‘May I sit down, Miss Browning?’
Flustered, Kate nodded, her mouth suddenly dry with fear.
Placing his hat on the table, Robert stared up at Anne’s daughter and then to the elderly woman who was watching him like a hawk. He was glad Kate had a friend with her. By the looks of the woman, she would be a great asset in the difficult task that lay before him. ‘Your father is well, Miss Browning, and he can be discharged from hospital tomorrow. It is another, more delicate, matter I have come about… Look, won’t you sit down, please? What I am about to tell you is going to come as a great shock. I think it would be wise if you were seated.’
Numbly Kate did as she was bid, full of confusion.
What other reason could there be for a man like Dr Peakes-Brown to come calling? Kind as he was, it wasn’t usual for doctors of his high standing to visit the homes of ordinary patients. Oh, no! Had her dad told him about Alex kicking him down the stairs? Is that why he was here, to investigate the accident? But, no surely not. Even if her dad had confided in this man, the doctor would have put the matter into the hands of the police. He wouldn’t have taken the trouble to come himself and explain. Her head whirling, she retained an outward show of calm and waited for the doctor to speak, but nothing could have prepared her for his next words.
‘This is very difficult for me, Miss Browning, and I must warn you to prepare yourself for a shock.’ Robert paused, rubbing his hand over his face. No matter how he phrased the words, they were going to have a profound effect. Deciding the best course of action was direct talk, he took a deep breath, and said. ‘It’s about your mother, Miss Browning. She is alive and well, and at this moment is waiting outside in a hansom cab… Miss Browning!… Oh, lord, Miss Browning!’ Jumping from his chair, he went to the white-faced woman who was obviously in a deep state of shock, only to find himself pushed roughly out of the way by an irate Bridie.
Holding Kate tightly in her arms, she glared at Robert, her eyes burning with anger. ‘What d’ye think you’re playing at, you daft eejit? Is it mad you are coming here with a tale like that, when the poor lass has only just got used to the fact her mam is dead? I don’t know who you’ve got waiting outside, but it isn’t Kate’s mam. That poor soul died nearly two years ago. Now get yourself away out of here afore I take a rolling-pin to that thick head o’ yours!’
Her head reeling, Kate weakly tried to free herself from the suffocating embrace. ‘No, Bridie, I want to listen to what he has to say. The doctor wouldn’t make a statement like that unless he was sure.’ Kate looked at Robert, a faint hope beginning to stir in her breast. Could it be? Could it possibly be true? Holding Bridie tightly for moral support, she whispered, ‘Tell me… Please tell me?’ Her inner voice screaming a warning not to get her hopes up, she continued to stare at the man.
Robert held her gaze, again marvelling at the wondrous green eyes that were identical to those of the woman he loved. Pulling his chair closer, he took her trembling hands, his warm eyes never leaving her ashen face. As kindly and concisely as he could, he explained what had happened following her mother’s disappearance, carefully leaving out the brutal rape details and, with each word, the colour in Kate’s cheeks began to return, her eyes darting over his shoulder to the window and the cab standing outside the house.
Every instinct in her body screamed at her to move, to push past this man and dash out into the street, but her body refused to obey. It was as if some part of her still refused to believe that her mum was actually waiting, just a few feet away. What if the doctor had made a mistake? What if, when she opened the carriage door, she found herself looking into the face of a stranger? She wouldn’t be able to bear it. She had had so many disappointments, so much heartbreak, so many false hopes, and even though she knew herself to be strong, there was a breaking point for everyone. She was afraid, mortally afraid, that one more disappointment, one more crushed hope, would send her mind tripping over the edge. There was only so much a person could stand… but she had to see. Had to somehow find the strength to walk the short distance to the street and discover for herself if the woman outside was indeed her mother, or if it was all a cruel hoax.
Beside her, Bridie had listened in growing amazement, which quickly turned to scepticism. The whole thing sounded too fantastic to be true. If anyone else had come to the door bearing such a tale, she would have kicked him out without a second thought, yet this was no ordinary man. He was a highly respected doctor, and judging by his gentle handling of the matter, he was a kind man, not one who would raise hopes unless he was absolutely certain of his facts. But still the doubts refused to be squashed. And she wasn’t going to let anyone else hurt her Kate. The poor lass had enough on her plate with the worry of her da and the fear of that maniac of a brother of hers.
Bristling with ill-disguised hostility, she gripped Kate’s shoulders and said brusquely, ‘Listen, laddie, it’s all well and good what you’re after telling us, an’ I can understand why Kate had no luck at the hospitals if this woman of yours was safely tucked up in your fancy clinic, but tell me this. Why, if you reported her to the polis, didn’t they recognise the description, ’cos Kate’s da was down there every day for months after his wife went missing? Now I know some of them couldn’t find a sailor in a brothel, but they aren’t all stupid. One of them would have put two an’ two together and realised who your woman was.’
Trying to suppress a smile at being called ‘laddie’, Robert shook his head, ‘That’s a good question, Mrs Kelly; unfortunately I can’t explain. I sent a young boy to the police soon after Mrs Browning was brought into my care. It wasn’t until some time later I discovered he hadn’t delivered the message, for reasons of his own that I won’t trouble you with. When I found out, I went personally to report all the details I knew, and gave them my address in case someone came forward, but no one did. Obviously I assumed that Mrs Browning had no relatives or friends to be concerned about her disappearance… until three days ago when Mr Browning was brought into the hospital and I saw Miss Browning.’ He turned to Kate with a gentle smile. ‘As soon as I saw her, I knew. It was like looking at a mirror image of Anne… I’m sorry, I mean Mrs Browning. Anne was the name I gave her, and after such a long time, it is very hard for me to think of her as anything else.’ Getting stiffly to his feet, he held out his hand to Kate. ‘Remember, dear, your mother is dreadfully nervous and afraid. Not least because of the scars she now bears. Please be careful when you first meet not to show any signs of distress. She…’
Kate suddenly came to life. Throwing off Bridie’s hands she rounded on Robert, flaming with anger, her eyes sparkling with unshed tears. ‘How dare you say that to me, Doctor! Do you imagine I’m so shallow that my love for my mum would vanish because of a few scars? I couldn’t care if she’d lost both arms and legs as long as… Oh, get out of my way!’ But before she could take another step, she heard Billy’s voice, loud and shrill. ‘Mum… MUM!’ And then she knew. It was no dream, no cruel hoax. Her mum was alive; her mum had come home.
* * *
Florrie sat on the edge of the upholstered seat, her hands clenched tightly. What if they didn’t believe she had lost her memory? What if they thought she had stayed away of her own volition? What if they didn’t want her back? All thoughts of Robert and the love she felt for him now took second place in her desire to be reunited with her family. She was glad William wouldn’t be there to greet her. She needed time to be with her children before facing her husband. Her husband… The words had a hollow ring to them. She felt nothing for William now except pity, yet returning as his wife was a small price to pay to be with her children again. She felt something moist on her lips and when she took her finger away she saw blood, blood that had been drawn by the unconscious nibbling of her bottom lip. Leaning forward towards the window, she wondered fretfully why Robert was taking so long. He must have told them by now. Why weren’t they all rushing out of the house to greet her? Why, why, why? Childish voices reached her, voices raised in pe
tty argument as only children do. Her heart racing, she cautiously craned her neck in the direction of the sounds, drawing back into the safety of the carriage as the three figures came walking towards her.
Hardly daring to breathe, she risked a peep from the window and found herself staring at her own son. A son that had grown and filled out since she had last seen him, but her son nevertheless. Her lips moved, but no sound came, then Billy was crying and shouting, climbing on to the step of the carriage as he fought to get to the figure inside, his childish voice calling her. Hardly aware of what she was doing, she reached out and pulled the boy through the open window and on to her lap.
‘I knew you’d come back, I knew!’ The shrill voice cut deep into her very soul. ‘Where have you been, mum… Oooh…’ Florrie heard the long-drawn-out sound of awe as he stared at the scars that no amount of powder could disguise, and felt a savage lurch in the pit of her stomach. Then her spirits soared once again as he said sorrowfully, ‘What’s happened to your face, Mum? Have you had an accident… Oh, poor mummy, don’t worry, it’ll get better soon. I’ll look after you!’
The practical words, together with the complete acceptance that can be found only in the very young, brought a fresh wave of emotion coursing through her body. It was going to be all right. Everything was going to be all right! Hugging him tighter against her breasts, she let the tears fall, soaking into the boy’s clean-smelling hair.
Then the door was pulled roughly open by two white-faced girls. Her lips seemed to be smiling and crying all at the same time as she stretched out her hand to them. Her legs shaky, she let her daughters help her down from the carriage. Still holding her son, she walked up the familiar path with Alice and Sally walking dumbly by her side. It was all right, she assured herself. It was just the shock of seeing her that had rendered them speechless. There would be time enough later to talk. All the time in the world. Then the front door flew open and there was Kate staring at her as if witnessing an apparition.
‘Mum!’ The whispered word, filled with awe-struck love, was enough. She didn’t remember entering the house, but once inside she was being pulled and hugged, her ears ringing with a cacophony of sound as everyone tried to talk at once.
By the open doorway two figures watched the emotional scene, their happiness marred by a sense of isolation. They weren’t needed here, they didn’t belong, and that knowledge brought a deep sadness to them both.
Coughing to cover his intense feeling of loss, Robert replaced his hat and, looking at Bridie’s tear-stained face, said, ‘I think our presence is no longer needed, Mrs Kelly. This is a family matter, and one I don’t wish to intrude upon.’
Sniffing loudly, Bridie wiped her face. ‘Aye, you’re right enough there, Doctor. An’ like yourself, I don’t want to hang around where I’m not needed.’
When they reached the carriage, Robert had one foot on the step before asking solicitously, ‘May I drive you home, Mrs Kelly? It seems we have a good deal in common. I have a lot of questions that need answering, as do you. Maybe we can enlighten each other on the journey.’
‘Aye, that’d be grand, Doctor. Thank you kindly.’ Settling herself on the comfortable seat, Bridie leant back, her chest still heaving with emotion. Aye, she told herself, there was plenty to talk about, not least that mad bastard who was responsible for the grief and pain he had wrought indiscriminately. She had promised Kate not to tell John, but she hadn’t said anything about confiding in anyone else. Drawing a long breath, she began to talk.
* * *
As the cab pulled away, the shabbily dressed man hopped from one leg to another in extreme agitation. Browning wasn’t going to like this. He wasn’t going to like it at all! That geezer who had brought the woman to the house was obviously someone important. Not only that, but the kid had called the woman ‘Mum’, and everyone knew Florrie Browning had gone missing a couple of years back. People also knew that Alex Browning had never had any love for his stepmother. For the next twenty minutes the man agonised over what he should do. Browning was so unpredictable. He might give him a few quid for the information, but on the other hand…! The man began to walk dejectedly away from his post. The sooner he imparted his news, the better. But he would make sure there were plenty of people about when he told Alex Browning about the visitors to his home. He wouldn’t put it past that mad bastard to take his anger out on him. Remembering what had happened to Terry Dickson, his face became more worried. Wishing fervently that he’d never got mixed up in this business, he walked slowly on.
Chapter Nineteen
‘Can I get you anything, Dad?’ Kate stood back from the single bed where her father lay propped up on two feather pillows, her hands clasped tightly to stop them from shaking. Even being in this room where Alex had once slept gave her the shivers. She wished her parents had gone back to sharing the front bedroom, but to be fair to her mother, it had been William’s idea to move into Alex’s old room, and Florrie had been only to willing to agree. Now, as she waited for her father to speak, Kate wondered what sort of mood he would be in today. Since he had come home, his moods had alternated between petulant self-pity and resigned acceptance of what had happened that awful night when he had finally seen his son for what he really was; an evil and vicious man.
The biggest surprise for them all had been his casual attitude towards his wife’s reappearance. When Florrie had nervously visited him in hospital, after the doctor had gently paved the way for the meeting, William had greeted her in much the same way as if she had just returned from a short holiday. It had been almost as if he had been expecting her return. Now, almost five months later, he still kept to his room, only venturing downstairs to use the water-closet in the back yard. When husband and wife met, they spoke politely, keeping their conversation general, like casual acquaintances who happened to pass in the street, and it broke Kate’s heart to see the two people she loved so distant towards each other.
‘I wouldn’t mind a cup of tea, love, if you have the time, that is.’
‘Oh, Dad, don’t be silly!’ Kate protested. ‘Of course I’ve got time to make a cup of tea. I’m not exactly rushed off my feet, am I? Besides, mum and Bridie have all the preparations for the party under control. Anyone would think the Queen herself was coming, the amount of organising they’ve done! Still, it’s not every New Year that sees the start of a new century, is it?’
As she was about to leave the room, William asked quietly, ‘Is the Doctor still here?’ Pausing by the door, Kate’s head drooped slightly before she replied, ‘Yes, Dad. He’s just about to leave, though. It’s been good of him to visit you, hasn’t it? But now you’re getting better there won’t be the need for him to come calling so much.’
William gave a short, dry laugh. ‘There hasn’t been any need for him to visit at all! There’s nothing he can do for me, but then I’m not the reason for his visits, and you know that as well as I do.’ When Kate’s blonde head drooped even further, William’s eyes clouded over. Patting the side of the bed, he gave a heavy sigh. ‘Come here a minute, Kate. Come on, come and sit by me awhile. I need to talk to you.’
Still keeping her face averted, Kate did as she was bid, her fingers absently twisting the garnet ring set in a filigree of gold that had once belonged to John’s mother and was now nestling on the third finger of her left hand. The snug feel of the ring gave her enormous comfort, reminding her constantly of John, and instilling in her a sense of well-being. She recalled the day he had slipped the precious heirloom on her finger. It had been two days after her mum had come home. Two long days and nights of revelations concerning the man who had once been an integral part of the family. Kate’s horror at discovering Alex’s part in the disappearance of her mother had paled into insignificance upon the full, horrific details of her mother’s long ordeal. If Florrie had reappeared earlier bearing such a story, Kate wasn’t sure if she would have believed it. But she believed it now. Oh, yes, after what she and her father had suffered at his hands, she could beli
eve Alex capable of anything.
Upon hearing of Alex’s threats towards Kate’s newfound friends, Florrie had ordered her daughter to go to the Kellys and bring them back to the house so that she might thank them for all they had done for her family in her absence. The passionate fury and strength in her mother’s voice had driven all fear from Kate’s heart and mind. To this day she couldn’t remember the journey to the shop, but she could easily recall John’s startled face as she had literally fallen into his arms, begging to be forgiven for her previous harsh words while telling him over and over how much she loved him; loved him and needed him.
Later that day, accompanied by Bridie and Dermot, they had all piled into the totter’s cart and driven to Bow, where they had at last been introduced to the mysterious woman who was Kate’s mother. The conversation had been kept on a general level, as Florrie wasn’t the type of woman to air her personal problems to virtual strangers; but while John and Dermot tried to contain their curiosity, Bridie had helped keep the conversation on mundane matters, with only her shrewd eyes betraying her knowledge of the true state of affairs. The only subject they had discussed openly was Alex’s threats concerning the Kellys.
John had been furious to learn the reason behind Kate’s indifferent behaviour of the previous night, and it had taken much persuasion from Kate and Bridie to stop him from going out in search for his adversary. Some hours later, as they were leaving, John had taken Kate to one side, and from his pocket had produced a small velvet box containing his late mother’s wedding ring. Slipping the ring on to Kate’s finger, he had said firmly, ‘Now we’re engaged. I don’t expect you to want to leave your mum just yet, I know you’ve a lot of catching up to do. But as soon as she’s ready to let you go, we’ll be married.’ And Kate, her heart filled to bursting had merely nodded, too full of emotion to speak.
Bow Belles Page 23