The Docklands Girls

by June Tate

  ‘Have you got a picture of your brother?’

  Tom found one and gave it to them. ‘He’s been in trouble all his life,’ he told them.

  ‘Don’t worry, Mr Harrison, we’ll soon find him and then we can take him in for questioning.’

  ‘Is Miss Newman okay?’ he asked anxiously.

  ‘Well, she’s upset as you can imagine, but not physically hurt, she’s more annoyed she’ll lose business until she gets her place fixed up. Understandable. Shame, she seems a nice woman.’

  ‘Yes, she is,’ Tom agreed.

  When he was alone, Tom fumed. He had no doubt who was behind the fire. Kev had been spiteful as a child when he couldn’t get his own way. This was typical of him, but to have gone to such lengths … Belle could have been killed and if she’d had visitors, they too … the police didn’t mention anyone else was in the house, perhaps she was on her own. He dressed quickly, went along the road to Belle’s and knocked on the door.

  Belle, in her dressing gown, opened it and when she saw Tom standing there, she burst into tears. He stepped forward and took her into his arms, then he took her into the living room and made sure she was unhurt.

  ‘I’ll have to find people to redo my kitchen, Tom. I can’t open until it’s all put right.’

  ‘Now you take yourself off to bed, love. I’ll sort all that out. I’ll be round first thing in the morning. No, you are not to worry, you hear?’ He managed eventually to persuade her to go to bed and walked home fuming about his brother.

  At seven-thirty the next morning, Belle opened her door to find Tom standing there. When she saw him, her eyes filled with tears and she couldn’t speak.

  Tom stepped inside and took her into his arms. ‘There, love, let it all out. You’ve had one hell of a shock.’ He patted her back, talking softly to her trying to comfort her. When she’d stopped crying, he said, ‘Right, show me the damage.’

  He saw at once what needed doing. ‘Fine! I’ll have some men come in this morning to take down the cupboards and paint the walls. Tell me the colour you want and we’ll do that and the hallway.’

  She was overwhelmed at his kindness and tried to thank him.

  He took her hands in his. ‘We both know who was behind this and so you must let me help you. I insist. Have you any visitors now?’

  ‘Fortunately not, but I’ve cancelled the next lot who should have come tomorrow. I’ve managed to book them in elsewhere.’

  ‘So how long before the next lot come?’

  ‘Ten days, but I’ll have to get in touch with them too.’

  ‘No, you won’t. I’ll make sure everything is done in time for them. Come on, Belle, where’s your fighting spirit?’

  Despite everything she had to laugh. ‘Right now, I really don’t know.’

  ‘That doesn’t sound like the woman I know and admire.’ He drew her into his arms. ‘Come on, my bloody brother isn’t going to spoil your business, not if I’ve anything to do with it.’

  She looked up at the man who was holding her tight. She liked and admired him too, but he wouldn’t feel the same if he really knew her and she felt she owed him the truth.

  ‘There are things about me you don’t know, Tom,’ she began, but he interrupted her.

  ‘I know all about your past, Belle, I overheard the conversation between Kev and the policeman. I know he was blackmailing you and why and, as far as I’m concerned, that was then and this is now.’

  She didn’t know what to say for a moment. ‘You are an extraordinary man, Tom Harrison.’

  ‘As are you an extraordinary woman, Belle Newman.’ Then with a chuckle he said, ‘Can I use your phone? I want to get a workforce in here today.’

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Whilst Belle was coping with her drama, Hildy was dreaming of the time she and Milt would leave the base and set up home on their own, ready for the birth of their first child. This fact she had kept to herself. It was her turn to give the monthly tea to her small group of army wives, who were aware of her pregnancy, but that was all they knew.

  She made a selection of sandwiches, fairy cakes and a fruit cake decorated with crystallised fruits and nuts. She’d grown to like most of the American women, yet hadn’t made any close friends, not that it had really mattered. She had taken her time to try and become acclimatised to their way of life, but she found a few of them very loud and brash. Some of them, she knew, couldn’t understand her reticence; others thought her English ways quaint, but were intrigued by the difference. Today she hoped would be the last time she’d have to entertain them en masse.

  To her surprise and delight, everyone had brought some small gift for the forthcoming baby and were anxious to give her advice about motherhood and so the afternoon passed happily.

  As they were leaving and she was thanking them for their gifts, one said, ‘You’re welcome, nearer your time, we’ll give you a shower.’

  Hildy looked startled. ‘Why would you want to wash me?’

  This caused much amusement. ‘No, Hildy, it’s what we call when someone is having a baby. It’s a sort of party where we all bring gifts to celebrate the coming birth.’

  ‘But you did that today!’

  ‘Today was just a gesture … you wait and see, then you’ll understand.’

  After they’d all left, she took the dirty dishes into the kitchen. With a shake of her head, she muttered, ‘I’ll never understand these Yanks!’ When Milt came home, she’d tell him about today and her faux pas about having a shower – that would amuse him – but later as he walked through the door, she saw his expression and was dismayed. Something was wrong

  ‘Milt. What is it?’

  He took her hand and led her to the settee. ‘I’m afraid our plan to move will have to be put on hold for a while, honey.’

  ‘For goodness’ sake, why?’

  ‘I’m being shipped out to Germany next week.’

  ‘You what?’ She couldn’t believe she was hearing this. ‘For how long?’

  He held her hands even tighter. ‘Three months.’

  ‘Can I come with you?’ It was her first thought.

  ‘I’m afraid not, Hildy. You’ll have to stay here, but at least you won’t have to worry. You’ll have all the medical care you need for you and the baby and the other wives to support you.’

  Tears filled her eyes. She was devastated. She’d had such plans, making a home of their own, being together in a different environment and now this …

  ‘Oh Milt!’ It was all she could say.

  He gathered her into his arms. ‘I’m disappointed too. I was so looking forward to fulfilling our dreams, but it only means they are on hold. When I return we will move, but the fact that I know you’ll be here on the base when I’m gone means I don’t have to worry about you being in a house alone somewhere else, should anything go wrong. Here you are protected. Problems of any kind will be taken care of by the army.’

  Hildy had the good sense to know he spoke the truth. In many ways it was her safety net. The army took care of their own – as did all the services. That much she had learnt. Looking at her husband, she could see his concern etched on his face, she didn’t want him to leave her this way. She knew how bad it was for the men to be shipped out anywhere with family problems on their mind, Milt had told her about this and the effect on the men many a time.

  She hugged him. ‘Never mind, darling. Three months will soon pass and you’ll be back before we know it.’

  His look of relief was her reward. But as he slept beside her that night, silent tears trickled down her cheeks. If only Cora and Belle lived nearer. Suddenly, for the very first time, she was homesick.

  When Cora had returned from her trip to Southampton to find the house full of workmen and smelt smoke, she was horrified, even more so when Belle had explained what had happened. But she soon got down to work as there was so much to do. All the linen was sent to the laundry because the smoke had filtered into the linen cupboard. All the rooms had to be aired. They
polished furniture until it shone, washed and hoovered every carpet, washed every surface with bleach until in the end all anyone could smell was fresh paint.

  The police had called. They had checked all the local hotels and B & Bs and Kev Harrison had been found as he was just about to leave his. In the room was a bag and inside, several empty cans of lighter fuel and the remains of torn cloth, which matched the charred remains of the one Belle had tossed out of the front door. They traced the shop where he’d purchased the fluid and the man remembered him buying it. Harrison had been arrested.

  Although Belle was pleased he’d been caught, it meant there would be a court case and her past would be laid bare for all the locals to see. She only prayed it wouldn’t make the national papers.

  Tom had been on hand every day after work, making sure everything was done properly and quickly. He’d helped to fit and hang the new front door that had been badly charred, moved appliances in the kitchen and he made Belle laugh, for which she was more than grateful.

  When Cora had told Simon what had happened, he came over to Shanklin and gave a statement to the police about his visit to Harrison and he took a few days off to lend a hand as well. Consequently the house was finished earlier than was expected. The four of them sat round the table after a sumptuous meal that Belle had insisted on cooking in her new kitchen.

  Tom opened a bottle of champagne and filled the glasses, holding his up he made a toast. ‘To the future!’

  They all echoed, ‘To the future!’

  Belle looked at Tom and said, ‘I couldn’t have done this without you. Thank you.’

  ‘Yes, you could love – but it would have taken longer!’ They all laughed. ‘At least now you won’t need to cancel any more bookings.’

  ‘Well thank goodness for that, as I’ll need the money to pay for all the work that’s been done.’

  ‘No you won’t, Belle, it’s all been settled.’

  ‘But you must let me pay you back,’ she insisted.

  ‘No, that won’t be necessary. My brother caused all the damage and I feel it’s my place to put it right,’ and as he saw she was about to argue, he said, ‘I can afford it, love, and it would give me great pleasure to do so.’

  Belle was overcome. ‘I don’t know how to thank you.’

  He grinned broadly. ‘You can invite me to another meal sometime; you’re a great cook, you know.’

  Simon rose from the table and said, ‘Cora and I will clear away and wash up, why don’t you two push off into the living room and take a break?’ When they had done so, he said to Cora, ‘Do you think there’s something going on between those two?’

  With a chuckle, she said, ‘Not yet, but I live in hope.’

  He put his arms around her and pulled her close, kissing her gently. ‘I too have hope, am I being foolish?’

  She placed a finger on his lips and said, ‘Let’s wait and see shall we?’ Then she turned back to the sink and started the washing-up.

  During the two days spent in Southampton with Simon, they’d resumed their intimate relationship after an evening out when they’d had dinner and several glasses of wine. On their return to Simon’s flat he had said if she wanted she could sleep in the spare room, but he’d looked at her and added, ‘But it would seem such a shame when we could curl up together. I so want to hold you and if that’s all you want, then that’s fine.’

  But as she looked at him, Cora knew that wouldn’t be enough. She wanted him to make love to her. His attitude had changed and he was once again the man she loved. She took him by the hand and led him into his bedroom without saying a word.

  When he came over to the island to help, they’d shared a bed in one of the guest rooms, but as yet she didn’t want to commit to anything further. The future would take care of itself.

  The rest of the summer sped by. Belle was fully booked which kept her and Cora busy, but she was able to take time out to go to Cowes with Tom to watch the yacht racing. The town was packed with people, the bars were full and there was an air of festivity that was infectious and Belle felt she, too, was on holiday.

  Tom was a great help to her in her business. He was able to supply her with meat on ration and sometimes a bit extra, which certainly helped with the succulent meals she served. Many of her guests had booked again, which delighted her.

  She and the butcher spent time together in the evenings. He would either come to her place and sit drinking coffee or wine, or they would go out for a drink to a local pub so Belle could get out for a break. Their friendship blossomed. They exchanged kisses and caresses, but Tom waited for Belle to instigate more and she didn’t, so he didn’t push her.

  ‘I am a patient man, Belle,’ he would tell her. ‘I can wait, but I want you to know that I want you in my life any way you choose. But I also want you to know, I want us to be together – permanently.’

  Belle knew that he’d fallen in love with her and she with him, although they’d never said so, but she was concerned that when her case came to court, if they had made a public commitment, he and his business might be harmed by association and she would never let that happen, not after he’d been so good to her. But he was unaware of this.

  ‘Let’s just take things slowly,’ she said.

  It was now October, the season was over and the island returned to normal. But for Belle, her troubles were just beginning. The case against Kev Harrison was due to be heard in the Southampton law courts and she’d been summoned to be a witness. She was dreading it. Tom also had been called, in case his testimony was required as he was there when Simon had called to see his brother – when Belle realised she was mortified. Tom would be drawn into it one way or another.

  She told the butcher how sorry she was when he called at the house that evening.

  ‘I didn’t want you mixed up in my past which will soon become public knowledge, I’m so sorry.’

  ‘For heaven’s sake, Belle! You seem to forget it was my bloody brother who set light to your house, of course I’m involved.’

  ‘Yes, I know, but you aren’t accountable for your brother, and by going out with me after everyone knows how I earned my living can only be harmful to your reputation and then maybe your business.’

  ‘Do you think I give a damn? It will be a nine-day wonder anyway. You forget, love, how people have warmed to you since you came to Shanklin. All the shopkeepers like you because you talk to everybody. They won’t care, why should they?’

  ‘But the women might.’

  He smiled. ‘Indeed, they might gossip about it for a bit, only because they’d be curious.’

  ‘Perhaps I could open a course. I could have classes in my house; I could make money during the winter that way.’ Her eyes twinkled as she looked at him.

  Tom burst out laughing. ‘You’re joking but I bet if you did it, you’d have a few takers!’ He put an arm round her shoulders. ‘No matter what, love, you and I will overcome anything that anyone throws at us. Right?’

  ‘Right!’ She looked at his smiling face and said, ‘Tom Harrison, you are a wonderful man.’

  ‘Then, Belle, that makes us a great couple and when this is all over, we have some serious decisions to make.’

  ‘Do we?’

  ‘You know damn well we do.’ He pulled her to him and kissed her until she was breathless.

  When eventually he released her and she’d recovered, she said, ‘You could give a few lessons yourself, Tom.’

  He grinned broadly. ‘You are such a naughty lady, Belle Newman!’

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  It was the first day of the court case and Belle had been advised by the solicitor for the Crown Prosecution to book into the Dolphin Hotel for a couple of nights so that she’d be on hand if she wasn’t called the first day. Tom had done the same. They had caught an early ferry and taken a taxi to the law courts. Here, they were asked to sit in the corridor until they were called.

  Tom took her hand in his. ‘Take a deep breath, Belle. You have only to tel
l the truth, that’s all.’

  ‘He’s right, Miss Newman,’ the solicitor said. ‘I will lead you and you just answer my questions without trying to add anything. In my questions I will be bringing up your previous occupation. Keep it simple. Understand?’

  ‘Yes, but what about when I’m cross-questioned?’

  ‘You do the same. Harrison’s solicitor will try and discredit you, be prepared for that, but don’t get angry. Keep a cool head and your answers brief.’

  Inside the court room there was quite a buzz as the reporters from the local paper sat waiting as did members of the public who’d read about the case and were curious.

  Kev Harrison was led up the steps to the dock, followed by two policemen and was told to sit down for the moment. He scowled and looked round the room, glaring at everyone.

  ‘All rise!’ demanded the clerk of the court as the judge made his appearance. Harrison was nudged in the back and told to get to his feet, which he did reluctantly.

  The judge took his seat and everyone sat, except for Harrison, who remained standing.

  ‘The Crown versus Kevin Harrison.’

  The morning was taken up by the evidence from the policeman who’d come to Belle’s house as the firemen were trying to put out the fire. He told the judge about the damage that had been done, how they searched for Harrison when they suspected he might be the culprit and what they found when he was discovered. The fingerprints on the cans of lighter fuel matched those on the letterbox of the front door of Belle’s house and a small window frame at the back, where a pane of glass had been broken and

  Harrison had thrown in the lit rags. Harrison’s solicitor tried to discredit the findings without success and was told by the judge to move on. The policeman left the witness box and the fire chief was called. He gave the report on his findings and the conclusion that this was definitely a case of arson.