Isobel

by Sheila Tibbs

  “No, no. It’s fine where it is, honest. Anyway, you’ve earmarked that wash-room for something else, although I don’t know what,” she joked.

  Laughing, David said, “You’ll find out soon enough, love. Just a little surprise I’ve got up my sleeve for you.”

  Sarah bent and kissed his forehead.

  “Mmm, one of many surprises you have up your sleeve. I don’t think you really know what to do with it, you’re just pretending. Do you fancy a coffee before bed?” She yawned as she spoke.

  “Yes please, love. But ... you’ve just slept six hours, you can’t possibly be tired now.”

  “David, I’m absolutely exhausted. I think I might have caught a chill or something. I’m freezing cold and feel totally drained. A coffee and bed I think, and I will be right as rain in the morning.” She smiled and left the room.

  The kitchen light flickered on, making the blackness of the late evening appear even darker outside. Sarah picked up the kettle and walked to the sink. As she filled the kettle she glanced out into the night. The moonlight stretched towards the light from the kitchen, teasing, fingering each other lightly, and casting huge shadows across the lawn. An owl hooted. Sarah smiled to herself. She loved the life that the nights bought to both her land and the lane - the creatures of the night her grandmother called them. A fox appeared from the trees and stopped. It seemed to stare at

  Sarah momentarily before feeling she was no threat, and then it carried on its nightly rituals. Somehow though, Sarah was convinced that she and the fox were not alone now. There seemed to be something else out there, something more sinister, she shuddered and walked back to the stove.

  David came into the kitchen.

  “So, how’s the coffee coming on?” he said, rubbing his hands together,. “Christ, it’s cold in here.”

  “What? Oh yes, the coffee will be ready in a minute, sorry I was watching the fox in the garden. Yes, it is cold tonight, why else do you think I’ve got my big jumper on?” She laughed, mentally deciding not to mention to David that she didn’t think the fox was alone outside.

  Sarah placed the coffee on the table and David took the steaming mug in his hands, hugging it to warm himself.

  “Listen, Sarah, you know I’m back at work tomorrow. Why don’t you take Isobel into Southend to get her school uniform for next week, and then take her to Adventure Island? I think she could do with a bit of fun, and you never know, you might have fun too. All kids like amusement parks.”

  “Yes, that’s a good idea. It will give me a chance to get to know her better.” She smiled. Sarah was glad David was in the bathroom when she undressed for bed. She didn’t want him to see the bruising on her thighs and breast. She knew he wouldn’t understand and it would again cause tension between them and she was too tired to argue again.

  David came through from the bathroom and slid beside her under the sheets. She could feel the heat from his body close to hers and lent into him.

  “I’m tired, David, do you mind?” she asked.

  “No, goodnight, sweetheart,” he whispered. Kissing her gently, he then turned over and she could hear his breathing become deep and steady and knew he was falling asleep. Sarah lay there for what seemed like hours just listening to him sleep, finding comfort in his rhythm.

  Finally sleep came, but it wasn’t restful…

  The young shoeless woman was dragged from the building.

  People with lit torches followed, shouting abuse and spitting at her. Her long dark hair was matted and her clothes torn and dirty.

  They took her to the crossroads and tied her to a large pole. Twigs and straw were placed at her feet…

  Sarah woke with a start, the dream still dancing vividly in her mind. It was daylight and David was no longer beside her.

  Sarah lay still for a few minutes, pushing the vision of the young girl from her mind. Somehow, in her deep memory, the woman looked vaguely familiar but she couldn’t pin point where from. Laughter rang in her ears and she realised David and Isobel were coming down the landing towards her. David came in carrying a tray of toast and coffee and Isobel had handpicked some flowers from the garden. David looked so handsome standing there in his suit, Sarah wished he could join her beneath the sheets rather than go to work.

  “What’s all this then, breakfast in bed, and flowers? My, they’re beautiful, Isobel, thank you.” She smiled and placed her arm around the girl’s waist.

  David placed the tray on Sarah’s lap and kissed her forehead.

  “Time to go, love. You two have fun today now, do you hear.” He smiled and ruffled Isobel’s hair. “See you two tonight.”

  “Bye, David,” Sarah and Isobel chorused, and then both fell about laughing.

  “What are we doing today, Sarah?” Isobel asked.

  “Well, we are going to Southend to get bits for school, because you start there next week, and then I thought we could go to Adventure Island.”

  “What’s Adventure Island?” Isobel asked, quizzically.

  “Adventure Island is a big amusement park, it stretches both sides of the pier and it’s right on the beach. We could collect shells on our way back home if you like. You do like amusement parks, don’t you?”

  “YES!” Isobel shouted, then jumped off the bed and began dancing round the room. Sarah laughed.

  'She’s just a normal seven-year-old little girl. Whatever made me think differently,' she thought to herself.

  Sarah washed and dressed and they were in the car in less than an hour.

  It was another beautiful day; the sun was high and the sky cloudless.

  By lunchtime they had purchased all Isobel needed to start the local school, and a few other bits besides, and were in McDonald's having lunch.

  “Hello, Sarah.”

  Sarah turned to see Marion Thatcher standing there with her twin sons in tow.

  “Hello, Marion, would you like to join us? There’s someone I would like you to meet.”

  Marion and the boys sat down.

  “This is Isobel, she’s staying with us for a while, and I believe she’ll be in your class, boys,” she said smiling.

  “Hello, Isobel, I’m Marion and these two herberts are Reece and Ryan.” She smiled.

  Reece smiled at Isobel and Ryan pouted.

  “Hello,” Isobel smiled.

  “So, Isobel, how do you like Canewdon so far?” Marion asked.

  “Oh, I like it very much; do you live in Canewdon too?”

  “Yes we do. Michael, my husband, grew up there.”

  “Yes, my dad’s family have lived there forever, we are true residents,” Ryan hissed. Marion glared at her son.

  “I’m sorry about that, Sarah, the little monster didn’t want to come shopping. I’m sorry he appeared rude.” Marion could feel her cheeks redden at her son’s attitude.

  “That’s okay, Marion, I hated shopping as a child too, that’s why we are going to Adventure Island this afternoon, isn’t it Isobel?” she smiled and Isobel nodded as she ate her burger.

  “Would you mind if we joined you? That’s if the boys are interested in going. They can get to know Isobel better for next week,” Marion asked.

  Both the boys eyes lit up and Ryan stopped pouting, sat up straight and began devouring his happy meal.

  “I think that would be lovely,” Sarah answered and sipped her hot coffee.

  •

  At the amusement park, Reece took Isobel under his wing, which angered Ryan immensely. Most of the rides he had to sit on alone as the other two always sat together.

  “Reece loves Isobel, Reece loves Isobel,” he started teasing and laughed out loud at his brother’s discomfort. Isobel turned and stared at Ryan, her face momentarily changing before his eyes. He screamed.

  “Reece get away from her! Did you see her face? Mum ... help!” he shouted and ran towards his mother.

  “Whatever’s the matter now, Ryan?” Marion chided.

  “Mum, she’s a witch!” he cried.

  Reece and I
sobel joined the two women.

  “He’s been teasing me and Isobel all afternoon, we didn’t do anything to him, mum,” Reece protested.

  “Ryan, I have had just about enough of you today, do you hear me? If you can’t behave then you will have to stay here with me until it’s time to go home!” she snapped.

  “But mum…” he began.

  “No buts, Ryan, I said enough is enough.”

  Ryan knew by the tone of his mother’s voice that it was useless trying to carry on, so he sat down next to her. Marion returned to her conversation with Sarah, Reece and Isobel turned to the rides close by. Ryan stared at her and Isobel smiled.

  'I hate her!' Ryan thought to himself. 'I’ll get even with her. Reece is my brother and no one is going to take him away from me, least of all a soppy girl. She’s not even one of us, an outsider! Well she’ll be begging to go back to where she came from by the time I’ve finished with her.' He smiled smugly to himself. 'Yes I’ll get even.'

  Bored with the conversation between his mother and Sarah, Ryan decided to go on the Helter Skelter. He loved slides, that feeling of whooshing through the air, unable to stop until gravity got the better of you. It was out of this world to him.

  When he grew up, he wanted to be a parachutist in the army. Ryan stood at the bottom of the massive slide and looked up. It seemed to reach the sky. He could feel the excitement rising in his stomach and savoured the feeling. He took the straw mat from the young man holding it out to him and slowly began climbing the stairs, looking up the whole time. Round and round he climbed, the excitement bubbling up inside him to bursting point, until he reached the top. Ryan stood there for what seemed like a lifetime, looking all around. He could see the boats out at sea, the long stretch of beach either side of him - he could see for miles.

  Looking down, he laughed. Everyone below was running around screaming and laughing. They looked so small to Ryan; they reminded him of ants busying themselves with their work. He looked towards 'The Whip' ride and could just make out Reece and Isobel by their hair. Reece’s was as red as his own and Isobel’s was as black as the night which meant that, together, they stood out against the milling crowds. A shadow passed over his brow and he frowned. God how he hated her. He shook his head to dispel the thought. 'She will not spoil this moment for me,' he thought and took a deep breath. Looking around once more, he smiled.

  “Okay this is it, here I come, ready or not!” he shouted.

  He placed the mat on the slide and jumped on to it. He pulled his elbows in close to his chest, he’d hit them on the side once too often before and wanted nothing was going to spoil this run.

  He could feel the wind rushing through his auburn hair, the smile fixed to his lips. Round and round he came down, gaining speed as he descended. He could see the bottom in sight and had already decided he would go again when he turned the last corner. The young man that had given Ryan his mat was standing there. Ryan couldn’t stop and ran straight into the young man's legs, sending him flying into the air. Ryan screamed. The young man came down heavily on top of him, pinning him to the mat. The roughness of the straw like material now embedded in his face, he could feel it scratching him, slicing into his flesh. His arm hurt too. The young man pulled himself to his feet; he looked around at the faces that had gathered in front of him.

  “What happened?” he asked a dazed look on his face.

  Ryan screamed, his left arm was bent in a horrible looking position, all twisted and deformed. The pain now seared through his veins, he could feel himself struggling to keep his eyes open. Voices seemed to be calling him, faces staring at him, and Isobel. He could see Isobel staring at him, smiling, and her eyes burning into him. He blacked out seconds later.

  •

  That evening, Sarah told David of Ryan’s accident at Adventure Island.

  “Marion phoned me a while ago. They’re back from Southend General now and Ryan has broken his arm in three places! Can you believe that? Poor little mite,” she said with concern on her voice, then continued, “Marion said that all the way to the hospital he was blaming Isobel, saying that it was her fault, but Isobel was with Reece on a different ride at the time.

  Why would he do that do you think?” She looked at David over her coffee cup.

  “He was probably jealous. The twins are normally inseparable don’t forget and he probably felt threatened and undermined by Isobel becoming friends with Reece. You know the saying, love; three’s a crowd and all that.” Isobel sat at her dressing table. She smiled at her reflection.

  “You’re so right, David,” she said. “Ryan did feel threatened by me and will continue to be, until the time is right.”

  Her reflection laughed and Isobel smiled.

  “You’re having fun, but don’t play too many games,” it said.

  “No, don’t worry, I wont,” she replied.

  Together they laughed and the music box played.

  Chapter Six.

  Sarah walked Isobel to her classroom, where Miss Cox had agreed to meet them. Other mothers were busy settling their children in as well. The first day of term after the long summer holidays was always hectic.

  Some young children clung to their mothers, sobbing, others shouted goodbye as they found their friends and ran off to catch up on who had done what, and been where over the summer. Marion came up behind Sarah, the shock of last week still evident on her face. Reece joined Isobel in the queue for the classroom and Ryan clung to his mother, begging her not to leave him at school today.

  “I know I have to leave him here but I don’t like him being out of my sight,” Marion whispered. Sarah smiled weakly.

  “I can understand your anxiety, Marion, but surely school's the best place for him, being with his friends and everything.”

  “Mum, please don’t leave me, let me come with you just for today. I promise I’ll come to school tomorrow,” Ryan sobbed.

  “Now, now, Ryan, what’s all this noise then? It’s unlike you not to want to come to school,” Miss Cox asked as she came out of the classroom.

  Smiling at the rest of the children waiting in line, she said, “Good morning, children. It’s lovely to see you all again. Now walk quietly to your seats.”

  The children started to file by her.

  “Hello, you must be Isobel.” She smiled and then, looking at Sarah, she said, “Wait here one moment while I sort this lot out, then I can introduce Isobel to the rest of her class mates.”

  Marion clutched at Miss Cox’s arm.

  “I’m sorry, Miss Cox, but with what happened last week to Ryan, I think I will take him home with me. Just for today you understand. Reece is happy to stay here but, as you can see, Ryan…” She trailed off looking embarrassed. Ryan sobbed loudly and hung on to Marion’s arm.

  “Yes, yes of course, try again tomorrow.” She smiled a comforting; 'I understand' kind of smile, sympathy oozed from her eyes and relief evident in her stature. It was common knowledge around the small school, unfortunately, that Ryan Thatcher was a troublemaker. He was always teasing the girls and bullying the smaller boys. His brother Reece, however, was the complete opposite; helpful, pleasant to have in your class, and too often the brunt of his sibling's bullying.

  Marion walked across the small courtyard that was the school’s playground. Ryan followed close behind. They passed the main building that housed the head teacher’s office and the school reception. The school hall was situated at the rear of the building, which served the purpose of the gymnasium, assembly hall, dining hall, and any other function that the four small classrooms were not big enough to house. The main gate was still open and Marion and Ryan closed it on their way out.

  “Shall we catch the bus home, love?” she asked her small son. “Or would you like to walk?”

  “If we walk, can I have an ice-cream?” he pleaded.

  Marion laughed. “Okay, let’s walk and get an ice-cream. I could do with getting some milk anyway,” she said and smiled.

  Together they walked
and talked and they had finished their ice creams by the time they arrived home. After settling Ryan in the lounge, watching a video,

  Marion busied herself with the housework. They had a lovely house with four bedrooms, plus it was detached too, close to the new estate that was being built on the borders of Canewdon. From her kitchen window you could see the cross roads that led to nowhere. As far as she was concerned, Canewdon was the best place on earth to live. Small enough for everyone to know everyone, but big enough for there to be space of your own. Marion was a very proud woman where her house was concerned. Okay, she thought it may not be the largest or grandest, but she was sure it was the poshest and cleanest for miles and miles. Every day she would clean from top to bottom, every nook and cranny, never missing anything. Then, and only then, she would relax with a coffee and a bite to eat, before busying herself again with cleaning things that didn’t need cleaning, until it was time to collect the boys fromschool.

  Today, she only had to collect Reece, which meant that Ryan would be making a mess. She would be running around after him all day, picking up and cleaning up whatever he'd decided to drop. She sighed heavily. She loved her boys, but after having them home every day for the past six weeks, she was looking forward to them both returning to school so she could get her house back exactly as she liked it, without cutting the corners she felt pressured to do over the summer break.

  •

  It was three in the afternoon when Marion set off to collect Reece from school. Ryan had wanted to stay at home and he'd whinged and whined the whole way, dragged his feet, and sloped off to look at a make believe creature on the floor, underneath the hedgerows. Marion could feel her temper rising, and grabbed his good arm roughly, making Ryan cry out.

  “If you make me late for Reece,” she hissed, “I will ground you for a week!”

  They carried on in silence. The children were just leaving their classrooms as Marion and Ryan arrived. Reece saw his mother at the gate and ran over to her, waving a picture of the mountains that he had drawn in art.