by Anna King
Lily tutted impatiently, ‘Rubbish! There’s no excuse for what he did. If he were any sort of a man, he’d have made his business work. Failing that, he’d have knuckled down and got himself a job instead of expecting you to support him! I still think you should tell Bertie. Michael’s dangerous! What if he comes back?’
Pushing Lily gently aside, Ruby sat down at her dressing table. Picking up the diamond necklace she hadn’t worn since the garden party at Mabel’s she carefully laid it against her throat. ‘Do this up for me, will you, Lily? Careful!’ she cried as she settled it around her throat. Then she affixed her earrings and swivelled round to face Lily. ‘Listen to me, please! Michael isn’t dangerous. What happened was a culmination of a lot of things that built up over the years, and he won’t be back. At least I don’t think so, not yet for a while, anyway. He’ll wait to see what action I’ve taken. Once he’s sure I haven’t reported him, he may try and see the children. If he does, I won’t try to stop him, they are his, after all. Now, promise me you won’t say anything?’ When she saw the mulish look on her friend’s face, she gripped her hand tightly. ‘Promise me, Lily? It would serve no purpose to have Michael put in jail, and I— I just want to forget it ever happened.’
Reluctantly Lily nodded, while privately thinking that it would do Michael a power of good to be locked up for a few years. He’d have to learn to fend for himself inside. Ruby looked hard at Lily, and then nodded. She could trust her to keep her word. Getting to her feet, she surveyed herself in the full-length mirror, saying cheerfully, ‘Not bad for an old girl of 30! What do you think, Lily? Will I do?’
Lily looked at the woman who’d been a friend and confidante for nearly 20 years, and grinned. ‘You’ll pass, if the lamps aren’t turned up too brightly!’ The sound of the carriage arriving spurred them on, and quickly gathering up Ruby’s cloak, Lily draped it carefully round her.
‘Oh, I wish Mum were coming! Isn’t it just too bad that she should catch a cold the very week of my birthday?’
‘She still wanted to come along, but your father insisted she went to bed with a hot brandy. She likes a drop of brandy, does your mother.’ Lily winked broadly. ‘Come to think of it, she has quite a lot of colds!’ Ruby smiled back, tapping Lily on the arm with her fan, then, opening the front door, she said, ‘I’ll probably go back home with Dad after we’ve had dinner. I’d like to see how Mum is. She’ll most likely be asleep, but either way I won’t be late.’
‘Don’t worry! I’ve looked after the children before, and they’ll be all right with me. I don’t suppose they’ll wake up now till morning; they don’t usually.’ With a last wave to the departing figure, Lily closed the door. She was worried. It was all very well for Ruby to say that Michael wasn’t dangerous. What if he came here tonight? Quickly drawing the bolt, she hurried into the kitchen and picked up the heavy frying pan. Then, for good measure, she took out a large rolling pin. Thus armed, she returned to the sitting room, and putting the utensils within easy reach, she picked up a book and began to read.
* * *
From his vantage-point across the road, Michael saw Bernard leave the three-storey villa and quickly ducked back behind the large oak. He waited until the carriage had driven away before emerging, a worried look on his face. He hadn’t seen Daisy leave the house, yet he was sure that Ruby had said they were all going out to dinner. Shrugging his shoulders, he pulled his jacket tighter around his body. She’d probably gone round early to help Ruby to get ready, so all he had to wait for now was for George to depart for his usual Saturday night out, and then…
His mind shied away from what he planned to do, and he thought back to the past few days. Ever since he’d run from the house he’d been in hiding, expecting at any minute the heavy hand of a policeman to descend upon him. The small amount of money he’d had on him had gone that same night on a room in a nearby lodging-house. In an effort to raise some more money, he had reluctantly pawned his suit, but that money had quickly disappeared on drink and another night in a flop-house. The day before, he had pawned his last valuable asset, his heavy overcoat, and headed for the nearest pub to drown his sorrows. Now he was broke, cold, hungry and desperate to find a way out of the situation he had brought upon himself. The idea of breaking into Ruby’s old home had come to him that morning; and why not? Although he had never set foot in the place, he knew the layout from Ruby and, together with snippets he’d picked up from the children, knew where to lay his hands on plenty of valuable pieces. He also knew that they didn’t have many servants. If he remembered right, there was a maid called Mary who’d been with the family for years, an elderly cook and two undermaids. The only man-servant was the gardener, and he didn’t sleep in. Stamping his feet against the cold, he felt apprehensive as he realised what he was about to do. But what choice did he have? Any day now the police would pick him up, so he had to get back to Ireland. To do that, he needed money. At the sound of horses approaching he ducked back behind the tree, and when he saw George come bounding down the short path and out onto the pavement, his stomach lurched painfully. Once the carriage had gone, he leaned against the tree. In spite of the cold, beads of perspiration stood out on his forehead, and he knew he’d been half hoping that George would stay in tonight and so put paid to his plans. He waited an hour, and then another, until he saw the lights downstairs go out, and then, his mouth dry and his heart banging, he moved stealthily across the road.
* * *
‘Is there anything else, ma’am?’ Mary asked Daisy as she tucked the bedclothes tighter around her.
‘No, thank you, Mary. You get off to bed. If Ruby comes back with Mr Chadwick, I’m sure they won’t mind fending for themselves.’
Mary looked down at her employer with affection. Where else would a maid be told to go to bed when the master of the house wasn’t yet home? Twenty years she’d served the Chadwicks, and if it were left to her, she’d serve them for the rest of her life. ‘If you’re sure Mr Chadwick won’t mind, ma’am?’
‘Of course he won’t, and if Ruby’s not with him, he’ll probably come straight to bed. Now, don’t forget. Lily won’t be back tonight, so you’ll have to see to the breakfast. She should be home about dinnertime. You go off to bed, now, Mary. I’ll see you in the morning.’
‘Goodnight, ma’am.’
Left alone, Daisy was happy as she thought of Bernard and Ruby dining together. The past few years had seen all her dreams come true; her family were back together again. And with them came the usual worries that all mothers have about their children, no matter how old they are. She had watched with pride as Ruby had struggled to make a success of her dressmaking, and only wished that her son-in-law possessed the same strength. Then there was Bertie, still subdued over Amy’s disappearance, yet throwing himself wholeheartedly back into his job, determined to rise above the severe blow he’d experienced. And was it her imagination, or were he and Lily becoming more friendly? They had always been close, but in the past few months she had noticed a marked change in their relationship. The long conversations in the kitchen, the brief touching of their hands when they thought no one was watching, and the silent looks that passed between them were all signs of a romance blossoming. If her suspicions were true, she would be more than pleased to welcome Lily into the family; after Bertie got his divorce, of course. How Bernard would react was another matter. Oh, stop it, woman! she chided herself. She had no proof that there was anything other than friendship between Bertie and Lily: it was simply wishful-thinking.
Swallowing the last mouthful of her hot brandy, she turned down the bedside lamp and snuggled under the covers. She’d made Bernard promise to wake her if Ruby returned with him, and if… A sound from below stairs made her sit upright. It had sounded like the parlour door opening, but it couldn’t be; all the servants were in bed. She held her breath, and when no other sound came, she blew out her cheeks with relief and settled down again.
She was woken from a light sleep by soft footsteps walking across t
he bedroom floor. Leaning over, she turned up the lamp, saying softly, ‘Bernard? Didn’t Ruby come home with you after all?’
At the sound of her voice, Michael jumped as if he’d been shot. Turning from the dressing table, he stared at his mother-in-law, his mouth working frantically as he tried to speak.
‘Michael! What on earth are you doing here?’ Daisy cried in surprise at seeing him in her bedroom. ‘Well, answer me! What are you doing here? How did you…’ She broke off as he came towards her and she noticed the jewellery in his fist. At the desperation in his gaze, she felt a stirring of fear. Determined not to show it, she swung her legs over the side of the bed, picked up the lamp and stood to face him. ‘I don’t believe it, Michael! You’re robbing us. Stealing from your own family! How could you?’
Michael stood rooted to the spot, spellbound by the woman who stood before him clad only in her nightdress, her dark hair spilling over her shoulders, and answered shakily, ‘My family! You’ve never been a family to me, and you know it! I’m only taking what’s rightfully mine. Now get out of me way, Daisy, I don’t want to hurt you.’ Turning his back, he made to leave the room, only to be pulled back roughly by his sleeve.
‘Oh, no, you don’t!’ Daisy muttered furiously. ‘You’ll put those things back where they belong or I’ll scream the house down! I’m warning you, Michael. If you leave now, I won’t say a word of what’s happened, but if you don’t, I swear I’ll call for help.’
He looked at her determined face and then down at the jewels, and gazed helplessly around the room. ‘Let go of me arm, Daisy. I’m leaving, but— but I have to have these. I have to! You don’t understand…’
‘I understand all right!’ Daisy said grimly. ‘I understand that my daughter’s married to a thief! Bernard was right about you all along. I should have listened to him. You’re no good, Michael; you were always weak, but I never thought you’d stoop as low as this! Now give me my jewels back, else I’ll…’
The hard words reverberated through his brain, and, unable to hear any more, he wildly hit out at the figure standing by his side and fled from the room. Once out on the landing, he took the steps two at a time and within minutes was safely back out in the street.
Daisy lay on the bedroom floor moaning softly, the back of her head aching where she’d hit it against the brass bedknob as she’d fallen. She tried valiantly to stand, but found her legs too weak to support her. Sinking back on the floor, she looked vacantly around, then jumped in horror as she saw the trail of fire from the upturned oil lamp beginning to snake its way across the carpet.
‘Oh, God, no!’ she whispered. Clutching at the bedstead for support, she again tried to stand, but the blow to her head had made her dizzy, and again she slumped. When she tried to shout for help, fear made her mute, her head was spinning, and just before she lost consciousness, her mind cried out in horror, ‘I don’t want to die, not like this! Oh, God, somebody help me!’
* * *
Michael stood by the tree, his breath coming in short painful gasps. Sweet Mother of Mercy, had he really come to this? Just a few days ago he had tried to strangle his wife, and now he had committed burglary – and probably hurt a defenceless woman into the bargain. Resting his chin on his chest, he stared moodily at the handful of jewels before stuffing them quickly into his pocket. Well, he’d done it! There was no turning back now. He knew plenty of men who would give him money for the gems; a fraction of their worth, he knew, but what the hell. The sooner he got rid of them and was safely on the boat to Ireland, the better. One day he’d come back to see his children, one day when it was safe. Yet the knowledge that he was deluding himself swept over him: he could never come back, not after what he’d done. A wave of self-loathing crept through him, making him shudder, and with a resolute shrug he pushed himself away from the tree. Looking carefully around to make sure no one could see him, he was about to step into the road when his attention was caught by the bright light coming from the second-floor window. Screwing up his eyes, he stared hard for a moment before stepping back for a better look. ‘Ah, no, it couldn’t be!’ he whispered, then flinched in amazement as the sound of the window breaking shattered the stillness. ‘Jasus, Daisy, I’m sorry! I’m so sorry!’
Frantically he looked up and down the street, certain that the noise of the window would have attracted attention, but could see no one rushing out to help. Biting down hard on his lower lip, he looked again at the smashed window, from which flames were shooting out into the night. Without stopping to think, he turned to run, but before he had covered a few feet, stopped in his tracks. Slowly turning back, he again searched the quiet road for some sign of help, but saw no one. Visions of Daisy holding the children sprang to his mind: he could see her happy expression as she’d played with them for hours back in the lodge. Then the picture changed as he imagined her lying helpless as the flames licked her body. With tears in his eyes, he bounded across the road, calling out, ‘Fire! Fire! Somebody get help!’ before racing up the path. Breaking a downstairs window, he punched out the fragments of glass and climbed into the house.
* * *
‘I had a lovely time, Dad! Thank you,’ Ruby said happily as she nestled against Bernard’s arm in the back of the cab.
‘I’m glad you enjoyed it, dear. I’m only sorry your mother couldn’t have joined us,’ said Bernard, holding her hand tenderly.
‘I hope she’s still awake! I want to tell her all about the evening… and to show myself off, of course!’ She grinned up at him.
‘You have every reason for showing off, as you put it. You looked beautiful tonight, dear, and I felt very proud to be escorting you.’
Sighing happily, she fingered the necklace, saying wistfully, ‘I’ll give these back as soon as we’re indoors.’
Bernard caught her woebegone expression, and laughed. ‘You know they are yours whenever you want them, and you’ve said yourself you’d never have a moment’s peace if you were to keep them at home.’
‘I know, I was only teasing. It’s lovely dressing up for a special occasion, but I wouldn’t have much use for them in my everyday life.’
The carriage was just turning into their street when the horses shied, their front legs rearing up in fright as the smoke hit their nostrils. The sudden movement jolted Ruby from her seat and only by hanging on to her father’s arm did she keep from falling.
‘What is it? What’s happening?’ Bernard called out of the window.
‘Looks like a fire up ahead, Gov’,’ the cabbie shouted down. ‘Stay where you are, I’ll drive for ’elp.’ Urging the frightened horses on, he turned the carriage and sped off down the road, only to stop suddenly at a frantic hammering on the roof.
‘Stop! Stop, I say!’ Bernard shouted. ‘Let me out, it may be my house.’
The cabbie pulled sharply on the reins as Bernard scrambled onto the pavement.
‘Wait for me, Dad! I’m coming with you!’ Ruby cried in fright.
‘No, stay with the cab and wait for help. Do as I say, Ruby! For once in your life, do as I say!’ Bernard barked before racing off.
Ruby looked after his retreating figure, her eyes wide with fear, then called out of the window, ‘Please can you drive me a bit further? Just a short way, please?’
The cabbie looked down into her frightened face and shook his head. ‘I can’t, love. Can’t you smell the smoke? The ’orses won’t go no further.’
‘Then stop and let me out,’ she demanded. Almost before the carriage had stopped she was out on the pavement, and ignoring the warning cries of the cabbie to come back, she tried to catch up with her father.
Hearing her coming behind him, Bernard stopped, shouting, ‘It’s our house! Get back, Ruby. For God’s sake, get back!’
Her eyes wide with horror, Ruby looked past him at the plumes of smoke billowing into the cold air. Gazing desperately around, she thought, ‘Where is everyone? For God’s sake, why doesn’t somebody help?’
Just as the words formed in her mi
nd, doors began to open and a small trickle of people emerged apprehensively from the safety of their homes.
‘Help me, please!’ she appealed to the neighbours who now stood nervously on the pavement, their eyes drawn to the flames and smoke that were now pouring out of the second floor of the house. ‘Don’t just stand there! Do something!’ she shouted as she half-walked, half-ran through the gate.
Bernard had already climbed through the broken window, and as if sensing her presence, he turned back and, with his arms held out beseechingly, cried, ‘Get back, Ruby, please! Don’t come any further!’
Then he disappeared from view, and for a second she forgot about her handicap and tried to run, then cried out in pain as the artificial limb tore free from her stump, sending her sprawling face-down on the path. She fell heavily, the impact sending a jolt through her entire body.
Frantically she tried to stand, but the wooden leg now hung uselessly at her side. Coughing and gasping for breath, she crawled towards the house, the heat searing her. Sobbing with fear and frustration, she cried piteously, ‘I’m coming, Dad! I’m coming! Hang on, Mum, I’ll get you out!’ then screamed wildly as hands dragged her away.
‘Come away, love, there’s nothing you can do,’ one of the men holding her shouted.
‘No, you don’t understand! My mum and dad are in there.’ The words came out in painful gasps as the smoke tore down into her lungs, but the men continued to drag her away down the path and out to the street. ‘Mum!… Dad!’ she screamed, her eyes bulging from her head in terror. Frantically now she began to claw and hit out at the men, but still they held her tight.
