‘I know, love, and I’ve thought about all that, but I still come to the same conclusion – he needs to know.’ Kath looked at her daughter and saw the angst written all over her face.
‘Mum, are you planning to just tell him about Sligo, or about – everything else?’ Violet asked tentatively.
‘Maybe he should know about it all as Geordie, Jim and Charlie do. Well, they don’t exactly know the details, but they are aware of our “club”. They have been for years and they’ve never uttered a word. Maybe Spencer will be the same, and it could save us a lot of bother in the future.’
‘How do you mean?’ Violet asked
‘Well, we had to keep him and his father out of the way when Frank…’ Kath began.
‘Yes, I know,’ Violet agreed quickly.
‘So, if he’s with us, we won’t have to worry about keeping him out of the way.’
Violet blew through pursed lips. ‘There is that I suppose, but I’m still not sure. Oh Mum, what if he leaves me? What if he throws me out?’ She began to get agitated just thinking about the consequences of Spencer finding out about them.
‘He won’t. My gut instinct tells me he wouldn’t do that. Naturally he will be horrified, but when we explain everything properly I think he will understand what our motives were.’ Kath was inwardly petrified of what Spencer’s reaction would be but kept it hidden from her already distraught daughter.
Violet sat quietly mulling over their conversation. Then after a long time said, ‘All right, if you think it best, but – we tell him together.’
Kath heaved a sigh, knowing the hardest part was yet to come.
*
Mother and daughter walked back to Gittins Manor together. The cold wind was exhausting to walk against and they felt like it was drawing the life out of them. They spoke little, their minds consumed with how to tell Spencer they were murderers. It’s not as though they could say, ‘Oh, by the way, we killed a man and were involved in arranging the murder of another!’ This was going to be the hardest thing Violet had done in a very long time and she dreaded it, as did her mother.
Time dragged as they awaited Spencer’s return from the nail works. Both women sighed a lot as their nerves jangled, and they prayed Spencer would understand how and why the past events had come about.
Spencer arrived home and was pleased to see Kath. The maid brought in tea and Violet asked they not be disturbed. She would ring if anything was needed.
‘Spencer, Mum and I have something to tell you, and I’m not sure how you’re going to take it,’ Violet said and noted the frown form on her husband’s face. ‘All I ask is that you hear us out until we’ve finished.’
‘Of course I will, darling, but surely it can’t be anything that serious?’ Spencer smiled at his wife.
Violet sat quietly watching her husband as Kath began. She spoke of the ‘Wives’ club, and how it came to be. She told of the death of John Sligo and her part in it. She could see Spencer itching to speak but she held up her hands to prevent it. Then she related the incident with Ray Clews.
At this point, Spencer could hold his tongue no longer. He jumped up to stand by the fireplace and dragged his hands through his hair. ‘You murdered this man?! Bloody hell Kath – Violet – I mean, how could you? I… I’m… Bloody hellfire and damnation!’
Violet shuddered as did her mother at his outburst. His reaction was not unexpected but it unnerved them nevertheless.
‘Is that it – or is there more?’ Spencer rasped.
‘Spencer, sit down,’ Kath said quietly.
‘Christ Almighty! There is more!’ He gasped as he dropped back into his armchair.
Kath continued and told him about Frank Woolley. She said they’d agreed the plan but had no hand in the doing of the deed, reminding him they were at dinner with himself and his father.
‘Oh, so because you weren’t actually there, then that makes it all right does it?’ Sarcasm dripped from his words. Dragging his hands down his face, he muttered, ‘God above! I don’t believe this! Violet, whatever were you thinking? Kath, you too – how could you do it?’
Violet’s temper flared high and fierce. ‘I’ll tell you why, Spencer! Frank Woolley beat and abused Primrose, and left her for dead, all because she couldn’t conceive! As for Ray Clews, he kicked that unborn child from Joyce’s body! The only thing she ever wanted, Spencer, was a baby to care for. So that’s why, Spencer. That’s why our club exists. To help the women of this town to right the wrongs done to them by men!’ She watched her husband stare open-mouthed. ‘And as for John Sligo, he raped and beat me! Mum killed him by accident, but if she hadn’t I would have done it and it would have been no accident, I can assure you!’ Violet burst into tears, her anger and frustration melting away into misery.
Tears had coursed down Kath’s cheeks too as she listened to her daughter’s diatribe.
Spencer looked at the two women sobbing and hugging each other. He was in total shock. What did he do now? He’d just learned his wife and mother-in-law were killers. He sat quietly, his mind in a whirl. Eventually his thoughts brought him to feeling that in a way it was retribution and, to a point, justifiable – but murder? Did anyone have the right to take another’s life? He looked at Violet; his lovely wife was still sobbing. If anyone ever hurt her he would… the thought shot into his mind unbidden. What would he do? He let out a shuddering sigh. In his heart, he knew exactly what he would do.
Standing, he yanked on the bell pull at the side of the fireplace, summoning the maid.
Kath and Violet exchanged a frightened glance.
‘Tea please, Betty!’ Spencer barked as the maid opened the door.
Pacing the floor, Spencer’s mind continued to swirl. The maid quietly brought in the tea tray and scurried away again aware of the heavy atmosphere.
Violet handed Spencer a cup and saucer as he retook his seat. No one said a word. All that could be heard was Spencer tapping the teaspoon on the rim of his saucer. The tension in the room was palpable as they waited for him to speak.
Eventually, he said, ‘The next time there’s a meeting of your “club”, let me know. I wish to attend and speak with the others.’
Nodding, Kath swallowed hard and cast a glance at Violet who was biting her lower lip. Neither of them knew if this was a good or bad omen.
Twenty-Seven
With all in attendance at the meeting, Kath was the first to speak. ‘Spencer Gittins will be joining us shortly.’ Frowns showed on the faces of those sat at her kitchen table and she went on, ‘He knows.’
Gasps sounded as the women looked at each other before glaring back at Kath. Violet kept her eyes on her mother.
‘How?’ Mary whispered.
‘I told him,’ Kath responded firmly.
‘Why?’ Annie asked, hardly able to believe her ears. ‘Why would you do such a thing?’
‘Because he needed to know what sort of family he’d married into.’ Kath stood up, to give her courage to continue. ‘He’s had ample opportunity to go to the police but he hasn’t.’
‘Bloody hell, Kath!’ Martha exploded as she shook her head in disbelief. ‘After everything we said about secrecy and now you of all people have told an outsider! You’ve put us all in danger, don’t you realise that? What about all the women who depend on us?’
‘Martha, first of all Spencer is not an outsider! He’s married to Violet so that makes him part of my family! We all shared the secret of the club with our husbands and this is no different. Now, let’s see what Spencer has to say shall we? Then we can make an informed decision as to where we go from there.’
It was then that the knock came to the back door and in walked the young man they were discussing.
‘Ladies,’ he said as he took a chair squashed up to the table. He looked around. ‘Will Primrose not be joining us?’
Violet said nervously, ‘No, she’s at her stall in the market.’ After her mother had left last night, Spencer had said no more so Violet was still not s
ure what he was going to say now.
Spencer nodded. ‘So…’ he drew the word out, stretching the tension in the room even further. ‘I am now aware of the existence of your “club” and what it has been up to these past years.’
The women drew in long breaths and exhaled quietly.
‘Now you want to know what I’m going to do about it.’ He glanced around at the frightened faces nodding back at him. ‘Well I’ll tell you… nothing.’
Mary gasped, ‘Mary, Mother of God!’
‘Oh shut up,’ spat Martha, ‘you ain’t even Catholic!’ To Spencer she asked pointedly, ‘What’s to stop you handing us over to the coppers?’
‘My love of, and loyalty to, my wife, and my allegiance to you ladies.’ Spencer spoke quietly but confidently as he sat relaxed with one leg crossed over the other, his arm draped on the table as he toyed with his cup on its saucer. He looked affectionately across at his wife. Both Violet and Kath felt the relief wash over them. ‘Violet told me about your husband, Joyce,’ Spencer went on, ‘and I’m so very sorry.’ A sob escaped her lips as she looked at the young man, his face serious. ‘She also told me about Sligo and Woolley, both of whom, in my opinion, deserved to be punished. However, having said that I can’t agree with the way you chose to deliver that punishment, but what’s done is done.’
Martha’s teeth clamped together in annoyance at this young chap coming in and spouting his opinions. She liked Spencer but she disliked the way he was lording it over all of them. ‘Spencer, Frank Woolley left his wife in her bed to die while he drank himself stupid. Primrose weighed around six stone when we carried her home on that board. It was her decision as to what should happen to Woolley.’
Murmurs sounded quietly in the kitchen.
‘I understand. Fortunately none of you have been caught, and I intend to make sure you never do. I want to be part of your group, ladies.’
Martha continued, her eyes screwed up in suspicion. ‘What about the next time a problem pops up?’
‘We all solve it together,’ Spencer answered. ‘Look, there must be countless ways of dealing with these problems without resorting to – murder.’ Spencer saw the shudders take the women and they were all on the verge of tears. It was clear to him they carried a great weight on their shoulders, which was something they had to live with, but he could ensure that load didn’t get any heavier.
‘It could work,’ Kath pleaded, ‘it could help us all a great deal.’
The tension in the room was almost suffocating and Spencer felt he had to crack it wide open. ‘I want to be included in the Wednesbury Wives,’ he said, looking at Violet, ‘but I draw the line at…’ Pausing, he looked solemnly at each face before saying, ‘Wearing a dress!’
Suddenly titters of laughter rippled in the tiny kitchen before
Spencer laid a velvet bag on the table, explaining that there was twenty pounds inside to be added to the fund. Opening the bag, Violet spread out the money on the table for all to see before passing it to Kath to be put in the bank with the rest. Violet’s affection for her husband shone brightly in her eyes. She loved him to distraction and was proud of the way he had dealt with all that had been laid before him. Kath nodded her thanks and gave her son-in-law a beaming smile. She had been right about Spencer, he was a diamond.
Thanks were given by each of the women with a curt nod of the head. Spencer accepted this and smiled back.
‘Now then,’ Annie went on, ‘I hear that you helped the Carter family.’
Spencer gave his own curt nod and Martha barely contained her grin as she said, ‘We give you our thanks for that, Spencer.’
‘Ladies, it was Violet’s idea, so the thanks should go to her. However, both she and I feel we need to do something to help more families,’ he said, ‘although I’m not sure, as yet, what that something could be.’ Looking at Violet he went on, ‘I’ll come up with something.’
Violet gave him a beaming smile and for the briefest moment there was just the two of them in the room.
Twenty-Eight
Well, questioning Joyce Clews had been a waste of time; Joshua had gleaned nothing more than he already knew. She was loyal to Kath to a fault, and no one else was saying anything either.
Riding down Trouse Lane to have dinner with Spencer and Violet he looked at the well-to-do houses as he passed them. The wealthy people of the town lived in these houses, there was also an ironmonger, a tobacconist, a bedding manufacturer, a pork butcher as well as pawnbrokers and grocers that dotted the street. He counted himself fortunate to be living amongst them.
He was surprised to see the doctor’s carriage stood by the front steps as he arrived at Gittins Manor. Joshua leapt from his horse and rushed in through the door held open by the maid. He was surprised to see Kath Clancy there.
‘What’s happened?’ he shouted. ‘Why’s the doctor here?’
Violet said with a smile, ‘He’s come to dinner at Spencer’s request.’
‘Bloody hell!’ Joshua said, rubbing a hand over his face. ‘I thought…’
‘So did I!’ said Kath with a little laugh.
Spencer apologised for worrying them both as they took their seats around the dinner table. ‘Dr Shaw has joined us for dinner as we have a proposal to put to you both. Violet and I have discussed this very thoroughly and now we’d like to hear your views on it.’
Glances passed between them and Joshua wondered what his son had in mind.
Spencer began, ‘Dr Shaw charges a small fee to those seeking his services, and rightly so…’ Spencer nodded respectfully at the doctor sat to his left. ‘Unfortunately there are a good many families who cannot afford even this small amount. Therefore visiting the doctor is not an option for them.’ Spencer cast a glance at the doctor who looked crestfallen. ‘So what we want to suggest is this… the workers at father’s factory as well as my own pay one halfpenny a month in order for them and their families to have access to the doctor at any time…’ Joshua saw Spencer stay the doctor’s interruption with a raise of his hand before continuing, ‘Dr Shaw, if agreeable, would be paid a salary as a retainer for being available to our workers and their families; the halfpenny the workers pay a month supplementing this in the beginning. Now, Dr Shaw…’ Looking at the doctor, Spencer spoke directly to him, ‘this salary would be a regular monthly income for you, and more, if I may say, than you currently earn.’
The doctor now nodding was all ears, as were the others.
‘There is however, one proviso…’ They waited and Joshua thought, What’s he up to now?
‘Dr Shaw, one day every week will be given over to providing free medical care to the people of Wednesbury.’
‘I wouldn’t be able to afford that, and besides… where? Where could I treat them?’
‘Spencer was thinking…’ Violet said giving her father-in-law a smile, ‘of that old building on the waste ground by the side of your factory, Joshua.’
‘Well,’ Joshua started, looking at the doctor, ‘if your salary more than covers the free treatment, then you don’t have a worry there.’ Then looking at his son, he went on, ‘You can have the building with pleasure, it’s doing nothing at the moment, but it’s a ruin.’ Joshua was amazed at the scheme Spencer and his wife had come up with, but felt sure it would work out fine. He glowed with pride and beamed his smile to all.
‘Thank you Father,’ Spencer grinned. ‘Now, Dr Shaw, what do you say to this proposal?’
‘Well,’ said the doctor, ‘if the building is usable, I would need a nurse and medicines and the like…’
Joshua watched his son with pride as he said, ‘If you don’t mind, lad, I’d like to make sure Dr Shaw has everything he needs.’
‘Thank you Father,’ Spencer grinned.
‘Then I accept your proposal, Mr and Mrs Gittins!’
*
Joshua watched through the window of his office as Spencer gave his orders regarding the old building. Jack Hesp had drawn workers from the ‘bread line’ in the town; m
en who waited every day in the hope of someone giving them some work. These men were work-worn and weary from their days in the coal pits. But a lot of them had been laid off from the closure of these collieries, which had meant losing their jobs and their homes. Some were lucky enough to find lodgings, but others lived in derelict houses or out on the heath.
Standing the ‘bread line’ at first was humiliating, they felt it was tantamount to begging and they were fiercely proud. However, soon desperation replaced their shame. They huddled together in small groups watching keenly for anyone who might give them work. Ragged clothes hung from their cadaverous frames and battered caps sat on unkempt hair. Boots lined with cardboard insoles covered bare feet. Lacklustre eyes stared from skeletal looking faces. Tiredness and depression weighed heavily and grew in intensity with each passing day.
Now, glad to be in work at last, they set to clearing the rubbish out of the building with gusto. As the men worked, they laughed and joked – it was a good sound.
Spencer came into Joshua’s office with the sketches of the new building drawn up by W. Morgan, the architect in Pinfold Street. The accountant had advised Joshua and Spencer there was enough in the coffers to accomplish this task from the factory profits, provided they didn’t overstretch themselves. Downstairs in the building there was to be a large waiting room, a consulting room too; out the back would be a lavatory. Upstairs would house the doctor’s equipment and medicine stock and a cabinet for the patients’ records. The doors would have sturdy locks and the keys given only to Dr Shaw. Houses hereabouts were never locked but this building was not a house; it would hold medicine to be kept safe and out of the hands of people who might decide to help themselves. As many in the town were illiterate and were unable to read the labels, the pilfering and use of medicines could turn out to be very dangerous.
The Wives’ Revenge Page 15