I'll Be There Page 16

  ‘You shouldn’t stay here by yourself, love. There are some unsavoury types hanging around downstairs.’

  An understatement. ‘Tell me about it. Where else will I go?’

  ‘Have you got a friend you can stay with for the time being?’

  She thought about it for a few moments. ‘My agent, Devlin, will help.’

  Devlin called Griff and together they began to move her things into Devlin’s home.

  ‘What about Drifter’s gear?’ Devlin said.

  ‘Leave it. It’s only clothes. I’ll take the guitar in case he sends for it.’

  She was taking one last look at the place, when Connor strutted in with his entourage. ‘Groovy pad ... how come you got to keep all this for yourself?’

  Her curled lip signified the disdain she felt for him. ‘Probably, because Drifter paid the rent.’

  ‘Fuckin’ right, man ...’

  The cur stopped yapping when Connor gave him a withering glance.

  Felicity hung off Connor’s arm like a pale wraith. Her eyes looked like death, scabs tracked her slender arms. Felicity, who’d ridden a horse in the Grand National and had lost ... somehow, Janey couldn’t hate her.

  Her head cleared when Connor picked up Drifter’s guitar. He gazed enviously at it and his voice became beggar-like. ‘I wouldn’t mind having one like this.’

  ‘If you push drugs long enough you might be able to afford one. Put it down, and get out!’

  ‘Ah ... the ice queen speaketh.’

  Felicity giggled, and Connor’s followers sniggered.

  Connor’s smile was a nasty little smirk as he struck a chord and imitated Drifter’s voice. ‘I love you, babe. You turn me on, real nice.’

  She snatched the instrument from his hands and glared at him.

  ‘How did you like your trip, babe?’ he taunted. ‘It’s a pity you chickened out. Me and the guys were going to have a party and melt you a little.’ He glanced around him, sniggering. ‘How about it, gentlemen? It’s not too late.’

  ‘Gentlemen? You wouldn’t have the brains to know the meaning of the word.’ She whacked him in the chest with the guitar. Air expelled from him and he fell over, staring up at her from surprised eyes.

  ‘You’re a no talent, freeloader, Connor,’ she spat out, and was about to hit him again when Devlin snatched the instrument from her hands and did it for her. The guitar cracked with a musical twanging noise, and he threw it aside.

  ‘Take Saffy down to the car,’ he said, grinning as Connor’s dogs formed a circle, ‘I’m going to enjoy this.’ With the devil in his eyes, his hand made a little scooping motion. ‘Come on you little yellow chickens – who’s going to be next?’

  The circle melted away when Griff and Tim slid through the door and ranged either side of him.

  Felicity fell to her knees. Her fingers scrabbled desperately in each of Connor’s pockets, and she hurried away with a small cellophane packet clutched to her chest.

  Later, when they were sitting in the large kitchen at Devlin’s house, Tim took Saffy on his knee, then after a moment or two, gazed at her with a quizzical smile.

  ‘I hate to ask, but has she been christened yet? I’d consider it an honor if you allowed me to be her godfather.’

  Griff’s dark eyes stared at him, all challenge. ‘Unfortunately for you, I’ve already claimed that distinction.’

  ‘Wait a minute,’ Devlin chipped in. ‘Saffy and I discussed the issue between us a long time ago. After all, I did look after her for a few days. She’s decided on me.’

  ‘Surely that’s up to her mother,’ Tim argued.

  They were all grinning as they turned her way.

  It was one of those moments that fixed in her mind like a photograph. How I love these three tall men, she was thinking as tears pricked the back of her eyes.

  Devlin was the keeper of her career. Brave, sometimes bad-tempered, but sharp minded and neat, his astute grey eyes never gave his thoughts away, never allowed her in. Yet, he was always there when she needed him.

  Then there was Tim, with his friendly face and open nature. There was nothing devious about him. Tim was trustworthy. How could one want for a better friend?

  Dear Griff, so enigmatic, who knew the secrets of her heart and soul. He was looking at her now, his eyes telling her he knew what she was thinking and feeling.

  And she was thinking that her daughter had no father, not even a stranger’s name on her birth certificate. These three men were offering her support, each of them worthy in his own way – all of them more fit to be Saffy’s father than Drifter. She couldn’t choose between them. And the corners of Griff’s mouth were already twitching into a smile when she said.

  ‘I’ll be proud to know Saffy has three such fine Godfathers.’

  * * * *

  Package clutched to his chest and eyes to the ground Jack Bellamy shuffled out through the prison door.

  He experienced mild panic when it slammed shut behind him and took a few deep breaths. The air, lacking the staleness and lingering carbolic smell he’d lived with over the past few years, ripped into his lungs and made him cough.

  The scar on his face turned livid with the effort.

  He turned up the collar of his thin summer jacket. It hung off him now, like an old beige sack. The cold made his joints ache and his nose run. He fished in the pockets for a handkerchief, but they were empty.

  They’d let him out a month early. Resentment flared in him. He’d had it all worked out on his calendar, each day painted a different color so it spelled out one word. ‘FREEDOM.’ It had given meaning to his life.

  Jack didn’t know where to go or what to do. He stayed where he was, shuffling in one spot to keep warm, and staring at the ground.

  After a while a hand touched his arm. ‘The car is over here, Jack.’

  He didn’t look up. ‘They told you, then?’

  ‘They rang us this morning,’ Mary said. ‘We came as soon as we could.’

  Jack glanced up once as the car drove through the New Forest, but the light was so bright it hurt his eyes, and the green so glorious he was afraid to look at it in case it disappeared.

  ‘Doug and I heard from Janey this morning,’ Mary chatted. ‘She and the baby have moved into a flat above her agent’s place. Shall I write and tell her you’ve come home?’

  Slowly, Jack unwrapped his package and gazed at the squirrels. A smile touched his lips. ‘Has she mentioned me since you told her?’

  ‘No ... but she didn’t take it badly, did she Douglas?’

  Douglas didn’t answer.

  ‘Don’t interfere again, Mary. If Janey wants to contact me she’ll know where to find me.’

  ‘You’re never going back to Canford Cottage? Don’t be stupid, Jack. Why don’t you sell the place and come and live with us.’

  His eyes came up to his sister’s then, and they were wounded beyond belief. ‘Why should I?’ he said harshly. ‘I was happy there.’

  ‘But people will remember.’

  ‘And you want me to hide myself away. Is that it?’ He held her gaze until she looked away. ‘I know I’m innocent, Mary, and that’s all that matters.’

  But that wasn’t what really mattered. One day his daughter might remember he was innocent too, and she might come looking for him.

  Chapter Eleven

  It had to be a mistake!

  As Eddie rapidly calculated the figures, his guts began to ache. Nothing left! All his years of careful investing had gone down the drain in one foul swoop. Damn William Reith! Damn and blast him to hell!

  Pulling a packet of Players towards him he extracted a cigarette, then putting a match to it, stared unbelievingly at the statement on his desk.

  He should have listened to Martin instead of that over-fed stockbroker.

  ‘Australian mining is highly risky at the moment,’ he’d said,

  Eddie had allowed himself to be swayed by the more experienced William Reith, especially when he’d promised to make u
p his previous losses with one big killing.

  ‘Six months and you’ll be rolling in cash. Nickel is booming and everyone I know is buying up big.’

  Eddie straightened his shoulders as pain cramped his back. He felt like an old man. Scowling, he threw his butt in the ashtray, and then stuck a fresh cigarette in his mouth. He frowned as he lit it. He could always sell the house and buy a smaller one.

  Drawing a pad towards him, he did some rapid calculations. It would be better if Pamela earned a wage. Susan was old enough to clean the kitchen after dinner, and they needed an evening cleaner in the car showroom where he worked. He’d have a word with the boss.

  He rose as he heard a sharp slap, followed by a cry.

  ‘What’s going on? Why did you slap her?’

  Linda’s shrill, indignant voice assaulted his ears. ‘Tell Susan to keep her grubby fingers out of my things. I won’t have it.’

  ‘It’s only a doll,’ Pamela said. ‘Don’t be so selfish. You’re too old to play with it, anyway.’

  ‘That’s not the point. It’s my property, not hers. Look at it; she’s dirtied the dress. Keep her out of my room. My father bought me this doll and it’s about time she learned that taking other people’s property is stealing.’

  ‘I was only looking at it?’ Susie shrieked. ‘You’re mean, Linda. Why don’t you and Martin go and live somewhere else?’

  ‘You need to learn some manners. If you don’t behave yourself, I’ll tell father.’

  ‘He’s mean as well. That’s why Janey ran away. Tim told me.’

  ‘Janey was thrown out because she couldn’t behave herself. Now she has a baby, but no husband. She brought shame on the family.’

  ‘It’s better than your baby. Yours will be mean and ugly, like you.’

  Blood rushed through Eddie’s veins, bringing a flood of perspiration to his face. ‘What the hell’s going on!’ he shouted as he opened the door. ‘Can’t a man get any peace in his own home?’

  Linda indicated the doll. ‘Susie’s been in my room.’

  ‘Have you, Susan?’

  Susie began to tremble. ‘It’s only an old doll.’

  ‘But it’s not your doll is it? Stealing is a sin, and it must be punished.’

  ‘No ...’ Pamela said quickly as Susie pressed against her. ‘She was only looking; she won’t do it again.’

  He took off his belt. ‘Be quiet. She has to learn, and afterwards, you can explain what she was doing talking to Tim Brown.’

  ‘She can have the doll.’ Turning pale, Linda thrust it into Susie’s arms. ‘It’s dirty now, anyway.’

  ‘No she can’t.’ Eddie advanced on the child. ‘Give it back to Linda at once, Susan.’

  Susie’s lip curled as she gazed at it. ‘What’s all the fuss about? I was only looking at the silly thing.’

  ‘Give it to Linda this instant!’ he yelled.

  ‘I don’t want it,’ Linda shrieked just as loudly. She clutched pathetically at her stomach. ‘All I want to do is rest before my baby’s born, is that too much to ask?’

  Lifting the doll over her head, Susie threw it as hard as she could against the wall. It bounced back, its head splitting in two. It was as if she was to be belted then she might as well do something to deserve it. She goaded her father with an insolent smile,

  Pamela quaked. Eddie would kill her.

  Furious now, Eddie raised the belt. Pain raced like liquid lightning into his arm. He gasped, clutching it with the other hand. The belt glanced off Pamela’s shoulder as she thrust in front of Susie. It fell to the floor.

  He stared at his hand, bewildered. How did that happen? He couldn’t remember letting the belt go. Then the floor canted sideways, and he fell to his knees. What the hell ...? Toppling sideways he found himself nose to nose with the doll. It looked grotesque with the two halves of its face split apart.

  Then his head split in half, too.

  Pamela went with him to the hospital.

  ‘A stroke,’ the doctor told her.

  ‘Will he recover?’ Deep in her heart, she hoped not.

  ‘I’ll order some tests to be done and once he’s stable we’ll send him home. You can look after him there. And we’ll arrange the district nurse to call in. His paralysis should improve in time, but how much is difficult to say.’ He patted her kindly on the shoulder. ‘It’s not much use hanging around here and worrying, my dear. Go home and get some rest.’

  Noticing a light on in Eddie’s study when she returned to the house, she pushed the door open.

  Linda and Martin gazed guiltily up at her.

  ‘What are you doing?’ she said. ‘It’s not right, going through Eddie’s private papers.’

  Linda’s eyes glittered as she gazed up at her. ‘We needed to find his will. You might as well know, Pamela. He’s left everything to me.’

  ‘But what about Janey and Susie?’

  ‘Janey’s hardly going to get anything, is she?’ Linda scorned. ‘And as for Susie, if you want something for the brat you’ll have to contest the will in court.’

  ‘And that will be expensive, Mrs. Renfrew. Very expensive,’ Martin said.’

  ‘All these years I’ve worked my guts out for this family. I’ve been abused by Eddie and have picked up after Linda. I should have joined Janey when she asked me. What a waste of my life! Something snapped inside her, and she began to laugh at the thought of what she was about to do, Eddie couldn’t take Susie from her now.

  ‘Is something funny?’ Martin gave her an upper-hand stare. ‘I assure you, Pamela. You won’t find it very funny when you’re out on the street.’

  She’d never felt so amused in all her life. ‘The pair of you are pathetic. You haven’t even asked how he is?’

  Eyes slanted towards her, half-wary. ‘What ... what do you mean? He’s dying, isn’t he?’

  ‘No. He’s going to survive, but as an invalid.’ She strolled to where Susie waited for her by the stairs and gave her a hug. ‘Fetch the brown suitcase from the cupboard and pack your things. We’re leaving.’

  ‘Just a minute, Pamela.’ Martin joined her, his face a study of sickly charm. ‘Perhaps we’ve been a bit hasty. We had no intention of evicting you from your home.’

  ‘I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt,’ she said agreeably. ‘But I’m going anyway. Eddie’s bound to die sometime. You’ll just have to wait before you cash in on it. He’ll enjoy having his favorite daughter looking after him. From now on, you’ll have to work for your money, Linda. The boarders like their breakfast at eight.’

  ‘But my baby’s due any day.’

  ‘So it is.’ Pamela smiled pityingly. ‘I feel sorry for it having parents like you two.’

  Linda was having hysterics as she went upstairs. ‘It’s Pamela’s duty to stay,’ she was sobbing. ‘She’s his wife.’

  ‘Do shut up, old girl.’ Martin absently patted her shoulder. ‘If Eddie can sign his name I could get power of attorney over his business affairs.’

  From its hiding place inside a shoe, Pamela took a wad of money – money Janey had sent her over the years. She’d never dared spend it, in case Eddie or Linda had noticed.

  ‘Where are we going?’ Susie asked as they walked off down the drive.

  They had three choices. They could join Janey in London, stay the night with Mary and Douglas Yates – or go to Winterbrook.

  Tim, who’d brought her a letter from Janey the last time he’d been home, had mentioned there was a position vacant for a housekeeper at the big house.

  She didn’t want Susie to be unhappy with her choice, and she didn’t want Mary and Douglas to influence her in any way. Janey would welcome them, she knew, but was it fair to trade on her good nature?

  All the same, it would be nice to see Janey and tell her what was going on,

  Pamela’s arm came around her daughter. ‘Let’s spend the night in a hotel. We can decide where we’re going, together.’

  Devlin gazed at the woman and girl standing on his doors
tep then giving in to an irrepressible impulse he grabbed up Pamela’s battered suitcase and made like Jeeves,

  ‘Follow me, madam. I’ll see if Miss Renfrew’s receiving visitors this morning.’

  ‘You needn’t take the case upstairs. We’re not staying for long.’

  Devlin’s sigh of relief was overheard for the girl gave him a long, deliberate stare.

  He poked his tongue out at her. ‘You must be Susie.’

  ‘Must I?’

  Stroppy little Madam! He suddenly grinned. ‘Janey didn’t tell me you had a wasp stuck up your snout?’

  Her hand went to her nose and her eyes widened in astonishment when he winked at her. For a moment she was uncertain, then she gave a strangled giggle. ‘You’re not a butler.’

  ‘I’m Devlin Cox.’ He turned to the women. ‘You must be Janey’s stepmother. Why don’t you surprise her. Follow the stairs as far up as they go.’

  Pamela gave him a nervous smile. She hadn’t imagined Janey would be living amongst such elegance, and she felt out of place in her down-at-heel shoes and scruffy coat.

  Janey looked as though she couldn’t believe what she was seeing. A lump came to Pamela’s throat as she gazed from one to the other.

  ‘Susie,’ she whispered, then her eyes lit up and she smiled. ‘Susie! Pamela! Oh, my God! Look at you, Susie ... how you’ve grown ... and you’re so pretty!’

  Susie eyes widened. Janey was so beautiful it made her heart ache. Her hair was spun gold and she shone with some sort of radiance, like an angel. How could such a person have brought shame on the family?

  Janey bounded across the room and pulled them through the door. Tears poured down her face, and she hugged and kissed them both at the same time and cried out ‘I’ve missed you so much! How long can you stay?’ without a breath in between.

  When Pamela muttered something about it being only a short visit, there was a fierce cry of protest. ‘I refuse to let you dash off. I haven’t seen Susie since she was a little girl. I’ve missed her so much.’

  Susie began to cry, which annoyed and embarrassed her because she was nearly grown up and hadn’t cried for a long time. She felt mixed up inside, and angry because Janey had gone away and left her.