Flowers on the Mersey

by June Francis

  ‘Would you really have gone through with marrying me?’ he panted.

  ‘Yes,’ she gasped. ‘I didn’t want to hurt you.’

  ‘Good God!’ He was shocked, but incredibly he was flattered at the same time. ‘You’re more ruthless than I thought.’

  ‘I love you,’ she whispered before he kissed her once more.

  Afterwards, Rebekah fell into an exhausted sleep and Daniel lay watching her, considering what to do. He was still thinking when he heard someone trying the front door. He got up and looked out of the window. As he did so, Shaun called in a loud whisper, ‘Danny, open up! You’ve got to let me in!’

  He opened the window. ‘I don’t want you in here. Go away!’

  ‘Danny, for God’s sake!’ called Shaun in desperate tones.

  Not wanting Rebekah wakened, he turned from the window and crept downstairs.

  His brother almost fell over the step in his haste to get inside. He had a gun in his hand. ‘Danny, they’re here! The troopers! They’re just up the lane! We’ll have to fight it out, but we’ve got a chance in here.’

  Daniel stared at him. ‘I could kill you!’ His voice was harsh. ‘Why do you always have to come and muck up my life? D’you think I’d risk a fight in here?’

  ‘I wouldn’t have thought you’d have cared where we fought.’ Shaun licked his lips. ‘You’re not worrying about her after the way she deceived you, now?’

  Daniel said nothing, only shutting the door and going to look out of the window. ‘If they get us, they’ll get her,’ he murmured. ‘They mightn’t believe she’s not in on it. Where about are they? Near the gate or what?’

  ‘Not that close.’ Shaun’s eyes shifted away from his brother’s. ‘Why?’

  ‘Because I want to get them away from here.’ He moved swiftly over to Rebekah’s bag on the floor and took something from it. ‘Come on,’ he said to his brother.

  ‘What are you going to do?’ stammered Shaun.

  ‘You’ll find out.’ He opened the door and pushed his brother in front of him. ‘Give me the gun and over to the car!’

  Shaun stared at him and slowly a smile crossed his face. ‘You’re gonna run the sods down!’

  ‘Not if I can help it. You’ll have to turn the starting handle.’ Daniel loped across the ground and through the gateway. He glanced up the lane which curved a few hundred yards down. The men could be just round the bend.

  He got in and flung the handle to Shaun, who hurriedly inserted it. The engine coughed into life as Daniel, ears straining, tossed the gun inside. Shaun jumped in, slammed the door and picked up the gun on the seat. He pulled another from his belt, only to be flung back against the seat as the car started up the lane.

  Rebekah woke, recalling instantaneously the traumas of the day. She reached out for Daniel but he was not there. A twinge of anxiety made itself felt as she clambered out of bed and dressed. There was no one downstairs and the fire was almost out. How long had she slept? Her stomach rumbled. She had not eaten all day and neither had Daniel. Where was he? Would he have gone fishing? The rod was in the cupboard. A walk?

  Opening the door Rebekah went outside. It was quiet except for the sound of birds. She hurried towards the river and walked further than she had ever done until bushes and undergrowth made it impossible to go any further. Her anxiety grew and she felt light-headed with hunger. Had Daniel gone to the village? Retracing her steps she made for the gate and suddenly realised that the car was missing.

  For a moment Rebekah just stared at the vacant spot, hardly able to take in the evidence of her eyes. Then she thought of Shaun but remembered he could not drive. Daniel could. Perhaps he had taken his brother to the nearest town? She gnawed at her lip. When? What time? How long would it have taken if he had done so not knowing the roads?

  Rebekah meandered along the lane as far as the bend but there was no sign of anyone. She went back to the house and found the fire out. She did not have the heart to attempt to light it again and made do with a slice of bread and jam and a drink of ginger beer. There was a sock to darn so she set to doing that. She checked for Daniel’s spare clothing upstairs. It was still there.

  She went outside and wandered up the lane again. Her fear was growing. Perhaps he had decided to leave her? Had been so disgusted with her deceit that he had not been able to stand the sight of her any longer. ‘Don’t be stupid!’ She said the words aloud but it did not make her feel any better. She went back to the house. She would light the fire before it became dark because Daniel would want something warm to eat.

  It should have been an easy task because she had watched him get the fire going often enough, but it would not light. She could have cried with frustration as the peat smouldered but did not ignore properly. She longed for Daniel to come back but a voice inside her kept saying, ‘He’s not coming back.’

  Again she went outside to the gate. Nothing! It was getting dark and even the birds were silent. Her loneliness was complete. She went back to the house, lay on the couch and pulled a coat over her. It was only just before dawn that she slept.

  It was a horse whinnying that roused Rebekah and she sprang up, only to sit down again because everything spun round her. There was a knock on the door but before she could get up, or ask who it was, the door opened.

  Joshua, wearing breeches and a tweed jacket, tossed a riding crop down and leant on the table. ‘My dear Rebekah, I’m glad to say that you look bloody awful! It serves you right for making me chase after you to this devilish place. You can get your things together. You’re coming home.’

  ‘How did you know where to find me?’ Rebekah’s voice was barely above a whisper.

  ‘It wasn’t easy.’ He picked up the crop again and toyed with it. ‘A gentleman doesn’t expect his new bride to be missing when he returns home after weeks away. The house was empty. There was no Janet. I visited your aunt and she said that you were in London but did not know where. I went to see Edwina and she said the same.’ He whacked the table with the crop and his voice rose. ‘It was very embarrassing not knowing where my wife had gone!’ His eyes glinted. ‘I waited a week and still there was no word. Edwina called to see if you were home.’ He hit the table again. ‘She suggested that you might have gone to Ireland. Something about Florence Nightingale and the Red Cross. I remembered how you’d wanted to come here. What were you thinking of? Where you looking for ghosts? O’Neill’s perhaps?’

  Rebekah’s fear was now so great that it took her a full minute to answer. ‘Don’t be silly. I just had a yen to see the place again,’ she stammered, rising to her feet. ‘I knew that you were much too busy to bring me so I came alone.’ She crossed her fingers behind her back.

  ‘I see.’ He touched her chin with the crop. ‘It was naughty of you. Anything could have happened. It’s a dangerous country and that’s why I didn’t bring you in the spring.’

  ‘As you can see I’m perfectly all right.’ She pushed the crop away but he immediately touched her face with it again.

  ‘Joshua, please!’ She moved out of his reach but he followed her.

  ‘No welcoming kiss for your husband, my precious?’ His pale blue eyes rebuked her. ‘I would have thought that after six weeks apart you would have missed me. I’ve missed you.’ He had forced her into a corner and now reached for her. She would have ducked beneath his arm but he was too quick. He attempted to kiss her but she averted her face and his lips touched her cheek instead. He shook her. ‘What’s changed you, Rebekah?’ His tone had altered, was sharp instead of velvety. ‘I’d started to believe that we could rub along quite nicely.’

  Rebekah wanted to scream at that but thought it wiser to remain silent.

  Her husband’s expression turned ugly. ‘Nothing to say, my dear! I thought you would have had lots to tell me!’ He nuzzled her neck and instinctly she braced herself as his teeth nipped her skin hard. The next moment she was struggling with him but he forced her down on to the floor. He straddled her, painfully prising her fingers awa
y when she sought to keep her skirts down. He gratified himself swiftly.

  When he rolled away from her, it was several minutes before Rebekah could rise but she managed it. She had to rid herself of the stink of him! The door gave beneath her fingers and she was out and stumbling towards the river. She waded in fully clothed, despite the chill water, and tears rolled down her cheeks. Shaun’s coming, and now Joshua’s arrival, were death to all her dreams.

  ‘You’ll get pneumonia like that,’ said Joshua from the river bank. ‘Come and get dry and put on a clean frock. Pack your case and let’s get going.’

  Rebekah ignored him.

  His lips thinned. ‘Rebekah! You’re being utterly stupid. Now come on out of there!’He stepped into the water and seizing a fold of her sodden frock, pulled her towards him. ‘Now you’ll stop this nonsense or you’ll be sorry. Being on your own here has affected your mind.’

  A muscle moved in her throat but she did not say anything, only doing what he said. She walked stiffly beside him. He was silent and she knew she was in for trouble, but could see no point in trying to run away. It was obvious that Daniel no longer wanted her. What she had done had been terribly wrong and now she was to pay for it.

  She changed and then packed her case while Joshua waited downstairs. For that she was grateful, fearing what he would do to her if he saw Daniel’s spare clothing. She went downstairs, sick with misery.

  Outside, Joshua untethered the horse and told Rebekah to get on its back. ‘I’m too tired to ride,’ she said.

  ‘You don’t have to do anything!’ He made a swipe at her bottom with the crop and she moved swiftly. ‘That’s the ticket.’ He smiled. ‘Just sit and I’ll lead him. We’ll fetch my bag from the big house. I’m not staying in this place any longer than I have to. They’re a sullen lot and it takes all day to get any information out of them.’

  Rebekah made no reply but was relieved that nobody seemed to have mentioned Daniel. When they got to the house she paid little attention to her surroundings because she was so depressed. They stayed only half an hour while a pony trap was brought round. Then they left.

  Rebekah was sick on the ferry and Joshua told her that it was all in her mind. She thought of her father and how he had said the same thing to her mother, and how because of him she had married Joshua. In that moment she hated them both.

  When the Liver birds came in sight she felt a momentary lifting of her misery. At least Daniel had been right in saying that she had friends here.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  It was to be several weeks before Rebekah saw either of her friends. With having been away there were matters to be seen to and besides she was unwell and felt lethargic, having no interest in anything. Eventually, though, she decided that she should go and see her aunt. On the way she met Edwina.

  ‘So you’re home! Did you go to Ireland? It’s been ages. You look terrible,’ said the older woman.

  ‘Thanks,’ said Rebekah drily, not feeling too friendly to Edwina, partly blaming her for mentioning Ireland to Joshua.

  ‘What’s up?’ Edwina’s smile vanished. ‘Is it something I’ve said?’

  Rebekah realised that she could hardly tell her the truth. ‘Nobody likes being told they look terrible. My tummy’s a bit upset and I feel tired since I got back from Ireland.’

  ‘Tougher than you thought, was it?’ Edwina put her hand through Rebekah’s arm. ‘Was Joshua cross?’

  ‘Yes. You know how he feels about Ireland.’

  ‘By the look of you, you saw more unpleasant sights than you planned on?’

  ‘Yes, I did.’ Her smile came and went as she remembered her first sight of the wounded Daniel. ‘I really don’t want to talk about it.’

  Edwina nodded. ‘I understand that.’

  They walked along the road in silence. Rebekah forced herself to ask, ‘Have you spoken to my aunt?’

  ‘You’re joking! You know her opinion of me.’

  ‘I was on my way to see her.’

  ‘Come and have a cup of tea with me first. Dad’s out.’

  Rebekah did not really feel like going but said yes. After all, it was not Edwina’s fault that everything had fallen apart.

  The cup of tea did Rebekah good and so did Edwina’s gossip about the neighbourhood, coupled with her talk of the latest films. In return, Rebekah told her a little about Dublin, the house and the village. She had another cup of tea and a couple of scones. Her appetite seemed to have returned and she did not refuse another scone when Edwina attentively offered the plate.

  Her friend suddenly blurted out, ‘You know, Becky, the more I look at you the more I’m convinced!’

  ‘Convinced about what?’ said Rebekah in surprise.

  ‘That you’re having a baby!’

  ‘What!’

  ‘You’re having a baby,’ repeated Edwina. ‘There’s a look about your face. And you said that your tummy’s been upset. Yet you’ve been tucking into those scones like there’s nothing wrong with you. Have you seen your monthlies lately?’

  ‘No!’ Rebekah stared at her and a multitude of emotions erupted inside her. ‘Are you sure?’

  Edwina smiled. ‘I can’t be sure. I’m not a doctor or a midwife. Would you be pleased?’

  ‘Pleased?’ Rebekah pressed a hand to her stomach. Joshua had been going on about a son and heir, but if it was well past two months since her period then … Her spirits lifted. ‘Yes. I’d be pleased.’

  ‘You’ll have to look after yourself. Plenty of good food and rest,’ said Edwina.

  Rebekah nodded and suddenly wanted to be doing something. It was as if she had suddenly come alive again. ‘What should I do?’

  ‘You’ll have to see a doctor.’ Edwina’s eyes twinkled. ‘I bet Joshua will be over the moon.’

  ‘Yes.’ Rebekah smiled. Hopefully her having a baby would alter matters.

  ‘He’ll probably coddle you to death. You’ll have to be careful. Lots of babies miscarry in the first few months.’

  ‘I’ll tell him that.’ Since returning, her husband had taken full advantage of what he called his marital rights. It was very probable that he would consider the child his but she was sure she knew different. Oh Daniel, our baby! There were times when she just could not believe that he had left her without a word. Now she wanted to weep but instead had to smile. ‘I’ll tell Joshua as soon as I’m sure.’

  ‘You do,’ said Edwina. ‘The sooner he knows, the sooner you’ll be spoilt.’

  Rebekah could only hope that was true.

  Because she was deep in thought, she would have walked past her aunt’s house if Esther had not been leaning on the gate. ‘Rebekah!’ She pounced on her, seizing her arm. ‘Thou must come in. I’ve missed you so much. Joshua called and didn’t seem to know where you were. I didn’t tell him about your friend because she told me not to.’

  ‘So Brigid did come to see you?’

  Her aunt nodded vigorously. ‘She spoke a bit rough but seemed very fond of thee. She told me that thou was well and I wasn’t to worry about thee. That you weren’t sure when you’d be home. But I have worried, my dear. Hannah kept saying that she knew that thou would just go off and not come back. That thee were kicking thy legs up in London, and giving the men the glad eye.’ Her cheeks flushed. ‘Thou knows the way she goes on.’

  ‘Who better?’ said Rebekah wryly.

  ‘She said it was very odd that thee didn’t write to me thyself and I must admit, dear, that I have wondered why.’

  ‘I didn’t go to London,’ admitted Rebekah. ‘I’ve been in Ireland and I didn’t tell you because I knew that would worry you even more.’

  Her aunt’s look was one of pure disbelief. ‘Why on earth did thou go there? So dangerous, Rebekah.’

  She shrugged. ‘There are lots of places in Ireland that are far more peaceful than Liverpool, Auntie dear. I went to see the farm where Papa was born. I just had a yen. I’ve been back for weeks but haven’t been feeling well. Now shall I come in for that c
up of tea or not? I have some news you might be interested in.’

  Esther opened the gate and they went inside. Hannah was coming down the stairs as they walked up the lobby and Rebekah was certain she had been spying on them through the upstairs window.

  ‘So thee’s back, is thee?’ said the maid, giving the shiny knob at the bottom of the stairs a vigorous rub with a duster. ‘Just like a bad penny, thou is.’

  ‘I’m pleased to see you, too, Hannah. Killed anybody’s character lately?’ She smiled.

  ‘What’s that?’ said the maid, glaring at her. ‘I ain’t killed nobody. Thee and thee arsenic. Miss Esther’s very well.’

  ‘What’s this?’ said Esther, looking startled.

  Rebekah pulled on her arm. ‘It’s a joke which Hannah didn’t get. Let’s go and sit down. That knee’s still hurting you, I see. I’ll have to get you out and about before I won’t be able to fit behind the steering wheel.’

  ‘What do you mean?’ said her aunt.

  Rebekah told her that she could be having a baby.

  ‘But that’s lovely!’ Esther flung her arms around her. ‘I do hope it’s a boy.’

  Rebekah agreed that a boy would be acceptable.

  Thou’ll know thee’s born when thee gives birth,’ said Hannah, smiling. ‘Aye! Thee’ll know, me girl.’

  Rebekah laughed and wondered just what reception Joshua would give her news.

  Startled but pleased, his pale blue eyes fixed on Rebekah’s face, and he paused in the act of fastening the last button of his shirt. ‘You’re having a baby? Well, it’s about time! I knew I could do it but I was starting to wonder about you. You’ve seen the doctor?’

  ‘Yes. It’s early days but he’s sure I am.’ She wished she had the courage to tell him that it was Daniel’s child and to wipe the smile off his face.

  He sat next to her on the bed, putting his arm round her, and kissed her cheek. ‘We’ll have to look after you now.’