The Guest Who Stayed

by Roger Penfound

  “So, we’ll move the business back here. We’ve already discussed it. There’s plenty of room outside for a builder’s yard and you could make yourself an office. It’d be nice, you working from home, Jed.”

  “You don’t understand, Alice. We may not even have a home. There may not be enough money to pay the loan on this place and then we’d have to sell it. It looks like all our dreams are crumbling, Alice, and there’s nothing we can do about it.”

  They both lay restlessly awake in bed that night with jumbled thoughts preventing the anaesthesia of sleep from numbing their pain.

  Jack guided the big Austin through the streets of Frampton with Flora providing peremptory instructions.

  “Here, Jack, stop just here, please,” she ordered as they came to a small road junction.

  “Can’t I take you to your home? It’d be no trouble,” suggested Jack, softly.

  “No, really, it’s better here. I’ll be alright.”

  Suddenly Flora was crying again, tears streaming down her cheeks. Jack pulled a crumpled handkerchief from his jacket and wiped the wet trail.

  “It was an accident, Flora, no one’s fault. Life’s like that – just when you think you’re up you take a tumble and you’re back down again. But you’ll get over it, I promise you. I’ve seen some terrible things in my life and you do manage to carry on living afterwards.”

  “What sort of things? What terrible things?” enquired Flora, wiping her eyes.

  Jack regretted the course that the conversation had inadvertently taken. He didn’t like talking about the war years but he had begun to open his heart to Flora and now he had a duty to satisfy her curiosity.

  “It was the war. I got captured by the Germans. But so did two young French girls who had hidden us.”

  “What happened?”

  “The Germans found out about us. I think someone may have given us away. Anyway, we were all taken away for interrogation. They treated us very badly. Thought we would all die. On the third day, the Brits organised a raid to get us back. Didn’t want us giving away secrets to the Germans. It went badly. Two of my men were killed.”

  “What happened to the French girls?”

  “I think they were both killed too. I know one of them was. I’m not certain about the other. So I carry an awful burden. It was down to me that those people died. I was responsible for recruiting them.”

  “How about you, Jack – were you injured?”

  “The physical scars healed but the mental ones are difficult to deal with; the memories, the regrets, wondering if you could have done it differently.”

  “Who do you think betrayed you?”

  “I’m not sure. I’ve got my ideas but it’s sometimes frightening to confront the truth.”

  They sat in silence for a few minutes, each gathering comfort from the proximity of the other.

  “What brought you here then Jack – why Frampton?”

  “Trying to escape. I hated my old life and I wanted something new. I had no idea what that would be. I just set off in the car and fate brought me here.”

  “Well, I’m glad that fate brought you here, Jack. It’s been a wonderful day with a terrible ending. But I’m glad you’re here none the less.”

  Jack gently pulled Flora towards him and she willingly sank into his arms, glad of the reassurance and comfort he was providing. He felt the warmth of her breasts through her thin summer dress and inhaled the sweet odour of her body. Suddenly he was kissing her, her face held in his hands and her lips turned toward his. It was a strong passionate kiss, urgent and demanding.

  Flora had not been kissed before and the intensity took her completely by surprise. Her body was wedged into the seat by the car’s controls and her head was held in a vice like grip. She succumbed to the kiss and felt the wetness of his lips pressing hard against hers and his tongue exploring her mouth. She expected him to give up at any minute but his position shifted closer to her. Then she felt a new urgency in him as a hand slipped beneath her dress and clutched at her leg. She began to struggle and pull away but his grip tightened. Now he was making noises that frightened her, gasping like an animal as he pulled at her clothes. She wedged her hands against his chest and pushed herself free.

  “Jack, Jack, what are you doing? How dare you do that to me! I’ve got to go,” and she leant forward to open the passenger door. Jack seized her arm.

  “I’m sorry, Flora, I thought you wouldn’t mind. I mean, we’ve had a great day and I thought you’d be grateful for that.”

  “Grateful, grateful, is that what you think I should be? And is that how you expect me to pay for my nice day? I’m really disappointed. I thought you were a gentleman and you’ve spoilt all of that. And Dan being killed today as well. Didn’t you think about that?”

  “I only thought about you, Flora. I’m sorry but I couldn’t help myself. You have that effect on me.”

  Flora paused for a moment. No one had ever said anything like that to her before. She stared out of the car at the silent streets. This was her drab world of obedience, control, penitence and self deprecation. Now here was a man who had seized hold of her because he desired her, a man who listened to her and spoke to her like an equal.

  “Jack,” she said in a measured voice, “I am angry because what you did frightened me. It was sudden and you didn’t ask. But it’s not the kissing I mind. I liked kissing you but it was just the way you went about it. So although I’m cross, I don’t want you to think I don’t like you because I do. I do like you very much.”

  There was a silence and he took her hand.

  “I’m sorry I frightened you. I’m not very good at this sort of thing. I sometimes seem to lose control. The last thing I want to do is frighten you. Next time I’ll be far more gentle – if you’ll let there be a next time.”

  Flora leant forward and kissed him on the lips.

  “Of course, there’ll be a next time.”

  With that she got out from the car and walked down the alley that led to her cottage.

  Jack sat still in the car looking after her. He’d broken into a sweat. He hadn’t meant to lose control and it bothered him. It had happened before. He started to shiver. Old memories surfaced and began to torment his mind. The interrogation room – thick with the stench of fear and the smell of drink and cigarette smoke. In front of him, bound to a table, Yvette, her clothes ripped from her body, shouting, screaming as they abused her. Revulsion gripped him. But had he been excited by what he’d seen? Is that what made him lose control as he’d just done with Flora? The idea haunted him. He opened the car door and retched violently onto the road.

  Alice heard the Austin return, its headlights casting ghostly shadows across the room as it pulled up outside the house. She heard the engine being switched off and the sounds of Jack letting himself into the house and coming upstairs. She heard his bedroom door close and the muffled sounds of a coughing fit.

  “Are you still awake, Jed?” she whispered, turning her body towards him.

  “Yes.”

  “I suppose we’d better tell him to go tomorrow – Jack, I mean. He won’t want to stay around here with all this going on. I mean, there’ll be people to see, the funeral to organise, Dan’s place to sort out.”

  “Of course, he’ll have to go,” muttered Jed, with his face buried deep in a pillow. “We’ll tell him first thing.”

  Alice and Jed were up by six thirty the next morning, having hardly slept. They were both eating frugally in the parlour when Jack appeared.

  “Look, I know how terrible this must be for you both,” Jack began, “and, of course, I must get out of your way. But if there’s anything I can do to help, you must let me know.”

  Jed scowled at the wooden table leaving Alice to respond.

  “That’s very kind of you, Jack, but it’s just lots of organising we’ve got to do. Jed’s got to get the train to North Walsham to make a statement. ‘Cos he’s the only witness there’s got to be a proper sworn statement. Then I hav
e to go to the coroner’s office in Cromer to register Dan’s death and then we’ve got to start sorting out the funeral.”

  Tears welled in Alice’s eyes as the list of tasks began to grow.

  “Well, let me help,” volunteered Jack. “I could take Jed into North Walsham this morning and then come back and take you into Cromer this afternoon. Then I can take you both to see the vicar after that. Would that be a help?”

  “Well, I don’t know,” replied Alice, with unusual reticence. “What do you say, Jed? It’s very kind of you, Jack, but it ain’t really your concern.”

  “It could solve some problems,” replied Jed, with unexpected enthusiasm. “Them trains only run once an hour and I’d be lucky to get to North Walsham and back by late afternoon. If Jack runs me in I could be back by lunchtime and start sorting some of Dan’s things.”

  “Well, that’s settled then,” said Jack. “Jed, I’m ready to go when you are.”

  Jed looked uncomfortable in the front seat of the Austin. He sat with his back held straight, his hands clutching nervously at the leather padded bench seat.

  “Nice machines these Austins, treated myself to one when I sold the business,” said Jack, trying to help Jed feel at ease. “What do you think’ll happen to your business, Jed, now that Dan’s gone?”

  “Go bust I expect. Needed two of us to make a go of it.”

  “But it should be a good business. It’s the only one of its kind in Frampton and you’ve got a captive market.”

  “Business is runnin’ out of money. Dan was a great bloke but he weren’t no good with money. If I had time it’d be different but I’m runnin’ out of time.”

  There was a break in the conversation as Jack turned off the main road and took the turn to North Walsham.

  “I might be able to help, you know.”

  “How do you mean?” replied Jed, turning to look at Jack properly for the first time.

  “I could invest in your business. I’ve got the money and I think that you’ve got the potential. Seems daft to me that you and Alice stand to lose both the business and your house when you haven’t even had a chance to get going.”

  “We don’t need charity,” rounded Jed indignantly.

  “It’s not charity, it’s an investment. I put a sum of money into your business and you pay me back with profit in the future. It’s up to you to run the business and make a go of it. You make the decisions but I’ll be there to give you support.”

  “You serious about this?” asked Jed, his voice softening.

  “Never been more serious. You talk it over with Alice.”

  After Jack had dropped Jed off at the police station in North Walsham, he motored back to Frampton to pick up Alice. When he arrived, she was ready to leave, dressed soberly in a dark blue calf length dress and black jacket. She said very little as he helped her into the car and they began the journey to Cromer.

  Once on the main road, Jack was able to relax and cast occasional glances at Alice. She looked composed and in control.

  “How are you feeling, Alice? Are you alright?”

  There was a pause and Alice remained looking straight ahead.

  “Jed says we may lose the business and the house. And you know the terrible truth. That’s why I married him. I saw a way out. Not many men of his age run a business and have their own home. I thought that people like me don’t get anywhere by waiting to fall in love. We have to seize our opportunities. That’s why I talked him into marrying me.”

  “I don’t think you should feel bad about that,” replied Jack. “When you’re at the bottom of the heap, you don’t have choices so you have to seize chances. I know, I’ve been there. And besides, Jed needs you too. He’s a nice man but he’s not a strong man. You are strong, Alice, and he needs you to push him.”

  “But without a business or a home, there’s no point.”

  Jack swung the car off the road onto a grass verge and hauled on the hand brake.

  “I didn’t want to say this, Alice, because it’s really up to Jed to discuss it with you, but when I was driving to North Walsham this morning with Jed, I offered to invest in the business – not charity, a proper investment with proper returns when the business makes a profit. From what I hear, Jed’s a good worker and with you behind him I reckon it’ll be a sound investment.”

  “You mean you want to lend us money?”

  “It’s how a lot of businesses get started – with a backer to get them off the ground. It’ll be up to you and Jed to run things day to day. I’ll be there to offer advice. Remember, I’ve learnt a lot about business the hard way. Oh, and you’ll have to get used to the fact that you’ll be seeing a bit more of me.”

  Alice studied him, her eyes moist with emotion.

  “Jack, you’re a good man but we hardly know you. How can we accept such generosity?”

  “Alice, I hardly know anybody else in the world. I’ve got no roots. I know it’s a ridiculously short time but you, Jed and Flora feel like friends and it seems like we’ve been through a lot together in the last forty eight hours. It would make me very happy if you would accept my offer.”

  Alice leant forward and kissed him on the side of the mouth, lingering just long enough for Jack to feel a surge of excitement.

  Jed left the police station in North Walsham just after midday. It had been a bruising encounter with a young police officer who suggested that Jed had failed to take safety seriously and was, therefore, partly to blame for Dan’s death. Ultimately though, there was no proof other than Jed’s word and he had been allowed to leave after making a sworn statement. Now, he was making his way back to the train station to return to Frampton.

  The train swayed hypnotically as it snorted its way through the fields and pastures of rural Norfolk. For the first time in forty eight hours, Jed was able to relax and think. He dwelt on the conversation that he and Jack had in the car that morning. If Jack was indeed serious about his offer of investing in the business, it might not mean the end of all he had worked for. With time and money, Jed felt sure he could turn the business around. He hadn’t liked Jack when he had first met him but perhaps he had been too hasty. Maybe he would be their salvation.

  Jack waited for Alice in a small tea shop in Cromer whilst she registered Dan’s death. Gone was the bright sunshine of the previous day to be replaced by a mantle of grey sea mist which seemed to seep under the door of the sleepy café and wrap itself around the slow moving waitresses who brought pots of weak tea and plates of sugared biscuits.

  Jack bit pensively on a broken biscuit and considered the events of the past twenty four hours. Inextricably, he had been drawn deep into the lives of these people. He had found pleasure in the company of the women and was aware that he was playing with the emotions of both.

  Flora caused him more concern. She was inviting and attractive in an uncomplicated way but she was vulnerable and liable to be hurt. Alice was different. She was manipulative and ambitious. He understood these qualities and found them exciting. Jed was no match for her and he sensed Alice knew this.

  His offer of an investment in Jed’s company was partly to provide support and help him get started but, if he was honest, it also bought him a share of their lives. It opened a door which gave him access to Alice and that was an exciting prospect. He needed roots. He wanted to belong somewhere, however briefly, before he died. Why not here in Frampton?

  When they returned to Hope Cottage, Jed was still out. Alice assumed he had gone straight to Dan’s premises to start the process of clearing and selecting the tools he wanted to keep. She and Jack had not spoken much on the way back and Jack had gone upstairs to his room to begin packing. Alice sat in the parlour, listening to the sounds of Jack moving about on the boards above. She felt alone and she missed his company. Moving across to the stove, she poured freshly made tea into a mug and added a spoonful of sugar. Then with a shake of her hair, she made her way into the hall and up the stairs. She paused and then knocked softly on Jack’s door.


  “Is that you, Alice?” The door opened revealing Jack, his tie removed and his collarless shirt unbuttoned to his waist.

  “I was making tea. I thought you might like a cup.”

  “That’s very kind.”

  He opened the door and guided her into the room. His clothes and possessions were spread over the bed as he packed in preparation for leaving the next day.

  “I’m sorry you’re leaving,” said Alice, placing the mug of tea on the dresser. “You’ve only been here a short time but such a lot seems to have happened.”

  “But I’ll be back, Alice. There’ll be lots of work to do to get the business running properly. I’ll need to look after my investment.”

  Alice stepped forward and took his hands.

  “You didn’t have to do this, you know. I just want you to know how grateful I am.”

  He gazed at her momentarily and then his face was buried in hers, kissing aggressively at her lips and sliding his mouth across her cheeks and neck.

  He waited for her to pull away but it didn’t happen. She was tugging at his unbuttoned shirt and when he released her from his arms the shirt fell to the floor. Momentarily, they caught each other’s eyes and read the same message. Roughly, he tugged her shirt from her body, exposing a flimsy camisole beneath. Pulling the straps from her shoulder, the camisole fell to her waist exposing her breasts. Jack drew her forward and kissed her with a furious passion, forcing her to arch backwards as the pressure of his kisses knocked her off balance. As she collapsed into his arms, he gathered her onto the bed amidst his socks and underwear still waiting to be packed. He stripped off his own shorts. Seizing her once more, he covered her body with kisses.

  Alice felt a passion rise within her that she’d not felt before. Her body ached and she heard herself gasping loudly. All thoughts other than the moment vanished from her mind. As Jack’s big frame bore down on her, she felt a delicious sense of fulfilment. When he entered her, her body arched in ecstasy and they held onto each other in a frenzy of sensuous pleasure.