Secrets of the Past

by Wendy Backshall

  I felt a twinge of my mother’s love as she looked at me, the same feeling I had when I held her hand in the hospice where she spent her last days.

  She ran her hand softly down my cheek, and smiled.

  “My little girl all grown up, so pretty” just keep smiling, and you will melt Fredric’s heart”.

  All of a sudden, there was a tap on the door.

  My heart missed a beat, as I knew it must be this bloke Fredric. My hands were trembling.

  Anastasia then said,

  “Quickly hurry, go now fetch your bag.”

  As I returned to the door, there stood the most gorgeous hunk I had ever laid eyes on; he was around twenty five years old, black hair, and a moustache.

  Yes, I know, a moustache, which curled slightly at the ends.

  He immediately spoke,

  “Hello, all ready I see, you look beautiful.”

  He ushered me to the door, placing his hand to my waist, without touching.

  He wore a black suit, with a large cape that went all the way down to his shins that matched his trousers, and a large hat he held on his arm, also a dickey bow tie. He had a red rose in his buttonhole.

  “As I passed Anastasia, she gave me a smile and said

  “Remember darling what I told you earlier.”

  I took Fredric’s arm and walked with him down the stairs to the front door.

  When we got to the street below it was the most amazing sight I had ever seen, horses were trotting pass, there hoofs making so much noise, on the cobbled street.

  Carriages, just like the old movie films.

  Oh my god I thought, is this real?

  I hesitated slightly as I had always been a little afraid of horses, but only when I was close to them.

  A couple of women, looking a bit scruffier than the rest, had messy hair, with very bright clothes on; I would call them women of the night., they turned to me with scowling faces, eyeing me up and down.

  Fredric took the lead and led me down the path.

  In front of me, a huge carriage stood, with black horses; they were shining in the little light of the streetlamp.

  A man stood with solemn face, staring into space, with his hand at the door of the carriage.

  Fredric then said, “Come take my hand”.

  I immediately placed my hand in his palm and climbed into the carriage it was quite high so grabbed my dress and lifted it, I really did feel like a princess now.

  Fredric then climbed in next to me, and off we trotted, up towards Star hill, up to the top, it was the most extraordinary experience I have ever endured.

  I felt alive, happy, excited, everything unimaginable to the lifestyle I normally lead.

  How this could be happening? It must be a dream.

  As we, journeyed Fredric was close to my side, he smelt luscious, and he did not notice I was looking at him. He had very dark skin, his hair smooth.

  We suddenly stopped, I took his hand again, and he led me into a building.

  I had not noticed where we were, and then realized it was the High street in Chatham.

  It was an old looking building. We entered and sat at a table, it was very dark here, with oil lamps adorning every corner, candles on the tables. Many couples were dining, the women dressed in beautiful gowns.

  The men suited and booted as they say.

  In the corner, a man dressed very smartly, playing music with a violin, very softly, he turned and smiled.

  We sat talking, eating marvelous food.

  Fredric was so interesting, had never met anyone quite like him. I was mesmerized as he spoke, I was in a trance like state, but then I had never dreamt anything quite like this.

  He talked of his business, I suppose too many, a very uninteresting conversation. To me he did not even have to talk, just wanted to gaze at him.

  He also mentioned he had one sister named Ruth and his family kept horses.

  Sounded like, he could be quite rich.

  Then he touched my hand, it was warm, got a quiver down my spine, what was the funny feeling I was experiencing. He bent his head and placed my hand in his palm. He then started kissing it, and then gazed up; his eyes went deep into the soul.

  His glorious smile melted my insides. He had perfect white teeth, his moustache thin.

  Then reality hit me.

  “May we go now Fredric, I would like to go home now?

  I choked, as I pulled my hand to my lap.

  He looked a bit taken aback as though it was the fact he had kissed my hand, but it was not, if only he knew.

  “Oh, it has been lovely and I hope we can do this again soon.”

  I had to think quickly.

  I began to become anxious,

  He then smiled, touched my hand,

  “Of course, Anna, I will get your coat.”

  He then called the waiter over.

  “I have enjoyed our first meeting Anna, I have a gift for you, and will you accept it?

  I replied”

  Of course”

  He handed me a little box, and told me to open it later, in the privacy of my bedroom and then added.

  “Next week I am going to an opera in the town of Gravesend, would you do me the honor of joining me.”

  Immediately I said, “Yes, of course I would love to.”

  Blimey I think I would go anywhere with this person, so cute.

  I climbed into the carriage and we started our journey home, it was quite bumpy and going down Star Hill so fast, I imagined hurtling to the bottom and the carriage turning over but it was fine, eventually arriving back at my home, he took my hand and said he would call by to confirm our date.

  As he stood in my doorway he took my hand again, lifting it slowly to his lips, kissing again gently, he then whispered.

  “I am so happy meeting you, I hope I will see you again, I can wait as long as it takes as I am infatuated with you already.”

  I smiled took his face and kissed him smack on the lips, turned and entered the doorway, without glancing back.

  As I reached the top of the stairway, I could see Anastasia sitting in the lounge awaiting my return, with so many questions. I answered the best I could and she realized I had love in my heart.

  She then said come.

  “Sit here Anna, I will make you a hot drink, never seen you so happy, I’m so pleased.”

  Therefore, I sat on the sofa as she left.

  My thoughts were at this time, go home girl, go now, so I opened the locket and the room lit brightly.

  I glanced down and I had my own dressing gown on, this was amazing. I breathed out a sigh of relief.

  I then felt an object in my hand, it was the box Fredric had given me, so I gradually opened it, inside the white satin edged box, lay a silver bracelet, it was very elegant, with a pattern running all around, I placed it on my wrist, it fitted perfectly.

  I then wondered how this bracelet could be here, I was no longer in the dress or boots, but the bracelet had stayed in my hand, I was starting to get a bit confused, I was so tired ,so off to bed I went, to dream of this night.

  I placed the locket on the windowsill.

  I awoke with the sunrays shining through the blinds, as my eyes cleared; it looked like another great day out. In the distance, birds were twittering, I was so warm I did not want to move, I snuggled for a while with my duvet tight around my neck, daydreaming of the night before.

  Eventually I jumped up, got dressed, and I noticed the bracelet, so started looking at it carefully, it seemed very old, but thought I would wear it, as it seemed very special, I decided to pop down for a Sunday newspaper.

  I had also started to have feelings, I have never experienced, felt special, warm inside, hard to explain.

  As I turned the corner Eddie was opening his antiques shop, good trade on a Sunday he had told me before, he mentioned the sunshine, and off he walked chatting to himself as he done now and then, the suns warm rays heating my skin as I walked along.

  I picked up a n
ewspaper and began reading it, the story about the girl in the river had made front page headlines, but, before I could read on I heard a tap so I turned around, it was Tracy my friend who worked at the teashop beckoning me to come in.

  So I popped my head in the doorway, she said, did I want a coffee as she was just brewing, and no customers yet. I held out the newspaper and told her about the day before, she was all ears.

  Asked questions I did not have answers to.

  I did not tell her, about going back to the past. It sounded so ridiculous, better to keep it to myself.

  A few minutes had passed and I noticed a couple of customers, so bid her goodbye and starting to head for the door, still trying to gaze at the newspaper.

  Then I bumped into someone and the newspaper falls to the floor, I was saying

  ‘Sorry over and over.’

  As I stood up, I come face to face with the girl, the one with the sad face, the one by the river, but this time she had a little smile on her face, trembling a little.

  She said, “I must speak to you its very important.”

  I tell her. “I only have a minute”

  Therefore, we sit in the nearest cubicle. She then tells me her name is Zoë and the body in the river is her friend, she had known her from childhood.

  I ask how she ended up in the river and told her she must go to the police and tell them all she knows.

  However, she stops me.

  “But I cannot, that is why they killed her, because she knew too much and was threatening to go to the police, they found her, she had been in hiding.

  By this time Zoë is crying, she seemed so afraid.

  Her smile had now disappeared.

  She starts to apologize. I tell her not to be so silly, but also that I just saw the body and reported it, as anyone would. What would she have done?

  She replied.

  “I am so sorry for getting you involved but you were there and I did not know what else to do”.

  “Please do not let them get the locket; I dropped it into your pocket as we passed yesterday”.

  She then added,

  “If they catch me talking to you I will be with Lynn.”

  I then gathered that was the girl in the river.

  I told her I did not want to get involved at all and I would go to the police and tell them everything, she started begging me to hide the locket and not to let them get it as it held a very special secret.

  I immediately went into defensive mode, saying

  “Oh do not be so silly.”

  Suddenly she jumped up touched my arm.

  “I must go now, please take care.”

  She said it quickly and almost ran from the shop.

  My friend Tracy looked over with an inquisitive look. I knew there would be many questions if I stayed so got up and left and went back home, thinking is everyone mad around here.

  I got some breakfast and sat in my window, to see what else was going on today in the street.

  CHAPTER THREE

  As I looked down, there lay the locket, I examined it in the light, it was rather beautiful, looked like real silver, with a pattern embedded on the front. It was a little like the bracelet, but far heavier.

  Obviously, the scruffy man, the one in the street, he must have known the secret.

  Which is why he had to have it?

  I was tempted to open it but was afraid. I placed it back on the ledge close to the window.

  It was a normal day all the gents going for their papers, many dogs getting there Sunday walk.

  I then notice the scruffy gent who was there the night before with the girl Zoë, glaring up at me again, standing, across the way.

  What is going on, I thought?

  I made a hasty retreat and decided to get on with my day, I had enough excitement, and if they wanted the locket, I would willingly give it to them.

  I had a bit of washing, ironing to get on with, which kept be busy, filled my day with chores, I had been avoiding.

  The next morning I was up with the larks, off to work early, still the sun was shining, but with a gentle breeze, as I walked I saw Zoë again coming towards me.

  “Look I am so sorry to have dragged you into all this, but you really must be on your guard, they know who you are and they want the locket”.

  I answered.

  “Well, I will give it to you; I do not want it anyway”.

  But with her hand placed on mine

  “No I cannot take it back they will kill me.”

  I replied.

  “Oh do not be so silly, it’s only a locket, and they can have it”.

  I looked at my watch and said.

  “Look I have to get to work now, why don’t we meet later and discuss this some more, and I will bring the locket, as it is yours anyway”.

  She replied,

  “No I do not want it; you will never see me again, goodbye and rushed away”.

  I arrived at work, just got on with it, but my mind, just wandering with thoughts of these weird people, trying to work out where I come in all of this.

  My boss James noticed my strange behavior, and told me to have the afternoon off as he would be going to a meeting, and did not really need me, so without a second thought, I jumped off the chair, grabbed my bag and headed for the door, shouting goodbye, as he returned to his office.

  I was a little hesitant stepping into the street, as every time I did something nasty happened, but off I went. I made my way home.

  I decided to have a soak in the bath and listen to some music; I had put on my favorite music. After all, it had been so mad the last few days. The water so warm, I felt relaxed now, began humming, shutting my eyes, but then I heard a thump, then another, I did not move a muscle, but then it went quiet, so I laid back closed my eyes again. I listened, the music still playing softly.

  Suddenly the door flew open, I opened my eyes, but before I could get up, someone was there in the doorway, they rushed towards me, I had splashed water in my face, as I shot up, so could not see clearly. I did see a figure rushing at me, but they was so fast they reached me, hands on my throat; repeating the words

  “Where is it, where is it”

  I choked back

  “What do you want?”

  A male voice then replied,

  “You know what, the locket”

  I was gasping for breath. He had pushed me lower into the water I was so frightened. Was he about to push me under the water? He was so strong.

  The water splashing, I was becoming hysterical, the thought went through my mind shall I tell him.

  Zoë’s words were in my head, you must not give the locket to this man ever.

  Should I give it to the person who is trying to kill me?

  He may kill me anyway.

  I lay powerless, the steam rose from the water, making it difficult to see. My eyes streaming, his hands were tightening I then began to feel weak.

  The room now a blur, I could not make anything out, it had become grey and misty.

  As it began to darken, I heard a loud ringing, I think it was my doorbell, the man put his hand over my mouth told me to be quiet, or he would kill me.

  I promised I would, so I could breathe again...

  I gasped a breath, my vision still hazy.

  I started splashing my arms about, in the water. By his breathing, he sounded very panicky.

  However, if I screamed would anyone hear me, he may push me under the water; I could not take the risk.

  I had calmed a little.

  We waited; he had loosened his hand from my throat, it hurt, but I lay there as told. I saw much clearer, and I knew it was him, the man in the street.

  He smelt awful, I felt sick, obviously, whoever rang had gone, the man then came close to my face his breath smelt of cigarettes, it almost made me vomit.

  He had black teeth and pit holes in his skin he was unshaven, disgusting.

  I tried to shut my eyes, but he shook me, tears were now streaming down my ch
eeks.

  He spoke, with a husky deep voice.

  “I will be back and I promise you will die if you do not give me the locket, you little bitch”

  “Do you hear me?” He screamed.

  He was then up, turned, and rushed out leaving the door wide open. I could feel the cool air from the hall.

  I lay in shock wondering if he had gone, heard a few bangs then after a few seconds, lifted myself out slowly trying not to make a sound, and grabbed my robe, peeped out the bathroom door, there was no sign.

  I pull myself together still trembling from the shock, searched my entire flat.

  I opened the door to my lounge; it was upside down, papers, everywhere, cushions all over the floor. He must have been in there all the time I was bathing.

  I eventually got dressed, still trembling I got to the front door that is downstairs, and saw the lock had been forced, so without a moment’s notice, pulled it shut, grabbed my purse, checked the street.

  As I walked, still shaking. I thought.

  “Right enough is enough, what the hell is going on.”

  I made my way to the shop at the end of the road and bought a new lock. I am handy fixing things have learnt to be. Brilliant with a drill, thought

  ‘Well this is no problem I can fit this’, but it took me over an hour to work it all out.

  I used to watch Dad, doing his odd jobs, he always wanted me to be a boy as my brother was not hands on, he was always a white collar worker, never liked doing any manual labor, where as I was eager to learn, so dad took me on as his little helper.

  Tom was always head in books, and very good at sports. Intelligent is the word for him.

  Mel phoned and I told her about the man and she made me promise to go to the police, but really, I did not want the hassle, all I wanted was a quiet life, I had enough excitement to last me a lifetime.

  It was now late afternoon so I decided to take a walk; needed to get some air, walked past the old pubs, cafés, up the little hill and through the castle grounds, it was so lovely, there were a group of kids with drawing boards facing the castle.

  Remembered my school trip, I was twelve, we came here and the teacher talked about the castle and Charles Dickens, the famous author.

  Mum, Dad, Tom, and I would come here all through summer for a picnic, and we would go to see the boats along the river’s edge.