When the Clouds Go Rolling By

by June Francis

  They were silent for several minutes and then Joy said, ‘He’ll come back to Chester.’

  ‘But in a different disguise,’ muttered Freddie, tapping his fingers against his teeth.

  Clara said, ‘He could be close by and we might not recognise him. Say he has a knife, as well as a gun. We could be walking along a street…’

  ‘You don’t go amongst crowds and Freddie will drive you,’ said Eudora.

  ‘We’re going to have to warn the others about this. He could be in the crescent, anywhere, and none of us would know it,’ said Freddie heavily.

  ‘I’m sure they’re all on their guard, my dear,’ said Eudora. ‘But you can write and let them know our thoughts if you wish.’

  * * *

  A fortnight passed with no sign of Bert. Freddie and Clara visited Liverpool during that time. She spoke to Mary and agreed to her friend renting her grandmother’s room. Then she visited the Palladium and spoke to Mr Walsh, asking whether her aunt’s handbag had been found.

  He frowned. ‘No, it wasn’t. Anyway, about your job here, Clara. You’re to take all the time you need to recover from your nasty experience. My wife is filling in for you at the moment… with the police keeping an eye on us, of course.’ His brow cleared. ‘But if you’re worrying about money, you don’t have to. I was hoping you’d drop by because I’ve an envelope in the safe for you. A little reward from the company for saving the takings.’

  Clara was delighted to accept the envelope and then asked, ‘Have you seen any more of Sergeant Jones?’

  ‘You’re thinking of the other reward for information leading to the capture of the gunman, no doubt,’ he said, gazing thoughtfully at them both. ‘He has dropped by here a couple of times and he might again. I’ll tell him you called and of our conversation. He has your address across the water?’

  ‘No. But he has my cousin’s address in Chester and can get in touch with me through him.’

  He nodded and then shook both their hands.

  Clara did not open the envelope until they were outside and was pleased to find a five pound note. ‘Your bravery is worth more than that,’ said Freddie, putting his arm round her.

  She smiled. ‘More would have been nice but every bit helps. I bet the reward for the capture of the wig robber is a lot more, but at least I’ll be able to give Mrs Black something for my keep.’

  ‘I doubt she’ll take it from you,’ he said. ‘I think she enjoys having young people around and you do help Joy. Anyway, will you be writing to your aunt about her handbag?’

  ‘Yes. But she might already know. The sergeant did say he’d get in touch with her.’

  * * *

  Gabrielle had heard from the sergeant that her handbag had not been found and she was really annoyed that someone must have waltzed off with it. They should have handed it in at the pay box. Money and cosmetics could be replaced fairly easily but not her passport and other things. She was starting to get used to living with a family again but life could not be said to be normal. Seb and Alice were trying to behave as if all was well so as not to frighten the children, but the idea of Bert lurking about nearby was affecting their routine.

  Seb and Kenny worked from home as much as possible so that the women were not left alone too much. Mrs Black had invested in the company and ordered an automobile, a second-hand roadster that was like a mini charabanc. It needed some repairs but their mechanic was looking forward to getting to work on it.

  * * *

  On a day in July when the newspapers were full of the Victory Parade in Paris – the war had finally been declared officially over after the Germans had been landed with a ten billion pound bill – Seb received the news that the bullet that had hit Alice’s father had matched one fired at his mother in the Palladium. Better late than never, he thought, when he read the letter that evening. At least it confirmed what they had believed. He decided he must let Kenny know. Besides, he had forgotten to discuss with him something earlier in the day. It was Tilly’s sixteenth birthday that month and the start of the school holidays. He popped his head through the half-opened door of the drawing room, where his mother and Alice were listening to Tilly playing the piano and said, ‘I’m just going up to see Kenny for a mo’.’

  ‘You be careful,’ warned Alice. ‘I know there’s been no sign of Bert so far and he’s probably not out to get you but…’

  Seb tapped his pocket significantly and smiled reassuringly at his wife. ‘I am armed. Bolt the door after me and I’ll bang like a billio to be let in when I come back.’

  ‘A password! We need a password,’ said Tilly seriously. ‘What if he was to disguise his voice?’

  ‘Good idea,’ said Gabrielle, turning over the pages of sheet music. ‘I must admit I’m getting a bit fed up of all this and feel like going somewhere far away… but with no passport…’

  ‘Think about that while I’m out,’ said Seb.

  ‘No. Let’s think of one now. How about macaroons?’ said his mother.

  Seb grinned. ‘I meant about going away. But macaroons as a password isn’t bad.’ He shook his finger at her. ‘You still haven’t made any yet, Ma, and the kids are desperate to taste them.’

  ‘She still isn’t herself yet,’ said Alice, thinking of Gabrielle’s healing underarm. ‘But I have to admit, I’ve been thinking of your mocha coffee,’ she added, remembering the time her mother-in-law had taken pity on her when she had worked for the Waters and been feeling down. She rose and followed her husband out of the room.

  As they reached the front door, Seb said, ‘You know, I won’t be happy until Bert’s dead. If I could get my hands on him…’

  Alice wanted to warn him that Bert was a strong and ruthless person, but Seb knew that. Besides, if she had said it he might believe she considered him no match for Bert. The movement in Seb’s arm was much improved but he would always have a weakness there. She prayed that, if Bert did arrive on the scene, she would have a chance to get her children to safety and run for the police. She bolted the door after him.

  It was dusk as Seb walked soft-footedly down the path towards the front gate. His hand was in his pocket, fingering the wrench that he was prepared to use on Bert if the opportunity arose. He was alert for any sound of rustling beneath the trees or in the undergrowth. He could smell the heady scent of roses mingling with that of night scented stock and, for a moment, he recalled the day he had first seen Alice. He had been in this very garden, helping the old gardener. Gosh, they’d had lots of happy times, and how dare that swine Bert threaten their happiness now?

  A neighbour called across to him, asking how he was, and for a few minutes they had a conversation before the man went inside his house. Seb strode the short distance to the Moran’s front door and pulled the bell rope. His mind was turning over his mother’s idea of getting away. Several moments passed and still he stood waiting on the step.

  He rang again and stepped back to gaze up at the first floor window. He caught the faint sound of an infant crying and was about to pull the bell rope again when he felt a blow on the back of his head. The force of it caused him to lose his balance temporarily. He staggered but managed to remain upright, fumbling for the wrench in his pocket as he did so. He turned to face his assailant and saw the next blow coming. He was able to parry it with the wrench but the shock of the crash of weapons sent an agonising pain up his arm. The wrench fell from his tingling fingers. He was dizzy with the pain but fought back, bringing his knee up sharply between the man’s legs. His assailant squealed and, clutching himself, doubling over and groaning, he turned and wobbled in a knock-kneed fashion down the path to the gate.

  Seb would have followed him but hot and cold waves of pain were sweeping over him and he crashed back against the front door. It opened and he landed in the hall at the feet of two elderly women.

  ‘This is the last straw,’ said the first one.

  ‘We’re moving out,’ said the other.

  ‘I’m not drunk,’ he gasped, staring blea
rily up at the music teachers who occupied the ground floor.

  ‘We didn’t say you were, Mr Bennett,’ stated the first. ‘But we’ve been thinking of moving to Rhyl ever since the twins were born. We’re too old to cope with little ones once they start running about.’

  ‘What’s going on?’ asked Hanny.

  Neither of them had heard her coming downstairs.

  ‘A visitor for you, Mrs Moran, and we’re letting you know now that in the near future we’ll be moving out,’ chorused both women before leaving her to attend to Seb.

  ‘I’ve been expecting them to say that for ages,’ said Hanny, gazing anxiously at Seb. ‘What are you doing down there?’

  ‘I was attacked. Give us a hand up, if you would? I’ve jarred my arm.’

  She helped him to his feet. ‘Bert, d’you think?’

  ‘I only got a brief glimpse of him but who else would attack me? At least I managed to hurt him, but he got away. Shut the door and bolt it. Then let’s go upstairs.’ Seb pressed his lips tightly together as he pushed himself away from the wall. He swayed and Hanny had to put an arm round him to stop him falling. ‘You’d best lean on me and maybe we should get the doctor out to you.’

  ‘I’ll be fine,’ he said fiercely.

  She did not argue with him.

  They found Kenny standing in the doorway of the drawing room, nursing one of the twins. ‘I thought I heard your voice, Seb. You look grim. What’s happened?’

  ‘He was attacked on our doorstep,’ said Hanny, her eyes smouldering.

  Kenny’s face hardened. ‘So it’s started. What about Alice and the children? Will they be all right with you here?’

  ‘Alice knows not to open the door to anyone,’ said Seb. ‘We’ve even come up with a password this evening.’

  They went into the drawing room and the first thing he noticed was Mrs Kirk dozing on the sofa, so he made for one of the armchairs and sat down. Only now did he feel the back of his head, but thankfully there wasn’t much of a lump. ‘Is that where he hit you?’ asked Hanny, taking a look.

  ‘Yes. Fortunately, I’ve taken to carrying a weapon, although what good it would do against a gun…’ Seb explored his right arm with gentle fingers. The pain had subsided and he could not feel any change in the shape of the limb. ‘I think it’s all right,’ he said with relief.

  ‘You need a drink,’ said Kenny, handing the baby to Hanny. ‘I’ll pour you a medicinal brandy. Bert must be off his head.’

  ‘My Bert’s in Australia.’

  The three of them jumped at the sound of Mrs Kirk’s voice.

  ‘So he is, Mother,’ said Hanny swiftly. ‘Are you ready for bed?’

  The old woman smiled up at her. ‘I am a bit tired. Would you like me to put the baby to bed? I’ll be passing their nursery.’

  ‘Why not?’ Hanny placed her daughter in her mother’s arms and saw her out onto the landing.

  Kenny handed Seb his brandy. ‘Best thing for her that she believes Bert’s in Australia. Imagine how she might react if she knew the truth,’ he said.

  ‘If he hadn’t hit my arm, I might have stopped him from getting away,’ growled Seb, annoyed with himself.

  Hanny said, ‘I bet he’ll lie low for a while before having another go at one of us. He’ll probably think we’ll get in touch with the police and they might set a watch.’

  ‘They can’t do that forever. We have to work out a strategy to protect ourselves and catch him,’ said Seb, draining his glass and rising to his feet. ‘Anyway, Ma said something earlier that made me think. She mentioned needing to get away. I think it’s a good idea, especially with the school holidays coming up. Also, we need to think about what we’re going to do to celebrate Tilly’s sixteenth birthday.’

  They both agreed and said, ‘We’ll give it some thought.’ Seb was extra careful going home but there was no sign of his attacker. He banged on the door and said the password and was soon inside his own house. Once in the drawing room he told the others what had happened.

  ‘We need to get away from here,’ said Alice fiercely, after inspecting the lump on Seb’s head. ‘I’m not risking the children’s lives by staying here for the whole of the school holidays, but where can we go that isn’t expensive?’

  Seb said, ‘You and Ma could take the children to the farm. I’ll have to stay here because of the business.’

  Alice protested.

  Gabrielle spoke up. ‘I’ve just had a thought. It might have been him who picked up my missing handbag, and if he did, he has my passport with my name and the address of the farm.’

  Seb swore beneath his breath and went over to the drinks cabinet. ‘So what do we do?’ asked Alice, following him over.

  ‘We need to bring him out into the open and deal with him,’ said Seb firmly.

  ‘But he has a gun!’ cried Alice.

  ‘I’m not going to let him frighten me away from my own home,’ said Seb, his eye glinting. ‘Hanny believes he’ll lie low for a while again, and it’s true he did that after the abduction attempt, but he mightn’t this time. You and the children have to get away.’

  ‘And what do we use for money for this long holiday?’ asked Alice, hating the thought of leaving Seb behind. A few months ago they had said they’d never be parted again.

  ‘It doesn’t have to be an expensive holiday and you don’t have to go far,’ said Seb, looking pensive. ‘I could hire a tent for you at Moreton-by-the-sea and I could drive you there.’

  ‘I’m not going,’ said Tilly, ‘I’ve writing to do. I sold the last article to the Chronicle. Perhaps I could stay at the yard if you and Kenny decide to visit Moreton and stay overnight. There’s still my old bedroom there.’

  Alice opened her mouth to protest at the idea of camping. It was something she had never done in her life, but Gabrielle looked at her and chuckled. ‘I’m game if you are, girl. And just think, the children will see it as a big adventure.’ Alice said no more but wondered what Hanny would think of such a plan.

  She was soon to find out as she called on Hanny the next morning. When she heard about Seb’s idea for a holiday, she was all in favour of it. ‘I wouldn’t mind going to Moreton, but camping with the twins and Mother wouldn’t be easy.’

  ‘Cockles,’ said Mrs Kirk, who was changing one of the twins’ nappies.

  Hanny stared at her, and then she remembered how her mother used to visit her Great-aunt Joan, who had been a cockle picker at Moreton. Suddenly she remembered her great-aunt’s house, which had been left to her mother. Hopefully Bert, if he thought about the place at all, would think they had sold it after Great-aunt Joan died. She recalled that Freddie had been the last to visit the place. Did he still have the keys or did Joy? She, herself, couldn’t remember where they were. She told Alice about the house.

  ‘I’ll get in touch with Freddie and Joy and ask about the keys. Mother and I could stay there with the twins while you camp. You could always come and eat with us if you have trouble cooking over a campfire,’ she added with a twinkle.

  When Hanny told Kenny about it, he also thought it was a brilliant idea. ‘Although if Tilly’s not going to Moreton, we’ll have to think again about having a party on her actual birthday.’

  Hanny agreed, so they wired Freddie and Joy and also mentioned his picking Hanny, her mother and the twins up and driving them there. Freddie wired back almost immediately, saying that he knew where the keys were and he would be happy to take them there on his day off. He did not say so in the wire, but he had decided to take Clara with him so that she could have a few days at the house with Hanny and the children. He was of the opinion that some sea air would be good for her.

  Chapter Thirty

  ‘A motor. We’re going to have to get ourselves a motor,’ muttered Bert to his reflection in the glass. He removed the wig and scratched his head. ‘How the hell did Freddie manage to get his hands on such a motor? He’s only a bloody kid, twenty at the most. What kind of money is he on?’

  His day hadn’t
gone at all well, despite his having such high hopes of tricking not only the two families in Victoria Crescent but the police, as well, if they were around. He had planned trailing the first person out of either house and sliding a knife between their ribs from behind if it was Kenny or Alice’s husband. But his scheme for Hanny, Alice, Tilly or one of the children was very different.

  Unfortunately, by the time he had breakfasted at the Grosvenor and changed into his disguise, it was past ten o’clock. The first two out of Hanny’s house were two old ladies, and he wasn’t bothered with them. They had looked his way but there had been nothing suspicious in their gazes and that was because his disguise was brilliant. No one took much notice of an old woman tap-tap-tapping with her stick along the pavement.

  But it had not done him a bit of good. First Freddie had zoomed off with the girl who had snatched Alice’s daughter from him, accompanied by Hanny, his mother, the twins and their baggage. Then from the Waters old residence, Alice had emerged with her kids, husband, and the middle-aged woman he recognised from the passport. They had climbed into another motor laden with baggage and driven off. Annoyingly, he had no means to follow them and had no idea where they were going.

  Still, Kenny and Tilly appeared to have stayed behind, not that the girl had ever done him any harm. In fact, she had liked him. He wished Alice’s husband had remained behind. Bert’s blue eyes were icy cold as he thought about what he would like to do to him. A stab in the back or shooting him out of hand was too humane. He shuddered at the remembrance of the pain the man had inflicted on him. Something slow and painful had more appeal – castration, that would ruin Alice’s marriage.