by Kitty Neale
‘You’ve already proved yourself to me,’ Rupert said as he held out the cheque.
Once again, Kevin tensed, worried by something in Rupert’s tone, but as the cheque was flourished, greed took over and he wanted to snatch it from his hand. With a quick intake of breath, Kevin managed to remain composed as he said, ‘I’ll get over there straight away, and I’ll insist that his solicitor is present when we finalise the deal. I’m not sure how long that will take, but I’ll be back as soon as I can.’
‘I can’t wait, and as we’ll have something to celebrate I’ll put a bottle of champers on ice.’
‘Sounds good to me,’ Kevin said as he forced himself to give Rupert a hug, thankful that it would be for the last time. He wouldn’t be coming back, but of course at the moment Rupert didn’t know that. By the time he worked it out the cheque would be cashed and it would be too late for him to do anything about it.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
When Pearl answered the telephone that afternoon she was shocked to hear Dolly’s voice asking abruptly, ‘Is Bernie there?’
‘No, he isn’t. Is he on his way, then?’ Pearl asked, wondering why Bernie would be coming to see them at this time of day.
‘How do I know if he’s on his way or not? He went out before ten this morning and I haven’t seen him since.’
‘That’s odd. Didn’t he say where he was going?’
‘Would I be ringing you if he had?’ Dolly snapped.
Pearl gripped the receiver tightly. It was only her concern for Bernie that kept her from slamming it down. ‘If he left at ten, that’s five hours ago and it doesn’t take that long to drive here. I hate to say this, but maybe he’s been involved in an accident or something. Have you tried ringing the police?’
‘What’s the point of doing that? If anything had happened to him they’d be knocking on my door. Now listen, if he turns up there, tell him to get back here or else,’ and with that she slammed the phone down.
Pearl hadn’t spoken to Dolly for many, many years, but her voice had sounded the same: cold, unfeeling and demanding. Nevertheless, concern about Bernie was uppermost in Pearl’s mind. She went to the back stairs and called, ‘Lucy, I want to pop out for a few minutes to have a word with Derek. Do you mind keeping an eye on the shop?’
‘Of course not,’ Lucy replied brightly as she appeared at the top of the stairs. ‘Come on, Nora, we’re going downstairs and when Pearl comes back it won’t be long before we fetch Clive home from school.’
Pearl hurried to Derek’s stall, finding him busy with a customer, but as soon as he’d completed the sale he came to her side. ‘What’s wrong, love?’
‘Dolly rang. Bernie went out this morning without telling her where he was going and he hasn’t come back.’
‘Why did she ring you?’
‘She wanted to know if he’d turned up here, but of course he hasn’t. I’m worried about him, Derek.’
‘Did he have a suitcase with him when he went out?’
‘I don’t know. I didn’t think to ask,’ Pearl said, but then realised the implication behind Derek’s question. ‘Surely you don’t think he’s left Dolly?’
‘If he has I wouldn’t blame him,’ Derek said, ‘and if Dolly doesn’t know where he is, it sounds likely.’
‘No, I can’t believe he’s walked out on Dolly.’
‘Pearl, whatever Bernie’s up to, he’s a grown man and I’m sure he’ll be fine.’
‘How much is this coffee set?’ a potential customer called.
‘I’ll leave you to it,’ Pearl said. However, returning to the shop, she found that despite Derek’s reassurance, she was still concerned. She still couldn’t believe that Bernie had left Dolly. So where was he?
Kevin had been to the bank and left it smiling, congratulating himself for thinking of everything. He had opened an account when Rupert began to pay him a salary, and there was enough money in it for now. He drew out what he needed and then paid in Rupert’s cheque. It was made out to cash, but despite that Kevin felt it might raise a few eyebrows if he tried to draw on it straight away.
Tomorrow, before he left the country with Adrianna, he’d take out a nice chunk and once abroad transfer the rest to a Spanish bank, or he might even enquire about one of those offshore accounts that Rupert had spoken about.
Kevin then went to Soho to leave the signs for Adrianna, but afterwards, with time to kill and needing a distraction, he decided to drive to Battersea. His mother had said that John was a chip off the old block and he wanted to take a look for himself.
At one time Kevin had wanted his son back in his life, but that all changed when he’d found a way to fleece Rupert. He had money now, lots of it, and he was leaving the country. It still rankled that Pearl had turned the boy against him, but at least he could take this opportunity to put the boy straight.
There was a school close to the High Street that seemed the most likely, and as he didn’t have time to check any others, Kevin decided to hang around to see if John came out.
After sitting outside for ten minutes there was a sudden surge of boys coming out of the school gates. There were so many and Kevin tried to scan their faces, but found it impossible. It was hopeless, but then his eyes became riveted on one lad. It was like looking in the mirror, at his own face when younger, and Kevin knew without a shadow of doubt it was John.
He watched as his son walked towards the car and when he was almost level, Kevin jumped out.
‘Hello, John,’ he said with a soft smile.
The lad was startled, but there was instant recognition and his face screwed up with anger. ‘Go away,’ he said belligerently.
‘John, please, I’ve cleared this with your mother and I just want to talk to you.’
‘No, just go away and leave me alone.’
Kevin walked calmly around the back of the car and as he stood in front of John, he went into his act. ‘I know you’ve been told about my past, but I’m a different man now,’ he said softly, adding a look of contrition as he continued. ‘I did some terrible things, but God forgave me and as I’m leaving the country in the morning, this will be my last chance to speak to you.’
‘You’re leaving?’ John parroted. ‘Where are you going?’
‘Why don’t you come with me for a short drive?’ Kevin gently urged. ‘We’ll find somewhere to have an ice cream or something and I’ll tell you all about it.’
John hesitated for a moment, but then said, ‘All right.’
‘Thank you, son, this means a lot to me,’ Kevin said, hiding his triumph. It wasn’t much in the way of payback, but if John was late home it would put the wind up Pearl.
At that thought, Kevin smiled sardonically.
‘Watcha, Lucy, you’re looking very chirpy,’ Eddie said as she passed his stall. ‘It’s nice to see you smiling, but of course it’s perfectly understandable. I seem to have that effect on the ladies.’
‘I think you’ll find they’re laughing at you, not with you,’ she said.
‘Now that hurts,’ Eddie said, but his eyes were sparkling with mischief.
‘If you must know, I’m happy because when I picked up Clive from school I took him and Nora to see my lovely new flat in Bullen Street.’
‘It’s nice,’ Nora said.
‘Yeah, it’s smashing,’ Clive agreed, ‘and Mum said we’re moving in tomorrow.’
‘In that case, young man, I hope I’m invited to the house-warming party.’
‘He can come, can’t he, Mum?’
‘I hadn’t planned on throwing a party.’
‘Now that’s a shame,’ Eddie said, ‘but seriously, if you need a hand with anything, let me know.’
‘Go to shop!’ Nora suddenly cried as she grabbed Lucy’s hand and tried to pull her along.
‘What’s the matter, Nora?’
‘Go see Pearl! Go to shop!’
‘Sorry, Eddie, I’ll have to go, but thanks for the offer,’ Lucy called out as she was tugged away with Clive h
olding her other hand.
Only minutes later they arrived, Nora crying as soon as she saw Pearl behind the counter, ‘He’s coming! Pearl, he’s coming!’
‘Who’s coming?’
‘The bad man!’
‘Nora, who do you mean?’
‘Bad man! Bad man,’ she cried frantically.
‘Who are you talking about and where did you see him?’ Pearl asked worriedly.
Nora looked confused as she cried, ‘I not know!’
‘Mum, I’m scared,’ Clive said, clutching at Lucy’s skirt.
‘It’s all right, darling, there’s nothing to worry about. Nora’s just having a funny turn, that’s all. Isn’t that right, Pearl?’
‘Yes, yes, of course it is,’ she replied as a customer walked into the shop.
‘Right,’ Lucy said, ‘come on you two, we’re going upstairs. Pearl is busy.’
‘Tell Derek! Pearl, you tell Derek!’ Nora appealed urgently.
‘Yes, don’t worry,’ she said as the customer came to the counter.
For Clive’s sake, Lucy did her utmost to hide her concern as they went upstairs, where almost immediately Nora calmed as if she’d already forgotten her strange warning.
Pearl tried to serve the customer, but found it hard to focus on what she was doing. Nora had said a bad man was coming. Questions tumbled one after the other in her mind. Bad man. It was something Nora had once called Kevin. Had she seen him? Is that why she’d said that he was coming? Was he going to walk into the shop at any minute?
‘You’ve given me the wrong change.’
‘I’m sorry, what did you say?’ Pearl asked.
‘This is two bob short,’ the woman said, holding it out.
‘Is it? I’m so sorry,’ Pearl said as she quickly took the money from the till.
‘I should think so too,’ the customer huffed before marching out of the shop.
Pearl stared at the door, expecting it to open again at any moment and for Kevin to walk in. As the minutes ticked by, Pearl’s imagination leapt to the thought of Kevin lurking around somewhere to intercept John as he walked home from school.
When the door opened, it was just another customer, one who took ages to select what she wanted. By the time she left, Pearl was growing increasingly concerned. John should be home by now, but when she stepped outside to scan the High Street, there was no sign of him.
She went back inside and when another fifteen minutes passed, Pearl began to panic. Surely Kevin wouldn’t take John somewhere without her permission … would he? Worse, what if he didn’t bring him back?
Fear froze her mind and she dashed out of the shop, running, and she didn’t stop until she reached the school gates.
Her chest heaving, Pearl saw that the playground was empty, and there wasn’t a single pupil in sight. Ineffectually she shouted, ‘John! John!’
Silence greeted Pearl’s cry, dread knotting her stomach as she began to run again, this time heading for Derek’s stall. When she reached him he must have seen her distress and said anxiously, ‘What is it, love?
‘John,’ she gasped. ‘I think Kevin has … has taken him.’
‘What? When?’
‘He must have been waiting for John when … when he came out of school.’
‘Are you sure?’
‘Yes … yes … Nora warned me. I … I ran to his school but John wasn’t there. Derek, please, we’ve got to find him!’
‘Harry,’ Derek called to the neighbouring stallholder. ‘I’ve got a bit of an emergency and I’ll have to shoot off. I haven’t got time to close up so can you keep an eye on my stall?’
‘Yeah, no problem.’
With that, Derek headed for where his car was parked, his money pouch jingling. As soon they got in he gunned the engine to life. ‘Right, where do we start?’
‘I don’t know,’ Pearl groaned.
‘If Kevin’s got a car they could be anywhere by now.’
‘Oh, don’t say that. Please don’t say that,’ Pearl begged. ‘We’ve got to find John, we’ve just got to.’
They didn’t find John, and an hour later they returned to the flat, Pearl almost in a state of collapse.
Lucy jumped to her feet when she saw them. ‘Pearl, you went out without locking the shop! I only found out because a customer shouted up the stairs.’
It was Derek who answered. ‘Pearl was in a bit of a panic.’
‘It’s John, isn’t it?’ gasped Lucy. ‘I guessed something must have happened when he didn’t come home from school. Please, Derek, please tell me he’s all right.’
‘Pearl thinks he’s with Kevin. We’ve been out looking for them.’
‘Oh, Derek, what if Kevin doesn’t bring him back?’ Pearl cried, voicing her fears again as she sank onto the sofa.
‘John isn’t a little kid, and he wouldn’t stand for that. He’d get away from him.’
‘You should ring the police,’ Lucy said. ‘Tell them that John’s been kidnapped.’
‘If he’s with his father I’m not sure they’d take it seriously, but yes, I’ll ring them,’ Pearl said. But just as she stood up to go to the telephone, John walked into the room. Tears spurted, running down her cheeks as she ran to put her arms around him. ‘John, thank God you’ve come home! I’ve been worried sick.’
‘But why? You know I’ve been with him … Kevin. He took me to a café, got me a glass of lemonade and we talked for ages. He said he was sorry for the things he’d done, that he was different now and went on about God a bit. He was all right, really, nice. He said he was sorry too for not being around to be a proper father, but once he’s settled abroad I’ll be able to spend holidays with him.’
‘Abroad? What do you mean?’ Pearl asked as she dashed the tears from her eyes.
‘I thought you knew, thought he’d spoken to you. He’s leaving the country in the morning.’
‘John, I had no idea where you were. Derek’s been driving me around looking for you and I was just about to ring the police.’
‘But Kevin said he’d cleared it with you!’
‘That isn’t true,’ Pearl said. ‘He didn’t.’
John’s face paled. ‘He lied to me?’
‘Yes, I’m afraid so.’
‘But why?’ John asked, looking bewildered.
‘I don’t know. Perhaps he thought I wouldn’t agree to let him see you,’ Pearl offered.
‘Do you think he’s really leaving the country in the morning or it that another lie?’
‘I don’t know, darling,’ Pearl said.
‘I don’t care if he goes or not,’ John said bitterly. ‘I’m never going to talk to him again.’
‘I’m sorry, John, this must be hard for you. You and I can have a chat later,’ offered Derek, ‘but for now I’ve got to get the stall packed up and closed.’
‘I’ll give you a hand, Dad.’
‘Thanks, son.’
Pearl knew how hurt John was, how Kevin’s lies must have shattered his fledgling feelings for his father. She didn’t know if Kevin was leaving the country or not, but deep down she suspected that he only said that as a ploy to get John into his car.
She flopped onto a chair, reliving her terror that Kevin had taken John away. At least that hadn’t happened, her son had returned home, but what if Kevin tried to see him again?
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Adrianna had spotted the chalk marks, and she was so excited that she didn’t know how she got through her act.
When she left the club, Vince had his heavies, Stan and Bert, in the car with him as usual. The door was flung open and she got in, her nerves on edge, but thankfully none of them seemed to notice.
As they drove down the street towards Vince’s house, Adrianna forced herself to stare straight ahead. If she looked for Kevin’s car, Vince might notice and the last thing she wanted was to give the game away.
As though he was a gentleman – which knowing Stan was a joke – he held open the door as they climbed out. Vince wal
ked ahead of her and once again Adrianna had to resist the urge to throw a look over her shoulder before they went inside. The chalk mark had been there, and that meant Kevin would be out there somewhere waiting for her, and at least that thought was reassuring.
‘You can knock off now, Stan,’ said Vince. ‘You too, Bert.’
‘Thanks, boss,’ they said, before heading for their rooms at the back of the house.
Vince turned to Adrianna. ‘I’m going to have a nightcap. Do you want one?’
‘No, thanks,’ she said. ‘I think I’ll go straight to bed.’
‘All right, I won’t be long.’
When Vince came upstairs shortly after her, he wasn’t wearing his jacket and as he undressed Adrianna didn’t hear the jangle of the door keys in his trouser pockets. His smile was a leer as he climbed into bed, and Adrianna knew she would have to endure his sexual demands. She hated the stench of whisky on his breath, and wanted to turn her face away, to avoid his slobbering kisses, but could only console herself with the knowledge that this would be the last time he laid his hands on her body.
When it was over he rolled onto his side, his back towards her, and she tried to keep her breathing steady as she listened for his snores. Yet even when she heard them, she was so nervous of waking him that she didn’t move.
An hour passed, and it was only the thought of Kevin giving up that forced Adrianna to gently push back the blankets. Slowly, oh so slowly, she got out of bed, her legs shaking so much that she had to pause for a moment. She moved carefully to pick up her discarded clothes, a skirt and silk blouse from the back of a chair, along with her handbag, and crept onto the landing to dress.
The bed creaked and Adrianna froze. She heard a snort, a rustling, and for a few moments was terrified that Vince was getting up. She remained rigid, her heart thumping with fear.
When there were no further sounds of movement, Adrianna quickly threw on her clothes and tiptoed downstairs holding her shoes. She crept into the drawing room, relieved to see that Vince’s jacket had been thrown carelessly onto the sofa.
