Rhiannon

by Carole Llewellyn

  ‘There, that should do it,’ the man said.

  ‘Right girl, it’s time for you to start earning your keep. Nellie you get yourself off to the pub, I’ll be along shortly.’

  A frightened Mair stared into Nellie’s eyes. ‘Please, Mam ... Nellie, Please don’t leave me here,’ she pleaded.

  Nellie hesitated and looked across the room to Harry.

  Harry walked over to her. ‘Come here woman,’ Harry said, then with both hands fondling her bosoms he pulled Nellie to him, placing a passionate kiss full on her mouth. ‘Don’t you go fretting yourself about what’s going on here. Remember what we agreed? This is just a means to an end. After tomorrow, there be no more working the streets for you, eh? Together with our little investments, we shall move away from these parts, and maybe I’ll make an honest woman of you.’

  ‘You mean we really will get wed?’

  ‘If everything all goes to plan tonight and tomorrow? Yes. Now get yourself down the pub and wait for me.’

  ‘Yes, Harry, anything you say, Harry.’ As she walked through the door, she didn’t look back.

  Mair felt suddenly light-headed. What was happening to her? She knew she wasn’t tipsy; she hadn’t taken but a sip of ale, although the taste of it still lingered on her tongue.

  Mair was aware of Jake taking her hand and leading her towards the bed.

  ‘Come on, what say we have a lie down.’ As he whispered in her ear, the smell of stale cigarettes and whisky invaded her nostrils. She struggled to pull away from him but it seemed all her strength had left her.

  ‘What did you give her?’ Jake asked.

  ‘Only a little pill to quieten her down. She can be a feisty little bugger. Trust me, she’ll not be giving you no trouble.’

  ‘I hope you haven’t taken all the fight from her. I don’t want it too easy.’

  ‘It won’t be. I’m sure you’ll not be disappointed. Have fun, we’ll see you later.’ Then looking directly at Mair he said, ‘We’ll not be gone long. Just long enough for you and Jake to get to know each other. Now you be nice to him, do you hear?’ Harry threw her a look that said, ‘or else.’ Then turning to shake the man’s hand he left the room.

  As Jake moved closer to the bed Mair, sick with panic, made to get off it, but Jake’s heavy hand stopped her. ‘Now where do you think you’re going? I just paid one hundred and fifty for you, young ’un. That means I’m free to do with you as I please.’

  She knew only too well what he intended to do to her. Years of sharing a bedroom with Nellie, at the Tredegar Arms back in the valley, had meant that every time Nellie brought one of her men-friends to the room, Mair spent the night on a single mattress under her mother’s bed. Oh yes, she knew what happened between men and women ... but surely not to a girl of thirteen!

  Mair attempted to scream, but Jake’s large hand over her mouth muffled any sound, and with the other hand he deftly lifted her skirt and petticoat. Immediately she felt his heavy body crash down on her and his stale whisky-breath mouth smothering hers. She tried to fight Jake off but, even without whatever Harry had given her, he was such a big man she could never have moved him.

  As his hands fumbled to remove the rest of her undergarments she felt sickened, helpless and unable to prevent the inevitable.

  He entered her.

  She screamed out.

  He just laughed and carried on, grunting and gasping, while his hands cruelly mauled at her young breasts.

  Mercifully her ordeal was soon ended. With one loud strangled gasp he slumped down upon her. At that moment, had she been able to put her hand on one, she could have willingly thrust a knife again and again into his flabby belly. She vowed that from now on she’d keep a weapon of some kind with her at all times.

  It was early Friday afternoon and Rhiannon, together with the rest of the cast, left the theatre after band-call to find Frank Lewis waiting at the stage door. The sight of him made her eyes well up with tears. ‘Oh Frank, it’s so good to see you.’

  ‘I said I’d be back. What’s the news about Mair?’

  ‘Harry and Nellie have agreed to release her at half past five this evening. Mind you, it took two hundred pounds of Adam and Gus’s money to do it.’

  ‘Adam and Gus sound like good blokes. I can’t wait to meet them, to thank them personally.’

  ‘I’m afraid Gus has left the company... .’ She gave a long sigh.

  ‘Are you all right, Rhi?’

  Rhiannon nodded and forced a smile. ‘Yes, I’m fine. In fact, I think it would be a good idea if you met Adam right now. Come on, he’s still in the theatre.’ Taking Frank’s hand Rhiannon turned and headed back into the theatre.

  ‘Adam, this is Frank Lewis, the friend I told you about from the valley.’

  Adam offered his hand. ‘Pleased to meet you. Any friend of Rhi’s, eh?’

  Frank shook hands. ‘It’s good to meet you, and thank you for your part in negotiating Mair’s return.’

  ‘It was the least I could do. In fact ... I don’t know if Rhiannon has explained that Gus and I had arranged to collect her this evening but, now that Gus has up and left, how do you feel about taking his place? I don’t expect any trouble but... ?’

  ‘I’ll be only too glad to accompany you. The sooner we get Mair away from that pair the better.’

  ‘Good man. Rhiannon, you stay put at Mrs Gordon’s as arranged, yeah?’

  ‘Yes, all right. No disrespect Adam, but Mair doesn’t know you that well. I feel happier knowing Frank’s going with you. Mair has always had a soft spot for him – a friendly face and all that. Truth be known, I still don’t trust Nellie and her fancy man. What if they ask for more money... ? What if they change their minds, or what if—?’

  ‘You mustn’t go fretting yourself. I’m sure everything will go to plan and in a few hours you and Mair will be reunited. Now, cheer up.’

  Rhiannon forced a smile, but for some reason a strong sense of foreboding stayed with her.

  Adam turned to Frank. ‘How long do mean to stay in Cardiff?’

  ‘My time’s my own. I was just on my way to find myself some digs.’

  ‘Forget the digs. You can stay at my house. In fact, if you’d like to hang around for ten minutes while I finish up here, I’ll take you back to drop your suitcase off, and maybe have a little light refreshment before heading off to pick up Mair.’

  ‘That’s very kind of you. If you’re sure, it’ll be fine with me. Will you be joining us, Rhi?’

  ‘No, I really need to get back to my digs. Mrs Gordon will be expecting me. I wouldn’t want to upset her.’ Rhi hadn’t been back to Adam’s house since the night with Gus.

  ‘Your landlady sounds a bit of a tartar.’

  ‘Not really. She’s really very caring. She’s already agreed for Mair to come share my room at no extra cost and she’s even making a special pre-show tea to celebrate Mair’s return.’

  Adam smiled, ‘You tell her from me that I always knew she was an old softie at heart.’

  ‘I will, but I doubt she’ll admit to it. I’d better be off. Good luck, you two. I can’t wait to get Mair back.’

  ‘We’ll not keep you waiting long. We should have her back with you well before six. Now off you go, and try to rest up. Remember you’ve another show this evening.’

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  Adam knocked on the door.

  Harry opened it.

  Adam couldn’t fail to notice the smug look on Harry’s face.

  ‘We’re here for Mair,’ Adam said.

  ‘Where’s the money?’ Harry snapped.

  Adam removed the envelope from the inside pocket of his overcoat and offered it to Harry.

  Harry snatched it from him. ‘Don’t mind if I check it, eh?’

  ‘It’s all there, all two hundred pounds,’ Adam assured him through gritted teeth.

  Frank stood beside Adam. ‘All right, no more delays. You’ve got the money, now where’s Mair?’

  ‘All right, keep your
hair on.’ Harry turned and called out, ‘Nellie, bring the girl!’

  ‘Her name’s Mair! And believe me, if you’ve harmed a hair on her head... .’ Frank was about to elaborate when Nellie came to the door, her arm wrapped around Mair’s waist as if supporting her. ‘Mair, are you all right?’ Frank asked.

  Mair’s glazed eyes stared back at Frank, as if she were struggling to recognize him.

  ‘Mair, it’s me Frank – Frank Lewis. Come on, love, you know me.’

  When Mair didn’t respond, Frank stepped forward. He took her in his arms but soon realized that she could barely stand on her own two feet.

  ‘What have you buggers done to her?’ Frank demanded.

  ‘We haven’t done anything. The girl’s caught a bit of a chill, that’s all. Came on last night it did,’ Nellie offered.

  Frank swept Mair up into his arms. ‘How many times do I have to say it? Her name’s Mair, she’s your daughter for Christ’s sake, and this looks like more than a chill to me.’ Frank turned to Adam. ‘Adam, let’s get her away from this evil bloody pair!’

  As Adam and Frank made their way from the building to Adam’s waiting car they heard Harry shout from an upstairs window, ‘And good riddance to you too, that’s what I say!’

  Once safely out on the street Frank stopped. ‘Adam, I really don’t think we should take her to Mrs Gordon’s looking like this.’

  ‘No. You’re right. We’ll take her to my house and call a doctor.’

  ‘No-no, I’m all right, honest. I just want to see Rhi.’ Mair’s voice was but a whisper.

  ‘And you shall. I promise you that Rhi will come to my house, but first we’d like a doctor to check on you.’

  ‘Mrs Gordon, where have they got to? What could have gone wrong?’

  ‘I don’t know, child. Try to be patient. I’m sure there’s a perfectly good explanation.’

  There was a knock on the door. Rhiannon jumped up from her chair.

  ‘You stay put, I’ll go,’ Mrs Gordon ordered.

  ‘Mrs Gordon, I’m sorry. May I come in?’ Adam asked.

  ‘Certainly, but whatever has happened? Where’s the wee child?’

  ‘Mair’s not well. I didn’t think it wise to bring her here. I thought it best to take her to my house and send for the doctor. The doctor said he’d be there in an hour. Frank’s at the house waiting for him. Mrs Gordon, I fear the worst, I think the poor girl has been sexually assaulted.’

  Mrs Gordon, not wishing to alert Rhiannon, raised her hand to her mouth in an effort to muffle her cry of, ‘Oh my God!’

  ‘I think it best if she stays at my house for a few days. I don’t want this to become common knowledge, you know how given to tittle-tattle theatre folk can be?’

  ‘Yes, quite. Mr Fletcher – Adam, would you like me to go and sit with her, and be there with her when the doctor arrives?’

  Adam nodded. ‘I was hoping you’d suggest that.’

  ‘Then that’s settled. I’ll just get my coat. In fact, if it’s all right with you I’ll stay a few nights. I’m sure everyone at the theatre would relish a few days without my supervision.’

  ‘I think that’s a grand idea. Although I’m sure wardrobe will miss you, you do such a great job. Now all I have to do is break the dreadful news to Rhiannon. And I can say, with all honesty, I’m not looking forward to it.’

  ‘Why don’t you go, get yourself off to the theatre and leave it to me to break it to Rhiannon?’

  Adam gave a notable sigh of relief. ‘Thank you. I really wasn’t looking forward to it and perhaps ... coming from a woman, it may help to soften the blow. Do you think I should get someone to fill in Rhiannon’s spot for tonight’s performance?’

  ‘No, I do not! Rhiannon is a true professional and she’ll not let you down. I’ll let Mair know that Rhi will be at your house straight after the show.’

  Mair lay in the strange bedroom. She was confused as to why Adam and Frank had brought her to Adam’s house instead of taking her to Rhiannon. When Mrs Gordon had arrived Mair asked her the very same question.

  ‘The doctor’s been called and well ... if the doctor was to call at my boarding house, everyone at the theatre would know your business, you wouldn’t want that, now would you? And as for Rhiannon, she’ll be here straight after the show.’

  Mair was thankful that, when the doctor examined her, Mrs Gordon was there to hold her hand. The way his hands pushed and prodded her and the questions he asked made Mair feel both dirty and ashamed. Maybe that was how Rhiannon thought of her, too. If Mrs Gordon could be here for her then why wasn’t Rhiannon? Surely she was more important than some stupid show?

  Rhiannon’s performance on stage that night, while totally professional, was not her best; her mind just wasn’t on her job, she simply went through the motions. The audience didn’t seem to notice, she did what was expected, enticing her audience to enter her world, to sing along, to clap and stamp their feet, to enjoy themselves. And they obviously did. But her heart just wasn’t in it. Hearing the news from Mrs Gordon of Mair’s terrible ordeal brought her stage performance into perspective; her performance on stage was a triviality, simply acting out a part – an illusion. While what happened to Mair was real life. The way Rhiannon had felt since Gus had left was nothing in comparison to what Mair had been made to suffer.

  Rhiannon was consumed by guilt. Why hadn’t she looked for Mair sooner? Why had she been too ready to believe her Aunt Florrie’s version of why Mair had left in the first place? There could be no denying that she had let Mair down. So much so that if Mair chose not to forgive her who could blame her?

  After the show Rhiannon hastily changed into her street clothes and headed for Adam’s house. Adam had suggested she should wait for him to escort her, but Rhiannon knew that it would be at least another hour before he could leave and she couldn’t wait a moment longer to see Mair.

  At Adam’s house Mrs Gordon was the first to greet Rhiannon.

  ‘My dear girl, I know how eager you are to see Mair but I feel I should prepare you. The doctor confirmed our worst fears and he says that her condition is far from good. My dear, she’s lost quite a lot of blood. I can’t believe what that evil bastard ... I’m sorry, I don’t normally swear, but the child has been so hurt. The doctor assured me that, in time, she will heal. But the mental scars? They may take a lot longer.’

  ‘Where is she? I must go to her!’

  ‘Follow me. She’s upstairs.’

  Rhiannon entered the comfortable bedroom, well lit by gas lamps strategically placed at either side of the bed. Mair lay, apparently lifeless, in the large double bed, her small face peeping out from under the thick satin eiderdown.

  ‘Mair love, it’s me, Rhiannon.’

  Mair’s eyes half-opened. ‘Rhi, is it really you?’

  ‘Yes. It’s me.’

  ‘Rhi, h-he really hurt m-me,’ Mair sobbed.

  ‘I know, love. I’m so sorry. The agreement we made with Harry and Nellie was intended to save you from this. But they tricked us.’

  ‘Why, Rhi? Why did my own mother let this happen? Why does she hate me so?’

  ‘I only wish I knew. I so wish I could make all the nasty memories go away. Honestly Mair – I’d do anything.’

  ‘Rhi ... can you find me a knife?’

  ‘Don’t talk now. Just you rest.’

  ‘Rhi, I need a knife. Please get me a knife – in case he comes back.’

  ‘I promise you, he’ll not find you here. No one is going to hurt you. While Adam and I are at the theatre, Mrs Gordon and Frank have agreed to stay with you. Mair love, you look so frail. You really must try to eat.’

  ‘How can I when I have no appetite?’

  ‘Doctor Humphries says your body is still in shock.’

  There was a tap on the door.

  ‘Come in,’ Rhi called.

  A solemn Frank poked his head around the door.

  ‘I’m sorry to disturb you both, but I just wanted to let you know that I’m go
ing out for a bit of a walk. Rhi, if you like I can walk you back to your digs.’

  ‘You’re both leaving me?’ Mair whimpered.

  ‘Now don’t you go fretting yourself,’ Frank coaxed. ‘Mrs Gordon will be here with you and I’d dare anyone to get past her. The girls at the theatre have a nickname for her – they call her ‘the Dragon’. And I for one wouldn’t like to cross her.’

  ‘Frank’s right, you know,’ Rhiannon assured her, ‘She’s as good as any man. We all know that she’s a member of the suffragist movement, the purple amethyst and green brooch she’s taken to wearing is a dead give away.’ Rhiannon stood up and, bending over, placed a soft kiss on Mair’s cheek. ‘But as it happens I’ve decided to stay with you tonight. I just need to have a few words with Frank and I’ll be straight back.’

  ‘You promise,’ Mair pleaded.

  ‘I promise. Now why don’t you try to have a little sleep?’

  Mair forced a smile, ‘All right, I’ll try.’

  ‘Good girl. Mrs Gordon’s down in the kitchen busy preparing supper. If you feel up to it, I could help you downstairs and then we could all enjoy a late supper around the kitchen table.’

  ‘I’d like that.’

  For a little while Frank and Rhiannon stood in silence outside Mair’s bedroom door, both numbed by what had happened to Mair and both consumed with guilt for having failed her.

  ‘I’ll not be gone long, Rhi. There’s just something I need to do,’ Frank whispered.

  ‘Frank, where are you off to?’

  ‘I told you. There’s something I need to do.’

  ‘Frank, you’re not thinking of paying Nellie and Harry a visit are you?’ Rhiannon kept her voice low, not wanting to alarm Mair.

  ‘Your father always said it was hard to get anything past you. If you must know, I want ... no, I need, to give them a piece of my mind. What they did ... allowing that animal to ... to... . Well, it was so bloody evil.’

  ‘You’re right, they are evil. So what do you hope to achieve by going to see them?’

  ‘It will make me feel better. Rhi, I need to do this.’