Love and Marriage at Harpers, page 21
Sally took up the story, her expression grim. ‘Your uncle returned home the next day. Helen’s neighbour let me know he was back and Rachel and I went to see him. He said he was worried about his wife and looked nervous… but I think he knew she was lying there at the bottom of the stairs… I think he pushed her down…’ Sally said baldly.
‘Sally, you mustn’t say such things,’ Rachel scolded and shook her head at her. ‘We have no proof that he was there when it happened. He says he was travelling for his business and—’
‘He was lying,’ Sally said. ‘You saw the bedroom curtain twitch on the night of Sally’s wedding. Someone was there – either he’d got Aunt Helen shut up there or she was already lying at the foot of the stairs. He must have left her there to die…’
‘Yes, I did think it twitched, but I thought perhaps Beth’s aunt didn’t want to answer the door to us, so we just went away…’ Rachel looked apologetic. ‘Now I feel terrible and wish we’d fetched the police then, but we couldn’t have known.’ She hesitated then, ‘We didn’t know whether to tell you before you came home or not…’
‘I wouldn’t let Rachel ring the hotel,’ Sally said. ‘Besides, we couldn’t know what had happened and even when I approached the police, they told me I was probably making a mistake, but I just had a feeling. I told the constable that if he wouldn’t break in I would and so he did. He was very good once he found her, summoning the doctor and getting her to hospital. She was being looked after and there was nothing you could do…’ Sally looked uncomfortable. ‘I’m sorry if I was wrong but I didn’t want to ruin your honeymoon…’
‘If you’d rung I’d have wanted to come home,’ Beth said. ‘That would have ruined Jack’s plans, so it’s best you didn’t…’ She sighed. ‘I’ve still got tomorrow off and I’ll visit her in hospital.’ Tears sprang to her eyes, but she wiped them away. ‘I think you may well be right, Sally, but we can’t prove he pushed her down the stairs. She would never provide evidence against him.’
‘Some men don’t realise their own strength,’ Rachel suggested. ‘It might have been an accident…’
‘I doubt it. He was angry because he felt she cheated him,’ Beth said, her throat tight with emotion. ‘He thought she had money, but she didn’t – nowhere near as much as he expected. My grandfather owned a big ironmongery store once, but he lost most of his money before he died by investing in worthless shares. Aunt Helen inherited more than my mother, because she nursed grandfather, but she earned her living – and the house was never hers. Gerald thought she had a small fortune in the bank, but it was just a couple of hundred pounds…’
‘Poor Aunt Helen.’ Sally scowled. ‘He should be strung up!’
‘I think he mistreated her, I know he hit her,’ Beth replied thoughtfully. ‘But when anyone else was around, he was all kindness and caring – and I’ll bet he has people who will say he couldn’t have been there…’
Rachel nodded. ‘You’ll do no good by making false accusations. If, God forbid, your aunt dies, there is sure to be an inquest. We can only hope they indicate that there is reason for suspicion – but even then it would be difficult to pin the blame on Gerald…’
‘I shan’t try unless she wakes up and tells us what he did,’ Beth said. ‘What good will it do if she dies? I suppose he might go to prison for a while, but that won’t make her well. I wish she’d never met him…’
26
Sally looked at her ring in its box before she went to bed that evening. It was so beautiful and she longed to show it off. She’d planned to tell her friends when Beth got back from her honeymoon, but the news about Helen had made her hold back. Sally couldn’t show them the magnificent ring Ben had given her when Beth was so distressed and so she must wait for a better time.
Ben wanted her to wear her ring and she did when they were together, but the few times they were able to be together as they wanted were nowhere near enough. Ben had cabled his sister a second time, to tell her that he was getting married a week before Christmas. As yet Jenni hadn’t replied but she would certainly come for the wedding, however busy she was, which meant they had to make the arrangements soon. If they wanted to book a good venue, they needed to do it now or everything would be gone – and that meant Sally would have to tell her friends shortly.
She sighed as she got into bed, tucking her ring back into her handbag. She knew that Ben felt frustrated that they could not be together at night. In Paris they’d had their own rooms side by side but had slept together every night. She missed him now when he wasn’t there and knew he felt the same.
‘I want you in my bed all the time,’ he told her passionately. ‘Can’t you move in now?’
‘You know I can’t,’ Sally had said. ‘I wish I could – but it would be awful to just walk out on Rachel and Maggie now…’
‘I thought you said Rachel wants to bring a friend of hers to the flat?’
‘She did mention it, but she isn’t sure if Minnie wants to come. She’s proving stronger than Rachel thought and may choose to stay where she is…’
‘Well, once I offer Mrs Craven the new job she’ll be able to afford the rent anyway…’
Sally had nodded. She knew what Ben said was true, but it was only impatience talking. He wanted Sally with him, but she knew she had to give Rachel time to sort things out. After all, it was Sally who had suggested they move into the flat. If Beth had still been there, it wouldn’t have been so bad, but she was married and living in her husband’s home.
Sally went into work as usual the next morning. She was busy at her desk when the door opened and someone entered. Looking up, she was a little surprised to see Mr Marco, because she hadn’t arranged a meeting and he didn’t often come without an appointment, but looking at his face she could see that something was wrong.
‘What is it?’ she asked and stood up, moving towards him instinctively. His face was working with emotion and she knew he was fighting his tears. ‘Something terrible has happened – please tell me…’ She took his arm, guiding him towards her chair and urging him to sit.
‘It’s Julien,’ he said in a choked voice. A sob broke from him and he sat down heavily in the chair. ‘Mon Dieu! May He forgive me for I can never forgive myself…’
‘What happened?’ Sally asked, feeling chilled.
‘His father found out about us… that we were lovers…’ Mr Marco said, tears running down his cheeks. ‘I went to his home at the weekend to see him before he left on his trip and… we couldn’t help ourselves. We were in the summerhouse embracing when his father walked in and saw us.’
‘That was unfortunate,’ Sally said, ‘but perhaps in time he will understand…’
‘No – it is too late,’ Mr Marco said and he gave a deep sob. ‘Julien couldn’t bear his father knowing. He told me to leave and I understand there was a terrible row and then…’ His grief was choking him now. ‘Julien returned to the summerhouse where we’d met during the night and hung himself…’
‘No! That’s too awful,’ Sally gasped and her heart went out to him. ‘Just because he loved a man… it isn’t right he should be made to feel ashamed or evil…’
Mr Marco looked at her, his eyes filled with the horror. ‘I am sorry to load this on you, Sally Ross – but I knew you would understand. So few accept us…’
‘I know and it isn’t fair,’ Sally replied. ‘Love comes where it will and it was wrong of Julien’s father to despise him…’
‘He is devastated, so I’ve been told – but I’ve been warned not to attend the funeral. They don’t want me near and they’re hushing it up…’
No wonder Mr Marco was in such distress. ‘You should wait until they’ve all gone and then lay your own tribute after the funeral,’ she said, looking him over in concern. ‘Are you all right to be at work? Wouldn’t you rather go home until you’re calmer?’
‘I couldn’t bear being on my own,’ he said. ‘I’ll be all right once I start work – it’s all I have now.’
Sally nodded. She understood perfectly what it was like to be so lonely that you had to work to forget. ‘If there is anything I can do…’
‘No one can,’ he said and took out a white handkerchief to wipe his face. ‘But you have helped, thank you. I shall go now and somehow forget…’
Sally felt her eyes moisten as he left. The laws that made the love of two men unacceptable were wrong, because in Mr Marco and Julien’s case their love for each other was true and it was a tragedy that bias and prejudice had caused the death of a young man just because his love was considered unnatural.
Just then the door opened and Ben entered. He took one look at her face and came round the desk to embrace her. ‘What is it, my darling?’
‘Mr Marco had some bad news…’ She hesitated, not knowing how much to say.
‘Marco is my friend,’ Ben said. ‘I know his secrets – what has happened?’
Sally explained as briefly as she could and he frowned.
‘Thank you for telling me. I’ll go after him, do what I can.’
Sally dabbed her eyes. She was glad Mr Marco had a friend in Ben. At least he need not be completely alone.
27
Jack had stared at her in horror when Beth told him about her aunt’s accident. They were in their room preparing for bed, Beth in her petticoat and Jack with his shirt off, his braces hanging over his hips.
‘I feel we should have done something the day we were last there…’ he’d said looking at her apologetically, but Beth had shaken her head.
‘How could I have prevented what happened? I begged her to leave him – what more could I do?’ she’d asked, her eyes wet with tears. ‘I feel so sorry for her, Jack. She lived alone all those years and kept a roof over her head – and mine for a while – and then he came along and made her think he really cared…’
‘He deserves a good thrashing – and if the worst happens and your aunt dies, he should hang…’ He’d looked grim. ‘He’ll get away with it! He’s sly and clever and he’ll lie his way out of it.’
‘Not if I can help it!’ Beth had retorted.
‘We don’t have proof he did this…’ Jack had said and then, seeing the look in Beth’s eyes, ‘I’m sure he did, but we just can’t prove he pushed her.’
‘Even if she fell, it was because of him. He made her miserable and ill and I think he pushed her…’
Jack had nodded angrily ‘It won’t be easy to prove his guilt, Beth. I’ll bet he has an alibi all set up to make the police believe he was miles away.’
‘Yes, I know…’ She’d sighed. ‘I just hope Aunt Helen recovers so that I can talk to her, make her see sense. She should leave him and start up her own business again.’
‘We’ll help her,’ Jack had promised and put his arm about her. ‘Try not to worry, love. We’ll do all we can to protect her in future…’
‘If she has a future…’ Beth had said because she had a cold feeling at the nape of her neck. She wasn’t sure Aunt Helen would recover…
Beth knew why she’d felt that sudden chill as soon as she told the young nurse at the hospital who she was and why she was there.
‘Oh, Mrs Burrows, I’m so sorry – your aunt passed away this morning, about five, I’m told. I wasn’t on duty, but Sheila – the night nurse – told me she was very peaceful.’
Closing her eyes for a moment, Beth asked, ‘Did she say anything at all before she died?’
‘No, I think she never recovered her senses,’ the nurse said. ‘Would you like to see Sister Norris?’
‘I should like to see my aunt to say goodbye, please.’ The tears were close but she fought them back.
‘Yes, I’m sure Sister will arrange that,’ the nurse replied, looking sad. ‘Please wait in this room, Mrs Burrows, and I’ll tell Sister you’re here.’
Sister Norris was a thin, efficient looking nurse who told Beth that Aunt Helen had irrevocably damaged herself during the fall. ‘She struck the side of her head hard on something and her spine was broken; I think death was quite possibly the kindest thing. She might have been paralysed or even impaired in her mind… so perhaps this is best, Mrs Burrows.’
Beth didn’t reply. ‘May I see her please?’
‘She isn’t here,’ Sister Norris frowned. ‘Her husband was very efficient and her body was almost immediately taken to a private funeral parlour – I’m afraid I wasn’t told the name or address. You will have to contact her husband.’
‘I see…’ Beth was barely able to control her anger, but Sister Norris was not to blame and so she inclined her head, thanked her, and left.
Beth caught a bus to her uncle’s house and banged loudly on the front door. Gerald answered, looking sheepish and slightly furtive as he saw her.
‘Where is she?’ Beth demanded. ‘I want to see her…’
‘The name of the funeral parlour is Winter Brothers,’ he said. ‘It is in Howard Street. The funeral is next week. I am having her cremated…’
‘I don’t think Aunt Helen would have liked that…’ Beth objected, but he merely stared at her coldly.
‘I will let you know the details if you wish to attend – and it will be in The Times. If you will excuse me, I have things to do.’ The door was closed firmly in Beth’s face.
She felt her temper rise and was tempted to throw a brick through his parlour window but knew that it would give him reason to ignore her or even send for the police and say she was making a nuisance of herself.
Pushing the letter box open, Beth shouted into it, ‘You think yourself clever, Gerald Greene, but I know what you did. It may take me a while, but I’ll make you pay, you murdering brute…’
A man had stopped in the street and was staring at her. Beth threw him a defiant glare, lifted her head and marched off. Her moment of defiance had done no good at all, but she felt better for having told Gerald what she thought of him.
Beth took a bus home. The house was empty, because both Jack and Fred were at work. She put the kettle on and then burst into noisy tears. It wasn’t fair. Why should that brute get away with Aunt Helen’s murder? Because there was no doubt in her mind that it was his fault she was dead. She wished she dare go round there and do something to hurt him, but knew she must let the law deal with him despite a burning desire to make him pay. He would pay somehow, she just didn’t quite know how to make sure of it yet.
Fred and Jack both did their best to comfort her when they got home that evening. She’d cooked a tasty casserole for their supper and she managed to eat some of hers, though it tasted like ashes in her mouth.
‘The worst thing is that Gerald is so arrogant,’ she said. ‘He is so sure that he has got away with murder…’
‘If he has…’ Fred’s was the voice of caution.
‘I know it inside,’ Beth told him. ‘She was frightened of him, Fred. No woman should have to be frightened of their husband, should they?’
‘No, Beth, they shouldn’t,’ Fred agreed. ‘If either of my boys hit a woman, I’d disown them. It is the worst sin, in my opinion – and I despise your uncle for it, but it still doesn’t prove he’s a murderer.’
‘I know…’ Beth smiled oddly. ‘It’s just the way he looked at me when he opened the door this morning. He’s never been friendly, but he just couldn’t wait to slam the door on me…’
‘Do you want me to go round there and thrash the truth out of him, Beth?’ Jack offered.
‘No, Jack, I don’t,’ she cried, alarmed. ‘That’s the very last thing I want – you would be locked up and you’d lose your job. He mustn’t be allowed to touch our lives any more.’
‘He already has – because he has upset you.’
‘I shall be all right soon,’ Beth said touching his hand gratefully. ‘I’m just angry and sad. When the funeral is over, I’ll never have to see him again and I’ll forget…’
‘I think it will rankle and you won’t rest,’ Jack said. ‘We could employ a private detective, Beth. Get someone to find out where he was when your aunt had her so-called accident. He might be able to settle things one way or the other…’
‘Could we do that?’ Beth looked at him in surprise. ‘Would it not be very expensive?’
‘Yes, it would cost money, but I’d rather spend a few pounds and know you were happy…’
‘Thank you, Jack. I’d just like to be sure. I know it is a waste of your savings but…’
‘I told you, I want you to be able to rest and feel your aunt has been avenged, because otherwise you’ll never be happy…’
‘I know someone…’ Fred said, surprising them both. ‘He’s my age, but he was in the police force until he retired. I heard he did a bit of private sleuthing – mostly for divorce cases, rather sordid, Harold felt, but something to keep his mind busy. He wouldn’t overcharge you…’
‘If you give me his address, I’ll go round,’ Jack said, but Fred shook his head.
‘I’ll speak to Harold myself. We were at school together – and he owes me. Let me do it for you. I’d be glad to help.’
‘Oh, Fred, thank you,’ Beth said and smiled gratefully. ‘I just don’t want Gerald to get off scot free… it isn’t fair.’
‘I’ll have a word with Harold tomorrow night,’ Fred promised. ‘Now, you just stop worrying and drink your tea.’
28
Back at work the next day, Beth told Rachel what they’d planned and she approved.
‘I know how you feel, Beth. He should be punished if he killed your aunt and if your private detective can help prove his guilt it will help set your mind at rest.’
‘I know it won’t bring her back,’ Beth admitted. ‘Nothing can change that she was unhappy for the last months of her life, but I feel better knowing we’re doing something.’
