Freda headed towards the bright lights of the camp’s main building. Plum and Molly watched until she disappeared.
‘It won’t be long now, Bunty. We’ll soon have you tucked up warm and snug in bed,’ Plum assured her.
Bunty opened her eyes slowly. ‘Molly?’
‘Yes, my love. I’m right here. Try not to fret,’ she said, wanting to soothe her friend, who was becoming more agitated and attempting to sit up.
‘Richard is looking for you . . . I tried to tell him I was Bunty, but he . . . he thinks you are me. I tried to stop him, but . . .’
‘It’s that bloody photograph,’ Plum said. ‘Why did Richard drag you away? We found your plimsolls, by the way.’
Bunty licked her lips and frowned as she tried to think. ‘I found him in our chalet. He was holding the photograph by my bed. He demanded to know where you were.’ She stopped to think for a minute. ‘He has a gun . . . I thought he was going to kill you. I chased after him as he went to look for you. I said I knew who he was and what he’d done . . . That’s when he hit me and forced me away from the camp to here. I shouldn’t have said I knew who he was . . . I think he was going to kill me, but something disturbed him.’
‘You were lucky he didn’t shoot you,’ Molly said.
‘I was too close for him to get an aim. I clung on to him . . . He put his hands round my throat . . . I must have blacked out . . . Each time I came to, I felt water around me and tried to get away, but I felt dizzy.’
‘And he didn’t recognize you from when he worked with Gordon?’ Plum said.
‘I was just one of many nurses on duty. Some doctors are blind to what we look like when out of uniform. Please be careful,’ she added, looking wildly around while hanging tight to Molly’s arms.
‘He can’t be far away,’ Molly whispered, aware that they were extremely exposed on the beach. She prayed help would not be long in coming.
‘Nurse Grainger?’
Bunty gasped and clung even more tightly to Molly. ‘That’s him . . . That’s him . . .’
Molly gazed up as a wild-eyed man limped towards them. A gun, held at arm’s length, was pointing at her.
He indicated for Molly to move away from her friends. Molly could see nothing but the gun, and heard only the blood pounding in her ears. ‘I think there’s been some kind of mistake,’ she said. ‘I’m Molly Missons. I’m not who you think I am. The girl you want is back at the holiday camp.’
Molly tried to think. If she could only play for time, then perhaps help would arrive, but what else could she say? She stumbled slightly as an incoming wave caught her by surprise. As she did so, she heard a grunt and Richard crumpled to the ground. He’d been knocked out cold.
‘That’ll teach you to try and hurt my friends, you blighter,’ Plum announced, retrieving the putting stick she’d thrown at the gunman. ‘Now, stay down there, and no funny business or I’ll bash your brains in.’
‘I don’t think he can hear you, Plum – you knocked him out.’ Molly crept forward and grabbed the gun that had flown from Richard’s hand when he was poleaxed by Plum. ‘Wherever did you learn that?’ she asked.
‘You’re not the only one who goes to the cinema. I just happen to prefer Westerns,’ Plum replied as she placed one foot on Richard’s back so he couldn’t move if he came round. ‘And just like in the best movies, here comes the cavalry,’ she added, nodding to where a group of redcoats and security staff were running down the beach towards them.
‘We’ve got him, boss,’ Plum said, tapping a now groaning Richard with her riding crop.
Molly bent over her friend as Johnny appeared. She’d never been so pleased to see someone in her life. ‘Look, Bunty, it’s all over. Help has arrived,’ she said, trying to rouse the girl as a stretcher was unfurled beside her.
Johnny called out to the security team, who dragged the groaning Richard towards the camp.
Molly sipped the hot, sweet cocoa. Senior redcoats had stepped in to make sure their colleagues were taken care of. She’d been moved into Freda’s chalet while the door on her own was being repaired. Molly was secretly grateful not to be alone, even though Richard had been caught, and was pleased that there were no objections to her staying with a camper.
‘This is just like old times when I stayed over at your house,’ Freda said as she tucked an extra blanket around Molly.
Molly couldn’t stop trembling. Each time she closed her eyes, she could see Richard and the gun. ‘Thank goodness things turned out all right. I dread to think what could have happened. You must have run like the wind, Freda.’
‘I didn’t have to go far. I bumped into Johnny and some of the security men by the boating lake. They’d found Bunty’s handbag and knew she must be in the area. What I don’t understand is why Richard dragged her away if he thought she was you.’
‘All I got from Bunty was that Richard feared she would call for help and he wanted to get her away from the camp. Thank goodness we arrived when we did or she could have drowned.’ Molly shuddered.
‘Or been shot by that despicable man. I’m so glad it’s all over for Gordon and Bunty. Just fancy being imprisoned when you’ve not done anything wrong. I can’t begin to know how I’d feel if it was me,’ Freda said.
‘Bunty’s family stood by her while she was in prison. It’s good to have friends as well. Thank you for always being here for me. I don’t know what I’d have done this past year without you.’ Molly started to sob, loudly and uncontrollably. ‘I’m sorry for blubbing like an idiot.’
Freda took the cup from Molly and hugged her close. ‘There, there. This has all been a big shock, on top of everything else that’s happened. Anyone would blub after what has occurred this evening, so go ahead and cry as much as you like. It will help you sleep,’ she promised.
Molly’s tears had not long subsided and she was starting to fall asleep when there was a quiet knock on the door of the chalet. She jolted awake and looked fearfully at Freda.
‘Don’t be afraid, Molly. Richard is being held at the gatehouse until the police get here. No one is going to let him try to hurt you or Bunty ever again.’
For all her words of support, Freda crept towards the door more than a little afraid of who was on the other side. It crossed her mind to have something in her hand to protect them both, but then she scolded herself for being so silly.
Opening the door, she found Johnny standing there holding a single red rose. She stepped outside and pulled the door shut, placing a finger on her lips. ‘She’s finally falling asleep, so I’ll not invite you in.’ She smiled. ‘Is that for Molly?’
By the light of a nearby streetlamp, Freda could see that Johnny’s face looked grey and drawn. ‘I wanted to leave this, and a note for Molly. It wouldn’t be proper for me to come into the chalet. The note explains what’s happened. I hope it means she can put her mind at rest and sleep.’
Freda took the rose and inhaled the heady fragrance. ‘It’s beautiful. Molly will love it. Roses are her favourite flowers. It’s so thoughtful of you.’ She smiled. ‘Don’t worry, Johnny – she will be fine after a good night’s sleep.’
‘I don’t want to see Molly back at work for the remainder of the week. I’ve rearranged the staff rota so that she can rest. Bunty has been taken to the local hospital. Connie is with her, and Spud has driven Plum home. She should be with her daughter after what happened today. She’s under orders not to return to work until Saturday.’
The door creaked open behind them. ‘I want to work. Please let me. I’ll go crazy if I have time to think about what could have happened,’ Molly whispered.
Johnny took Molly’s hands and kissed her lips gently. ‘I’m only thinking of what is best for you,’ he said.
Freda slipped quietly back into the chalet and closed the door. There were times when a best friend was surplus to requirements.
20
‘Are you absolutely sure about this, Freda? You’re supposed to be on holiday.’
Freda
sighed. ‘We’ve been over this umpteen times, Molly. You know how much I’ve longed to be a redcoat. To have my offer to help you this week accepted is like a dream come true. I get to be a redcoat and a Woolies girl at the same time. What could be nicer?’
‘All the same, you’ve paid for a holiday and you’re spending your time working.’
‘Ah! I’m not. Take a look at this.’ Freda passed a sheet of paper over the breakfast table to Molly. ‘I’ve been given a complimentary holiday for the last week of the season, so you don’t need to worry about me being overworked. Now, I have to go and collect my uniform before I join you for the children’s nature walk. This is going to be just like the times we helped your mum run the Brownie pack.’
Molly smiled at her friend. Freda’s excitement was infectious. ‘That’s wonderful. What about George and Kath? It feels like we’ve abandoned them.’
‘I had a word with George this morning. You know me – I’m always up with the lark. Kath had sent him to join in with the keep-fit class. As you can imagine, he was overjoyed to see me so he could escape exercising and stop for a chat. I told him what had happened but left out the part with the gun. There was no need to worry him unduly. He sends his love and said they will both see you at bingo this evening. He reckons I’ll make a good redcoat.’
‘Hmm, I’d better look to my laurels, then, or I’ll be out of a job before long, Redcoat Freda.’ Molly grinned. ‘Now, you’d better get ready for the nature trail. After a morning spent with inquisitive children, you may well want to hang up your red coat for good.’
‘Whatever were you thinking of, my girl? If that madman had killed you, where would we be then? I couldn’t be more surprised when Spud turned up with you last night and told me what you did. I’ve not slept a wink all night worrying about what might have happened.’
Plum hung her head in shame. In the light of a new day, the thrill of catching Richard and knowing a murderer would soon be locked up for a long time didn’t feel quite as exciting as it had the evening before. Tilly was right: she hadn’t thought about the consequences of rushing off to look for Bunty and then tackling an armed man. ‘I’m sorry, Tilly. I’ve been an absolute fool. I could have left Lizzie an orphan. Can you ever forgive me for being such an impetuous idiot?’
The older woman looked at Plum. The girl was as near to a daughter as she’d ever had. Her sleeplessness had been caused not only by the thought that young Lizzie could have been left without both her parents but also that she could have lost someone she considered to be her own kin. ‘No doubt I’d have done the same given the circumstances,’ Tilly said. ‘Although my aim may not have been as good as yours,’ she added.
Plum looked at Tilly warily. Had she forgiven her for being so foolhardy? Tilly’s smile proved she had and they both burst out laughing.
‘Now, not a word to Lizzie about this. We don’t want her getting ideas in her head. Only the other day I had to explain how young ladies do not dive into a playground fight between boys and join in. I don’t know where she gets it from,’ she said primly, eyeing Plum, who tried not to smile. ‘Now, pour yourself a cup of tea and I’ll get your breakfast from the oven. Young Lizzie wanted to stay home from school to be with you, but I told her you’d still be here when she got home. A week off work, eh? That must have been quite a shock for you all.’
‘Yes, afterwards, when the dust had settled, I admit I felt quite wobbly. We all did. Butlins have been very good to us. We were told that if the man had gone back to the main part of the holiday camp, it could have been much worse than it was.’
‘What can be worse than a man framing someone else for murder, I don’t know.’ Tilly tutted as she headed for the kitchen. ‘By the way, another of those letters arrived the other day. It’s on the mantelpiece. Things can’t go on as they are. It’s time you made a decision and wrote to the woman.’
Plum sighed. She knew Tilly was right. What if something had happened to her last night? Her daughter would have been left without a single blood relative who knew her, and she may have been sent to live with William’s mother. It was time that Lizzie got to know her grandparents, whether they accepted her or not. She would start by writing to William’s mother. With a heavy heart, she reached for the letter and tore open the envelope. The few words scribbled in haste on the page caused her to shriek aloud.
‘My, my, whatever is it?’ Tilly asked, coming into the room holding a hot plate with a tea towel. ‘Mind that – it’s hot.’
‘It’s William. His mother’s written that there has been news,’ Plum said, her hands shaking so much she had to place the letter on the table before she dropped it.
‘What news could there be? The lad died in action.’ Tilly picked up the letter and scanned the few lines. What she read caused her to sit down quickly. ‘Bless my soul, a prisoner of war. Who’d have thought it?’
‘I need to go to William’s mother. She must know more. This letter was written a week ago.’ She rose to her feet quickly, causing the table to shake. ‘I need to pack a case. Can you tell Lizzie I’ve had to go back to Butlins but I’ll be home soon? I hate to lie to her, but it’s too early to tell her the truth.’
‘I’ll start packing your case while you eat your food. You can’t travel on an empty stomach.’
Plum picked up her knife and fork. ‘Oh, Tilly, my William’s alive,’ she said, her eyes brimming with tears of happiness.
Bunty grasped Molly’s hand and held on to it tightly. ‘I can’t believe I’m leaving Butlins. I’m going to miss everyone so much, but especially you and Plum. Thank you for coming to the station to wave me off.’
Bunty had spent three days in hospital recovering from her ordeal. It was there she’d learned that Aileen’s father had survived the gunshot wound that had threatened his life. He’d been able to speak to Gordon and the two men had settled their differences now that it was clear Gordon hadn’t killed Aileen. Bunty was eager to travel to Scotland and be reunited with her fiancé. Already proceedings were under way to absolve Gordon of his wrongful conviction.
‘Will you stay in Scotland or move south?’ Molly asked. It seemed so far away.
‘We have decisions to make. I want to help Aileen’s father get well, and of course there is Jamie, Aileen and Richard’s son, to consider. He has always been brought up by his grandparents, but I like to think we could help in some way.’
Molly hugged her friend. ‘You’re a good person, Bunty. As soon as you are settled, send me your address so we can keep in touch. You will, won’t you?’
‘Of course I will, you silly thing. I just wish Plum had been here so I could say goodbye.’ She looked at her watch. ‘The train will be here in ten minutes. Are you sure you want to wait with me?’
‘Now it’s you who’s talking daft. I’m not only going to stay but I’ll be watching the train until it’s a dot on the horizon. Oh my goodness, I feel quite tearful, and you don’t want me blubbing,’ Molly said.
‘It won’t be for long. We can arrange to meet up once the season is over. I realize we’ve only known each other a few months, but it feels as though it’s been much longer. We are true friends.’ Bunty gave a weak grin. ‘Now it’s me who might start to blub.’ She looked over her shoulder at the sound of a commotion coming from the entrance to the platform. ‘My goodness, whatever is happening over there?’
Molly had already turned towards the double doors that led to the busy street outside. Past the baskets of racing pigeons waiting to be transported across country, sacks of mail and women laden with shopping, she could see Johnny hurrying along the platform, followed by a breathless Charlie Porter. ‘It’s Johnny and Charlie,’ was all she could think to say.
‘Thank goodness. I thought we’d missed you,’ Johnny said. ‘Quick, Charlie – give Bunty your news. The signals are changing. The train will be pulling into the station at any minute.’
‘What is it? Has something happened to Gordon?’ Bunty asked nervously.
‘Not at all. It�
��s my story. Look, it’s on the front page – “Butlins Girls Catch Murderer.”’
‘Oh my!’ Bunty murmured as she read Charlie’s words.
‘It’s all there,’ Charlie said proudly, pointing over Bunty’s shoulder. ‘This is the bit that says how Gordon escaped prison during an air raid as he knew who had killed his wife. And here’ – he pointed further down the page – ‘is where you all get a mention as the Butlins redcoats who caught the real murderer on the beach.’
Molly felt slightly sick. ‘You’ve named us all?’
‘Yes,’ Charlie said proudly. ‘I covered everything. I’ve done such a good job my editor’s given me a permanent position, so if you know of any other crimes, I’m your man.’ He handed Bunty a crumpled card from his pocket. ‘You can always get me at the paper.’
‘Does this mean you’re handing in your notice, Mr Porter?’ Johnny asked, trying hard to look stern.
Charlie’s face dropped. ‘I was thinking of nipping off right now, if that’s OK with you, boss?’
‘I believe we can just about manage without you, Charlie,’ Johnny said, his lips twitching as he tried not to smile. Charlie’s photographic skills had not improved in the time he’d worked at the camp.
‘Here’s your train, Bunty,’ Molly said, trying hard not to look upset by what she’d seen in Charlie’s article.
‘Oh, these are for you,’ Johnny said, handing Bunty an envelope and a posy of roses from the Butlins rose bed. ‘I thought a small bunch would be easier to carry.’
‘Thank you. They’re lovely. I’ll press one and keep it in my Bible to remember you by. But what is in this envelope? You gave me my pay and cards last night at my leaving party, along with my lovely leaving gift.’ She looked down at the smart new suitcase by her feet.
‘It’s a letter from the governor. He wants you and Gordon to consider coming back to work for us next season. We can always make room for a doctor in the medical centre, and a nurse if you are interested. Unless you’d rather remain a redcoat? It’ll give you time to sort yourselves out. There’s also a little something in there to tide yourselves over for a while.’
The Butlins Girls Page 26
