The English Woman

by Inch, Jennifer

  Then she caught a glimpse of Joe catching her inner tube “I’m alright; I am on the bank; I will try and get to a clearing” Fran shouted. “I’m alright!” she screamed louder.

  “Fran, where are you?” Joe shouted. Fortunately the river had wound round to the left before meandering right again, and had left a rocky beach in front of Fran, which Joe had been swept onto.

  “I can see you on the beach. I’m nearly there,” Fran called.

  When Fran got to the beach Joe gave her a hug and she thought he was never going to let her go. "I thought I'd lost you" he said with a lump in his throat.

  "Oh Joe, I was so scared" she said trying to hold back the tears.

  "Come on, we must continue, because it could be a long time before anyone would find us here" he said, passing Fran her inner tube.

  Reluctantly Fran got back in the water and continued the journey to the covered bridge, where they scrambled out of the water relieved that they had made it. They were so exhausted that they sat on the bank with their arms around each other in silence. After to Fran what seemed a long time, Richard picked them up in the car and they headed back to the house for a welcome shower and something to eat.

  ‘DO THE VERY BEST YOU CAN WITH YOUR HEART AND MIND’

  It was 9 am on Sunday and Fran was sitting at a table on the Honey Run Bridge, which was a covered bridge crossing Butte Creek halfway between Chico and Paradise. The bridge was originally built in 1886 and later covered in 1894 and vehicles could cross the bridge until a car crashed into it in 1965 causing it to collapse on the eastern span. A steel bridge was then erected for traffic further upstream and the bridge was then only used for pedestrians. Each year a Covered Bridge Breakfast is held on the first Sunday in June, so on that day about 300 people were having breakfast at the same time on the covered bridge. Hot fresh pancakes with maple syrup, sausages and coffee was served. The couple Fran had met from up the road were at the covered bridge breakfast, as was Brandon and his wife. Richard and Stephanie were talking with Robert and Corinne as Fran sat looking through the sides of the bridge down to the river, reminiscing about her tubing experience the day before, while she waited for Joe.

  "Hi Fran" called Joe as he walked towards her smiling.

  "Hello my handsome hunk” Fran said as she got to her feet and gave him a hug.

  He kissed her and whispered in her ear "I'm taking you somewhere special tonight to show you how much I think of you."

  "Oh where Joe?"

  "It's a surprise. I'll stay with you for an hour now, then I've got to get back to the ranch, but I'll pick you up at 6 pm" he said as he kissed her.

  After breakfast Richard, Stephanie, Fran and Joe went to the local gold mining museum and a small fair as part of the special Breakfast. Stephanie bought some cushions and a glass hanger and when they had finished looking around Richard dropped Joe back to his Chevy, and then the three of them drove back to the house.

  **********

  Fran found it hard to look her best, not only because she still had some scratches and bruising on her body, but also because she was still feeling unnerved. She tried to push the night of the encounter with the stranger to the back of her mind, like she usually managed to when things hadn't worked out quite as she expected. She also needed to do something about Lauren if she was to feel happy about her relationship with Joe. After the funeral Fran came to the decision that if Lauren tried one more time to come between her and Joe then she would have to take some action. Then only two days later Lauren had gone to the ranch and now Fran had agreed to actually watch her show. Little did Lauren know that all she was achieving was getting Fran jealous and angry, or was that what she was trying to achieve? If she knew anything about Fran she would have known that Fran had to be in control and with regard to Joe absolutely no one other than her could have him. Fran was in love with Joe, but to an outsider you would think that her love had become an obsession. Once Fran made up her mind to do something then she would do everything in her power to make it happen.

  When the doorbell rang at 6 pm Fran hurried to the door, opening it with a big smile.

  "Hello there beautiful, I hope you are hungry. Looking like that I could eat you" Joe said as he kissed Fran full of the lips and slipped his tongue in her mouth.

  Fran pulled away. "Not now Joe. Save it for later" she said in anticipation of what was to come.

  As they rode in the Chevy, Fran was trying to get Joe to tell her what they would be doing. Then they passed the ranch and Joe turned off towards the hangar. "You'd best put this on" Joe said as he threw her a scarf. "It's okay, it's mother's" he added.

  "We're going up in the plane again, but where are we going?" Fran asked as she tied the scarf over her head and tucked in her hair.

  "I'm taking you to the Nut Tree restaurant" Joe said smiling.

  "A restaurant, but where will we land?"

  "It has its own airport."

  "Wow, that's amazing. It must be very special" Fran was delighted. Joe certainly had a way to make her forget all her problems.

  Soon Fran was enjoying the experience of flying in the Stearman again. It was still light and she could see all the roads, fields, trees, houses, cars and even people as they flew over. In just over an hour they landed on a small airfield next to the famous Nut Tree restaurant.

  "Do you want to use the bathroom to freshen up while I get us a table" Joe said to Fran as they walked into the building which housed a gift shop as well as the restaurant.

  "Okay, can I look in the gift shop as well?" asked Fran.

  "I'll see what time we can have the table, and then we can decide when to look around the gift shop" Joe replied.

  Fran went to the bathroom mainly to remove her head scarf and brush her hair, while Joe booked the table. When she came out of the bathroom Joe was waiting. "The table is in half an hour, so that gives us time to look around the shop" he informed Fran.

  Fran enjoyed looking at all the gifts, and she particularly liked the large posters. For a while she felt relaxed and in a good mood. Then they realised it was time to go to their table so they had to hurry to the restaurant. After she took their orders the waitress put a wooden cutting board and knife on the table, and a small wheat and rye loaf each.

  "Wow Joe, I can't eat all this bread, although it looks delicious" Fran said while she cut a slice off her loaf.

  "Don't worry you can have a doggy bag at the end" Joe said as he poured her a glass of wine. "You'll have to drink the wine yourself because I have to fly us back, but I'm sure you'll manage it" he said with a grin.

  "Yeah okay, so I like a glass or two; it makes me feel relaxed" Fran said as the waitress brought their meals.

  They ate their main meals idly talking and then the waitress put a whole pecan pie on the table. By this time Fran had drunk nearly a whole bottle of wine, so she said slurring her words "wow that looks impressive. I'm so full I know I can't eat it all."

  Joe realised he should bring up the subject of Fran staying while she was still sober and said "Fran, have you thought anymore about staying. You know I said you could help out on the ranch and I meant it. If you don't want to stay in the ranch, I could always have a mobile home put up on the spare piece of land near the airstrip. We could pipe the water and run the electrics from the hangar" Joe sounded determined, but he may have felt differently if he could read Fran’s thoughts.

  As she looked at him she thought "I need to be in control of my life and sometimes I lose control which scares me. How would you react Joe; would you be there for me?"

  Joe carried on saying "and if they won't let you stay then we could always get married. They won't be able to make you leave then."

  The drink was making her thoughts muddled and confused, but when she heard the word 'married' she said "I don't know Joe. Part of me wants to stay and be with you, but there's a part of me that wants to be free. I don't think I could be the woman you want me to be. I'm not sure life on a ranch would suit me" Fran could see the disap
pointment in Joe's face.

  "Fran, I think the drink is talking; I don't think you should have any more. Besides you could get dehydrated when we fly back" Joe said with concern in his voice.

  Fran was knocking back the wine to help her forget and relax and when she put down her glass her vision was blurred as she looked around the room. She saw a couple on another table and for a moment she thought the woman was Lauren and she started feeling angry. Then she realised her mind was playing tricks on her, and she remembered the dream she had the night she had been sleep walking and then the vision of the man in the car covered in blood came to her.

  "I'm sorry Joe, I don't feel well; it must be the drink" she said holding her head in her hands.

  "Come on Fran, I'll take you home. I'm sorry if you feel I've pressurised you about staying. I thought I could make you happy." He was obviously disappointed.

  Fran needed to lean on Joe as they walked back to the plane. Soon they were in the air on route to Chico and Fran became irritated with her head scarf and started pulling at it. "This damn thing" she shouted as she became more restless. Fran's heart started to beat faster and her breathing became more rapid. She could feel the adrenaline pumping through her veins and suddenly she stood in her seat with her arms out and shouted "I'm flying!"

  "Sit down Fran, you are making the plane unstable" Joe shouted.

  Fran laughed "Am I scaring you Joe. Now do you think I would be a suitable wife?"

  "Damn it Fran. Yes, you are scaring me. Sometimes I think you are a bit crazy" he said as he battled to keep control of the plane.

  Fran didn't like him saying she was a bit crazy, so she sat down and then the strong emotions welled up from inside and she started to sob. Luckily for Joe, Fran settled in time for him to take full control and safely land the plane. As Fran got out of the plane she said "I'm so sorry, I don't know what came over me; I think you had better take me back to Stephanie's now."

  "Okay Fran. You know you're a crazy English woman, so why do I still want to be with you? Maybe I'm just as crazy" Joe said as he held her tight.

  They sat in silence on the drive back to the Canyon and as Fran got out of the Chevy she was still choked up when they kissed goodnight.

  **********

  “Just drop me here; this will be okay” Fran said as Richard pulled up to a sidewalk near to the University.

  “Where are you going Fran?” Stephanie asked.

  “I thought I’d collect the tickets for the show tomorrow.”

  “Okay see you later” Stephanie said as Fran got out the car. She turned to Richard “why is she bothering to get the tickets now when the show is only tomorrow. Wouldn’t it be easier to collect them on the door before the show starts, and how is she going to get back home?”

  “Maybe she has arranged to meet Joe” Richard said as an explanation.

  They headed for the practice and as they passed the Police Station Stephanie saw Detective Berkman walk out onto the sidewalk. Stephanie waved and Berkman called out “Morning Mrs Henderson, I was just coming out to your place to see Fran.”

  Stephanie wound down the window “Did you say to see Fran. She’s not at the house; she’s gone up to the University.”

  “Oh, okay. Thanks Mrs Henderson, have a nice day” Berkman said with his heart pounding. He jumped in his car and raced to the University, not worrying about breaking any local speed restrictions.

  Richard and Stephanie looked at each other and Stephanie said “Well I guess that’s how they drive in the East!”

  Berkman had received all the information about Fran back from Scotland Yard through the telex machine at the end of the previous week, but he only received the results of the finger prints that morning. He had not been totally surprised to discover that Fran’s had matched the prints that were in the car found in the Canyon. “Could it be that she was going to the University to see Angelo and his father. Were they planning something?” he thought. He knew where Angelo’s room was at the University, because he had spoken with him there before he left for Tampa nearly two weeks before. He knocked on his door and it was opened by Angelo, and Berkman could see an older man standing behind who had to be his father.

  “Hello Detective, how can I help you? This is my father” Angelo said gesturing towards the man behind him.

  “Sorry to bother you, but I thought the English woman, Fran might be here” Berkman said awkwardly.

  “I haven’t seen her. I’ve been staying with my father at the hotel the last two days since he arrived. I’ve just come back to collect my music and clothes for the show tomorrow” Angelo informed him.

  “Oh, she is supposed to be around here somewhere.”

  Angelo laughed. “Women, they are so complicated. Maybe she has gone to see Lauren to compare notes on Joe!”

  “Okay where is she likely to be?”

  “Try the theatre; Lauren is probably rehearsing as usual.”

  “Thanks; nice to meet you Sir” Berkman said to Angelo’s father, and then wondered why he felt the need to address him so formerly.

  **********

  Fran really enjoyed her evening with Joe until the excess alcohol had brought out her anger towards Lauren and had spoiled her mood, and she had acted crazy on the flight back. She decided she would go and see Lauren and give her a piece of her mind in the hope that the bitching would come to an end.

  She had got a lift with Richard and Stephanie and had gone to Lauren's apartment but no one answered the door, so now she was at the University Theatre. All was quiet at the entrance and as she walked through the auditorium no one appeared. Then Fran could hear someone singing and playing the piano from behind the stage curtain. She stepped behind the curtain and Lauren was sitting at the piano; she suddenly stopped singing and playing and turned to look at Fran.

  “Hi Fran, what are you doing here?” she sounded surprised.

  “I’ve come to pick up our tickets for the show. I didn’t realise you played piano.”

  “Yes, as a music student I have to play at least one musical instrument. I play guitar as well. Angelo is playing piano in the show because he is a better piano player than me. I’m just singing because that’s what I do best. Anyway I told Joe I would leave them at the door.”

  "Well, I wanted to speak with you so I thought I'd pick them up."

  "What did you want to talk about? Have you come to tell me you are leaving" Lauren said sarcastically.

  “I’ve come to tell you to keep away from Joe.”

  “You are jealous? You don't like the thought that he will be back with me once you've gone."

  "I may be back. Whether I am here or not you are not having him, he's my man” Fran said angrily, as she could feel an overwhelming rage so strong her head was pounding.

  “You don’t own him; he can do as he pleases.”

  “When I want something I get it, and I want Joe” Fran screamed as she took the gun from her purse and pointed it at Lauren.

  "Hold on there Fran. If you feel that strongly you can have him. He's not worth getting shot over" Lauren said shaking as she stood and walked back behind the piano.

  "What do you mean not worth it? You bitch, you don't even love him, so why have you been acting the way you have?" Fran said keeping Lauren in her sights.

  "Oh, it's just a bit of fun. Don't forget I love to act, that's why I'm in the show" Lauren said trying to make light of the situation and hoping Fran would put the gun down.

  "You bitch, you have been playing with my emotions" Fran said as she squeezed the trigger.

  **********

  It did not take Berkman long to reach the Theatre and all was quiet at the entrance and in the auditorium. Then he heard voices of two women, one of which he recognised as Fran’s. He peered through the stage curtain and caught a glimpse of Fran standing with a gun in her hand pointing it at a woman who looked terrified. He could not waste time assessing the situation and just leapt at Fran pulling her down to the ground, but at the same time the gun went of
f and there was a scream.

  **********

  Angelo and his father had heard the scream as they walked past the Theatre and came running in. "Call an ambulance" Berkman instructed.

  "I know where the nearest 'phone is" Angelo shouted as he went running out. His father went to Lauren who was lying on the ground behind the piano, blood oozing from her shoulder. She was obviously in a lot of pain and Lorenzo tried his best to comfort her.

  "Why did you do it Fran?" Berkman asked as he handcuffed her hands behind her back and pulled her into a sitting position on the ground.

  "I never really want to hurt anybody but I always have to do what I have to. A feeling comes over me so strong I can't stop it from taking over. It builds up, something very deep that won't stay down. Those bitches really got to me and that man" she paused "I was sure he was going to kill me" Fran said with pleading eyes.

  "Do you mean Daina as well as Lauren?"

  "Nina was like a sister to me; she upset her."

  "So you killed Daina and Raimondas Wajanis Fran. Is that it?"

  Fran nodded and then started to scream. "I need Joe. Get me Joe!"

  "Okay Fran. I'll get hold of Joe, but first I have to take you to the Police Station." Berkman looked at Lorenzo and said "so this has nothing to do with the Italians!" Lorenzo was still holding Lauren and looked at Berkman with a baffled expression.