Jackson Is Missing

by Wendy Gill

  Mrs Moyer saw the distress appear on her daughter’s face, “Take no notice of him, dear. If it is a girl, he will spoil her rotten and so will I.”

  “I am going to do something with Ella’s hair first thing in the morning but as soon as she is ready, we will come back here and collect you.”

  “I shall be ready and waiting my dear.”

  Monday morning Blanche left home early and went straight to Mr Grundy’s where she found Ella washing up the breakfast things.

  “I am glad to see you up Ella. Where is Mr Grundy?”

  “He went to the office very early this morning. He said he had something to sort out. He has given me some money to spend today. He says I have to spend it all because I might never get another opportunity to have a good time in the shops, so that is what I intend to do.”

  “My father has done the same and my mother is looking forward to meeting you. She has also agreed to come with us. My father not only gave me a lot of money to spend on myself, but he gave my mother some, and would you believe it, he gave me another load of money to spend on his grandson.”

  “Oh, you are having a boy, are you?”

  Blanche laughed and said, “I cannot wait to see Jackson and tell him that my father has said I am having a boy. He said because Jackson is a war hero there is no way he is going to father a girl.”

  “I can imagine his reply,” laughed Ella.

  “Right, let us see to your hair. I am going to need some lengths of cloth to turn your hair into ringlets, do you have any?”

  “There are lots of old clothes belonging to my Aunt Fran. I will nip upstairs and get an old petticoat. We can tear that into strips.” Ella ran upstairs.

  Ella and Blanche spent a very pleasant hour washing Ella’s hair and tearing up the petticoat. Then Blanche separated Ella’s hair into slim lengths and twisted the lengths of rag around it. When Ella’s hair was all neatly tied up in rags, they sat at the kitchen table drinking hot chocolate and waiting for Ella’s hair to dry.

  An hour later, the kitchen door opened and in walked Charlie. His face lit up at the sight of Ella’s ragged hair.

  “You may find it amusing Charlie Blurr, but we women have to go through purgatory just to impress the male species.” Ella told him not in the least put out.

  “On the contrary, my little Ella, remembering holding you in my arms and feeling your body shaking with laughter has made an everlasting impression on my mind, a few rags in your hair is a mere nothing,” his eyes danced with devilment.

  “I am sure you did not come just to try and embarrass me, because if you did, it will not work,” Ella held his gaze.

  “Good, because it’s true, I am not trying to embarrass you, I would dearly love to repeat that experience,” he informed her.

  “If you are looking for Jackson he is in the extension trying to sort it out. He wants to find out the best position for work tables and things. I have never seen him so enthusiastic about anything for a long time,” Blanche told him.

  But Jackson saved Charlie a trip next door because the door opened and in he walked. Going straight over to the sink, Jackson began to wash his hands.

  Jackson did not notice Ella sitting at the kitchen table with her hair tied up in rags. “So, you are back. Did you find anything out?” he asked looking over at his friend.

  “Not much, the only thing I could find out is that a policeman by the name of Melvin Keyser has not turned up for work today. A sergeant from Hotshell is coming to see if our patient is his missing police officer. How is he doing by the way?” Charlie wanted to know.

  "His colour is much improved, and the bleeding seems to have stopped but he has not come around yet. I am going to take some more of the excellent chicken broth Blanche made last night and try and get him to take some more along with some water. His lips are beginning to crack so he needs plenty of water.

  “I think he will be alright, he seems to have a strong constitution, even though you did try to throw him down the stairs a couple of times, he seems no worse for wear. Are you going to come and give me a hand? The ladies are going shopping so no doubt they want to see the back of us. I say Ella; you are not going like that, are you?” He pointed to her hair.

  “No, I am not. When you two have gone, Blanche is going to make me look beautiful, for our shopping trip.”

  “That should not be a very hard task. You look beautiful even with the rags dangling down your head,” Charlie grinned.

  Ella could not help laughing and her eyes danced back at Charlie.

  “We will be off then,” Jackson said. “Is your mother going with you?”

  “She is. My father gave us both some money to go and spend so that is what we are going to do. By the way, my father seems to have a bit of hero worship going on with you. He said I was having a boy because no one with a war medal could possibly father a girl.” Blanche told her shocked beau.

  Ella and Blanche heard Jackson say as the two gentlemen made their way along the passage towards the front door, “I tell you this Charlie, I think I am marrying into a madhouse.”

  Charlie’s reply was, “In that case Jackson old boy, you will fit in perfectly.”

  Jackson’s reply was, “Yes, from one madhouse to another.”

  “To hear them talk you would think they are the worst of enemies instead of the best of friends.” Blanche made a start on Ella’s rags.

  Ella, wearing one of her Aunt Fran’s day dresses and her hair hanging in ringlets and looking a delight to behold, found herself, on entering the Moyer residence, crushed to Mrs Moyer’s ample bosom in a warm embrace.

  “My dear you do not know how pleased I am to meet you. You are the first friend my daughter has brought home since she was in pigtails and I believe you are to be her maid of honour on Friday.”

  “I am very pleased to meet you too Mrs Moyer. I am so looking forward to our shopping spree. It is a long time since I have had any spare money to throw away on none essentials,” Ella told her.

  “In that case my dear, I will get my bonnet and we shall be off.” Mrs Moyer headed for the door with Blanche and Ella following close behind.

  Blanche bought Ella a pale pink satin dress, cut low at the front, suggesting untold pleasures for any male lucky enough to lay eyes on her. A slightly darker pink ribbon was tied neatly under her bust.

  Mrs Moyer insisted on buying Blanche her wedding dress and Blanche insisted that it must be ivory and not white. She did not think it was appropriate to wear white she told her mother.

  This too had a low neckline showing the beginning of her well-developed breasts but unlike Ella’s dress, that dropped straight down to the floor and boasted only little cap sleeves, Blanche’s dress had a slightly fuller skirt and long closely fitting sleeves.

  Mrs Moyer’s outfit was a deep red taffeta dress with a tight-fitting bodice and full skirt. Blanche was pleased with all their dresses and she told them both so.

  The rest of the morning was spent looking at shoes and gloves and anything else that caught their eye, and when they were all satisfied with their purchases, Blanche told them she wanted to go to a baby store and spend some more money.

  She bought loads of nappies and baby clothes and a lovely little swinging cradle with bedding to go with it.

  “Whilst I am rocking my baby to sleep I shall tell him or her that this little comfy cot he or she sleeps in is from his grandma and grandpa. Thank you, mamma. I have enjoyed today, it has been a very happy day and I shall always remember it.”

  Blanche tucked her hand through her mother’s arm and added, “Let’s go home now and get Fred to go and collect all our purchases, shall we?”

  Mrs Moyer patted her daughter’s hand. “We shall indeed my dear.”

  “I will go back home too Blanche if you don’t mind, and get dinner ready for Mr Grundy,” Ella said, and their ways parted.

  Ella changed back into her old woollen dress and set about making an evening meal for when Mr Grundy arrived back home. Halfway thro
ugh the meal preparation, Charlie walked in followed by Jackson.

  “Clarence not back yet?” asked Jackson.

  “No. I am expecting him home any minute now.”

  “Did you have a good day at the shops?” Charlie asked.

  “We have had an excellent day, thank you. Have you both eaten?” she asked them.

  “No, Jackson said he could smell something nice coming from here, so if we were to come around on the pretence of wanting to see Clarence, he thought we might get an invite to stay,” Charlie informed her.

  Ella cast a glance at Jackson.

  “It is all true. It will save me having to do the cooking for us and anyway, your meals taste better than mine.”

  Ella could not help laughing, “In that case I had better do some more vegetables and we will all have to make do with a share of the meat.”

  Mr Grundy was delighted to see his kitchen crammed with people and the smell of a hot meal waiting for him.

  “I am ready for this. My days seem to get longer and longer.” Mr Grundy eased his bulk onto the only chair available to him.

  Over dinner Mr Grundy asked Charlie if he had found anything out about the body from the trunk.

  Charlie was pleased to be able to report that, "Sergeant Brook from Hotshell came over to Marchum this afternoon to see if our body from the trunk was his missing officer, and it turns out it is. His name is Melvin Keyser, but the sergeant has no idea why he should be running out of our wood with two bullets in him.

  “According to Sergeant Brook, Melvin Keyser was not working on anything that merited being shot at. The day he appeared in our trunk was his day off work. In fact, PC Keyser was not working over the weekend and that is why he was not missed. The plot thickens,” Charlie told them.

  “How is the patient by the way Jackson? He is still alive I take it?” Mr Grundy asked.

  “He is, and he must have come around sometime today for when last I looked in on him, he had moved his arm. The good arm was crossed over his body and resting on the sling on his bad arm. I am guessing he must have come to his senses and wondered where he was, and then passed out again. That is a good sign at least.”

  “That is our news out of the way. How did your shopping go?” Charlie asked Ella.

  “We had a great time. I have two new dresses, two pairs of new shoes and a new coat. I have spent all the money Mr Grundy gave me and as I had such a good time doing so I have bought him a present.” Ella went over to the cupboard and produced a bottle of port and handed it over to him.

  “Thank you my dear, but you should have spent the money on yourself, that is why I gave it to you. We shall go into the sitting room and open this bottle and have a glass before we retire.”

  “Sounds good to me,” said Jackson then continued, “You must have met Blanche’s mother then, Ella?”

  “Yes, I did, and she did the same to me as she did to you. She gave me a warm embrace and nearly smothered me in her breast,” Ella laughed.

  “I cannot wait to meet her,” Charlie said.

  “She will not smother you in her breast Charlie boy, your arse is too high up,” Jackson informed him.

  Ella’s eyes danced as they met Charlie’s, “What he meant to say is that I am taller than him, and that does not take much doing.”

  Mr Grundy gave an amused chuckle. “Don’t let Blanche hear you talking about her mother like that or you will all be in deep water. Let’s go and open this bottle, shall we?”

  But before they could leave the kitchen, a knock came to the door and Blanche entered.

  “I had to escape. My mother is arranging a meal for us all after the wedding, so I have left her to it. I am sorry Jackson, but I will have to let her do the organising of the meal. It is making her happy having something to do and anyway, my parents’ house has more room and I know my mother will put something special on for us.”

  “If they are paying for it, why should I mind? I am all for that,” Jackson told her.

  “You are just in time, we are about to retire to the sitting room to open this bottle of port Ella bought for me today,” said Mr Grundy.

  “None for you though Blanche, not until you have had the baby,” Jackson was adamant.

  “You are becoming my mother, Jackson,” complained Blanche.

  “No way, I am looking out for the wellbeing of our baby; I do not want anything to happen to either of you.”

  “In that case, if Blanche is not allowed to participate, then neither shall I. If you men want to leave the table and go and pull the cork, Blanche and I will stay in here and I will make us a nice cup of hot chocolate. Blanche can sit and drink her chocolate while I clear this lot away. Then Blanche and I will go and have a look at the patient,” Ella told them.

  The two ladies could hear laughter coming from the sitting room as they made their way out of Mr Grundy’s and into Charlie’s house. The door was unlocked as usual and in they went and straight up the stairs to the sickroom.

  They found the patient wide awake and looking bewildered at them.

  “Where am I?” he asked.

  “I will run next door and get the men,” Ella said.

  While Ella ran next door, Blanche went over to the bed and speaking softly she told the patient, “Do not worry, you are amongst friends. You have had two bullets taken out of you and you have been very poorly, but I am glad to see you are now on the way to recovery.”

  “How long have I been here?” he wanted to know.

  “Today is Monday and you appeared in the trunk on Saturday, so I make that three days,” Blanche informed him.

  Ella ran down Charlie’s garden path and up Mr Grundy’s then, without knocking on the sitting room door she burst in.

  “The trunk man is conscious,” she informed them.

  All three men jumped up and Charlie said, “Lead on fair maid, we follow you once more to the ends of the earth and if you feel like throwing yourself into my arms and laughing, please feel free to do so.”

  Ella’s eyes sparkled back at him, but she made no comment, turned and headed back out with the men following her.

  The trunk man found himself the subject of five pairs of eyes, he recognised none of them.

  “Do you know how you came to have two bullets lodged in you?” asked Charlie.

  “No, I have just opened my eyes and I do not know where I am or who I am. I tried to get out of bed, but I soon laid my head back on the pillow to say nothing of the pain in my shoulder. How did I get here and who are all of you?” PC Keyser wanted to know.

  “We have found out that you are a policeman and your name is, Melvin Keyser. You were spotted by this delightful young woman,” Charlie indicated Ella, "running across, Mr Grundy’s meadow and it turned out you were carrying excess baggage with you in the shape of two bullets.

  “You made your way into the extension at the side of Mr Grundy’s house and you hid inside a trunk. The same young lady spotted blood on the floor at the base of the trunk and if it had not been for her quickness of mind and good bit of detective work, you may well still be in the trunk, where you would no doubt have bled to death.”

  Charlie slapped Mr Grundy on the back and continued, "The workshop where you hid belongs to this kindly gentleman, and when the same young lady who spotted you running across the meadow found your occurrence book at the bottom of the trunk, she handed it to Mr Grundy. Mr Grundy recognised it for what it was, and he handed it to me.

  “Jackson,” Charlie then indicated Jackson by pointing a finger at him, "took the bullets out of you and I am a fellow policeman, my name is Inspector Blurr, and I am based at Marchum police station. You belong to Hotshell Division. We knew this because of the occurrence book that Ella found.

  “I went over to Hotshell and a policeman from there came to see if you are PC Keyser and he was able to confirm that you were their missing policeman. It was a very sensible thing to do, to climb into that trunk, because you had two unlikely characters hot on your heels. We have yet to disco
ver who they were, or why they were chasing you.”

  “And who is the other handsome young woman?” asked PC Keyser.

  “The other handsome young woman belongs to me, so you had better not have any thoughts in that direction or I shall put those bullets back where I took them from,” Jackson threatened.

  “Take no notice of him PC Keyser, he is having a baby and his hormones are all over the place,” Charlie told him.

  “Damn right I am having a baby,” confirmed the indignant Jackson.

  Blanche took control of the situation by saying, “Let me introduce you to us all properly, PC Keyser. This is Mr Grundy, Inspector Charlie Blurr, Charlie Jackson, Miss Ella Penrod and myself, Miss Blanche Moyer soon to be Mrs Charlie Jackson.”

  “I am very pleased to meet you all and you have my thanks for what you are doing for me. I wish I could remember who I am then I might be able to remember how I came to be shot.”

  “You have lost a lot of blood. A couple of days rest and I am sure you will start to remember how you got here. The best thing to do now is to eat and drink, drink as much as you can to get some fluid back into your body,” Jackson advised.

  “If he is to drink a lot, I will go and get the port,” Charlie joked knowing full well that Jackson had meant water.

  “You will have to excuse him PC Keyser, he is in love and his hormones are all over the place,” Jackson replied.

  Charlie and Ella exchanged a quick glance.

  Mr Grundy said, “We will leave you to it then. I am pleased you are now on the way to recovery PC Keyser. That port has made me sleepy, my bed is calling me.”

  Ella said goodnight to everybody and went home with Mr Grundy.

  Both went up the stairs and to their respective beds but before they parted, Mr Grundy asked Ella, “Do you mind Charlie referring to you as his fiancée?”

  Ella laughed and said, "To be truthful Mr Grundy, I love being part of their little game. I have only been here four days and it already feels like I belong here, and I am part of a family again so no Mr Grundy, I do not mind Charlie calling me his fiancée.

  “I am so grateful you contacted me. I can understand why my Aunt Fran came to live with you and never left. Now I have had a taste of this wonderful little family of yours, I hope I never have to leave.”