The Honeyfield Bequest

by Anna Jacobs

  As if he’d understood what she was thinking, he smiled at her, so she smiled back.

  Then Rhoda returned and the talking began again. What a pity!

  The nearest policeman was in the next village and it took over half an hour for him to cycle over to Monks Barton after someone had phoned him from the village shop.

  Once she’d finished her tea, Kathleen insisted on going back to her house with Mr Perry but she went in the front way and sat in the parlour, unable to face the blood and guts again. She could smell them, though, and that made her feel nauseous.

  ‘You all right?’ Mr Perry asked.

  ‘Mmm.’

  He reached across to pat her hand a couple of times, a gesture that was comforting.

  When the policeman arrived, it was Mr Perry who took him to see the kitchen.

  As she listened to the men talking, she soon realised that the policeman was young and wasn’t going to be much use at all. He did a lot of wondering who in tarnation could have done this, and wishing someone had tanned their backsides when they were young and taught them what was what.

  As the words flowed on like a slow tide, she wondered how much he was actually examining in the kitchen.

  In the end she heard Mr Perry take charge and went to peep as he walked round the kitchen again with the young policeman, prompting him to write this or that detail down in his notebook.

  He sounded very capable so she left them to it.

  They came to join her in the front room when they’d finished.

  ‘I’ll make a report, Mrs Seaton,’ the policeman told her. ‘And I’ll ask around. Someone may have seen a stranger loitering.’

  ‘Not if they used the back lane to get in and bent down as they walked to hide behind the hedges.’

  ‘You’re probably right. But I’ll ask around all the same. And please be careful from now on, Mrs Seaton. Make sure you lock your doors carefully.’

  ‘I did lock the doors and there’s only one key to the back door that I know of, so I can’t understand how they got it open.’

  He looked puzzled. ‘The lock hadn’t been forced so there must be another key.’

  Which didn’t reassure her at all.

  Smiling wryly, Mr Perry watched him leave. ‘I gather you’re a widow, Mrs Seaton. Is there anyone who can come and stay with you?’

  ‘No one. I rarely see my family, and anyway, I don’t get on with them.’

  ‘Perhaps you should get the lock changed on the back door. That one isn’t much use. I could pick it open myself.’

  She blurted out without thinking, ‘I’ll not be staying here. I can guess who arranged to have this done. He wants to drive me away and he’s succeeded this time.’

  ‘Are you sure you know who it is?’

  She nodded. ‘Oh, yes. My husband’s cousin, Godfrey Seaton. Others have warned me about him and he’s been here and threatened me.’

  ‘Tell me about it.’

  And it all poured out, all her anxieties for the past year, the difficult position she was in, her worries about her children. ‘I’ve been trying to work out how to get away without leaving a trail for him to follow,’ she ended.

  The clock on the mantelpiece chimed just then and she looked across at it in dismay. ‘The children will be back from Mrs Dalton’s soon. I need to clear up that kitchen.’

  ‘I’ll just go and have a word with Bill, then I’ll help you.’

  ‘I can’t ask you to do that!’

  ‘You didn’t ask me, I volunteered.’ He moved towards the front door. ‘I’ll be back in a minute.’

  She couldn’t resist a quick glance out of the front-room window and saw him gesticulating as he spoke to Bill. His face was alight with intelligence and life. He had a quiet way with him, but other men listened to him and let him guide them.

  After slipping a coin into the driver’s hand, he came hurrying back.

  Taking a deep breath and telling herself she had to stay calm and dead animals couldn’t hurt you, she moved towards the kitchen, absolutely dreading the task ahead.

  Mr Perry moved past her and said gently, ‘Let me get rid of the worst. Do you have any old newspapers to wrap the – um, mess in?’

  ‘Thank you. I’m grateful. I’ll get some newspapers for you.’

  It felt strange to have help. She’d grown used to being independent and managing whatever needed to be done herself.

  Just as she was finishing mopping the floor, there were voices outside. ‘That’s Mrs Dalton and the children.’

  He took the mop out of her hands. ‘I’ll finish and get rid of the dirty water. Send her away then take them into the front room and explain what’s happened.’

  ‘And tell them that we have to run away tonight,’ she said bitterly. ‘They already know it’s a possibility. Only I still haven’t worked out where to go. I’ll just have to go to London or Manchester or a big city like that, and find lodgings, then get work. I’ve got some money to tide me over.’

  ‘You don’t have any relatives you could go to?’

  ‘Not that I’d trust to take me in and treat the children kindly. They’d be thinking how they could get money out of me.’ She saw his expression of surprise and couldn’t help wondering why she kept telling him things – or why he bothered to listen.

  ‘I have a suggestion to make. After you’ve explained what’s happened to the children, can you occupy them with something and discuss my idea with me privately? It may be the very answer for you.’

  ‘You know somewhere we could go?’

  ‘I think so.’

  ‘I’ll give them a glass of milk and a biscuit. They can sit in the kitchen now it’s clean again. Christopher is always hungry. But I don’t see—’

  ‘You’ll understand when I explain.’

  So she did as he’d suggested. If he could help, they’d definitely leave tonight.

  For some reason she trusted him absolutely.

  The children were horrified when she told them what had happened, even more upset when she said they’d have to run away that very night.

  Elizabeth burst into tears. ‘I don’t want to go.’

  ‘We don’t have any choice, darling. This time whoever it was killed an animal. Next time they may ki—hurt one of us.’ She had to cuddle Elizabeth for a moment or two before her daughter could stop sobbing. During that time Christopher sat like a statue.

  When his mother looked at him, he said, ‘I don’t think adventures are much fun in real life.’

  ‘I’m afraid not.’

  ‘We were going to have a coronation at school,’ Elizabeth said dolefully. ‘I was going to be a lady-in-waiting. I’m going to miss everything now.’ And she sobbed even harder.

  ‘Stop crying, Elizabeth! Stop it! I’ll get you both some biscuits and milk, then you can go and get out your spare clothes. Put them on the bed. When I’ve finished speaking to Mr Perry, I’ll come up and check that you’ve got everything before we start packing. Choose one toy or book each. That’s all we’ll be able to carry when we leave. The rest must be clothes.’

  Elizabeth was still crying, but silently now, tears trickling down her cheeks. There was no comfort Kathleen could offer because she too felt like weeping. Only what good would that do?

  Instead she made sure the back door was bolted top and bottom, then gave the children a snack and joined Mr Perry in the front room. She couldn’t think what he might be able to suggest, but she’d try anything sensible, or even half-sensible.

  Nathan had heard the little girl sobbing and felt sorry for her, but it was the mother for whom he felt most sympathy. She hadn’t complained or wept, and after the first shock had passed, she’d just got on with what needed to be done.

  There was a lot to be said for getting on with things, in his opinion. Life wasn’t always easy. His mother always made a fuss but left problems to her husband to solve. Which was what his father preferred. His father had to be king of the roost and he didn’t want anyone to share that roost wi
th him in any way. Not even his only son.

  Mrs Seaton came to stand in the doorway. ‘The children are occupied, Mr Perry. You said you had a suggestion.’

  ‘Come and sit down. It’ll take me a few minutes to explain.’ When she was seated, he sat opposite her. ‘I have to explain a few things first, so bear with me. There’s a house called Greyladies further to the south and the owner has been left some money to spend on helping women in trouble.’

  He told her about Honeyfield, where it was, the mess things were still in. ‘But I think Mrs Latimer would be happy for you and the children to stay there. I met her when dealing with the house sale, because we found a woman there who needed help and I was able to provide it. Mrs Latimer is a very caring lady and I’m sure she’ll help you as well.’

  ‘Why would she?’

  ‘Because you’re in trouble and need somewhere to go. That’s what she is setting up the house for.’

  He saw her flush and square her shoulders. ‘I don’t need charity.’

  ‘I wasn’t thinking of you asking for charity. She needs a housekeeper to run the place for her and manage women who will be doing a thorough cleaning from top to bottom. If you helped her and the other ladies on the committee to set things up, and proved your worth, she might consider you for the position permanently. It’s near a village and there’s a school within walking distance.’ She was about to speak, but he held up his hand to stop her.

  ‘In case you’re wondering, I have nothing to do with the matter. I’m managing the sale of the house to the lady and taking an interest in the work she’s doing, that’s all.’

  Kathleen looked at him. ‘How did you know I was wondering about your involvement?’

  ‘Any decent woman would.’

  She sat thinking, wondering if this was the group Auntie Rhoda was involved with. But there wasn’t time to ask her, because Kathleen was quite sure Mr Perry would be more efficient in helping her. And anyway, Rhoda might give something away if Godfrey questioned her.

  She looked up. ‘How can I find out if this Mrs Latimer is agreeable to such an arrangement?’

  ‘I could telephone her. But not from this village or people might overhear me and find out where you were going. Look, you have to get away tonight, I agree absolutely. That mess was not the work of a sane person. So let’s take a gamble on Mrs Latimer agreeing. I really don’t think it’s much of a gamble.’

  ‘But what if she doesn’t think I’m suitable?’

  ‘I’ll take you to a hotel in another town.’

  ‘How will you do that?’

  ‘Bill will take me home to Malmesbury and I’ll contact my friend Barty from there. He’s my usual driver and he’s a lot more …’ he sought in vain for words and shrugged as he could only come up with ‘capable and discreet than Bill. I know Bill has another person to pick up after me, so he won’t do for your needs.’

  ‘We couldn’t walk far carrying our luggage, that’s for sure.’

  ‘Leave it to me. Barty and I will drive down the back lane. You can take as much as will fit into the car, instead of leaving most of your possessions behind.’

  ‘That would be wonderful. But my neighbours will hear the car.’

  ‘That can’t be helped. That still won’t tell them where you’re going because we’ll be changing drivers from Bill to Barty, who already helps Mrs Latimer from time to time. She told me once that she trusts him absolutely.’

  Nathan watched her study him.

  After a while she gave a nod. ‘I don’t know why, Mr Perry, but I feel I can trust you.’

  ‘You can indeed. I’ll leave now and come back after dark. I can’t be quite sure of the time I’ll return but make sure you don’t open the door to anyone except me tonight.’

  ‘I’ll be very careful. And Mr Perry …’

  ‘Yes?’ He’d stood up to leave but he stopped and waited for her to speak.

  ‘Thank you. I don’t know why you’re doing this but I’m extremely grateful for your help.’

  ‘I believe it’s right for people to help one another. You can trust me to get you three out of here one way or another tonight and find you somewhere safe to stay.’

  When he’d gone, Kathleen made sure the doors and windows were all locked, then packed as much as she could fit into their three shabby bags, helped by two subdued children. She wasn’t sure how much they’d be able to fit into the car, but she intended to take as many other things as possible.

  If Mr Perry came back for them.

  No, he would come back. He would.

  She paused in her packing as she realised that she couldn’t seem to hold on to any doubts about him, let alone try to make other plans in case he didn’t return, which even a half-prudent person would do.

  Was she being a fool?

  She’d soon find out. It was getting dark now and she still had a lot to do.

  She kept a poker handy, though, in case someone tried to break in. A lot of women used pokers to protect themselves.

  Who knew what she’d need in her new life? Her marriage and the children’s birth certificates, obviously. And she had money safe in a special belt under her clothes, together with her bank book for the Post Office Savings Bank. She’d put all her money into her handbag. She’d not be penniless for a long time, thanks to Ernest’s savings and his father’s present of twenty pounds.

  But she’d be homeless and she hated the thought of that. Unlike her daughter, she couldn’t give way to tears. She had to keep alert, be ready to deal with whatever happened.

  Chapter Twenty

  There was a tap on the front door and Kathleen went to peer out of the window.

  Rhoda. Of course. She’d want to know what was going on.

  She let her friend in and told the children to come and kiss Auntie Rhoda goodbye, then lie down and rest, because they’d be up late.

  Rhoda hugged each child for longer than usual and waited until they’d gone up to their bedrooms to ask, ‘Are you really leaving?’

  ‘Yes. It’s no longer safe here. We’re going tonight.’

  ‘I saw those two men getting into the car in front of your house. They looked so serious and worried. And then you didn’t pop round to see me to let me know what was going on, or send one of the children with a message.’

  ‘I didn’t dare send the children out on their own, or even bring them to you myself and leave the house unoccupied. And there’s been so much to do.’

  ‘Were you going to tell me at all?’

  Kathleen couldn’t lie to her friend. ‘I thought it’d be easier for you to deal with Godfrey Seaton if you could tell him you didn’t know we were leaving.’

  ‘Nothing can make losing you easier, dear. Tell me where you’re going, then we can write to one another.’

  Kathleen shook her head again. ‘Even if I knew, I wouldn’t tell you. Oh Rhoda, dearest Rhoda, this is life and death. I have to disappear completely. No one must know where we’ve gone. No one! Not even you. I daren’t take any risks. People know we’ve been friends and they might intercept your mail or threaten you, or anything.’

  Rhoda sobbed, then pressed a handkerchief to her mouth for a moment as if to hold the grief in. ‘How are you going to get away?’ she asked in a voice choked with tears.

  ‘Someone has offered to help us and I’ve accepted the offer.’

  ‘That young man?’

  ‘Not so young, though he’s a little younger than me, I think.’

  ‘It seems young to me. He has a kind face, though. I did notice that.’

  ‘He’s only taking us on the first stage of our journey. I won’t be seeing him after that.’

  Rhoda wasn’t even attempting to stop weeping. ‘But you’ll write once you’re settled, once it’s all blown over, surely you’ll write to let me know where you are?’

  Another head shake was all Kathleen could manage or she’d be howling her eyes out. As it was, tears escaped her control and she managed to say in a choking voice, ‘One day,
when it’s safe. Not yet.’

  After a long silence, Rhoda mopped her eyes and blew her nose. ‘It’s probably wisest, but I’m going to miss you so much, so very much. Life can be … cruel. So … is there any way I can help you with the packing?’

  ‘Thank you but only I can do that. I’m thinking what to take as I pack, pulling some things out again. We won’t be able to carry much, you see.’

  ‘Then I’d better leave you to it.’

  Kathleen flung her arms round Rhoda and the two of them hugged for a long time. After that, her friend left, trying to hide that she was still weeping. It was a struggle not to do the same, but she didn’t want to frighten her children.

  She doubted she would ever have a friend as good as Rhoda, and until she felt safe, she wouldn’t dare make any close friends. Well, she’d know no one in the place they were going to except Mr Perry. He was kind and he might—No, he was a busy man. He’d not have time to keep in touch with her and the children.

  Oh, her thoughts were so scattered tonight, as if someone had tossed a handful of them into the air like pebbles. She had to concentrate, think very carefully about what to take with them. Be sensible.

  She couldn’t afford to give in to her grief.

  It had been dark for over an hour before there was the sound of a car in the back lane. Kathleen had been starting to worry about whether Mr Perry would come back for them. He might intend to, but something outside his control might have stopped him.

  But somehow she still knew he’d be back for them.

  At the sound of the car, Elizabeth flung herself at her mother in terror and Christopher edged closer.

  ‘Stay together near the kitchen table,’ she whispered. ‘I’ll answer the door when they knock.’ She picked up the poker.

  She tried to look outside to find out for sure whether it was Mr Perry, but there were no street lamps in the lane and the moon hadn’t risen yet. The light from her oil lamp made it harder to see outside, so she took it out of the kitchen and put it on the hall table.