War in the Valleys

by Francesca Capaldi

  ‘Yes, yes, you have a plan. All right. What have you got in mind?’

  * * *

  Anwen and her friends had passed the chapel on Gabriel Street, and still Gwen and Elizabeth had not given each other more than a cursory greeting. Anwen had done most of the talking on the way, though that had been little enough. Elizabeth walked stiffly, with her parasol up. Gwen strode ahead of them, as if determined to get this over and done with. Anwen was not at all sure this was a good idea now, but it was better than either Gwen or Elizabeth tackling Tallis about this on their own.

  Gabriel Street became Mafeking Terrace with its short line of houses, the front gardens bigger than any others in the village. At the end of the terrace was a lane that led to the back gardens.

  ‘Gwen, if you wait on the pavement, Elizabeth and I will hide up the alley here. You know what to do when he stops.’

  Gwen nodded. Elizabeth folded down her parasol as Anwen led her to a hedge, where they concealed themselves. They waited around five minutes before at last they heard a motorcar approaching. Elizabeth peeped through a gap.

  ‘That’s him now,’ she whispered.

  The car did a one hundred and eighty degree turn in the road, then reversed into place on their side, facing Rhymney. With the engine still running, Tallis got out of the car and made to open the door for Gwen.

  ‘This is our cue,’ said Anwen, noticing Elizabeth had gone pale. Nevertheless, she followed her out.

  Tallis didn’t notice them at first, so absorbed by Gwen’s presence did he seem. It was only when Elizabeth said, ‘Hello Ralph,’ that he spun around in shock.

  ‘Elizabeth! What on earth—?’

  ‘Am I doing here? I could ask you the same.’

  ‘I should like a few answers too,’ said Gwen, whose smile had now become a glower.

  He looked from one to the other several times, not even registering Anwen.

  ‘Well, um, you see, I offered Gwen a lift as she was wanting to go into Rhymney, didn’t I, Gwen?’

  The jolly smile he put on was in the hope Gwen would comply, Anwen was sure, but it didn’t work.

  ‘No I didn’t, Ralph. You offered to take me to the Theatre Royal and Empire in Merthyr.’

  ‘I, that is—’

  ‘You’re clearly fond of going there,’ said Elizabeth, ‘for you’ve taken me there a few times.’

  ‘Yes, we’ve been once before too,’ said Gwen. ‘I dare say if we compared notes we’d find we’d visited quite a number of the same places.’

  ‘I have no doubt at all.’ Elizabeth crossed her arms. Gwen adopted the same posture.

  ‘So, Mr Tallis,’ said Anwen, getting more than a little irritated with this man. ‘What is your explanation? Do you maybe have an identical twin brother, like in Shakespeare’s Comedy of Errors?’

  Tallis had the good grace at least to look ashamed.

  ‘No, I thought not. You’re just a scoundrel who thought he could deceive two decent women. Or perhaps you have more than two sweethearts you’re walking out with.’

  He looked astounded. ‘No, of course not! It was only, well, I liked them both and didn’t know who to choose.’

  ‘What?’ yelled Gwen. She lifted her handbag and started beating it across Tallis’s arm and chest. He lifted his arms to protect himself.

  Anwen stepped forward to take hold of her arm. ‘That’s enough now Gwen.’

  ‘That man is the, the – he’s a rascal! As if it’s acceptable to be walking out with two ladies just because you can’t choose. Oh!’

  ‘My dear Gwen,’ said Tallis. ‘You can hardly be called a lady now, being the class you are.’

  Gwen pulled herself away from Anwen and gave Tallis a sound slap across the face. He reeled sideways a few steps before his hand went to the spot and his face crumpled in pain. As Anwen pulled her away once more, Elizabeth stepped forward.

  ‘You have disappointed me, Ralph. I thought you a decent man. More fool me for being taken in. And more fool you for treating us so shabbily. Now, good day to you, Ralph, and goodbye. Should we have the misfortune to meet anywhere in the future, I will simply act as if you are a stranger.’

  With this, Elizabeth turned her back on him.

  Tallis composed himself. His left cheek was cerise. He spun round and got back into the car, pulled hastily away and headed back towards Rhymney.

  Gwen let out a long breath. ‘I’m glad that’s over. The nerve of the man.’

  ‘He’s a cad,’ said Elizabeth. ‘I shall not hesitate in telling Mama what he has done and no doubt she will let all and sundry know. He will not play that trick again in a hurry.’

  ‘Oh, but I’d rather people didn’t know he’d made a fool of me,’ said Gwen, her brow crumpled.

  ‘Do not worry, I will not let on who the other party was.’

  They stood awkwardly, not regarding each other.

  ‘Gwen was telling me on the way, Elizabeth,’ Anwen started, hoping to shift the subject, ‘that her family has received a letter from Henry, and it looks like the men might be moving more into the action again. Have you heard from Tom at all?’

  ‘It’s so worrying, after what’s been in the newspapers the last few days,’ said Gwen, her anger turned to anguish, ‘what with the French being attacked. They were mown down by the enemy, it said. And that Kaiser has been telling his troops to be angry and show no mercy and take no prisoners. I was hoping Henry would be in the rear lines till the end of the war.’

  Elizabeth’s brow puckered. ‘Yes, I have read that too. We received a missive from Tom yesterday. He was sent a while back to make up numbers in the depleted 114th Brigade, which also implies they’re going to be shifting out of the rear line soon.’

  ‘The 114th is where Henry and the others are!’

  Both fell silent again. Anwen now regretted this hastily chosen subject as it had lowered the mood of her companions even further.

  Elizabeth pulled herself together first. ‘Now, I think I could do with a walk on the hill, especially since it’s such a lovely evening.’ She put her parasol back up. ‘Noswaith dda.’

  Anwen and Gwen replied in kind. Elizabeth walked with some speed up the lane towards Twyn Gobaith, which lay behind the houses. The other two turned to walk back along Mafeking Terrace.

  ‘What on earth is a missive?’ Gwen asked.

  ‘She meant a letter.’

  ‘Then why couldn’t she have said that?’

  ‘It’s not her fault, what Ralph did. You shouldn’t get cross with her.’

  ‘Oh, I know. It’s just so – I don’t know. I’m so glad I hadn’t got around to telling my parents about Ralph,’ said Gwen.

  Anwen linked arms with her friend. ‘I’m sorry, Gwen. You’ve never seemed that interested in anyone before. It must be quite a blow.’

  ‘It is. I think Gwilym was a bit fond of me, back when I was about sixteen, and I did think of encouraging him for a while. He’s a nice-looking young man, but I knew he wasn’t the one and didn’t want him getting too fond. Plenty more flowers on the hillside.’

  ‘You mean plenty more fish in the sea,’ said Anwen.

  ‘Never been fond of fish. Flowers, on the other hand…’

  Anwen laughed. ‘I’m glad you can see the funny side of this.’

  ‘What else can I do? It was good while it lasted, but I guess I never really thought a man like him would stick around for long. I’m not a lady, remember.’

  ‘Nonsense! Any man would be proud to have you on his arm. You wait and see, there’ll be someone out there for you. And maybe you’ll meet him quite soon.’ She crossed her fingers behind her back.

  ‘Maybe. We’ll see.’

  * * *

  Hywel and his family took the route home through James Street after chapel on Sunday, ambling along with Gwen’s family. He was chatting to Mr Austin about a talk they’d both attended at the Workmen’s Institute the night before, on the Scottish Highlands.

  It was another glorious day, the sky like an a
zure blanket laid over them, the air warm. The service had not been as awkward as the last three with Violet and Olwen as this time they’d sat at the opposite end of the hall.

  Anwen and Gwen were talking in muted tones about something. Cadi was carrying Sara Fach, singing a little song to her. Enid, as always, steered clear of the baby, walking ahead to talk to Gwen’s mother and mamgu.

  They weren’t halfway down the first terrace, when Olwen passed them, holding on to the children’s hands, hurrying them along. Violet, following on, looked out towards the pit as she passed.

  ‘Come along, come along,’ Olwen nagged, her nose in the air. Poor little Benjy was crying that his legs hurt. ‘The quicker we get away from the ne’er-do-wells, the better.’

  ‘Who are you talking about, Olwen Jones?’ Enid called. ‘If there are any ne’er-do-wells around here, it’s you, with your false accusations.’

  ‘Mam,’ said Anwen. ‘Let’s not get her started. Especially as you have to work with her.’

  Violet’s head dipped down as she hurried to take Benjy’s hand from Olwen.

  ‘They’ve disappeared round the corner now,’ said Enid. ‘Anyway, Olwen knows better than to start any trouble with us all here. What an awful woman she is. She seems to have a hold over Violet, though I don’t understand what. Still, Violet’s made her bed and she’ll have to lie on it.’

  An unbidden image formed in Hywel’s mind, of Violet lying on a bed in a nightie, her hair loose and spread out around a pillow. He felt a hot shame, lowering his head in case anyone should guess his thoughts. With all that had happened, his feelings for her were as deep as ever. If only…

  ‘Isn’t that a police motorvan?’ Gwen’s mother pointed ahead.

  Sure enough, there was a large, black vehicle with a driver’s cab at the front, parked up outside number twenty-one. Detective Inspector Strong, who’d investigated the bookshop fire, was standing outside the house. The two older constables, and another couple of policemen Hywel didn’t recognise, were removing Gus, his sister Hilda and her husband Vic from the house. All were in handcuffs.

  ‘Well I never,’ said Enid. ‘I always knew they were wrong’uns.’

  ‘I wonder what they’re being arrested for,’ said Gwen.

  Sergeant Harries came out of the house and spotted them. He frowned.

  Gus twisted around, trying to escape the constable’s grip. Seeing them standing on the edge of the pavement, he shouted, ‘Yeah, you can all stare if you like, but I found that woman’s papers, her from the bookshop.’

  ‘Get him in the back.’ Strong pointed towards the two open back doors of the vehicle.

  Gus wouldn’t be shifted. ‘Not before I’ve had my say, so the people in this village know what they’re up against. German she is, not Dutch like everyone kept insisting. Born in Berlin, it says on her papers.’

  ‘You’re a damned liar!’ Enid cried.

  His mother, Frances, who’d now appeared on the doorstep, yelled, ‘No he’s not, I’ve got the proof. You’ll see.’ She disappeared inside but was soon back with the incriminating evidence.

  Detective Strong tried to grab it off her, shouting, ‘Where were you hiding those?’ but she ran across the road, brandishing the papers. She shoved the appropriate one in Enid’s face. Hywel looked over her shoulder. Sure enough, Mirjam Schenck had been born in Berlin.

  ‘See, see, she’s an enemy she is,’ said Frances.

  Detective Strong marched up and snatched the papers. ‘I’ll take those. They’re evidence.’

  ‘Makes no difference,’ said Hywel. ‘She married a Dutchman so that makes her Dutch.’

  ‘Yes,’ said Enid. ‘She’s done a lot of good in this village, always quietly, behind the scenes, never puffs herself up like some. I don’t care where she was born. She’s a good woman.’

  Strong took hold of Frances. ‘You’re coming with us too as you’re clearly involved.’

  Polly now appeared on the doorstep, baby Herby in her arms.

  ‘What about Mrs Smith here?’ one of the constables called, pointing to Polly.

  ‘What, that imbecile?’ Gus shouted. ‘As if I’d have told her anything about it when she can’t keep her blabbering mouth shut. Always wittering on about stupid things.’

  Polly snuggled Herby in closer and lowered her head.

  ‘What on earth is going on here?’ Polly’s mother, who lived four doors down, came out of her door and walked along the street. ‘Don’t know why I’m surprised you’re being arrested. You were never good enough for my daughter.’

  ‘Shut up, you old cow,’ said Gus. ‘That foreign sod and his missus deserved what they got.’

  Sergeant Harries pushed him towards the motorvan. ‘That’s enough of that.’

  ‘Wait a minute,’ said Hywel, getting closer. ‘Are you saying you’re responsible for the fire as well as the break-in beforehand?’

  ‘He should have paid up the money I asked for to keep quiet.’

  ‘Shut ya mouth, ya silly sod,’ Vic yelled at his brother-in-law before being shoved into the vehicle.

  ‘You were blackmailing him?’ said Anwen.

  ‘Enough of this,’ said the Inspector. ‘Get this lot into Rhymney. We’ll question them there.’

  Quite a crowd had gathered by this point, other people on their way home from the various chapels and the church. Sergeant Harries came towards them.

  ‘On your way all of you now, that’s the end of the show. Apart from you.’ He pointed to Anwen.

  Despite his words of dismissal, people gathered in once more.

  ‘The next time you have something to say about a crime, come and tell me, see. That’s the second time you’ve got Mrs Meredith to go above my head to the Chief Constable in Rhymney.’

  ‘You should do your job right then,’ called someone in the crowd.

  ‘I don’t understand,’ said Anwen. ‘I only pointed out that they were troublemakers and could be suspects. What happened to make the Inspector arrest them?’

  The motorvan drove past and the sergeant cleared his throat. ‘Well, it seems that the Chief Constable looked into Gus Smith’s background by ringing up a colleague in London. Turns out they’re wanted felons there and had skipped the area, see. Plus Gus and Vic had already skipped conscription.’

  ‘You knew they were troublemakers,’ said Hywel. ‘Look at the sports day and the St David’s Day concert. You should have thought of them yourself.’

  There was a murmur of agreement among the crowd.

  ‘And who are you to tell me my job? We were right to arrest Rose Pritchard, for she is a thief, and although some of the charges will be dropped, there are others she’ll be going to court for. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve jobs to get on with, especially as my constables have been commandeered by Inspector Strong. Good day to you.’ He touched the brim of his helmet and walked off.

  Polly’s mother, still standing outside the front door with her daughter, said, ‘I told you this marriage would come to no good. You should have left him when I suggested it.’

  ‘But he did threaten me so,’ said Polly, eyes wide, ‘and didn’t think twice about giving me a slap.’ She was different to the old, brash Polly, with her cheeky, suggestive smile. ‘And I was afraid for poor little Herby’s safety.’

  ‘Well you can come ’ome now he’s gone. Don’t think he’ll be gracing the doorstep for a while.’

  ‘I’ll need to fetch my things, such as they are.’

  Knowing what a low opinion Anwen had of the young woman, Hywel was surprised when she stepped forward to say, ‘I’ll give you a hand, Polly. This must have been a real ordeal for you.’

  ‘Yes, me too,’ said Gwen. ‘I’m really sorry he treated you so badly.’

  Polly looked close to tears. ‘Thank you for your kindness. I’m not sure I deserve it really.’

  ‘Nonsense,’ said Enid, joining them. ‘Come on, Hywel and Idris will help with anything heavy. Let’s get you and the babby settled into your mother’s.’<
br />
  It was a shame Enid wasn’t as sympathetic with their own family baby, thought Hywel.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  ‘There’s nothing like a walk on Twyn Gobaith to blow the cobwebs of all these troubles away,’ said Anwen as she and Gwen headed back down the hill towards the fire station behind the Workmen’s Institute.

  ‘We’ve certainly had a few of those recently,’ said Gwen. ‘I do miss Violet’s company. And the children, for they are such merry souls and do cheer me up no end.’

  ‘Aye. But what can we do? There’s no talking to her while Olwen is there, let alone anything else. Anyway, I’d better get back. It was good of Idris to look after Sara Fach so I could have a walk. Now she’s crawling and a bit more interesting, Idris does like to play with her.’

  ‘He’s a good husband. You did well there.’

  Gwen’s faraway look gave Anwen the impression that Gwen was thinking of her own unmarried status, and what might have been with Ralph Tallis. Despite what she’d said about him being a rascal, she wouldn’t be at all surprised if her friend’s heart was a little bit broken. It prompted Anwen to confide to Gwen something she’d been keeping inside.

  ‘I think Idris is hankering after a baby of his own. Ten months it’s been since we married, and not a sign of one.’

  ‘These things can take time,’ said Gwen. ‘My parents were married two years before Henry was born.’

  ‘I suppose.’

  They’d walked a little further before Gwen said, ‘I do feel that I’d rather not see Elizabeth for any length of time for a while. I know it wasn’t her fault, but she’s a reminder. Maybe when I’ve got over it a bit.’

  Anwen said nothing but her heart sank. Her friendships were falling apart around her and she felt helpless to do anything. Coming round the side of the Institute, she spied Mr Schenck in the distance, standing in the road, looking towards his semi-demolished property.

  The shopkeeper spotted them, giving them his customary bow, although he was attired in overalls as opposed to his usual neat suit. ‘Good afternoon, ladies.’

  ‘Good afternoon, Mr Schenck. I suppose you heard about them arresting Gus Smith and his family,’ said Anwen.