The Kicking Tree

by Trevor Stubbs

  “How can you help?” And then she spotted Jack and almost freaked out. “What’s he doing here!? Go away!” she shouted.

  Jack stood back a pace and got his foot caught on a rose thorn, then he put his other foot into a gooseberry bush and fell backwards with his head among some rhubarb. Jalli couldn’t help herself emitting a giggle. He looked so comical.

  “That’s Jack, my boyfriend. I’m sorry, he’s blind. He couldn’t see where he was putting his feet.” She went over to him to help him but didn’t realise that both roses and gooseberry bushes have prickles, and soon found herself in difficulties getting Jack out the way he had fallen in.

  The girl came over and suggested they pull him out over the rhubarb, and between them she and Jalli succeeded in getting him back onto the lawn.

  “You, OK?” asked the girl.

  “Yeah,” muttered Jack. “That was rhubarb. What got my feet?”

  “Gooseberry bush.”

  “Are we in England?” asked Jack picking up a southern accent.

  “Of course. Tooting.”

  “London?”

  “Of course. Don’t you know where you are?”

  “Mostly, but sometimes I get lost,” said Jack, “Hi. I’m Jack.” He held out his hand. The girl took it tentatively. “Sorry, I think I must be a bit muddy.”

  “I’m Sally,” said the girl.

  “Pleased to meet you. Sorry if we frightened you.”

  “You did, a bit. I’m sorry I’m a bit nervous of strange men.”

  “Oh. Jack’s alright,” said Jalli, “he’s quite safe really,” she joked.

  “Why do you say that?” the girl looked panicky again. “Look, I don’t know you…”

  “Come and sit down and I’ll explain,” said Jalli. They sat under the apple tree. At the other end of the garden was a house, but it wasn’t visible from this part of it because of a dividing hedge. “We’re not from anyone… from any authority. We’re just here to help. We… you won’t believe this, but it’s the truth. I’ll tell you exactly how we came to be here.”

  Jalli explained about the white gates and how she and Jack had met. Sally sat entranced. It seemed strange but a kind of answer to her prayer.

  “I asked God to help me,” she said. “I never asked him for anything else before. And you two pop up from another planet!”

  “No. I’m from Persham,” said Jack. “Jalli’s the alien here.”

  “Oh, don’t remind me!” exclaimed Jalli. “I was nearly arrested for coming into Britain, ill… ill…”

  “Illegally,” Jack explained. “She hadn’t bought a proper visa.”

  “So I can’t stay too long!” whispered Jalli, “I don’t want to be put in prison. Now you tell us why you were so upset just now?”

  “I can’t.… I don’t want to talk about it.”

  “But you said that we came when you prayed. We think, we know, we are here to help.”

  “But… OK. I will tell you – not him!”

  “OK. Jack, will you go over there so we can talk in private,” said Jalli. Jack was aware that men seemed to be a problem for Sally.

  “Lead me to where you want me,” he smiled.

  Jalli led Jack to the far side of the lawn where there was a stone step. “Sit here, Jack. Don’t take this personally. I think she has a problem with boys.”

  “I guessed that,” smiled Jack. “I’ll be OK.” He sat obediently on the step.

  Jalli went back to Sally.

  “You won’t understand this,” explained Sally. “The police don’t, my parents don’t and the woman from the Victims’ Support doesn’t. You see, last March I was raped.”

  “I guessed that it was something like that,” said Jalli.

  “Why? How could you know?”

  “For a number of reasons. The way you panicked when you saw Jack – a strange man – for one. Then I knew there must be a reason why God wanted me to come here, and… and I was attacked too, about the same time. On my planet.”

  “What, you’ve been raped too?”

  Jalli’s eyes filled with tears as she looked at Sally. “Yes. I don’t like to think about it, but I can’t forget it. I thought I was putting it behind me after… after I got back with Jack, but… it’s very hard.”

  Sally took hold of her and held her. “Tell me about it? No. I shouldn’t ask that – that’s what I hate about the whole thing for me…”

  “No. You can’t bottle it up,” sighed Jalli. “It’ll probably help me to talk about it.”

  Jalli explained about the events of that tragic day in Parmanda Park. And then the way she had rejected Jack.

  “He was blinded at the same time!” declared Sally, “That’s awful. It wasn’t anything like as bad for me.”

  “Tell me about what happened to you?”

  “I was stupid. I decided to walk home from my evening class instead of taking the bus. It was only nine o’clock in the evening. The buses are only every twenty minutes and I just missed one. This bloke had followed me from the college. I didn’t think anything of it. My way took me passed the Bec. Halfway down the road he rushed up from behind and lifted me off my feet and dragged me through some bushes. There was nothing I could do. I screamed but no-one came. He took me quite a way in, and with the traffic and all I don’t suppose they could hear me. It was really dark and he had put on a mask. He didn’t think I had seen his face, but I had already noticed him outside the college. I recognised it was the same man by his jacket. I was terrified he was going to kill me. But after, after the sex thing, he ran off across the Bec.

  “When I got home, I tried to pretend nothing had happened. But it was obvious I had been roughed up. Dad phoned the police and then I was in hospital and they were all asking questions…”

  Sally broke down and Jalli held her.

  “Go on.”

  “Anyway after a few days it all died down. I told them all I knew. Then two weeks ago this policeman comes round all smiles and says he thought they’d caught him. He’s tried the same trick again, only this girl was aware of being followed and rang 999 on her mobile. They got there just in time. The police car came along and he just ran. He hadn’t done anything but the fact that he ran showed he was up to something. She was lucky. But they wanted me to go down to the station and see if I could identify him. Dad took me down. There was a line of them but I picked him out straight away. It was him alright, and I told them so… not thinking what would happen next… Look, tell your boyfriend I’m sorry I sent him away. He looks so lonely.”

  Jalli got up and went over to Jack. Sally beckoned them both back under the tree and Jalli led him across the grass. As he got near she told him to duck under the branches.

  “Jack, Sally’s been telling me that she’s been through the same thing as me.”

  “I guessed so,” sighed Jack. “I’m so sorry. That’s why we’re here isn’t it?”

  “Yes,” said Jalli. “Sally needs someone to talk to who understands.”

  “Jalli’s been through a bit herself,” explained Jack.

  “Yes, I know. And the man… he attacked you too and… and now you’re blind.”

  “But how are you?” Jalli took Sally’s hand and faced her.

  “No. I’m OK. You came off much worse than me. I’m not hurt… nothing that will not get better. I’m sorry about your eyes.”

  “Can’t be helped,” smiled Jack. “Jalli’s my eyes now. I’m very lucky.”

  “You are…! I mean you are lucky having her.”

  Jalli told Jack that they had caught Sally’s attacker.

  “Yes,” continued Sally. “And now they want me to go to court and testify. It’ll be all over the papers again. And I know what they’ll do to me. His defence lawyer will try to tell the world I’m a bad person. I heard of a girl whose past was all brought up – they actually went round and quizzed her ex and then told the court how she liked to do it!”

  “Oh. Sally. I can guess how you feel. I was dreading this happening to me.
But it didn’t come to that. It would have been so hard without anyone to corroborate what you have to say.”

  “It’ll be my word against his. And it has to be proved beyond reasonable doubt. If it isn’t, then I’m guilty of being both a slut and a person who accuses people of things they haven’t done!”

  “But if you don’t,” said Jack quietly, “he might do it again.”

  “Yes. That’s what they keep saying. The other girl – he never touched her – but he could have done.”

  “What will they do if you say no?”

  “I’ve got until tomorrow morning. If I refuse to testify they’ll have to let him go.”

  “But you can’t…” began Jack, but before he could say anything more, Jalli put a finger over his mouth.

  “Shh!” she said. “She knows that. Don’t you Sally? But Jack, if I had had to stand up in court and tell the whole world it would have been the bravest thing I did. I don’t know if I could have done it. Look, Sally, if you can’t do this, then it’s alright. You have been bullied and pushed around enough. I guess your family wants justice for you. It’s only natural, but…”

  “Dad’s really keen on me going. He wants to see this man hang, he says. Mum is more reasonable, but still thinks I should do it. My brothers are just angry. I’m afraid that if they see him, they’ll kill him… But nobody has said what you said, that it’s OK if I say no.”

  “It is. You say no if you want to. Some people will understand. But it might be that if you thought about it you could be brave enough. What’s the worst thing that a defence lawyer could accuse you of?”

  “I don’t know. I went to my friend’s for a sleepover and we played strip poker with our brothers.”

  “How old were you?”

  “Thirteen.”

  “And you’re sixteen now?”

  “Seventeen last month.”

  “I can’t imagine some barrister telling the jury that you played a naughty game at a friend’s house four years ago and expect the jury to believe that that makes you the kind of person who would invite a stranger to have sex in a public place. No, to be relevant it would have to be something really shocking. I thought about that. Then I imagined they could make things up, but they can’t. They have to be able to prove what they say. I guess the worse thing they can do is ask impertinent questions like, ‘Do you enjoy having sex with older men?’ in the hope that you will feel guilty or something. The trick is, I’m told, just to keep a level head. But I didn’t have to go through it. I was spared that. This is your choice, Sally. You do not have to do this if you don’t want to.”

  “I…”

  “Sal!” It was her mother shouting down the garden. “Where are you? Dinner’s ready.”

  “Quick!” urged Sally, “you’ve got to hide. They won’t believe you are from another planet. There’ll be far too much explaining. And Dad’ll probably send for the police again. He thinks the garden is safe from intruders.”

  Jalli led Jack up behind the hedge as Sally shouted, “Coming Mum…! Can you come back tomorrow morning, early. Say eight o’clock? You’ve given me lots to think about. Then I want to talk some more before I meet the police.”

  “Yes, of course. If we can. If the gate is still here. If not. Good luck. We’ll pray. Bye!” Jalli lent over and unlatched the gate and stepped through. Jack followed. All Sally could see from her side was two wonderful, magical people disappearing into a hedge!

  “It was about healing after all,” smiled Jack as they walked across the grass to their bench, “but not ours.”

  “Speak for yourself,” replied Jalli, “Sally has probably done more for me than I for her!”

  *

  The following morning they were up early. It was cloudy but dry and the white gate to Tooting was glistening with dew in the morning light. Jalli walked over to it and put Jack’s hand on the top rail, or, at least she tried to, but his hand went right through it. Jalli tried again.

  “I can’t find the gate,” declared Jack. He pushed around the hedge but all he could find was hedge. Jalli, though, could touch the gate and clearly make out the garden on the other side. Sally was standing under the tree.

  “Jack, I think I’m to go alone this time,” whispered Jalli.

  “I guess so.”

  “Girl’s talk I expect.”

  “I’ll miss you!” and he took her in his arms and kissed her. He turned and made his way over to the bench and Jalli watched him go. He was magnificent this boy. He just seemed to understand. She turned and crossed over into London. The blackbird was in full song.

  “Hi Sally!”

  “Oh, you made me jump. I think it’s so magical you just appearing through a hedge. You haven’t brought Jack?”

  “The way wasn’t open for him. I think we’re meant to talk about things he wouldn’t want to hear.”

  “Like what happened to you?”

  “Exactly. And your story too.”

  “I think I have decided to say yes to the police.”

  “You don’t have to.”

  “I know, and I would be OK with that now… after what we said yesterday. But this man has to be stopped. Even if he’s found not guilty he won’t be able to get away with it any more will he?”

  “Well, it probably won’t stop him trying, Sally. And you would look bad.”

  “I know but if I don’t try, he’ll get away with it for sure. Will you tell me what exactly your attacker did… I mean, to you?”

  “Yes. If you want me to. I’ve never told anyone all the details, and Jack will never, ever need to know.”

  “Don’t worry, I shan’t say anything to anyone. And then I will tell you what happened to me on the Bec.”

  For the next half an hour the two girls shared their nightmares while the other listened. They hugged, but there were few tears. They spoke as mature women rather than the young people they still were. When they had finished Sally said, “I feel tons better, Jalli. I am definitely going to testify. That man is not getting away with this. I realised that if I am intimidated by him, or by the system, then it is as if he is still manipulating me, having his way with me. No. I want to see him face up to himself and get taken out of society – not hanged like Dad wants, that’s just more of the same, its sick – but just put away somewhere where he can’t hurt anyone else.”

  “Well, go for it, Sally!”

  “Yeah. And afterwards, when it’s all over, I want you and Jack to come to my eighteenth birthday.”

  “Next year? Well, we’d love to, but I’m not sure if the gate will work.”

  “I’ll pray it does.”

  “So will I,” smiled Jalli. “I’d like to know how it all goes.”

  “It’ll be fine. I’m strong now. Thank-you. Thank-you so much.” Sally took hold of Jalli and hugged her close.

  “No, thank you. You can’t imagine just how much better I feel… You be brave.”

  “I must go. Mum’ll wonder what’s happened to me. Do come back. Any time.”

  “Whenever we can.”

  “Give Jack a hug from me.”

  “I will,” smiled Jalli, as she thought to herself, My man’s safe. She is stronger.

  “Bye! Till next time,” called Sally as she trotted up the path to the house.

  *

  “How did it go?” asked Jack, as Jalli came across to the bench.

  “Wonderful. She’s a really brave girl. She’s determined to testify.”

  “I knew she would. That’s why we had to go. That’s the help she needed.”

  “Yes, and what I needed too. Jack, I don’t think I need you to love me better any more. Just love me because I’m me and not because I need to be healed.”

  “I’ll always love you – just love you. I just want to be with you. And don’t think I want you to look after me because I need your eyes to guide me either. Brilliant though you are, you still lead me into apple trees!”

  “Love is about giving, not needing, isn’t it?”

  “T
alking of giving, I want to give you this.” Jack produced a simple ring with a diamond. “I brought it with me from Persham. I hope you like it.”

  “An engagement ring! I saw them in a shop window in Newcastle. You put a ring on when you are betrothed. The people we met there had them. That’s a lovely British custom.”

  “Why? Don’t you have engagement rings in Wanulka?”

  “No. Just bits of signed paper.”

  “You can have one of those too. I hope you like the ring?”

  “I do. Which finger does it go on?”

  “This one on the left hand.” Jack put the ring on Jalli’s finger. It was a perfect fit.

  26

  “Right,” said Momori at breakfast. “We have three choices. Either we stay here, or we go and live in Wanulka or in Persham. You two must stay together permanently because we’re having no more misunderstandings through lack of communication.”

  “Oh, she left me this very morning,” said Jack with a mock sigh, “went all the way to London and back without me!”

  “I was gone for less than an hour!” laughed Jalli. “It has to be here,” she said to her grandma.

  “Agreed,” said Jack.

  “But,” troubled Jalli, “will you stay here too, Grandma?”

  “Of course,” said Momori. “If you both want me to.”

  “On one condition,” said Jack, “that Mum moves in as well.”

  “Do you think we can put up with each other?” asked Momori looking at Matilda.

  “Can’t see why not – so long as the young people do some of the housework, cooking and washing up!”

  “But the house does its own,” said Jack.

  “Well it didn’t do any washing up last night,” complained Matilda.

  “Or cooking,” said Momori. “And look, the grass needs cutting. Looks as if there is gardening to be done too.”

  “So we are given the cot-tage to look after,” reflected Jalli.

  “Looks like it. When we are here, inside it, we are part of it, and we have to play our part it seems,” sighed Jack. “I’m very bad at jobs. I can’t see to do them!”