Barefoot and Lost

by Brian Francis Cox

  ‘I don’t know you, what do you want?’

  ‘Nothing, we have never been introduced; I know you from Saint Stephen’s what makes you think I want something?’

  ‘Because you are hanging around, that’s why.’

  ‘I’m not hanging around as you call it Phil; I can call you Phil can’t I? I just want us to be friends.’

  ‘Well I don’t, so leave me alone.’

  ‘You haven’t even asked how I know you.’

  ‘Because you don’t, that’s why; I think you’re a pervert.’

  ‘That is a very unpleasant thing to say to anybody, where do you get that idea?’

  ‘I just do, my Gran told me about men like you she told me I shouldn’t talk to strange men.’

  ‘She must be a very wise lady your Gran, she was right, you shouldn’t, but I’m not strange. I know you from Saint Stephen’s you were at your mate’s funeral and read that poem you wrote?’

  Two men come into the changing room laughing and pushing each other, ‘Told you, you couldn’t do three turns off that board.’ The other man is about to answer when I get the idea to treat this man like Flynn, I shout.

  ‘LEAVE ME ALONE, I’M NOT GOING WITH YOU, YOU WANT TO MOLEST ME I KNOW.’ One of the men turns to face my so called friend,

  ‘Here, what’s going on what’s he done to you son?’ I take my opportunity and run outside, slowing down, I look behind me to see the pervert running after me shouting

  ‘Stop thief, stop that boy.’ A fat man in a black suit tries to block the main exit, I dodge him as he makes a grab at my arm but takes hold of my rolled up towel instead, I leave him there holding it. Darting across the road, Pervert follows me, risking being run over by a motorbike; the rider sounds his horn and shouts. He is very fast and gaining on me. Then up ahead I can see Constable Harper, standing in his favourite doorway watching the world go by. As I come up to him, he turns to see what the commotion is about, I slow down the pervert is almost up to me, I can hear his heavy breathing and the thud of his feet as they hit the footpath. Stopping suddenly I dive into the doorway bumping into PC Harper, knocking him against the window.

  Out of breath I manage to shout. ‘This man is trying to molest me, please help me.’ Pervert suddenly realizes that I have run to a policeman. Stopping dead in his tracks he takes off again, back the way he has just come.

  ‘Stop him, he is trying to molest me, please help me.’ PC Harper shouts, Stop and blows his whistle three times and, as if by magic, two constables run around the corner and collide with the pervert.

  ‘Hold him Jack, don’t know what he’s done yet, but he is running from something.’

  ‘What’s going on young Milligan has he touched you?’

  ‘No he didn’t but he tried to make friends with me in the changing room and when I ran away he chased after me.’

  ‘Perhaps you left something behind and he was trying to return it.’

  ‘He said he knew me from the children’s home, and I have never seen him before. I think he was going to kidnap me, or murder me like they did Lionel.’

  Pervert is arguing with the other policemen. Pervert attempts to breakaway, there is a bit of a scuffle, the helmet of one PC falls onto the ground with a clatter.

  ‘Right mate, you’re not going anywhere except to the station.’ The larger PC pushes perverts arm up behind his back, the other one handcuffs him.

  ‘What is going on, what do you mean kidnap?’

  A green Humber Snipe turns slowly into the street, in the passenger seat is the fat man from the baths. When the driver sees the police he accelerates up the road, not realizing it is a dead end. They stop outside the book shop at the foot of the steps to Robertson Street.

  ‘Mr. Harper, I think you should tell Superintendent Langdon, I think this man is something to do with the murder of Lionel Bates.’ The other two policemen march Pervert to the police box that is still surrounded with sandbags on the promenade; there they make their phone call to the station.

  ‘Young Milligan you have a vivid imagination but, I think you’re right the Super will be interested in talking to this Herbert.’

  ‘Do you want me to come to the station?’

  ‘No, you can get on home, the Super knows where to find you if he needs you.’

  ‘I don’t think I should go on my own Mr. Harper that Humber Snipe, up there, at the end of the road, is from the children’s home, it’s like the one Lionel was killed in, the fat man in the front seat tried to grab me as I ran out of the baths.’

  ‘Young Milligan I’m sure I do not know what you are talking about, but the Super told me there was something a foot and you had some involvement in it. We will wait here until Herbert gets collected, then we will sort out the car, they can’t go anywhere unless it’s back here. Pc Harper undoes the top pocket of his tunic and produces a small collapsible telescope, ‘I’ll just get its number and phone in and see what they say,’ The police van pulls up, Herbert is put in the back and driven off.

  The two PC’s walk back towards us, I can see one of them is Jack, the one who brought me from St S’s. ‘Watcha Phillip so what’s this all about then?’ I explain what has happened and that the man in the Humber is the same one that tried to stop me at the baths.’

  ‘I have the number so I had better call it in.’

  ‘Bloody hell Harry can you read that plate from here?’

  ‘Yeah, with this I can.’ Pc Harper says showing Jack his telescope.

  ‘Have you had a look at them?’

  ‘Yeah, but I can only see the back of their heads; they are looking at us through the driving mirror, I’d say waiting for us to go, or to leave Phillip on his own.’

  ‘Do you believe me that they are trying to kidnap me?’

  ‘Not sure what they are up to, but best to be on the safe side’

  ‘Has anyone spoken to the Super yet?’

  ‘No, it’s his day off. They are trying to contact him, said they would call back as soon as they got hold of him.’

  The blue light, on top of the police box, starts to wink off and on and I can hear a telephone ringing,

  ‘That will be them now; Phillip, you walk with me to the box you two stay here got that number Harry?’

  ‘Yes Sir, that’s right. Well they could abandon the car and scarper up the steps, yes; two should do it to cover that. Very good Sir, I’ll walk Phillip back to the baths and leave him in the office with the manager. Yes, very good Sir, I’m on my way. Stay here Phillip; I have to have a word with the other two constables.’

  I remember Reg asking me what PC Harpers number was, this constable has thirty seven on his collar. Thirty Seven locks the door behind him, there are no windows so I can’t see out, the only light is through a strip of glass around the top, up near the ceiling. I always wondered what was in these boxes; I’m quite disappointed to see it is only a telephone box, with a small table that you have to stand at if you want to write. The door opens; PC Thirty Seven looks in,

  ‘Come on Phillip, let’s get you safe.’

  We start to walk the three hundred yards to the baths. There is a squeal of tyres, we both turn around to look, the Humber is reversing down the street at speed, PC Harper runs into the road, waving his arms and blowing his whistle. The Humber swerves, knocking him into the air; he then comes crashing to the ground where he lays still. ‘Jesus; Phillip, run to the baths as fast as you can, they know you are coming.’ The Humber reverses onto the promenade, collides with another car, and speeds off in the direction of St Leonards.

  In the office I can’t see a thing, its only window looks out onto the pool which is empty of swimmers, and there is only a man with a large brush, cleaning it. I can hear the bell of an ambulance and then the faster bell of a police car as it speeds along the promenade. A nice lady has brought me a cup of tea and a biscuit. I’m feeling excited but scared, why do these horrible men want to get me, what would they do if they did?

  There is a knock on the door, Nice La
dy gets up to answer, she opens it a couple of inches I can hear a female voice ask. ‘Is Phillip here?’

  ‘Yes, I’m so glad you have arrived, I’m scared out of my wits.’ She opens the door wide, WPC Maisy walks in.

  ‘Hello Phillip, what an exciting life you lead.’

  ‘I know, I wish it wasn’t: what about Constable Harper, he’s not dead is he?’

  ‘No, thank God, he has a broken leg and concussion, they think they are his only injuries, but at this very moment he is having further tests, so unless they find something else he should make a full recovery.’

  ‘I saw them do it; they ran him over on purpose.’

  ‘Yes, that is what Constable Gregory said.’

  ‘Who’s that, is he the one who was with me?’

  ‘That’s him, come with me, we are going to your home, I am to be your own special officer.’

  ‘What are you my bodyguard, wow that’s fantastic for how long?’

  ‘Until my shift finishes, at ten tonight, and I think that will be too long, because you ask too many questions.’

  Drawn up on the promenade, outside the baths, is a police car, another constable I have not seen before is behind the wheel. ‘You’ve done this before Phillip get in the back seat and lay down so you can’t be seen.’

  ‘Why who is watching me what do they want?’

  ‘There you go again asking questions; I don’t know, probably nobody but as a precaution please just do it?’

  The car moves off along the promenade in the direction of St Leonards. ‘Where are you taking me this is not the way to my house?’

  ‘There you go again, questions nothing but questions, just let’s say we are taking you by a roundabout route.’ Lying on my back I can see the buildings flashing by. Turning up St Helens Road, just past the Ritz cinema, the driver stops the car and waits a few minutes.

  Why are they bringing me this way it is miles? At Silver Hill station we turn right, down old London road where we stop again, we then continue into Ore where we stop, yet again. I can see a sign that says Sandown School, that’s the one the bully Keith Smith went to. Why do we keep stopping? No one gets out we just sit there with the engine running. It is only when we get to the bottom of Mount Pleasant road, turning into Queens Road and up South Terrace that I know they are not trying to kidnap me, it is like Maisy said, they have brought me a very long way home but why, I thought everyone was supposed to be saving petrol?’

  Outside number twelve there is a large black Austin, we pull in behind it. ‘That’s good timing Bert the Super is already here.’

  ‘Well I do have my good points, I’ll be off Maisy, see you later at the station.’ As we come down the iron steps I can see Superintendent Langdon and Reg seated at the table. June is standing with her back to me, clasping, and unclasping her hands behind her back. At the sound of our footsteps she swings around and rushes to the door, ‘Phillip thank God you’re home, you’re not hurt are you? Why did you go out without telling us? We have been frantic. How do you think we felt when Mr. Langdon came to the door, with you still missing? Do you not have consideration for others, do you only think of yourself? I am so annoyed with you.’

  ‘June, please, calm down, I know you are upset but Phil wasn’t to know this was going to happen, rightly or wrongly he did leave a note to say where he was going so don’t be too hard on him please, now, sit down and let us hear what John has to say.’

  ‘Reg, I’m just so furious that he went off on his own like that, he will not do it again.’

  ‘June, I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to worry you, but I go off on my own all the time, I didn’t know I wasn’t supposed to, I am twelve you know.’ June sits down at the table opposite Reg, I give her a kiss on her cheek, I can feel her melt.

  ‘Okay, just don’t do it again, a note is not good enough, if I have a reason for you not to go I can’t tell a note not to go, can I?’

  ‘I suppose not; I’m sorry.’ Super takes a sip of his tea,

  Right, now that is settled I will tell what I can. As you know, we are investigating a paedophile ring that has been operating in at least three children’s homes and one hostel for young displaced men. Phillip has become involved through his letter to Mr. Cohen.

  Between us and the Met we have arrested fifteen people. Some of them are already known to us. The two Herberts, who tried to take Phillip, for whatever reason, are not known. The one we arrested at the scene is saying he was just speaking to you, being friendly when you grabbed his wallet and ran off with it.’

  ‘I didn’t, I wouldn’t do that.’

  ‘I know you didn’t, the two men in the changing room have already made a statement.’

  ‘There weren’t two, there were three. The driver of the Humber was the same one who was driving it when Lion ran away and got killed.’

  ‘Are you sure absolutely sure?’

  ‘Positive, I couldn’t forget him, I’d know him anywhere, I still dream about him locking the boot with Lion inside.’

  ‘Brilliant; Reg, can we use your phone?’

  ‘But of course John.”

  ‘Constable, would you please call the duty Sergeant and ask him to contact Scotland Yard, and get them to pick up Albert Hockley, and hold him for attempted murder. Tell him also to tell D I Clarke, that I will fill him in with the details when I finish here.’ Pointing Reg directs Maisy to the phone on the Welsh dresser.

  ‘Yes Sergeant I’ll tell him’ Maisy puts down the receiver. ‘Sir, they have found the Humber, the finger print boys are giving it a going over now.’

  ‘Thank you Constable: June, Reg, I am going to have to go, there are a few urgent matters I need to take care of. I am not sure yet why they wanted Phillip, I assume they think he is a threat to them as a witness, so the WPC will stay here with Phillip; when does your shift finish Constable?’

  ‘Ten o clock Sir.’

  ‘Very well, I will get someone to relieve you then and we will decide what to do tomorrow. Clearly I can’t sustain a twenty four hour guard forever, but tomorrow we will work something out, now I must be off.’

  Chapter Fifteen

  A man Constable stayed the night. This morning he is relieved by Maisy. I don’t think she is too happy about it but, she says it is marginally better than doing point duty, at the failed traffic lights in Queen’s road. I’m not allowed to go out, Jet, like Maisy, is not very happy either. He has followed us to the sitting room where Maisy has taught me to play whist. Jet is lying at my feet and won’t let me out of his sight he has even been to the toilet with me. I’ve asked Maisy lots of questions about these men who want to get me, but she won’t tell me anything. She did tell me that Constable Harper has a broken leg, three broken ribs, and concussion. He has regained consciousness and should make a full recovery, but is going to be off duty for about three months.

  I wish I could go to Pop’s and get The Talisman but he won’t be there. He will be at the synagogue. There are some books here the only one suitable for me is Biggles Flies North by Captain W.E Johns; I’ve already read it and find it boring. June says she will see if she can get some books from the Red Cross. Maisy is curled up on the settee reading a cowboy book by Zane Grey. ‘How long are they going to keep me here, I have to go to school on Monday, what will happen then?’ The clock on the mantle piece chimes half the Westminster chime, I look at it, the time is only half eleven, there is still an hour and a half to lunch; the morning seems like a week.

  Biggles is in my lap; I’m staring into space and thinking about yesterday. How stupid was Constable Harper, running into the road like that, did he really think they would stop because he told them to? The grounds men are removing the covers from the wicket, it looks like there will be cricket, at least that will give me something to do.

  ‘Phillip, we have a visitor, come down and see who it is.’ Reg is calling, I get up to go, Maisy puts her book down and follows me down the stairs.

  ‘Hi little buddy, how yer doing?’

 
‘Orville, what are you doing here?’

  ‘Me, I’ve come to say adios, I’m off to Berlin on Monday. I’ll be there for a while then, hopefully, I should be back, in the States for Christmas.’

  ‘Will you come back again to England?’

  ‘I doubt it Phil, but you never can tell, Uncle Sam may find something for me to do here, but I would prefer to be home with my folks, it’s been a long time. I haven’t had a Christmas or a Thanksgiving at home for three years.’

  ‘Where is Olive, will she go with you?’

  ‘What to Berlin why would she do that?’

  ‘No, go with you to America, because she’s your girlfriend.’

  ‘Whoa, hold your horses; I told you before, I am married to a lovely lady back home. Olive and I only worked together, we are very good friends, that’s all.’

  ‘I’m sorry, I just thought.’

  ‘Well don’t. Supposition, without substantial evidence is a very dangerous thing.’

  ‘I’m sorry Orville, where is Olive I haven’t seen her?’