Flowers on the Mersey (31 page)

Rebekah wondered if her husband was quite sane to do such a thing but was still too shocked to attempt further rebellion at the moment.

She performed the act Joshua desired, disliking it and him. She vowed that it was for the last time. The risk to David in staying with Joshua was more than she could cope with. Tomorrow she would leave.

The next morning, Janet asked if she was all right, looking with some concern at the bruising on her face. Rebekah did not want to involve her so she just answered that she felt a little unwell and asked her to do the shopping. With the maid out of the way she hoped that there would be nobody concerned enough about her to notice her leaving.

It was no easy task choosing what to take. When she had left for Ireland it had been a simple matter of
packing as suitcase for herself. Now she had all the baby’s paraphernalia to think about. She loaded her car. It was a struggle and she could not find room for the crib, but the rest she managed with the help of a couple of boys playing in the park. Then she sat in the driving seat a moment while the enormity of what she was doing overwhelmed her. Then, vividly, like something on a screen she pictured Joshua’s face as he held David out of the window and she drove off.

Rebekah arrived at Brigid’s home just before noon, not expecting to find her friend in but hoping her sister might be there. Not that she had ever been able to get close to Kath.

‘I hope you don’t mind but could I come in and wait for Brigid?’ Despite all her efforts, Rebekah’s voice trembled.

Kath frowned. ‘I suppose yer’d better.’

Rebekah felt the colour rise in her cheeks. ‘If you’d rather I didn’t – I could come back.’

‘No. Come in.’ Her eyes narrowed as she scrutinised Rebekah’s face. ‘You look like yer’ve been in the wars but I’m not going to ask questions. I’m doing the ironing. Our Brigid’ll sort yer out.’ Her glance passed over the loaded car. ‘I’ll help yer with the pram and then yer can take it round the back with the baby in.’ Rebekah thanked her, hoping that Brigid would not be long.

The children came in first and Veronica fussed over the baby. Brigid was soon after them. ‘What is
it, Becky luv? I didn’t expect to see yer this soon.’ She looped her handbag over the door knob and pulled off her gloves. ‘Come in the other room and tell me what happened?’

Rebekah told her.

Brigid’s mouth tightened. ‘The pig! What are yer going to do? Mam’ll say that there’s a place here as long as yer need it, but it’s not what yer used to and I won’t always be here.’ She toyed with a button on her dress. ‘Joe and I have decided to get married at the end of July.’

Rebekah smiled. ‘I’m glad for you both. And I’m not planning on staying for ever. Just until I find my feet. I’d have gone to Aunt Esther’s only that would be the first place Joshua would look for me. After that it would be Edwina’s.’

‘He won’t think of coming here?’ said Brigid.

Rebekah hesitated. ‘I don’t think he knows that I’m still friends with you.’

‘Hmmph! You never know. You’ll have to be careful.’

That night David slept in a drawer while Rebekah shared Brigid’s double bed. It took some time for Rebekah to sleep as her mind was trying to formulate plans for hers and David’s future. The trouble was that there was a great big ‘if’ over the weeks and months ahead.

The next few days Rebekah discovered what hard work it really was looking after a baby without nurse’s
help. Dealing with nappies and wet bedding with no running hot water was a never-ending chore, although there was a certain satisfaction in seeing the washing blowing on the line in the yard despite the smuts it collected. But it was not all work, and she enjoyed taking David for his walk. She was often stopped by women in the street who, talking nonsense to her son, made comments about his dark curls. In return he favoured a few with a toothless smile.

Ma Maisie doled her out a share of the household tasks and often asked Rebekah to do the shopping. She had some money of her own and would sometimes buy a special treat for the supper table as well as contributing to expenses. It was while shopping that she came out of a shop about a week after leaving Joshua to find the pram with David in it missing. She tried not to panic, but after scouring the road, shops and sidestreets, her anxiety was pitiful. She ran home to Kath and poured out what had happened. She alerted the neighbours and they joined the search but came back empty-handed.

The local bobby was informed and asked Rebekah some pertinent questions about her married status. When she said that she had left her husband, he proved to be unsympathetic. ‘Maybe you should go home, Missus,’ he said, closing his book. ‘Perhaps the little lad’s there.’

The idea that Joshua might have snatched David had been at the back of her mind since she had
discovered him missing but the thought of returning to his house had caused her to search every other avenue first. Now she had to face facts. Somehow her husband had guessed where she was hiding. Fearing that he might do something to David and not waiting for Brigid to come home, Rebekah got in the car and drove to her former home.

Joshua opened the door to her. ‘I want my son,’ she demanded, burning flags of colour high on her cheeks. ‘What have you done with him?’

His mouth curved in a smile that did not affect the chill light in his eyes. ‘Rebekah! I was expecting you. Do come in?’

‘I don’t want to come in. I want David!’

He scowled. ‘I’m not having a wrangling match with you on the doorstep for the neighbours and passers-by to listen to. Haven’t you embarrassed me enough, leaving me the way you did? I won’t tell you anything unless you come inside. No! Come round the back first.’

Rebekah glared but accompanied him. ‘Is David out in the garden in his pram?’

‘You’ll see,’ he said.

She saw all right. No pram but he had chopped off the head of Andromeda. ‘Is this another sick joke of yours?’ she demanded after several seconds. ‘Where is my baby?’

You don’t like it? I think she looks better. Come and have a drink and I will explain all.’ He took her elbow
and hustled her inside and into the sitting room. ‘Do sit down.’ He pushed her on the sofa and went over to the drinks cabinet. ‘A brandy for your nerves?’

‘There’s nothing wrong with my nerves.’ she retorted, clasping her hands tightly to stop herself from hitting him.

‘A cup of tea, then?’ He rang the bell and a maid entered and took his order. She glanced curiously at Rebekah.

‘Where’s Janet?’ asked Rebekah as soon as she was out of the room.

‘I decided to dispense with her services.’ He opened a cigar box and offered it to her, sighing heavily when she shook her head. ‘I’m sorry,’ he murmured. ‘I forgot that you didn’t. I suppose the tea will help to calm you down.’

‘Seeing my son will calm me down.’ She rose her feet. ‘Is he upstairs? I’ll go to him.’

Joshua blocked her way. ‘A waste of time. He’s not there.’

‘Let me see.’ She tried to go round him but he only moved with her.

‘Believe me, Rebekah, he isn’t in the house!’ His tone was emphatic.

She stared at him. ‘How did you find him? Where is he? What have you done to him?’

‘A letter from your common friend inside one of your books.’ He exhaled a fragrant cloud. ‘The boy’s in a safe place. An orphanage actually.’

‘I don’t believe you,’ she stammered. ‘Why would you—’

Joshua smiled. ‘Why indeed? But don’t you think his father might still be alive? Or perhaps he’s really dead now?’

Rebekah was silent.

Joshua’s left eyelid twitched rapidly and the cheroot smouldered between his lips as he spoke jerkily. ‘
You
might say his father is very much alive. That I am the father! I would like to believe you, my dear, but—’ He cleared his throat. ‘I’m going to Ireland. Someone in that Godforsaken village must have seen something. I have a photograph of O’Neill. Money talks. If he was there—’ He paused expectantly. ‘You could save me a journey, Rebekah.’

‘And you could tell me the truth.’ She was trying her hardest to keep calm. ‘Where is my baby?’

Joshua’s fist curled and it was obvious that he was struggling for control as much as she was. ‘The truth, my sweet, my love, is that you are an adulteress and as such must pay for your sins. Your son, as I said, is in an orphanage.’

Before she could speak there was a knock on the door and Joshua answered it, taking the cup from the maid, shutting the door and turning the key in the lock as Rebekah moved towards the door.

‘Joshua, you’re crazy!’ She clenched her fists. ‘Unlock that door. This isn’t Victorian times, you know! Let me out!’

He smiled and pocketed the key. ‘I’m the king of the castle, remember? You should think before you act.’

She moistened her mouth. ‘Joshua, you can’t keep me here.’

He said quietly. ‘Drink your tea. I’m going to have a brandy.’

‘Dear God,’ she cried, ‘I don’t want tea! I don’t want brandy! I want my son!’

‘The good Lord would agree with what I’m doing,’ said her husband, pouring out a generous measure of spirit. ‘You’re a wicked woman. Drink your tea before it gets cold.’

‘You hypocrite! What about you and your prostitutes?’

‘It’s different for men.’

Her eyes glittered. ‘The old excuse! Will you tell me where David is?’

‘I might if you calm down and drink your tea.’

She stared at him and then sat down, picking up her cup. ‘Well?’

‘Well what?’ He swirled the brandy, watching her.

‘Where’s David?’ Her mouth was dry so she drank the tea.

‘I’ve told you – I’m not going to have him back here, Rebekah. I’ll tell people that he died and that grief turned your brain.’

Suddenly she could not believe that it was all happening. It must be a nightmare. She stared at him as he took a large mouthful of brandy. ‘I loved you
once, Rebekah. We could have been happy but you turned against me.’

She was starting to feel strange and hysteria rose inside her. ‘You caused me to turn against you! You were cruel and you lied to me.’

‘Lied to you about what?’ He started forward.

‘Daniel! You cheated, and cheats never prosper!’ She put her hands to hot cheeks. ‘This is crazy!’

‘No!’ Suddenly his face loomed in front of her, large and grotesque. ‘It’s you that’s crazy and I know just the place for you. Only the best asylum for my wife, so it’s expensive. If you’re good I’ll probably let you out in a few months’ time. By that time your son will have been put up for adoption.’

‘Adoption!’ Horror seemed to be paralysing Rebekah’s limbs but she managed to fling the cup at him. It hit him on the forehead and then smashed in the fireplace.

‘Violence now.’ He smiled and tutted. She threw the saucer at his now double image, saw him sidestep before it, too, shattered into pieces. The last words she heard him speak seemed to freeze her mind. ‘I think I’ll tell the man to bring a straight jacket for you. We didn’t need one for poor Emma.’

‘She’s coming round.’ It was a voice Rebekah did not recognise.

She lifted heavy lids and stared up at Joshua
and the stranger. ‘There now, Mrs Green, you’re all right,’ he said with a smile.

‘David! Where’s David? He said—’ Rebekah sat up abruptly. ‘Who are you?’ She realised that she was lying on top of the bed in the room upstairs. ‘Why am I here? Have you taken David away?’ she said unsteadily.

‘I’m Doctor Gail, and you fainted.’

‘I never faint. He must have put something in my tea. My baby!’ Her voice broke on a sob. ‘Where’s my baby?’

The two men exchanged glances and Joshua said in sober tones, ‘See what I mean, Doctor, she won’t accept the truth.’

Rebekah’s eyes sparkled with unshed tears. ‘You don’t know the meaning of truth! Where’s Doctor Michaels?’

‘Michaels is away,’ said Doctor Gail. ‘I’m standing in for him.’ He sat on the chair beside the bed and took Rebekah’s hand. ‘My dear Mrs Green, I’m sorry but your baby is dead.’

‘No!’ She stared at Joshua. ‘My husband stole David from me, to punish me.’

The heavy features of the doctor were sorrowful, ‘I’ve seen your baby. Believe me, he’s dead.’

Rebekah had thought she could not feel any worse but she did. ‘I don’t believe it.’ Her mouth quivered. ‘Let me see the body.’

‘Certainly, Mrs Green, but are you sure this is wise?’
His expression was sympathetic. ‘It will upset you.’

Rebekah started to wonder if she was going mad. Surely she could not have imagined what had happened between her and Joshua downstairs? She darted a glance at her husband.

‘My sweet, you can see the body if you like,’ he said gently.

His words scared her but she slid off the bed, unaided.

Joshua attempted to take her elbow but she pushed him away. ‘Show me this baby.’

Joshua shrugged and led the way downstairs. Rebekah followed, accompanied by a grave-faced Doctor Gail. At first sight of the baby in the tiny coffin, Rebekah felt faint. Had her husband killed her son? It was a few moments before she dared take a closer look. ‘That’s not David,’ she stated in a relieved voice. ‘This baby has fair hair. My husband is trying to trick you.’

‘My dear Mrs Green, why should he do that? You’re overwrought.’ Doctor Gail put his arm about her shoulders. ‘The maid said it’s your baby and he’s got a look of your husband. Grief has affected your mind and so you refuse to accept the truth.’

Rebekah shrugged off his arm and turned on him. ‘How could that maid know? She’s never seen my baby! Find Janet or nurse! They’d tell you I’m telling the truth.’ She saw that he did not believe her, and despaired. She slammed a hand down on the
side of the coffin. ‘I don’t know where my husband found this child but it is not mine! It is not mine!’

‘Calm down, dear,’ said Joshua in a soothing voice. ‘You’re getting hysterical.’

‘If I am, you’re to blame!’ She stared at him with wild eyes. ‘Where is David? You told me an orphanage! Which orphanage?’

‘I told you nothing of the sort. My dear, you’re starting to imagine things.’

Rebekah’s fists clenched and she tried to gain control of the anger and fear that was rising, rising, threatening to choke her. ‘I am not! You’re doing this deliberately, Joshua. You want me to suffer. You want to drive me mad.’