Above the Harvest Moon (45 page)
‘But you can’t give me the farm. Why not your mother?’
Something flickered in his eyes, the damaged one with the hooded lid almost closing as he narrowed his gaze and turned away. ‘My stepfather would get his hands on it then and I don’t want that. Besides, I want to know . . . that you will be looked after too.’
‘This is all conjecture anyway because nothing is going to happen to you. You’ll be proved innocent, something will come up. They’ll find out who really did it. That’s what the police do.’
‘Hannah, they aren’t looking any more. They think they have their man and the evidence is pretty damning. If Clara and Frank think I did it, what hope have I got with people who don’t know me?’
‘They don’t think that, really they don’t.’
‘They’ve told the police I was meeting my father each Sunday night.’
‘They had to do that when it all came out but they don’t think you killed him.’ Her voice was less convincing than it could have been. Clara and Frank were staunchly for Jake, everyone at the farm was, but she suspected most of them were of the private opinion that he had attacked his father. They didn’t blame him for it, she’d heard Isaac Mallard say that even the nicest bloke could be pushed too far, but they did believe he was guilty.
Jake, oh, Jake
. She hadn’t slept more than an hour or two each night since the police had come to the farm and taken him away, and she had to force food down her throat. She wouldn’t be able to bear it if he was convicted of killing that horrible old man. Her hands still gripping his, she said, ‘How are they treating you in here?’ He looked awful, worse than awful. He had lost so much weight but it wasn’t so much that as the haunted look in his eyes.
Jake, oh, Jake
. She hadn’t slept more than an hour or two each night since the police had come to the farm and taken him away, and she had to force food down her throat. She wouldn’t be able to bear it if he was convicted of killing that horrible old man. Her hands still gripping his, she said, ‘How are they treating you in here?’ He looked awful, worse than awful. He had lost so much weight but it wasn’t so much that as the haunted look in his eyes.
Jake made an attempt at a smile. ‘Fine. It’s the being shut in I can’t stand. I’ve never been able to stand it.’
‘Jake, I believe you, I do, but can you think of anyone, anyone at all who would want your father dead besides you?’ Realising she hadn’t phrased that too well, she added, ‘There has to be someone. I can’t believe his murder happened by chance, not on the North Hylton Road on a Sunday evening.’
‘Apart from this crony of his he told me about, no one else knew he was here.’ He removed his hands from hers and leant back in his chair, his eyes tight on her face. ‘Pretty damning, isn’t it?’
‘There has to be someone.’ She stared back at him, her eyes clear and open. ‘You didn’t do it so there has to be someone who wanted him dead.’
‘Face it, Hannah, I’m scuppered,’ he said gently. ‘And maybe I’m being punished for what I wished on him. I wanted him dead. From the first night I met him, I wanted him dead but especially after I’d found out the sort of life he’d led my mother before he left Sunderland.’
‘You told her he was here?’
Jake shook his head. ‘No, of course not. But I asked her about him, made out I’d heard a thing or two. She told me,’ he hesitated for a moment, glancing towards the deadpan constable standing by the door of the room, ‘he did this.’ He touched the side of his face. ‘He’d already said as much but I wanted to know everything. I’m not sorry he’s dead, Hannah. I can’t pretend otherwise. But I didn’t kill him.’
‘What are we going to do?’
He sat staring at her, his face working, and it was a moment before he could say, ‘Thanks for the “we”, lass. I thought you’d be—’
‘What?’
His head dropped and he murmured, ‘Disgusted.’
‘Oh, Jake.’ She didn’t know whether she wanted to shake him or fling her arms round him and kiss him. How could he think that? How
could
he? ‘Of course I’m not disgusted,’ she said softly.
could
he? ‘Of course I’m not disgusted,’ she said softly.
‘Not even knowing what my father was? What I came from? I can imagine what they’re saying, Hannah. Like father, like son. Blood outs in the end. I’m right, aren’t I?’
She did not answer this because he
was
right. Instead she whispered, ‘You came from your mother too, Jake. Don’t forget that. And she would be the first to say there’s nothing of your father in you. You’re all hers and you’re a fine, fine man.’
was
right. Instead she whispered, ‘You came from your mother too, Jake. Don’t forget that. And she would be the first to say there’s nothing of your father in you. You’re all hers and you’re a fine, fine man.’
He looked at her then. It was one look, a fleeting second before he lowered his head again but what she read in that unguarded moment stopped her breath. But almost immediately he was on his feet, his voice gruff as he said, ‘I don’t want you in court tomorrow and that goes for my mother as well. Goodbye, Hannah. Look after everything for me.’
She stood up too, but when she would have moved towards him, the constable behind her put a hand on her shoulder. ‘I’m sorry, miss. No contact allowed.’
Before she knew what had happened, he had gone.
Outside the building, she stood for some time in the bitterly cold air. February had turned into March in the last few days but the weather showed no signs of improving, the odd snowflake whirling in the north-east wind. She felt unable to move, the screen of her mind replaying the expression on Jake’s face before he had stood up.
In spite of the freezing air, her cheeks were burning and she put her hands to them, staring straight ahead as her thoughts spun like the snowflakes. He cared for her. In
that
way. But why had he never said? Why hadn’t he let her know? And it wasn’t just that he’d never said but he’d actively been pushing her away over the last months, encouraging her to think about leaving the farm. It didn’t make sense.
that
way. But why had he never said? Why hadn’t he let her know? And it wasn’t just that he’d never said but he’d actively been pushing her away over the last months, encouraging her to think about leaving the farm. It didn’t make sense.
She began walking, not back towards Clover Farm but in the direction of the town. She needed to see Rose. She could make the excuse that Jake had told her he didn’t want his mother to come to the court proceedings, not that Rose would take any notice of that. Neither would she. She’d be there. Wild horses wouldn’t keep her away.
Why hadn’t he
said
something? She racked her brains to see if she had missed something in the past, some gesture, a word, but there was nothing that came to mind. He had always treated her kindly and with respect, but his affection had been that of a brother to a sister. But that look in his eyes hadn’t been brotherly. It had been . . . Again she put her hands to her hot face. It had been everything she could have wished for. Jake, Jake . . . And he was in prison for something he hadn’t done and she couldn’t see a way out.
said
something? She racked her brains to see if she had missed something in the past, some gesture, a word, but there was nothing that came to mind. He had always treated her kindly and with respect, but his affection had been that of a brother to a sister. But that look in his eyes hadn’t been brotherly. It had been . . . Again she put her hands to her hot face. It had been everything she could have wished for. Jake, Jake . . . And he was in prison for something he hadn’t done and she couldn’t see a way out.
It was beginning to snow more heavily but she stood stock still exactly where she was in the middle of the pavement, her eyes open but her heart reaching out as she prayed, please, please help me.You can’t let him die for something he didn’t do. All he’s suffered in the past and now this. It’s so unfair. And I know it was unfair what men did to You so You know how he feels. Show me something. Help me.
‘You all right, lass?’ An elderly woman dressed all in black paused for a moment, shifting her shopping basket from one arm to the other. ‘You’re not bad or somethin’?’
‘No, no.’ Flustered, Hannah said in embarrassment, ‘I was just thinking, that’s all.’
‘Thinkin’? You don’t want to be doing that, lass. Gets you in a whole load of trouble, thinkin’ does.’ She chuckled to herself. ‘Meself, I’ve always been a doer an’ left the thinkin’ to them as has time for it.’
Hannah forced a smile before walking on. Someone had killed Silas Fletcher but who and why? Who even knew he was in town apart from this friend of his and Jake? And who would have anything to lose apart from Jake? He had been trying to protect his mother, she was sure of that. Oh, this was such a tangle but there had to be something that would unravel things. But the court hearing was tomorrow. Her heart began to pound so hard it hurt. And everyone believed he was guilty.
The snow was settling fast and the sky was threatening more to come by the time Hannah reached the top of Wayman Street. She approached the house by way of the back lane although she knew there would still be neighbours who would clock her in and clock her out. You couldn’t sneeze in these streets without someone knowing.
Rose answered her knock at the back door, her weary face lighting up when she saw Hannah.‘Come in, hinny. I’m all by meself. Wilbur’s gone to his friend’s funeral. Oh, I’m that pleased to see you, I can’t stop thinking about tomorrow and my lad.’
‘I’ve just been to see Jake and he let me talk to him this time.’ Hannah followed Rose into the kitchen which was lit only by the glow of the fire although the afternoon was as dark as late evening. Rose never lit the gas until she had to. Every penny counted.
‘He did? Oh, lass.’ Rose turned to face her, taking Hannah’s hands in her own rough ones. ‘What did he say? How is he? I’ve tried time and time again to see him but he wasn’t having any of it. He sent me a letter explaining everything but he was adamant he didn’t want me to see him in there.’
‘He didn’t do it, Mrs Wood.’
‘I know that, hinny. My lad couldn’t kill a fly let alone a human being, if you can call Silas a human being. I can still hardly believe Silas was alive all these years. He was a wicked man, Hannah. Warped. Unnatural. But what am I doing? Get that wet coat and hat off, lass, and come and sit by the fire while I get a cup of tea.’
Once Hannah had sat down and the tea was mashing, Rose turned and looked at her.‘Why didn’t he tell me?’ she said quietly. ‘All this could have been averted if he’d told me his father was back instead of paying him to keep quiet. I could have told him he was on a hiding to nothing doing that. Silas would have kept on and on until he’d bled him dry. Oh, I know he did it for the best, trying to save my face with the neighbours and all, but now . . .’ She waved her hands helplessly. ‘Oh, lass, I’m going barmy thinking of him locked up in there.’
‘Me too, Mrs Wood. I can’t bear it.’
Something in Hannah’s voice made Rose look at her more keenly. ‘Do you care for him, hinny?’ she asked softly.
Hannah nodded, her face flooding with colour.
‘And him? How’s he feel?’
‘He’s never said anything.’ Hannah paused. ‘In fact he’s been hinting I should look for something else, leave the farm, but today . . .’ She paused again. ‘He looked at me in a different way. I don’t think he meant for me to see . . . Oh I don’t know, Mrs Wood.’
‘Do you want to know what I think, lass? I think he’s been fair gone on you for a while but this,’ Rose touched the side of her face, ‘prevents him from saying anything.’
‘But why? He must know I don’t care about that.’
‘You have to understand something, hinny. You’re a bonny lass, you always have been and there’s many a lad would look the side you were on if you gave them half a chance. Now my Jake grew up being called the sort of names you wouldn’t put to an animal. Bairns are cruel, lass, and there’s nothing they like more than tormenting and goading someone more vulnerable than themselves. It’s the way of things. I tried to shield him as much as I could but . . .’ Rose shrugged her shoulders. ‘And what goes in a bairn’s head makes the adult. He’s all tough and strong on the outside but inside there’s that little bairn crying out to be loved and accepted. But he’d rather cut off his right hand than run the risk of being rejected.’
Hannah stared at Jake’s mother. Could that be it? Or had she misread what was in his eyes?
‘Now in spite of his scars I think he’s a fine figure of a man and he could have been wed long before this if he didn’t see himself the way he does. But how you’d break down the barrier he’s built for the last thirty-three years I don’t know. I don’t even know if it’s possible, lass, if you want the truth.’
‘I’d do it, somehow I’d find a way if I was sure he cared about me, but . . .’ Her voice low, she went on, ‘Tomorrow there’s the trial.’
‘Aye, lass, there’s the trial.’ Rose’s voice broke.
‘Oh, I’m sorry, Mrs Wood.’ Hannah rose swiftly and crossed to Rose and hugged her tightly as Naomi would have done. ‘You sit down and I’ll make the tea.’
While the two women drank their tea they talked of what could be done but both knew it was pointless. It was as they were on their second cup that the kitchen door was thrust open and Adam walked in. Acknowledging her son with a nod of her head, Rose said in an aside to Hannah, ‘As though things weren’t bad enough they’re all on short time now. Did you know?’Without waiting for a reply, she added,‘Sit down, lad, and I’ll get you a sup. There’s one in the pot.’
Hannah had stiffened. She’d read what Adam had said to the
Sunderland Echo
and he had purposely put Jake in the worst light possible. Mindful of Rose’s feelings, though, she nodded to him when he said, ‘Hello, Hannah.’
Sunderland Echo
and he had purposely put Jake in the worst light possible. Mindful of Rose’s feelings, though, she nodded to him when he said, ‘Hello, Hannah.’
‘There you are, get that down you.’ Rose placed a cup of tea in front of him as he sat down at the table. ‘Your da’s gone to the funeral, did he tell you?’
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