‘She finds it a long way to drive every day,’ Heather explained.
‘I didn’t know you were moving,’ Rhys said with a frown.
‘I spoke to Catrin – at least, she saw my advertisement and spoke to me – and she’s offered me a room.’
‘Aunt Catrin offered?’ Rhys looked suspicious. ‘That’s odd. She has always refused to share with anyone. You aren’t trying to put her out are you?’
‘Of course not!’ Amanda answered in surprise. ‘As if I would! The cottage is mine in October but if Catrin isn’t ready to move out then I’ll wait until she is!’
‘I’m sorry, I spoke without thinking.’
‘I should think so too,’ Heather said. ‘Just for that you and Haydn can wash the coffee cups.’
Amanda was grateful to Heather for brushing aside the hurtful remark but she wondered why Rhys had been so rude. She doubted if he ever spoke without thinking, so why had he reacted so unkindly to her news? Was it because she would be living next door to Philip, she wondered?
As Rhys was driving her home he brought up the subject again and Amanda was immediately on the defensive.
‘What’s the real reason for wanting to move in with my aunt?’ he asked.
‘One reason is because I happen to be fond of her and I enjoy her company. The other is because I think she needs someone there to keep an eye on her. Now, are you going to make that into something utterly selfish?’
‘Then it’s nothing to do with Philip?’
Amanda laughed. So that was the reason for his rudeness. ‘Why should Philip have anything to do with my decisions?’
‘It was he whom you called when Aunt Catrin was ill, and he whom you chose to go with to see Jessica. You must admit you show him a great deal of interest. Especially as you know I’d prefer you stay away from him.’
‘It’s none of your business,’ she retorted indignantly. ‘But as for moving in with your aunt, it was her idea, her suggestion. Ask her if you don’t believe me. I didn’t agree but asked that she discuss it with you.’
‘Just speak to me about things that concern her in future, please, and not Philip.’
‘If you’re around,’ she retorted. ‘But there’s no way I’ll refuse Philip’s help if Catrin needs it.’
‘If you’re looking for reliability then you won’t find it in Philip Morgan,’ he said. ‘That’s one attribute he sadly lacks.’
Amanda said no more. She wanted to howl. The day had been so wonderful, starting out in the darkness of early morning and watching the delightful antics of the dippers. Why did it have to end with a quarrel, and about Philip, who was not that important?
‘Philip doesn’t matter enough to quarrel about.’ She spoke her thoughts aloud. ‘Can’t we talk about something pleasant before we part?’
‘When are you moving in with Aunt Catrin?’
‘If she agrees after thinking it over carefully, then perhaps during half-term. It’s only a few weeks away.’
‘Tell me when and I’ll help transfer your things,’ he offered.
She almost assured him there was no need, she had so few belongings in the bedsit, but, afraid he might take it as a snub, she thanked him.
‘Make it the Thursday. That will give you plenty of time at each end for packing and unpacking,’ he suggested.
They were talking like strangers, formal and stiff. She was filled with despondency as she let herself into her room and listened to his car moving away from her.
* * *
Despondency was the word to describe Gillian as she sat on Roy’s empty bed staring at the used notes in her hand. She had found them when placing some freshly-washed socks in his drawer. So, he was stealing again! She had sensed it for weeks but tried not to believe it. Her plump face was deeply saddened by what she considered her failure. If she had shared his bed, ignoring the fear of her parents guessing, he wouldn’t have wanted to go out at night.
Where was he now, she wondered. What poor unfortunate was he robbing this time? Intending to sit and wait for his return, she made herself comfortable against his pillow and sat there staring at the open window, only a faint rectangle in the blackness of the night.
* * *
Eight miles away, Roy was staring at a window from the outside. The partly open window of Firethorn Cottage. It would serve Amanda right, he thought, and a gleam of temptation showed in his blue eyes. So far as Amanda knew she was his sister and yet she was treating him worse than she’d treat an unpleasant stranger. Serve her right if he robbed the cottage she refused to share with him.
He began to examine the walls for a way to climb up, his mind overcoming the difficulties, planning his entry, working out his route through the rooms. But he turned away. No, he’d leave the old lady in peace, he’d go for the bungalow down near the stream. It was empty and, hidden away like it was, he’d have plenty of time to find out where the owner kept his cash.
7
There was uproar the following morning when Amanda went to school. Four houses in the village had been robbed, mostly of money but some keepsakes, souvenirs and small items of jewellery that were of little real value but were irreplaceable had been lost.
Of all the outraged mothers hovering around the gate comparing what they knew, only Heather looked at Amanda quizzically, obviously wondering about her brother.
Angrily, Amanda told her in a whisper, ‘I hope you aren’t thinking Roy had anything to do with this! He wouldn’t be so stupid!’
‘Who’s Roy?’ a small voice asked and Amanda smiled at Helen and assured her that it was someone she didn’t know.
‘Isn’t Roy your big brother?’ the child asked and Amanda’s eyes darkened with concern. How much had Helen overheard when she had explained to Heather? And more important, how much had she told other people?
Heather did nothing to discourage her daughter from talking about Roy, and continued to stare at Amanda with undisguised suspicion. Amanda felt close to panic. Once more Roy had entered her life and threatened to upset it.
It wasn’t until later, when school was finished, that she learned that Rhys’s bungalow had also been burgled during the night. He had been in London and arrived home to find the back door forced and money he had left in a drawer missing. Some of his ornaments and carvings from his travels had been carelessly thrown around and damaged, presumably as the thief searched for money.
‘It looks like whoever broke in seemed to want me to know he’s angry with me,’ he said, sadly dropping some of them into the ash bin. ‘But who that can be I can’t imagine. I don’t think I’ve deliberately harmed anyone in my life.’
Amanda thought of Roy. Had he become more bitter, more resentful of others having more than he? Greedy, daring, but harmless was how she would have described him.
‘At least that lets Roy out,’ she said with relief. ‘He has never shown anger or violence.’
‘Let’s hope he stays that way,’ Rhys replied, looking at her enigmatically, implying perhaps that people can change.
* * *
When Roy had arrived home the previous night he had been shocked to see Gillian sitting on his bed waiting for him.
‘So, your resolution didn’t last long, did it?’ she said sadly as he negotiated the small window and dropped silently down.
‘Gill, love, I’ve only been for a walk. Lovely night it is, come and look out of the window.’
‘It’s no good, you might as well tell me. At least forewarned is forearmed.’
‘But Gill—’
‘Tell me, Roy. All of it.’ So he explained about the burglaries, using anger over his sister as an excuse for his lapse.
‘Truth is, Gill, this would have been my last anyway. I was greeted by an old man at the last house. Creepin’ down the stairs I was, so quiet you’d never believe, and there he stood looking at me real hard, like some headmaster with a stupid pupil. There was a lolloping great dog beside him, the poor thing was so old if he’d barked he’d have fallen over. Well the old
man demands to know what I’m doing. Well, I had to laugh. There I was, in his house with a small bag over my shoulder creepin’ down his stairs in the middle of the night and he asks what I’m doin’. Funny really, don’t you think?’
‘What did he do?’
‘Only tried to have a go at me. Poor old sod. I could’ve snapped him like rnatchwood.’
‘You didn’t…?’
‘No, never hurt no one in my life, you know me better than that. But the thing is, he saw my face. I’m not worried mind. He probably couldn’t see further than the end of his nose, I saw the mark where his glasses rested clear as clear. No, I doubt if he’d recognise me again, but I decided it was enough and that was definitely the last time. Scary really. Twice it’s happened. Twice I’ve been caught by someone in the house and in the same village each time.’ He shuddered. ‘Gives me the creeps it does, they never sleep! No, never again.’
‘If only I could believe you, Roy.’
‘You can, love. I promise. Just don’t say nothin’ about this and you’ll never have a moment’s worry ever again.’
* * *
Rhys arrived promptly on the Thursday of half-term to help her move. Catrin had been insistent that it was what she wanted, so Amanda was concerned to see suppressed disapproval showing on Rhys’s face.
All her possessions were packed in boxes and labelled, so it didn’t take long to load the Landrover and her Ford Popular. Looking back at the empty room she felt only slight regret at leaving. It had been her home for a short while, but the news that she owned a cottage had caused it to lose any charm it might have had.
‘Aunt Catrin has promised to have lunch ready, so you’d better hurry,’ Rhys called as he put the last box into the car.
She was mildly angered by his abruptness. Why should he spoil this for her? He had helped her willingly enough, but there was an air about him of something not said.
‘You still think it’s wrong for me to move in with your aunt, don’t you?’ she asked. ‘It isn’t for ever you know. If she changes her mind for whatever reason, I’ll move out. I don’t intend being a problem for her.’
‘That’s up to you and Aunt Catrin.’ His voice was calm but Amanda knew that something about her move was the reason for his edginess.
‘You don’t think we’ll get on together?’
‘Who are you referring to, you and my aunt or you and Philip? He’s the real reason you’re moving, isn’t he?’
That nonsense again. ‘What a preposterous idea!’ she laughed. ‘We’ve mentioned this ridiculous idea before. Why should I want to live next door to Philip so urgently?’
‘He’s an attractive man and you’re an unattached female, there’s nothing odd about that is there? It’s only strange that you aren’t honest about it.’
‘Rhys, I am being honest! Why should I lie to you? I wanted a room nearer the school, I advertised and Catrin offered me one. I also think it’s an idea for her to have someone with her, she hasn’t seemed well recently.’
‘That’s considerate of you.’
She looked at him, wondering if there was sarcasm in his words. ‘I like Catrin. I did from the moment we met. You don’t have to know someone for years before you know they’ll be a friend. Don’t you make instant decisions about people sometimes?’
He looked at her, the expression in his eyes softening, as he returned the smile. ‘Of course. Although a first impression can be wrong,’ he warned. Amanda guessed he was referring to Philip again.
‘In that case you allow the friendship to fade. But it’s better to be disappointed occasionally than to miss something wonderful.’
He helped her into her car and they set off in stunted convoy to install her in her temporary state as lodger at Firethorn Cottage.
A smile lit her face as she turned the final corner and came to where the cottage stood, mellow in the pale sun, waiting for her. Although only a lodger for the next eight months, she was coming home. Rhys and Catrin picked up on her excitement and they all laughed like children as her boxes were taken up to her room.
When Rhys had gone down for the final load, Amanda looked out of the window into the wintery garden. Daffodils were showing their spears of green, some with buds stretching up toward a cold sky, already showing a petal or two of golden yellow. Snowdrops nodded sleepily under the trees. A few polyanthus and a pansy or two had defied the frost to open their faces. Against the background of bare, cold earth, there was more than a hint of spring among the leafless trees.
She felt rather than heard Rhys come and stand beside her. She turned and smiled at him.
‘What are you dreaming about?’ he asked softly.
‘About the thrill of being in a house that’s my own, and how I’ll add a few more shrubs next year and –’ She stopped suddenly. ‘I don’t intend doing anything to make Catrin think I’m anxious to be rid of her, so I won’t even mention new shrubs to her.’
‘I wish she’d make some plans for October,’ Rhys said.
‘Don’t worry, she has plenty of time. As long as she needs, believe me.’
‘I do.’
She leaned back, her head resting against his shoulder and looked up at him with a smile.
‘In case you’re wondering why I don’t invite her to live with me at the bungalow, I can’t,’ he told her. ‘My life is so irregular and I don’t want commitments or obligations. Do you understand?’
Amanda moved away from him instinctively. The softly spoken words were a warning to her not to expect more than friendship. Her colour increased as she wondered if her pleasure in his touch had been too blatantly shown.
‘We’d better go down,’ she said with a forced smile. ‘I don’t want to keep my landlady waiting on my first day.’
‘So you do think I should consider inviting her to live with me!’ He held her from leaving. ‘I thought you’d understand.’
‘Oh, I do,’ she said airily. ‘I can see how important it is for you not to have any restrictions. You need to be as free as the birds you like to photograph.’
‘If I tried to live my life around someone else, my work would suffer. I love it too much to risk that. If I had someone warning me not to be late for dinner, or insisting I kept a social date when I needed to be elsewhere, I’d be unhappy and the person making the demands would be unhappy too. I’ve seen it happen.’
They went down to lunch and Amanda was over-bright, determined Rhys wouldn’t see how his words had hurt her.
‘I have to leave directly after this,’ he said as Amanda brought in the coffee. ‘I have an appointment at three-thirty.’
‘Thank you for helping,’ Amanda said. ‘Some things are much easier with two.’
‘Some things are,’ he repeated and Amanda realised how easily a simple phrase could be misconstrued.
Catrin looked at them quizzically and Amanda forced a smile.
‘Can I ask another favour, Rhys?’ she asked.
‘Of course.’ He looked at her warily.
‘Don’t look so worried,’ she was forced to retort. ‘I want to set up a pond and wildlife display in school. Would you mind if I searched the stream and its backwaters for frogspawn and other things to fill it? I’ll return everything to the stream later of course.’
‘Why don’t you take some of the children? I’ll get permission from the farmer and you can walk through the garden and out into the field behind the house.’
‘That’s a good idea, thank you.’
When Rhys had gone, Amanda congratulated herself that she had handled a tricky situation very well. Catrin, however, was not fooled.
‘Have you and my nephew had a disagreement?’ she asked.
‘No, but I think he’s afraid that, living near, I might take up too much of his time.’
‘That would be a good thing if you ask me,’ Catrin said firmly. ‘Dashing about, never finding time to relax and enjoy life. You’ve been good for him.’
That was not his opinion, Amanda thought sadly. I’
ve definitely been warned off!
* * *
Roy was finding life tedious. Ever since the police had practically forced their way into the Harrises home the night of the first robberies, and followed up the raid with another only days later, he had been treated with less than cordiality.
The third visit, when he had been actually arrested and questioned, finally ended the Harrises dream of turning him from a hardening criminal into a respected citizen.
The cause of the trouble had been Dave. Caught practically red-handed after breaking into a small shop and stealing a television and a couple of radios, he had insisted that Roy would supply an alibi. Unfortunately, although Roy would have helped, he was unable to as he had been home, playing whist with the Harrises.
His room at the Harrises’ had been searched, the house too was subject to a very thorough examination. They were visited many times by various policemen and although he had not been charged, the Harrises’ euphoric, noble feeling in helping someone desperate for a chance had vanished like a puff of steam from a kettle. They had fervently believed that a good home and caring people and enough of Mrs Harris’s cuddles would be enough to keep him from re-offending. The attitude of the police showed them how little they thought of his chances of going straight.
Now the Harrises’ neighbours were talking and the realisation Roy was bringing their home into disrepute had frightened them, made them aware of the dangerous situation he had brought to them.
They no longer tried to be friendly, obviously wishing he would leave but lacking the nerve to tell him. Instead of fussing over him and trying different ways to please him, showing him how much he was trusted, they were practically keeping him a prisoner.
‘It’s out of one prison, into another,’ he grumbled to Gillian one evening in early March, when they sat on the couch trying to talk without being overheard by her parents. ‘They won’t even let us go to the pictures on our day off. Washing up all the week in a grotty little café and then home to suspicious looks and accusations.’
The Tangled Web Page 12
