Читать книгу Family Drama 4 E-Book Bundle - Leah Fleming - Страница 36

When Pearl saw a solicitor, there had been no swift solution. He had written to the orphanage and was now awaiting their reply. He also advised that without a birth certificate, the only way forward was to swear an affidavit. When asking what this meant, he explained that it was a sworn oath, in his presence, that she was the person she claimed to be. It sounded a daft procedure to Pearl, but one that she complied with.

It was now the eve of Christmas and Pearl was on her way to work, something she dreaded every day. As she scuttled out of Bessie’s door and into the market, she kept her head low, but as usual there were murmurs as soon as the costermongers saw her. She glanced up from under her lashes, saw Derek turn his back as she passed, the man beside him doing the same. Derek would never forgive her – Dolly’s story had seen to that – but she missed him and his gran.

To keep Kevin safe she had gone along with Dolly’s lies, but it didn’t seem possible that only a short time ago she had felt a part of this community. Now she was an outcast. A costermonger hawked, the globule landing in front of Pearl’s feet, and as she began to run, her stomach heaved.

‘Yeah, that’s it, do a runner, and keep going until you’re out of Battersea,’ the man shouted.

‘Yeah, you tell her, Billy,’ a woman customer cried.

Still fleeing, Pearl flung open the door of the café, almost falling inside. She didn’t stop until she reached the kitchen, her breath coming in gasps as she pulled up in front of Dolly.

‘Huh, judging by the state of you, I can see that the locals haven’t stopped giving you a hard time.’

‘Some of them are still spitting at me.’

Unsympathetic, Dolly shrugged her shoulders. ‘As soon as they find another bit of gossip to titillate them, they’ll lay off. In the meantime you’ll just have to put up with it. Now I suggest you get on with the spuds.’

Pearl hung her coat up, after which she started to peel the potatoes. She had learned how to cook vegetables competently now and, glad to be out of the way, had no wish to return to the dining room. However, despite trying to please Dolly, she’d been unable to make any grounds. Her future mother-in-law continued to pretend that everything was fine when anyone else was in hearing range, but alone she dropped the act and made her feelings plain. Pearl knew she’d have to try harder, but despite always being polite and working hard, nothing she said or did seemed to please Dolly.

‘Come on, Pearl, get a move on, and when you’ve finished the spuds, get on with the carrots.’

Pearl increased her efforts, surprised when Dolly spoke again, this time pleasantly. ‘It’ll be nice to have a couple of days off, and I’ll expect you for Christmas dinner tomorrow. In fact, if you come over at about eleven you can give me a hand.‘

‘I … I won’t be joining you for dinner.’

‘Do what?’

‘I can’t leave Bessie. She’s poorly.’

‘If you’re angling to bring her along, you can forget it. I can’t stand the woman. Now as I said, I’ll expect you at eleven.’

Pearl stomach quaked, dreading a confrontation but, worried about Bessie, she had no choice. ‘I’m sorry, but I really can’t come. Bessie’s in bed and needs looking after. I can’t leave her on her own.’

‘She’s on her own now, ain’t she?’

‘A neighbour is keeping an eye on her, but can’t do it on Christmas Day.’

Dolly’s face suffused with colour, but before she could say anything, Gertie came out of the washing-up room.

‘I’ve finished all the breakfast dishes, Dolly. Can I have a break now?’

‘Yes, of course you can. Get yourself a cup of tea and fetch one for me and Pearl while you’re at it.’

Gertie hurried out, almost colliding with Kevin as he pushed through the doors. He swaggered up to Pearl, flinging an arm around her shoulders. ‘Hello, love. Did you hear from the solicitor this morning?’

‘There was nothing in the post.’

‘Sod it. Well, that’s that. We won’t hear now until the New Year.’

‘If this goes on much longer, she’ll be huge by the time you get married.’ Dolly snapped.

Pearl looked down at her stomach, seeing the tiny mound. Kevin followed her gaze, a small frown creasing his forehead. ‘I hope not, Mum.’

‘Let’s hope he gets a move on then. Now if you don’t mind, Pearl’s got work to do.’

‘All right, I’m off out.’ He gave Pearl another swift hug, ignoring his mother’s scowl as he left by the back door.

Pearl, though, couldn’t ignore Dolly’s attitude. The woman hated Kevin to show her any affection and once again Pearl was filled with dread at the thought of living in the same flat as Dolly. If Kevin would find a job, they could move away, but he avoided the subject of work. Maybe she should talk to him again – but not in Dolly’s hearing.

When the new administrator started work at the orphanage, she faced a pile of work on her desk, but was gradually ploughing through it. Today, in answer to a letter, she had to search the records. She had found a thin file on Pearl Button, but there was little to read. It was odd that the child had never been placed into foster care, and there’d been no applications to adopt. If she’d been mentally deficient it would have been understandable, these children always difficult to place, but looking at the sparse reports on Pearl’s educational progress, this didn’t seem to be the case.

In an endeavour to find out more about the girl, she had questioned members of staff, finding two who remembered her. Pearl Button had been described as nervous and quiet, but neither said she lacked intelligence.

The administrator picked up the letter from the solicitor again. It seemed that Pearl Button wanted to marry and he was enquiring if there were any relatives on record. There were none.

With a sigh she picked up her pen. There wasn’t much she could tell the man. Pearl Button’s records said that she’d been abandoned, the date, but that was all. The sparse letter completed, she blotted it, and after addressing the envelope she put it on one side for the post.

With a vast amount of paperwork in front of her, the administrator now put the girl’s file to one side and tackled her next problem.

As Kevin drove along Falcon Road he was remembering how he’d been against the marriage at first, but it had been the thought of having Pearl in his bed every night that changed his mind. Now though, she was showing, her stomach starting to swell, and he doubted he’d fancy her for much longer. Christ, he hoped they’d hear from the solicitor soon, but when they married he’d see that his lifestyle didn’t change. Unlike his father, he’d show his wife who was the boss from the start. His face darkened, realising there’d be little chance of that whilst they lived with his mother. She still treated him like a child, and ruled with a rod of iron. Not only that, if he showed Pearl any affection his mother acted like a jealous girlfriend, and it sickened him. He wanted away from her, to be the man of his own house, but without money it was impossible.

Once again he dreamed of one big job, one that would net him thousands instead of hundreds. The last two he’d done with Nobby and Dick hadn’t been bad, but by the time they fenced the gear through Vince and split the cash three ways, they’d each been left with peanuts. His lips tightened in anger. That bastard Vince had the borough sewn up. He didn’t take the risks, leaving others to do that, but he was making a mint.

If he could find a job, and a good one, there was no way he’d fence the goods through Vince. It would solve his problems if he could find a cash haul, but needed an easy target. Small shops were useless, their takings hardly worth the risk, and of course robbing a bank would be impossible. His mind turned. If only he could find somewhere that held a lot of cash on premises, yet had little security. Huh, fat chance of that!

Fighting to suppress his frustration, Kevin’s hands tightened on the steering wheel. He badly needed a trip to Soho, but his mother was keeping him short of money. He knew why. The cow. She was punishing him for getting Pearl pregnant.

When she finished her shift, Pearl was relieved to find the walk home from work trouble free, the market still buzzing with life as people rushed to do last-minute shopping. There were many unsold Christmas trees, men pursing their lips and vying for a bargain as they made their selections. It was freezing, a blustery wind blowing, but the costermongers were wrapped up warmly, their voices ringing out as they tried to sell the last of their Brussels sprouts, parsnips and carrots, each trying to shout louder than the others. Pearl would have liked to have stopped to buy a few things, but feared her reception as she hurried past.

She went straight upstairs to see Bessie, finding her huddled in bed with a scarf around her neck, and not looking much better.

‘Thank the Lord you’re back,’ she croaked. Then fishing for her hot-water bottle, she held it out. ‘I’m bleedin’ freezing and her next door hasn’t been in for hours.’

‘I’ll refill it,’ Pearl said as she looked worriedly at the old lady.

‘Make me a cup of tea while you’re at it,’ Bessie managed to choke out before a bout of coughing had her gasping for breath.

‘I think you should see the doctor again.’

‘No, I’ll be all right. Pass me them fags.’

‘I don’t think you should be smoking.’

‘Leave it out. It’s a bit late to stop now, and anyway, a good cough helps to clear me chest.’

Pearl’s eyebrows rose but, knowing it would be pointless to argue, she hurried to the kitchen. At least Bessie was showing some spirit, which was an improvement on yesterday.

If Bessie hadn’t felt so ill, there was no way she’d have stayed in bed, and even now she complained constantly about the shop being shut and her loss of trade.

Pearl looked in the cupboards. She wanted to persuade Bessie to eat something, and pulled out a tin of soup.

In no time Pearl was on her way back upstairs with the hot-water bottle tucked under her arm as she carefully balanced a tray.

Bessie refused the soup, only taking the cup of tea. ‘It’s gonna be a bleak Christmas for you. I’d planned to cook us a nice dinner and maybe stick up a few decorations, but I just ain’t been up to it.’

‘It doesn’t matter.’

‘Still, I expect you’ve been invited to Dolly Dolby’s.’

‘Yes, but I’m staying with you.’

‘There’s no need for that. At least at Dolly’s you’ll get a decent Christmas dinner.’

‘I’m staying with you,’ Pearl repeated firmly.

Bessie sighed heavily. ‘All right, and you’re a good kid. I’m gonna miss you when you get married.’

‘I’ll miss you too, but don’t worry, I’ll pop over to see you as often as I can.’

Bessie patted the back of Pearl’s hand. ‘I know you will. As I told you, we were destined to meet.’

‘Yes, but what else has your second sight shown you?’

‘Nothing,’ Bessie said, her rheumy eyes becoming veiled. ‘Now bugger off and leave me in peace.’

‘I will when you’ve had your medicine.’

The old lady’s lips tightened with annoyance, causing Pearl to smile as she poured cough mixture into a teaspoon. Unmarried, with no living family, Bessie was fiercely independent and resented having to be nursed. She put on a hard and cantankerous front, but Pearl knew this was just a veneer that hid her kind, soft nature.

Pearl held the spoon to Bessie’s lips. ‘Here, drink this and I’ll go, but I’ll be up to check on you again.’

The old woman grimaced as she swallowed the medicine. ‘Yuk.’

Pearl pulled the blankets over Bessie, saying as she left, ‘I’ll be back soon.’

Bessie just nodded, her eyes already drooping, and when Pearl went into the living room she found it freezing. She hurried to light a fire, screwing up old newspaper to place in the grate. After adding kindling, and a few nuggets of coal, she was pleased when it lit straight away.

After waiting a few minutes, Pearl piled on more coal, and then sank onto a fireside chair, holding her hands out to the warmth. The flames flickered and danced merrily, mesmerising Pearl as time ticking by.

Reluctantly Pearl finally stood up, her legs mottled and red with heat as she went to check on Bessie, finding the old woman asleep. She peeped in on her several times during the next few hours, and then just before seven a knock on the shop door had her hurrying downstairs to see who it was.

A smile lit her face. ‘Kevin,’ she cried, thrilled when he gave her a swift kiss as he stepped inside.

As Kevin walked into the living room he was surprised to find it empty. ‘Where’s Bessie?’

‘She’s in bed with bronchitis.’

‘So – we have the place to ourselves.’

‘Well, yes, I suppose so.’

Kevin smiled with satisfaction. He and Pearl had only been alone in his car, and in the small space it was unsatisfactory. When he called round to Bessie’s, she never left them alone, and his mother was the same. It maddened him. The silly bitches didn’t seem to realise that they were bolting the stable door after the horse had bolted. He lowered himself onto the sofa, arms outstretched. ‘Come here.’

As Pearl sat down, Kevin kissed her passionately, and as usual she melted against him. So far he had resisted revealing his preferences, deciding that he didn’t want to frighten her off, but once they were married she’d learn a thing or two. He’d dominate, show what a man he was. With Pearl he always felt in control, but that wasn’t enough. With his need to overpower, he wanted resistance, but she was always so soft and compliant.

‘Kevin, have you had any luck finding a job? I really do want to move away from here.’

‘I’m looking, but I ain’t working for peanuts.’

‘I can work too.’

‘Oh, yeah? And what about when you drop the sprog?’

‘Others manage.’

‘Look, I’ve told you I’m trying to find a job, so just shut up about it.’

‘All right. I’m sorry.’

Pleased that she didn’t nag, he smiled. ‘Come on, we’re on our own so let’s make the most of it.’ His head dipped, once again kissing her passionately, nipping her lower lip and hoping to hear a yelp of pain.

There was no resistance and his frustration mounted. He paid the girl in Soho to fight, to beg for mercy, and God, he missed it.

Pearl snuggled up to him again, but he pushed her roughly away. She was bloody useless! Her eyes widened, and on such a short fuse it was enough to set him off. He growled as he grabbed her, his teeth sinking brutally into her neck.

‘Ouch! No, don’t, you’re hurting me!’

The fear in her voice drove away the last of his common sense. She had dared to protest and he loved it. ‘Shut up and get on the floor,’ he snarled.

‘Wh … what?’

‘I said get on the floor.’ Kevin shoved Pearl off the sofa and as she landed with a thump he swiftly knelt over her, laughing gleefully at the shocked expression on her face. Without preamble he yanked up her skirt, his eyes feasting for a moment on the bare skin that gleamed whitely where her stocking tops ended. Then, unable to wait, he tore at her underwear.

Pearl’s hands fought to hold him off. ‘Stop it – oh, please, Kevin, stop!’

Her white face staring at him wide-eyed with fear spurred him on. He raised a hand, slapping her across the mouth. ‘Shut up – bitch!’

With another yank her knickers came apart, and as she cried out again he fumbled with his trousers. With a swift movement he thrust into her, grinning with delight at her yelp of pain.

She writhed in protest beneath him, increasing his enjoyment until he lost control. He was in a world of his own now, pounding into her without mercy, but it was quick – too quick. Disgusted, he flopped on top of her for a moment before rolling onto his side.

Pearl scrambled away, rising quickly to her feet, hands held over her mouth in horror as she stared at him. As he rose to his feet, she cried out in fear, ‘No … no, don’t come near me!’

It was the terror in her voice that suddenly brought him to his senses. He wanted Pearl as his wife, a wife he could rule, but now he may have blown it. ‘Christ, I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me.’

‘That … that was like rape.’

Kevin wanted to laugh, but fought to keep his face straight. Little did she know that it had been tame compared to what he got up to in Soho.

It was play-acting there, he knew that, but by paying for it he was able to resist his urges. Urges that made him want to rape women – to hurt them – to make them see that he was a man.

At seventeen years old he’d done it, attacked a girl, but he’d nearly been caught. After that he’d been too scared to try it again, yet deep inside he knew that if he hadn’t discovered Soho, his needs would eventually have driven him to strike again.

Kevin now took a deep breath, forcing himself to look sheepish as his eyes met Pearl’s. ‘I’m sorry,’ he said again.

‘Why did you hurt me like that?’ she sobbed, tears beginning to role down her cheeks.

His mind raced, struggling to find words, finally able to find a lie. ‘I don’t know, but I think it was suppressed anger. Anger that I’m being forced into marriage.’

Pearl’s face was red and blotched, her clothes dishevelled, and her voice quavering as she spoke. ‘But … but we talked about this, and I said I’m not forcing you.’

‘I know,’ Kevin said, shaking his head as though in a quandary, ‘and I don’t know what came over me. It’s just that we’re never alone, and it’s been driving me mad. If it ain’t Bessie, it’s my mother, and I’m sick of it.’ He moved towards her, but she cowered away, her hands frantic as she straightened her skirt.

‘Please,’ she begged, ‘don’t touch me, and … and I don’t think I want to marry you now.’

He stepped forward again, feeling her flinch as he dragged her into his arms. ‘Don’t say that, Pearl.’

Her body was rigid as he held her. ‘I … I was so frightened.’

‘I know you were, and I’m really sorry.’ Kevin hid a scowl. He hated this, hated having to grovel.

‘Please, let me go,’ she begged.

Shit, he thought. Now what? Desperate times called for desperate measures and though loath to say the words, he forced them from his mouth. ‘Pearl, please, I love you and don’t want to lose you.’

She drew back, her eyes wide. ‘You … you love me?’

Unwilling to utter the words again, he just gave a slight nod, only saying, ‘I really didn’t mean to hurt you.’

At last he felt her body relax. ‘Oh Kevin, I love you too, but you really frightened me. And … and you could have hurt the baby.’

He blanched. Christ, hurting a woman was one thing, but a baby! He had hardly given the child she was carrying a thought but now, with sickening clarity, it hit him. The baby was his – his son or daughter. ‘Is it all right?’ he asked.

‘Yes, I think so.’

He gently ushered her towards the sofa. ‘You’d better sit down. Are you in any pain?’

‘No, well, I feel a bit bruised.’

‘I hope I haven’t hurt it. Maybe I should run you to hospital?’

‘I … I don’t think there’s any need for that.’

He paced the room, his hands raking through his hair, and moments later asked, ‘Any pain yet?’

‘No,’ she said, touching her tummy.

He looked at the slight swell worriedly.’ Are you sure?’

‘Yes.’

He stopped pacing to kneel at her side. ‘Thank God for that! We must have a tough little bugger in there.’

For the first time a slight smile played across her lips and, seeing it, he enfolded her in his arms. ‘Pearl, I really am sorry. Say you’ll still marry me.’

‘I … I don’t know. You’re so changeable and it scares me.’

‘I know I can be a moody bugger, but I can change. It’s my mother, Pearl. You know what she’s like and she drives me mad. Once we’re in our own place, I’ll be fine.’

‘Do you really love me?’

‘Yes,’ he murmured, ‘and I’ll never do that again. I don’t want to risk hurting our baby.’

She was quiet then and he held his breath, slumping with relief when she said, ‘All right, I’ll still marry you, but please, Kevin, find a job soon so we can move away from here.’

‘Don’t worry, I will.’

He held her gently, but hearing a thump on the ceiling, they drew apart. ‘That’s Bessie,’ Pearl said. ‘I’ll have to see what she wants.’

‘Are you sure you’re up to it?’

‘Yes, I’m fine. I expect she wants her hot-water bottle filled again.’

Kevin solicitously held her arm as she stood up, watching as she left the room. From now on he’d be gentle with Pearl, but to hold back the demons he’d somehow have to raise the money to go to Soho. Of course after the baby was born, it would be a different matter.

Pearl was still in a daze as she walked upstairs, her mind distracted as she went into Bessie’s bedroom.

‘Something woke me,’ the old lady complained. ‘I thought I heard voices. Is someone down there?’

‘Yes, it’s Kevin.’

‘What’s that on your cheek? It looks like a hand mark. Have you been crying?’

Pearl flushed, her hand rising to touch her face.

‘Did he hit you?’ Bessie demanded.

‘We … we had a bit of a row.’

‘That’s no excuse. I’ve got no time for men who lay into women. If he’s hitting you now, I dread to think what he’ll be like when you get married. If you’ve got any sense you’ll call it off.’

‘No, it’s all right. He promised he won’t do it again.’

‘Huh, and pigs might fly. Listen, girl, you don’t have to marry Kevin Dolby. Stay here with me and we’ll manage all right. Who knows, with your fresh eyes we may be able to come up with a way to drum up a bit more business.’

‘Don’t worry, Bessie, I’ll be all right. Kevin said he loves me and I love him too. If we can find a place of our own, I know we’ll be happy.’

‘Well, it’s up to you, but I still think you’re making a mistake.’

Pearl bent to straighten Bessie’s blankets, her mind turning. It had been awful, the sex brutal, Kevin’s face a mask of anger as he took her. Yet afterwards he had been so contrite and his explanation was plausible. She could understand that Dolly drove him mad, and once away from her he’d be fine. Kevin had been so worried about the baby, and not only that, he had said the words she’d been longing to hear. He loved her – he really did, and her heart soared. Soon she would have what she’d always dreamed of. A home and family of her own. She smiled. Three children would be nice …

Then Bessie coughed loudly and Pearl looked at her with concern. ‘Your chest still sounds bad. Is there anything I can get you?’

‘No, but I want that young man out of my house. It isn’t right that you’re alone down there, and I don’t trust him.’

‘Bessie, I’m having his baby and we’ll be married soon. I think it’s a bit late to worry about a chaperone.’

‘That’s as maybe, but I don’t want him left on his own to nose about. He’d rob me as soon as look at me.’

‘How can you say that? Of course he wouldn’t rob you.’

‘I’ve heard rumours about him and what he gets up to with that Nobby Clark. Now do as I say and get him out of my house.’

Pearl wanted to argue, but Bessie’s hacking cough started again and she didn’t want to upset her any further. ‘All right, calm down. I’ll ask him to go.’

She hurried from the room, hoping that Kevin wouldn’t be upset at having to leave, but the old lady’s words played on her mind. Bessie had implied that Kevin was a thief. Pearl shook her head in denial. Of course he wasn’t. Yet even as her mind dismissed it, she couldn’t help thinking about the cartons of cigarettes she’d seen in Nobby Clark’s shop. Had Kevin been involved?

Doubts about the marriage rose again, but as she walked into the living room, Kevin spoke anxiously.

‘Are you all right? You’re not in any pain, are you?’

Pearl grabbed at his words. Bessie wanted him to leave, and now a way lay open, one that she took. ‘No, I’m not in any pain, but I am feeling a bit tired. Perhaps I should have an early night.’

‘Yes, do that. I’ll go now, but I’ll be over first thing in the morning.’

‘There’s no need.’

‘Yes there is,’ he said, touching her tummy lightly. ‘That’s my son’s in there and I want to make sure he’s all right.’

Pearl found herself smiling, pleased that he was showing such concern. ‘Or your daughter.’

He grinned. ‘A girl, eh? No, I reckon it’s a boy.’

‘We’ll just have to wait and see.’

‘Go on, go to bed,’ he said, kissing her lightly on the tip of her nose. ‘I’ll see myself out.’

Pearl nodded, her heart melting as, for a moment, Kevin held her gently.

‘We’ll be all right, you’ll see,’ he said, giving her a final soft kiss before leaving.

She heard his footsteps on the stairs, the shop door closing, and smiled. Despite everything, she loved him, and now fought to dismiss the worries from her mind. Kevin said they’d be all right, and she believed him.