Lilly was no match for Rose and decided to withdraw, battered but not beaten and she had already forgotten Rose’s original question.
Rose walked quietly to the bakery and upon entering closed the door behind her. Robin was lying on his bed looking up at the ceiling with his usual vacant stare, what an oaf thought Rose as she walked in and began taking her dress off.
Life for Rose changed dramatically a few weeks later when she missed her monthly courses. She cursed herself for foolishly giving in to Robin, as she thought of it. Robin had no say in the matter and did as he was told at all times, but in this instance, she put all the blame on him. She may well be with child and not only was their relationship illegal the baby would wear the tainted brand of a bastard for the rest of its life. Not only that but the birth itself would have to be maintained as a secret, if not, tongues would wag. Why didn’t they get married would be the question on everyone’s lips? Rose churned over all the possible ways around the situation until she came up with something of a solution and very devious it was too. Suppose Hugh was the father? Then she could cry rape, and the population would be very sympathetic to her plight. Hugh would be dealt with by the courts which would remove him from the equation at the bakery. The son, Robin, eager to rectify the sin committed by Hugh would offer to marry Rose for the sake of the baby and give it the family name, legitimising the birth in some way and possibly avoiding bastardry. She thought this a good plan flawed only by two considerations, Lilly and Luke. They would never stand by and see Hugh accused of rape while Lilly knew full well who had been sleeping with her son, and there was still the problem of Robin and her not being able to marry in law. Lilly would never stand for it. But if nobody knew, it wouldn’t be a problem; Rose was not from the area, and nobody knew her history. She was not showing yet and wouldn’t be for a few weeks, time was on her side, but she would have to act quickly.
The weeks passed, and Rose could find no reason to lure Luke and Lilly away from the bakery so that she could implement her plans. Lilly confronted her one morning in the kitchen,
‘You are pregnant, my girl, no point in denying it, it’s plain for everyone to see.’
Rose broke down in tears, it was now, or never she supposed,
‘Lilly, it isn’t Robin’s. I was too scared to tell anyone, but Hugh went crazy a few weeks ago when he found out about us. He seemed to lose his mind and was shouting and cursing both of us. I had gone upstairs to change the bed linen, and Hugh just grabbed me, forcing me into his room. I tried to scream, but he held his hand over my mouth and said if I was good enough for his son then I was good enough for him. Lilly, he had me there on the bed and said if I told anyone he would kill me.’
Rose sat now at the table with her head in her hands talking through her fingers and sniffing between sobs.
‘He knows about you and Luke too, told me he has known for a long time, he hates both of you but needs Luke for the bakery.’
Lilly sat down opposite and stared at the bowed head in front of her.
‘Did you tell him?’ She asked, harshly.
Rose sniffed loudly,
‘No, I swear. He said he had known from the start, said he could always smell the scent of another man on you.’
Rose was thinking fast now, knew she had thrown Lilly off balance and was determined to use it to her advantage.
‘He said having me was payback for Luke and you.’
Lilly spoke in measured tones,
‘Was it just the once or more?’ She asked her face a pale mask.
Rose put on the demeanour of a little girl as she answered,
‘He’s been having me almost every day for weeks now, any opportunity and he is on me, I can’t stop him, Lilly, I hate it, but he won’t stop!’ Her voice lifted as she finished and she once again dissolved into tears.
Lilly got up from the table and walked around behind her. Rose didn’t know what to expect but feared the worst; she expected a blow at any time and mentally prepared for it. But to her surprise, an arm went around her shoulders and patted her gently. Lilly was cooing,
‘Now then, Rose, stop your crying, it’s not your fault, I should have seen this coming. I blame myself for being selfish.’
A scream brought them both to attention, and for a moment they remained in place like a drawing frozen in time by some aspiring artist. They both made for the door and raced out heading in the direction of the bakery.
The scene that confronted them took their breath away. Luke was lying on the floor, his clothing still smouldering. Lilly put her hand to her mouth as she knelt by his side and saw the charred skin of his face. Robin was still throwing water over him and managed to soak her as well, but her attention was riveted on Luke’s face. He was unconscious and mercifully out of pain for the time being, but when he came round, she knew the pain would be unbearable.
‘Where’s Hugh?’ She demanded of Robin.
‘He went to the back room to get some blankets.’ He replied.
Rose slipped away behind them and silently made her way to the small room at the rear of the oven.
Lilly’s eyes never left Luke as she asked Robin what had happened.
‘I don’t know. Luke was standing in front of the oven, raking it to settle the ash when the whole thing seemed to explode through the door at him. It took him fully in the face and chest, red hot embers seemed to be blasted out, and then a strange thing happened. A long twist of smoke came out the oven and swirled above his head before leaving through the bakery door. It fair scared me almost to death I can tell you!’ Lilly saw Robin’s face pale as he finished and believed him, something very odd had happened, but she couldn’t imagine what.
Another scream rent the air, and both Lilly and Robin looked up. From around the rear of the oven, Rose appeared, her blouse ripped apart exposing her breasts.
‘Stop him, please stop him, I can’t do this anymore.’ She cried, tears coursing down her face.
Hugh appeared, genuine concern showing on his face,
‘What’s wrong with Rose, she came into the room and began ripping her clothes and screaming?’ He said.
Lilly stood in front of him and drew back her hand, slapping his face.
‘You animal! What have you done, and poor Luke, were you so consumed with your jealousy that you burnt him as well as raping his daughter?’
Hugh stood, speechless, puzzlement in his eyes.
Robin went to speak, his quick temper actioned by thoughts of Rose being raped but a look from Rose silenced him immediately.
Hugh stood forlornly with his hands spread wide,
‘I don’t know what to say, I haven’t raped anyone, and as for poor Luke, I have no idea what happened. One minute he was raking out the fire and the next the whole thing exploded over him.’
Rose began crying again and sobbed that how could he deny what was so obvious, putting her hands over her swollen tummy. She made no attempt to cover her breasts, and a very confused Robin couldn’t take his eyes off her. He felt the desire beginning to consume him which did nothing to calm his hot temper.
No one spoke until the plaintive cries from Luke began, quietly at first but increasing in volume as the pain began to take hold. Lilly was the first to react,
‘Robin, help me get him onto the cart, we have to get him to Lincoln, they will have treatment there.’
‘What about him?’ Robin pointed at Hugh.
‘Chain him up here in your room.’ Said Rose, ‘You can’t leave him free with me here, he’ll likely kill me if he gets the chance.’
Hugh couldn’t find any words; he had no idea what was going on. Robin fetched an old chain with a manacle attached he had spotted some time ago, lying at the rear of the barn. It was rusty with age, but thick links would ensure there would be no escape. He led Hugh back into the room and secured the manacle around his leg and the other end to the ring in the wall. Hugh sat on Robin’s bed with his head in his hands, totally confused but in Robin’s eyes, it appeared as an admiss
ion of guilt.
By this time Robin and Lilly had managed to lift Luke on to the small cart and between the pair of them, they pulled it out of the yard and onto the road. Robin put his best foot forward, and the cart trundled along the road, Luke moaning in pain. It would take ages to get the cart through Upper Marston and then on to Lincoln, but it was his only hope.
Back at the bakery Rose entered the small room. Hugh looked up at her pleading with her with his bemused eyes. She had made no attempt to cover her breasts and began to take off her skirt.
‘I want you to do something for me, Hugh, then I’ll help you.’ She offered.
Hugh breathed a sigh of relief,
‘Yes, anything, I’ll do anything but please help me, I’ve done nothing wrong.’
Rose walked over to him and shamelessly placed her small hand on his shoulder,
‘Lay back, Hugh.’ She whispered.
Chapter 37
Sebastian assumed he was free to clean upstairs and set to with a will. Caroline had made herself scarce at the mere mention of work and Sebastian believed she had made her way to Upper Marston to see the ubiquitous James. He was totally engrossed in scrubbing the carpet when he heard a noise downstairs. Making his way down into the kitchen, expecting to see more police, Sebastian was surprised to see Briony. She stood in the centre of the room wearing a sad expression, and he went to her, putting an arm around her shoulders.
‘Hello you, haven’t seen you for a while.’ He said, nuzzling her hair.
She pulled away slightly and stammered an apology,
‘I’m so sorry I haven’t been here, it must have been dreadful for you.’
‘Where were you? I was worried that something might have happened to you.’ Sebastian inquired.
She seemed to be thinking intently, and he wondered if she was trying to think up an excuse.
Briony turned and hugged him,
‘I missed you so much.’ She said.
Sebastian decided to leave it there; he was so pleased to see her that the reason for her absence was hardly a concern. She was back, and that’s all that mattered.
‘Did you see Caroline?’ He asked. ‘I rather suspect she went to see her precious James.’
Briony looked down at the floor,
‘No, I didn’t see her.’ She said, rather unconvincingly he thought.
Sebastian went on to tell her about the paranormal crew and the demise of the young couple. He thought she might be a little more horrified, but she appeared to shrug the events off much as his sister had.
Sebastian went upstairs to quickly finish off the cleaning while Briony waited in the kitchen. He finished at last, packed up all the gear and struggled down the rather steep stairs. Briony was standing in the kitchen against a wall with a dreamy, faraway look on her face. He asked if she was feeling alright and she snapped out of her daydream and laughed, saying she was fine.
‘I’m going over to the bakery to dump this lot, coming with me?’ He said, making his way to the door.
She didn’t reply but nonetheless followed him out into the yard and across to the bakery. The door stood wide open as usual, and he walked in with the cleaning utensils. As he put them away, she wandered around to the rear of the oven and pushed open the door to the small room. She walked in and stared down at the bed. As she stood contemplating it, Sebastian came in to join her. He stood behind and placed his arms around her, smelling the loveliness of her hair. She caught hold of his hands and leaned back against him.
‘I want to make love to you.’ He said.
‘In here?’ She replied.
‘Why not?’ He said, kissing the nape of her neck softly.
She turned to face him,
‘You must be extra gentle then.’ She insisted, pulling away as she removed her dress and laid it on the bed. He tugged at his clothes and gently placed them over hers to act as a soft lining for their love nest. They lay together on the bed, entwined in passion and oblivious to everything around them. They didn’t hear the clang of the oven door as it sprang open, didn’t notice the figure standing at the door with fists slowly clenching and unclenching. Sebastian and Briony carried on with their lovemaking so engrossed in each other that neither noticed the growing audience at the door. There were now two thin outlines in the doorway one appeared to be older and shorter, but both shared the same hard eyes, staring at the lovers.
Later, in the kitchen, Briony was brighter than before, her eyes were sparkling, and she was smiling, Sebastian hoped it was his skilful lovemaking and joined in her laughter as she ran upstairs to tumble on the bed. He followed and dived on beside her thinking he had never been so happy in his life. They snuggled together, and soon both were fast asleep, the arduous lovemaking had taken its toll.
As they slept peacefully neither were aware of a couple standing in the doorway. The young man and woman looked at each other in bewilderment, they seemed to be lost and turning descended the stairs into the kitchen, wondering why their friends had left without them.
Hand in hand they left by the kitchen door standing in the yard looking around them. A young boy appeared at their side, he looked a little strange, and they realised it was because his head seemed to be a little lopsided.
‘Hello,’ He said, ‘Come this way,’ Leading them towards the road. ‘You don’t need to stay here; there are much nicer places.’
Chapter 38
Luke lapsed in and out of consciousness as the cart bumped along the road. The recent rains had left the surface deeply pitted, and time after time the wheels slipped into a rut caused by a previous heavy cart ploughing along the muddy road. The road was now dry, and the mud had assumed concrete-like hardness. Luke moaned each time the cart jolted, and Lilly thought he might die from shock if they didn’t get help soon. It was nightfall by the time they entered Lincoln, and neither knew where any medical help might be found. A man walking past, a gentleman by his dress, stopped to look at Luke lying in the cart.
‘Bring him along; I am a physician.’
Robin and Lilly followed the man to an imposing building where he bid them lift Luke from the cart and fetch him inside. Luke was in agony and moaned as they moved him. The physician put out large glass jars full of a white ointment and bandages. He cleaned the wounds on Luke’s face as much as possible before smothering them with the balm and applying long strips of bandages; Luke’s face being completely covered at the end of the treatment. Lilly was concerned because she had not thought to bring any money but the physician didn’t appear to be bothered insisting she stay in a small room at the rear of the building. Luke would remain in the surgery to be monitored.
The next morning Luke was still alive but only barely. The excruciating pain had taken its toll on his heart, and it fluttered erratically. Lilly elected to stay at his side while Robin returned to the bakery. All Lilly’s thoughts concentrated on Luke, and she never gave a second thought to Hugh’s plight. Lilly had wondered at the veracity of the accusation against him made by Rose knowing full well her relationship with Robin but now was not the time to concern herself with that. In front of her lay the man she loved, his face a swathe of bandages. The physician slowly removed them as Luke moaned in pain, tut-tutting as he did so.
‘He will bear these scars for the rest of his life.’ He said, shaking his head. ‘There’s not much more that I can do other than redress his face until the scar tissue begins to cover the burns.’
Lilly looked at Luke’s face and stepped back; the injuries were truly horrific.
‘How long?’ She asked.
‘A week or more until he can leave, I won’t be able to keep him any longer.’ He replied.
Lilly believed Luke would need considerably longer but felt unable to voice her opinion in the light of the fact that the physician had not asked for any money. She was grateful for his help and nodded her head in reply.
Robin made his way back to the bakery with the cart and wheeled it into the yard, crunching on the gravel. Rose came out to me
et him and flung her arms around him,
‘They’ve taken Hugh away.’ She said.
Robin, looking as dull as ever merely looked at her.
‘The soldiers came for him, they’ve taken him before the magistrate charged with rape.’ She announced.
‘Charged?’ Said Robin, ‘With what?’
‘Rose controlled her temper with difficulty,
‘Rape, you idiot!’ She exclaimed.
‘But he never raped anyone.’
‘Robin, please try to think. Hugh raped me, and I’m now carrying his child, don’t you remember?’ Rose had to spell it out slowly.
Robin’s face broke into a grin,
‘Yes, he raped you and gave you a baby, I remember now. But will the magistrate believe you over Hugh?’
She smiled conspiratorially,
‘He will when I describe Hugh down to the very last detail.’ She replied. ‘Every detail, if you get what I mean?’
Robin wasn’t close to knowing what she meant, and his blank expression almost pushed Rose over the bounds of reason.
‘His cock, you idiot, I will describe him in detail, then I’ll be believed.’
‘How do you know that?’ Robin asked, thinking it to be a fair and reasonable question.
‘Because, you poor fool, while you and Lilly were away I made sure I would be able to describe him.’
Robin drew back in alarm,
‘You mean you……..?’ He stammered.
‘Yes, I paid him a visit in the room, he was shackled so he couldn't escape.’ Said Rose. ‘Anyway, I got him in the end.’
‘Got him?’ Asked Robin assuming his dumbest look once again.
Rose shook her head in desperation,
‘I had him! Is that any clearer for you?’ She was shouting at him now in her desperation to make him understand.
‘Oh,’ Said Robin.
Rose walked away in defeat; the man was an idiot, nothing less.
The following day a cart arrived with two men to collect Rose, her attendance was required before the magistrate.
The Haunting Page 31