Diamonds in the Dust

by Beryl Matthews

  When they rejoined the party he saw his brother-in-law had arrived. He was still in uniform. ‘You obviously didn’t have time to change,’ he said. ‘Had a busy time?’

  Reg took a long swig of beer. ‘Had one hell of a day.’ Pulling Stan aside, he said quietly, ‘We’ve found a woman’s body.’

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Propping herself up in bed, Dora stared at the fingers of moonlight filtering through the half-drawn curtains. She was bewildered. Stan’s behaviour had been bizarre. Had that been a proposal of marriage? If so then he hadn’t wanted an answer from her – hadn’t given her a chance to speak. If he didn’t want to know how she felt, then why say anything? She rubbed a hand over her eyes as the questions ran through her mind. And most confusing of all, he had then made a point of telling her that no matter what happened he would be there for them. They had known that from the moment he had agreed to help them. Perhaps she shouldn’t have told him she loved him, but he had taken her by surprise. She had never been in love before – never even had a boyfriend – so how was she to know what was the right thing to do? Of course, marriage for them was out of the question. No man could be expected to take on responsibility for the three of them. And she loved him too much to place such a burden on him, no matter how willing he appeared to be. No, she would be wise to forget this ever happened. He had probably acted strangely because he was feeling good about his recovery …

  Her bedroom door opened and a little face peered in. ‘You awake, Dora?’

  ‘Yes, sweetie, can’t you sleep either?’ Lily padded to her in bare feet and climbed on the bed, snuggling up to her big sister.

  ‘I’m too excited. It was a lovely party, wasn’t it? And Ray came to see us again.’

  ‘That was a nice surprise, and we might see him tomorrow because he’s staying at John’s tonight.’

  ‘Hmm, hope so.’ Lily yawned. ‘He took pictures of the wall and said he’d send me one. I can take it to school and show them.’

  ‘Have you made a special friend yet?’

  ‘No, but they’re quite nice, and I like my teacher. But I do miss June.’

  ‘I expect you do.’ Dora smiled down at her. ‘Did June have a good time at the party?’

  ‘Oh yes, they all did – except Uncle Reg. He didn’t look very happy.’

  ‘He could have been cross because he was late and hadn’t had time to go home and change. I don’t suppose he liked coming to the party in his uniform.’

  ‘Hmm, ’spect so …’

  Dora studied her sister’s face. Lily had fallen asleep in mid-sentence. She leant back against the pillows and closed her eyes, Lily’s gentle breathing making her relax.

  Sleep was the last thing on Stan’s mind. He was at the station examining the contents of the handbag found in some bushes close to where the body had been discovered. It had been buried in a shallow grave.

  ‘We’re going to have to ask Dora if she recognises anything here.’ Reg began putting the items back in the bag.

  Stan’s mouth was set in a grim line. ‘But she can’t be asked to identify the body!’

  ‘No, that’s out of the question. You met the woman, so do you think you could do it?’

  ‘I’ll try. We’ve still got the photograph of her, so that might be a help. Any chance of doing it now?’

  ‘There’s always someone at the mortuary. Let’s go.’

  They walked out of the station together. Stan said, ‘After we’ve done this I’d like to see where she was found.’

  Reg nodded as they got into a police car.

  The mortuary was almost in darkness except for a dim light over the door. There was only one elderly man on duty. He led them along a corridor and into another room, then he turned on all the lights.

  ‘If it is our missing woman Stan might be able to identify her,’ Reg explained to the assistant.

  The man nodded, gave Stan a thoughtful stare, and then pointed to a covered figure. ‘It ain’t gonna be easy, sir.’

  Conscious that he mustn’t make a mistake, Stan took his time as the sheet was pulled back.

  ‘If you’re not sure, then say so,’ Reg advised.

  There was no doubt in his mind, and he nodded. ‘That’s her.’

  ‘Positive?’

  ‘Yes.’

  They thanked the attendant and went outside, glad to get out of that place. Stan lit a cigarette and drew the smoke in, releasing it on a long sigh. Reg did the same and they smoked in silence.

  They stubbed out their cigarettes, and Reg swore under his breath. ‘They were all so happy at the party, and now we’re going to ruin everything for them. Still, at least they’ll be able to have a funeral. But we’re not going to be their favourite people when we tell them the truth, Stan.’

  ‘It’s got to be done, and far better coming from us. Now, let’s go and see where she was found.’

  Reg took him to a large patch of waste ground, and walked in about twenty steps. ‘She was in a shallow grave just here. Some kids were playing and found her.’

  ‘Hmm.’ There was a bright moon shining and Stan could see the area quite clearly. They were close to a cluster of low buildings. ‘We’re back to Roger Grant again, aren’t we? If he is responsible then he must be stupid to leave the body so near to the factory.’

  ‘Panic, I expect. This was probably the only place he could think of where he wouldn’t be seen. But proving it was him will be difficult.’

  Stan’s expression was grim. ‘I’ll leave that to you. My concern now will be for her children.’

  ‘They’re going to need you.’ Reg shook his head sadly. ‘We’ll see them tomorrow and ask if they can identify anything in the handbag. Then we’ll have the unpleasant task of telling them the whole story. I’ll ask Win to come with us. We can leave June at our neighbours’. Now, I think we should get some sleep.’

  ‘You’re joking, of course!’

  ‘Where’s June?’ Lily asked as soon as they arrived.

  ‘With our friends next door.’ Winnie looked around. ‘Is Dora home yet?’

  Tom was already filling the kettle so he could make tea for their visitors. ‘She’s been at the hospital all day, but she should be home any time now. Good party, wasn’t it?’

  ‘Yes, very enjoyable.’ Winnie helped set out the cups.

  Stan had never considered himself a coward, but he didn’t want to do this. As he looked at their smiling faces, he felt sick – afraid that in a short time he was going to lose them. He loved them all.

  At that moment the door opened and Dora came in, breaking into a smile of pleasure. ‘Oh, what a lovely surprise! Are you going to stay and help us eat some of the food left over from the party?’

  Both Reg and Stan were on their feet, unable to relax enough to sit down.

  ‘We need to talk to you first.’ Stan glanced at Reg, the slight nod of his head indicating that he wanted his brother-in-law to start.

  Removing the handbag from its paper wrapping, Reg tipped the contents onto a table near Dora. ‘Will you tell me if you recognise anything here?’

  There was a deathly stillness in the room as the youngsters stared at the items. Dora’s hand was shaking as she reached out and picked up a powder compact. After turning it over and over in her hands, she held it out for Tom to see. When he nodded, Stan felt his insides clench. He’d known it was their mother when he’d seen the body, but this confirmation still jolted him.

  ‘Dad gave this to Mum before he went to France. She never went anywhere without it.’ The colour had drained from Dora’s face. ‘You’ve found her?’

  ‘Yes,’ Reg told them. ‘And I’m sorry to have to tell you that your mother is dead.’

  Stan wanted to reach out and comfort them, but the three Bentleys had drawn close together, effectively shutting out the others in the room. He saw Winnie move towards them and then step back. The little tableau was saying, This is our grief; it’s private.

  ‘How did it happen?’ Tom was the first to
speak. ‘And do you need us to identify her? I’ll do it, if you do.’

  Reg spoke now as a policeman. ‘She was killed, but we don’t have details as yet. And Stan carried out the identification for you.’

  ‘And you’re positive it was our mother?’ Dora sounded as if the words were being forced out.

  ‘Yes, I’m sure.’ Stan’s mouth was set in a grim line, hating every second of this. And what was to come.

  Winnie was busy handing out cups of steaming tea, but no one seemed to want them. Still standing, Reg continued. ‘There are things we’ve found out in the course of our investigation, and if we could save you from this we would, but you must be told. You might want to put Lily to bed.’

  Dora’s head shot up. ‘Whatever you’ve got to say can be said to all of us.’

  ‘Very well. Stan will explain.’

  Clamping down on the feelings he had for them, Stan also took on the role of a policeman speaking to a bereaved family. It was the only way he was going to be able to do this. When he spoke, it was in a firm, impersonal tone. ‘Your mother’s name was Harriet Duval. Your father, Ted Bentley, was a merchant seaman sailing out of Bristol. Then he changed to a ship from Liverpool, and it was there he met your mother. When he went back to sea she discovered she was expecting his child. Her family are middle class, quite wealthy, and intolerant. They felt their daughter had disgraced the family name, and they turned her out. No one knows how she survived, but she did, and by the time Bentley arrived back from a long voyage, Harriet had a baby daughter.’

  It was as if the youngsters in front of him were frozen in ice, neither moving nor speaking. Drawing in a silent breath, he continued, knowing that they were going to find the next piece of news devastating. ‘Unfortunately, they weren’t able to marry because Bentley had a wife in Bristol. They decided to move to London and live as husband and wife.’

  Although no one spoke, Stan could feel the shock waves rebounding from the silent figures. His mouth was dry and he longed to stop this torture, but he knew the complete story had to be told. ‘When your father was killed, your mother took the flat in Bloomsbury. But there, according to her neighbour, Mrs James, she gave dinners for men who needed somewhere for discreet business deals. She also acted as hostess when this was required. The book you found is a list of her clients. We’re unable to trace any of them to find out the extent of her services because she only listed Christian names. She’s protected them well.’

  Stan was aware how bad this sounded, but they really didn’t have anything else – not one tiny piece of information to prove that what their mother had been doing was completely legal and respectable. He couldn’t take his eyes off the horrified faces in front of him, and was relieved to hand over to Reg. ‘Reg has more information for you.’

  ‘The Bloomsbury police have now discovered that your mother didn’t own the flat, as her neighbour had said, but was renting it. Also, there’s a will with the solicitors we visited. He’ll see you when you feel up to it, but won’t disclose anything until he’s got a death certificate, and it’ll take a few days before that’s issued. However, there’ll be no harm in introducing yourself to him. We don’t know yet who killed your mother, but we have our suspicions.’ Reg paused for a moment. ‘I’ve met the Duval family, and the necklace you have belongs to them. It’s very valuable, but they haven’t asked for it to be returned as yet. We don’t know why your mother never sold it when she was in need of money – we can only assume that it meant a lot to her. Perhaps she kept it as a link with the family who had rejected her … Finally, you can go ahead and make the funeral arrangements. Around two weeks’ time should be all right.’

  ‘We’re very sorry to bring you this distressing news.’ Stan gazed at the silent figures, alarmed by their faces, drained of every bit of colour. He stepped forward, wanting to comfort, needing to let them know that it didn’t matter what their parents had done. He loved them and nothing would ever change his feelings for them. But they wouldn’t even look at him. He had never felt so helpless in his life. ‘Dora …’

  She turned her head away. ‘Please go.’

  Winnie stooped down in front of them. ‘Let us stay till you feel better. And don’t worry about the funeral costs. We’ll help you with that.’

  ‘That’s our responsibility. There’s nothing else you can do for us. We want to be left alone now.’

  Stan was alarmed by Dora’s abrupt attitude. His worst fear was being realised – they were turning away from them. ‘We can’t leave you like this!’

  It was Tom who spoke, his voice vibrating with anger and distaste. ‘Dora’s asked you all to go. I’m telling you to leave – now!’

  Knowing that they were doing more harm than good by staying, they left.

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Dora felt as if she had been torn apart as horror and shame rested on her like a heavy weight. Lily was sobbing, and she gathered her in her arms. Tom and Lily were going to need protecting from the disgrace. It was unlikely that Lily fully understood what their mother had been doing; she was crying because they had just been told their mother was dead. The little girl had probably been holding on to the hope that she would return to them one day. But Tom knew. That was clear to see as she looked at him. She kissed the top of her sister’s head, rocking her in her arms. ‘Shush, sweetie, we’ll get through this. It’s terrible, but we guessed something like this must have happened to her, didn’t we?’

  Tom could contain himself no longer. ‘We’re bastards! How are the hell are we going to live with that?’

  ‘Not easily, but we’ve got to stay calm, Tom.’ She was concerned. Her brother was vibrating with fury. ‘There’s going to be a lot to deal with. We’re really on our own now and we can’t expect much help or support. Once this becomes known we’ll be branded with the disgrace, even though we knew nothing about it.’

  ‘We’re not the only illegitimate children in the world,’ Tom snorted in disgust. ‘And they manage all right.’

  ‘And so will we, but we have to face the fact that things might be difficult for a while. This is bound to make a difference to our lives, and I want us to face that right from the beginning.’

  ‘Stan will help us.’ Lily looked up, her face puffy and red with tears. ‘He’s our friend.’

  ‘Make her understand, Dora. She’s got to know what we’re facing.’

  ‘Listen, sweetie.’ Dora smoothed back Lily’s hair. ‘We can’t count on anyone being our friend now. Our mum and dad didn’t get married, and it’s possible Mum has been earning money in a way that isn’t very nice. It’s unlikely we can keep it a secret for long.’

  The tears were coming again in streams. ‘But they loved us, and we haven’t done anything wrong.’

  ‘No, we haven’t, but society frowns on unmarried people having children. Those children are called illegitimate.’

  ‘And that’s bad?’

  Dora nodded. ‘But we’ll be all right. Now, we must all eat even if we don’t feel like it. Then we’ll try and get some sleep. In the morning I’ll send notes to your schools saying you won’t attend until after our mother’s funeral. I’m sure they’ll understand. Our first job will be to see the undertaker and then let Reg know who it is. Next we’ll visit the solicitor and tell him who we are.’

  ‘What about Mum’s family?’ Tom asked. ‘Hadn’t we better get their address from Reg and let them know about the funeral?’

  ‘I suppose we must. It would only be polite. But from the sound of them, I doubt if they’ll come.’

  ‘What will happen about this flat, Dora? Are we going to be allowed to stay after this? The doctor’s a kind man, but will he want three illegitimate children living in his house? The scandal might harm the good work he’s doing here.’

  ‘Oh no!’ Lily wailed, wide-eyed with distress. ‘I can’t leave my angel.’

  ‘I’ll see Doctor Burridge in the morning and tell him what’s happened.’

  ‘I won’t leave my picture.
Ray did it for me!’ Lily was in a terrible state of agitation, waving her arms around, gasping sobs shaking her body. ‘I don’t care what people say about Mum. We haven’t done nothing! Mum and Dad loved us. You know they did. They weren’t bad! They were lovely!’

  Dora would normally have corrected her sister for using a double negative, but tonight wasn’t normal and she ignored it. She had to do something now, or Lily was going to make herself ill. She reached for her purse to see how much money she had. Satisfied, she stood up. ‘Take care of Lily, Tom. I’ll go now and see the doctor. He’s probably still at the hospital.’

  She didn’t even remember the journey; it was as if she had been detached from the world – as if she was no longer a part of it.

  ‘Dora, what are you doing here?’ The doctor saw her as soon as she walked in the door, then he reached out quickly to steady her. ‘My dear, what’s happened?’

  ‘I have to talk to you, sir. Can you spare me a few minutes?’

  ‘Come to my office.’

  Once there she gripped on to the back of a chair to steady herself, Lily’s terrified face vivid in her mind. Without hesitation she told him the whole story. She wasn’t going to hide anything from him.

  ‘I’m so sorry.’ He took her by the arms and made her sit down, then poured a glass of water and placed it in her hands. ‘You shouldn’t have rushed over here. You’re in a state of shock.’

  Taking a gulp of water, she gazed at him, pleading in her eyes. ‘I’ll understand if you don’t want me to work for you any more, but can we stay in the flat? Please. We’ll pay you rent …’

  ‘Of course you can stay! What on earth makes you think I would want you to move?’ He studied her intently and then sighed. ‘Our arrangement stands, Dora. Why would you think otherwise?’

  ‘Because of the disgrace … People will frown when they know our background, and we don’t want to cast a shadow on the vital work you’re doing.’ Her voice was husky with shock.