Christmas in Peppercorn Street

by Anna Jacobs

  It took both officers all their time to hold him, because he seemed oblivious to pain.

  The uniformed officer who’d been chasing Hilary grabbed her as she got up and marched her back towards the house.

  Another officer came across, helping get cuffs on Martin. From then on he refused to move but continued to yell at his mother.

  Hilary had stopped struggling and was weeping now as her son continued to yell curses and threats at her.

  ‘He hates me. How can he hate me?’ she whispered.

  ‘He doesn’t really hate you. He’s probably high on drugs.’

  Martin heard that and continued to glare at his mother. ‘She’s right. I do hate her. She’s a stupid bitch and if I never see her again, it’ll be too soon.’

  ‘I don’t know what he’s on,’ the female officer said to Hilary. ‘But you don’t often see them reacting this badly to drugs. He really doesn’t know what he’s saying, let alone mean it.’

  But somehow Hilary felt quite sure Martin did mean it, high on drugs or just high on arrogance. She covered her face with her hands, sobbing loudly, unable to bear the sight of him glaring at her.

  The officer looked at her sympathetically. The poor woman had drawn the short straw in getting a son like this.

  She looked round as someone called, ‘I’ve contacted the emergency department at the hospital. An ambulance is on its way. I’ve warned them they’ll need to sedate him before they can do anything to help him.’

  ‘I hope they get here quickly.’ She turned round as a man came out of the house to join them. ‘Eric. Fancy meeting you here.’

  He rolled his eyes. ‘Yeah. Like Gunfight at the OK Corral today, isn’t it? Look, you’ll need to call Danny about his. Martin Douglas is a person of interest to them on more than one count.’

  ‘OK. Thanks for confirming the identification. You’re sure of who he is?’

  ‘Yeah. I’m working for his father, who wants to trace him, and also for the owner of Number 4, who wants to protect the woman Martin Douglas has been stalking.’ He looked at the still sobbing mother, hating to see her anguish, and lowered his voice. ‘Hard on her, eh?’

  He was thinking of putting his arm round Hilary, out of the sheer human desire to console someone in such extreme distress, when there was a shout from the side of the house. A man came across the back garden, moving slowly and carefully, with another officer’s hand on his shoulder.

  When they reached the woman, the officer said, ‘All right. See if you can calm your wife down, sir.’

  Tom put his arms round Hilary, feeling as if his heart was breaking. ‘It’s me, love.’

  She clung to him, trying to speak but unable to get any coherent words out.

  The officer whispered to him what Martin had said and Tom closed his eyes in despair. This would surely destroy her.

  ‘Can I take her home?’

  ‘She could be charged with obstructing the police,’ the officer who’d accompanied him round the house said.

  One of the armed officers looked across at Hilary pityingly. ‘I don’t think she should be charged. I think she’s been punished enough. Anyway we’ll know where to find her if we need her.’

  ‘So can I take her home, then?’ Tom asked again.

  ‘Yes. But I think you ought to get a doctor to see her, don’t you?’

  He nodded and began to lead Hilary back to their car. She kept stumbling, hardly seeming aware of what they were doing. Tears were still running down her cheeks, so many tears.

  When they got home, Hilary looked at Tom and said in a husky voice, ‘He meant it. It wasn’t just the drugs talking.’

  ‘I know. Our son’s turned into a sad, warped creature.’

  Then she surprised him. ‘I’m not going to let him destroy me, Tom. Or us. You won’t leave me, will you?’

  ‘Of course not.’ And he took her into his arms again.

  ‘I did everything I could, for years, tried to help him, tried to make him feel loved. But I couldn’t get through to him. I needed to do my best, though, Tom, or I couldn’t have forgiven myself.’

  ‘Well, you did more than anyone could have expected, put up with a lot, so you can be proud of how hard you tried. It’s medical help he needs now. I hope there’s something they can do for him.’

  ‘I think I’ll need help, too, from a counsellor. I’ll do whatever it takes to – to get better. If you stay with me. He was – hardly human.’

  ‘That’s my girl. I’m sure you’ll cope if we get help. And just you try getting rid of me.’

  She cried again, thanking him over and over. Then they sat down and held one another for a long time, not even making a cup of tea, just needing the comfort of a loving touch.

  He wouldn’t mind getting help from a professional counsellor, too, Tom decided, trying to hold back his own tears. He was feeling ravaged by this, too. How could you not be? His son was mad. On drugs. How could such things happen?

  He didn’t know. He didn’t feel as if he knew anything.

  It wasn’t till later that Hilary said something that comforted them both.

  ‘This means that we can see our granddaughter again. That’s the only good thing.’

  ‘If Claire will let us.’

  ‘She will. I know she will.’

  Eric and the sergeant went into the house once Martin had been taken away and everything had been dealt with outside.

  ‘That poor woman,’ the sergeant said. ‘She’ll need help to get over it. I doubt he’s even sane enough to stand trial.’

  ‘I hope they lock him up and throw away the key,’ Eric said. ‘I’ve no sympathy with people who take drugs. And that guy has made his wife and child’s lives a misery for years. They’ve a chance now of making a happy life for themselves.’

  He nodded as if that thought pleased him, then smiled. ‘And if I’m not mistaken she’ll be getting together with the owner of this house, who is a genuinely nice guy. If ever I saw two people in love, it’s them.’

  ‘We’d better go and check on them before I leave.’

  They went upstairs and tapped on the door of the front bedroom, opening it slightly.

  Four people seemed to be asleep in the bed and the dog was lying on a rug near the foot of the bed. It wagged its tail at the sight of them but didn’t get up.

  Luke opened his eyes and put one finger to his lips, making a faint shushing sound and jerking his head towards the others.

  Eric moved backwards as quietly as he could and closed the door.

  ‘Let’s give them another hour or so before you speak to them.’

  ‘I should get back to the station.’

  ‘An hour won’t make much difference. I’ll make you a coffee and some toast if you’re hungry.’

  ‘I am, actually.’

  Eric sniffed the air as they went into the kitchen. ‘Ah, Caitlin. You wonderful woman! Is that coffee I see waiting for us?’

  ‘What else? I used the good stuff and the fancy coffee maker. We’ve all earned it today, I reckon. Luke won’t mind. Where is he?’

  ‘Asleep. They all are.’

  ‘They slept through it?’ she asked in astonishment.

  ‘They built good solid houses in the old days and solid wooden doors on the inside as well as the outside. We’re leaving them for another hour or so. That family’s been through a lot lately.’

  He knew they weren’t a family exactly, but they acted like one and he hoped they’d become one.

  Just over an hour later, Luke came down to join them. ‘Sorry about us falling asleep on you. It was so comfortable in that bed.’

  ‘You were awake when I looked in.’

  ‘Only just. I drifted off again. I presume you caught Martin?’

  Claire followed him into the kitchen, yawning. ‘What did we miss?’

  It was the officer who spoke. ‘Your ex-husband went crazy and started firing at the police. Good thing he’s a pitiful shot and the gun had a silencer or he’d have woken the neig
hbourhood.’

  ‘He used to hate guns, said he’d never held one and never would.’

  ‘Well, he was holding one like an amateur today but he wouldn’t put it down. They had to shoot him in the leg to stop him, or else he might have hit one of the officers. He’s been taken to hospital. He’s way beyond high on some sort of drugs, if I’m any judge. He’ll be locked away for a good while, I’d guess.’

  She stared at him then closed her eyes in sheer relief. ‘Oh, thank goodness! Thank goodness!’

  ‘Not sure if he’ll recover from the drugs or how long it’ll take. You’ll be kept informed. We’re just guessing. But if he’s been annoying you as much as Eric here says, well, I’d say you’ll be clear of him for a good many years, whatever happens to his own state of health. He shot at police officers, and that is a serious offence! And he treated his mother abominably. You should have heard the things he said to her. I doubt she’ll ever speak to him again.’

  ‘But she dotes on him. I thought he loved her, at least, though he argued with his father sometimes.’

  ‘I’d not be so sure of her doting on him any longer after what he said to her. I felt sorry for the poor woman.’

  ‘Oh dear. She’s a nice person, didn’t deserve a son like him.’

  The two girls were hungry as usual and led the way downstairs for some food.

  After Luke and Claire had explained what had happened, everyone looked at Gabby.

  ‘Are you all right, love?’ Claire asked.

  She looked round at them all solemnly. ‘Yes, I am. But I’ll feel better if he’s locked away. He’s a horrible man. I wish he wasn’t my father.’

  Claire took a deep breath. The time had come to say it. ‘He isn’t your father.’

  The silence seemed to echo round them as the others took this in.

  Gabby frowned at her mother. ‘I don’t understand.’

  Claire could feel herself flushing as she tried to explain the medical facts to her young daughter in front of a room full of people. ‘He, um, he couldn’t father a child. His body didn’t produce the, um, seeds necessary. So we got a donor to supply them and well, you are the result of that and of me. I’m definitely your mother.’

  Gabby beamed at her. ‘Oh. I see. That’s great news. We did about how babies are made in science at school. I know all the proper words for the body parts and how they all get together.’

  Claire didn’t know what to say to that. ‘Right. Um, good.’

  ‘So do you know who my real biological father is?’

  ‘No. It was an anonymous donation.’

  ‘That’s a pity. I’d really like a proper father.’ Gabby looked sideways at Luke as she spoke.

  Dee let out a choke of laughter. ‘You can’t rush people into these things, Gabby. Give your mother time to recover from having to run away all the time. And she and my father need to get to know one another better. Who knows what will happen then?’

  Claire changed the subject hastily. ‘We’ll be able to find somewhere decent to live now and not bother Luke.’

  He held up one hand. ‘No. We agreed to spend Christmas together and I’m not letting you go back on your word.’

  Dee and Gabby looked at her anxiously.

  Claire hesitated, then said, ‘I don’t want to impose on you.’

  ‘We’ve already discussed that. It’s not imposing. We love having you and there are benefits both ways. Anyway, these girls deserve a proper family Christmas, with your home cooking. You promised that. And I’m going to see that you give it to them.’

  The police officer and Eric had kept quiet, but Dee and Gabby continued to watch Claire and Luke intently, heads turning from one person to another, looking as if they were at a tennis match.

  When Gabby opened her mouth to say something, Claire saw Dee dig an elbow in her side and shush her.

  She turned back to Luke. ‘Are you sure you want us to stay?’

  ‘Very sure.’ His smile lit up his whole face. ‘I’m not going to let you get away so easily.’

  It seemed as if even the dog was holding her breath, waiting for Claire’s answer.

  Claire gave in to temptation. ‘That’ll be so lovely. Thank you.’ But her eyes said a lot more to him.

  The police officer and Eric took the opportunity to slip out of the room, smiling at one another.

  Claire laughed as the girls erupted into cheers, then started dancing each other round the kitchen, singing, ‘Christmas is coming, the geese are getting fat.’

  ‘Stupid song, that,’ Claire said.

  Luke chuckled. ‘Yes, but look at those two dancing to it. Isn’t that a wonderful sight?’

  ‘Wonderful.’

  ‘Why don’t we join them? I can sing stupid songs as well as the next person.’ He grabbed Claire and began twirling her round the kitchen till she was helpless with laughter.

  When the girls stopped singing for lack of breath, everyone collapsed onto chairs, panting.

  ‘I can’t wait for Christmas!’ Gabby said.

  ‘Me too.’ Dee grinned at her father.

  When they’d got their breath back and had something to eat, Claire took Gabby upstairs to get washed and dressed.

  Once the two of them were alone, Dee fixed her father with a very stern look. ‘If you don’t find some way to keep her here permanently, I’ll never forgive you.’

  ‘I’ll never forgive myself. Don’t worry, I’m onto it.’

  ‘Good.’

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  The next week passed lazily, with shopping expeditions and secret meetings to discuss presents, as well as secret sessions to make Christmas cards, since at Dee’s suggestion, everyone was making them, not buying them.

  The few times they had to deal with the police were over and done with quickly.

  Dee grumbled about having to go to school, but Luke insisted.

  Gabby was looking forward to school in the new year. Claire had decided that it’d be better for her not to start at a new school yet. Besides, she would only miss a few more days of lessons.

  At home, it was Dee who made opportunities for Claire and Luke to spend time together. At first, aware of what the girl was doing, Claire was embarrassed.

  ‘Don’t!’ Luke said one day as she grew flustered about Dee’s wink as she took Gabby out for a brisk walk.

  ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘Don’t get embarrassed about what Dee is doing.’

  ‘Oh, well. It’s just – I don’t want her to push me at you.’

  ‘I do. I want it very much.’

  Those simple words stopped her dead in her tracks. She looked at him and when he held out his hand, she walked across the kitchen and took it.

  He tucked her hand under his arm and walked with her into the living room. ‘This isn’t a conversation I want to hold in a kitchen. It’s too important.’

  When they were sitting down on the sofa, he took both her hands in his. ‘I want Dee to push you at me partly because it means she’s agreeable to me chatting you up.’

  That made her smile. ‘Chatting me up. What an old-fashioned term.’

  ‘I like it and I like doing it. That’s the other part of what I want. But you’re a hard lady to win. Do you want me to back off? I will if I have to, but it’ll make me sad.’

  ‘Why do you say that?’ She still found it hard to believe he could care about her.

  ‘Sad at losing this chance of what promises to become a real family, sad to risk you taking Gabby away from Dee. A little sister is the best thing that’s happened to my daughter in years. And most of all, sad for myself if I lost you. I fell in love with you very quickly, you know, Claire. The genuine thing. I don’t know why, but it just happened. And it feels so very right.’

  He paused and asked again, ‘Do you really want me to back off?’

  She took a deep breath and let herself believe. ‘No. I don’t. I’ve rather fallen for you, too. I was just afraid of you feeling you had to continue looking after us.’r />
  ‘O ye of little faith! I want to look after you both, you dope. That’s very different from having to. But I also want you to look after me and my daughter. Mutual support and love and the whole shebang is what I want. Could we try it?’

  Her doubts fell away and she raised his hand to her lips, seeing the joy bloom in his face. ‘Yes, please, kind sir.’

  ‘We must seal that with a kiss, but what’s the betting the kids return and interrupt it?’

  ‘I don’t care. If you’re sure.’

  So he proved how sure he was in every tender way he could, kissing her, murmuring soft words of love, holding her close.

  He thought he’d listened for the kids to return, but when someone cleared their throat nearby, he and Claire jerked apart in shock.

  Dee and Gabby were standing there beaming.

  ‘Now that was a good, long kiss,’ Dee said. ‘I hope I find someone who can kiss like that when I fall in love.’

  ‘Does that mean you and Luke are in love, Mum?’ Gabby asked.

  Claire and Luke spoke at the same time. ‘Of course it does.’

  Then Helly jumped up to give Claire and Luke a few doggy kisses, and everyone chuckled as the two adults tried to fend her off and keep away from those licks.

  It took a while because the dog seemed to sense the joy in the room and had grown wildly excited at this new game of pile-up-onto-the-sofa.

  When it was Gabby’s bedtime, Claire went up to say a final goodnight.

  ‘Are you sure you’re happy about me and Luke getting together permanently?’ she asked, stroking her daughter’s hair back and planting a kiss on her forehead. ‘He won’t be like Martin.’

  ‘Of course I’m happy. Dee said you were in love, but it seemed to take ages for you to show it.’

  ‘And you’ve no worries about anything else?’

  Gabby hesitated.

  ‘Go on. You know you can tell me anything.’

  ‘Eric said Grandma Hilary was crying and crying, because Martin had been cruel to her.’

  ‘Yes. I felt so sorry for her when I heard about that.’