Читать книгу A Silent Love - Susan Wright - Страница 3

The next morning, as she entered the kitchen, she was not ready for the scene that met her. Cake and crumbs, were all over the table and floor. The worst thing, though, were the beer bottles on the table plus two glasses. She knew that Mark did not drink beer that meant that Steven had drunk beer with his father. Because of her sore mouth, she had slept badly and now, she was in no mood to even think about the consequences of Steven drinking alcohol.

She stoked the coal range and began preparing breakfast. Paul came and sat down, without acknowledging her presence. Shortly afterwards Steven entered, looking very much the worse for wear. Jessie did not even feel sorry for him. Paul laughed and playfully thumped his son on the back.’ Come on son, you will have to learn to hold your liquor better than that. You look like something Smithy would cough up.’

‘He’s far too young to begin drinking.’

‘What, did you say?’

‘You heard. Fancy encouraging him to begin drinking at his age he is only a child.’

‘When I want your advice, I will ask for it.’

Knowing it useless to argue, Jessie went about her chores in silence. A few minutes later Allison arrived for her breakfast. She walked over and kissed her mother.’ Good morning, darling,’ Jessie said.

Paul angrily pushed back his chair. ‘Listen to that. Good morning darling.’ This he said mockingly. ‘Little idiot, that she is.’

Turning her head, so that Allison could not lip read Jessie retorted. ‘Just because she is deaf, does not mean she is an idiot. We all know who the idiots around here are.’

Even as she spoke, she knew, she had pushed him too far. She never saw his fist, as it caught her across the face. She was not aware of screaming or falling to the floor.

A few minutes later, she sat up, trying to focus her blurred vision. Everything was spinning around and she felt nauseous. Through her pain and tears, she saw that Paul and Steven had left the room. Allison had a face cloth and was trying to wipe the blood from her mother’s swollen face. Both of them became frightened and unsure what to do next. Jessie managed to stagger to a chair and, signed to Allison to go and find Fred. It did not take her long, and soon Fred stood staring at Jessie. ‘This time, he has gone to far lass. You do not have to take this from him you know.’

‘What can I do Fred? I have nowhere to go. Besides I have Allison to think of.’

Fred was angry, very angry. He liked Jessie, and he resented the way Paul had treated her. He also liked Allison and treated her as if she were his granddaughter. It was to Allison that he spoke, with authority. He placed his hands on her shoulders and he spoke right into her face, so that there was no way she could misunderstand him. ‘Make your mother a cup of strong tea.’ Allison stood before him, with her eyes brimming with frightened tears. Impulsively he hugged her and again spoke slowly and quietly to her. ‘Don’t worry Allison, I have a feeling that things are going to change for you and your mother. Do as I ask and look after her for a few minutes, that’s a good girl. I have something for your mother that I should have given her a long time ago; I will be back in a few minutes.’ At this instant, he could have murdered Paul, for the anguish he had inflicted upon his daughter.

Although her head was thumping, making it hard for her concentrate Jessie managed to hear Fred and, wondered what he could have for her. In the instant that Paul hit her, she had decided there and then that she had enough. Never again, would she allow him to abuse her in such a way. A vague plan was beginning to form in her befuddled brain. Allison handed her a cup of tea.’ Thank you,’ she mouthed.

‘I hate him,’ Allison signed.

This admission from her daughter was frightening, as Allison had never shown animosity towards her father. She had always been respectful and polite, even though Paul had shown open resentment towards her. Paul had always considered her stupid, because of her disability. He had never had the time, or inclination, to try to understand her, the way Jessie did. Allison sat on the stool beside her mother and gently wiped the blood from her face.’ Try not to hate him dear. It is me that provoked him.’

‘He should not hit you,’ Allison mouthed.

‘No, he shouldn’t, but I promise you things are going to change. I am not quite sure what I am going to do, but I will not allow that to happen again.’

They sat together in silence, holding hands, as the kitchen clock ticked away the minutes. Jessie had never liked this house and at this instant, she positively hated every thing about the place. It was a cold depressing house, offering little comfort either physically or mentally.

Fred returned, and pulled up a chair facing Jessie. He took hold of her hand, and placed something in her palm and closed her fingers over the object. Jessie uncurled her fingers and stared at a small key.

‘What is this for, Fred?’

‘It’s the key to a cottage, which I own.’

‘You own a cottage, Fred? Whereabouts is it? You have never spoken about this.’

‘I came here as a lad, when the old Mister Drury owned the place. When I arrived I planned to stay for a year or so, but here I am still here nearly fifty years later. You see lass, I like the country. I have never been one for the town life. It is way beyond me how people can live so close to one another. Anyway the story of the cottage is this. It was left to my sister and me when our parents died. I never married and neither did she. When she died five years ago the cottage became mine. Nelson is where we spent our childhood, and that is where the cottage is. Since I have no intention at my age of returning there, I want you to have it.’

‘Oh, Fred, that is very kind, but I couldn’t possibly accept.’

‘Why ever not, I thought you wanted to get away from here and in my opinion, you should leave sooner rather than later.’

‘I do, Fred. I really do, want to get away. For my safety and Allison’s, I know that I have to.’

‘Then what’s the problem?’

‘I don’t know, it just doesn’t seem right, taking your cottage.’

‘I don’t want the damn thing. Sorry lass, I didn’t mean to swear in front of Allison.’

Jessie smiled at him and looked at the key again. In her hand she literally held the key to a different life.

‘If it’s money you are worrying about, I have thought about that as well.’

‘Fred you are kind. Actually money is not necessarily a problem. You see, years ago when Paul began going into town whoring and drinking, he would return home at night dead drunk. When I picked up his clothes from the floor, where he dropped them, I always searched his pockets. I know this probably sounds terrible.’

‘If that is the worst thing you have done lass, then you have nothing to reproach yourself about.’

‘In the mornings, he would have such a hang over, that he never remembered how much money had been in his pockets. I think over the years, he thought he spent more than he actually did.’

‘Good for you lass, good for you.’

‘Mostly it was just small change, but once I found twenty dollars. Anyway over the years it has mounted up and I have a tidy sum. I always knew one day I was going to need it.’

‘Then today is that day. You know you cannot stay and take any more of his brutality. Think of the harm this is doing to Allison.’

Such was her state of agitation, that Jessie had temporarily forgotten Allison. ‘Oh, Fred, I shouldn’t speak about these things in front of her.’

‘Its all right, she is sitting by the window, patting Smithy. She can’t lip read from that angle.’

‘I don’t know how I would have managed over the years, without you Fred. You have been the only one to offer me any kindness. Even my parents ignored my pleas for help.’

‘I know lass, and in my opinion, that wasn’t right of them.’

‘What am I to do, Fred?’

‘Take the key and start a new life. Take it and leave today.’

‘Thank you, Fred.’ She had made up her mind. Here was an opportunity that was too good to turn down, and she owed it to herself and Allison to accept. She extended her arms and Fred smiled as he hugged her tightly. ‘Try and find some happiness, goodness only knows you deserve it lass.’

Having made her decision, it was now time to take decisive action. As she stood up she had to hold the table to keep her balance. ‘Allison dear, I want you to go and get the big suitcase from the hall cupboard and then pack all your clothes, and mine. Be as quick as you can.’ Jessie signed this to her, so that there would be no mistaking what she meant. Allison never questioned her mother, but left the room to do as she was bid.

‘Now, Fred, how am I going to get to Invercargill, to catch the train to Nelson?’

‘Don’t you worry about that, you just get yourself ready. I will organise something for you.’

Jessie looked with curiosity at him. He refused to answer, but instead handed her an envelope. ‘I have written a letter, that gives you my permission to occupy the cottage, if anyone questions you. There is no need to open it just now, you have more important things to think of. Are you sure you feel up to this today?’

‘Fred, one way or other, I am not spending another night under this roof.’ Her head was pounding and her vision blurred, but her decision was resolute. Today had been the breaking point for her.

‘You go up and help Allison. I will make you some sandwiches to take. Be ready by ten thirty sharp.’

Jessie had no idea what Fred had in mind, nor did she care, her whole focus was to get out of this house. As she mounted the stairs for the last time, she had to hold the stair rail for support. Going into her room, she went to her drawer where she kept an old kitchen knife. Next she lifted the mat and with the knife that she kept for this purpose she prised up a loose floorboard. Reaching down, she retrieved a tin box. Blowing away the dust, she opened the box and looked at her secret hoard of money. It contained nearly two hundred pounds. It was not a fortune, but it was enough for them to begin a new life.

By ten thirty, the suitcase and two travel bags with their few possessions stood by the door. On the bottom of the suitcase, Jessie had carefully placed all Allison’s drawings, there was no way she was leaving them behind. Allison never questioned her mother about what they were doing. She was happy getting away from the environment that led to her mother being abused. That was until she had to say good-bye to Smithy. Fred hugged her and tried his best to comfort her. ‘I promise you I will take good care of him.’

Jessie turned Allison around, so the she looked directly at her, and then she mouthed clearly. ‘When we get ourselves set up in a new home, the first thing we will do is to get a new cat. Fred has promised he will take care of Smithy.’ Jessie felt as if her heart would break as she watched Allison lovingly stroke her beloved pet.

‘We have to go now,’ said Fred. Jessie could tell he was becoming impatient. ‘I have arranged for Charlie the mail man, to take you both as far as Winton. Once there, you will have to catch a bus into town. Charlie tells me there is one that leaves midday.’

‘How did you arrange all this, Fred?’

‘I stopped him on his way up the road, half an hour ago. He will be back any minute, so come on let’s go out to the gate.’

They hurried out the driveway towards the gate. A thousand thoughts were whirling through Jessie’s brain, suddenly she thought about Paul and what he would do when he returned. ‘Fred, what if Paul chases after me?’

‘When he comes in at lunch, I will say I think you have gone to visit your parents. After what happened this morning, he will swallow that. By the time he realises what has really happened, hopefully, you will be well on your way.’

‘What if he asks Charlie where he took me?’

‘Jessie, whether you realise it or not, your husband has more enemies than friends. Believe me, when I say Charlie has more reason than most to hate him so he will keep your secret.’

Jessie briefly wondered what reason Charlie could have to hate him, but there were more pressing things to concern her just now. They had only arrived at the gate, when the mail van came into view. Jessie shook Fred’s hand and thanked him. The old man had tears in his eyes as he said good-bye to them. ‘I will write, Fred, and let you know how we are.’

‘You do that lass, and take care of yourself. Have you got the envelope I gave you?’

‘Yes Fred, it’s in my pocket.’

They climbed into the back of the van, amid the mail. Jessie was not a hundred per cent sure that this was legal, but she did not care. Fred stood in the middle of the roadway and waved. They waved until they could no longer see him. They were on their way to a new life.