Читать книгу Josephine Cox Sunday Times Bestsellers Collection - Josephine Cox - Страница 27

WHEN, AFTER A fitful few hours Lucy woke, it was to hear the stairs creak as someone crept down them. Darting to the door, she inched it open and saw Vicky on her way down to the kitchen. She turned to see Lucy and hissed, ‘Go back to bed! It’s only half past five. I’ll call you in an hour.’ With that she continued on tiptoe down the stairs.

Lucy went into the bathroom, had a wash at the basin and quickly got herself dressed. A look to make sure that Jamie was still deep asleep, and then she was down the stairs and after Vicky.

‘I thought I told you to go back to bed?’ Vicky already had the mixing bowl out and the flour jar in her hand. ‘You could have had another hour’s sleep.’

Grabbing a pinafore, Lucy wrapped it round her. ‘While you’re doing the scones, I’ll make the apple-pies,’ she said, and before Vicky could answer, she was inside the pantry, collecting together all the ingredients.

Over an hour later the men came downstairs, followed by a very sleepy Susie; the pleasant aroma of baking filled the air and Barney commented on the array of goodies covering the dresser. ‘By! There’s a table fit for a king,’ he said, licking his lips at the pies, cakes, scones and joints of meat ready for the slicing.

Vicky scrutinised him. ‘Are you all right, love?’

‘’Course I’m all right.’ Barney’s heart turned somersaults. ‘Why wouldn’t I be?’ He had suffered another bad night, pacing the floor half the time or propped up against the pillow, massaging the ache in his chest.

‘No reason.’ Vicky shrugged her shoulders. ‘You seemed restless, that’s all.’

‘How d’you mean?’

‘Well, you shifted about a lot, turning this way and that.’

‘So, did I disturb you?’ He was afraid she might have seen him pacing the floor.

Vicky chuckled. ‘You know me,’ she answered. ‘Once I’m out, it would take an earthquake to wake me. No, you didn’t disturb me,’ she assured him. ‘It’s just that when I got out of bed to visit the bathroom, you seemed a bit unsettled.’

‘I expect I was dreaming of all the things that could go wrong with this party.’ He looked round. ‘Where’s the birthday boy?’

‘Still fast asleep.’ Lucy poked her head out from the pantry. ‘So don’t you go waking him.’

‘And don’t you go worrying about things going wrong with the party!’ Vicky advised. ‘Because everything is in hand. It’s all been checked and double-checked; Jamie’s presents are all wrapped and ready, the birthday cake is setting and will be perfect for cutting tonight, the trimmings are up and the barn is all ready … or so you say!’

‘It is!’ Ronnie grumbled, falling into the room. ‘Apart from a few finishing touches which’ll only take a few minutes.’ Hunched in his chair, unshaven, unwashed and with his hair standing on end, he looked like he’d been fished out of the river.

‘Right!’ Clapping her hands together to release a flurry of flour, Vicky went to the tap and filled the kettle which she then put on the stove. ‘Lucy! A dozen rashers of bacon and a bowl of eggs, if you please. We’ve a hungry mob waiting to be fed.’

‘I’ll have three eggs if they’re going.’ That was Thomas, bleary-eyed and yawning.

‘God Almighty! Look at the state of the pair of you!’ Vicky laughed. ‘I hope you can both manage to recover for tonight.’ She did a little jig on the spot. ‘’Cause your mammy’s expecting you to give her a dance or two!’

Lucy saw how Barney’s strained face lit in a smile at his wife’s antics. ‘There you go, Vicky.’ Placing the eggs and bacon on the side, she peeped again at Barney, and suddenly in that one precious moment, there was not another soul in the room but herself, and him.

At 6.30 p.m. the first partygoer arrived. ‘I’m a bit early,’ Adam apologised. ‘Only I thought there might be summat I could do to help.’ In truth he had wanted a quiet talk with Barney.

‘You’d best come wi’ me.’

Barney guessed the reason for his early arrival. ‘We’ll check the barn and see if I’ve forgotten anything.’ In his grey corduroy trousers, best blue shirt, and with his unruly hair tamed to a shine, Barney looked good.

‘The ladies are upstairs titivating theirselves and the boys are in the kitchen picking at the food.’ He chuckled. ‘If Vicky catches them, they’ll wish they’d never been born.’

As they strolled to the barn, Adam asked, ‘How are you feeling, matey?’

‘If you mean am I looking forward to the party,’ Barney replied, ‘the answer’s yes. If you mean have I accepted what’s gone on with me …’ He shrugged his shoulders. ‘What choice have I got, old friend?’

Saddened to his heart, Adam nodded. ‘And what will you do about America?’ He was reluctant to interfere but knew the dilemma Barney faced. ‘There’ll come a point when you have to tell the family.’

‘I’m dealing with it.’

Adam sighed. ‘Remember, you’re not on your own, Barney,’ he said softly. ‘I’m here for you. Any time you want me, I’ll be here.’ When the tears filled his eyes he blinked them away.

‘I know.’ Throwing an arm round the little man’s shoulders, Barney walked him to the barn, where he threw open the door. ‘Well, what d’you think?’

Adam was mesmerised. The barn was festooned with colour from one end to the other: paper chains and streamers hung across the roof and down the walls, and in between, strategically hung so as to be safe, were a dozen long lanterns, all lit and twinkling. The benches were set out; the food table was dressed in a long pink cloth, and the dance-floor stretched away as far as the eye could see.

‘It’s like Wonderland!’ Adam marvelled and Barney laughed. They went inside and walked round the floor. Then Susie came running in. ‘Mam says you’re to come and help carry the food,’ she said, and ran out again.

For the next half-hour it was mayhem, with everyone trotting backwards and forwards with plates and dishes of food, cutlery and jugs, dodging each other and making a second and third trip, and when the long table was filled to bursting, the guests started arriving: the butcher and his wife; Doris Dandy from Everton, various villagers and others who had known the Davidsons for many years.

Jamie was getting very over-excited; dressed in his best clothes and overwhelmed by all the noises and strange faces. Lucy let him enjoy himself for a half-hour or so, then she popped back to the farmhouse with him and put him to bed, waiting until he had fallen asleep before returning to the festivities.

Leonard Maitland arrived alone, his attention instantly drawn to Vicky, who looked very fetching in her new cream-coloured skirt and pink lace blouse, with her hair loosely looped up on top of her head, and long wispy strands curling round her face. She was a picture of loveliness.

There were two neighbouring farmers and their entire families, and finally, arriving in a flurry of excitement with one of her new girls trailing in her wake, Bridget came waltzing through the doors. ‘Jaysus, Mary and Joseph, will ye look at this! It’s like heaven come to earth!’ she screeched with excitement.

A moment later, taking the young woman aside, she reminded her, ‘You’re not here to enjoy yourself.’ She kept her voice low. ‘Sure, haven’t I suffered the bad atmosphere in the house these past few days, the pair of youse, fighting and arguing like two alley cats! I’ve only brought you here tonight so I can keep an eye on you, while the other one calms down.’

She wagged a warning finger. ‘Watch your tongue and keep yourself to yourself, Brenda. I don’t want ye messing with the men tonight.’ She edged closer until they were eyeball to eyeball. ‘I swear, if I so much as see you look at a fella, I’ll thrash the arse off ye, so I will!’

Wisely, the young woman backed off. ‘What am I supposed to say if anybody comes talking to me?’

‘Oh, you’ll think o’ something, I’m sure.’ Bridget gave her a gentle shove. ‘Now be off and fetch me a glass o’ that wine they’re handing out.’

With everybody safe inside and a glass of best homemade wine in their hand, Barney stood on the chair and welcomed them all. ‘This is really a triple celebration,’ he said, winking at his wife. ‘Not only is it to mark little Jamie’s birthday and christening although the little chap in question has gone to his bed, but as most of you will already know, the Davidson family are away to start a new life in America.’

Pausing for breath, he thought about the imminent journey, and his secret heart was heavy. ‘It’s good to see you all here,’ he finished. ‘And now let’s have a toast – to Jamie … and America!’ There was an almighty cheer. ‘To Jamie and America!’

‘God bless you and your family, Barney, and all the luck in the world. It’s no more than you deserve.’ The glasses were raised again, and when they were empty, Vicky and Lucy and Susie were on hand to fill them up again.

While the toasts were given, Dr Lucas stood at the back of the barn and raised his glass along with everyone else. But, with the exception of Barney and Adam, he was the only one who knew that Barney might never be going to America. And if that was the case, then his family would not be going either.

It wasn’t long before the music started, in the form of old Victor and his accordion and beside him, the blacksmith, who could not only shoe a horse in record time but could also play a mean flute. Between the two of them, they played a merry tune and soonever the music struck up, the party-goers flocked to the dance-floor and let themselves go.

‘Would you look there!’ Barney nudged Lucy, gesturing across the dance-floor to where the butcher was swinging his wife round on the edge of his podgy arm. ‘I reckon he must think she’s a side o’ beef,’ Barney joked, ‘the way he’s chucking her about!’

Lucy’s attention was caught elsewhere. ‘It didn’t take Leonard long to get Vicky on the dance-floor,’ she remarked, and when Barney looked across he was taken by the manner in which his boss held Vicky, close and tight, as though he did not want to let her go.

The smallest surge of jealousy rippled through him. ‘Come on, lass, let’s show ’em how to do it!’ Grabbing her by the arm he ran her onto the dance-floor, and when the music suddenly changed to a waltz, he slid his arm round her waist and bent her to him. ‘You look lovely,’ he whispered in her ear. ‘I meant to tell you that soonever I saw you, all dressed up like a princess, with your pretty eyes shining.’

Lucy laughed. ‘Why, thank you, sir, and you don’t look bad yourself either.’

Secretly, she was thrilled to be in his arms, and as he moved her slowly round the dance-floor, she closed her eyes and imagined he was her real partner; having brought her to the dance, later, when it was over, he would take her home again. On the doorstep he would kiss her good night, and she would go to bed and dream of him.

She laughed as Barney swung her round again. She knew it would end, but it didn’t matter. Tomorrow was reality. But tonight was a memory she would keep forever.

While dancing with Lucy, Barney kept an eye on Vicky. Looking up at Leonard, she was talking, seemingly unaware that he might be holding her too close, or that he wasn’t listening to a word she was saying. Instead he was looking into her eyes, discreetly content to be holding the woman he loved.

Barney saw all this and now, as Vicky turned to smile at him, he smiled back and winked; pleased when his wife blew him a conspiratorial kiss.

Barney laughed with Lucy, and swung her round like a young man with his sweetheart, yet all the while he was thinking of the future, and his lovely Vicky. He knew how devastating the news of his illness would be to the family, and to her, and he would have done anything on God’s earth not to have to tell her. If only there was a way, he thought. If only he could somehow save his family from the pain and anguish they were bound to suffer.

In the darkness of his mind, an idea was growing; an idea which, in the fullness of time, would come to fruition and shape their destiny.

During the evening, Lucy would return to the farmhouse every so often; an old dear from the village was there, keeping an eye on little Jamie. ‘He’s the same as he was when you came in half an hour since.’ A widow these many years, old Meg now filled her life with looking after other people’s children. ‘He’s sleeping,’ she told Lucy with a toothless grin. ‘You go and enjoy the party, dear, and leave me to my knitting. Your little lad is safe enough with me.’

After going upstairs to check Jamie, Lucy gave the old woman a grateful kiss and returned to the party.

Outside in the shadows, Edward Trent emerged from his hiding-place and crept stealthily towards the barn. Placing himself where he would not be seen, he peered in through the window.

He saw Barney’s son, Ronnie, hand-in-hand with Lucy as he led her onto the floor. The two of them danced wildly to the rhythmic sound of the accordion, Ronnie playing the fool and Lucy laughing at his antics while he flirted outrageously with her.

When the music stopped and Lucy was making her way back to the table with Ronnie, his brother Tom came on the scene and grabbing Lucy, he led her back onto the dance-floor. The music changed to a slower tempo, and soon she was moving effortlessly round in his arms, chatting and smiling, and seeming at peace with herself.

Edward saw all this and the rage inside him knew no bounds. Thrusting his fists against the window it seemed for one moment that he might smash it from its frame. Then the music stopped and everyone was clapping, and when in that moment a woman turned towards him, he ducked down and disappeared into the shadows again.

‘What d’you think you’re doing?’ Ronnie demanded light-heartedly of his brother. ‘Stealing my woman from under my very nose?’

‘I rescued her,’ Thomas answered, stuffing a piece of pork pie into his mouth. ‘I could see she was fed up dancing with a four-footed idiot, so I thought I’d show her what a real partner could do.’

Lucy giggled. ‘Stop it, you two,’ she said. ‘I’m having a wonderful evening. You’re both good dancers and you know it!’

‘Ah, you’re just saying that.’ Ronnie searched the table for another chunk of fruit-cake. ‘I bet you’re really in agony from the number of times he’s trodden on your toes.’

At half past midnight the evening came to an end.

As they left, everyone said what a wonderful time they’d had, and how good the food was, and how they would be so sorry to see the Davidson family leaving.

Standing side-by-side at the door as they saw everyone out, Barney and Vicky thanked them all in turn.

‘I’ll see youse out and about before you sail away, so I will!’ Having downed more booze than she was capable of holding, Bridget was four sheets to the wind. ‘Oops!’ Laughing raucously, she hobbled out to the waiting car, clutching hold of her companion, her jacket stained with wine and her hitherto beautifully coiffured hair looking as if it had been through a wind-tunnel.

Behind her, Barney and Vicky walked arm-in-arm back to the house with Lucy and Susie, who had danced with her friends until her feet ached.

‘Leave all that till the morrow,’ Barney told his sons, who had a mind to start clearing away the furniture. As it was, he left them sitting on the barn floor, finishing off their drink and deep in conversation. ‘D’you think they’re worried about going to America?’ Barney asked Vicky.

‘Not a bit of it!’ she declared. ‘They’re very excited, like the rest of us. In fact, Thomas said he would be brokenhearted if Leonard Maitland suddenly changed his mind and said we couldn’t go after all.’

Her words did not help Barney. Instead he felt as though his own heart might break, because very soon he would have no choice but to confess the truth of his illness. And the more he thought of it, the more he dreaded the day.

Inside the house, they found old Meg fast asleep in her chair, with the knitting on her lap and snoring like a good ’un. Barney chuckled. ‘We’ll have to wake her,’ he said. ‘The old dear needs her bed.’

Vicky gently shook her, and when she woke it was with a start that frightened them all and sent her knitting clattering to the floor. ‘What’s up? What d’you want?’ With big eyes she stared at them. ‘Oh, it’s you.’ Her mouth opened in a toothless grin. ‘I thought for a minute it was me old man come back to haunt me.’

‘Come on, my old darling, it’s time you were tucked up in bed.’ Barney helped her out of the chair, Vicky went to fetch her hat and coat and Lucy paid her for the night.

Ronnie came rushing in. ‘Your son’s here,’ he told her, and her old face lit from ear to ear. ‘He’s a good lad,’ she said. ‘He does look after his old mammy.’

No sooner had she been helped into the car than she was fast asleep. ‘Salt of the earth,’ her son told Barney with a proud smile. ‘Never stops … allus on the go. She’s in her seventies now, but I reckon I’ll be worn out long afore she is.’

After Meg had gone, Jamie woke up and started crying. Lucy ran upstairs and came down with him in her arms. ‘Oh dear, he’s wet the bed. I am sorry. I’ve put the sheets in the pail to soak and I’ll rinse them through tomorrow. The mattress is still dry – thanks to your old rubber sheet. Look – I think we’d best go home.’

‘If you want to stay I’m sure we’ll find something suitable to wrap his little bottom in,’ Vicky said. ‘And there’s plenty o’ clean sheets – you know where they are.’

Lucy thanked her but thought it might be best if she took Jamie home and saw to him there. ‘It’s been a very long couple of days and he’ll rest easier tucked up in his own cot.’

‘We’ll see you tomorrow then,’ Vicky told her, while Barney went to fetch his big coat.

Ten minutes later, wrapped against the cold night air, she and Barney set off with the child, who by now had nodded off again. ‘I don’t know how to thank you,’ Lucy told Barney.

‘Thank me? What for?’ He hoisted Jamie higher in his arms.

‘For giving Jamie the party.’

‘It was a pleasure,’ Barney answered. ‘And don’t forget, it was also to mark our going to America.’

Something in his tone caused Lucy to ask, ‘And is that what you really want, Barney, to go to America?’

The man chose his words carefully, not least because Lucy had already voiced her concern about his health. ‘O’ course I want to go! Why wouldn’t I?’

Lucy gave him a sideways glance; in the moonlight he looked incredibly pale, and there was a quietness about him that wasn’t natural. Twice during the evening she had seen a kind of sorrow in his face that worried her.

‘What’s wrong with you, Barney?’ she asked quietly. ‘And don’t fob me off with untruths. I’ve come to know you fairly well, and I’ve a feeling there’s something up. What is it? You can trust me – you know that, don’t you?’

Barney didn’t answer, nor did he look at her. Instead he kicked irritably at the roadway. ‘It’s high time somebody did summat about these damned ruts in the lane,’ he grumbled. ‘Last week, old Ted Foggarty’s horse caught its fetlock in one and had to be put down!’

Lucy persisted. ‘Talk to me, Barney.’

‘I am talking.’ He gave her a cursory glance.

‘I haven’t said anything to Vicky and I won’t, but I know there’s something wrong,’ Lucy repeated. ‘Bridget told me she saw you going into the doctor’s surgery some time back.’

Turning to look at her, he said, ‘I won’t hear any more of this nonsense, Lucy. Yes, I won’t deny I went to see the doctor, but only because I was feeling run down. I’ve been under the weather recently and I thought it might be a good idea to go and get some tonic.’

‘And did he prescribe some?’ Lucy was slightly relieved but still left with the feeling that he was not telling all.

‘He did, and I’ve been taking it religiously.’

‘And is it working?’

Barney was feeling trapped. ‘Well, you’ve not seen me being other than fine, have you?’

Lucy shook her head. ‘No.’ Enough was enough. Barney was getting grouchy. ‘But I’m not always looking in your direction, am I?’

Barney laughed it off. ‘I should hope not!’

When they reached Lucy’s cottage, he helped her inside with her bag and the child. A few minutes later, he and Lucy emerged from the front door. ‘Good night, Lucy girl,’ Barney said, and yawned long and hard. As always, he kissed her on the cheek. ‘See you the morrow.’

‘Good night, Barney.’ She waved him off down the lane, and afterwards went back inside, her face still burning from the touch of his lips. It was a sad thing, she thought, to love a man who belonged to your best friend. But love him she did, and try as she might, she could not change that.

Neither Barney nor Lucy had seen Edward Trent hiding in the shadows, watching and waiting. When Lucy was kissed good night, he was shaken by the look of love on her face as she waved Barney off. And his heart was black with jealousy.

Having had a run of bad luck of late, he had heard through the grapevine how Lucy had been given a cottage to live in and regular work. With no sailings available and with nowhere to live, Trent had thought to foist himself onto Lucy by persuading her that he loved her and the child. Once he’d got his feet under the table, he’d plan his next move, while Lucy worked to bring in the wages and he worked to spend them.

The thing that shocked him now was that, having come back with purely selfish motives, he had seen Lucy in other men’s arms and realised he still had deep feelings for her. She belonged to him, by God. He’d taken her virginity, and by rights she was his, and the mother of his son – not that he could even remember the brat’s name.

Inside the cottage, Lucy quickly washed the child with a drop of warm water, talking to him as she did so. ‘This is our home, Jamie. It might be small and cramped, but now that Barney’s mended the roof and fitted new doors, and me and Vicky have polished the entire place till it shines, it might not be the poshest place in the world, but it’s cosy enough for me and you.’ In fact she loved its every nook and cranny.

‘It was a good party,’ she said, slipping on his pyjamas. ‘Barney and Vicky gave it just for you.’ She recalled what Barney had said. ‘And it was to say goodbye to their friends as well, because soon they will be off to a new life across the water.’

Pushing the heartache to the back of her mind, she told the child, ‘You’re christened now, sweetheart.’ She kissed his sleepy face. ‘It’s wonderful, isn’t it? You have your name written down in the book for everyone to see.’

When she tickled him he chuckled and squealed, and she took him in her arms, hugging him as if she would never let him go. ‘You’re Mammy’s big boy,’ she said. ‘We’ll soon be losing the best friends we’ve ever had, so we’ll need to look after each other, you and me, eh?’

‘Not when I’m around to take care of you.’

‘EDWARD!’ Even before she turned, Lucy knew the voice, she knew the man, and could hardly believe he was standing right here in her house.

‘You should always lock your door at night.’ His slow, dangerous smile enveloped her. ‘You never know who’s lurking about.’

‘What do you want?’ Instinctively, she held the child closer. When he took a step nearer, Lucy stepped back.

‘I want you, Lucy.’

She had been afraid, but now she was over the first shock, she was angry. ‘You didn’t want me when you ran off, leaving me unconscious, like the coward you are!’

Cunning as a fox, he momentarily bowed his head as though with shame. ‘That’s why I’m back,’ he lied, his eyes sad with regret. ‘I did behave like a coward, and I want to make it up to you.’

‘I don’t believe you!’ Standing tall and defiant, Lucy looked him in the eye. ‘I’ve made a life for myself, Edward, and I’m happier than I’ve been in years. There is no place here for you now.’

‘Please, Lucy, don’t say that,’ he whined. ‘It took a lot of courage for me to come here after what I did.’ He glanced around the room, thinking it warm and cosy; a far cry from the dives where he’d been holed up of late. ‘We could have a good life together,’ he went on. ‘You’ve already got work up at the farmhouse, and I’ll find a job, I promise. We’ve got to give it a go.’

When he saw her expression he grabbed her roughly by the arm. ‘Aw, look, Lucy. We were always good together, you know that!’

‘You used me!’ Shaking him off, she told him in a quiet, trembling voice, ‘You lied to me all along, and when I needed you more than ever, you ran off.’ She stared at him, wondering what she had ever seen in him. ‘We don’t need you, Edward. We don’t want you here. Please go. Leave us alone.’

He was desperate now. ‘I love you, Lucy, it’s why I keep coming back. I’ve always loved you. I didn’t realise it until now.’ Darting forward, he grabbed her by the arm. ‘I had you, and I threw you away,’ he said angrily. ‘But I’ve got you back now and I don’t intend to let you go.’ Cupping her face in the palms of his hands, he whispered earnestly, ‘I know I did wrong, but I do love you, Lucy. You’ve got to believe me.’ And he did love her, as much as a man like him could ever love anyone.

‘Get off me!’ Lucy’s instincts told her that at long last he might be telling the truth, but it was too late. Edward Trent no longer meant anything to her. Thankfully she was over him now, and could see him for the selfish, vicious man he had always been. ‘I don’t want you here, now get out!’ She put Jamie down and tried to distract him with a toy while she hissed, ‘Go on! Get out of my house!’

Realising she meant every word, Edward shook his head and smiled. ‘I’m not going anywhere,’ he said softly. ‘Not without you.’

Afraid now, Lucy had to think hard. She had to be rid of him, but how? Suddenly an idea came to her. ‘For a long time I hoped and prayed you might come back,’ she lied, ‘but you didn’t. So I had to make a life for me and little Jamie, and now I’m going away to America. We’re leaving soon, Edward – it’s all arranged.’ She added as an afterthought to appease him, ‘I’ll write to you. Give me an address, and I promise I’ll write as soon as we get there.’

Visibly shocked, he took a step back. ‘America!’ Looking into her eyes he gave her a shaky smile. ‘I don’t believe you.’

‘It’s true.’ She was desperate to make him believe. ‘Why would I lie? If you were hanging about outside, you must have seen Barney Davidson bring me home. There’s been a big party up at Overhill Farm to say goodbye to all the friends and neighbours. Mr Maitland has sold up here, and we’re all going with him to help run his farm in Boston, Massachusetts. If you don’t believe me, ask anyone. It’s common knowledge round here!’

‘You little bitch!’ Without warning he tore the child from her, and over the sound of his terrified cries, he said calmly: ‘You’re not going anywhere, with Mr Maitland or anyone else. You’re coming with me. We’re getting right away from here. I’ll find us lodgings in London. Somehow we’ll manage. We’ll be all right together, you and me … and him.’ Though he had acknowledged his love for Lucy, he had little feeling for the child; so far he had not spoken to Jamie, or even looked at him.

‘No, Edward! There was a time when I would have walked to the ends of the earth for you, but not any more. You see, I don’t love you.’ The calmness in her voice belied the turmoil inside. ‘Now give me my son.’ Reaching to collect little Jamie, who by now was screaming hysterically, she did not expect what happened next. Raising his hand, Trent brought it down hard against her temple and sent her reeling across the room.

‘I must be out of my mind to want you back,’ he snapped. ‘Dancing and laughing, and flirting with every man in sight. You’re nothing but a trollop!’

Hurt and dazed, she dragged herself up by the chair; somewhere in the chaos of her mind she heard Jamie crying. ‘Give me back my son!’ she said hoarsely.

‘Want the brat back, do you?’ He gave a low, grating laugh that sent shivers through her. ‘You can have him … but you’ll have to take me as well.’

Lucy was frantic. ‘Please, Edward, it wouldn’t work between us. All I want is to be left in peace.’

Clambering up against the chair, she went sprawling again when he thrust his booted foot into her side. ‘You don’t seem to understand what I’m saying,’ he growled. ‘You either come with me now, or I’m taking him with me, and you’ll never see him again. So, what’s it to be?’

Terrified that he might carry out his threat, Lucy was tempted to give in and let him stay – anything to have little Jamie safely back in her arms. But what then? He might rape her – get her with child again! Her flesh shuddered at the thought of his touch. He was repulsive to her. Anyway, he would soon discover that it was a trick on her part, and then his rage would know no bounds. What would happen to her and Jamie then?

‘Well?’ He stood over her, his face dark with loathing.

Lucy looked at her son, still sobbing with fear. She turned her gaze on Edward and begged, ‘Don’t hurt him, please. If you want to stay, you can stay, and we’ll talk again in the morning.’

When she saw the look in his eyes she knew it wasn’t enough. ‘Please, Edward, you’re asking me to give up everything I know and love, to go away with you. I’m not saying no, but I’m not saying yes either. Give me time to think about it; you owe me that much.’ She held out her arms. ‘And now … give me the child.’

As he cut across towards the river on his way back home, Barney thought his world was a beautiful place, when the moon was full and round and the skies speckled with a myriad of twinkling stars. All along the chilly hedgerows he could hear the night animals scurrying about, and in the distance, the unique sound of a barn owl. ‘You made something wonderful when You made this earth,’ he murmured, his gaze roving the heavens. There was such peace and beauty on God’s earth, and he felt deeply privileged to be a part of it.

Then, suddenly, Barney was made to stop in his tracks. ‘What’s that?’ From somewhere close he could hear the sounds of human voices raised in anger. Turning this way and that, he tried to pinpoint where the voices were coming from, but it was difficult; the tumbling of water from the weir diverted his senses.

There it was again! His attention was drawn back, towards the high bend in the river, not too far from Lucy’s cottage. It sounded as if somebody was in trouble! Quickly now, he made his way back, pausing every now and then to catch his breath, and taking off again when a child’s wail shattered the night air.

As he came round by way of the spinney, he saw a figure running in the moonlight; he was carrying something – what was it? A sack … a child? Dear Lord, it was a child! And coming up behind him was a woman, running and stumbling, and all the while calling out for the man to stop.

When he recognised her, he was horrified. ‘Lucy?’ He couldn’t believe his eyes. The woman was Lucy, and the child must be little Jamie … but the man – who was he? His name appeared in Barney’s mind like a lit beacon. EDWARD TRENT! It had to be!

‘Lucy!’

Quickening his steps to a run, time and again Barney called out her name, but Lucy didn’t hear. They were too close to that part of the river where the water tumbled over the rise and thundered down into the basin beneath.

Gasping for breath, his chest afire, Barney took off again to gradually close the gap between them. He saw how, on reaching the river, Lucy launched herself at Trent. There was a struggle during which, with one backward swipe of his burly arm, Trent knocked her down.

At the top of the rise, Barney had to stop again. He bent his head low, and with his hands on his knees, he took some long deep breaths, and after a moment or two, slowly regained his composure. When he set off again, he could see Edward Trent. With the child under his arm, he was using the moonlight to illuminate his way across the most dangerous part of the river – a line of big boulders straddling the water. Doggedly pursuing him, out of her mind with fear, Lucy was yelling for him to give her the child. Jamie was frantically struggling in the man’s arms, making the situation even more dangerous.

When Trent ignored her pleas, she followed, slipping and sliding across the slimy boulders towards the far bank.

‘No, Lucy, come back!’

When Barney yelled out, in a part of this nightmare Lucy heard, but she kept on going, because Edward Trent had her baby, and she would follow him to Hell if needs be.

By the time Barney came to the river, Lucy and Edward Trent were locked in a fierce struggle on the rocks above the weir, with the terrorised child screaming hysterically.

Desperate to get Lucy and her son out of there and with no thought for his own safety, Barney ran slithering over the boulders. Taking hold of her, he tried to get her to safety, but she wouldn’t listen; all she knew was that her baby was in terrible danger. When driven by desperation she foolishly made a grab for the child, Trent lost his footing, and to her horror Lucy went with him.

Wading through the water to get to them, Barney saw Trent scrambling towards the shore and when, with the saturated clothes clinging to her body, Lucy went after him, Barney warned her to stay back. ‘Leave him to me, Lucy!’ He bellowed a warning. ‘You’re putting the child in more danger!’ But with reason long gone, she took no heed.

Everything happened so quickly there was nothing Barney or anyone else could have done. Going against Barney’s advice, Lucy made another grab for the child. As she caught him safely in her arms, Trent missed his footing and fell into Lucy, who then lost her balance – and in seconds the fast-flowing river snatched Jamie from her arms and whirled him away in its embrace.

Lucy made a brave effort to rescue her son, but not being a strong swimmer she was buffeted against every obstacle, as her son got washed further away.

Ahead of her, Barney got to the child first, but it was already too late. The force of water that had snatched him away and carried him downriver, had wedged him between two half-submerged rocks.

When Barney found him, the water was swirling over his face, and there was nothing he could do.

Desolate and bedraggled, he took the drowned child into his arms and waded upriver, to where Lucy was making her way towards them.

At first she began shouting for joy. ‘You’ve got him!’ She laughed out loud. ‘Oh Barney, you’ve got him!’ Her heart soared at the sight of her boy, safe in Barney’s arms.

With tears streaming down his solemn face, Barney looked into her eyes and slowly shook his head.

When Lucy saw the expression on his face, it was as if the world had come to an end; there were no words to describe the horror that tore through her. For the longest, deepest moment, the silence in that place was awesome.

As she tenderly took her baby from him, Lucy thought she would never again in her life know such pain.

Half-blinded by her tears, she gazed on that small, still face and her heart-wrenching cry echoed across the valley, shaking the night and striking fear into the cowardly heart of Edward Trent, who by now was already some distance away.