“You were very brave. So, what happened later?”
“Well, we dint know why, but before we left the kitchen fer the last time, I stuck a kitchen knife up me sleeve and Karen took a weight from the old-fashioned scales that we found in the old pantry. I dunno why we did really, but we jus’ felt we needed to. Then, when we was in the lounge and Jake came, shot, and that other man appeared in the doorway, Lucian was goin’ ter shoot ’im. So, me and Karen acted. We dint speak or nuffink, it were strange, we just moved forward an’ I stuck me knife in ’im and Karen ’it ’im round the ’ead. We kilt ’im, dint we? We’ll go ter prison, won’t we?”
Tears ran down her cheeks once more. “I don’ mind fer meself but I ’as a kid and I don’ want ’im left down there on ’is own. I loves ’im, even though ’is favver was scum.”
“I’m pretty sure you won’t go to prison, Flora. I know you killed Avery, but you saved my sergeant there and your bravery also saved those youngsters – and hopefully Sally too.”
Chapter 43
Harry watched as Dave Blackwood pressed the remote control and the huge doors of the massive barn slowly opened. When he saw what was inside, his eyes opened wide.
“Wow!” was all he could manage. Dave Blackwood laughed heartily.
“Welcome to my little collection, Harry.”
“Not exactly little, Sir. There must be at least twenty cars in here and other things too, by the looks of it.”
“Yes, I have vintage cycles and motor cycles. I have an old penny-farthing bicycle too.”
“It’s amazing. How long has it taken you to collect all of these?”
“Oh, years and years. And this is the beauty that started it all off. She was already here when I inherited the farm from my uncle. Ah, and here’s another vintage resident! Hello there, Ron.”
Harry turned to see an elderly man, well built with white hair and beard and a bulbous nose. His eyes were a startling blue for an old man and they sparkled with humour.
“Hello, Dave, my boy. Who’s this then?”
“This is Harry. He and his family are staying with us for a while. Harry, this is Lord Smethwick, or Ron to us. He lives on the estate and helps me with my collection.”
Harry shook hands with Ron. “Gosh, I’ve never met a real Lord before. How do you do, Sir?”
“Oh, do call me Ron, lad. The old ‘Lord’ thing is just something I’m stuck with. Inherited the title from my father, you know. Had to give up the old pile though, gave it to the National Trust. I live in a wonderful cottage belonging to Dave here. Much better for me. I love being here, don’t you know? I see you’ve come to look at the collection.”
“Yes, Sir. It’s wonderful. Dave was just telling me about this beautiful Model T that started the collection. It’s so shiny and the leather seats look so perfect and polished. Have you restored it?”
“Well, I have done some work on it, yes. But it was in pretty good shape when I discovered it. It has an interesting story. I’m going to leave you now with Ron as I have some farm paperwork I must do. He’ll tell you all about the car and the others, won’t you, Ron?”
“Of course, dear boy, I’d be delighted. Nothing I like better than to tell people about the cars, especially that one.”
“There you go then, Harry, you’re in good hands. Don’t let him bore you though, he can go on a bit. When you’ve had enough, just tell him.”
Harry smiled at Dave’s wink and Ron’s exaggerated look of indignation. They watched Dave walk away with a raised hand of farewell, then turned back to the barn.
Ron ran his hand lovingly across the bonnet of the Model T.
“Would you like to sit inside?”
“Oh, yes please.”
Ron opened the driver’s door. “Come and sit behind the wheel.”
Harry’s smile was wide as he climbed into the driver’s seat. He stroked the steering wheel carefully with one finger and examined the dashboard that was made of shining wood. Ron sat in the passenger seat beside him.
“It looks different to modern cars, doesn’t it?”
“Yes. Not many dials and buttons and no radio.”
“That’s right. Now, would you like to hear the story about this car? It’s quite interesting and goes right back to when my father owned it when it was brand new in 1932.”
“Your father owned the car? How did it come to be on the farm? Did he sell it?”
“No, he didn’t sell it. It disappeared, along with his chauffer.”
“Oh really? The chauffer stole it? What happened?”
Ron proceeded to tell the story of the car and its driver. Harry listened, enthralled, as the elderly lord told him everything that had happened the previous year and the old murder that DI Cooke and DS Grant had investigated and how he himself had ended up coming to live on the Castle Farm estate. (See ‘By the Gate,’ River View book 2)
At the end of the story, Harry whistled. “Phew! That’s really cool! I have a little bit to add to that, Sir – erm, Ron. When I had my accident, Lucy let my parents and sister live in the bungalow that had belonged to Sam Williams because he died and left it to Lucy.”
“Well, now, isn’t that just a coincidence? So, you had an accident did you? What happened?”
Then it was Harry’s turn to tell Ron all about what had happened to him and his family, ending with why they were staying with the Blackwoods.
“My, my, who would have thought such goings-on would happen around here? Nothing like this used to happen when I lived in the old hall. So, you’ll be sticking around here for a while then, if your house is burned out and your dad still laid up?”
“Looks like it. Good thing I’d just about finished my therapy. Although I do my exercises every day, at least, the ones I can do. I’m very lucky, you know. Did I tell you that Linda, my therapist is DI Cooke’s wife? She’s been amazing. In fact, I really like everyone we’ve met since we left Manchester – except my Uncle Lucian, of course. He was well creepy.”
Ron looked at his watch. “Goodness! It’s time to eat. We’ve been sat in this car for ages! Time we went in, Harry, my boy. We can come out again later and you can see the rest of the collection. You can help me while you’re here if you like. I keep them all clean and polished, ready for when we take them to shows. There’s going to be one in a couple of weeks, so I’ll need all the help I can get to be ready. You up for it, lad?”
“You bet! It’ll be great!” Harry was happy to think that he would have something useful to do during his stay.
They climbed out of the Model T, and Harry watched Ron close the giant doors to the barn. He ruffled the boy’s hair and they grinned at each other like mischievous schoolboys, then they made their way to the farmhouse in anticipation of Margaret’s wonderful cooking.
Chapter 44
When Stephanie finally woke up, Alex was by her side. Although he’d not slept that night, he wouldn’t allow himself to leave. He spent his time talking quietly to her, recalling everything he could about how they’d met and fallen in love, all about coming to live and work in Sutton-on-Wye, about Lucy and Kenny, Tom and Sheila, Madge and the village shop, in fact, anything and everything he could think of. In between he prayed, all the time making sure his hand was in contact with her somehow.
“Please come back to me, Steph. I love you and can’t do without you. I need you. Please, please, come back.”
About the same time as Harry was listening intently to Ron’s incredible story, Stephanie stirred slightly and her eyelids flickered. Alex was immediately alert.
“Steph? Steph, my darling, are you awake?”
“Alex…” Her voice was a mere whisper. Tears trickled down her face. Alex took out his own, clean, white handkerchief and gently dabbed at her poor, injured face.
“Don’t cry, my darling. You’re safe. I’m here. It’s all over.”
“All over…” she murmured, and sank back into sleep. Alex stood up to stretch as a nurse came towards them.
“She woke u
p for a moment.”
The nurse checked her signs and the monitors and nodded. “Yes, she’s in a normal sleep now. I think you should go home and get some rest. We’ll give her a sedative to help her sleep more. Sleep is healing. When she wakes up again, she’ll feel much better and so will you after you’ve had rest.”
“Thank you, I think I will.” He leaned over and kissed Stephanie’s forehead lightly.
As he stepped out into the corridor, having shed the white gown and hat, he saw two familiar faces.
“Ken! Lucy! What are you doing here?”
“We came to see if there was anything we can do to help. How’s Stephanie?”
“She has a lot of injuries to recover from but she’s going to be alright. She just woke up for a few moments. They’re going to sedate her and told me that I should go home to rest for a while.”
“Do you have your car?”
“Oh! No, I forgot that. The police brought me here.”
“In that case, it looks like we came at the right time. Come on, we’ll take you home.”
**********
When Alex returned to the hospital several hours later, he felt much better. He’d slept knowing Steph was in a safe place and being looked after. Lucy, bless her, had left him a cottage pie which he ate when he got up. Having had rest and food, he was ready to return to his beloved.
Upon entering ICU, he was met by a nursing sister, who put out her hand to stop him.
“Mr Townsend, I’m afraid you can’t go in to your wife,” she said.
“Why? Has something happened? Has she had a relapse or something?” Alex was wild-eyed with fright.
“No, no, nothing like that. It’s that – I’m afraid she doesn’t want to see you.”
“Doesn’t want to see me?” he repeated, stupefied. “Why doesn’t she want to see me?”
“I’m not sure. But she’s been through a very traumatic experience. I’m sure she’s not thinking straight at the moment. Why don’t you go home and call again in the morning?”
He ran past her, quickly moving to Stephanie’s bed but she turned her head away. He stopped abruptly as Sister and a male nurse caught up with him.
“Stephanie!” he cried, as they led him away.
“Come,” the Sister said, leading him to a small room with soft chairs. “Let me get you a cup of tea or coffee and we’ll have a little chat.”
She went to the machine that squatted on a table in the corner and brought him tea in a polystyrene cup. He took it shakily and sat holding it.
“Now, Mr Townsend, I’ve nursed many patients who have suffered trauma and often they can be quite irrational. Mrs Townsend is now awake properly but the last time she was fully awake, she was suffering an inhumane torture, rape and beating.”
“Torture?” Alex’s head jerked up.
“Yes. I’m afraid so. She’s been burnt with a cigarette end and cut with a knife in various places. Not stabbed, but deliberately had a knife drawn across her skin to make her bleed. Bones, such as some fingers and her wrist were deliberately broken. She had internal bleeding from being viciously kicked, which is why we had to operate quickly when she arrived and is very lucky to be alive.”
Alex put his head in his hands and wept. How could anyone do that to her? She was one of the loveliest, kindest people he’d ever met.
The nurse put a hand on his knee. “So you see, Mr Townsend, she needs time. She has a lot of healing to do, both in her body and her mind and may not feel she can tell you anything yet. Give her time. She knows you were here and we will tell her that you watched over her until she came round. If she has any other relatives, perhaps someone else could visit her until she’s ready to see you? It’s often the person who’s closest is the most difficult to face. I must go now but take your time and think over what I’ve said. Don’t lose heart, just bide your time. Call tomorrow, alright?”
Alex nodded as she stood up. “Thank you, Sister.”
She smiled and left the room. The minute she’d gone, he went too, leaving his tea to go cold in its horrible cup.
**********
Lucy made her way to ICU with trepidation. Alex had come straight to River View after his disastrous visit to the hospital the previous evening. He’d been distraught and she and Kenny had spent a good couple of hours calming him down and talking with him, formulating a plan. The best thing they could come up with was that Lucy should try to visit Stephanie to see if she could get to the bottom of why Steph wouldn’t see him. He said he would let her know what they said when he called the ward in the morning.
He’d called that morning and pleaded with Lucy to see her as Stephanie was still adamant she wouldn’t see him.
She pushed open the door to the ward and went up to the desk. The receptionist looked up and smiled.
“Hello. I’m here to see Stephanie Townsend, if I may please?”
“Are you a relative?”
“I’m her cousin.” Lucy felt bad about lying but she knew if she’d said ‘no, I’m her best friend’ they wouldn’t have allowed her to go in.
“She’s along there, last bed. But she’s going to be moved to another ward shortly as she’s now out of danger.”
“That’s good news. Do I have time to see her?”
“Yes, I should think so.”
Lucy made her way along to the bed, shocked at the sight of her friend’s poor face but hoping it didn’t show. Steph was lying with her eyes closed. Lucy touched her arm gently.
“Steph?”
The eyes opened. “Lucy. Oh, Lucy!” Tears trickled down her face and Lucy gently patted her face with a tissue.
“There now, don’t cry. I had to lie about being related to you, so don’t let on. I’m not going to ask you how you are, as I always think that’s a silly question to someone in hospital! But they say you’re out of danger now so they’re moving you to an ordinary ward.”
Lucy chattered on, not giving Stephanie a chance to say anything while she drew up a chair to sit near her. Then, she looked at her friend critically.
“Now then, you’ve frightened us all nearly to death! And you won’t see poor Alex! He’s beside himself. What’s going on, Steph? Why won’t you see him?”
Stephanie’s face crumpled and the tears flowed more freely. Lucy scrabbled in her bag for more tissues. The poor woman couldn’t even mop up her own tears with her hands so damaged.
“There, there, cry it out. It’s okay, it’s only me.” Lucy held a wad of tissue so the tears soaked into it and replaced it when needed.
When the flood subsided and Lucy had mopped up, Stephanie hiccupped, “He won’t want me now he knows I married him bigamously. I’ll probably go to prison anyway. I can’t tell him about what my life was like before I met him, married to that – that monster, Lucian Avery. It’s better that he just goes away. Or rather, I’ll go away when I’m out of hospital.”
“And where would you go?”
“Anywhere. It doesn’t matter. I’ve done it before, I’ll do it again. Anything, rather than let that man find me again. He was going to kill me and told me he was going to break me up then throw me over the cliff where I was supposed to have been killed. He’ll do it next time, I’m sure of it.”
“Right. Listen to me. This is Lucy, your best friend, right? I’ve never lied to you. Firstly, you don’t have to worry any more about Lucian Avery, he’s dead.”
“Dead?” Stephanie whispered, wide eyed. “How?”
“I’m not clear of the details but I gathered the two women, Flora and Karen, had something to do with it. Lucian was going to shoot Sergeant Grant but they attacked him. They saved the sergeant’s life.”
“Flora? I remember Flora but she was only a young girl when I knew her. And Karen too. They were both there as little girls but Karen’s a bit older, I think. So it was them that brought my food?”
“I believe so. I’ve no doubt you’ll hear the full story in time. Now, about Alex. He loves you, Stephanie, you’re his world. You need to
give him a chance, you at least owe him that. If he walks away, then that should be his choice, not yours. But I think you’re severely underestimating him. His love is unconditional. Please say you’ll see him and talk with him.”
“I will. Thank you, Lucy.” Stephanie twisted her face into a wan smile and Lucy stood up.
“Well, I suppose I’d better go and rescue my dad, who is looking after John. He’s a real handful now – John, that is, not my dad!” Lucy giggled and Stephan managed a lop-sided grin. Lucy bent and kissed her friend’s forehead. “I’ll see you soon. Hurry and get well.”
As Lucy started to walk away, she heard Stephanie’s voice. “Lucy?”
“Yes, love?”
“Thank you.”
Lucy smiled and gave a wave.
Chapter 45
As soon as Lucy left the hospital, she called Alex to tell him that Stephanie wanted to see him.
“Thank you, Lucy, thank you!” he said, joyfully. “I’ll go right away. I’m so grateful to you.”
“Think nothing of it, that’s what friends are for,” Lucy replied and rang off, then went to the car park where Kenny was waiting in the car. He wouldn’t let her drive because she could go into labour any time.
She relaxed thankfully into the passenger seat.
“All done. I’ve called Alex and he’s coming over to the hospital.”
“You’re a miracle worker.” Kenny kissed her check lovingly.
“Let’s go home, I’m exhausted and I have a pain in my back.”
Concerned, Kenny immediately started the car and they were soon on their way back to the farmhouse.
“Now you can get some much needed rest.”
Fear Has Long Fingers Page 21
