Peace Comes to Honeyfield

by Anna Jacobs

  She shrugged and went back to work. When she looked at Patrick, he winked at her, and she felt herself relaxing a little.

  By early evening the house was more or less habitable and beds had been made up from a motley collection of yellowing old sheets, thin old blankets and eiderdowns. Nathan left once he’d made sure they needed nothing else, anxious to get home to his wife before dark, in case she worried about him.

  A simple meal of stew, bread and a bought cake from the baker’s had been prepared for them by Bella and her daily maid, who was always glad of some extra hours’ work.

  Tez was happy to see friends old and new gathered round his table. The only thing to mar the pleasant mood was the decision that one person would keep watch outside the house at all times. Seeing Martin walk past the window outside, looking very alert, Tez frowned and decided to take his revolver to bed with him.

  After he’d been invalided out of the Army, he hadn’t felt safe without a way of defending himself, even back in England, and had bought a handgun from an acquaintance, not asking where it came from. A lot of men he knew had done the same thing, either retrieving an enemy gun or ‘finding’ a gun from their own side among the chaos. Tonight he was particularly glad to be armed.

  He had a quiet word with Patrick after the meal ended, on the excuse of giving him a set of keys to all the doors of the other house. ‘I have a handgun. I’ll load it and keep it easily available. If you need help, yell, and I’ll come running.’

  ‘We brought two from Georgie’s father’s store,’ Patrick said grimly. ‘And I won’t hesitate to use mine, if necessary. Who knows what lengths these villains will go to? Perhaps you could borrow a gun for Martin. He was a sniper so he’ll be the most accurate of us, I should think.’

  ‘All right. One or two chaps round here have guns, legally or illegally (I don’t ask which), and will no doubt oblige. Oh, and we do have a village policeman. You know, I should have thought of him sooner. Perhaps we should let Browning know there may be trouble brewing. He’s a sensible older chap.’

  He pulled out his pocket watch and flipped open the lid. ‘It’s not late. I could stroll over to his house and let him know what’s going on.’

  ‘Shall I come with you?’

  ‘Yes. Good idea. Let’s do it straight away.’

  Georgie went out into the hall to find out why they were putting on their hats and overcoats. ‘Where are you going?’

  Tez hesitated.

  ‘If I’m the reason for your outing, I ought to be kept informed.’

  ‘She’s right.’ Patrick explained what they were doing.

  By that time Bella had joined them as well. ‘Why don’t we ladies come too, then we’ll only seem like two couples out for an evening stroll.’

  ‘People don’t usually go out for strolls in the dark in such cold winter weather. I’d not be surprised if there’s a frost during the night.’

  Bella smiled. ‘Then I’ll have to hold tightly to your arm to prevent myself from falling in case the ground is slippery.’

  Tez rolled his eyes, but gave in to her, as he usually did.

  Which left Georgie the pleasure of taking Patrick’s arm and chatting quietly as they walked along.

  She had thick fleece-lined mittens, but noticed that his gloves were well worn, knitted ones and that one finger had come partly unravelled. She wished she had the right to take care of him properly.

  Constable Browning opened the door to them, looking anxious, and Tez acted as spokesman, as they’d agreed. Given that he was a respected member of this small community, he would have more credibility than strangers.

  ‘There may be trouble brewing, Constable, and we thought we should tell you about it.’

  ‘Quite right. Better come in, though I’m afraid the fire has gone out in the police station part of the house.’

  ‘Doesn’t matter. This will only take a few minutes.’

  The constable listened intently to Tez, then stared at Patrick and Georgie as if he could see into their souls, following that up with a little nod, which presumably meant that he liked what he saw. ‘Well, if you need any help, don’t hesitate to telephone me, night or day, Mr Tesworth. I can be round to your place in five minutes at most, yes, and collect a couple of helpers on the way. It’s a blessing that both our places are connected by telephone, eh? Some of these modern inventions are marvellous, are they not?’

  ‘They are indeed. We’ll definitely phone you if we need your help.’

  When they got back, Tez suggested he and Patrick go round the inside and outside of the old house to make doubly sure everything on the ground floor was secure. Georgie said she’d help them, but Bella was looking tired and Tez insisted she sit in front of the fire with her feet up.

  Tez watched Georgie stop at the gate in the fence between the two properties to study the old house.

  ‘You know, this could be so pretty if it were painted and rethatched, not to mention being brought up to date inside.’ After another long stare, she added softly, talking more to herself than her companions, ‘Imagine living in a village where you know all your neighbours and can walk to the shops without calling for a car.’

  Patrick didn’t comment on this revealing remark, but he was staring at her like a hungry man looking into a baker’s shop window. Poor chap, Tez thought. He’s very taken with her but I doubt Cotterell would consider him a suitable son-in-law.

  She seemed to have forgotten Tez’s presence and was speaking only to Patrick. ‘I don’t hanker for a life of luxury, you know. I hate sitting round idle. What I want more than anything is a family to keep me busy: husband, children, home and helping in a family business would be perfect, too. If it’s not too late for that.’

  Tez took a couple of steps backwards, realising that were they to become aware of him, they might not continue what obviously could be an important conversation.

  Wishing them luck from the bottom of his heart, he walked quietly back next door, giving thanks mentally that here in his own home, he had all that Georgie longed for – all that he had yearned for, too, while serving in the trenches.

  Patrick stared at Georgie’s face in the moonlight, thinking how striking she looked. Not strictly beautiful, but so very attractive. ‘What you describe sounds like paradise to me. Perhaps we can make it come true one day. I know I’m not … well, the sort of man your father would choose for you, but if you like, if you’re sure you want to, we could see how we get on together.’

  She chuckled. ‘We’ve already spent a lot of time together and not a cross word exchanged.’

  ‘No. Not even one cross word. Before we do anything about our future, though, we do need to deal with the present dangers, which means checking the house carefully, then getting a good night’s sleep.’

  ‘Yes. I suppose you’re right.’

  He allowed himself to add, ‘I too hunger for what you described and—’ He broke off and looked behind them, feeling a bit embarrassed about Tez overhearing this private conversation.

  But they were alone, so he gave way to temptation and drew her into his arms, delighted when she came willingly.

  When the kiss ended, they stayed close together and she whispered, ‘I’ve been wanting you to do that – kiss me wholeheartedly, I mean.’

  ‘Not as much as I’ve been wanting to do it, I’m sure.’ He took a deep breath and made himself step backwards. ‘Let’s go inside now. We mustn’t let ourselves get distracted. Anyone could have crept up on us while we were kissing. Your friend’s husband is a very tactful fellow to slip away and give us a quiet moment or two together. I like them both.’

  ‘So do I. You fit in well.’

  ‘Do I? Good.’ Taking her hand he walked towards the house, opened the front door with the key Nathan had given them and locked it carefully behind them. Once inside, he didn’t take her hand again, wanting no distractions to this inspection.

  ‘We have candles but no holders, and anyway, they’d probably blow out as we walked ro
und in such a draughty house, not to mention dripping hot wax on our hands.’

  ‘Even a hand torch would be a help. Still, there aren’t any curtains in most rooms, so there’s probably enough moonlight for us to see what we need to.’

  They walked through the house and soon he found her hand again and their steps slowed to a companionable stroll as they only let go of one another to check that every window was locked in place.

  When they got to the kitchen at the rear of the house, however, Patrick froze and let go of her hand, hissing, ‘Shhh!’ They both saw the silhouette of a man standing outside, watched his hand reach out towards the window.

  ‘What the hell are we going to do?’ he muttered. ‘We’re not armed. Why the hell didn’t we wear our handguns? Who knows what sort of weapons he’s carrying, or how many others there are with him? If it comes to a fight, I’ll yell for the others and you’re to run next door the front way. Here. Take the key. Scream for help the minute you get outside.’

  The man began fiddling with the catch of the window. He was obviously trying to get in without breaking the pane, the noise of which would attract attention.

  Just as Patrick had decided to go and fetch a chair to jab at the fellow and keep him from opening the window, they heard a voice from the garden next door calling their names.

  The figure at the window froze, then stepped backwards, disappearing into the shadows.

  Someone hammered on the front door, calling their names again, yelling, ‘Supper’s ready.’

  ‘I think that’s Dennis,’ he said.

  She listened. ‘Yes. Undoubtedly. Let’s open the door quickly.’

  They ran into the hall and as she fumbled with the key, Patrick muttered, ‘That was too close a call for my liking. I have to concentrate on guarding you properly, not courting you.’

  ‘Forewarned is forearmed. I don’t think the intruder knows we saw him.’

  ‘We’ll have to keep a very careful watch tonight. How the hell did they find where we were so quickly?’

  ‘Tez was right. There has to be a traitor in my father’s bureau. Perhaps this person has been eavesdropping on my father, or on other people’s conversations over the past few weeks to get information about me. Who knows? He won’t have found it from the servants in the London house, though. I’d trust Mathers and Nora with my life.’

  ‘Are you all right in there?’ Dennis called.

  ‘We’re having trouble with this damned key again, Dennis.’ Patrick lowered his voice and continued speaking to her. ‘Let’s hope your father knows about what’s going on. He’s been gone for several days now, hasn’t he? I’d have expected him to reappear by now.’

  ‘Me too. It isn’t like my father to vanish for so long, leaving people wondering. When he acts, he usually does so quickly.’

  Patrick got the key to turn at last and flung open the door, saying curtly, ‘There was a prowler out at the back just now, Dennis. We need to let Tez know.’

  He locked the door again behind them, cursing under his breath as the key continued to be stiff and hard to turn, then they walked back to Pear Tree Cottage, with Georgie sandwiched between the two men.

  They didn’t see anyone, but the prowler could have been watching them leave – probably was, he decided.

  ‘You look different, Patrick,’ Georgie said as they went inside the brightly lit house and closed the front door.

  ‘Do I? How?’

  ‘Alert and grim.’

  ‘That’s how I feel. We must all stay alert every single second from now on. We can’t afford to relax in any way. That mess of a garden is perfect for spying on someone from.’

  Chapter Seventeen

  The warmth and bonhomie had vanished, Georgie thought, as she clasped her hands round her cup of cocoa, grateful for the warm comfort it gave. It was the same group of people sitting round the table as before, minus Martin who was keeping watch in the next-door garden, but this time the kitchen was filled with tension and conversation was only stuttering along.

  Every now and then one of them would turn suddenly to stare towards the outside as if able to see through the walls and curtains. It made her feel furious that these traitors were spoiling the happiness of the early days of peace for them.

  Like most people, she had been filled with hope when she went out to join the revellers in London – was it only a few days ago? Now, she was fleeing for her life and it felt as if the celebrations had taken place in another world.

  Most of the time she sat quietly, listening to the men, thinking about what they were saying. She didn’t feel the need to add to their plans or to participate in their discussions. They’d had far more experience than she had of dealing with dangerous situations, after all.

  One thing they were discussing caught her attention suddenly, however: how best to protect themselves. That, she did need to join in. ‘Personally I’m going to carry my gun and a small sharp knife, just in case.’

  ‘You won’t need one,’ Patrick said curtly. ‘You and Rosie will be staying here with Bella.’

  ‘And what if these people realise there’s only one man and a few women and children in Pear Tree Cottage and turn their attention to it? It’s me they’re after, not Tez and his family, so I won’t put them in danger by staying here. I absolutely insist on joining you men next door. We don’t even know how many people have been sent to Honeyfield to find me.’

  ‘I’m surprised at the way this pursuit is continuing,’ Patrick admitted. ‘I don’t think Captain Jordan expected such a vigorous effort to capture you, either, or he’d have found somewhere safe for you in London.’

  ‘Unless he is the traitor.’

  He stared at her in shock. ‘No, surely not? We’d have noticed something.’

  She stared right back at him. ‘Patrick, it has to be someone who’s very good indeed at deceiving others to have escaped my father’s attention. Anyway, I’m coming next door with you, whatever you say.’

  Tez nodded across at her. ‘I think you’re right, Georgie. It will be far better for you and Rosie to stay with your three companions. They can defend you better than one man like me, who is trying to protect his family as well.’

  ‘Of course you are!’ she said warmly.

  ‘I can defend myself,’ Bella muttered.

  ‘Against how many?’ Tez sighed. ‘I don’t want to draw anyone’s attention to this house. I’m going to spend the night downstairs near the telephone and believe me, at the slightest sign of trouble – and I’m a very light sleeper – I’ll be calling Constable Browning.’

  He turned to his wife. ‘I think you’ll be all right.’

  ‘I intend to make sure of that. I still have my own gun and I’ll load it before I go to bed.’

  Everyone stared at her in surprise.

  ‘What’s more, I can scream loudly enough to bring our neighbours running to help me, if necessary. No one will get near our son while I’m with him, Tez darling, and the nursery maid can sleep with us. Pippa’s a strong lass and we’ll give her the rolling pin for protection. So you go ahead and keep watch downstairs without worrying about us.’

  ‘That’s my girl.’

  The look those two shared made Georgie envious, so bright was the love that shone between them.

  Dennis joined in the discussion. ‘We four should definitely go back to the other house and keep a very careful watch, Patrick, but I don’t think they’ll notice if Rosie stays here.’

  Georgie shot him a quick glance. Not another pair!

  ‘I’m coming with you.’ Rosie folded her arms and gave them all just as determined a look as Georgie’s had been.

  ‘But—’ Dennis began.

  Rosie held up one hand and continued speaking, ‘I didn’t grow up soft, believe me. I’ve had to look after myself in rough streets from a very young age, yes and protect my younger brothers and sisters. So I want a knife and a poker. I’ll not be afraid to use them if I’m attacked.’

  Patrick raised his hands i
n a gesture of defeat. ‘All right. Point taken. Those men might not return tonight, but we’ll be ready for them if they do.’

  Dennis frowned in thought. ‘You know, I don’t think they’ve realised we’re on to them, which might give us a bit of an advantage. We’ll give them a hard time if they come after us, a very hard time indeed. I didn’t lay my life on the line over in France to put up with this at home in Blighty.’

  There were nods and murmurs of agreement from all the other men.

  When the others had gone next door to Orchard View for the night, Tez locked up his home carefully, checking every door and window, then had a quick word with his wife.

  ‘I’m going to try to discover where these people are hiding. They can’t be staying in the village itself. I don’t think any of our people would shelter traitors.’

  ‘They might if they didn’t know why the intruders were here and were being well paid. You go and see what you can find out. I don’t think they’ll strike so early in the evening, but I’ll keep my gun handy.’

  ‘You’re a plucky woman.’

  ‘I hope so. Are you going on your own?’

  ‘No. With Cole, I hope.’ He picked up the telephone and rang Honeyfield House, asking to speak to Sal’s husband, who was both handyman and guard there.

  ‘Are you any good at tracking people, Cole?’

  ‘Not bad, Mr Tesworth. Why?’

  He quickly explained the situation, ending, ‘How about you come for a look round with me? I can let you into our garden through the back wall without anyone who’s watching the house next door noticing. Then we’ll go and have a look round the village.’

  ‘Happy to help, sir.’

  ‘Good. I thought we could dress so that we seem to be poachers going out for the night. I’ve got some dark clothes. What do you think?’

  There was a chuckle on the other end of the line. ‘I’ll be there in ten minutes, sir. And I’ll bring some clothes for you because yours won’t be nearly ragged enough. Mine will smell a bit ripe, but you won’t mind that in a good cause.’