War in the Valleys

by Francesca Capaldi

  ‘He’s been taken to the hospital,’ said Harries. ‘Which is where you all belong.’

  ‘I’m not going anywhere until Aunty Mirjam’s brought out,’ said Noah. ‘And look, they’re getting the better of the fire now.’

  ‘Please, please go.’ Bethan put her hands together in the manner of prayer. ‘You’re not breathing right. I’ll stay here for Mirjam.’

  But as she said this, Cadoc appeared through the door, half carrying, half dragging Mrs Schenck out. Noah limped towards them with Bethan, followed by Dr Roberts and all three policemen.

  Mrs Schenck wasn’t looking good, with her face pale and eyes closed. And her clothes were scorched on one side. Violet looked away, afraid of what else she might see.

  ‘You should have left me, left me to die,’ she raved.

  ‘Aunty Mirjam, you’re safe now,’ said Noah.

  ‘No, no, I’ll never be safe.’ She hollered out a pitiful lament and fainted.

  Dr Roberts checked the pulse on Mirjam’s neck. ‘We must get her to the hospital. You there!’ He pointed to four middle-aged men. ‘I’ve a blanket here. Come and carry Mrs Schenck.’

  They did as they were told, conveying her gently but quickly ahead of the others. Noah was now willing to be led away.

  Anwen held on to Idris. Violet was desperate to do the same with Hywel, but after the rumours that had gone around the village, and now the row with the family, it was impossible.

  ‘Where’s Mr Beadle gone?’ said the doctor, looking around.

  ‘We were so concerned with Mrs Schenck we didn’t notice him leaving,’ said Anwen. ‘He’s been a recluse since his accident and doesn’t like attention.’

  ‘You’re probably right,’ said the doctor. ‘But someone ought to go to his home and make sure he’s all right, and bring him down to the hospital.’

  ‘We’ll do that,’ said David Keir, the union representative, beckoning his two mates.

  Several other men were chosen to help people down to the hospital. Violet, Gwen and Mabel watched as the casualties variously limped and shuffled down Station Road, past the grocer’s store. The sky above the mountain on the other side of the valley was yellow, with swirls of pink and lilac, showing that the day was well and truly on its way. The crowd were moving to watch Phillips the Fire get the upper hand on the flames, when there was an outbreak of shouting from near the park entrance.

  ‘There she is. I bet she started it.’ Florrie Harris was pointing a gnarled finger at Esther Williams, who was walking towards them.

  Esther came to a standstill. ‘I saw the smoke and came to see what was going on.’

  ‘Just saw the smoke! Listen to her. She could see the fire all right from her bedroom, pretending she doesn’t know what’s going on. Bet she started it. She always did say Mr Schenck should shut down for the duration. Now she’s got her way.’

  Esther looked genuinely shocked, but also frightened. She backed against the railings of the gardens. Several accusing voices shouted insults at her.

  Gwen let go of Violet and came forward. ‘And I heard from a reliable source that you were wishing bad things on Mr Schenck not long ago. What were the words? Something about people getting their comeuppances.’

  ‘That’s right,’ called another voice in the gathering. ‘I heard that too.’

  ‘It wasn’t aimed at Mr Schenck. It was aimed at Rose Pritchard,’ said Esther.

  Rose stepped out of the throng. ‘I don’t recall you saying that to me, you liar.’

  ‘You’d already left. Your father had fetched you back. It was when we were outside the bookshop, about four week back now. With Mrs Meredith.’

  ‘It was aimed at everyone there, I was told,’ said Gwen.

  Violet nudged her. ‘Let’s not get involved.’ She knew Gwen had got that third-hand from Anwen, via Idris.

  ‘And I heard your lad Christopher tried to steal books from Mr Schenck and got thrown out,’ said Florrie. ‘Another reason for you to be resentful.’

  ‘Now, now,’ said Sergeant Harries, coming between them with his arms out at his sides. ‘We shouldn’t be jumping to conclusions.’

  Esther was already hurrying back in the direction of her house and Rose had disappeared back in the crowd.

  ‘Now all back to your homes,’ said Harries. ‘Though I’m sure the Schencks would appreciate some help clearing up when the time’s right.’ He looked back at the shop forlornly. ‘Let’s make sure first these folks involved in the fire are being treated. Then we’ll worry about whether someone started it, or if it was an accident. And believe me, if I find out it were deliberate, it will be a sorry day for the perpetrators.’ His bushy eyebrows almost met in the middle as he glared at the crowd.

  Violet looked back briefly at where Esther had disappeared round the corner of the park. Whatever verbal poison she’d been spitting at Mr Schenck and the others, she couldn’t quite believe she’d have done this.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Violet pushed the back door open, guiding Clarice and Benjamin into the scullery. The walk out this morning hadn’t yielded as much information about the fire and those involved as she’d been hoping. There’d been no news while they’d been at chapel yesterday either. Then the persistent rain after dinner had precluded any walk she’d been hoping to have with the children and Olwen that afternoon. But no news was good news, or so people often said. Violet reflected that this had not been the case for many of the families awaiting news of their men on the Front. She pictured Charlie, desperately trying to hold on to his image, but it was soon replaced by Hywel. She was particularly eager for news of him after the fire.

  She shook herself. Not today. She had passed the bookshop while she was out, and a sorry state it had looked. Clarice, sensitive soul that she was, had burst into tears and, inevitably, Benjamin had followed suit. Most who’d passed by had shaken their heads and said what a terrible thing to happen. Only a few had said nothing. This had included Polly’s awful new family, though Polly herself, dragging behind, carrying baby Herby, had looked back at the scene with uncharacteristic concern.

  ‘Take your coats off,’ she called as the children were about to enter the kitchen. ‘I’m doing you some dinner now.’

  The weather today had also descended into cloud and rain. Clarice removed her coat. It was getting too short for her now. Perhaps she should take some of those baby clothes to Mrs Bowen, like Gwen had suggested a while back, and get some money for a bigger second-hand one for her. Benjy was struggling to get his coat off, so Clarice put hers on the table and helped him.

  The children were already sitting down at the kitchen table when Olwen returned from her half-day at the Big House. Mrs Meredith had given her some time off for Whit Monday.

  ‘Having dinner already? An egg each with their bread and dripping? That’s a little extravagant.’

  ‘They’re from the hens Gwilym is looking after. He gave me one each for the children as we passed by to admire the chickens earlier.’

  ‘Hmph! You could have scrambled them and shared them between the four of us.’

  Violet could only think of an impolite reply, so said instead, ‘We’re having dinner early because it’s the Sunday School treat this afternoon. Though I don’t see them getting much of a parade in this weather.’

  ‘They shouldn’t even be having the tea!’ Olwen exclaimed.

  Clarice’s face fell. ‘We’re not having the tea?’

  ‘Yes, you are, cariad,’ said Violet. ‘Don’t worry.’

  Olwen crossed her arms and thumped them against her body. ‘The Food Controller advised against such indulgence because of the shortages. I read it in the newspaper.’

  Violet looked down at the sad faces of her children. Poor little mites, having even this small treat spoiled, and by their mamgu too. ‘Pastor Lewis’s wife, Anabel, told me the local grocer’s were able to supply the food, so they decided to go ahead. So that’s good, isn’t it cariadon?’

  The children cheered, thei
r little mouths turned up in smiles.

  ‘Hmph. I’d like a word in the scullery.’ Olwen sniffed and stepped stiffly towards the door.

  Oh, what now?

  ‘You eat up,’ said Violet, leaving the children to it.

  In the scullery, Olwen stood in the middle of the room, head tipped up, as if she owned the place.

  ‘On my way back, I had the misfortune to be waylaid by that Florrie Harris. Told me she was at the fire yesterday morning and saw you.’

  ‘You already know I was there.’

  ‘She said you tried to run into the burning building, and that Idris stopped you. She said that Hywel Llewellyn was already in there.’ Giving her head a short, stern nod, she pushed her lips out at the same time, as if she’d made her point.

  Violet knew now where this was going. Her face heated up, but she played innocent anyway. ‘Yes, I was running after Bethan Schenck to stop her going in. Idris didn’t realise that’s what I was doing. I’m hardly going to run into a burning building when I’ve got two babbies to look after. That’s why I tried to persuade Bethan not to go. But she was frantic with worry about Noah, poor woman. Luckily everyone came out, though I’ve not heard how they all are, particularly Mr and Mrs Schenck.’ She was prattling on, hoping to distract Olwen from her line of thinking.

  ‘That’s not what it looked like to Mrs Harris. She thought you might be running in to save that Hywel Llewellyn, after the rumours she’d heard.’

  Violet was starting to lose her temper but knew it would be dangerous to give in to it so said calmly, ‘And I wonder where she heard those rumours.’

  Olwen took a step back and sniffed once more. ‘I presume we’ll be having some dinner soon too.’

  ‘I’ve had some pigeon scraps with bread already. There’s some left for you which I’ll fetch out. I’ll make some tea first. Unless you’d like to do that.’

  Olwen scowled. ‘I’ve been at work all morning, not out admiring chickens.’ With that, she stomped back to the kitchen.

  * * *

  As Violet was finishing the drying up, there was a knock on the scullery door. Gwen entered.

  ‘I’ve come to see if you’d like a walk to the park before the kiddie’s parade,’ she said. ‘While there’s a break from the rain. It’s much milder now too. And I’ve the latest news about the casualties yesterday.’

  A rush of warmth coursed through Violet’s body. The euphoria was fleeting; it could be bad news. Gwen’s expression gave nothing away.

  ‘So, how are they all?’

  ‘Idris, Bethan and Twm Bach came out of hospital yesterday afternoon,’ said Gwen. ‘Hywel and Noah came out in the evening. Hywel’s resting now and still got a bit of a cough, but is otherwise fine. Bethan’s parents are looking after her and the family.’

  ‘That’s good news at least,’ said Violet, though the fact Hywel was still coughing worried her.

  ‘The Schencks are in hospital still, but Mr Schenck is sitting up and talking. They say Mrs Schenck has some minor burns on her arm. She’s recovering though she’s still sleepy.’

  ‘Poor Mrs Schenck,’ said Violet. ‘Sleep’s probably the best thing for her. What about Cadoc?’

  ‘Well there’s a strange thing, nobody’s been able to find him. David Keir and some others searched his house. He must have gone off for a walk, which is maybe what he was doing when he saw the shop was on fire. Though it’s an odd time to go for a walk and no mistake. Someone knocked again this morning but there was no reply and they left him to it. Perhaps he doesn’t want to be bothered with people.’

  Olwen tramped in. ‘I thought I heard voices.’

  ‘Hello Mrs Jones, I’m just telling Violet the news about those involved in the fire and rescue yesterday.’

  ‘Oh yes, I’m sure you are,’ said Olwen sharply, pursing her lips and crossing her arms.

  Gwen looked a little baffled. ‘Anyway, we’re going for a walk. Um, would you like to come too, Mrs Jones?’

  ‘You’re not going, are you?’ Olwen said to Violet, her tone reproachful. ‘The parade doesn’t start till three o’clock.’

  ‘We’re taking advantage of the dry weather,’ said Gwen. ‘My goodness, you wouldn’t think it was nearly June now, would you? What a terrible spring we’ve had.’

  Violet had the impression her friend was trying to engage Olwen in friendly conversation to get on her good side. She’d seen so many people do this, probably knowing how quickly she got cross. But her mother-in-law’s lack of interest in how the casualties were doing was shocking. Violet felt lucky that Gwen at least still called for her, given how rude Olwen could be. She’d learned her own lesson after being so rude about Elizabeth. It was quite unforgiveable of her.

  ‘You have to put up with the weather the good Lord sends,’ said Olwen. ‘And no, I won’t be accompanying you.’

  Violet gave a silent sigh of relief.

  ‘I suppose you’ll come out later to see your grandchildren at the parade and the tea,’ said Gwen.

  ‘No, I will not. The Food Controller said there should be no teas so I will not be attending on principle.’ Olwen turned abruptly and went back to the kitchen.

  Gwen frowned. ‘What was that all about?’

  ‘Take no notice,’ said Violet. ‘You know what she’s like.’

  ‘Is she objecting to me giving you news of Hywel?’

  Violet hesitated. ‘You know she got the wrong end of the stick.’ She waved her hand to dismiss it.

  ‘You and Hywel did seem to be getting on well. There’s nothing wrong with that. In fact, it’s a shame Olwen’s caused such a rumpus that you’ve fallen out with Anwen’s family.’

  Violet’s stomach knotted. ‘We got to know each other a bit when he lodged here, that’s all.’ She shrugged.

  ‘He’s a nice man,’ said Gwen. ‘Kind. And not too much older than you. If you ask me, it would have been a good thing for you both, to—’

  ‘You shouldn’t say such things,’ Violet said in a loud whisper. ‘Especially not with Olwen’ – she gestured towards the kitchen door – ‘here. Anyway, the row was my fault too, as I was rude about Elizabeth.’

  ‘Yes, I heard that. I don’t think your opinion was quite as unreasonable as they made out. You know she asked me along to the cinema last August, but never asked again, so I guess she wasn’t that keen on my company. Felt a little offended, I did.’

  ‘You could have invited her,’ said Violet.

  ‘Goodness, no! She’s higher class so I wouldn’t presume. And it wouldn’t have been a good idea, given the circumstances. Never mind that, shall we get going in case it rains again?’

  Violet fetched the children and they were soon ready and out of the door. In a way it was lucky that Olwen disapproved and wouldn’t come; at least she’d have some peace from her.

  ‘How is your mother-in-law getting on with her job at the Big House?’ Gwen asked as they walked along the pavement.

  ‘I’ve no idea really. I’ve heard more complaints about Mrs Rhys than anything else.’

  ‘Oh dear, have they fallen out at work?’

  ‘No, but it sounds like the atmosphere is very chilly between them. Olwen objects to Mrs Rhys bringing instructions from Mrs Meredith, though I don’t know what else she could do.’

  It was a wonder to Violet that Elizabeth hadn’t seen to it that Olwen was dismissed before she’d even started, but she kept this to herself.

  Reaching Edward Street and turning onto it, they watched the workers on the allotment. Gwen waved to Idris and Gwilym, who were looking at the chickens. Clarice and Benjamin skipped ahead, holding hands.

  Gwen sighed. ‘It’s just as well we decided not to go on that trip to Barry Island today that Anwen suggested a coupla months back, with the fire and the bad weather and all. Besides, what with the railways not running excursion services this year, the trains would have been packed.’

  ‘And the fares have gone up by fifty percent,’ Violet pointed out, wondering how a trip to Ba
rry would have worked with Anwen’s family now falling out with her.

  ‘I suppose. But when this is all over, one of the first things we should do is take a trip to Barry,’ Gwen announced.

  ‘What if it’s, say, November?’ said Violet.

  Gwen tutted. ‘Then we’ll have to go to Cardiff for afternoon tea instead, and go for a walk around the arcades and Cathays Park.’

  Turning onto Jubilee Gardens they both stopped to survey the ruined bookshop. The walls were still mostly standing, but the window frames were burnt and the glass smashed. Beyond the large shop windows there were piles of charred books and scorched bookcases. There was a group of men outside shovelling bits of debris. Twm Bach was wielding a wheelbarrow, taking the rubbish to where several lads were sorting it into neat piles. No doubt the council scavenger would bring his horse and cart to collect that which could be reused.

  ‘Twm seems to have the scouts involved in tidying up the bookshop,’ said Gwen. ‘Look, there’s Jenkin and Evan.’

  ‘Hello there,’ Twm called when he spotted them.

  Violet noticed Clarice’s face fall once more at the sight of the shop. ‘Why don’t you take Benjy into the park and have a look at the flowers, cariad.’

  The little girl linked hands with her brother and they crossed the road to the entrance of the park.

  ‘You’re all doing a good job here.’ Violet was impressed that so many had come out to help the Schencks.

  ‘Aye, well I likes a good book, me, so it’s sad to see the place like this. It were lucky that the house and shop either side weren’t affected. Fortunately, Mr Schenck has insurance so he’ll get the money to fix it up. Quite a few have volunteered to do it in their spare time, given how thin on the ground skilled builders are now.’

  ‘That’s wonderful.’ Violet felt a drop of hope nudge at the misery. Never mind the Olwens and Esthers of this world, there were generous people too. ‘I wonder if the books were insured,’ she said. ‘I don’t suppose he’ll be able to replace some of the second-hand ones.’