by Kitty Neale
‘I think we've got to consider the worst-case scenario,’ said Chris. ‘Either we wait to see what Pet has to say, or you prepare your wives and Mum for what she might tell them.’
‘Leave it out!’ Bob protested. ‘Oh, yeah, I can see it now. By the way, Sue, I think you should know that we make porn films. One of our rivals wanted us to stop production, so he kidnapped and raped Pet as a warning.’
‘All right, there's no need for sarcasm. If you've got a better idea, let's hear it.’
‘I haven't got any ideas.’
‘Right then, if you don't want to prepare them, I don't think we've got much choice,’ Chris said. ‘We'll just have to wait and see what happens when Pet comes out of shock. In the meantime I want to find Garston. He can't get away with what he did to our sister.’
‘I've told you, leave Garston to me.’
Maurice stared at Danny worriedly. ‘Wouldn't it be better to back off? If you go after Garston, he's going to retaliate and you've seen what he's done to Pet. If you stir things up again he could snatch one of our kids.’
‘Bloody hell,’ said Bob, ‘I hadn't thought of that.’
‘We should stop making films, close down the Wimbledon operation,’ Maurice urged. ‘It'll show Garston that we're no longer a threat.’
‘No,’ snapped Chris. ‘We should go after Garston – take him out, finish him and then there'll be no need to stop production.’
‘I told you, Garston's mine,’ Danny murmured.
Maurice knew that he wouldn't be able to talk them out of it. They wanted revenge and so it would go on, the violence, the turf war. He gulped in air, his mind racing. He knew what he had to do – that he had no choice. Not only did he fear for Oliver's safety, he feared for his marriage too. He had never taken Norma's threats about leaving him seriously, but if she found out about the porn business it would finish their marriage. Yvonne and Sue might cope, both aware that the Drapers were no angels, but Norma was different. She came from a different background, had different standards. She'd be horrified, disgusted.
It would be hard to leave his family, but Maurice knew now he had to act quickly, before Danny and Chris went after Garston. He began to breathe heavily, feigning illness. ‘Sorry, but I feel a bit rough. I think I'd best go home.’
Danny said nothing, his head still down, and it was Chris who answered, ‘Yeah, all right, but we'll need to talk again.’
Maurice continued to gasp for breath as he left. If possible he'd tell his parents and his brothers that he was leaving, but he wanted to be packed and ready first. Then they would just go, before anyone could persuade him to stay.
* * *
Another hour passed, but nothing was resolved.
Fed up with going round and round in circles, Bob said, ‘Look, this is just a waste of time.’
‘Yeah, you're right,’ Chris said. ‘Come on, we might as well go home.’
Danny didn't argue, his face set as he rose to his feet. They locked the yard, all climbing into Danny's car and heading back to Drapers Alley, each preoccupied with his own thoughts.
When they arrived, Bob had no sooner put his foot inside his house when Sue started.
‘Your mother drives me mad, Bob. I only wanted to find out how Pet is, but she wouldn't let me in.’
‘When I saw Pet earlier she was in a terrible state. No doubt Mum and Yvonne think she needs a bit of peace and quiet.’
‘Bob, for God's sake, I care about your sister and I want to see her. I'm your wife, part of the family, but I'm treated like an outcast. Norma is too, and she's just as fed up with it. We're kept out of your mother's house as though we're contagious.’
‘Don't be daft, it ain't like that. Dad's upset about Pet, and Mum's just doing her best to keep him calm, that's all. She looks worn out these days, and now this has happened. You should cut her a bit of slack.’
‘If she's worn out, she should accept me and Norma's offer to help. We'd muck in, but she'll only allow Yvonne to give her a hand.’
‘For Gawd's sake, I've only just got in the door. Do you have to keep going on and on about it?’
‘I don't keep on about it, but what about the boys? When was the last time they saw their grandfather?’
‘Where are the kids?’
‘Playing in the yard, but don't try to change the subject.’
‘Look, with half his face paralysed, my dad looks funny. As Mum said, it might scare them if they saw him, and that would upset Dad.’
‘Is that why he's kept a virtual prisoner?’
‘Prisoner! What are you on about now?’
‘Your dad hasn't been outside the door since he came home. He's got a wheelchair, so there's no need for it.’
‘Sue, I know my dad, and believe me, he wouldn't want anyone to see him the way he is now. If he wants to go out, he'll let Mum know.’
‘How's he supposed to do that?’
‘He'd point to the fucking door, you silly cow!’
Sue gasped, her neck stretching. ‘Don't swear at me, and I ain't a silly cow.’
Bob had to smile at the indignant expression on Sue's face. He hated arguments, his voice now placatory. ‘All right, don't get your knickers in a twist. I'm sorry. It's just that I'm tired and worried about Pet. I was going to grab a bite to eat and then go to see how she is.’
‘Oh, yes, and unlike me you'll have no trouble getting past your mother.’
‘Sue, my sister is in a bad way, but all you're going on about is my mother. Sod it, I'm going to see how Pet's doing.’
Bob marched out of the house, but when he got to his mother's she opened the door, her face white with anxiety. ‘What's up, Mum?’
‘I've rung the surgery, asked for a doctor to come out to see Pet, but as it's Saturday, it may be a while before one turns up. Your dad's been playing up too, but he's dozed off at last so I won't invite you in in case it wakes him up.’
‘All right, Mum,’ Bob said. ‘I'll come back later,’ and as the door closed he turned to make his way back home, fed up and knowing that when he got there, Sue would start nagging again. His stomach churned. Yes, she might be in a mood now, but if she found out about the porn all hell would be let loose.
Chapter Twenty-six
Sue finally calmed down, and later that day, with the kids playing in the yard, Bob was dozing in his chair when there was a knock on his door. He opened his eyes, blinking away sleep as Maurice walked in.
‘Bob,’ he said, face wan, ‘I've got something to tell you.’
Instantly awake now, Bob's stomach jolted. ‘What is it? Have you been to see Pet? Has she said anything?’
‘No, I haven't seen her yet. I … I've come to tell you that I'm leaving.’
‘What … ?’
‘I'm out, Bob. We're all packed and once I've said goodbye to everyone, we're going.’
Bob stared at Maurice, unable to think coherently, able only to splutter, ‘But … but why?’
Maurice flicked a glance at Sue before asking, ‘Can we talk outside?’
She reared up. ‘That's it – shut me out as if I'm not a part of this family.’
‘Sue, please, not now,’ Bob said before walking outside with Maurice, closing the door behind him. ‘Now what's this all about? Why are you leaving?’
‘I should think it's obvious. Danny and Chris ain't gonna let Garston get away with what he did to Pet, and as I said at the meeting, I'm worried about Oliver. I've had it, Bob. I'm sick of living like this. I'm sick of the violence, and I'm shit scared of Jack Garston.’
Bob's temper flared. ‘You can't do this, Maurice. You can't just leave like this. Dad's still in a state, and it's obvious that Pet's been raped, but all you seem to care about is yourself.’
‘There's nothing I can do to help Dad, or Pet. If there's trouble with Garston, you know I'd be useless. All I'm fit for is looking after the books, and it's not just myself I'm thinking about – it's my son!’
‘We could talk to Danny and Chris – persuad
e them to leave Garston alone.’
Maurice shook his head. ‘They'll never agree, but it's not only that, Bob. If Pet opens her mouth, Norma will find out what we've been up to. She'll leave me, Bob, and she'll take Oliver with her.’
‘But where will you go? And what about Mum? She ain't gonna like it.’
‘Dad's the most important person in Mum's life and he always has been. She has no time for Norma, or Oliver, so I doubt she'll miss us. As for where we're going, well, until I can sort something out, we'll find digs.’
With a sigh of exasperation, Bob said, ‘I can't believe this. Since George put Dad in hospital, it feels like this family is falling apart.’
‘I may be leaving Drapers Alley, but you're all still my family and I'll keep in touch.’
Bob could see the sadness in his brother's eyes, could hear that his chest was staring to wheeze, and his anger seeped away. ‘What about the yard – the books?’
‘You, Chris and Danny will manage. Keeping the books for the yard is a doddle and as for the other books – I'll leave them with Danny.’
‘Look, I can understand why you want to go, but isn't there anything I can do to persuade you to stay?’
‘No, Bob. I'm sorry, but I can't risk staying and … and if you don't mind, I'd rather you kept out of the way when I tell the others.’
‘Danny's gonna do his nut,’ Bob warned.
‘Yeah, I know.’
Bob impulsively wrapped his arms around his brother and, obviously unused to displays of brotherly affection, Maurice momentarily stiffened, but then Bob felt his embrace returned. ‘Promise me you'll stay in touch, Maurice.’
‘Of course I will,’ he said, his voice gruff with emotion. Then with a forced smile, he walked to Danny's house.
Bob went back inside to find Sue waiting, her arms folded across her chest.
‘What's going on? Why are they leaving?’
‘I dunno, love.’
‘Don't give me that. I ain't that stupid. It's obvious that Maurice is doing a runner. Are the police after him? Will they be after you?’
‘No, of course not.’
‘Then why are they leaving?’
‘I've told you! I don't know.’
‘Sod you then. I'm going round to see Norma.’ And with that Sue marched out of the house.
Bob flopped onto a chair. It had happened so quickly that he couldn't take it in. Maurice was leaving, running off, and though he was upset, he couldn't really blame him. Pet was bound to open her mouth and when she did they'd all be in deep, deep mire.
When Maurice told Danny, he waited for the explosion, amazed when it didn't come.
Danny just shrugged. ‘I'm surprised, but I can see why.’
Maurice frowned. He'd expected Danny to do his nut, but instead he remained slumped on the sofa. ‘What's wrong, Danny?’
‘Nothing's wrong,’ he replied, at last rising to his feet. ‘I don't suppose I can persuade you to stay?’
‘No, sorry. Even if you and Chris agree to leave Garston alone, I can't risk Norma finding out about the other stuff.’
‘I've already decided to close down Wimbledon.’
‘Do the others know?’
‘Not yet.’
‘I feel rotten for buggering off, but you don't need me, Danny. As I told Bob, I only look after the books and you can handle them,’ Maurice said as he pulled them out of his pocket. ‘This one is for the yard, but keep the other one out of sight.’
‘What will you do for money?’
‘I've got a few bob stashed away, and I can always look for a job.’
‘Are you staying in the area?’
‘I don't know, Danny. I haven't thought that far ahead.’
‘You'll keep in touch?’
‘Yes, of course I will.’
Yvonne walked in from the kitchen, frowning. ‘I couldn't help overhearing some of what's been said. It sounds like you're running away, Maurice, but why?’
‘Keep out of this, Yvonne,’ Danny said.
‘But—’
Maurice swiftly broke in, ‘Look, I've got to go. Bye, Danny. Bye, Yvonne.’
Danny nodded, his voice hoarse as he said, ‘Let me know where you are.’
Maurice gulped, finding saying goodbye to his family agonising. Memories of his childhood flashed into his mind; the way his brothers had always looked after him, stood up for him, but now he felt like a rat deserting a sinking ship. ‘I'm sorry, Danny,’ he gasped.
‘There's no need, mate. You warned against Garston in the first place, but I wouldn't listen. This is all down to me – my fault that you've been forced to do this.’
Maurice could feel his chest tightening. A full-blown asthma attack could delay his departure and that was the last thing he wanted. He shook his brother's hand, said goodbye and then quickly left.
Now outside, Maurice drew air into his lungs, trying to prepare himself as he knocked on his mother's door. She opened it, her expression harassed.
‘Not now, Maurice. The doctor has just arrived to take a look at Pet, and your father's playing up a bit.’
‘But, Mum—’
‘Come back later.’
Maurice opened his mouth to protest again, but found the door shut in his face. He paled. The doctor was there. Would he be able to get Pet to talk? Yet how could he leave without saying goodbye to his parents, and Chris? For a moment he remained outside his mother's door, but then he turned swiftly, heading for Bob's house. He had to get Norma away from the alley before Pet opened her mouth, but once they had settled, he could come back to visit them without her.
When Bob opened the door his face lit up. ‘Maurice! Have you changed your mind?’
‘No, but the doctor's with Pet and Mum wouldn't let me in. I can't hang around, Bob. Will you tell her – and Chris?’
‘Yeah, all right, but what excuse am I supposed to make?’
‘If the doc gets through to Pet, I doubt you'll need one.’
‘Oh shit, I hadn't thought of that.’
‘If she still isn't talking, I suppose you can blame Norma. Tell Mum that she wanted to leave the alley.’
‘All right, but she's still going to think it's odd that you left without saying goodbye.’
‘I know and I'm sorry to lay this on you.’
‘What did Danny say?’
‘Not much. Only that he's going to close Wimbledon down, and then he said he doesn't blame me for leaving.’
‘Close down? But why? I don't know what's up with Danny. We can still make soft porn.’
‘He ain't himself, that's for sure.’ Maurice looked at his mother's door, his heartbeat increasing. What if Pet was talking? ‘Look, I've got to go, Bob.’
‘I couldn't tell Sue why you're leaving, so she went round to see Norma. What excuse did you give her?’
‘None. She's been nagging me for years to leave the alley, so I just told her that if she didn't stop asking questions, we'd stay. So far it's done the trick, but I'll have to come up with something to shut her up.’
‘Sue thinks the police are after us.’
‘I must go, Bob.’
‘You'll let me know where you are?’
‘Of course I will.’
Maurice found himself wrapped in an embrace again. He returned the pressure, almost cracking up as he gently pushed his brother away. ‘Bye, mate,’ and before Bob could answer, he hurried off.
When he walked inside his own house, Maurice found Sue and Norma facing each other like combatants.
‘Maurice, will you please tell Sue that I don't know why we're leaving.’
‘That's right.’
‘She seems to think that we're running from the police. Is that why?’
‘Look, Norma, you've been nagging me for years to get out of Drapers Alley and now you've got your wish. I have my reasons for leaving and you'll just have to trust me on this.’
‘Sue's right, isn't she? It's the police – they're after you.’
‘No, Norma,
the police aren't after me. Now either we leave right away or we stay, and for good.’ Maurice hoped this continued threat would be enough to silence his wife. It had been the one he used throughout the afternoon whenever she began to ask questions. She'd initially been thrilled when he told her they were leaving, happy at first to begin packing, but it hadn't lasted long. She wanted to know why they had to go in such a hurry without the chance to arrange a van for the furniture. He told her that once they'd settled he'd get the removals sorted out, and thankfully that had been enough to mollify her, but now Sue was stirring things up again.
‘Leave it out, Maurice,’ Sue snapped. ‘You can't expect Norma to just leave without knowing why. And what about Oliver? How does he feel about it?’
‘Sue, I don't want to fall out with you, but this is none of your business.’ He turned to Norma. ‘Well, what's it to be? Are we going, or are we staying?’
For a moment there was only silence, but then with a small nod, Norma said, ‘We're going.’
‘Where's Oliver?’
‘He's upstairs, sulking. He doesn't want to go.’
Maurice shook his head in exasperation. When he told Oliver that they were moving, he'd been more upset about leaving his rabbit than his cousins. He was an only child, used to playing alone when the other boys weren't around. Maurice had found a box, stuffed Shaker inside, and just hoped that they could sneak the animal into digs. It had been worth it to see the smile on his son's face.
‘Oliver,’ Maurice called.
When the boy came reluctantly downstairs, Maurice kneeled in front of him. ‘Look, son, we've got to go now. Do you want to pop round to say goodbye to your cousins?’
Oliver shook his head, only saying sulkily, ‘No.’
Sue sniffed, and then tears began to roll down her cheeks. ‘Oh, I can't believe this is happening. Paul's gonna miss him something rotten.’
‘We'll stay in touch,’ Maurice consoled and, knowing that he couldn't stand much more of this, he picked up two of their cases. ‘Right, let's go. Oliver, you carry Shaker, and, Norma, can you manage a couple of cases? We've only got to hump them around to the car.’
‘Yes, all right,’ she said, her voice subdued as she added, ‘Good … goodbye, Sue. I'll ring you. I promise.’