by Anna King
‘You all right, Arthur?’
Arthur jumped at the sound of Nora Parker’s voice. Plastering a smile on his face he replied heartily, ‘Yeah, I’m fine thanks, Nora. And thanks also for helping out in the shop, I really appreciate it. Here.’ Opening the till, he handed Nora half a sovereign for her work of the last few days.
Nora took the money. ‘Thanks, Arthur. It’s nice being back at work. I mean Ted doesn’t keep me short, but there’s nothing so rewarding as earning yer own money. D’yer want me back tomorrow? Only I’ll ’ave plenty of time ter spare now Micky’s moved in here. I know it’s only a temporary arrangement, but in the meantime I’m available ter help out if yer want me.’
‘That’ll be very helpful, Nora. I was thinking of hiring someone to run the shop now Agnes has scarpered and Ellen’s preoccupied with young Micky. So yes please, Nora. It’ll be a godsend with you in charge of the shop and the takings. It’s comforting to know there’s someone I can trust.’
As Nora reached the door she hesitated, wondering if she should say something to ease Arthur’s mind. But what? Everyone, including herself, had predicted that the marriage wouldn’t last. But never had she imagined it would be her son who would ultimately blow Arthur’s world apart. There were a hundred things she wanted to say, but the words stuck in her throat. Instead she patted Arthur’s arm affectionately saying, ‘’Bye, Arthur, I’ll see yer in the morning.’
‘’Bye, Nora, and thanks again.’
After he had locked up Arthur spent another 15 minutes doing mundane jobs in the shop, leaving it until the last minute before he would have to go upstairs and face Ellen. With nothing left to do he made his way up the stairs, his feet dragging as he mounted the steps, wondering with dread what kind of reception he would receive.
‘You’re late. I’ve had to put your dinner back in the oven to keep warm. Sit down and I’ll get it for you.’
As Arthur waited for his meal he reflected sorrowfully that Ellen hadn’t even asked why he was late; as he feared, she was no longer interested in his life.
Tucking into his dinner he looked to where Ellen was sitting by the fireplace embroidering a linen handkerchief, something she had never been interested in before. In fact she had taken up numerous new hobbies, and Arthur knew they were merely a diversion so she wouldn’t have to talk to him any more than was absolutely necessary. But Arthur wasn’t going to give up on his marriage without a fight, however feeble his attempts were.
As he spooned a forkful of shepherd’s pie into his mouth he asked casually, ‘Where’s Micky? He hasn’t gone out wandering the streets again, has he?’
Without looking up Ellen replied, ‘No, he’s in bed. He was nearly hysterical after hearing the latest news so I sent for the doctor. He gave Micky something to make him sleep. Hopefully he’s stay asleep until morning. He’s absolutely exhausted in mind and body.’
‘Oh, well, that’s something, I suppose. Where is he by the way? I presume you’ve put him in the box room.’
This time Ellen looked up at her husband. With a coolness in her voice she said, ‘No, he’s sleeping in our… I mean my bed. I did think of putting him in the spare room, but if I had, there’d be nowhere for you to sleep. Unless you were hoping to share my bed again, and let me tell you, Arthur, that is never going to happen. Of course if you want your bed back, then I’ll move into the box room with Micky. It’ll be a tight squeeze, but I’ll be able to sleep nights without worrying you’ll take it into your mind to try it on again.’
Suddenly Arthur lost his appetite. Pushing his plate away he meet Ellen’s gaze and, with a voice filled with emotion he said, ‘Please, Ellen, won’t you ever forgive me for that night? I mean, be fair. In the two years we’ve been married I’ve never ever bothered you in that way. Besides, even if I was over rough, by law I had every right to make love to my wife…’
Ellen’s head jerked up as Arthur’s words hit her with the force of a physical blow. Her voice dripping with scorn she said, ‘Why don’t we call it by its proper name – rape! Because that’s what you did to me, Arthur. You raped me, violated my body like a dog rutting a bitch in heat, and with the same selfish indifference to my feelings.’
Seeing the look of disgust on her face, Arthur felt the blood rush to his cheeks. But this time, instead of trying to appease Ellen, he felt a surge of anger wash over him, and before the voice of reason could stop him he turned viciously on his wife.
‘I don’t suppose you’d have objected if it’d been Ted Parker, would you? Oh, no. Not on your life you wouldn’t. D’you really think I don’t know what’s going on between you two? How far has it gone? Was I really the first one to bed you…’
Before he could say anything more, Ellen was standing in front of him, her face filled with fury, her arm raised. Caught unaware Arthur never got the chance to dodge the powerful blow Ellen landed on his face. Reeling back in shock Arthur could only stare in amazement at the woman gazing at him with hate-filled eyes. There was no resemblance to the Ellen he had known since birth, and her next words confirmed his worst fears.
‘Get out of my sight, Arthur. I don’t know you anymore, and I don’t even want to try. We’re finished. The only reason I’ve stayed these past two weeks was because I wanted to be sure there weren’t any repercussions from that night. And this morning I found out there weren’t, so there’s nothing to keep me with you. Get out, Arthur, just go; I can’t stand even being in the same room as you.’
And Arthur, his brief, angry outburst squashed the moment Ellen had retaliated, turned, and almost ran from the room.
Chapter Twenty-one
As Arthur stormed out into the street he collided with Ted who was obviously heading for the place he had just left. As their bodies touched, Arthur felt Ted’s hard, muscle-toned physique against his own flabby frame, and this only served to remind him once again of his inadequacies. For a moment Arthur felt a surge of rage against this man, against all the people who looked on him with derision or pity, but most of all he raged against God. All his life Arthur had strived to be a good man, a decent human being, wanting only to be liked and respected, but no matter how hard he had tried, somehow he’d always failed. And now he couldn’t lie to himself any longer. There would always be two types of men in the world. Men like him, and men like Ted Parker. And the Ted Parkers of this world always got what they wanted, leaving their crumbs to men like him. The worst part of the scenario was that men like Arthur would always be grateful for their leavings.
‘You all right, Arthur, mate?’ Ted was staring at him, a puzzled look on his face.
Composing himself Arthur fought to control himself. He’d lost Ellen, that much was plain, but that didn’t mean he was going to stand meekly by and let Ted Parker take his wife without some sort of fight. Even if he lost everything, he could still retain his dignity. Pulling himself up to his fullest height, Arthur replied tersely, ‘Of course I’m all right. Why shouldn’t I be?’
Ted shrugged his shoulders. There was clearly something troubling Arthur, and it was probably due to him. Still, he wasn’t going to be a hypocrite and pretend to be a concerned friend at this late stage. ‘All right, I was only asking.’ Jerking his head towards the closed bakery he asked briskly, ‘Is it all right if I go up ter see Micky?’
Arthur stared at him coldly. ‘Why ask me? You’ll do what you want regardless of what I say. I mean, it’s only my home, though you’d never know it the way you come and go as you please.’ Bobbing his head he added, ‘Well! What are you waiting for? It’s not as if you don’t know the way, is it?’
Ted’s eyebrows arched in surprise at the baker’s manner then said dryly, ‘Yeah! I know me way right enough. Cheers, Arthur.’ He turned on his heel then stopped. ‘Will I see yer later?’
Arthur uttered a mirthless snort of laughter. ‘Oh, I’ll be back, Ted. I don’t know what time, it all depends on how long I stay in the pub. If I’m enjoying myself I might stay until closing time. On the other hand if I get bore
d I could be back home within the hour. But I don’t suppose it’ll bother you either way, unless of course you’d like to spend some time alone with Micky.’
Now there was an unmistakable sneer in Arthur’s tone. But Ted, impatient to share his news with Ellen, simply turned his back on Arthur and began to walk round to the back door that led to the rooms above the bakery. Arthur watched his rival enter his home, his hands forming into balled fists at his side, furious that he had been dismissed so casually especially as he’d thought he had handled Ted with a dignified show of strength. Oh! How he would have loved to run after the tall, athletic figure and beat him to the ground, recognising with despair that he was incapable of such an act. His shoulders slumped, he walked towards the nearest pub.
* * *
‘Ted!’ Ellen cried with genuine pleasure.
Resisting the impulse to pull her into his arms and rain passionate kisses over her lovely face, Ted had to content himself with a gentle hug and a chaste kiss on her cheek.
‘Have you any more news, Ted?’ She hovered by his side, her face and manner showing her anxiety. They were in the living room now, and, ignoring Ellen’s query, Ted asked, ‘Where’s Micky?’ His eyes roamed around the room, expecting the youngster to suddenly appear.
‘The doctor gave him some sleeping powders. He said Micky shouldn’t wake up until morning, but he left me some more, just in case.’ Taking Ted’s hand Ellen led him to the settee and pulled him down beside her onto the soft cushions and laid her head against his shoulder. ‘You mustn’t blame yourself for what happened. There was no way you could have known that odious man had already found out Molly’s whereabouts.’
Ted gently touched her lips with his fingers. ‘Shush, love. There’s something I’ve gotta tell yer… Oh! By the way, I bumped into Arthur on me way in. He was in a funny mood. You two ’ad a row?’
Ellen kept her face averted. ‘No, of course not. I think all this business with Micky and his sister is getting him down. He doesn’t like any deviation from his routine.’
Ted snorted. ‘Huh! Well, he’s gonna ’ave ter get used to things changing, isn’t he?… All right, all right, don’t get yerself agitated,’ he said quickly as he felt Ellen begin to fidget awkwardly in the circle of his arm. ‘I ain’t gonna say anything till young Molly’s been found. After all…’ He planted a kiss on the top of her shiny hair. ‘We’ve got all the time in the world, ain’t we?’
Relaxing again Ellen murmured, ‘You said you had something to tell me.’
Ted clapped his hand to his forehand. ‘Gawd! I nearly forgot why I came round, except for the obvious.’ He grinned affectionately, the smile wavering as he remembered the reason for his visit. ‘The thing is, love, the coppers ’ave found the cabbie who picked up Stokes and Molly; that’s to say, he picked up a man and girl fitting the descriptions. The time factor fits an’ all.’ Ellen was now sitting upright, her eyes bright with renewed hope, leaving Ted to wonder if he had done the right thing in telling Ellen before Molly had been found, but it was too late. ‘Now look, love, don’t go getting yer ’opes up just yet.’
‘But like you’ve just said, it looks promising. How did you find out?’
‘Johnny Smith was at my place when two of his mates called with the news. Apparently their inspector had already left for the address the cabbie gave them about half an hour before Johnny found out. Anyway, I wanted ter go with ’em but he wasn’t ’aving any of that. ‘’Course I wasn’t best pleased, so I went ter the cab rank meself and asked around, but the bloke I was after wasn’t there. His mates weren’t sure if he was still down at the station or off on another fare. So I thought I’d pop round ter keep yer up ter date, then go back an’ see if he’s back yet. If he ain’t, I’ll find out where he lives and go round. I hope I won’t ’ave ter wait that long though. With a bit of luck the coppers ’ave already found the pair of ’em, and are on their way back home right this minute.’
Neither of them heard the bedroom door open until a weak voice whispered, ‘I wanna come with yer.’
Startled, Ellen and Ted jumped apart.
‘Micky, what on earth are you doing out of bed?’ Ellen exclaimed in alarm.
Then Ted was hurrying towards the pale young boy, just catching him as his legs gave way beneath him.
‘The only place you’re going is back ter bed, mate,’ he said firmly as he swept the frail figure up into his arms.
‘No, I ain’t. I’m coming with yer, an’ yer can’t stop me,’ Micky protested in a pitifully weak voice.
‘Don’t be daft, yer silly bugger, yer can hardly stand let alone walk, and I ain’t got time ter carry yer.’ Looking at the tears beginning to form in the boy’s eyes Ted’s voice softened. Taking him into the bedroom he lowered him gently onto the bed then sat down on the side. ‘Look, mate, I know yer’ve ’eard it all before, but this time there’s a real chance of finding Molly. But I ain’t gonna lie ter yer. You ain’t stupid, so I ain’t gonna treat yer like a kid. Like I said, there’s a good chance the police are already on their way back with your sister, but then again this Stokes is a wily bastard. He’s been getting away with the same sort of thing fer years. We’ve just gotta pray that this time he’s finally run outta luck. And I know yer want ter be there when he’s found, but you must know yer just ain’t up ter it. Even if I was ter help yer, you’d only slow me down.’
Ellen stood by the door, her hand held against her throat. ‘Ted’s right, Micky. You’re much too weak to go with him. But as soon as he knows anything, he’ll come straight here, won’t you, Ted?’ Her eyes fixed on the solemn-faced man.
Ted held her gaze for a moment before turning his attention back to the agitated form laid out on the bed. ‘’Course I will.’ Taking hold of Micky’s hand he said, ‘I’m gonna ask yer a question, Micky, an’ I want a straight answer, all right?’
Micky’s head nodded listlessly.
‘Right then. Do you trust me?’
‘’Course I do.’ The answer came back without hesitation.
‘Good! Then yer know I’ll do everything in my power to find Molly an’ bring her back to you.’
Micky’s eyes blinked rapidly as he fought to stay awake. ‘I know yer will, Ted. But… but I’m so frightened, Ted. Even if yer do find her, what if that man’s already…’ He gulped loudly, unable to utter the words that had filled his mind since Molly had vanished.
Ted bowed his head and gripped the small hand tighter. ‘I know, mate, I know. But we’ve gotta look on the bright side. At least up till this morning Molly was safe, an’ that bloke will be too busy hiding from the law ter think of anything else, and as I said ter Ellen, they’ve got a good chance of catching ’im.’ Turning his head he said to Ellen, ‘Make him a cup of cocoa, will yer, love, it’ll help settle him.’
Grateful for something to do, Ellen hurried off. She was pouring hot milk into a mug when Ted entered the kitchen.
‘Put another one of those powders the doctor gave him into his drink.’
Ellen, her gaze anxious, said, ‘I can’t, Ted. The doctor said he was only to have one dose every four hours, and it’s only been a couple of hours since he—’
Ted interrupted impatiently, ‘Yeah, I know. He also said the medicine would probably knock him out till the morning, an’ he was wrong about that. Anyway, it can’t do him any harm, can it?’ Seeing the doubt in Ellen’s eyes he pressed home his point. ‘Look, the poor little sod’s doing his best ter stay awake, frightened ter close his eyes ’cos he feels guilty being tucked up safe while his sister’s out there somewhere with a madman. I’m only thinking of Micky, and what’s best fer him. So you tell me, d’yer think it’s better fer him ter toss an’ turn all night, his mind filled with pictures too horrific ter imagine, or give ’im another sleeping powder ter knock ’im out, an’ give his mind a bit of peace, at least till tomorrow?’
Against her better judgement Ellen had to admit Ted’s logic made sense. Reaching into a drawer she took out another of the sleeping d
raughts the doctor had left and poured it into the hot cocoa. Giving it one final stir she held it out to Ted saying, ‘You give it to him, Ted. I can’t face him just now. I know I’m being a coward, but I’m afraid if I go into that room I’ll break down, and that’s the last thing he needs right now.’
‘Don’t be too hard on yerself, darlin’. If it wasn’t fer you, he’d be in a worse state than he is right now.’ Putting his hand out he touched her face lovingly. ‘I’ll take this into him, then be on me way.’
But it was another 15 minutes before Ted left them. In spite of his hurry to be out doing something, Ted hadn’t the heart to leave the boy until he was sure the medicine had taken effect and Micky was fast asleep.
For Ellen there was no such escape. The only thing she could so was sit by Micky’s bedside and pray. She never imagined she would be able to sleep at such a time, but if she didn’t know how fatigued she was, her mind and body did. Within an hour of Ted’s departure, she too was afforded the luxury of sleep.
Chapter Twenty-two
‘What an almighty cock-up. When I get my hands on that lying cabbie, he’ll wish he’d never been born. Sending me on a wild goose chase, a man of my standing. He’s made a laughing stock of me, that’s what he’s done.’
Inspector William Lewis, his hands clasped behind his back, paced up and down in front of the house he’d been sent to, his fleshy face almost purple with rage. A dozen officers stood awkwardly a few feet away, their heads lowered for fear their inspector would see the glee in their eyes at witnessing the posturing man brought low. But what was really the icing on the cake was the waiting journalists, summoned by Inspector Lewis himself to capture his triumph when he arrested the known child molester and kidnapper. He’d also requested a photographer to be present at his moment of glory, but his plans of becoming a hero had gone badly wrong. For the house he had ordered his men to break into by kicking in the front door, so as not to give Kenneth Stokes any chance of escaping, had been the worst decision he’d ever made in his 20 years in the police force. For the said house was owned by the local magistrate, and that distinguished man, outraged by the onslaught on his home, not to mention the intrusion on his privacy, was in no mood to listen to reason. Instead he had threatened to make a formal complaint to Inspector Lewis’ superiors.
