‘You heard what I said to Constable Powell. First thing I learned as a young copper was the least said, the sooner the case file will be closed. The last thing we need is any false heroics or confessions from you. Right?’
‘Right,’ Jack murmured as he passed out.
Realising he had little choice but to trust John, Roy stayed in the basement kitchen. He sent the first constable on the scene down to the pub to fetch Martin, and asked Brian to accompany Jack to the hospital and wait until he came round, so he could caution him again against saying anything more than he had outlined about the events leading up to his father’s death. Just as he’d closed the ambulance doors on Jack, Martin and Brian, the sergeant arrived.
He answered his superior’s questions clearly and concisely, persuading him that neither Katie nor Jack had anything of value to add to his and Brian’s version of events and as both needed medical attention before they could make a statement it would be as well to leave their questioning until the morning. John’s doctor came down to the basement, confirming that he’d no choice but to sedate Katie and she was unfit for questioning.
After the forensic team arrived, the sergeant returned to the station. Roy waited, watching the team work and supervising the removal of Ernie’s corpse when they gave the go-ahead to remove his body. Finally, after the last of the team left, Roy cleaned the basement, washing the blood from the floor with hot water and bleach, but even after he’d changed the water half a dozen times and scrubbed until his arms ached, he felt the place would never be clean again. The last thing he did was remove the tea towel from his pocket and flush it down the outside toilet with the bleach water he’d used to clean the kitchen floor.
It was three in the morning before he finally returned upstairs. Lily was sitting in his kitchen and Brian was making tea.
‘Katie with Martin and Jack?’ he asked.
‘They kept Jack in hospital,’ Brian revealed flatly.
‘You saw him?’
‘I saw him and the sergeant back at the station. He said as you and I were first on the scene it would be appropriate for us to take Jack’s and Katie’s statements.’ Unable to look Roy in the eye, Brian lifted three cups and saucers on to the tray.
‘Is John Griffiths still with her?’
‘And Martin, Uncle Roy. The doctor gave her something to make her sleep but she woke up about an hour ago.’
‘Has she said anything?’ Roy looked at Brian.
‘No, but she can’t stop crying. I thought tea might help.’
‘I’ll take it in, boy. Why don’t you two get to bed? You look done in and there’s nothing left for either of you to do.’
Lily left the chair without argument and walked to the stairs.
‘Is it all right for me to go downstairs?’ Brian asked.
Roy nodded. ‘Forensic have finished with the place. I cleaned it up as best I could but it could probably do with another going over tomorrow. Brian?’ he called after him softly as he went to the door. ‘Thank you for your help tonight. I couldn’t have managed without you.’
Brian remained silent.
‘You disapprove?’
Brian hesitated, looked down the passage, then closed the door. ‘What about the law?’
‘What about an eighteen-year-girl who’s been terrorised all her life by a drunken father who battered her mother’s life away inch by painful inch? You think the law would be best served by hanging her?’
‘There were mitigating circumstances. She could have pleaded manslaughter ...’
‘And ended up serving ten years or more in jail. Have you been inside a women’s prison? Seen the whores, thieves and criminals she would have had to live with?’
‘No, but then it’s all hypothetical, isn’t it? The sergeant told me it’s an open-and-shut case.’
‘You won’t talk to anyone?’
‘What could I possibly tell them when I was behind you and didn’t see what happened? Goodnight, Constable Williams.’
The room was warm and luxurious, the bed comfortable, but Joe couldn’t sleep. Every time he closed his eyes the whisky he’d downed earlier rose sourly within him and he saw Lily’s mother, hag-like, cackling, hovering before him, and behind him, Lily, pale, beautiful, an almost unbearable anguish dimming the tawny light in her eyes. Why hadn’t he ignored Robin’s advice and gone back and tried to see her? What did it matter that his friends wouldn’t speak to him if he had Lily? His job – that was it, his job, he had to work. Could he cope with ostracism, with moving away – would Lily even want to move away and if they did, could they ever escape that dreadful woman ...?
‘Joseph?’
Acutely aware that his chest was bare, he pulled the sheet to his chin. The pyjamas he’d borrowed from Robin had been several sizes too small and he’d settled for the half-mast trousers. ‘Angie, you shouldn’t be here.’
‘I couldn’t sleep.’
She switched on the bedside light and slipped the straps of the nightdress she was wearing from her shoulders. ‘No one will know.’ She smiled, as it settled around her feet in a silken whisper. ‘They’re all asleep. Besides, Mums and Pops are used to turning a blind eye. Em sleeps in Robin’s bed whenever she stays over.’ Turning back the sheet, she stepped out of the puddle of silk and lace, and slid in beside him.
‘For God’s sake, Angie ...’ Rolling over, he fell out of bed in his haste to get away from her.
‘Shh, you’ll wake everyone.’
Grabbing his clothes, he went to the door.
‘Where are you going?’
‘To the bathroom to dress.’
‘It’s three in the morning. You can’t go home ...’
‘Watch me.’
‘How will you get there?’
‘Walk.’
‘Darling Joseph, so moral and so bourgeois. Robin warned me you might be.’ Leaving the bed, she went to him and wrapped her arms round his waist, inching them lower. ‘Just a bit of fun ...’
‘No!’ Furious, he pushed her away. It didn’t matter that she was naked, or offering herself to him – nothing mattered except Lily and that he get back to her. Jerking open the bedroom door, he ran down to the bathroom, turning the key in the lock as soon as he closed the door behind him.
‘Tea.’ Roy carried the tray into the parlour and set it on the table. He glanced from John, who was sitting on the sofa cradling Katie’s head in his lap, to Martin.
‘Thanks,’ Martin replied tersely, glaring at John.
‘Katie?’ Roy murmured gently, looking at the girl.
She burst into tears. Roy crouched before her. ‘Look, love, it wasn’t your fault ...’
‘I killed him ...’
‘No you didn’t. I know you stepped back, but if you hadn’t he would have fallen on you and the knife he was holding would have gone into him anyway. It was inevitable the way he was holding it ...’
‘I ...’ She stared blankly as her mind groped for the truth but she was too drugged and exhausted to know what it was any more.
‘It was an accident, love. An accident caused by drink. You and Jack may have to make statements in a few days but after I made my statement tonight the sergeant agreed it’s an open-and-shut case. Accidental death of a drunk.’
‘I didn’t ...’
‘You didn’t do anything, love. Believe me. I’ll take you to see Jack tomorrow. If anyone can convince you he will. He was there too, remember. Now, how about getting some sleep? I’ll take you up to Lily.’
‘I really didn’t kill him?’
‘No, love, you didn’t.’
‘John ... Martin ...’
‘Get some sleep, Katie. I’ll see you tomorrow.’ John opened the door as Roy helped her out of the room. He closed it and turned to Martin after Roy had left. ‘I’m sorry; I didn’t want you to find out about Katie and me until I was in a position to offer her a wedding ring.’
‘Are you insane? You’re old enough to be her father!’
‘I love her, she l
oves me, I hoped you’d understand ...’
‘Understand! I understand all right. That a man your age – with your problems – would want to take advantage of a young, innocent girl Katie’s age! God, when I think of it I could strangle you. Jack and I thought you were being kind – giving her a job with decent money, taking her back and for to work in your car, arranging Mam’s funeral – and all the time you were planning to seduce her.’
‘It wasn’t like that.’
‘Then what was it like, Mr Griffiths?’
‘Please, not so loud, she’ll hear you.’
‘I hope she does. Perhaps then she’ll come to her senses...’
As Martin railed, John tried to find words to describe what he felt for Katie and what he thought she felt for him, but every phrase that sprang to mind sounded hackneyed or, even worse, sordid, as though he were some corrupt, ageing Lothario and Katie an ingenuous child. When the sound of a step on the stairs finally silenced Martin, John said the one thing he felt needed to be explained above all else: ‘Katie had nothing to do with the divorce proceedings against my wife. I honestly never thought of Katie that way until ...’
‘When?’ Martin snapped.
‘A couple of days ago. I drove Katie to the cemetery to put flowers on your mother’s grave; she would never have got there before it closed otherwise. Afterwards ... she told me she loved me.’
‘And you believed her! She’s a child. Our mother’s just died; our father was in prison. Her idea of love is someone who’ll hold her, cuddle her, look after her. She didn’t understand what she was saying.’
‘I’m not a child, Martin.’ Katie was standing in the open doorway.
‘You should be asleep,’ Martin admonished.
‘I could hear you arguing when I went to the bathroom.’
‘Please, Katie, Martin’s right, you should be in bed. This can wait until morning.’
‘No, it can’t, John. Please, Martin,’ she begged, ‘John’s telling you the truth. I love him and when his divorce is finalised we’re going to be married.’
‘Katie ...’
‘I’ve heard all the arguments you’ve just brought up from John but they made no difference. John’s good and kind, not like Dad ...’
‘I should never have gone down the pub tonight. I should never have left you and Jack. I knew he was coming out ...’
‘It wouldn’t have made any difference if you’d been there, Martin.’ As tears began to roll down her cheeks, she clung to John, burying her head in his neck.
‘Katie’s right. You had no way of knowing your father was out of gaol. None of us did.’
‘Mr Williams warned me.’
‘And I could have insisted the sergeant tell me why he wanted to speak to Roy when I took the telephone call earlier. But I didn’t. If you persist in thinking of all the “what ifs” in life, you’ll drive yourself mad. It happened; he’s dead.’
‘And I can’t say I’m sorry. Perhaps we’ll finally be able to sleep at night knowing that he can’t come after us and wreck our lives any more.’ Looking anywhere except at John and Katie, Martin left his chair and paced restlessly to the fireplace. Crouching on his haunches, he stirred the coals with the poker.
‘Martin, please, can’t you be happy for me?’
Martin continued to study the flames. ‘Are you serious about marrying Katie, Mr Griffiths?’
‘My name is John and yes, I’m serious if she’ll still have me when I’m free.’
‘Is that why you gave Jack a job?’
‘Katie and I are nothing to do with Jack and Helen.’
‘No? Jack will be both your son-in-law and brother-in-law.’
‘Don’t you think that has occurred to me?’
‘And Jack has a far more vicious temper than I have.’
‘Which I hope he’ll learn to curb. There’s been enough anger in our lives, Martin.’
‘You’re right about that, Katie.’ Rising to his feet, Martin turned and faced them. ‘I won’t pretend I like the thought of you with my sister, Mr Griffiths, but if you’re serious about marrying Katie I’ll try to understand how she feels about you.’
‘You’ll give us your blessing?’
‘Ask me again before you get married, Katie.’
‘I promise you one thing, Martin,’ John said as he held her in his arms. ‘I will never hurt her.’
‘And when the gossip starts?’
‘Unless you tell anyone, it won’t until after we are married.’
‘I wish I had your faith in people. From where I’m standing it’s obvious what’s going on between you.’
Roy was on the doorstep looking up at the sky when John finally left the house. ‘I owe you an explanation, Roy.’
Roy shook his head. ‘Not at this time in the morning, you don’t.’
‘It really will be all right?’
‘Fine, if Katie gets over it.’
‘She’s calm now. She went to bed half an hour ago.’
‘You and Martin sorted things out?’
‘As much as we can for now.’ John opened a packet of cigarettes and offered Roy one. ‘I wasn’t looking for it, it just happened and when it did I wasn’t strong enough to turn my back on her.’
‘You know what people will say.’
‘They can say what they like.’
‘It might hit business.’
‘If it does I’ll ride it out.’
‘You’re a braver man than your son.’
‘I’ll have a word with him.’
‘No, don’t.’ Roy lit both their cigarettes. ‘I spoke to Lily earlier. She needs time to come to terms with who her real mother is and frankly I think that’s all she’ll be able to deal with for now. Joe, his problems and hers with him, will have to wait.’
‘You don’t think Joe can help her?’
‘It’s not what I think, or want, that’s important. It’s what Lily wants and she doesn’t want to see him.’
‘If Joe has any sense he’ll be round in the morning.’
‘Give her a few days. Lily doesn’t say things she doesn’t mean.’
‘Monday, then.’
‘She’ll be in work.’
‘After everything that’s happened?’
‘Especially after everything’s that’s happened, John.’
Esme checked her reflection in the hall mirror. Freshly bathed, made up, with her favourite perfume dabbed on her wrists, she looked good, knew it and intended to make John realise just what he was losing in her. He was standing on the front porch looking out at the view of the bay. Head high, she walked briskly towards him. ‘The housekeeper said you wanted to see ...’
‘You had to have your way, didn’t you, Esme?’ he interrupted brusquely.
‘Aren’t you coming in?’ Struggling to keep her equanimity, she opened the door wider. Her mother’s house had a long drive but John hadn’t bothered to lower his voice and several neighbours were in the habit of walking their dogs before breakfast.
‘No.’
‘If this is about the settlement ...’
‘I couldn’t give a damn about the settlement. I just wanted you to know that I intend to inform Joe exactly who was responsible for sabotaging his engagement party and leave what action to take entirely up to him.’
‘I have absolutely no idea what you’re talking about.’
‘No? You went to Richard Thomas; he sent that woman...’
‘What woman?’
‘Very good, Esme, I take my hat off to you. All those hours of practice and years in the Little Theatre have paid off. I’ve seen you turn in some good performances but none quite so consummate as this one.’
‘I really don’t know what you’re talking about.’ Leaving the porch, she stepped down into the drive.
‘The prostitute Richard Thomas sent to Joe’s party yesterday. Lily’s mother ...’
‘Lily’s mother is a prostitute?’
He found himself almost believing her surprise. ‘Richard
Thomas sent her to Roy Williams’ house in the middle of Joe’s and Lily’s party. He couldn’t have timed her appearance better. Even gave her money to get drunk first to heighten the “surprise”.’
‘Are you sure it was Richard?’
‘The woman was.’
‘He had no right!’
‘Right! What have rights to do with this?’ As he stared at her he suddenly understood why she hadn’t married Joe’s father when she’d become pregnant and why she’d been furious when Richard had offered Helen a position in his office. ‘My God!’ He stepped away from her in disgust. ‘Richard Thomas is Joe’s father, isn’t he?’
‘I ...’ Unable to lie, she turned away from him.
‘Dear God, Esme, he was your godfather – almost family ... you called him uncle. Christ! You even asked him to give you away at our wedding.’
‘He had no right ...’ She repeated dully.
‘No, he didn’t.’
‘Please, don’t tell Joseph,’ she pleaded. ‘Richard manages his trust fund. It’s grown, because ... Joseph might think Richard had put more money into it and Joseph needs the security of that fund if he is to make anything of himself ... You and I both know that Joseph would take this the same way you are now. Please, John. I’ll waive the right to a settlement, agree adultery, anything you want, but don’t let Joseph find out or think any the less of me than he already does.’
‘Keep the settlement, Esme, and your precious secret. But don’t think I’m doing it for you. For once we agree. It may be best if Joe never finds out who his father is, or the depths he can sink to in order to destroy other people’s lives, and all in the name of decency.’
‘Miss Sullivan?’ Miss Oliver waylaid Lily as soon as she walked into the bank on Monday morning. ‘Mr Hopkin Jones wants to see you immediately. In his office.’
Lily’s heart started thundering as she looked at Miss Oliver.
‘Immediately, Miss Sullivan.’ Miss Oliver gave Lily a smile, but Lily didn’t even see it as she hung her coat on to her hangar and left the cloakroom. She’d expected the scandal to spread throughout the town but not this quickly. Steeling herself for dismissal, she knocked on the manager’s door.
‘Miss Sullivan, it’s good of you to come so promptly.’ The manager indicated a chair. ‘Please sit down. I think we’ve finished, Mr Collins.’
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