“Jesus. I’ve not seen anyone behave like that before, not even in the Army.”
“You said it was a dog that attacked him, not a fox maybe?”
“No it was a dog, an Alsatian. Really wild and fierce it was.” Harry paused, “You know something, when Eileen and I came down here we discovered a mauled sheep just back up the track. I bet it was the same dog that did that, scavenging for food.”
The brief silence that followed was interrupted by Tommy shouting across from the other outcrop,
“Shine your lantern out to sea, it’s time to meet up with Darlath.” Andrew lit the lantern, that was shaded so that only seafarers away from land could see it, and held it high.
The earlier rain had now turned to a light drizzle again. This they felt was preferable, despite the odd percolation of water finding a way down the inside of their collars. They waited silently until Andrew spotted the light of a boat in the distance beyond where the large waves were forming. They had previously agreed to remain silent until a prearranged signal came from the skipper. There was always a chance that the Royal Navy would be patrolling the area and could be inquisitive to determine why two lights were shining out to sea. Despite the difficulty of gauging the distance from the boat to the shore, Harry felt that the craft was getting nearer to them.
“A hundred yards or so I think,” he whispered.
They waited again as the lights appeared to be closer. The sound of the boat’s pulsing engine could also be heard now. A few seconds later the vessels port light was extinguished; that was the signal they were waiting for.
Tommy shouted first,
“Ahoy there!”
Darlath returned the call,
“Hi there. Turn your lanterns off.”
The vessel came nearer and nearer until it scraped the shingle bed a few yards from the shore line.
The skipper dropped anchor and shouted to one of his crew,
“Kill the engine and switch the starboard light off now as well. We need to get unloaded quickly and away again.”
The strong Irish accent carried on the wind towards the group. In spite of the constant drizzle it was possible to see just enough without lights. The four of them quickly scrambled back along the outcrops and waited for instructions on the shore. A small rowing boat was lowered over the side by two of the crew. Then Darlath clambered down and received several cardboard boxes of goods. When the boat was full one of the crew also climbed down and the two of them rowed to the waters edge.
“Here we are lads take the boxes and stack them up the beach.”
The four set to work but were immediately swamped by waves that almost swept them into the water. However, they just managed to stay on their feet despite the strong undertow dragging them seaward as the water receded.
“I’ll row back again with Pat here - ,” Darlath shouted, “ - then next time we’ll swap over so we all get a turn.”
They rowed back the few yards filling the boat and landing the goods as before. Darlath jumped out of the vessel as they neared the beach and struggled to stride ashore with the foam breaking about knee height around him. He passed the rope to Harry who held on until the crew member had also landed. Tommy waded out followed by Harry. Andrew held out his arm to pull Darlath onto the beach,
“Good to see you again. It must have been a rough crossing?”
Steve had recovered sufficiently to utter quietly,
“How cosy for you both.” But the remark went unheard.
“I’m so relieved to see everyone here - ” Darlath said.
“ - the crossing was fine to begin with but it’s stormy nearer to this coast.”
Several crossings later all the boxes had been unloaded and stacked. Darlath shouted his farewells to the skipper as the engine was started and the vessel slowly moved back into the deep water and quickly disappeared into the blackness.
The five men moved up to the track, loaded the boxes into the dingy and pulled the trailer back up to the lorry. After several repeat runs all the goods had been stashed away safely.
They were all now totally exhausted and thoroughly wet through. The combination of seawater and constant rain had permeated through to their skin. All of them had endured the cold clammy poultice of wet clothes clinging to their bodies, together with the now foul-smelling mash of fabric that covered their feet.
The change of clothes they had brought with them we’re already damp and difficult to pull on. They sat uncomfortably in the vehicle until daybreak. The episode with the dog was not mentioned by anyone. It had been agreed that Tommy and Steve would drive the Scammell back followed by Harry, Andrew and Darlath in the car.
The early morning brought fine, dry but cold weather. As the sun rose over the hills to the east the lorry, with Tommy and Steve, set off north heading towards the hamlets of Muasdale, Tayinloan, Ronachan Point then onward up to Tarbert, Inveraray and finally south towards Glasgow. The goods would be dropped off at Michael’s cottage and stored there for a few days whilst onward distribution and sales were finalised.
An hour later with the gentle warmth of sunlight providing some potential comfort, the others set off in the car; now in better spirits. On the way Harry stopped to buy some food that the three of them ate on the roadside north of Tarbet.
“Everything went very smoothly Darlath, you must be pleased?” Andrew said.
“It was a good arrangement; we’ll use that boat and crew again. However, time is pushing us I’m afraid. I need to be in Edinburgh again tomorrow before heading back to Dublin.”
“Will you be seeing your Dad?” Harry asked.
“I should, but I think I’ll ‘phone him later. Harry - ” Darlath paused, “ - I know you’re aware of our situation.” He nodded towards Andrew and continued,
“But I need to talk to Andrew quietly about my father and what he saw the other evening.”
“Look I’m happy to go for a walk and let you two...”
Darlath interrupted,
“No I don’t mind as long as Andrew doesn’t?”
“No carry on Darlath. We trust you Harry. What the hell did your Father see?”
“He saw you leave his hotel last time!”
“What!”
“Don’t look so worried Andrew.”
Darlath explained what had occurred that evening at the hotel. Andrew found it all very amusing.
“I think you two need to be more careful.” Harry said,
“Now where do I drop you, off? At Andrew’s tonight?”
Darlath smiled, “That would be good. Thank you.”
The two vehicles safely returned to Glasgow without being apprehended by anyone.
Chapter 16
That same evening, Harry met up with Eileen at her flat.
“Come in stranger.”
“Stranger?”
“Well you were missed last night you know.”
She closed the door and led him through to her sitting room. “Drink?”
“Yes, great, I feel exhausted after all the driving.”
“I thought you were going to share the driving?”
“Well that was as planned, but I didn’t really mind. Darlath was really tired with the boat trip and everything so he slept a good part of the way. Andrew offered to drive but I was quite content to continue.”
Harry removed his shoes and sat facing the fire offering his still damp socks up towards the heat. Eileen poured the drinks and sat close to Harry on the settee. Apart from the glow of the coal fire there was no other light in the room.
Eileen turned to face Harry,
“I saw Dermot last evening. He told me about something that is really interesting.”
“Concerning Darlath?”
“How did you know?”
“I think I may know more than you actually.” Harry said teasing.
Eileen related the information that Dermot had given her about Darlath and a girl staying at his hotel.
“Yep, that’s what I thought you were going to tell me.”
Eileen was now very curious as to what Harry knew. She smiled, “Come on then super detective what else do you know?”
“Well I know I can trust you, but you must promise not to say anything to anyone.”
“Now I’m intrigued by all this. Tell me more, and yes, I promise not to repeat it anywhere or to anyone. Remember, I learnt my lesson mentioning your tattoo.”
Harry smiled and then continued,
“OK, it was Andrew that was with Darlath at the hotel. Dermot didn’t see clearly enough. They are together and have been for some time.”
Eileen put her hand to her mouth,
“My God, I never realised. Darlath…
dear little Darlath is with Andrew?”
“That’s it; I thought that would stop you in your tracks.”
“Well I never. Dermot would be terribly hurt if he found out. I knew of course that Andrew was that way, but never have I envisaged Darlath...Oh dear. Dermot will eventually find out won’t he?”
“I guess so. But not by us, we must keep their secret.”
“What about the others, do they know?”
“No I don’t think so. Although Steve is always making comments about Andrew.”
“Yes, I know, I’ve heard him at times. He can be a really hurtful.”
“So there we are my love, nothings quite as simple as we believed.”
“Andrew and Darlath! I need a top up in my drink, and you?”
“Yes please.” Harry offered up his glass.
“Here I’ve brought you a gift.”
Eileen took the small box and opened it to reveal a phial of expensive perfume.
“Thank you, I’ve not seen any of this for years.”
“It’s part of our haul, American stock to be honest.”
“Yes, I guessed, but you thought of me thank you. It’s lovely.”
She opened it and dabbed a little on the back of her hands and behind one ear.
“It’s gorgeous.”
She lowered her head and kissed Harry.
“Now what about our plans for you to move in?”
“Well I suppose that depends on Agnes. I don’t want to seem to push her out.”
“Actually she’s gone already. She went yesterday.”
“That was quick what happened?”
“Here’s another secret between us two Harry. You see about a month ago she told me she was pregnant!”
“So the story about her mother being ill was just that ‘a story’?”
“’Fraid so. I couldn’t explain it all to you whilst she was still around. I promised her I wouldn’t. She had a really rotten time recently.”
“Who is the father?”
“There was an Army chap that kept calling in to the Stuart. This was long before you came on the scene. Anyway this guy, George his name was, only about twenty; he seemed to be very keen on her and they started to go out quite a lot. She actually was a little scared because she hadn’t been with a man before, if you know what I mean. After a few weeks people at the pub noticed a great change in her. She was bright and friendly to everyone, more confident and was actually enjoying life, probably for the first time ever. You see from what she said her parents were very strict. When she came north to Scotland it was the first time that she could make her own decisions and live life as she wanted to. But she was unsure, you know scared a bit. So she used to chat to me about it and I tried to talk everything through with her. She seemed jealous of me at first until that is George arrived on the scene.”
“And she blossomed?”
“Very much so. But as I said she became pregnant. George suggested an abortion, he said he would pay for it. She was reluctant of course but she had no alternative if she wanted to carry on with him. You see he talked of marriage to her but felt strongly that they delay children until the war was over.”
“Poor kid.”
“It gets worse. Through his family, his mother, they recommended a woman living over in Govan. She didn’t tell me this until afterwards. She went along to Govan but being a bit naive about life in the real Glasgow she discovered that the woman wouldn’t attempt to treat her.”
“Why?”
“Because she was Catholic, she wore a cross on a chain around her neck and when asked about it she confirmed which church she attended. In that area of the city they are all strong Rangers supporters.”
“Well I know the north of Ireland can be sectarian, but Glasgow…I hadn’t realised how bad…Jesus what happened?”
“There’s an undercurrent here that’s not always seen but nevertheless it exists. You know jobs, housing, schools and of course Celtic and Rangers football clubs. Apparently George hadn’t thought to ask what religion she was, he just assumed she was like him, Protestant. His mum never met Agnes but she heard all about the baby from George and was rather glad to help at the time. She didn’t want her young son getting seriously involved and forced into marriage, and so poor Agnes was sent for an abortion but ended up in the wrong territory.”
“And then what?”
“She found another woman over in Shettleston, a Catholic who was prepared to do it. Someone at her Church recommended her, so much for the ban on contraception! But the procedure didn’t work, the baby was still alive. Agnes took this as a sign that she shouldn’t try and abort it again and so reluctantly left to tell her parents all about it. She feared going back home but in reality she had no option left.”
“What about George?”
“He buggered off as soon as he realised that she was Catholic. His mother insisted he quit seeing her. So my dear I am all alone here.”
“So your flat is now empty and the coast is clear for me to move in then?”
“I’d love you to. Let me get some more drinks.”
Eileen returned with the glasses and sat by Harry’s feet resting her head on his knees. They both remained sitting quietly for a few minutes watching the flames in the grate dance and flicker creating strange shadows on the walls behind them.
“Eileen, I’ve been thinking.”
She smiled up at him, “Go on.”
“Well, with this one job successfully completed and with the prospect of a similar one in a few weeks I should have enough cash then to buy a small house somewhere in Glasgow or nearby.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Nothing too fancy, just a small two or three bed house. Well I was thinking instead of living here we could both move into a house together.”
“Are you hinting at what I think you’re suggesting?”
“Let me finish first, I thought about this a lot on the journey back from Kintyre. I’ve mentioned before that I need to go back to the Army and face the music. I can’t leave it too much longer, I perhaps; I mean we, need to get that part of my life sorted out.”
“I understand...I think.”
“Let me finish. After the next job is done I would like to buy a house here that we both could move into. Then I would surrender myself up to the Army and deal with the punishment and complete my service. After that then I’d return to you.” He looked down into her eyes before continuing, “I know we’ve only been seeing each other for a short time but I’ve never known anyone quite like you. You’re open, straightforward, fun, loyal …”
“Enough!”
She placed her index finger onto his lips.
“Harry I just need to say four words, ‘I would love to!”
He slid down onto the floor beside her and they kissed.
“Steady girl.” He joked,
“You haven’t heard the rest of the bargain?”
“I’m happy at what I’ve heard
so far.”
“Eileen I would like to buy you a ring and get engaged as soon as possible. Will you marry this rogue criminal and Army deserter for better for worse?”
“For better for worse – I will indeed!”
They kissed again.
“Eileen when it all sorts itself out the Army may not be too harsh on me. I’ve heard of other AWOL servicemen who, when caught, were paraded before a court, spent a few months in prison before resuming life back on duty. The overall war news is better now and with the Americans with us it’ll end before too long. I would like to get engaged, go back into the services and then return home to get married and have loads of kids!”
“Loads – now you be steady! Can I trust you not to get injured if you go back in?”
“I’ve survived many scrapes so far. If I’ve got you to come home to I’ll return safe and sound with all my working parts, just you wait and see!”
“Harry thank you, you’ve really changed my life so much. Now another chapter can begin. It’s so exciting! I know it’s all been a bit sudden but I get the feeling that it’s right to proceed. I shall look forward to you taking care of me now.”
“We’ll go and buy a ring tomorrow if that’s not too soon for you?”
“We’ll get up and move down to the shops by nine!”
They both laughed.
“Hey I almost forgot.”
Eileen reached across and picked up a card from the mantelpiece. “Look this came yesterday; it’s an invitation to see some war artists work in town tomorrow early evening. We could both go for the cocktails and then move on to a hotel dance to celebrate our engagement. What about it?”
“Yes, let’s do it. Where is it being held?”
“It’s at the School of Art just off Scott Street. Starts at four thirty, is that OK for you?”
“Yes that’s fine. How come you received an invite?”
“It’s something to do with Andrew, his company subscribes to the college support fund each year and in return he receives invites to various functions. He must have listed my name down this year to receive one.”
Shadows of Deceit Page 13
