Living in the Shadows Page 24

  Chapter 60: Richard Schormann

  Ashford, morning: Monday, October 13th

  ‘How did it go?’ Richard pushed the hood of his parka off and sat up in the passenger seat of the Mini where he’d been waiting for the last two hours, outside the Worths’ house. He was frozen. At first he’d tried to read the medical textbook he’d brought with him, but the words wouldn’t go in. His mind kept going back to what his mother had told him last week and the realisation of how dangerous Karen’s stepfather might be.

  Fear had made him anxious; he hadn’t thought it would take Karen so long to talk to her mother. He’d constantly turned to try to look through the misted-up back window, uneasily watching in case her stepfather’s Jaguar appeared off the main road.

  He’d tried hard over the last week to shut out the images his mother had conjured up when she’d told him everything that had happened, even though he could tell she’d spared him much of how she’d felt at that time. He’d searched his memories for some inkling, some clue, that could have told him that something so horrendous had happened to her, to his family. There was nothing: nothing that hinted that they were anything but an ordinary family. Even on the rare occasions his father had spoken of the war, of being prisoner, it had seemed utterly remote: a time so long before he was born that it hardly registered. Everyone seemed so normal.

  But now that had all changed; he saw his family in a different light – a group of people who shared secrets. And his nights consisted of broken sleep and nightmares: of him and Karen being chased down dark lanes, of drowning in black still water, of seeing his mother’s face silently screaming. And last night, a faceless man, lashing out with knives and blood, so much blood splattered on walls. William lying on the floor. At least he knew why he’d dreamt that; both his uncle and aunt were upset about what happened to his cousin.

  He shook his head to get rid of the thoughts and turned to look straight at Karen as she threw a bag onto the back seat and slid in behind the steering wheel. She’d been crying.

  ‘Sorry I was such a long time.’ She gave him a wan smile.

  ‘S’all right.’ Richard hoped she couldn’t see his nervousness. All he wanted to do was get as far away from her mother’s house as quickly as he could. ‘Just as long as you’re okay, isn’t it.’ He glanced at his watch. ‘It’s nearly twelve, I was getting worried he might come back for his lunch.’

  ‘No, Mum said he’s out for the day. That’s why I was in there so long. And I packed the rest of my stuff.’ She tipped her head towards the bags. ‘I told her I wouldn’t be back until she kicked him out.’

  Richard had done a lot of thinking since Saturday; he knew that by telling Karen's mother about Shuttleworth’s past they’d open up a hornet’s nest, as his mother would say. If Karen’s mother was ever brave enough to face the truth, to tell her husband to leave, would he go…? Richard doubted it. George Shuttleworth wouldn’t leave the life he’d got used to. When he’d married he’d gained a lot, from what Karen had said: a good business, money, a large house, different from the one he’d grown up in. And then there was the baby; surely he’d put up a fight for his son. And if he threatened to take Frank, Karen’s mother would certainly back down. No, George Shuttleworth wouldn’t leave the life he’d grown used to.

  And then he’d be out for revenge. What would happen then? Shuttleworth would know it was because of Richard and his family. Who would he go for first? There was no doubt in Richard’s mind. Because of Karen, it would be him.

  ‘Do you think she will? Kick him out, I mean?’

  ‘Who knows?’ Karen was near to tears again but still smiled at him as he took hold of her fingers. ‘She hasn’t said anything to him yet. I think she’s scared stiff of him.’

  ‘Has he ever done anything … like hit her?’

  ‘Not that I know.’ Karen deliberated a moment. ‘No, she would have told me, I’m sure. No, he’s just nasty, controlling.’ She sighed. ‘Like I said, he’s a pig.’

  ‘You told her everything?’

  The more he thought about it the more he was convinced they’d done the wrong thing.

  ‘Everything you’ve told me, yeah.’

  He’d believed he was right when he’d asked Linda to go with them to warn Karen’s mother. He’d really thought that if Shuttleworth was made to leave he’d be out of their lives for good. What an idiot he’d been.

  Karen was talking again. ‘But this is so far outside of her world, Richard. Dad always looked after her. She’s always been such a home-bird. She’s not come across anything like this before.’

  ‘He’s fooled her then.’

  What a mess. Even if Karen’s mum didn’t believe what she’d been told, it was possible she’d still tell Shuttleworth. Richard knew he’d have to tell his mum what they’d done. Warn her so she could tell the rest of the family that they needed to be watching out for trouble. Or should he tell Jackie? One way or another, this wasn’t something he should keep to himself.

  Karen let go of Richard’s hands, pulled on a pair of gloves, and turned the key to start the car. ‘Oh, George has kept his life outside the house as much a secret as his past. So I’m still not sure she totally believes he’s not really called Worth.’ The engine ticked over as she fastened her seat belt. ‘Let’s get away from here.’ She bit her lower lip as she checked the rear view mirror.

  She was clearly as worried about her stepfather coming home as he was. Richard stretched back and wiped as much of the rear window as he could, so they could see the main road. No car yet. He breathed a sigh of relief.

  ‘We knew nothing about him before he came to work for Dad,’ Karen scowled as she manoeuvred the car across the lane. ‘Mum told me once he used to say he thought George was a rough diamond but a good worker.’

  ‘Hmm. Do you want me to get out to check the wall while you reverse?’

  ‘No, you’re okay.’ She spun the steering wheel and the car bumped backwards over the uneven ground. Her voice was strained. ‘He was a quick worker after Dad died, I know that. Anyway, it’s up to her, I suppose.’ She put the car into first gear and straightened it. Before they set off she looked at Richard. ‘I just wonder if she’s really too frightened of being on her own, especially since she had Fra— the baby.’

  Couldn’t she even say the baby’s name, now she knew about Shuttleworth’s brother? Richard thought. Poor kid, to be named after such a sicko.

  ‘Is there no one in your family that can help her?’ he said.

  ‘No, neither Mum nor Dad had any brothers or sisters. I think there’s a cousin of Dad’s somewhere but we haven’t seen him since George came on the scene.’

  The main road was busy. Richard watched through his window. ‘You’re right this way,’ he said, when there was a clear space in the traffic. He turned back to her. ‘How does she feel about you leaving home?’

  ‘Thanks.’ Karen pulled out onto the road. ‘I’ve wanted to leave for a long time and she knows that. She’s not happy about it. But, like I told her, I can’t … won’t … stay there.’

  They turned onto the road towards Ashford.

  ‘You sure Jackie doesn’t mind me staying with them a bit longer?’ she said.

  ‘No, I’m sure she’s cool with it.’ Could Jackie help, with her being in the police? Would it be any different from when Mum had tried to get them to believe her about George Shuttleworth? Should he try to persuade Linda not to tell his mum what they’d done? Or should he own up?

  What a bloody mess. A week ago Richard had thought his life was perfect. Now who knew what was going to happen?

  Chapter 61: Mary Schormann & Ellen Booth

  Ashford: Tuesday 14th October

  ‘You could stay here, now our William’s gone.’ Ellen gave her nose a long blow and shoved her handkerchief in her cardigan pocket. She flopped onto the chair. ‘Where’s Peter?’

  ‘Out at the car, tidying it up.’ Keeping out of the way more like, Mary thought.

  Ellen had been peggi
ng Ted’s white overalls on to the line when they’d opened the gate of the yard. She’d dropped them into the wash-basket and burst into tears.

  Peter had retreated.

  Now Ellen adopted a pained expression. ‘I’ve hardly seen our Linda since she came back from your house. Ted works all hours. I get so lonely, Mary. And with all this business about Shuttleworth…’

  Mary looked round, worried that Peter might still be within hearing distance and was relieved to see that he’d gone.

  Ellen began pleating the hem of her black cardigan, nervously plucking at it. ‘You could stay here.’

  Mary had known what was coming and had words ready. ‘No thanks, love, we’re better to actually be in Manchester; gives us more time to get around the places Jackie’s listed for us.’ She put her hand over Ellen’s to stop the frantic movement of her sister’s fingers, recognising the old signals that meant she’d been drinking heavily again. ‘How is he? William? We couldn’t believe what had happened when Ted rang the B&B.’

  ‘He’ll be fine. We called round at his girlfriend’s house after Ted came back from the shop last night. That’s when he phoned you.’

  ‘Right. Well… Good. It could have been nasty. What’s she like, his girlfriend? What’s she called?’

  Ellen pushed her lower lip out. ‘Susan. Ordinary. Married. With a kid – a lad.’

  ‘Now, Ellen, you should be the last to judge her on that.’

  Ellen lowered her head so Mary couldn’t see her eyes. ‘I didn’t mean it that way. I just don’t see why William had to keep it all so secret.’

  Mary could: her sister was obsessed with her son, had been since the day he was born. And he knew it. And he knew how she’d react to Susan. Quite clearly, Ellen had had her nose pushed out of joint.

  ‘As long as he’s safe, and happy with her, that’s all that matters,’ Mary said. ‘What’s going to happen about the husband?’

  ‘He’ll get away with it, I suppose.’ Ellen hunched her shoulders. ‘Ted says they’re sure he’s off the scene for good. That he’ll just be so relieved he got away with it he won’t dare come back. Apparently, if he can’t have her he’s not interested in the boy.’

  ‘Nice, I must say. Still it’ll be easier for them.’ Mary looked up at Peter, who was hovering at the door. ‘Look, we only called in to make sure you’re still all right to have Richard stay here. I could ask Jean—’

  ‘Don’t you dare. I don’t want that woman lording it over me again. Stuck up cow.’

  Mary let that one go; Ellen and Jean had never got on and she wasn’t going to be drawn into old arguments. ‘Okay. Well, thanks for looking after him. Where is he, by the way?’

  ‘Out. He was out all day yesterday as well. With that girl. Sooner or later there’ll be trouble about that, Mary—’

  ‘It’ll be okay,’ Mary interrupted. ‘But yes, I know what you mean. He has some studying to do before next week. I’ll have a word when I ring him tonight.’ Worried that Ellen was going to start talking about George Shuttleworth in front of Peter, Mary stood up. ‘We’d better go.’

  ‘Sure you won’t stop here?’

  Mary saw Peter’s look of alarm. ‘No, thanks. Like I said, better we’re in the city; we have more places to check.’

  ‘No news on Victoria, then?’

  ‘No. Not yet.’

  ‘You could stop for a brew?’

  ‘No.’ Mary felt guilty that they were leaving her sister when she was so distressed. No doubt she’d hit the bottle as soon as they left but there was nothing she could do about that; they had to make the most of their time here. She nodded at Peter.

  He fetched his wallet from the inside pocket of his tweed jacket and took out two ten-pound notes.

  ‘There’s a tenner for Richard and ten pound for you, for his keep this week.’

  ‘You don’t need to do that. You’ve just had Linda staying with you,’ Ellen protested.

  ‘Richard eats like a horse,’ Mary said. ‘And Linda ate like a sparrow. I think this business with Martin’s upset her more than she’s saying.’

  ‘She finished with him, so she says.’ Ellen followed them to the door, keeping hold of Mary’s sleeve, as though trying to stop their leaving. ‘It was her choice.’

  Peter was already at the back gate. He was pushed backwards when it was abruptly opened.

  ‘Jean!’ Could it get any worse? Mary frowned at her old friend, hoping she wouldn’t start on about George Shuttleworth. She needn’t have worried.

  ‘Is William going to report Jack?’ Jean crossed her arms and glared at Ellen. ‘I’ve worried about it since Jack telephoned from the barracks last night and told us what had happened. It wasn’t his fault – you do know that, don’t you? It was that lunatic friend of his.’ She sniffed, her mouth like a tight red rosebud. ‘The husband of that girl your William’s got himself involved with—’

  ‘Jean—’ Ellen let go of Mary’s sleeve.

  ‘Yes or no will do. After all, we’ve done you enough favours in the past. Just yes or no.’

  ‘How have you done us any favours?’ Ellen looked at Jean challengingly. ‘When, exactly?’

  ‘Now, you two… Stop it.’ Mary said.

  Jean played her trump card. ‘I’m only thinking of Jacqueline. It could affect her career.’

  ‘The daughter you’ve stopped speaking to, you mean?’ Mary couldn’t stop the quick anger.

  ‘Yes well… I’m still concerned—’

  ‘For that bastard that your husband lumbered you with years ago?’ Ellen snapped.

  ‘Pot calling kettle!’ Jean raised her eyebrows in triumph. ‘Pot calling kettle!’

  Mary brushed past her. She wasn’t stopping to witness yet another vicious row between the two women. ‘Come on, Peter, let’s get out of here before I lose my temper. I’ll leave you two to sort yourselves out. Tell Richard I’ll telephone,’ she said to Ellen. ‘Jean.’ Mary nodded towards Jean who didn’t meet her gaze.

  Chapter 62: Linda Booth & Nelly Shuttleworth

  Ashford, evening: Wednesday, October 15th

  Linda heard the soft laughter, the quiet chatter coming from the back of the house when she opened the front door of Nelly’s house. She stopped, putting the carrier bag of groceries on the floor and listened. The last thing she needed right at this moment was having to make polite conversation. What a mess everything was. Her encounter with Martin earlier had left her with a sense of determination that she would cope with what was happening to her. A feeling that had almost disappeared by the time she was back in Ashford. But now she was here she had to go through with it. The last person to judge her would be Gran.

  She dropped Nelly’s door keys into her purse, picked up the carrier-bag and straightened her shoulders. Fixing a smile she walked through to the kitchen. Her gran was sitting in her chair with two of her neighbours, each on low stools by her side. They were so engrossed in their conversation they didn’t notice her standing in the doorway at first.

  When they did, the two Asian women rose with a flurry of their brightly-coloured saris and birdlike greetings as they edged their way towards the back door. Linda returned their bows of the head with one of her own, joining in with her gran’s calls of goodbye,

  She waited until they’d closed the door before bending down to Nelly and giving her a quick kiss. ‘Sorry, Gran, I didn’t realise you’d have company.’

  ‘S’okay, pet. Sakhi and Fazeela often call in for a chat an’ to see if I need owt from their shop.’ She smiled. ‘They’re good neighbours.’ She leaned back in her chair, studying Linda. ‘You’re a bit pale, lass.’

  Linda dumped the bags on the table and took off her coat. ‘I’ve brought sausages for tea. I thought I’d stop for a bit.’

  ‘That’s nice, pet.’ Nelly leaned forward and, picking up the tongs from the hearth, took a lump of coal from the scuttle and threw it on the fire. She wheezed with the effort and took a second or two to get her breath back before continuing. ‘But I know
summat’s up. So spit it owt.’

  Linda stared at the patterns that the new flames made on the tiles of the large hearth. ‘Now it comes to it, Gran, I don’t quite know where to start.’

  ‘The beginning?’ Nelly steepled her fingers over her stomach and settled back in her armchair. ‘Allus the best place, an’ you know you can tell me anything, pet.’

  ‘I think I’ll peel these potatoes and get them going for the mash before I sit down.’ Linda picked up the bag and moved towards the sink but Nelly caught hold of her arm.

  ‘Never mind that. Just sit down and tell me what’s wrong.’

  Linda flopped down on the armchair opposite her gran. The brittle shell she’d kept around her over the last nine weeks to hide the secret from all the family was cracking. ‘I’m pregnant,’ she said. The liberation of those words made her feel quite giddy. ‘And I’ve just come back from telling Martin. He doesn’t want to know.’

  It had been a short visit. Once Martin knew, he couldn’t wait to get her out of his parent’s house.

  Although it was only mid-afternoon the daylight was already fading fast; dark shadows filled the spaces between each of the hedged gardens, and the air felt heavy and still along the quiet avenue. The small semi-detached house where Martin lived with his parents was in darkness when she rang the doorbell.

  Linda tapped on the glass panel. A faint light lit up the hall and she heard the thump of feet on stairs. When Martin opened the door she thought he wasn’t going to let her in but then, without a word, he turned and led the way into the kitchen.

  ‘Your mum and dad not in?’ Linda asked. They were a quiet old-fashioned couple who’d taken her into their hearts almost as soon as she’d started going out with Martin, and it upset her to know she’d probably hurt them. She’d been hoping she could explain how she felt, at least to his mother.

  ‘No.’ Martin folded his arms and adopted a stiff stance. He clearly wasn’t going to make this easy for her. ‘Why?’

  ‘No reason.’ Linda’s legs were beginning to tremble. ‘Mind if I sit down?’