Bow Belles

by Bow Belles (retail) (epub)

  Florrie nodded. So she had been right, but she was damned if she was going to feel guilty about it. One kiss; one kiss in two years living under the same roof hardly made her a scarlet woman! She wanted to shout at the silent young woman who she deemed to be sitting in judgement on her, but caution made her hold her tongue. Her daughter took after her in temperament, and if she herself started an argument, Kate would be quick to pick up on it. If ever there was a time for diplomacy and restraint this was it. She took a deep breath, and the quiet dignity in her voice brought a rush of shame to Kate’s face.

  ‘What you saw was me saying goodbye to Robert. It was also the only time we have ever shown our affection openly. I think in view of what’s happened to me, and the fact that I have made it plain to Robert that we mustn’t see each other again, I deserved one kiss to remember him by. I was owed at least that much.’

  Kate’s eyes began to fill with tears. ‘Oh, Mum, I’m sorry. I truly am sorry! It was just such a shock… I mean seeing you like that with another man…’ She trailed off miserably before adding hesitantly, ‘So, you won’t be seeing him again?’

  Florrie turned away, but not before Kate had seen the look of infinite sorrow reflected in her green eyes. ‘No, I won’t be seeing Robert again. I’m back home where I belong, and here I’ll stay until such time I am free to leave – that is, if ever that time comes.’

  An uncomfortable silence descended on the two women as each wrestled with her own private thoughts. Then Florrie, giving herself a mental shake, said too brightly, ‘What would you say to having some of that wine that was left over from last night? We should be celebrating, not sitting here with long faces. This is our night, love, let’s make the most of it.’

  Eager to match her mother’s mood, Kate fetched a half-empty bottle of wine and two glasses.

  ‘To the future, Kate. To you and John! May you both be very happy, though I’m sure you will be. He’s a fine young man, and even though I haven’t known him very long, I can honestly say I’ve grown very fond of him.’

  ‘Thank you, Mum. It means a lot to me that you like him, and Bridie and Dermot. I don’t know what I would have done without them these past months.’

  Florrie held out her glass to be refilled. ‘I know, love, and I’m very grateful to them all. They’re good people, and Lord knows there aren’t too many of them around.’

  Kate wondered briefly if she should raise the subject of Alex, then decided against it. There was no point in rehashing old memories, especially not tonight. Tonight was for sharing, for talking and strengthening the bond between them. They talked long into the night, and when they climbed the stairs to bed, they were friends once more.

  Chapter Twenty-one

  The man keeping watch outside the house in Fairview Road was a retired policeman; he was also very tired. Peering at his pocket watch, he saw it was just on ten o’clock, and yawned. At the house, he saw the lights go out downstairs and a single glow light up one of the upstairs rooms. Obviously, the women were getting ready for bed. A rumbling in his stomach reminded him he had missed his supper. Looking again at the lighted window, he wondered if he dared slip off for a few minutes to get himself something to eat. Wrestling with his conscience over whether to leave his post his furious stomach finally decided for him. After all, he told himself, he had been standing guard in this spot for almost five months and nothing had happened. And it wouldn’t be the first time he had left to get himself a late night supper, though that doctor fellow would send him packing if he ever found out. Anyway, he wouldn’t be long. Ten minutes at the most. What could happen in that short time?

  Alighting from a cab at the top of the road, Alex continued his journey on foot. He didn’t want the noise of the carriage alerting anyone. Coming stealthily down the street, he stopped in his tracks at the sight of the figure keeping watch across the road. Then his features creased into a triumphant grin as the man walked off hurriedly towards the High Street. Guessing that he had simply gone for some food, or to relieve himself, Alex quickened his step, ignoring the pain in his left leg where the dog had bitten him. He swore as the key refused to turn in the lock. The bitch had had the lock changed! Still, he had been expecting that. There was more than one way of getting in. Creeping round the side, he took out a knife and began levering the wooden frame of the sash window. Within minutes he was inside the darkened house. From upstairs he could hear soft, feminine voices.

  Pausing, he thought back to the day he had been told of Florrie’s return. The man he had employed to spy on Kate had been a bundle of nerves as he had relayed his news. At first Alex hadn’t believed him, rounding on the unfortunate wretch in such a paroxysm of rage that the man had instantly taken to his heels in fear. Then two police officers had arrived at the docks the following day, exuding an air of officialdom that would have put the fear of God into a lesser man. But Alex was not easily intimidated. He knew they couldn’t do anything to him. If they’d had any proof that he was responsible for the savage attack on his stepmother, they would have arrested him on the spot. As it was, they’d had to be content with issuing a warning to keep away from his family, and the Kellys too.

  It had taken every ounce of self-control to conceal his burning anger while adopting a guise of genuine pleasure at news of his stepmother’s safe return. His tactics hadn’t fooled the policemen for a moment, and his air of injured indignation at being accused of such a heinous crime had been met with ill-disguised contempt. That very night he had begun to make his plans. Containing his impatience, he had carried on his life as usual, while taking every opportunity to purloin any easily saleable item that came his way. Now he had enough money stashed inside his coat pocket to carry him to France. There was a boat leaving the harbour at first light, and he intended to be on it; but first he had some unfinished business to see to. Holding the knife tightly, he crept up the stairs, his heart thumping in anticipation of what was to come.

  * * *

  ‘…And you should hear Dermot playing that old piano, Mum. Lord, he’s a comedian and no mistake! He could have made a living on the stage. And you should hear Bridie go for him when he starts his antics. But he just laughs, and she doesn’t really mean it. It’s just another form of entertainment for us. Anyway, you’ve been invited often enough. Once John and me are married and living there, you’ll have to come round. You will, won’t you, Mum?’

  Florrie reached over and hugged Kate’s warm body beside her in the double bed.

  ‘Of course I will, silly! I’ve been meaning to visit Bridie for ages, but there just hasn’t been the time, what with my new job and looking after your dad and the children. Besides, it’s much easier for her to come here, but I’ll be visiting after the wedding, don’t worry on that score. In fact I’ll be round so often, John will soon be joining the rank of men complaining about his interfering mother-in-law!’

  They both laughed softly, careful to keep their voices down for fear of disturbing William. A creak on the landing made them spring apart.

  Rolling her eyes, Kate groaned, ‘Goodness, we’ve woken dad up! I’d better go and make sure he’s all right.’

  Still smiling, she padded barefoot from the room. ‘Dad… Dad!’ She was puzzled at the sight of the empty landing and closed door of what was now her father’s room.

  Then she jumped in fear as an arm grabbed her roughly round the waist, while a firm hand clamped down hard over her mouth. Kicking and struggling, she was carried into her own room, a heavy body falling with her as they landed on the bed, knocking the breath from her body. Momentarily stunned, she lay dazed for a few moments, then, almost demented with fear, she tried to push the body from her, but it was no use. Making one last desperate attempt to free herself, she jerked backwards, banging the back of her head against the iron bedframe. Bright lights danced at the back of her eyes before a curtain of darkness descended. Without a sound she slumped on the bed, dead to the world and her attacker.

  Feeling the body beneath his slacken, Ale
x raised himself on one elbow with a look of profound disappointment. He had wanted her conscious so that she could enjoy his love-making. And she would have. Her mind might have cried out in protest, but her body would soon have betrayed her. Rolling over, he began to unbutton his trousers. He had no liking for unnatural practices, but he’d no time to waste on niceties. Florrie was sure to come looking for her daughter soon, and he wasn’t going to be thwarted at this late stage. Looking down at the beautiful face and the blonde hair spread out over the pillows, he smiled. It wasn’t Kate’s fault she felt as she did. Her mind had been poisoned against him. Left to themselves they could have been happy, but it was too late now. Almost reverently he gently moved her body further down in the bed before climbing in beside her.

  * * *

  Florrie drained the last of her cocoa and waited for Kate to return, wondering what William wanted now. She gave a sigh of exasperation. There was nothing wrong with the man that a good lack up the backside wouldn’t cure! As she realised she was mimicking one of Bridie’s sayings, a smile came to her lips. She was a character, that one. It was no wonder Kate and the children loved her so. The strange thing was, she didn’t mind, for she too had fallen under the Irish woman’s spell. Stifling a yawn, she settled herself down in the bed. What on earth was taking Kate so long? She…

  Florrie came bolt upright, her heart hammering rapidly. Something was wrong! She could hear no voices from the landing, or from William’s room. Her hands shaking, she pulled open the drawer of her bedside cabinet to find the small pistol half-hidden by a pile of handkerchiefs. Robert had given it to her soon after her return home, and here it had stayed. She hadn’t wanted to take it in the first place, but he had insisted. He had been so concerned that she had reluctantly taken it just for a bit of peace. And now… Gingerly she took it, then dropped it back in the drawer. No, wait a minute, she cautioned herself. What if Kate was simply sitting by William’s bed until he fell back to sleep. It was something she often did when he awoke in a querulous mood. What would it look like if she were to go storming into his room armed with a gun? God! She’d probably give them both a heart attack. Still, it was best to be on the safe side. Feeling rather foolish, she again picked up the gun and tiptoed out onto the landing. Seeing William’s door was firmly closed, her racing heart beat even faster.

  She tried to keep calm and reassure herself she was overacting, and walked cautiously across the wooden boards, her eyes darting from left to right, the sound of her own heartbeat seeming to fill the eerie silence. Then it was as if even that sound was stilled as she slowly turned towards the half-opened door of Kate’s room and saw the two figures lying on the single bed. Stifling a scream, Florrie stared into the gloom, lit only by the watery light from the street lamp-post, her eyes widening at the horrific sight.

  For a few moments she couldn’t breathe, couldn’t move. It was as if she had been frozen to the spot. Sensing her presence, Alex turned his head, a slow mocking smile spreading over his face. Let the bitch watch! It would be the ultimate revenge on the woman who had blighted his life. Then his expression shifted to one of pain, as with a swiftness that took him by surprise, Florrie grabbed his hair, pulling his head back viciously in a desperate attempt to lift him from her daughter’s unconscious body. With a howl of rage he brought his elbow up and rammed it full into Florrie’s soft stomach, the impact making her release her grip. Quickly Alex reached for his trousers, all previous thoughts banished as he stumbled and cursed in his haste to cover himself.

  Winded by the blow, Florrie stood back from the bed while she steeled herself for a further attack, a part of her brain registering his blackened eyes and bruised cheek. Someone had obviously given him a good beating; it was a shame the man responsible hadn’t finished the job properly! Looking past Alex to the form lying so still on the bed, she hoped she had been in time to stop him from his evil intent; prayed that she had been in time. If only she had come looking for Kate sooner; if only she hadn’t waited so long! But what if she had arrived too late, what if… Her fingers tightened round the cold steel of the gun. How easy it would be to pull the trigger, to aim it at that hated face and blow it to smithereens, but that would be too easy a death for the likes of him. Florrie wanted to inflict pain, wanted to punch and tear at the despised flesh. She needed to release her murderous anger in a physical way, to hurt him in the same way he had hurt her, and now perhaps Kate too. Nothing else would assuage the rage within her. As if coming out of a deep trance, she flung herself at the glowering figure, her shrill cry of outrage and despair filling the room.

  Almost without effort Alex swung his arm up and out catching Florrie across the face with a sickening blow that sent her reeling across the cramped room to land on the smaller bed. She had no sooner landed than she was springing up, fighting desperately to swallow the nausea rising in her throat.

  ‘You filthy, unnatural, animal!’ The scream was torn from her very soul as she faced the monster who was her stepson. She must have been mad to think she could match her strength against his. What did it matter how he died so long as the world was rid of his malevolent presence? With every part of her body shaking, she raised the gun, pointing it at his chest, and pulled the trigger. Then pulled it again, and again, crying with frustration as the weapon refused to fire.

  ‘You stupid bitch!’ Alex wrenched the gun roughly from her trembling hand. ‘If you intend using a gun, at least have the sense to take the safety catch off!’ With a scornful glance at the impotent weapon, he tossed it carelessly on the bed beside Kate. He turned round, legs spread wide as he towered over her. When he reached down, Florrie tried to scrabble back from his touch then cried out as he grabbed her by the hair, pulling her to her feet. Dragging her over to the window, he spun her round to face him, smiling cruelly as the lamplight cast a glow over her pain-racked face.

  ‘Well… Not such a beauty now, are you? Though, from what I hear, it hasn’t stopped your whoring! Your new gentleman friend must have a strong stomach, but then he would, wouldn’t he, being a doctor,’ He paused, trying to slow the beating of his heart. Damn it… God damn it! She could still get to him. Even scarred as badly as she was, her outer appearance couldn’t disguise the women beneath, and he still wanted her… and hated her… and wanted her so badly it seemed to be gnawing at him. The realisation of the effect she still had on him only served to fuel his anger. Hissing loudly, he pulled her closer. ‘They did a good job on you, but not good enough. It seems I’ll have to finish you off myself!’

  Florrie flinched in terror at the feel of the cold knife-blade against the side of her face. Driven by desperation and fear, she ducked her head and sank her teeth into his hand. Alex howled, his injured hand releasing the knife. Quick as lightning, Florrie pounced on it, springing up in one move. Her arm raised high, she brought the knife down hard, slashing his handsome face almost to the bone.

  Stunned, Alex touched his cheek, his eyes almost bulging from his head in shock at the sight of his own blood staining his fingers.

  ‘Now we have something in common, you bastard!’ Florrie screamed at him. ‘Now you know what it feels like, and you’ll have something to remember me by when you’re rotting in jail!’

  His black eyes bored into hers, mesmerising her. Before she could move, he had her wrist, twisting it without mercy until she was forced to relinquish her only form of defence. His face contorted into a Satanic grin he pressed his body closer.

  ‘Now, you whoring bitch, you’re going to die! You’re all going to die! When I’ve finished with you, I’m going to set fire to the house. It’ll be thought of as an unfortunate accident. What a shame, they’ll say. And the young girl about to get married, too. I was going to let her and that Irish trash stew in the memory of me bedding her, but I’ve changed my mind.’ Thrusting his blood-soaked face even nearer, he snarled, ‘I said no one else would have her, and I always get what I want, whatever the cost!’

  His fingers tightened round her neck. She could feel her he
ad spinning and an awful choking sensation. Gagging and struggling, she tried to call out for her husband, but the only sound to emerge was a pitiful whimper.

  ‘Wh—What in God’s name is going on?’ William stood by the open doorway, his flaccid features quivering in fear and shock. ‘Alex… wh—what are you doing?’ He had been lying next door, listening to the awful sounds, too terrified to move until a small part of him, shamed at his inherent cowardice, had forced him from the safety of his bed.

  The interruption brought a lessening of the pressure on Florrie’s aching throat, but just as she gasped a lungful of air the pressure returned, shutting off her supply of oxygen once again.

  ‘Get out of here, you stupid old fool! Alex tossed the words over his shoulder, seeing his father as little threat to him. ‘Go on, get back to bed, old man, unless you want to change the habit of a lifetime and do something positive for a change!’

  William leaned against the door-frame. He could hear his own ragged breathing in the quiet room, then realised with horror it wasn’t him but Florrie, as she fought desperately for her life. His face quivering with indecision, William tore at his hair frantically, not knowing what to do. All his life he had depended on others to make his decisions for him. But now, all that stood between Florrie and Alex was himself, and he didn’t know what to do! God help him, he didn’t know what to do… and he was frightened, very, very frightened that when Alex had finished with Florrie, he would turn on him. And Kate… Where was Kate? When he looked across the room, his stomach heaved at the sight of his daughter lying on the rumpled bed, her nightdress rucked up around her thighs.