Lucia paused. ‘Anyway, that’s enough about my family. Would you like another coffee?’
‘Yeah, thanks.’ He handed his cup to her.
‘I’ll only be a few minutes,’ she said. ‘Are you warm enough in here?’
He nodded. ‘Will you check that Jerry’s not being a nuisance?
‘He’s never a nuisance. He’s a well-behaved little lad, as I’ve told you before.’
‘That’s thanks to my brother, Marty, and even our Peggy played her part in looking after him. As did Monica, who used to babysit sometimes, as I think I told you.’
Lucia paused in the doorway. ‘Monica comes into the coffee bar whenever she’s back in Liverpool. She’s gone solo now and travels round the country doing gigs.’
‘So I heard. Well, I’m glad she managed to escape her grandmother’s house and follow her dream. I’d like to hear her sing live. I do have one of her records.’
‘I’ll let you know if I hear anything. She keeps in touch with Tony.’
‘I’d appreciate that. Perhaps we could go together if she comes and does a gig in Liverpool?’
‘I’d like that.’ With a song in her heart, Lucia left the parlour and headed for the kitchen, surprised to hear only Theresa’s voice coming from there. Only when Lucia pushed open the door did she see the reason for that.
Theresa, James, Joseph, Gabrielle and Jerry were gathered about the table playing Lotto.
‘What are you playing for?’ she asked Theresa.
‘Chocolate drops. We don’t have any Smarties,’ replied Theresa.
‘I’ll see if I can afford to get some tomorrow.’
Lucia made the coffee and returned to the parlour.
‘So what were they doing?’ asked Tim.
‘Playing Lotto. We used to play it at Christmas when Mam and Dad were alive. We used to call it Housey-Housey. Do you know it?’
‘I know it. I love a game of chance.’
‘You mean like gambling?’
‘Yes, if you played for money.’
‘Mam mustn’t have realized. She didn’t believe in gambling.’
‘Did you play for halfpennies and pennies?’
‘No, generally we played for Smarties.’
‘Then I wouldn’t be worrying. I doubt any of you will turn into serious gamblers from playing at home for sweets.’
‘You’re teasing me,’ said Lucia.
He nodded. ‘You’re far too serious for a young woman of your age. You need to relax and have some fun. But I suppose that’s difficult with your responsibilities.’
‘We do have fun times as a family, but the fact that I have to make all the decisions for our wellbeing worries me.’
‘But surely Father Francis and your aunt help you?’
‘Yes, but it’s not as if they’re on the spot, and besides, I don’t want to bother them.’
‘I doubt they’d think you a bother.’
‘I know – it’s me that worries because they have a lot on their plates as it is.’
‘It’s time you stopped worrying and accepted that families are there to help each other – I’ve a feeling we’ve had this kind of conversation before – and your aunt and uncle having seen more of life will have a load of experience to draw on, so accept that it shows sense to ask for their advice sometimes.’
‘You’re very wise,’ she said, smiling up at him.
‘I can only say, as many have before me, that I wish I’d known when I was young
er what I know now – but I’d bet my bottom dollar that I’ve still a lot to learn about life and that I’ll make more mistakes.’ He was tempted to put an arm around her shoulders and give her a hug, but knew it wouldn’t be sensible. ‘Enough of this seriousness. Do you know any jokes?’
‘None that I can remember. What about you?’
‘None suitable for a young lady’s ears.’
‘Oh, I do like you,’ she said with a burst of enthusiasm. ‘You make me smile even without telling me a joke.’
He gazed into her sparkling eyes and wanted nothing more than to kiss her, but decided that would be an even more foolish thing to do than giving her a hug. She needed someone younger like Nick – or Chris – who wasn’t carrying a load of baggage with him from the past. Although neither of them would probably want to take on the kids.
‘I like you too,’ he said, recalling having been told by a number of women that they were in love with him, but he couldn’t remember any saying they liked him.
He remembered seeing films where a woman had told a man, after he had proposed, that she liked him but did not love him. Which made it sound as if it was easier to like someone than to love someone enough to marry them. Yet it seemed to him now that liking someone was more important in a relationship, because surely with liking came respect, and that was so important in a marriage. There had been times when he had positively disliked Bernie, which was probably why he had been able to leave her behind when fleeing from the police. Yet he had believed he was in love with her. It just went to show that rushing into marriage because you simply lusted after someone was a big mistake.
They were interrupted by Joseph and Jerry, wanting to know if Jerry could stay the night. The two boys had looked to Tim for an answer and he looked at Lucia. She had nodded, thinking that would mean she and Tim could have some more time alone to talk, but she would not make the mistake of inviting him to sit next to her this time. She made two mugs of cocoa and chose to sit in the armchair that had been her father’s.
‘Has Jerry managed to get out on his bike?’ she asked. ‘He must be dying to have a proper ride on it.’
‘Maybe now the thaw has arrived, he’ll be able to get out. Anyway, it won’t be too long before spring arrives – he’ll have plenty of time then to be out cycling. I’m so glad he’s made friends with Joseph.’