“But why?” Lydia asked, “if she doesn’t enjoy, um, being married.”
Bella shook her head “I don’t know, I think she just likes to show she can get any man.”
“Yes, perhaps it’s the thought that she’s taken another woman’s man that she gets off on.” Edward said
Bella and Lydia nodded and Roman said “Well I for one am grateful to her for taking Gervaise away from Bella.”
Smiling Bella said “Me too.”
The conversation moved on to other matters until finally Roman said “We ought to make a move, tomorrow’s going to be hectic.”
Reluctantly bella stood up “Yes we should go. Thanks for your hospitality, I’m so sorry about spoiling your party.”
“You’re welcome any time,” Lydia said, “and you didn’t spoil the party. Unfortunately Sebastian did by bringing those two along with him.”
“He wasn’t to know, in fact I feel very sorry for him,” Bella said, “it was so embarrassing.”
“Hopefully he’ll be careful who he considers as a partner in future.” Edward said.
Chapter 22
On the Monday morning Roman was up at the crack of dawn and off to see the work started on The Manor. By the time Bella’s stomach had settled Charlie’s team of builders were busy on the barn. For the rest of the morning lorry after lorry seemed to turn up and the space opposite it looked like a builders merchants.
At ten thirty Bella loaded a large tray with mugs of tea, coffee and a plate of shop bought biscuits and carried it out to the workmen. Halfway down the drive Charlie saw her and hurried over to take the tray off her
“You shouldn’t be carrying that love,” he said, “ but we’re grateful for the thought.”
“I hope there are enough mugs, I didn’t know how many you’d got working here.”
“More than enough, there’s only eight on this job.”
“Seemed a lot more.”
“Yeah, they’re big and noisy and take up a lot of space.”
Just then Roman drove up in the land rover, an excited Misty barking from the front seat. When he opened the door she leapt out and raced up to Bella almost knocking her over and Roman shouted at her “Get down Misty, you bloody nuisance.”
Misty looked at him and pressed herself against Bella’s legs quivering. “What’s she done?” she asked Roman.
Been a pain in the neck, barking at my workers and racing around. She needs a long walk and I haven’t got the time.”
Bella fondled the pup’s ears and said “Has the nasty bad tempered man upset you baby. Don’t worry I won’t let him beat you.” Misty played up to the words going all soppy and looking every inch the cowering ill treated puppy.
Roman was laughing by now as he said “No wonder she’s a pain, you let her get away with murder.”
Bella put her arms round him ignoring the grins of Charlie and his men. As she smiled up at him, wide eyed and innocent looking he grumbled “Don’t know who’s more exasperating, you or the dog.”
Then he looked up at the men and growled “And you lot can stop smirking and get on with your work.”
Charlie butted in “Tea break boss, looks like there’s enough here for you to have one too, cool you down like.”
Roman grinned ruefully “Sounds like an idea.”
Bella sat on a pile of breeze blocks, cup of coffee in her hand, while Roman discussed the project with Charlie and inspected the roof tiles and A frames, for the roof, which had been delivered that morning. Finally he returned to Bella’s side and sat next to her looking down at the now docile Misty.
“She must have been missing you,” he said.
“Well you did tell me these dogs are one man animals.”
“Yes that’s true. It’s nice to know you’ve got her here.”
“I’ll take her for a walk when you go.”
“Take it easy, don’t go too far and take your mobile with you.”
“Don’t worry I’ll be sensible.”
He stood up, kissed her forehead and said “See that you are.”
“Yes sir!” she saluted.
Shaking his head in exasperation Roman drove away and Bella collected the tray of mugs, of course there were no biscuits left, and carried it up to the cottage. As she washed and dried them she pictured how she would decorate the conversion and the possibilities of making the cottage into a workshop and studio. After a long ramble over the moor Misty was only too happy to curl up in front of the fire, so after a light lunch Bella sat in her chair with her drawing pad and pencil and drew how she envisaged the cottage looking as her studio. To her surprise she fell asleep being woken by a knock on the door and Misty’s barking. It was Charlie at the door “We’re knocking off now love, few of us got a darts match tonight, See you in the morning.”
To her surprise when she looked at the clock it was five o’clock “Didn’t realise it was that late,” she said, “I expect Roman will be back soon. Thanks Charlie, see you tomorrow.”
She made herself a coffee then took one of Mrs. B’s casseroles out of the freezer and put it in the microwave to defrost, before she went to sit down still feeling sleepy. The sky started to darken, a sprinkle of snow starting to fall and she went to the window to look out hoping to see the lights of Roman’s land rover appear. Then the house phone rang and when she answered it, it was Roman sounding tired and exasperated. “Hi” he said, “I’m sorry love but I won’t make it back until much later. We’ve run into a snag, a big one and I’m waiting for the architect to come. He reckons he’s in Bristol so god knows what time he’ll get here.”
“Don’t worry, I’m ok, Misty and I have had a walk and are tucked up in front of the fire. It looks horrid out there so if it’s too late, stay over.”
“If you’re sure, I may even have to ask the Simon to stay.”
“Yes I’m sure, you’ve got enough on your hands without having to dash over here only to have to go back in the morning.”
“Ok, lock up and keep warm, I’ll see what happens.”
Bella put the phone down and sighed, supper for one it would be. She spooned a portion of the casserole into a bowl and microwaved it, feeding Misty while she was waiting, then she carried it through to the living room and settled down to watch Emmerdale and Coronation street as she ate. When the soaps were finished she took the bowl and fork back into the kitchen and washed them while waiting for the kettle to boil. Misty asked to go out so she let her out the back door and stood watching her while sipping hot coffee.
Suddenly Misty gave a bark and bolted out of her sight. She shouted at her to come back, then as the dogs barking became more and more hysterical she picked up a torch and followed her. Misty’s bark was threatening but with a touch of fear added and Bella paused wondering whether it would be wiser to return to the cottage. Then the dog yelped and she threw caution to the wind and ran around to the back of the barn where Lucy’s old garden had been. There was no sign of the dog so she warily walked down through the vegetation looking for her, moving the torch from side to side. Then hard hands hit her from behind and she found herself falling, falling, until she landed on her hands and knees in soft soil. Luckily she’d had the sense to hang onto the torch and she heaved her hands out of the wet muck, the dim light from the mud covered torch casting an eerie glow. She was in the old well, green slime covered stones surrounding her.
Hearing a noise from above, she shone the torch upwards to see Bert Jakeman leering down at her, shotgun in hand and pointed at her. “You’m won` get outta there,” he chortled, “I won` waste me shot on `e. Look like an accident it will, dain` worry it won` tak long to freeze to death, no a bad way to go I `eard.”
Then he disappeared and suddenly Misty was growling and barking again. There was a gunshot and a scream. Bella screamed too. Then there was silence apart from the
drip, drip, drip of water as the rain and sleet fell heavily.
Staggering to her feet she wiped the torch off and started to shout as she shone the beam up into the sky. There was, of course no one to hear. Eventually throat sore from her shouting she decided to conserve her energy. She was already wet through and freezing. And for a moment she gave into despair. Then she straightened her shoulders and took herself in hand. Shining the torch over the walls she saw that the old stones were uneven and might give her a way up. Holding the torch in her mouth she attempted to climb up, only to lose her footing on the slime coated wall. Then she heard another noise up above and shone the light up, to see Misty’s blood covered face gazing down at her. “Oh, thank god you’re alive,” she said.
The dog whined miserably and edged forward, causing some of the stones and muck around the top of the well to fall down on her. “No Misty,” she shouted, “go away, go find Roman.”
Misty’s ears pricked but she didn’t move and Bella shouted again “Roman, get Roman,” before despair hit her again and she started to sob. “My baby, oh god my baby, please save my baby.”
* * *
Roman was exasperated, Simon had just turned up and the problem they’d hit seemed insurmountable. The largest bedroom in the house was the one they’d decided to make into two bedrooms and ensuites, but on cutting into a wall they’d discovered it was false and behind it was a small passage which they discovered led down through the house to a gate built into the curve of the hill. Simon had just confirmed that they’d found a smugglers tunnel where French brandy, silk and lace would have been hidden from the revenue men. It was such an historic find Roman was loath to brick it up but it did spoil his plans. Now they were trying to find a way to keep it.
“No wonder your ancestors did so well,” Simon said, “who would have thought it, the Cowles were smugglers.”
“I think we’re a bit too far from the sea for them to be actual smugglers. More like receivers I would think.”
Simon was writing down measurements on the plans, ready to take them away and change them when they heard Hamish howling then barking madly.
“What the hell is it with the dogs today?” Roman asked as he heard Mrs. B hurry to the front door, Hamish’s claws scrabbling on the slabs. Leaving his study he hurried to catch her up as the dog flung himself at the door barking hysterically. Grabbing hold of his collar Roman held him back as he opened the door. Initially there appeared to be no one there but as Hamish pulled him forward he saw a pile of wet fur on the drive. Letting go of him he rushed forward shouting “It’s Misty, she’s covered in blood, call the police and get them to Wishing Well, then the vet to come out to Misty. Mrs. B ran back into the house as Roman flung himself into the land rover and took off at high speed.
* * *
Bella was shivering so hard her teeth hurt, but she made herself do exercises trying to keep her baby warm. She wouldn’t let him die. How she knew he was a boy she didn’t know but alone in the cold he talked to her. She rubbed her stomach hard with her freezing hands and tried to jump up and down in the silt which seemed to her to be getting deeper. The rain and sleet pounded her. A feeling of calm crept over her. She even started to feel warm, then she shouted at herself over and over to get out of that killing lethargy and she started jumping and rubbing until she heard a noise. The noise of an engine roaring up the drive. She shouted as loud as she could but the rain and wind made it sound faint even to her ears. Then she remembered the torch and shone its beam up into the darkness of the night.
Roman was almost in despair looking for her. The cottage was wide open, her coat and boots were still there and he couldn’t find her. He ran down to the barn thinking she might be there, then through the gap in the walls he saw a light and ran towards it. As he got closer he heard her faint shout and ran faster almost joining her at the bottom of the well in his haste. Just in time he skidded to a halt and teetered on the brink
“Bella,” he shouted looking into the blackness.
The faint light of the failing torch lit her face as she said “Thank god you came for me.”
Two hours later she was tucked up in bed in hospital, with Roman sitting wrapped up in a chair next to her bed. Luckily the first people who had turned up were the moor rescue team, experts at finding people lost on Dartmoor, fallen down an old mine shaft or the like. Roman had insisted on taking one of their space age blankets down to Bella, so they’d wrapped him up in long waders and one of their thick survival jackets. He’d climbed down into the well with the help of a rope, wrapped her in the blanket and lifted her into his arms out of the freezing water. With thick hats and gloves as well they’d cuddled together until the rescuers rigged up an A frame to lift, first Bella then Roman out, with the paramedics taking over from there.
Now that she was safe Roman was angry “what the hell were you doing wandering around without a hat or coat in that weather?” he demanded.
Bella bristled, then realising it was his fear for her that had made him angry, answered calmly. “I wasn’t wandering around. I’d let Misty out and was drinking a cup of coffee by the back door while I watched her, when suddenly she bolted. I know it was stupid but I went after her thinking she was chasing a rabbit or badger. Then she yelped and there was silence. I thought she must have hurt herself, I’d picked up the torch on my way out, and was shining it from side to side trying to find her, when I was pushed hard from behind and fell. When I landed I realised I was in the old well. Then I heard a noise from above and when I shone the torch up, there was Bert Jakeman, with a shotgun pointed at me.” Bella swallowed then continued, “he left me there to die. Misty barked again and I heard the shotgun go off. I knew he’d killed her! I tried to climb out but it was too slippy, I shouted and shouted but here was no one to hear me; there was a noise from above and I thought Jakeman had come back to finish me off, but it was Misty, covered in blood.”
Her voice was shaking as Roman took her hand and said “She came to find me. Hamish alerted us and we found her on the drive where she’d collapsed.”
“She’s gone hasn’t she?”
He squeezed her hand and said “No, she’s at the vets, with a broken jaw and peppered with shot, luckily bird shot, and she’s going to be alright, although we may be finding pellets in her skin for a while. She must have realised the gun could hurt her and bolted away.”
Bella closed her eyes “Thank god, she saved my life and the life of our son.”
“Our son?”
She shrugged and said “He kept me fighting and I knew he was a boy just like his daddy.”
“You are amazing,” he said, “ the doctors are surprised that you haven’t at least got frostbitten toes, just a touch of hypothermia.”
“I jumped up and down and exercised, rubbing my stomach to keep him warm.”
Roman shook his head “You are one determined lady, my love.”
“All I knew was that low life wasn’t going to win. I screamed and shouted and swore but was determined we’d live.”
At that moment the door opened and a nurse showed two policemen into the room. It was Inspector Greaves and his sergeant. Greaves nodded at Roman as he approached the bed “In the wars again Ms. Carrington, I understand you fell down an old well?”
Bella shook her head, “I didn’t fall I was pushed, by Bert Jakeman, who also shot my dog.”
“Ah, so you think he deliberately tried to hurt you?”
“No, he tried to kill me and my dog,” and she went on to tell him the whole story from start to finish.
Greaves turned to his sergeant “Put out an all units call to be on the lookout for him. Make sure they know he’s armed.”
He questioned Bella in detail, then when the sergeant returned got him to write notes and asked Bella to sign them. “When you’re better I’d like you to come into the station and sign a proper witness statement.�
�
“She’ll be doing nothing for a while,” Roman said, “our baby needs to be monitored for a few days to make sure no harms been done to him.”
“You’re pregnant as well? It looks like a double attempted murder then,” Greaves pursed his lips, “we’d better find him PDQ then.”
“And the person who’s set him up to do this,” Roman insisted, “some of the things that have happened were too subtle for him to have thought of.”
“So you think someone else has a grudge against Ms. Carrington?”
“Or me.”
“Mmm, any ideas who?”
“The only person i can think of is Louisa Patterson, but she’s locked up in a secure psychiatric unit.”
Greaves nodded “Well we’ll look into it. If you think of anyone else, please let me know.”
Chapter 23
On the Friday Roman drove Bella up to Bristol to see her mother. She’d been allowed out of hospital on the Wednesday evening and had rested at home on the Thursday, with Mrs. B insisting on looking after her there.
Misty was still at the vets, sedated and on a drip, but recovering well. She’d lost a fair amount of blood during her heroic journey in search of Roman and Hamish had been a reasonably willing blood donor. If she continued to recover well she’d be allowed home on the following Monday.
The manager of the clinic had agreed to see them on Friday afternoon and Bella was feeling nervous at what she might discover when she saw her mother for the first time in years, but after the fear she’d felt while trapped down the well, her strength of mind had hardened and grown. She no longer felt tearful and unsure of herself, knowing now that she had the strength to overcome anything.
Bert Jakeman had not been found but police everywhere were still looking for him. Roman had the feeling that he’d gone to ground somewhere on the moor and intended, on the following Sunday, to organise a search for him. The police just didn’t have the manpower.
The Wishing Well Page 24
