Rowena was positively envious of his room. She flung herself on his bed.
“Wow, this place is something else! Pity it’s full of old biddies though. Bet you’ll get really bored with no one to talk to.”
“I tell you, Row, those ‘old biddies’ are fantastic! I’ve played chess with Jack the Mad Professor and played table-tennis with Simon the Pie Man _ ”
“Jack the Mad Professor? Simon the Pie Man??”
“Yeah,” grinned Harry. “I think Jack looks exactly like my idea of a mad professor and Simon used to work in a bakery! I decided I shouldn’t call him Simple Simon ‘cos he’s really not, so Simon the Pie Man he is. These old folk are great, they are fun and very friendly. I’m not lonely at all; it’s good here, much better than being in hospital. I was lonely there.”
George laid a hand on Harry’s shoulder.
“Well, son, I’m glad you like it here. I’ve been hearing from my boss, Kenny, what goes on at Sutton Court and the village at this time of year. I think we’ve all landed in a wonderful place. All we need now is for you to get your strength back.”
Harry nodded.
“You certainly look at lot happier now, love,” said Netta, looking at her son fondly. “I think being here will be good for you – good for all of us because we can come here whenever we like. Once the nursery closes tomorrow, your dad and I will be free for a couple of days because, unlike all the other businesses around, Kenny doesn’t open Baxter’s on Boxing Day. He says it’s important for his workers to be able to enjoy a couple of days over Christmas with their families.”
“Kenny is a very unusual boss, isn’t he? Most business owners would be thinking of their profits but not him,” said Rowena, thoughtfully.
“The whole family are wonderful people,” George agreed.
“Especially Lucy,” put in Harry. Rowena looked at him and laughed.
“Oh my! I think Harry’s got a thing for Lucy!”
“No I haven’t!” he replied hotly. “It’s just that she’s helped us so much and it is because of her that I’m here now instead of in hospital.”
“Don’t tease your brother, Rowee,” admonished their mother. “In fact, everyone has been so kind to us. Mrs Milton didn’t have to bring Harry here. We should be thankful.”
“Oh yes, Mum, we are thankful, aren’t we Harry?”
“Yes. We’ve found a nice bunch of friends and a lovely place to be. I hope we can stay around here for always, even when I get better.”
“We’ll see,” was Netta’s non-committal reply but secretly she wanted to stay here just as much as her family did.
Chapter 13
The main living-room at Sutton Court was alive with happy anticipation. The residents had just had their Christmas dinner and were getting settled ready for the Carol singing. Lucy, Ken and other people from the village would be arriving at any moment to lead them in the singing. The beautiful baby grand piano had been especially tuned for this yearly event.
Harry and his family had also partaken of the Christmas dinner, invited by Cessy, as were other relatives of the residents. It had been a jolly occasion, with lovely food.
As they all gathered, some being pushed in special chairs, some walking slowly with zimmer frames, each person had a paper crown on their heads, many fallen askew, Harry grinned happily as his sister poked him, quietly giggling at some of the sights around them. One old chap was asleep already, mouth open, green crown over one eye.
Even though he wanted desperately to walk and be ‘normal’ again, Harry was glad he’d been given the opportunity to see for himself how these people were looked after at this rather special place for the elderly. He knew, from his conversations with various residents and workers, that Cessy and Neil often took in people like him, who were recuperating from operations or illnesses. He recalled one natter with a lady called Flo, who told him all about the man called Sam, whose bungalow his family were living in, and how DI Cooke had investigated when a body turned up in a field. The girl had been dead seventy-odd years but had been the sister of Joseph Baxter, Kenny’s grandfather, and Sam had been in love with her.
Flo had also told him, delighted to be the source of so much information, about what happened when Lucy inherited River View farmhouse and all the mysterious things that had gone on.
Harry had learned a few people’s secrets – which were really open secrets in the village. But, with a wisdom that most fifteen-year-old boys don’t have, he refrained from repeating the stories to his family, especially about Sam. He didn’t want his mother getting upset about the bungalow as he knew she loved it. In some ways, it made him sad to know that, once he recovered, they’d have to leave it because it just wasn’t big enough for all four of them.
At the shouts of ‘Hello!’ from various parts of the room, Harry awoke from his deep train of thought and looked up to see people entering the room. He recognised Ken, who was carrying a small boy on his shoulders, andhis mother Sheila, who had visited him in hospital. Following them came a middle-aged man with a much older man, walking carefully with a stick. His heart leaped when he saw Lucy and she smiled and waved. There followed quite a few other people he didn’t know, but he felt it likely he soon would. A man who was obviously a clergyman was among them; although he wore a Christmas jumper with a reindeer with a big red nose, he still had his dog collar on, which looked a little strange. Harry noticed a very tall, thin man with a small, blonde woman. There were couples with children too.
A man sat down at the piano and the group of singers arranged themselves. The vicar was obviously not in charge of this event, for it was Sheila who spoke.
“Hello everyone, here we are again! We hope you’ve enjoyed your day so far. Was the dinner good?”
There were a few nods and a there were a few yesses in reply. Everyone was smiling (except for the chap who was asleep, whose hat had slid further down).
“That’s good. Now, join in whenever you feel like it. All set, Dick?” The pianist gave her the thumbs up and started to play. From the motley group before them, came enthusiastic singing in four parts, the joyful music of ‘The First Noel’ rousing the sleeping man, who came to with a jump and had a wrestle with the hat, which had slipped down further so it was over one eye, his nose and part of his mouth. Elderly voices and the younger voices of the carers and visitors soon joined in and the room was full of music. Harry and his family sang with gusto, helped by the carol sheets thrust into their hands.
There followed a great half an hour or so of singing. Harry’s spirits lifted even more. He felt that this must surely be the best Christmas he’d had; his parents had never really done the religious side of it. Christmas Day had mostly been presents and telly. He liked this, he liked it a lot.
After it was over, the visitors talked with the residents, who obviously knew them well. Even the children joined in. Lucy came over to Harry, holding a small boy by the hand.
“Hello Harry, this is John. Say ‘hello’ to Harry, John.”
“Lo, Hawee.”
“Hello, John. I’ve wanted to meet you,” said Harry, smiling at the little boy. John stuck his thumb in his mouth as he inspected the older lad.
“Why in push chair?”
“Harry has hurt his legs, John, so he can’t walk just now.” Lucy was patient with her little boy. She picked him up as the tall man and the short woman went out of the room.
“Oh! Stephanie and Alex are leaving. I wonder why? Must have something else going on.”
She turned back to Harry.
“How are you getting on here, Harry? Do you like it?”
“I love it, Lucy. Everyone is so nice and I play games with some of the men and Flo has told me all sorts of things.”
“Has she now? Bet she enjoyed that. She knows just about everything.” Lucy laughed. Ken came over and took John to a table where there were some cakes and other things. “Oh, this is my dad, Tom,” she said as a man walked towards them.
“Hello there, Harry, old
chap, how are you getting on? Glad to meet you at last.”
“I’m doing good, thanks, erm, Tom.”
Lucy and Tom chatted with Harry and his family until it was time to go. Harry thought his dad was a bit quiet but thought it was probably because he was tired.
Chapter 14
It had been a lovely Christmas until now. Stephanie felt sick as she hurried down Sutton Court’s drive, with Alex striding along, his arm around her.
“What’s the matter, sweetheart?” Alex was concerned. He had noticed her suddenly sway while they were singing and that the colour had left her face.
“I – I don’t know. I don’t feel well; I just need to go home.”
“There’s a sickness bug going around, perhaps you have that?”
Stephanie was glad he thought she had a sickness bug. It meant she didn’t have to try to explain anything.
“Good thing the restaurant is shut for a couple of days. You must stay upstairs until you’re better, my love. I’m sure the others can manage. We can’t have our customers going down with a bug from our kitchen.”
“Thank you for your concern,” she mumbled.
“Oh sweetheart, you know I’m concerned about you, of course I am. Oh goodness, I wish we’d brought the car.”
“That would have been silly – it’s such a short distance. Perhaps a bit of fresh air will help.”
However, Stephanie knew that no amount of fresh air would help what assailed her. She just wanted to get home and lock the door and never set foot outside again. Of course, she knew that wouldn’t be possible but at least today she could, and maybe tomorrow as well.
It didn’t take long to arrive home and she climbed the stairs to their flat thankfully. She sank down onto the settee.
“Do you want to go to bed, darling?”
“No. I just want to sit here in front of the fire.”
“Would you like a drink?”
“Perhaps a mint tea might help,” she replied and he went off to put the kettle to boil.
Grateful for the few minutes alone, she curled her legs under her and let her head go back onto the rest behind her. She couldn’t believe it! Of all the places in the world, he had to turn up here. This lovely place that she’d made her home had felt safe and never, in her wildest dreams, had she expected to see him here. The day when she had a cake with Lucy at the nursery and she’d him at a distance he’d seemed familiar but she hadn’t given it any more thought because it was too ludicrous. A quirk of fate had brought him here, his son’s accident. Now she knew for sure; it was him. She wondered if he’d recognised her; then she knew he had, for their eyes had connected, just for a moment and she’d seen it in his face.
As she sat there, she was flung back to a time, long before she’d met her beloved Alex. Life had been so different then…
“Here you are, darling.” Alex appeared, carrying a mug of mint tea, which she sipped gratefully. Alex was always so good, making sure it wasn’t too hot, so she didn’t stop for one moment to ponder if it might be. It was beautiful and refreshing. She started to feel better, even though she was worried. But why was she worried? He wouldn’t want his past revealed any more than she wanted hers. With that thought, she felt considerably brighter.
**********
While the laughter and chat went on around him, George was also feeling shell-shocked. How could he have been living in this village for four months without being aware she was here? He knew she would be feeling worried, having realised his presence.
“Um, I was wondering who the couple was that left straight away?” he asked, carefully. “He was really tall and lanky and she was small and blonde.”
“Oh,” Lucy paused, “That was my friend Stephanie and her husband, Alex. They don’t usually go early. I expect they have something else on.”
“I thought she didn’t look very well,” piped up Rowena. “She was rather pale.”
“Oh dear, I hope not,” said Lucy, her face full of concern.
“Maybe she has a headache,” suggested George. He thought it was highly likely, given that she’d just seen him. He wondered what he could do about it.
**********
“Mum, Dad, I’ve got something I want to give you for Christmas. Will you all come upstairs with me please?”
Curiously, they went up in the lift with Harry. He was able to get himself around in his wheelchair, although the carpets in some areas made it more difficult. George lent a hand when the going was tricky.
Once in the room with the door shut, Harry asked his mum and sister to sit down and his dad to stand next to him.
“Is the brake on properly, Dad?” he asked and George checked.
“Yes.”
Harry took a deep breath and, while George hovered with arms held out, he hoisted himself up so he was standing. Taking the crutches from the side where no one had noticed them, he proudly showed them how he could walk with them. His family congratulated him and clapped him on the back. George took him in his arms and they hugged.
“I really wanted to walk by Christmas as it is the only thing I could give us all. Sorry about letting you think I still needed the wheelchair.”
“Oh, son, this is a wonderful present. I never thought we’d see you on your feet again.” Netta had tears in her eyes as she hugged him. George ruffled the boy’s hair and murmured, “I’m proud of you son.”
Harry glowed and Rowena punched him lightly on the arm. “Get you! Well done, bro’.”
“Linda says I still have to do lots of work to get strong. I’ll still have to go to the hospital every day for a few months yet but at least I don’t need to stay there any more.”
When his family left, Harry sat by the window with a sigh. He couldn’t see the river because of the dark. He was grateful to it though, for it had been instrumental in changing his family’s life.
Chapter 15
Two days after New Year’s Day, a letter arrived for Stephanie. It had been delivered by hand, much earlier than when the post normally arrived. Stephanie was always first down, although they never rose very early because of working late into the evening. Business was quiet this time of year and so she was up earlier than usual. She frowned as she looked at the envelope. It just said ‘Stephanie’ and in the top corner, it said ‘personal and private.’
She knew she’d have half an hour or so before Alex was down, so she went into her office and sat at her desk, reaching for a letter-opener. Inside was a single sheet and it read thus:
Stephanie,
It is important I speak with you. Can you meet me this evening in the lane to River View Farmhouse at 6.30? If you can come, please would you come into Baxter’s as if you were going to meet Lucy at 10.30? I’ll be working near the entrance. I won’t be able to speak with you then but I’ll know that you’re willing to come this evening.
J.
The sound of Alex’s footsteps on the stairs made Stephanie fold the letter away quickly. Not having time to put it back in the envelope, she stuffed them both under her bra strap so they were hidden by her blouse. She heard him go into the kitchen, quickly followed by the noise of the kettle being filled.
“Hello love,” she called as she headed for the stairs. “I forgot something. Be right down.”
Once upstairs, she stuffed the letter back in the envelope. Where to put it? She couldn’t risk throwing it away, as it was Alex’s job to empty the bins. Her eyes alighted on her jewellery box. It was an old box with a lock that she’d found in a junk shop. The wood was beautiful, and so she’d had it repaired and polished. It was one of her treasures. She put the letter inside and locked the box, returning the little key to her bedside table drawer. Alex never looked among her things. Satisfied that the letter was safe, she made her way back downstairs.
As she ate her breakfast, she argued in her thoughts about whether she would go to Baxter’s. However, for all her misgivings, she knew she would. And she would meet Jimmy tomorrow evening; she had to hear what he had to say.
/>
“I was thinking that I’d like to see if Lucy is free to have a cake with me at Baxter’s this morning,” she said to Alex.
“Oh, alright love. I have some work to do in the office. Why don’t you call her now?”
“I’ve left my mobile upstairs. I’ll use the house phone.”
The house phone was the business phone and it was in the office so she went in there. Not long after, she came back into the kitchen.
“All arranged. I’m meeting her at ten thirty.”
She felt a little guilty about the subterfuge but reasoned that, by actually meeting Lucy, at least she was telling Alex the truth about going out. Alex wouldn’t think twice about it, he never minded her meeting her friends.
Just before ten thirty, Stephanie approached Baxter’s. Her heart leaped when she spied a man working in a bed close to the entrance. She wasn’t convinced he was actually doing anything but it didn’t matter. Their eyes met briefly as she passed him and a moment of agreement sprang between them. She walked on into the shop and was immediately hailed by Lucy.
“Hi Steph! Come on into the café straight away. You look frozen! What a day to be out. I’m sure it’s going to snow soon.” Lucy hooked arms and the two women walked together towards the café. When Stephanie looked back towards the entrance, there was no sign of the man she knew as Jimmy.
**********
Quarter past six that evening, Stephanie sighed, took her chef’s hat off and turned to her kitchen staff.
“Sorry everyone, I have a headache. I’m going to step out for a short while, see if I can clear it. No need to tell Alex, I’ll be back shortly. I just need some air – I’ll take a walk round the block, or rather up the road and back again.”
Fear Has Long Fingers Page 6
