A Mother's Trust (11 page)

‘Yes, Ma. Everything will be all right. You mustn’t worry.’ Phoebe picked up the candlestick and made for the door. Snape was a poor apology for a man but murder was a hanging offence, and she had to be certain that he had survived. ‘Can you remember Snape’s address, Ma?’

Annie raised herself on her elbow. ‘It’s number ten and his room’s on the ground floor at the back of the house. But you’re not thinking of going there now, are you?’

‘I know what I’m doing, Ma. Go to sleep now and don’t worry.’ Phoebe let herself out of the room, closing the door softly behind her.

The storm had passed, leaving the streets muddy and pockmarked with deep puddles. Phoebe’s clothes were almost dry by the time she reached Turk’s Head Yard, and a distant church clock chimed out the witching hour. She found the house wedged in between what appeared to be a brothel and an undertaker’s premises. The front door was hanging on one hinge as though an impatient person had at one point forced it open. She went inside, feeling her way along the damp walls to the rear of the building. A sour smell of damp rot and fungus pervaded the atmosphere, which was thick with dust, and strands of cobweb clutched at her hair. At the end of the corridor a faint sliver of light revealed that the door had been left ajar. Trembling, but determined to discover Snape’s fate,
she
opened it further, peering inside the room. In the flickering light of a single candle she could see Snape slumped in a chair. The bare boards surrounding him were covered in broken glass. A strong smell of jigger gin bore witness to Annie’s statement, and an upturned chair showed signs of a brief struggle.

Tiptoeing across the floor with her heart hammering against her ribs and her mouth dry with fear, Phoebe picked her way through the shards of glass to get near enough to Snape in order to reassure herself that he was still breathing. In fact he was snoring, and although she could see a reddened lump on the back of his balding head, he was obviously very much alive. Her hand flew to her mouth as she stifled a sob of pure relief. She had not believed that a woman as slight as her mother could fell a man the size of an ox, but she had heard of people with thin skulls for whom the slightest bump had proved fatal. Snape was patently not in that category. She bent down to retrieve the shoes that her mother had abandoned in her haste to escape, and she left Snape to sleep off the effects of the copious amounts of alcohol he must have consumed. He would doubtless have a bad headache in the morning, but with luck he would not remember too much of the previous night’s events. She made her way home without further incident. The increased police presence on the streets after the skirmish between the rival gangs had cleared the area, if only temporarily, of those who might have waylaid a lone woman. Even so it was with a sigh of relief that she let herself into the house. In a few short hours her grandfather and
uncles
would be up and going about the daily routine of collecting ice and making the ice cream for the last time that season. In a couple of days the family would leave for Italy and Ma’s secret would be safe.

The family left as planned, but not without a last concerted effort to persuade Phoebe to accompany them to their winter home. Gino was the most persistent of all, and she had to be firm to the point of stubbornness in her refusal, but now she had the excuse of looking after Dolly, who wept copiously every time anyone suggested that Phoebe might leave her. Maria had, somewhat reluctantly, formed a bond with Dolly. Her maternal instincts had been roused by the girl with the body of a woman and the mind of a child. Dolly’s operation wound was healing but she presented an odd sight now that the bandages had been removed, with patches of fair hair sprouting out of a shaven head. The local children made fun of her and took it in turns to try to pluck the cotton mobcap from her head in order to get a better look at her bald pate. If Maria was witness to any of this taunting she chased them off with a broomstick, but Phoebe did her best to keep Dolly at her side. She allowed her to sit in on the table tipping sessions and was priming her to take part in the séances that would be a necessity if they were to support themselves through a long hard winter.

Annie had kept to her room after her ill-judged outing and her attack on Snape. Despite Phoebe’s continued reassurance, she was convinced that she had committed a murder or at least done him irreparable
damage
. She lived in constant fear of the police and each time she heard a knock on the door she would hide beneath the bedclothes. Phoebe was certain that Snape would not have reported the assault to the authorities, and she was prepared to deny that her mother had ever left the premises should he arrive and demand compensation for a cracked skull. It was not until the day after the family departed that Snape finally made an appearance in Saffron Hill. Phoebe answered the door and was barely surprised to see him standing on the pavement outside.

‘What can I do for you, Mr Snape?’

‘You can stop acting the innocent, missy. You know very well why I’m here. I want to see Annie.’

‘She’s unwell. She can’t see anyone.’

‘Another attack of the smallpox, I suppose.’

Phoebe clenched her fists behind her back. Snape could only have heard that tale from Ned Paxman. What if he had boasted of seducing Annie in Ned’s presence? The very thought of it made her blood run cold. She forced herself to appear calm. ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about.’

He put his foot over the threshold. ‘I want to see Annie.’ He took off his top hat and rubbed the back of his head. ‘She crowned me with a bottle, the little harlot. But as I’ve always said, I like a woman with spirit.’ He pushed past Phoebe and there was nothing she could do to stop him as he headed for the parlour.

With the male members of the family on their way to Italy there was no one left to protect them. She hurried after him. ‘I’m not doing any fortune telling
or
séances this morning, Mr Snape.’ Catching sight of Dolly peering out of the kitchen, Phoebe placed her finger on her lips, but she need not have worried. Dolly had seen Snape and she was obviously scared out of her wits. She dodged back into the room and shut the door. Breathing a sigh of relief, Phoebe followed him into the parlour. ‘What do you want?’

‘All right, missy. I’m a direct man. I’ll come straight to the point. I want to know if your trull of a mother is going to name me as the father of her bastard.’

This was the last thing she had expected. Phoebe stared at him in astonishment. ‘I don’t understand.’

‘I know a full belly when I feel one, so don’t try to pretend that it ain’t so. I got a position to keep up at work and I don’t want a cheap little moll like Annie Giamatti making trouble for me.’

‘You’re mistaken, mister.’

‘Then it’s Paxman’s,’ Snape said with a smug grin. ‘I thought as much. Now get your crystal ball out, love. Tell me how much it’s worth to keep my mouth shut.’

She was trembling and her palms were damp with perspiration, but she was not going to let him see that she was afraid. ‘Get out of my house.’

Snape struck a pose. ‘You can’t make me do anything, Phoebe, my love. I got the upper hand and I want recompense for a sore head and a bottle of good spirit. I could have given the slut blue ruin but I gave her the real thing.’

‘And I expect you filched that from the distillery,’ Phoebe said angrily. ‘Don’t come here making threats,
mister
. I’ve got friends who will sort you out if you don’t leave us alone.’

‘All the Eyeties who stayed behind are out asphalting the roads now the season’s over. Amos Snape don’t scare so easily, miss. So do I go to Paxman and tell him that Annie Giamatti is carrying his little mistake, or do I get what I want?’

‘What is it you want?’

‘I want Dolly Fowler. She’s bought and paid for. Give me the simpleton and we’ll say no more about any of this. I can be as silent as the grave if it’s worth my while.’

‘Get out of my house.’ Phoebe’s voice rose to a scream. ‘You disgusting man. Go away before I call the police.’

Snape curled his lip. ‘Go on then, love. Call the cops and I’ll report your ma for common assault and attempted murder.’ He touched the back of his head as if to demonstrate a point.

‘You can’t see Dolly,’ Phoebe said in desperation. ‘She’s not here. She went to Italy with my grandparents.’

Snape’s expression froze into one of disbelief. ‘You’re lying.’

‘I wouldn’t be so stupid. You’d find me out sooner or later.’

His hand shot out and he caught her by the wrist. ‘That’s right. I would, and if you’re telling lies it’ll be the worse for you and that mother of yours.’

‘Search the house then if you don’t believe me.’ Phoebe knew she was taking a chance by inviting him
to
see for himself, but she judged it worth the risk if it bought her some time. She met his suspicious gaze with what she hoped was an air of innocence.

He released her with a grunt of disgust. ‘I’ve got to get back to work, but if I find out you’ve tricked me …’ He stormed out of the room, leaving the sentence hanging like a threat over Phoebe’s head.

She sank down on the nearest chair as her knees buckled beneath her. She knew that this was not the end of the story as far as Snape was concerned. He was capable of anything when it came to satisfying his perverted lust for a helpless creature like Dolly, whose own mother had been prepared to sell her into sexual slavery. She jumped as she heard the front door slam behind him. At least they were safe for the time being, but for how long? As the strength returned to her lower limbs, she stood up and paced the floor. The crystal ball set in the middle of the table was catching the light as the sun filtered through the window. If she had a genuine ability to foretell future events she might know what to do next, but it was all trickery and pantomime. She turned at the sound of footsteps and met Dolly’s anxious gaze.

‘It was me he wanted, wasn’t it?’ Dolly’s face was pale as milk and her blue eyes were magnified by tears. ‘You won’t let him take me, will you?’

Phoebe hurried to her side, taking her cold hands in a firm clasp. ‘Never. You’re part of our family now. I’ll keep you safe, so you mustn’t worry.’

‘But he might come back. Ma sold me to Mr Snape. I belongs to him.’

‘No. You don’t and you mustn’t think like that. You’re a free person, Dolly. No one can sell you and no one can buy you. It’s as simple as that.’

Dolly’s lips trembled. ‘But he thinks it’s so. He’ll lie in wait for me like a cat catching a bird and he’ll pounce.’

Phoebe squeezed her hands gently. ‘We’ve got to get away from here. I don’t know where we’ll go, but I’ll think of something.’

‘You’re clever, miss,’ Dolly whispered. ‘You’ll save me from the cat-man.’

‘I will, I promise. But you must stay indoors today. Keep out of sight. We must make Snape think that you’ve gone to Italy with my family.’

‘I’m good at hiding,’ Dolly said, brightening visibly. ‘I used to hide from Ma when she was on the rampage. She beat me with Pa’s wooden leg. That’s how she hurt me head.’

‘I know, dear. But that’s all in the past.’ Phoebe gave her a reassuring hug. ‘Now I want you to go back to the kitchen and make us all a lovely cup of tea. I’m going upstairs to talk to Ma.’

‘I can make tea.’

‘Of course you can. I’ll only be gone for a few minutes, so don’t open the door to anyone. Remember you’re hiding.’

Dolly nodded emphatically and hurried from the room repeating over and over again, ‘I mustn’t open the door to anyone.’

Phoebe hesitated for a moment, staring at the crystal ball for inspiration. Matters had come to a head now
and
she must make the right decision. They could not stay in Saffron Hill; that was becoming increasingly clear. They must leave soon and preferably under the cover of darkness. She must get Ma and Dolly to a place of safety. She stroked the cold glass with the tips of her fingers, closing her eyes and hoping for an answer. She could hear the waves lapping on the shingle as if she were standing on Bridewell Wharf watching the incoming tide. She opened her eyes and the sound faded away. Perhaps she had imagined the fresh saltiness carried on the breeze that had momentarily fanned her cheeks. It was all in her mind, she decided, moving towards the doorway. She did not believe in the power of the crystal ball. It was all a sham. She hurried from the room and made her way upstairs.

She found her mother huddled up beneath the coverlet staring blankly at the wall. Suddenly her patience snapped. ‘Ma, this is ridiculous. You must get up.’

Slowly, Annie turned her head to stare at her daughter. ‘Why? Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t just lie here and die.’

‘Because we’re in terrible trouble, Ma. I need you to help me.’

Annie shook her head. ‘I can’t help anyone, ducks. Snape will have me arrested and I’ll probably die in prison with my unborn babe.’

With a swift movement, Phoebe snatched the covers off the bed. ‘Stop it, Ma. Get up this instant and stop feeling sorry for yourself.’

Annie stared at her in amazement. ‘Don’t speak to me like that, Phoebe. I’m still your mother.’

‘Then start acting like it. You’ve got the baby to think of now and if we don’t get away from here Snape has threatened to tell Ned Paxman that it’s his.’

Annie snapped upright, clutching her nightgown to her swollen breasts. ‘Snape doesn’t know about the child.’

‘He’s not stupid, Ma. He saw the state you’re in and he guessed the rest. Now he’s after Dolly as he can’t get what he wants from you. What have you to say to that?’

Tears spilled from Annie’s eyes and she buried her face in her hands. ‘Don’t speak to me in that tone of voice, Phoebe. It’s not my fault.’

‘Then I don’t know whose fault it is, Ma. I’ve been patient with you all this time and I’ve told lies to protect you, but we can’t go on this way. Can you imagine what will happen if Paxman wants to acknowledge the baby as his? The family would disown you at the very best, or it could start a war between the gangs and the Camorra. The Thames would run with blood because of you.’

‘No. It’s not true. You’re just saying these things to frighten me.’