A Rose and a Promise, page 22
‘Do you think it’s being posted at opposite ends of the country?’
Glad that Cadi couldn’t see the colour of his cheeks, he continued without answering her question. ‘We’ve not had a cross word since the day we met, so I had no idea she felt the way she did until the last time we spoke.’
‘Perhaps she’s going through a hard time at work?’ Cadi suggested. ‘Do you think it would help if I had a word?’
‘No!’ Realising he had been a little sharp, Aled added, ‘I’d rather just leave things lie.’
‘Sorry, I shouldn’t have suggested it,’ said Cadi. ‘I just hate to see her make such a big mistake.’ She paused. ‘Are you still coming to Lincoln?’
‘I had intended to,’ said Aled, ‘if that’s all right with you, of course?’
‘You can come and drown your sorrows with me and the girls,’ said Cadi. ‘We can cry on each other’s shoulders.’
‘I couldn’t think of a nicer shoulder to cry on.’
‘Maybe you’ll meet the next Mrs Davies whilst you’re down here.’
Aled shook his head. ‘I think I’d rather stay single, thanks all the same.’
Cadi thought it a real shame that someone as nice as Aled seemed to have such bad luck with women. Especially with Marnie, who had struck Cadi as a perfect match for her old friend. She sighed inwardly. Sometimes people didn’t realise what they had until it was too late.
Having gone through the details surrounding Kieran’s disappearance with the RAFP for what felt like the millionth time, Daphne returned to her billet, exhausted from repeating the same answers: No, she didn’t know he’d been in the IRA, no, he hadn’t told her where he was going, no, she didn’t know he had a brother until recently, and no, she hadn’t warned him that the net was closing in on him. She had told them everything she knew about Kieran, including his threatening behaviour towards Kitty, and Cadi’s having warned her that he was bad news.
Laying on her bed, she wondered if the RAFP had quizzed Kitty and Cadi in the same manner as herself. Probably not, because they weren’t daft enough to get engaged to a gangster, Daphne thought bitterly. Leaning up on one elbow, she looked to the door of her billet. There was no way Kitty could know that Kieran was involved with the IRA, because she would’ve said something when she’d been ratting him out to Daphne, but Raquel on the other hand …
She hurried to the NAAFI and headed straight for the telephone. Hearing Kitty’s voice come down the line at last, Daphne got straight to the point. ‘Who’s Raquel?’
Kitty had been expecting questions, but not about Raquel. ‘I’ve just had Cadi on the phone, so I’m assuming this has summat to do with Paddy Finnegan’s arrest for his involvement with the IRA?’
Paddy’s arrest was certainly news to Daphne, although she supposed with hindsight it was only natural that the police would tar Paddy with the same brush as his brother. Taking a deep breath, she explained that the RAF had put out a warrant for Kieran’s arrest as soon as he went AWOL. In doing so, his name had come up as a man wanted in connection with the IRA. ‘All hell broke loose,’ sniffed Daphne. ‘They didn’t believe me when I told them that he’d jilted me at the altar, saying instead that I’d warned him to leave before they arrested him. Which is ridiculous, because he was only brought to their attention by going AWOL in the first place. They tried accusing me of being involved with the IRA myself, which is ludicrous.’ Her bottom lip trembled. ‘I can’t prove I knew nothing about it, so there’s nothing to stop them from giving me the third degree. I was hoping that Raquel might know summat which would get them off my back, because you did say she’d threatened to tell all.’
Kitty blew her cheeks out. ‘Sorry, Daphne, but Raquel’s as clueless as the rest of us. She only meant that she’d tell everyone about the brothel and the other activities carried out within its walls; she knew nothing about them being involved with the IRA.’
Daphne rested her forehead on her hand. ‘I don’t know what else I can do or say to get them to leave me alone. I thought being left at the altar was bad enough, but this is a hundred times worse.’
‘If you think this is bad, imagine what it would have been like had you married him.’
Daphne gave a small exclamation. ‘It doesn’t bear thinking of.’
Kitty thought for a moment before saying slowly, ‘If the RAFP want information on the Finnegans, they’d be better off approaching those they used to do business with in Portsmouth.’
‘Only we’ve not got any names to give them—’ Daphne began, before being interrupted by Kitty. Even down a telephone line, Daphne could tell that she was grinning.
‘We don’t, but I know a woman who does. Leave it with me!’
Chapter Eight
Christmas Eve 1944
Standing in the reception at the White Hart, Aled was waiting for the receptionist to finish seeing to another customer before booking him in. Having questioned himself at least a hundred times as to whether he was doing the right thing, he found his attention being drawn to the door of the hotel. He knew his intentions were honourable, and that he had no other agenda than to see Cadi through a difficult time, but Marnie’s words lingered in his thoughts. Was he looking at her with anything other than affection for an old friend who’d gone through a hellish time? And would other people think the same as Marnie? He couldn’t bear the thought of Cadi’s friends telling her to be careful whilst he was around, because nothing could be further from his mind. Coming to a decision, he picked up his bag and headed towards the door, just as Cadi and the girls came through.
Stopping dead in his tracks, he smiled awkwardly as Cadi wrinkled her brow. ‘Going somewhere?’
Glancing at his kitbag, Aled looked round at the faces eyeing him so expectantly.
‘Don’t let the thought of spending Christmas with a gaggle of women drive you out,’ said Poppy. ‘Mike and Geoffrey will be here soon.’
Aled rubbed his hand over the nape of his neck. ‘It’s not that …’ he began, but Cadi cut him short. Stepping forward, she lowered her voice so that only Aled could hear.
‘Is this to do with your break-up with Marnie?’
Aled gave her a rueful look. ‘I’m worried that people might think I have ulterior motives.’
Cadi eyed him sternly. ‘Well, if they do, they can jolly well come and see me, because I know you’d never …’
He held up a hand to silence her. ‘I wasn’t entirely truthful with you over the phone. Marnie broke things off because she thinks I’m in love with you.’
Cadi gaped at him. ‘Since when?’
Aled glanced at the girls, who were deep in conversation, before looking back at Cadi. ‘Can we talk somewhere a bit more private? I don’t like airing my dirty laundry in public.’
Nodding, Cadi turned to her friends. ‘Why don’t you go ahead and get us a table, and I’ll wait with Aled.’
When the others were out of earshot, Aled ran his tongue across his bottom lip. ‘I wasn’t going to say anything, but her words have been playing on my mind, and I couldn’t help but worry that she might not be the only one who had the wrong impression.’
‘But I’ve only ever met her once,’ said Cadi. ‘How on earth did she get hold of the wrong end of the stick?’
‘Because she’d never seen you before, she hadn’t realised that you both have blonde hair,’ said Aled. ‘We’d only just left the wake when she started raking up the past; talking about the day Jez turned up to the Christmas carol concert in Rhos.’
Cadi nodded slowly. ‘He mistook Marnie for me, so when you leaned in for a kiss …’
‘Precisely!’ said Aled. ‘She wanted to know why Jez would think I’d try to kiss you.’ He waved a dismissive hand. ‘She asked a few more questions, but I thought I’d laid the matter to rest when I assured her it was Jez’s insecurities getting the better of him.’
‘So why on earth did she agree to come to Lincoln?’
‘Because she knows that unlike her ex I’d never cheat on her, but in the end that made no difference, because she’s convinced that I’m in love with you.’ He hung his head in embarrassment. ‘I told her I used to carry a torch for you, but those days are long gone, and that she was the only woman for me, but she wouldn’t listen. In her mind, she’s second best.’ He rolled his eyes. ‘She even said she felt sorry for me, because I was in love with a woman I could never have. I tried to tell her that she’d got it all wrong, but there was no talking to her.’
Cadi held a hand to her forehead. ‘Aled, I’m so sorry.’
He looked perplexed. ‘What’ve you got to be sorry about?’
‘That Marnie saw our love in a romantic sense, and not for what it is.’
He breathed a sigh of relief. ‘Thank you. That’s precisely what I was trying to tell her. You’re one of my oldest, closest friends, and we’ve been through a lot together. I’d have the compassion of a lump of coal if I didn’t love you, the same as you love me.’
‘Are you sure I can’t say anything to convince her she’s got it wrong?’
He shook his head. ‘She’ll probably say that you’re as blind as me. You see, when I tried to tell her how I felt, she said she knew I truly believed what I was saying, but she could see beyond that.’
Cadi slipped her arm through his. ‘We’re going to have to develop some pretty thick skins if we’re to ignore the gossips.’
He shot her a sidelong glance. ‘Has anyone said anything to you?’
Her brow shot upwards. ‘No. Because they know I’d give them a thick ear if they even tried to question your motives.’ She tutted softly. ‘Not that I’d do that to Marnie, because I know what it’s like for someone to feel insecure. Poor old Jez felt that way for ever such a long time, as did Daphne. People act in the most peculiar ways when they feel their affections are being threatened. Marnie’s just doing what Jez would’ve done.’
‘Only unlike Marnie, Jez fought for you,’ said Aled sullenly. ‘I guess that’s why I’m not bothered about trying to heal things over, because when all’s said and done, if she doesn’t believe I’m worth standing by, then did we ever really have a relationship?’
Cadi grimaced. ‘I’m afraid I can’t answer that one.’ She fell silent as the receptionist caught their attention.
Following Aled over to get his key, Cadi came to a conclusion. ‘If there’s one thing Jez taught me, it’s not to have secrets. The girls will know summat’s up, so if you don’t mind I’ll fill them in whilst you put your things in your room.’
He nodded. ‘Thanks, Cadi.’
Seeing the girls seated at a table in the restaurant, Cadi went over to join them. ‘I’m going to put this as briefly as I can,’ she said, taking a seat between Izzy and Poppy. ‘Marnie broke up with Aled because she thinks he’s in love with yours truly, and her words have been playing on his mind. That’s why he was about to leave when we walked in.’
Poppy tutted. ‘Maybe he was once, but that was ages ago.’
‘She’s mistaken his love for me with him being in love with me,’ said Cadi. ‘Poor old Aled’s done everything he can to convince her that she’s wrong, but she dumped him anyway.’
‘Well I think she’s being silly,’ said Kitty. ‘You have to grab love with both hands, because you never know …’ She fell silent as her words caught up with her, and turned rounding eyes to Cadi. ‘… I’m so sorry, Cadi, I never thought …’
Cadi smiled sadly. ‘Sorry for what, telling the truth?’
Seeing Aled walk into the restaurant, she beckoned him over whilst saying quickly, ‘He knows I’ve told you, because I don’t like keeping secrets.’
Ronnie and Kitty moved up so that Aled might fit a chair in between them. ‘Should my ears be burning?’
Poppy cast him a sympathetic smile. ‘Sorry to hear about Marnie. I know her ex put her off men for a long time, so she’s probably suspicious of every woman she sees.’
Aled pulled a downward smile. ‘You’d think so, but she’s been fine up until Cadi. She’s so convinced, she even said that she felt sorry for me because I was blind to my own feelings.’ He gave a short laugh. ‘Pretty insulting when you think about it.’
Poppy nodded slowly. Had Marnie got hold of the wrong end of the stick, or was she bang on the money? It seemed strange that Marnie hadn’t been jealous of any other woman than Cadi, and Poppy doubted that she would have thrown her relationship away without good cause.
Her thoughts were interrupted as Kitty picked up a menu from the table. ‘So, who wants to hear the latest on Daphne?’ she asked, a broad grin crossing her cheeks.
Izzy smiled knowingly. ‘I already know, because I’ve spoken to me mam, but I didn’t want to take the wind out of your sails so I promised to keep shtum.’
Kitty went on to tell the girls how she’d spoken to Dolly before talking to the officer in charge of her unit. ‘Once Dolly gave me the go-ahead, I spoke to Officer Pilkington, who set the ball in motion. The police have been to see Dolly and she’s given them the details of every man who ever had dealings with the Finnegans. She was delighted to put the fox amongst the chickens, because she could finally get even with the two men who corrupted innocent girls for their own profit.’
‘Does anyone know what’s happened to Kieran?’ asked Ronnie, from the edge of her seat.
‘Not so much as a whisper,’ said Kitty. ‘From what I managed to glean, they think he’s gone back to Ireland.’
Aled spoke thoughtfully. ‘And what about Paddy?’
‘He’s protesting his innocence, saying that the IRA are after them for no reason, and that’s why they fled Ireland and started calling themselves Finnegan.’
Aled and Cadi exchanged knowing looks. ‘That’s exactly what we thought,’ said Cadi, adding, ‘apart from the bit about having nothing to do with them. The IRA don’t chase you for no reason. We reckon the Finnegans were up to their necks with the IRA.’
‘If it’s true, and Kieran has gone back to Ireland, I don’t fancy his chances much,’ Aled put in.
‘Dead as a dodo as soon as his foot touches Irish soil,’ Ronnie agreed. ‘I know he’s thick, but that’s plain suicidal.’
‘If he thought he was dead anyway, then maybe he took his chances,’ said Izzy. ‘Ireland’s a big country, and he probably guessed Paddy wouldn’t return, so at least he’d be safe from him.’
‘One man opposed to a huge organisation?’ said Cadi. ‘Where’s the sense in that?’
Kitty pulled a face. ‘We are talking about Kieran, don’t forget.’
‘Serves him right for getting mixed up with them in the first place,’ said Ronnie. ‘Especially after the way he treated those girls at Hillcrest, and poor Kitty.’
Cadi nodded. ‘You reap what you sow, and in Kieran’s case the harvest is long overdue.’
When Kieran left RAF Chivenor, he had no idea of the trouble he had caused. Knowing he was unpopular, he didn’t think anyone would be bothered that he’d gone; in fact he rather thought they’d welcome the news. Oblivious of the fact that the authorities had been alerted to his connections with the IRA, he thought of himself as being of no interest, not only to the RAF but to the civilian police as well.
It was only when he reached Holyhead that he learned the extent of the trouble he was in. Hearing one of the officers stationed in the port remarking that they had been alerted by the RAFP to a man who had gone AWOL and was believed to have connections with the IRA, Kieran had hastily left the harbour to search for a different crossing.
Taking refuge in one of the dockside pubs, he made enquiries and was pointed in the direction of a man who was known for transporting illicit goods. After a brief chat, they agreed a price and the man made a quick phone call before taking Kieran to his vessel.
Relieved that he had found a way of crossing the Irish Sea without drawing the attention of the authorities, Kieran boarded the ancient-looking fishing boat, and they were soon under way. Following the man’s instructions, Kieran hid down in the bow, where he slept until they reached a sandy beach just south of Drogheda the following day. The smuggler woke Kieran and informed him that they would have to reach the shore by rowing boat, which he had already launched. Kieran stepped unsteadily into the boat, taking care not to drop the false papers he had acquired when he first left Ireland. They were nearly on the beach when the man told Kieran to disembark.
Stepping into a foot of water, he made his way up the beach, clutching the papers proclaiming him to be Micky Finnegan to his chest. As he neared the sand dunes, he turned to see that the boatman was waving to someone out of his range of vision. As his gaze met Kieran’s he quickly began to row away from the shore.
Realising that something was amiss, Kieran hastened into the dunes. Treading his way through the thick sand, he had barely got amongst the beachgrass when a heavy hand landed on his shoulder.
‘Well, if it isn’t Kieran O’Connell. Or should that be Micky Finnegan?’
Kieran turned round frightened eyes towards the stranger, who was smiling at him in a most unpleasant manner. ‘Y-you’ve got the wrong man,’ he stammered. ‘I’m …’
The man laughed scornfully. ‘Are you not? So what’s the name on them papers?’
Kieran’s Adam’s apple bobbed nervously in his throat. ‘It wasn’t me! It was me brother, Paddy, it was him that made me do it.’
The man gave him a wry smile. ‘You’ve the loyalties of a hooded snake, Kieran.’ He took his hand off Kieran’s shoulder. ‘It’s time we were making a move. Mr White’s a man of little patience.’
Nodding, Kieran took a couple of steps alongside the man before bolting in the opposite direction. He had no idea where he was running to, but he didn’t care as long as he got away. Harry White was not the sort of man to be crossed, and there was no doubt in Kieran’s mind that White would hold him accountable for his actions, no matter how long ago.
To Kieran’s surprise, the man didn’t follow, but stood in the dunes laughing. It was only when he heard the shot ring out that Kieran realised why the man hadn’t bothered to give chase. Kieran may have been fast on his feet, but even he couldn’t outrun a bullet. He fell heavily, and as the sand entered his mouth he felt the darkness descend.
