by Kitty Neale
Maurice took one last look around the living room, finding his feet leaden as they left the house. There was no sign of Danny, but Bob was on his doorstep. Sue ran into his arms, sobbing, but after giving her a swift hug he gently disengaged himself.
‘Go inside, love. See to the boys,’ he urged.
With a strangled gasp she nodded, whilst Bob moved to take the cases out of Norma's hands. ‘I'll carry these,’ he said.
They walked silently to the garages, passing the two empty houses, one that had been George's, the other Ivy's. There would be three empty now. When they came to the end of the alley, Maurice found that he couldn't look back, his emotions barely under control.
He loaded the luggage into the car, knowing that if he looked at Bob it would be his downfall. Somehow he had to build a new life, but the thought of doing it without the support of his family was overwhelming. Norma climbed into the passenger seat, Oliver in the back, and almost choking, Maurice got behind the wheel. He started the engine, gasped, ‘See you, Bob,’ and then drove away, before his brother had a chance to answer.
Chapter Twenty-seven
When the doctor arrived, Chris hurriedly said that he was going out, and bolted, shutting the door behind him.
Dr Addison could see that Joan Draper was worried about leaving her husband on his own, but nevertheless she showed him upstairs.
When he saw the young girl lying on the bed, he cleared his throat. ‘Would you stay whilst I examine your daughter?’
‘But my husband …’
‘I'm sure he'll be fine for a few minutes,’ he said dismissively, going on to examine Petula.
He was appalled by the girl's injuries and examined her as gently as possible, but it wasn't only her physical injuries that concerned him, there was her mental state too.
‘Do you know who did this to your daughter?’ he asked, replacing the blankets.
There was no reply and he turned to see that Joan Draper was white-faced, clinging to the end of the bed as she gasped, ‘No! Oh, Doctor, I didn't realise that she's been … been touched. Petula arrived home this morning after being missing all night. My … my daughter-in-law said that she must have been in some sort of minor accident, that's all.’
‘Yes, well, as you've now seen, your daughter has been touched, and violently.’
‘Is … is that why she won't talk?’
‘She's suffered an horrendous ordeal, so dreadful that her mind has closed down. I've seen this reaction before and if there's no response in forty-eight hours, she'll need to be admitted to hospital. I'll call again on Monday to see if there's any improvement. If you think she needs to see a doctor before then, call the surgery and you'll be put through to the locum service.’
‘Please, my husband mustn't know that she's been … been …’ Joan Draper floundered, unable to say the word. ‘I don't think he could stand it, Doctor. He'd go mad.’
‘Yes, I can understand that, but there may be consequences.’
‘What do you mean?’
Dr Addison cleared his throat. This was difficult, but the signs would have to be looked for. ‘What I'm trying to say is that you will need to keep an eye on your daughter's menstrual cycle.’
Joan Draper stared at him, ashen-faced. ‘You … you don't mean that she could be pre … pregnant.’
‘It's too soon to say, but there is always the possibility.’
‘Oh, God,’ she gasped. ‘No, please, not that.’
‘My advice is just a precaution.’
As they left the room he could see that Joan Draper was making a supreme effort to bring herself under control. Dan Draper was awake when they went back downstairs, and she even managed a parody of a smile.
‘Petula's going to be fine, Dan. Ain't that right, Doctor?’
‘Yes, well, I'll have another look at her on Monday.’
‘See, Dan, I told you not to worry.’
Dr Addison saw the look of relief on the man's twisted face. He said goodbye, his expression grim as he left. The girl's injuries had been dreadful and he wondered if the police had been informed.
Chris strode quickly down Lavender Hill, anxious to get to Phil – anxious for comfort. He felt as though everything was falling apart. Danny had lost it, and not only that, none of his brothers had been concerned about their mother, about how she'd be affected if Pet opened her mouth. All they'd been concerned about was their wives. They'd forgotten that the old man had been involved with the porn from the start – all right, not the hard stuff – but even so, how would his mother take it if she found out? She had always been a bit of a prude, narrow-minded, not slow to show her disgust when Maurice had got Norma in the family way. She disapproved of Sue too, calling her a tart, and though she had put up with the old man when he swore, she would never allow a smutty joke. Would she turn against the old man if she found out about the porn? Yes, of course she would, and she'd turn against him too, against all of them.
Since his father's beating and George's disappearance, Chris had already sensed that his mother had changed towards him. At first she had seemed edgy, nervous around him and unable to meet his eyes, but when he'd questioned her she had denied that anything was wrong. At first he'd been shit scared that she'd found out who he was seeing, but had soon realised that it couldn't be that. If his mother knew, if any of his family knew, they'd have confronted him. His fear of discovery had served to make him extra careful when he sneaked off.
Thankfully, nowadays his mother seemed to have relaxed a little bit, but if she discovered that they'd been making porn, how would she react? Would she throw him out? He dreaded facing it, seeing the disgust on her face. Maybe he should get out now, leave before the shit hit the fan. Even though he hated the idea, it was better than the alternative.
Feeling desolate at the thought of leaving his mother, when Chris reached Phil's house he banged on the door, relieved when it was opened almost immediately.
‘Chris, what's the matter, love? Come here, come to Mummy.’
Gratefully Chris fell into arms that enfolded him – comforted him.
Yvonne was puzzled and concerned. When she had told Danny about Pet, he had mentioned Jack Garston, and now when Maurice called round to say he was leaving, the same name had come up again.
‘Danny, who is Jack Garston? Is he a copper?’
Danny didn't look at her, only saying shortly, ‘No.’
‘I don't understand. If he isn't a copper, why has Maurice been forced to leave?’
‘Yvonne, you don't want to know. Just keep out of it.’
‘Danny, please, I do need to know what's going on. It's important. Are the police after you too? Will you be doing a runner? Will we be doing a runner?’
‘We ain't going anywhere.’
Yvonne heaved a sigh of relief, but it was short-lived. If this man Garston wasn't a copper, then who was he? God, she was worried sick. Danny seemed depressed, morose. All right, he had good reason to be upset. He adored Pet and it must have been a shock to see her in that state, yet she was sure there was more to it than that.
Yvonne was still hugging her news to herself. She had been itching to tell Danny, hoping it would snap him out of his depression, but then Pet had gone missing, making it an impossible time. She reached out, touching his arm. ‘Danny, please talk to me. Tell me what's going on.’
‘Yvonne, just leave me alone. I ain't in the mood for this.’ And Danny leaned forward, burying his face in his hands.
Yvonne wanted to comfort him, to hold him. She hadn't planned it this way, but now she blurted out, ‘Danny, I've got some wonderful news. I'm pregnant.’
He sat bolt upright, his eyes wide as he turned to look at her. ‘You're what?’
Yvonne smiled softly. ‘I'm having a baby, Danny. We're having a baby. I've been feeling rough for some time now and finally went to see the doctor on the same day that Pet went missing. When he told me that I'm four months pregnant, you could have knocked me down with a feather. I mean, I had no idea, e
specially as I've been having my periods. The show was small, but it just didn't occur to me that I might be having a baby.’
She had anticipated this moment so many times, expecting to see joy on Danny's face, but instead he jumped to his feet, his face the colour of chalk.
‘No … no, you can't be.’
Yvonne touched her stomach. It had hardly increased in size so was it any wonder that Danny didn't believe her? ‘I know it doesn't show, but I am, really I am. Oh, Danny, what's wrong? I thought you'd be pleased.’
‘I ain't fit to be a father.’
‘Don't be silly, of course you are. You'll make a wonderful father.’
‘You must be joking. I'm a bastard, Yvonne – a sick bastard.’
‘I … I don't understand.’
Danny raked both hands through his hair, his expression wild. ‘All right, you wanted to know, so I'll tell you. When I've finished, I won't blame you if you walk out of that door for good.’
He sat down again, his voice hesitant at first, but as it grew in strength, Yvonne wanted to put her hands over her ears, to shut out his words. She felt sick, bile rising to her throat, but this time it was nothing to do with her pregnancy.
‘Please, I don't want to hear any more.’
It didn't stop Danny; nothing did. On and on he went, spewing out all the disgusting things he had done until Yvonne couldn't stand it. She fled, running upstairs where she slammed the bedroom door behind her. Wildly she grabbed a suitcase from under the bed, throwing clothes haphazardly inside.
Yvonne had always known that Danny was a bit of a rogue, that the Drapers were involved in shady deals, but never in her wildest imaginings had she expected to hear that they produced filthy, disgusting films.
She had lost count of Danny's affairs, of the times she had forgiven him, but just how many of his so-called porn stars had he slept with? Her stomach churning, Yvonne closed the suitcase before lifting it from the bed.
When she carried it downstairs Danny was on his feet, but he didn't say a word as she walked towards the door. It was the look on his face that stilled her. He stood unmoving, looking utterly crushed, broken, and in that moment Yvonne knew she couldn't do it. Despite every sickening thing he had told her, she couldn't leave him. She loved him – she always had and always would.
She turned round and, without a word, walked back upstairs, tears rolling down her cheeks.
Chapter Twenty-eight
Next door, Bob dreaded going to see his mother, but Sue's questions finally drove him out. He paused outside Danny's door. Maybe he could have a word with his brother first and between the two of them, they could come up with an excuse for Maurice's departure.
‘Danny,’ he said as he walked straight in, ‘Maurice didn't get a chance to say goodbye to Mum or Chris. I've got to tell them that he's gone. Chris will guess why, but Mum's gonna do her nut. Any ideas?’
Danny's voice was lacklustre. ‘No, sorry.’
‘Come on, Danny, buck up. We need to sort this out.’
‘Bob, just leave me alone, will you?’
‘You're supposed to be in charge, the one who's running things.’
‘Not any more.’
‘But—’
‘Since I took over the firm, all I've done is fuck things up. You're in charge now.’
‘I don't want to be in charge, but if I was I'd make sure that we leave Jack Garston alone. Maurice left because he's shit scared of him and, to be honest, now that I've had time to think about it, I feel the same.’
‘Fine, we'll leave him alone. I'm finished with porn, with the lot of it.’
‘Danny, you can't just bale out. What about Wimbledon?’
‘Close it down.’
‘Chris won't like that.’
‘You're in charge now. You sort him out.’
‘Danny, come on – don't leave all this to me. What am I supposed to tell Mum? And not only that, the doctor has been to see Pet. What if she's opened her mouth?’
‘I dunno, Bob. I've told Yvonne the truth and, as I said, you can sort the rest out.’
‘You've what? But she might tell Sue.’
Danny just shrugged and Bob's temper flared. ‘You could have bloody warned me.’
‘Yeah, sorry, but I don't think she'll say anything to Sue.’
‘How did she take it?’
‘Badly, but at least she's still here.’
‘What about Mum? Do you think she'll tell Mum?’
‘I dunno. She might.’
‘Shit, Danny, you'll have to stop her.’
‘What's the point?’
‘What's the matter with you? As you said, you're the one who fucked everything up and you've got to sort it out.’
At last Bob got some response. Danny rose to his feet, but instead of annoyance, his voice rang with despair. ‘Don't you think I know that, Bob? But I can't do anything … it's too late. Pet's in that state because of me. The firm's had it because of me. I'm finished, we're finished, and there's nothing – nothing I can do about it.’
Bob had never seen Danny in this state. He'd always played the big man, issuing orders, so sure that they could play Garston at his own game and win. He glared at his brother. ‘Right, well, sod you then, but I'll tell you this: when Mum finds out, I'm not taking the blame. As you said, it was your idea, and you can take the fall, not me.’ Bob spun on his heels and marched out of Danny's house, slamming the door behind him.
Without a thought he strode to his mother's house, rapping the letter box, and when she opened the door he said quickly, ‘Mum, Maurice and Norma have gone. They've moved out of the alley.’
‘What? Don't be daft. Come on, come inside, but keep your voice down. Your father has just dozed off again. It's all he seems to do lately.’
Bob stepped inside to see his father in his wheel-chair, head back and mouth hanging open. ‘Is he all right?’
‘Yes, but he's been in a state about Pet and it's worn him out,’ she whispered, beckoning Bob through to the kitchen.
‘Where's Chris?’
‘Out as usual. That boy's hardly around these days.’
‘How's Pet?’
‘Oh, Bob, I don't know how to tell you this, but … but she's been raped.’
Although he and his brothers had guessed this, Bob feigned shock. ‘What? Who did it, Mum? Has she said?’
‘No, she hasn't opened her mouth, but it was bad, Bob, really bad. The bastard needs catching, castrating.’
‘We'll sort it out, Mum.’
‘Yes, I know you will, but come on, what's this about Maurice?’
‘I told you. He's moved out.’
‘Of course he hasn't. He came down to see me a little while ago, but with the doctor here I told him to come back later.’
‘He couldn't wait, Mum. He asked me to say goodbye and to tell you that he'll be in touch once he's settled.’
‘Maurice has never said anything about moving before. Now you're telling me he's just upped and gone without saying goodbye – without seeing his father?’
Bob nodded, dreading his mother's questions.
‘Why has he left in such an all-fired hurry?’
‘I dunno, but I think it was Norma. She's been nagging him for ages to get out of the alley.’
As his mother looked up at him, it was as if he could see the wheels turning in her mind, but then there was a cry from the living room.
‘Your father's awake. Don't say anything in front of him. He's had enough for one day. It'll have to keep until tomorrow, and if he's up to it I'll break it to him then.’
Bob heaved a sigh of relief as he followed her into the living room. ‘Hello, Dad.’
His father's good arm waved, and seeing his mother moving to wipe the spittle from his chin, Bob said, ‘I'll leave you to it, Mum. I'll see you later.’ Before she could respond, he shot out of the door.
Bob knew that Sue would start on him again as soon as he walked in the door, but with only spare change in his pocket, he couldn't
disappear to the pub. So far Pet hadn't told anyone what had happened to her, but he knew it was just a matter of time. It was going to come out, either through Pet or Yvonne, and there was nothing he could do to stop it. With no choice, Bob knew he'd have to tell Sue. He'd wait until the kids were in bed, and that would give him time to rehearse what he was going to say.
* * *
At eight o'clock, Bob sat down next to Sue. ‘Er … we need to talk.’
‘You're telling me. I want to know what's going on, but so far talking to you has been like trying to get blood out of stone. I want to know why Maurice has left, and don't try to fob me off again.’
‘All right, but this ain't gonna be easy so hear me out before you do your nut.’
Bob took a deep breath before starting at the beginning. As his tale progressed he saw Sue's eyes widen with shock. When he got to the part about making hard-core films, he placed the blame at Danny's door.
‘It was Danny's idea. He said there was big money in it, and so we got sucked in. We knew that we'd be going into Garston's territory, but Danny was sure we could handle him.’
Sue leaned back, her head down, and then it was Bob's turn to widen his eyes as she spoke without anger. ‘It sounds to me like Danny got too greedy – as though everything was fine until you got into the other stuff.’
‘Yeah, that's right.’
‘So what happened next?’
‘To warn us off, Garston snatched Pet and bloody hell, Sue, you should see what he's done to her.’
‘You told me that she was in an accident, now you're saying that this man took her. Oh God, what did he do to her?’
Bob gulped. ‘She was raped and it was violent – so bad that she's been sort of struck dumb.’
The colour drained from Sue's face, her voice quivering. ‘Oh, no, poor Pet. I wish I could go to see her but I know your mum won't let me in.’
‘When things calm down, I'm sure she will.’
‘I doubt it. Oh, poor Pet,’ she cried again. ‘That Garston must be a right bastard and I hope you're going to sort him out.’