Stratford Jewel

by Oliver, Marina

  'He may have some inexplicable notions,' Rosa said coldly, 'but most of the time he's quite normal, and I'd be grateful if you didn't do him further harm by spreading untrue rumours. As it is I'll have problems enough trying to keep the business going. I'll need to employ another driver if it isn't going to collapse altogether.'

  'Give up, Rosa, put in a manager and let Jack do what he likes afterwards. Marry me.'

  She began to laugh, a bitter sound. 'You try to destroy Jack, and now he's out of the way you want me to let his business collapse. Are you absolutely certain his claim to your house is quite false? Or are you trying to get back at him for making it?'

  Adam shook his head. 'Of course not. He punched me, knocked me down, and I had to spend a week in hospital. Isn't that enough?'

  Rosa's belligerence suddenly left her. She sighed. 'Yes. I'm sorry, Adam.'

  'Let's go home.'

  She looked round the Shakespeare Hotel dining room. Adam had steered her there from the Town Hall after she'd said a stunned goodbye to Jack and seen him led away between two police officers. She couldn't recall eating or drinking anything, but her coffee cup was empty in front of her. She nodded. 'I'll go home, Adam. But I prefer to be alone. Thank you for lunch.'

  She was still unable to understand why Adam had been so vindictive. After all, the blow which had felled him had not been unduly vicious. His main injury had come from falling on the stone fireplace. She walked out of the hotel, but was still too tense to want to go home. Winnie would immediately renew her lamentations. Rosa turned towards the river.

  The weather was glorious, and Rosa, breathing in the fragrant air, thought of the contrast Jack would be enduring in a city prison, hot and sticky and close. She was sitting on the bank, her unfocussed gaze directed towards the stark ruins of the Memorial theatre, when someone spoke her name.

  'Max. I didn't know you were in Stratford.'

  'I've been supervising some building in Lancashire, in Liverpool and Preston,' Max explained, 'But I'm back in time to see a few of the plays this year. It's a beautiful fine day after that dreadful winter. England in May is truly lovely.'

  It is for those of us free to enjoy it, Rosa thought wryly. She nodded.

  Max was concerned. 'What is it? What's happened?' he asked.

  Rosa swallowed hard. 'It's Jack,' she sighed. 'He's been in court today, charged with assaulting Adam and injuring him. They've sent him to prison.'

  *

  'Let him stew,' Celia said angrily.

  'You weren't in court, Celia – '

  'I was appearing in Liverpool. I could hardly throw up my part when it's the biggest I've been given so far. In any case, what could I have done except sit and watch my own brother condemned to life as a convict?'

  'I didn't say you ought to have been there,' Rosa enunciated clearly and slowly. She felt drained. The last thing she could cope with was Celia in hysterics. Gilbert was nursing a summer cold and had remained in their lodgings in Oxford, hoping to be recovered enough to go on stage that evening.

  Celia had other things on her mind. 'Rosa, why should you slave away here in a business which is, frankly, not at all suitable? I don't mean it isn't respectable, but it's not the kind of thing for a woman to do.'

  'What would you prefer? Should I marry Adam who caused this? Is that what you'd like?'

  Celia brushed Adam aside. 'I have a far better plan. The director wants someone for the next play, an actress has dropped out and he's promised to consider you. We start rehearsals in two weeks, then to Hammersmith. Come back to Oxford with me and see him. Darling, you can act as well as I can,' she said, 'although naturally you haven't had the same experience, but that will come. We could be a famous theatrical family! We can all join the Festival company here in Stratford when the new theatre is built. Rosa, do say you will.'

  For a moment Rosa was tempted. How delightful to immerse herself once more in acting out the dreams and passions of imaginery characters, bring them alive on the stage for the entertainment of others. More than anything else she missed her acting, but keeping the business going and wondering what fresh calamity Jack was about to bring down on them had sapped her energy. She'd refused several invitations to take part in amateur productions, and people thought she was still in mourning for her father and had not pressed her. She knew she would not be at peace with herself if she agreed to Celia's plan.

  'I've taken the chance of Jack being away to sell the big waggons and buy a motor van,' she explained. 'We have to use modern transport if we're to keep the business going. I've found a van and a driver and can get it established before he comes home. After less than a week we have more orders, and if Jack objects – well, then I'll come and join you, Celia. He can do what he likes.'

  'If I had any say in it I'd have him committed now,' Celia said curtly. 'He's mad, Rosa, and only you won't admit it.'

  'You have no pity, have you?' Rosa asked sadly, and wondered what fate would have in store for Jack if she were not there to shield him.

  When Jack returned to Stratford he was quiet, more subdued than ever before. He said nothing when he discovered the motor van in the yard, or when Rosa told him she meant to buy another to replace their remaining waggon.

  'You can drive that,' she said briskly. 'We still have the cart for town deliveries. This will soon improve the business, you'll see.'

  'I'm worried, he's so biddable,' she said to Max a few days later. They were enjoying some of Winnie's scones and fresh strawberry jam, sitting in the small garden behind the stables. 'He's even been driving the motor van without a single complaint.'

  'Perhaps prison made him think deeply about his behaviour.'

  'He hasn't said a word about it. He barely speaks, just asks where he has to go, and tells me when he comes back if he's collected any more orders.'

  'I wish I didn't have to leave,' Max said. 'I really have to, my work here is finished, and I'll be going in a week. That was what I came to tell you. I came to say goodbye. I'll be leaving Stratford in the morning, going to London for a while, and catching the boat next week.'

  Rosa stared at him in dismay. She'd never thought of when Max would return permanently to New York. He'd been a quiet comfort to her during the past few weeks, visiting the prison with her, listening to her concerns. She would miss him dreadfully.

  'I have a suggestion about Jack.'

  Before he could say more there was the clatter of hooves in the yard, an angry shout, and rapid footsteps coming towards them. Adam stalked round the corner and halted, glaring at her.

  'Adam? What is it?'

  'Your damned brother! He drove his van into my car and wrecked it, then crashed into the stable block, and finally threw a can of petrol over the haystacks and set fire to them. This is the end, Rosa, he'd mad and this time he's going to be locked up for good where he can't do any more damage!'

  'The horses?' Rosa was appalled. 'Were any hurt?'

  'Luckily they were in the paddocks, but it took us an hour to put the fire out, and then I had to ride here as my car is unusable.'

  'Where's Jack?'

  'He vanished and I didn't have time to chase him. But when he gets back the police will be waiting. I'm going to see them now.'

  He stormed away and Rosa, white-faced, turned to Max. 'He means it, and after this how can I save Jack?'

  Max took her hands and turned her to face him. 'Rosa, it's my belief Jack's ill, and could be cured. One of my uncles has worked with men damaged by the sort of experiences Jack went through in the war. I've just had a letter from him. I was about to suggest you sold the business and took Jack to America, since this treatment is only available in the States, in a few hospitals. But we'll have to go at once now. We'll find Jack before the police do, and take him to London. Marry me, and we'll take him back home and he can have the best medical attention and rid himself of these problems. Well, Rosa, will you do it?'

  ***

  Chapter 11

  'Marry you?' Rosa said, astounded. 'Bu
t – surely you can't want to marry me?'

  Max looked harrassed. 'I don't – didn't want to get married. Not until I met you. But I had to keep suppressing the thought. I couldn't ask you.'

  Rosa had noticed his hesitation. 'Couldn't? Or wouldn't?'

  'I tried to forget you. But once I'd kissed you, it was impossible. The whole situation was impossible. I couldn't forget you. Rosa, there was a girl at home, a family friend, and they all expected us to marry. We were unofficially engaged, but neither of us was sure. Jenny told me last time I was home she loved someone else, so now I'm free. Don't you love me even a tiny bit?'

  'You're doing it for Jack,' she reminded him. Her mind was a maelstrom of conflicting emotions; fear for Jack as well as anger and bewilderment at his actions, a crazy, guilty joy at the thought that Max loved her and a corresponding dread that it wasn't really love motivating him.

  'I want to help him because it will help you. If he were anyone else's brother I could quite easily walk away and forget him. But I can't let Adam Thorn have him committed to an asylum for the insane.'

  'Jack's not insane!' Rosa protested.

  'Of course not, but Thorn might get doctors to say he is. I know doctors who can treat him. Rosa, we haven't many hours. We have to be away as soon as possible, before Adam gets back.'

  Rosa emerged from her stupefaction. It was the only way to save Jack. 'I'll pack a few things for us both, and write a letter for our solicitor. We'll have to sell the business, but he can deal with that. Winnie is provided for, my father gave her a pension when he was alive. Shall we have time to see Celia?'

  'We'll contact her later. The first thing is to find Jack. Where might he be?'

  'I don't know. He'll come back here eventually. He always does. But by then the police will be waiting for him.'

  'Does he have some place he goes to when he wants to be alone?'

  Rosa recalled their childhood den beside the river. 'I think he's been going there lately,' she mused, and told Max exactly how to find it.

  Max was thinking fast. 'They can't stop you from leaving. Take enough luggage for both of you and go to the station.'

  'I can't leave without him.'

  'You can be a decoy. They may try to trace you, but they won't be interested in me. Where's Celia playing?'

  'Somewhere near London.'

  'Good. Then book a ticket to London, change at Hatton and do something to make people remember you – ask when the next London train is – but get off at Leamington or Warwick and buy another ticket for Liverpool. Book two rooms at the North Eastern Hotel. I stayed there recently. We'll find a ship from there.'

  'And Jack?'

  'I'll find him before the police do and drive him to Liverpool. Don't worry if we don't arrive tonight, I may have to stay somewhere if we're late starting. Have you enough money for the train?'

  Rosa nodded. 'I'll take what's in the petty cash box.'

  'If anyone asks tell them you're going to fetch Celia. That'll be natural enough and they can't stop you.'

  Rosa wasn't so sure, but she couldn't think of a better plan. Max seemed to have it all organised and she was confident he would be able to find Jack and persuade him to cooperate. She dared not risk leading the police to her brother.

  The next hour, while she was packing her own and Jack's clothes into two suitcases, was fraught. Winnie, having discovered from Sid why Mr Adam had been in such a temper when he'd flung into the yard, was demanding to be told what Rosa intended to do about it. In desperation, knowing that she couldn't hope to complete her packing in secret, Rosa used Max's excuse and said she was going to fetch Celia, and if Winnie didn't leave her be she'd miss the train and not get to London until after Celia was on stage. She finally got rid of Winnie by asking her to order Sid to prepare the trap to drive her to the station.

  'If I don't get away before the police come,' she said urgently, 'they may not let me go.'

  'I don't know what good you think Miss Celia will do,' Winnie grumbled.

  'She has Gilbert. A man will know what to do,' Rosa said, gritting her teeth at having to say the words.

  At least Winnie accepted that as reasonable, and Rosa, safely on the London-bound train, suddenly laughed out loud. It had been Max, after all, who had done all the thinking for her, made plans, and hustled her into compliance.

  She was going to marry Max. She'd been so busy, so afraid for Jack, she hadn't had leisure to think about this before. Now, as she changed trains at Warwick and drank tea in the waiting room, she could think of nothing else. Had Max really meant it? Did she want to abandon everything and go with him to a strange country? Could Jack be cured from these odd impulses which seemed to attack him suddenly, and which afterwards he insisted he could not remember.

  By the time she collapsed into bed in the Liverpool hotel Rosa was worn out with worry and apprehension. She didn't expect to sleep, but the moment her head touched the pillow she was oblivious.

  *

  'Get in the car, or the police will be here.'

  'Police? But I haven't done anything,' Jack protested.

  'We can argue later. Hurry. You don't want to go back to prison, do you?'

  Jack shuddered, and made no more protest while Max hustled him into the car. He sat quietly, taking no notice as Max headed for Birmingham and then took the road north. Max was puzzled. Jack genuinely seemed to have forgotten what he had done. When Max had first discovered him, crouched in the small cave-like hollow beside the river, he'd merely been annoyed to be discovered and dragged from his refuge. He'd denied, but without much energy, Max's charge of setting fire to Adam's barns.

  'If it happened, then I'm glad. He's harmed us. But I didn't do it,' was all he'd say.

  The fear of a return to prison was real enough, however. His eyes grew panic-stricken, his glance darting around for a means of escape and he'd readily permitted Max to take charge. Was it a pose, a method of denying reponsibility, or had he really forgotten what he'd done? Max was sure the police would believe it was just an excuse, but from his uncle he knew there were situations when people could do things while under, as it were, some influence, which in normal circumstances were alien to their natures and which they immediately and genuinely forgot.

  'It's getting dark,' he said as they approached Stafford. 'We'll find an hotel for the night.'

  Jack made no protest when Max pulled up in front of a pleasant-looking hotel and booked two adjoining rooms.

  'Can we have dinner in our rooms?' he asked, and once Jack was installed Max locked his door and took away the key. Now the only way out was through Max's room. Jack could not wander off during the night.

  Jack was perfectly docile, though silent and withdrawn. He ate dinner when it was placed in front of him, undressed and went to bed, in one of Max's nightshirts, when he was told to, and dutifully bathed and shaved with Max's razor the following morning. Max had taken the precaution of ordering breakfast in his room, but Jack was tractable, waiting silently while Max settled the bill and going out with him to the car without a murmur of protest or even enquiry about where they were going.

  His attitude was more worrying, Max thought, than truculence or constant questions would have been, and he was thankful to reach Liverpool in time for a late lunch.

  Rosa was waiting for them in the hotel foyer, and ran forward to clasp Jack to her when they appeared.

  'Thank goodness! I've been so worried,' she exclaimed. 'Did anyone see you leaving?'

  'No, we're quite safe,' Max said smiling reassuringly at her. 'Have you had lunch?'

  'No, I couldn't eat, I was too worried.'

  'Then we'll order it upstairs and explain our plans to Jack, I haven't said anything yet,' Max explained.

  'Max, it's impossible. I can't do it.'

  'Let's eat.'

  Jack seemed unsurprised to see her, and quite incurious when he saw his own clothes in the room he was to share with Max. He ate what was set before him, then complained he felt tired and wanted to sle
ep.

  'That's OK, Rosa and I can talk in the next room, we won't disturb you.'

  Max locked the door to the corridor and he and Rosa went through into her room. She turned to face him as he closed the communicating door.

  'Max, you don't have to marry me. It was kind, generous, of you to suggest it, but it isn't necessary. I'd be grateful if you could help me to get to America, where we can hide. Could the police make Jack come back?' she added.

  'You mean extradition? I doubt it. He hasn't committed a murder. It wasn't an especially serious crime, they won't bother,' Max reassured her.

  'Then he doesn't need your protection. Max, you don't have to marry me. Besides, I've been thinking about the details. I'm not twenty-one for another nine months and we can't wait until we've had banns called, and if we applied for a special licence – not that I know how to do that, even – someone would find out where Jack is.'

  'Rosa, don't made so many problems. Jack is probably your guardian, so he could give the necessary permission. But I've been thinking too, and in some States girls can marry without permission at eighteen, so we could marry in America. Besides, it would be best if I shared a cabin with Jack, to make sure he doesn't do anything dangerous. To himself, I mean.'

  Rosa blushed at his casual reference to sharing a cabin. She had been so worried about Jack and the seemingly insuperable difficulties facing her, she hadn't given a thought to the practical aspects of marriage.

  'You don't really want to marry me,' she said quietly. 'If you can help Jack to find the right hospital, I'm sure I could get a job to support us both until he's better. There will be some money from the business when it's sold, too. I must write to Celia and tell her to organise it.'

  'I've been thinking about that too. You'll probably need to send her something like a power of attorney, to allow her to dispose of your share and Jack's. We'll make Jack agree and see a lawyer to get those signed.'

  Rosa looked even more concerned. 'Will he want to know what it's all about?'

  'It's his business only to prepare and perhaps witness the right documents. I'll go and look for someone now, and try to book a passage on the next ship. Don't let Jack go out or we might lose him.'