by Kitty Neale
Her head swimming, Pet staggered to a chair. She had wanted to know what her brothers were involved in, expecting some sort of crime, but she had never in her wildest imaginings thought it would be as horrendous as this. Children – they used children to make those terrible films. It couldn't be true, it just couldn't.
‘Here, drink this,’ Tony urged, holding out a mug of water.
Pet gulped it down, and then at the sound of a door opening, Tony snatched up his balaclava, hastily pulling it on.
‘Is everything all right down here?’ Jack Garston asked as he appeared at the foot of the stairs.
‘Yes, Mr Garston. She's no trouble.’
‘I'm glad to hear it,’ he said, his smile soft as he turned to Pet. ‘Unfortunately, I won't be able to savour your lovely delights tonight, my dear. There's a problem at one of my clubs I have to deal with.’ He turned to Tony again, his manner instantly changing. ‘She should be in the back room. Put her in there and keep your hands to yourself. Do I make myself clear?’
‘Yes, Mr Garston.’
With a sickly leer, Garston focused on Pet again. ‘Good night, my dear, sleep well.’
Tony took Pet's arm, urging her to her feet as the man left. When it was all clear, he ripped off his mask again. ‘At least you're safe for tonight. You'd better try to get some sleep.’
‘Safe! What … what do you mean?’
‘It's best you don't know.’
Garston's words spun in her mind. He wanted to savour her delights. The images she had seen on the film flashed into her mind. Oh, no, surely he wasn't going to rape her! ‘Tony, I'm begging you. Don't let him touch me. Please … let me go.’
‘There's nothing I can do. Garston is a nasty piece of work, as nasty as they come. You cross him at your cost, as your brothers have found out. I can't let you go, Pet. I've told you. He'd kill me.’
‘Why do you work for him?’
‘'Cos I was a mug and didn't know what I was getting into. I only started out as a bouncer at one of his clubs, but then he started giving me other work to do and you don't say no to Jack Garston. Take tonight, for instance. You could have knocked me down with a feather when I was ordered to snatch you.’
‘Why did you do it then?’
‘Oh, grow up, Pet. I've told you why. When he says jump, you do it, and quickly.’
‘You could leave. You don't have to work for him. Please, Tony, if you can't let me go, at least tell my brothers where I am.’
‘Oh, yeah, and how am I supposed to do that without Garston finding out?’
Pet shook her head in despair. ‘I don't know, but please, you must do something. You can't leave me here for that man to … to rape me.’
‘Look, this is down to your brothers – not me. They shouldn't have crossed into Garston's territory. They should have listened to his warning, but they didn't and now you're paying the price. Now shut up about it and get some sleep.’
On that note, Tony left the room and Pet heard the key turn in the lock. Despair washed over her as she sank back on the bed, sobbing with fear as she clutched the filthy quilt around her.
Chapter Twenty-three
The brothers trooped home in the early hours of the morning. A light still shone in number one, but the other houses were in darkness.
‘Do you think knocking up that publican will work, Danny? Do you think he'll pass on our message?’ Chris asked.
‘When I talked to Bert Mills in the pub, the landlord was doing his best to earwig. I saw him making a phone call, so I reckon he's one of Garston's narks. Anyway, trying to get a message to Garston is better than sitting around sweating until he decides to contact us.’
Chris yawned, exhausted, but he doubted he'd be able to sleep.
Yvonne emerged from number one, her face drawn with anxiety.
‘Any luck?’ she asked.
‘No, but come on, we'd better try to get some sleep,’ Danny told her.
Chris looked at the street door, dreading going inside. He knew his mother would be awake and waiting for news, but there was nothing he could say to put her mind at rest. He took a deep breath and walked in.
The room was almost in darkness with just the glow from the fire, aided by the solitary flicker of a single candle on the mantelpiece. Chris saw his mother huddled in a chair with a blanket wrapped around her, and then looking at the day bed, he saw that his father was asleep.
‘You haven't found her?’ his mother whispered.
‘No, but we'll look again in the morning. Why don't you go to bed?’
‘How can I sleep when I don't know what's happened to Petula? Oh, Chris, what if a nutter has got hold of her?’
His father stirred and she looked anxiously towards him. Chris waited until he settled again, then whispered, ‘Don't think the worst, Mum. We'll find her, you'll see.’
‘I hope you're right, son, because if you don't, I think this will just about finish your dad off.’
There was a soft groan and once again she looked towards the day bed, hissing, ‘We don't want to wake him. You'd best get some sleep too.’
Chris was relieved to creep upstairs. Yes, a nutter probably had Pet, a nutter called Jack Garston. Inwardly he cursed Danny, cursed himself for agreeing to make hard porn. If anything happened to Pet, it would be their fault. Shivering, he undressed and then, flinging back the blankets, he dived into bed, the icy sheets momentarily taking his breath away.
Chris wished he had Phil's body to snuggle up to, but he had to keep it a secret. He was sick of sneaking around, of hiding the truth, and had planned to leave home. He had the money, but one thing after another seemed to stand in his way. His father was still too ill, his mother worn out looking after him, and now to top it all, Pet had been snatched.
Chris rolled onto his side, clutching a pillow. Who was he kidding? If they found out, he'd lose his family – something he just couldn't face. They'd think he was weird, perverted and would never accept it – never!
Danny couldn't sleep. He lay with his back to Yvonne, images of his sister and what might be happening to her haunting his mind. He had never expected Garston to hit out at his family. In doing that, the man had broken the unwritten rules.
Yet as he turned over, flinging an arm around Yvonne, he knew that with Garston's reputation, he should have been prepared. There were no excuses. He'd been the one who had stirred the man up. This was down to him – his pride, his ambition, and his greed.
‘Can't you sleep, Danny?’
‘No, I'm worried about Pet.’
‘Yeah, me too. I still think you should tell the police that she's missing.’
With a huff of annoyance Danny rolled onto his back. ‘There's no need to involve the police. We'll find her.’
‘But you've already been searching for hours and she hasn't turned up. What if someone's got hold of her?’
‘All right, don't go on about it. If we don't find her tomorrow, I'll tell the police,’ Danny snapped. He knew it was a lie, but at least it would placate Yvonne for the time being. With any luck Garston would get his message and once he knew they'd agreed to stop production, he'd let Pet go.
‘Do you want me to make you a hot drink? It might help you to sleep.’
Danny ignored the question, breathing heavily to feign sleep. He heard Yvonne's soft sigh and then she flung an arm around him, snuggling close. Danny lay unmoving. If anything happened to Pet, he knew he'd never be able to live with himself. For the first time in his life, Danny found he was taking a look at himself – and not liking what he saw.
Maurice wasn't faring any better. He'd stayed up until his brothers returned again, but on finding that they hadn't found Pet, he sneaked upstairs, careful not to wake Norma as he climbed into bed. He felt dreadful and fought to control his ragged breathing. What if Danny was right? What if Pet was in Garston's hands? His chest tightened until he was wheezing in pain, his mind plagued by fear. When they first ventured into Garston territory, he'd feared the future, feared for O
liver's safety. Pet had been snatched, but it could just as easily have been his son.
Mentally he assessed his financial situation. Things had been tight after George had nicked the money, and though at first they'd all had to take a pay cut, things had started to look up. Even during the lean time and Norma's nagging, he hadn't dipped into his savings. For years he'd been putting regular amounts in a bank, money for the house he hoped to buy one day, and if Oliver continued to do well at school, he was salting money away for the boy's university expenses. It might be a silly dream to think that the boy would ever attend university, but nevertheless he'd been determined to be prepared.
Maurice didn't want to leave the alley and his family, but he had to put his son's safety first. He had the finances, if necessary, but he just hoped it wouldn't come to that. First things first, though – they were going to look for Pet again in the morning and he had to get some sleep. Asthma attack or not, he was determined to join in the search.
* * *
Bob was scowling as he got into bed. Yvonne had waited up, so why couldn't Sue? She was supposed to be fond of Pet, but obviously not enough to keep her awake.
He closed his eyes, but couldn't stop thinking about Petula. He shouldn't have listened to Danny, shouldn't have agreed to upping the ante. If they had stayed out of Garston's territory none of this would have happened.
‘Did you find her?’
‘No,’ he said, wrapping his arms around his wife. ‘I thought you were asleep.’
‘I dozed off for a while, but I can't settle. Do you think she's run away?’
‘No, Pet wouldn't do that.’
‘She's had a rotten life since your father came home, so I wouldn't be so sure. If your mother wasn't so stubborn and had let me help, Pet could have had a bit more freedom.’
‘Don't start now, Sue. I'm knackered and I need some kip.’
‘Yeah, but take tonight, for instance. I went along to see your mum, but as usual she wouldn't let me in. Honestly, Bob, she drives me mad. I only wanted to help … to see if there was anything I can do, but she more or less shut the door in my face. Of course, Yvonne was there, Miss Goody Two-Shoes allowed admittance.’
‘For Gawd's sake, change the record,’ Bob snapped as he flung himself over onto his back. ‘I ain't listening to any more of this. My sister's missing and I'm worried sick. We're going out looking again in the morning and I've got to get some sleep.’
Thankfully Sue didn't say anything else, just huffed with annoyance as she yanked the blankets over herself. Bob closed his eyes, but it was an hour later before he finally managed to doze into an uneasy sleep.
By five in the morning, only one person in Drapers Alley remained awake. Joan was uncomfortable in the chair, but she was too worried about Dan to go upstairs. He was restless, and occasionally he groaned in his sleep.
She stood up, her knees and hips stiff. She had kept the fire going, and now, as quietly as possible, she picked up the poker to stir the coals. God, she was parched, but she daren't make a cup of tea. With Dan so fidgety, the least bit of noise could wake him.
Joan went into the kitchen, knowing she'd have to be content with a cup of water. It was freezing and she shivered. Was Pet cold too? Was she lying somewhere, injured? Joan returned to the living room where she sat in her chair again, drawing the blanket around her legs. She dreaded the dawn, dreaded how Dan would react when he woke to find that Pet was still missing.
Chapter Twenty-four
‘Now then, Tony, you aren't supposed to be asleep.’
Tony jumped to his feet, woozy. ‘Sorry, Mr Garston, but I only dozed off for a couple of minutes.’ He quickly glanced at his watch, amazed to see that it was eight in the morning. Bloody hell, he'd been asleep for hours!
‘Get the girl.’
Still woozy but trying to hide it, Tony did as he was told. He flung open the door to see Pet asleep on the bed, the quilt tangled around her.
‘Come on you, get up!’
She woke, and though at first she looked dazed, groggy, her eyes suddenly widened with fear. ‘Wh … what?’
Jack Garston walked into the room. ‘Good morning, my dear, I hope you slept well. My, your brothers must be worried about you. It seems that they've sent me a message. They've agreed to stop production in return for getting you back.’
Tony saw the relief that surged in her eyes. She shakily got off the bed. ‘Does … does this mean I can go?’
‘Of course, but all in good time. Your brothers have caused me considerable time, effort and expense, so I think I deserve a little compensation – don't you?’ He then turned, snapping out, ‘Tony, take her upstairs to my room.’
Tony saw the colour drain from Pet's face, the fear in her eyes. ‘Come on,’ he said, grabbing her arm.
‘No … no!’ she cried, resisting him.
Tony hated this but, with no choice, he dragged her out of the room and upstairs, feeling like he was taking an innocent lamb to slaughter.
Jack Garston went ahead and, reaching his bedroom, he opened the door. ‘Put her inside and then go. Wait downstairs.’
Pet clung to him, her eyes wide in appeal. ‘Oh, Tony, please help me, ohhh, please …’ but unable to stand it, Tony shook her off, almost running from the room.
Garston closed the door, and before Tony was out of earshot, he heard Pet's terrified screams. He tensed, but knowing there was nothing he could do, he continued to the basement. He'd seen and done some rotten things in the past, followed orders, but nothing had ever affected him like this. He felt sickened. Jack Garston was exacting his revenge of the Drapers, but Pet hadn't done anything wrong. It was her bloody brothers who deserved to suffer, not her. God, he'd had enough, he was getting out, but he'd have to find somewhere well out of Garston's reach.
Tony sat in the basement, trying not to think about what was happening to Pet. Over an hour passed, time in which he filled his mind by planning how he was going to get away from Jack Garston. The door opened, and he stood up, trying to hide his feelings when he saw Pet. She looked awful, like a broken doll.
‘You can take her home now, Tony. Drop her off close to where she lives, and, as you worked all night, you can have the rest of the day off.’
Unable to look at the man, Tony could only just about grind out the words, ‘Thanks, Mr Garston.’
‘Goodbye, my dear,’ Garston said, but it drew no response from Pet. She stood as still as a statue, her eyes distant, unfocused.
Tony knew he had to get out of there before he did something silly. He wanted to smash the man in the face, to wipe the supercilious smile from his lips. He grabbed the van keys, threw Pet's stinking coat around her shoulders, and then snapped, ‘Come on, you.’
Pet didn't move, so he took her arm, pulling her forward. She moved woodenly but he managed to get her outside and up the basement steps. Tony then bundled her in the van, driving off with his foot down hard on the accelerator. Once around the corner, he flicked a glance at Pet. ‘Are you all right?’
She didn't answer, and though Tony tried again, there was no response. He gave up, concentrating on the road as he drove her to Battersea.
When Tony pulled up near the alley, Pet didn't move, so, jumping out, he went round to the passenger side, opening the door.
‘Come on, Pet, you're home now.’
Still no response, so he reached up, gently urging her out and onto the pavement. ‘Look, you've only got to walk through there,’ he said, turning her round and pointing at the alley.
Bloody hell, Tony thought, it was like talking to a plank of wood. He turned her back to face him, looking into her eyes. ‘Pet, you've got to go home. Your parents must be worried sick.’
There wasn't a flicker of response and seeing the dead look in Pet's eyes, he felt swamped with guilt. He'd heard rumours about Garston's appetites, his strange fancies, but too scared to disobey the man, he'd led Pet to his bedroom. He should have flattened the slimy git, stopped him from laying his filthy hands on Pet, bu
t he'd done nothing!
‘Come on, you're safe now,’ he said, giving her shoulders a small shake.
When she didn't react, Tony dropped his hands to his sides, his mind racing. He couldn't take her into the alley – the Drapers would kill him – yet his guilt made him feel that he couldn't just leave her standing like a zombie on the pavement. It was no good, he couldn't look into those dead eyes any longer. Tony turned her round again, giving her a gentle shove forward. ‘Go home!’
Pet took a few steps and, his fingers crossed that she'd keep on walking, Tony jumped into the van, his foot like a diver's boot on the accelerator as he screeched away.
They were going out to search again, but Maurice wasn't ready and was holding them up. Whilst waiting, Chris decided to pop to the local shop for some cigarettes. He hurried out of the alley, saw a van speeding off, and then paused.
No, it couldn't be! His heart missed a beat. ‘Pet! Pet!’ he cried, running up to her. ‘My God, are you all right?’
Pet was walking woodenly, her face expressionless.
‘Oh, Pet, what has he done to you?’
She still didn't react, her eyes fixed ahead as she took one slow step after another.
Chris took her arm. ‘Come on, Pet, let's get you home. We've been going out of our minds and we were out half the night looking for you.’
There was still no response, but thankfully she kept moving, until at last Chris was able to urge her inside.
‘Mum,’ he called. ‘Look.’
‘Pet. Oh my God, Pet!’
Chris watched as his mother hurried forward, her face alight, only to pause when she saw her daughter's face. ‘What is it, love? What's wrong?’
‘Come on, talk to us,’ Chris urged.
She stood like a statue and for the first time Chris noticed her clothes. Her coat was over her shoulders, but beneath it she was wearing a black dress, which thankfully his mother hadn't noticed. The smell reached him then, his nostrils twitching.