Red Sky in the Morning

by Margaret Dickinson

  It was later that evening when Maisie was in bed in one of the upstairs rooms that Eddie knocked on the side door of the cottage. He stepped into the kitchen and without even greeting her, he demanded, ‘What’s been going on?’ He was frowning and his tone held a note of censure. ‘Tony told me you’d smacked Maisie.’

  ‘Huh! I’d’ve thought you’d’ve heard all about it from Bertha.’

  Eddie shook his head. ‘Bertha’s said nothing.’

  ‘Maisie went to the farm. If she’ll do that, she might take it into her head to go anywhere. She’ll be going to the village before I know it.’

  ‘She’ll have to soon enough when she goes to school.’

  ‘Oh no!’ Anna shook her head. ‘We’re leaving before she has to go to school. In fact, I’ve made up my mind. I’ll help you with the lambing and then we’re going.’

  ‘And where do you intend to go, might I ask?’

  ‘Anywhere as long as it’s far enough away from – from here, so that no one knows us.’ Her voice dropped as she muttered, ‘There’s a few too many folks around here know us already.’

  ‘Meaning?’

  Anna ticked them off on her fingers. ‘You, Tony, Bertha, Pat Jessop, Joe Wainwright and the other fellers who come at shearing and harvest. The doctor in town and the registrar, to say nothing of folks in shops when I’ve been forced to go into them. Specially the one in Wintersby. The gossip was rife in the village when I first came here. Mr Wainwright told me so.’

  Eddie’s tone softened. He could hear the panic in her voice. ‘You can’t live on a desert island, love. Wherever you go, you’ll meet other people. And Maisie will have to go to school next year. I know you’re bothered about her birth certificate, but they’ll ask to see it wherever you go.’

  ‘I’ll say I’ve lost it.’

  ‘They’ll only get you to send to the authorities for another.’

  Anna stared at him. She hadn’t realized that copies could be obtained so easily. She sat down heavily on a chair and, resting her elbows on the table, covered her face with her hands.

  ‘Why can’t you stay here? I don’t know who or what it is you’re so afraid of. You’ve never told me.’ There was a hint of reproach in Eddie’s tone. ‘But no one’s ever bothered you, have they? Not in four years. Surely, you can stay?’

  Slowly, Anna dropped her hands and stared into his face. Even though the thought of having to leave this haven and set off into the unknown frightened her, she shook her head sadly and whispered, ‘I’m sorry, Eddie, but I daren’t stay here. Not now. Not any longer. Not if Maisie’s going to do what she did today.’

  Twenty

  Lambing was almost over. Only two more ewes left to give birth.

  ‘You’ll manage now, Eddie. You’ve been lucky this year. No motherless lambs for me to rear by hand in the cottage.’ She smiled. ‘Maisie’s quite disappointed. She likes feeding them with a bottle.’

  Eddie’s eyes were anxious. ‘You really mean you’re going?’

  ‘I’m sorry, Eddie,’ Anna said huskily, ‘but we must. I – I don’t know how to thank you for all you’ve done for me. For us—’

  ‘You could thank me by staying and making this your home,’ he said gruffly. ‘I’ll even give you the cottage – and the bit of land round it – if it’ll make any difference.’

  ‘Oh, Eddie—’

  ‘I mean it.’

  She could see he did and tears filled her eyes. ‘I couldn’t possibly let you do such a thing. What would your wife say? And then there’s Tony. It’ll be his one day.’

  Avoiding a direct answer about Bertha, Eddie said, ‘Tony’d agree. I know he would. He doesn’t want you to go any more’n I do.’

  Anna touched his arm. ‘You’re such a kind man. I – I didn’t know such kindness from strangers still existed until I came here—’ She broke off and turned away as if she was afraid of saying too much. ‘We’re going tomorrow,’ she said with a finality that brooked no argument.

  They were all packed, ready for the morning, their belongings in neat bundles and loaded onto Maisie’s old pram.

  ‘You’ll be able to sit on the top if you get tired,’ Anna told her, trying to make it sound like an adventure. But tears spilled down Maisie’s cheeks. She cried silently, making no word of complaint, no screams of protest, but her anguish at leaving the only home she had ever known was evident on her small face.

  ‘Come on, up to bed with you. We’ve got a long way to go tomorrow.’

  ‘Where are we going?’

  ‘You’ll see,’ Anna said brightly, making it sound as if their destination would be a lovely surprise, but in truth she had no idea herself where they were going.

  They would just set off and see where they ended up, but after four years of comparative safety, even Anna was a little afraid.

  It was completely different from the last time she had run away. Then she had not cared what became of her or of her unborn child.

  Now, she did care. Eddie had taught her to care again.

  In the middle of the night, Anna awoke to a dreadful noise. Buster was barking frantically and scratching at the front door to be let out. And from outside the cottage came the noise of barking dogs and the terrified bleating of sheep.

  ‘Oh no—!’ She flung back the bedclothes and dressed hurriedly. She climbed down the ladder and was pulling on her warmest coat when Maisie, bleary-eyed with sleep, appeared at the top.

  ‘Mammy—’

  ‘Go back to bed,’ Anna began and then, with only a second’s hesitation, she said, ‘no, get dressed. As quickly as you can and come down.’

  ‘Why? We’re not going now, are we?’ Maisie’s lower lip trembled.

  ‘No, but can you hear that awful noise? There are some dogs attacking the sheep. You must run to the farm for me and knock on the door as loudly as you can and fetch Mr Eddie. Can you do that?’

  Maisie nodded eagerly, turned and ran back into her room to dress, whilst Anna lit a hurricane lamp and found her crook. She opened the side door and, as the child climbed down the ladder again, they stepped out into the darkness together, Buster streaking out ahead of them.

  Outside the noise was even more frightening.

  ‘Thank goodness,’ Anna said. ‘They’re down there towards the stream. They won’t see you. Now run, Maisie. Run as fast as you can.’

  The little girl disappeared into the darkness and Anna braced herself to walk towards the terrifying noise.

  In the moonlight, she could see two dogs attacking one of the ewes still in lamb. Already it was overthrown and unable to rise, helpless against the snapping jaws. Buster was barking and running at them, doing his best to drive the attackers away from the sheep. His sheep. Anna moved closer and hit one of the dogs on the back, yelling at the same time.

  The dog yelped in surprise. Intent upon their kill, neither dog had sensed her approach. The first ran a few yards and stopped, turning to stand and stare at her, panting hard. Now she lashed out at the other dog, but it jumped out of the way and turned to face her, head down and snarling.

  They were big dogs, much bigger than poor Buster and in the darkness as terrifying as a couple of wolves. Crouching low, the second dog crept towards her. Buster stood beside her, growling a warning, but the aggressor took no notice of him. Anna held her crook horizontally in front of her to fend it off as it leapt up at her. She felt a sharp pain in her left hand and knew its white teeth, flashing in the moonlight, had bitten her. Now the other dog, emboldened by its companion, came closer. They lined up side by side in front of her, ready to spring. Beside her Buster whined and barked again.

  ‘Down!’ Anna cried in the firmest tone she could muster.

  They took no notice and leapt in unison, but not at her. With one accord they fell on Buster, knocking him over. They attacked him cruelly, biting and tearing at his flesh. Now Buster was yelping in pain and fear. Anna hit out at the dogs with her stick and managed to frighten one away. But the bolder of the two turned
and snarled at her. It grabbed her crook in its mouth, growling all the time. Gradually she drew it away from Buster, but then the other dog crept closer once more towards the injured sheepdog lying on the ground.

  ‘No!’ Anna shouted, feeling helpless to deal with both dogs at once. At that moment she heard a shout from behind her. ‘Stand clear, Anna.’

  She glanced back to see Eddie just behind her, pointing his shotgun at the dog nearest to her.

  ‘Don’t hit Buster. He’s on the ground.’

  ‘I won’t. Drop your crook and move away.’

  Anna did as she bade him. A shot rang out. Her attacker shuddered and fell to the ground. At the sound, the other dog ran, but Eddie levelled his gun and fired again. The dog stumbled, rolled over and lay still.

  Now there was an ominous silence.

  Eddie threw down his gun and held his arms wide to her. With a sob, Anna ran into them and was enfolded in his safe embrace. Behind them, watching, Tony stood holding Maisie’s hand. As she became aware of them, Anna drew back.

  ‘Are you hurt?’ Eddie asked anxiously.

  ‘Just my hand. It’s nothing—’

  ‘Let’s take a look—’

  ‘No, no—’ Anna pulled away from him and stumbled towards Buster, lying motionless on the ground. Maisie ran forward.

  ‘Oh, Mammy. What’s happened to Buster?’

  ‘The bad dogs hurt him, darling.’

  Maisie squatted down beside the animal she considered her pet and touched his coat. ‘It’s all wet, Mammy.’

  ‘Leave him, darling. We’ll carry him home in a minute.’ Anna rose and moved to where Eddie was bending over his sheep. ‘I don’t think we can save her,’ he said, ‘but she’s gone into labour. Tony,’ Eddie looked up and called across to his son, still standing motionless a few feet away, ‘help Anna take Buster back to the cottage.’ His glance rested on the little girl crying beside the inert animal. ‘And take Maisie away from here.’

  Silently, Tony did as he was asked. He spread out his coat on the ground and together he and Anna gently lifted Buster onto it.

  ‘I ought to stay here and help your dad,’ Anna said. She couldn’t see Tony’s expression in the darkness, but his voice was harsh. ‘I’ll come back and help him. He doesn’t need you.’

  Anna gasped and knew at once that Tony had read far more into the comforting hug his father had given her than had been meant.

  ‘Tony, you don’t understand—’ she began.

  ‘Don’t I?’ he muttered in a low voice so that his father should not hear. ‘Oh don’t I? Seems me mam was right all along.’

  Anna shuddered and groaned. ‘No,’ she cried. ‘It’s not like that—’

  ‘What’s the matter?’ Eddie’s voice came out of the blackness.

  ‘Nothing,’ Tony called quickly before Anna could speak. ‘I’ll just help Anna and I’ll come back.’

  Without speaking to each other now, Anna and Tony carried Buster back to the cottage where they laid him on the hearth in front of the dying embers of the fire. Maisie knelt beside him. Now they could see that his black and white coat was matted with blood. The animal lay still, whimpering occasionally, his dark eyes wide and full of suffering.

  ‘He’s not going to die, is he, Mammy?’ Maisie sobbed.

  ‘Darling, I don’t know.’ Anna always tried to be honest with her child, even if the truth was painful.

  Maisie sobbed louder. ‘Can’t we take him to the doctor?’

  As if against his will, Tony’s arm crept around the child’s shoulders. ‘We’ll take him to the vet in the morning.’ His glance at Anna was resentful, but he still kept his tone gentle towards the little girl. ‘Dad’ll take him.’

  Suddenly Tony got up. ‘I’ll go back to him.’ He left the cottage, slamming the door behind him. Anna winced but Maisie, unaware of the undercurrent of emotion between her mother and Tony, continued to stroke the dog’s head. ‘Don’t die, Buster. Oh please don’t die.’

  A while later Anna heard the distant sound of a single shot. Shortly afterwards, the outer door to the kitchen opened and Eddie and Tony came in.

  ‘The ewe’s dead. I had to put her out of her misery. They’d nearly torn her throat out. There was no way even the vet could have saved her,’ Eddie said as he came to where Buster was lying. ‘How is he?’

  Anna shook her head. ‘He’s still alive but covered in blood.’

  ‘Right,’ Eddie said, taking charge. ‘Let’s see to your hand first, love.’

  He rummaged in the cupboard and produced bandages and a bottle of Dettol. As he bent over her hand bathing it and applying the bandage, Anna was acutely aware of Tony’s morose expression as he watched his father’s tender ministrations.

  ‘You go home, Tony, lad. Thanks for your help, but—’

  ‘No, Dad,’ the young man said quickly. His glance rested upon Anna and his eyes narrowed. ‘I’ll wait for you.’

  The following morning, Eddie arranged for the vet to visit Anna’s cottage. He stood by whilst the man examined the dog. ‘He’ll live,’ the vet pronounced. ‘He’s been badly mauled, but with tender care he’ll be fine.’

  He stood up and looked about him, noticing the bundles of belongings piled high on the pram at the side of the room. ‘Going somewhere, were you?’

  ‘We – we were leaving today.’

  ‘Well, if you were planning on taking the dog there’s no way he’s walking any distance for quite a while.’

  When the vet had left, Maisie looked up at her mother. ‘Are we staying, Mammy?’

  Anna sighed. ‘It looks like it, Maisie,’ she said flatly.

  Despite the terrible events of the previous night, Eddie could not stop his smile stretching from ear to ear.

  Twenty-One

  ‘You’ve found another excuse to stay a bit longer then?’

  Later that afternoon Tony stood in the centre of her kitchen, eyeing Anna belligerently.

  She sighed, glancing down to where Maisie was sitting on the hearth beside Buster, lying in his basket. The little girl had not left the dog’s side all day. Anna opened the front door and motioned to Tony to follow her. Once outside she said, ‘Look, what you saw last night meant nothing. It’s what anyone might have done in the circumstances. I’m sorry you saw it—’

  ‘I bet you are.’ The boy was disbelieving.

  ‘It meant nothing,’ she insisted. ‘I’d have run to you if you’d held out your arms to me at that moment.’

  ‘You’re a bit old for me,’ Tony said nastily and Anna closed her eyes, saddened to think that their friendship was at an end. Wiped out in an instant by an innocent hug of comfort between two friends.

  ‘We’re friends,’ she tried again to explain. ‘Your father’s been very good to me.’

  ‘Why?’ Tony snapped. ‘Just why did he bring you here in the first place? I can still remember how upset me mam was when he brought you home. I didn’t understand it all at the time.’ He paused and added pointedly. ‘Now I do. She always thought there was summat more to it than he said. She even thought Maisie was mebbe his. Now – I think she was right.’

  ‘I swear to you, on Maisie’s life if you like,’ Anna retorted angrily, ‘that she is not Eddie’s daughter.’

  ‘Then whose is she? Tell me that.’

  Anna’s face blanched. She shook her head. ‘No,’ she whispered. ‘I – can’t tell you that.’

  Tony’s mouth twisted. ‘You mean,’ he said unkindly, ‘you don’t know.’

  Before she had realized what she was doing, Anna’s hand flew up and she smacked Tony’s left cheek. ‘How dare you say such a thing to me? If you only knew the truth—’

  The boy had not even flinched or moved. ‘Then tell me,’ he persisted.

  ‘No.’ Anna stepped back as if even the thought of having to drag up the memories was abhorrent. ‘It has nothing to do with you. Or –’ she added with a last vestige of spirit – ‘or with your father.’

  Tony shrugged. ‘Well, if you wo
n’t tell me, you can hardly expect me to believe you, can you?’

  As he began to walk away, she cried after him, ‘Why can’t you just trust me?’

  He paused and glanced back. ‘Why can’t you trust me enough to tell me the truth?’ he countered. ‘I know I’m only fourteen, but I’m not a child any longer. I’d understand, whatever it is. Unless,’ he added pointedly, ‘it’s because you’ve something to hide. Something that you’re really ashamed of.’

  When she did not answer, he turned and walked away, leaving Anna staring after him. If only you knew, she thought, how close to the truth you are.

  Of course, there was no way that Anna could leave now, even though after Tony’s change towards them she would dearly have loved to go. But she could not leave Buster behind and it was impossible for him to travel in his weakened state.

  Mid-morning she heard someone calling outside the cottage and opened the door to find Pat Jessop with her hand raised ready to knock.

  The nurse beamed at her. ‘Oh, you’re still here. I was so afraid you might have set off early. I didn’t want to miss saying goodbye, even though I do wish you weren’t going.’

  Anna sighed and gestured for Pat to step inside. ‘We’re not,’ she said and quickly explained all the night’s events that now kept them here.

  ‘I really don’t see why you have to go at all,’ Pat said, lifting Maisie onto her lap and cuddling her. ‘You’re tired, my little love, aren’t you?’ Maisie leant against the comforting bosom of the district nurse, sucking her thumb. ‘Why don’t you go upstairs and have a little nap, eh?’

  Maisie took out her thumb and looked up at Pat. In a serious, adult voice she said, ‘I can’t leave Buster. He needs me.’

  ‘Of course he does, but your mammy’s here and so am I just now. Nurses have to rest and look after themselves too, you know, else they can’t care for their patients, can they?’

  Maisie regarded Pat solemnly and then slid from her knee. ‘All right, but you promise to look after him?’