Always: You'll Never Walk Alone (12 page)

Chapter Seventeen

“You… THIS BOY’S A THIEF.”

For a minute I stood there in shock. The shock was replaced by anger. I balled my fist and with all the strength in my body I punched him. He fell over backwards, blood spilling from his nose. From his position, sprawled out on the floor, he glared up at me. “You’ll pay for this…”

“Call the police.”

I turned round. Jim was standing next to me. “Is that what you’d like me to do? I know they’d like to talk to you.”

Mr. Mortimer, with the help of a chair pulled himself upright. “That thief hit me.”

Jim lunged at him, grabbing him by his lapels and lifting him off his feet. “If you call him a thief one more time I’ll knock every one of your teeth out. Now I believe you owe him six pounds plus interest. Twenty pounds should do it.”

“TWENTY POUNDS? Are you mad? I don’t have that sort of money to give to this, this…”

Jim slammed his body against the wall, “This what?”

“I don’t have twenty pounds.”

“Oh I think you have a lot more than twenty pounds. We know all about your little game. The police want to speak to you. I could arrange to have them come round right now if you prefer.”

“No, no. I might have ten pounds. If you’ll just put me down. I could get to my wallet.”

Jim let go of his lapels while Mr. Mortimer straightened his clothes, wiped the blood from his mouth, and reached inside his vest pocket. Pulling out his wallet he half turned away. “I only appear to have five pounds. That will have to do.”

Jim grabbed his shoulder and pulled him around, grabbing the wallet from his hand.

“Only five pounds eh? You lying piece of shit.”

He pulled out four five-pound notes and handed them to me.

“Jim I don’t think this is right. He only stole six pounds from me.”

“Well let’s ask him. Do you think you only owe him six pounds?”

“I don’t think I owe this little…”

He found himself back on the floor blood spurting from above his left eye.

“Now let’s start again. How much do you think you owe this boy?”

“I think si…”

“Before you come up with a figure, maybe we should drive back to Exeter. We can talk to the Chisholms. I’m sure they can help you come up with something reasonable.”

“I, I think twenty pounds would be reasonable.”

“Good. I thought you were a reasonable man. There you are Stephen, he thinks twenty pounds is reasonable. Now Bill would you send someone out to fetch the police?”

“But, but I gave him the twenty pounds.”

“Twenty pounds covers what you owe him financially. It can’t even start to repay what he’s been through because of your lies. And how many other lives have you ruined? No, no you’re not going to get off that easily. Bill?”

Bill called one of the kitchen staff to go for the police, and handed the glass of whisky to Jim. “Here drink this. I thought you were on your way out a minute ago, next thing I see you’re tossing this guy around like a teenager.”

Jim assured him it was nothing, just a little cough. But as he took the whisky, I could see a sweat break out on his face, and he sat down heavily.

Mr. Mortimer was wiping the blood from his face with a handkerchief. His left eye had swollen and started to close. He glared at me, then at Jim, but the fight was knocked out of him and he sat there in silence.

It took more than half an hour for a policeman to arrive. He took one look at Mr. Mortimer then demanded to know what was going on. Jim pulled himself to his feet and told him the story of Mr. Mortimer and his swindles. The policeman asked how he had gotten so bloodied.

“He was trying to escape.”

He looked at Jim, then back to Mr. Mortimer. “What do you have to say about all this?”

“This man attacked me for no reason, and that boy”, pointing to me, “Is a thi… criminal.”

“I think I’d better take you all down to the police station. We’ll sort everything out down there.”

I couldn’t go to another police station, I had to get to Sarah she was so close now.

“NO.” I shouted.

Everyone turned towards me. “This man is a swindler. He’s been stealing from people all the way from London. The police in Exeter were going to arrest him, but he escaped.”

“Exeter, you say? What was you’re name again?” He asked Mr. Mortimer.

“Mortimer.”

“Hmm I think I saw something this afternoon about a Mortimer. And you’ve just come from Exeter?” He asked Jim.

Jim replied in the affirmative.

“There’s some question about a missing jail guard. Do you know anything about that?”

Jim said he had no idea what he was talking about, but avoided looking at me.

“Well I think the three of you better come with me.”

Jim said, “The boy is not involved in this leave him here with Bill while we sort everything out.”

The policeman was about to object when Bill said, “It’s okay you can leave him with me I’ll make sure he doesn’t go anywhere.”

“You can’t trust him he’s a…”

Jim took a step toward him, and he shrunk back. “He’s got my money.”

“The only money he’s got is what I just gave him. Get him out of here.” It was Bill. “I’ve seen this man before. I’ll bring you a few people this man owes money to. Leave the boy with me, I’ll take full responsibility, and I’ll bring those people around in the morning.”

This seemed to satisfy the policeman, he took Jim and Mr. Mortimer by the arms, and led them out. As they reached the door Jim turned to me and said, “Don’t worry Stephen, we’ll get this sorted out and I’ll be back in no time.”

The door slammed shut behind them. I turned in dismay towards Bill. “What are we going to do?”

He shrugged his shoulders “Not much we can do ‘til tomorrow. I’ll get down to the police station first thing and we’ll get this sorted out. There’s a room upstairs you can stay in. Help me put the horses away for the night, and we’ll have some supper.”

We went outside and took the horses to the stables at the back. Rubbed them down, gave them their oats and left them in the comfort of the stalls for the night. We returned to the warmth of the bar and sat down to a hot meal. I was worried about Jim. He didn’t look well, and I knew just how Spartan English jails could be. Spending a night in an unheated cell would only serve to worsen his condition.

As these thoughts were running through my head the door to the bar was thrown open and a gust of cold wind whipped at my back. I turned round to see who had entered. It was Jim. “Started supper without me eh?”

My mouth fell open.

“Didn’t your parents ever teach you to eat with your mouth closed?”

I closed my mouth.

“I told you I’d be right back didn’t I? The chief constable’s a good friend of mine. I explained the situation to him, and after he’d given the constable who’d arrested me a good talking to. He brought me back here. He’ll be around soon. He enjoys a good pint of ale.”

My mouth must have fallen open again. Because he said, “I don’t think your girlfriend’ll be too impressed if you sit around with your mouth open and full of food.”

I closed my mouth again and smiled as he put his arm around my shoulder and asked Bill for a dish of whatever I was eating and a beer to wash it down with.

Before we had gotten half way through our meal the chief constable arrived.

“I THINK I’M GOING TO HAVE TO CLOSE THIS PLACE DOWN. IT’S FULL OF DRUNKS AND CRIMINALS”!

“Sit down. Let me buy you a drink. You can close the place down later.”

Bill smiled as he brought him a beer in a tankard that was obviously the chief’s personal pot.

“And who’s this boy here? Looks like a pretty shady character to me.”

I laughed nervously as Jim introduced me.

“Ah yes. Jim’s told me all about you. Don’t you go causing any trouble, or I’ll have to put you in a cell along with that Mortimer fella we have at the station. Y’know he hasn’t stopped complainin’ since he got there. I had to leave just to get a bit of peace and quiet. I’m gonna need you to come to the station tomorrow and swear out a complaint. And you Bill, bring along those other witnesses, alright?”

Bill assured him he would, and I said I’d be there first thing in the morning.

As the evening drew on, the pub began to fill, and it started to feel like I was back home in the Fox. I wondered how everyone was back there, and a wave of homesickness washed over me. It must have shown, because Jim asked me if everything was alright. So I told him I was just thinking about my family and friends back at the Fox. He said he was sure they were all fine and it wouldn’t be long before I would be back with them recounting tales of my adventures.

I smiled, but I had a feeling that I would not be going back to the Fox very soon and my heart felt heavy.

The chief constable, having consumed about six or seven beers, stood up and declared that it was time to get back to work. Taking his leave, he said he expected us at the station in the morning. Eleven o’ clock would be fine.

As the door closed behind him, Jim started another coughing fit. It went on and on. He grabbed a cloth from his pocket, when he took it away it was covered in blood. His face was drawn and beads of sweat had broken out on his forehead. “I think I need to lay down. It’s been a long day.”

He leant on my shoulder as I helped him off his stall. Bill came around the bar and took his other arm, and together we helped him up the stairs to a small room on the second floor. He lay down on the bed. Bill went to get a cloth to wipe his face, now covered in sweat, and blood was trickling out of his nose. I asked him if he was alright, but he didn’t seem to hear, so I just held his hand until Bill returned. He wiped his face with the cloth then covered him with a thick blanket. Jim was either asleep or unconscious. I asked Bill what was the matter, “Should we get a doctor?”

He shook his head, “Jim’s been sick a long time. He should have retired ages ago, but he wouldn’t. Said he’d die of boredom if he sat at home with nothing to do. I’ll call the doctor, but I don’t think there’s much he can do. You stay here with him. Call me if he wakes up.” He left to fetch the doctor, while I sat on the bed and prayed for him to get better.

The doctor arrived within an hour. He ushered me away from the bed, while he examined Jim. Taking his pulse, his temperature, examining his eyes, his throat and his chest. He turned to Bill and me. “There’s nothing I can do. Just keep him comfortable and warm, and hope for the best.”

“NO! There must be something. You’re a doctor, can’t you give him something?”

He looked at Bill and shook his head. “I’m sorry.” And he turned for the door.

“Why won’t you do something?” I went after him, but Bill stopped me. “There’s nothing can be done Stephen. Just stay with him and keep him comfortable. I’ll check back with you in a while. Call me if there’s any change.”

I sunk down onto the bed. “Please Jim, don’t die.”

He didn’t stir.

I sat with him the rest of the night. Just as dawn started to break he opened his eyes. “Stephen.” He squeezed my hand. I must have fallen asleep and I woke with a start.

“Jim, are you okay? Do you need anything?”

“No, I’m fine. Maybe just a sip of water.”

I helped him sit up and gave him some water, then let him lie back down.

“Stephen I’m sorry I won’t be able to help you rescue Sarah. But, you can take the coach. You know the way now. I don’t know what else I can do. I know you’ll be successful. Bring her back here; I want to meet this girl. She must be something very special.” He closed his eyes.

“I won’t leave you. I’ll stay with you, until you’re better.”

His eyes fluttered open. “No Stephen. You have a job to do. There’s nothing you can do here. Get Sarah.”

His eyes closed again, and slept.

Chapter Eighteen

I don’t know how long I remained sitting on the bed watching the day get lighter. A steady drizzle fell against the window, the greyness matching my mood. Bill came in at some point and gazed down at his friend. He was still sleeping, his breathing shallow but steady.

“Come downstairs Stephen, and have some breakfast. Jim seems to be resting comfortably now.”

I followed him down to the big kitchen behind the bar. A woman, he introduced as Daisy, was bent over a large stove. She smiled and told me to sit down, while she brewed some tea and handed me some fresh baked biscuits.

I hadn’t realized how hungry I was until I smelt the biscuits. I ate the four on the plate, which Daisy replaced with four more and handed me a big mug of tea. As I was eating the last of the biscuits, Bill said I should go to Castle Harvard today. Today was the day the local farmers and growers delivered supplies to the castle. It would be my best chance to slip into the castle unnoticed. He would come with me as far as the castle and do whatever he could to help. He knew most of the farmers in the area, and was sure that he could convince one of them to take me in with them. From there I would be on my own. It was a big castle and we had no idea where Sarah would be kept, assuming she was still there. Once I was in, all attention would be on the deliveries, so I should have a few hours to find her and make an escape, before the gates were locked once more. Daisy would look after Jim while we were gone.

If everything went to plan, we’d be back at the tavern by the end of the day. We could hide out here for a day or so. No doubt, Lord Beecham would mount a massive hunt to retrieve his property. Even if the chief constable was a good friend of Jim’s, he would be unable to overlook our abducting Sarah from a man such as Lord Beecham. So, we’d have to leave St. Ives as soon as possible. It would be best to leave under cover of night. Today was Monday we could hide out until Wednesday at the latest, then leave Wednesday night. It wouldn’t be wise to go back to London they would expect that is where we’d go. Bill had friends in Bodmin, we could hide out there for a couple of weeks then it would be up to us.

Finishing our breakfast, we checked on Jim, who was still sleeping. We saddled two of the horses and set out for Castle Harvard. Could this really be the day, one more hour and we’d be at the castle. All of the past weeks had led up to this day. A journey I thought would take four days had taken six weeks. I was no longer the boy that left London, but a man who’d survived six weeks of everything that could be thrown at me. In a very short time, I would complete what I had set out to do. I was nervous but confident. I hadn’t come this far to fail. I would be with Sarah very soon!

The drizzle that started this morning continued on and off as we rode towards the castle. We passed one or two carts going in the same direction. Bill greeted the drivers, but did not stop to talk. We reached the bottom of the hill leading to the castle when we came upon a cart piled high with vegetables. Bill pulled up next to it and spoke to the driver. I was a few feet behind and I noticed the driver looking back at me while Bill spoke. After a few minutes of intense conversation, Bill called to me to come over.

“Stephen I want you to meet Jack Springer. Jack this is Stephen.”

We shook hands as he appraised me, looking me up and down.

“Jack will take you to the castle. You can help him unload the cart, then you’re on your own. I’ll wait here for you. Take as long as you need, I’ll wait. Be careful now and good luck.”

He shook my hand then waited while I joined Jack on his cart. He whipped the horse and we started up the hill. The clouds started to clear and by the time we reached the castle the sun was out bathing everything in soft light. The gates were open and we drove straight inside. I had never been inside a castle before and I was overawed at its size. With the gates closed, it would be impossible to get in or out. I would have to find Sarah before they were locked. There were guards standing at either side of the entrance, as we drove past them I noticed a collection of weapons, long bows, crossbows, maces and others that I couldn’t put a name to, but that I wouldn’t want to get hit with. We would have to get past the guards to escape. Fortunately, they didn’t seem to be taking too much notice of the comings and goings, so hopefully we’d be able to get by somehow.

Jack guided the horse through the interior courtyard and into a storage area. Two of the kitchen staff who obviously knew Jack well greeted us. They looked at me and nodded but made no further inquiry of me. The storage area for the foods was in an underground area two flights down. It took us almost two hours to unload the cart, but finally it was done. As we were going up the stairs for the last time, Jack pointed out a door to me. It was set back into the stone wall and I had hardly noticed it, although I must have passed it forty times.

“That door leads up and into the living quarters. I’ve never been through there before, but I saw it opened one time. It’s unlocked. I don’t know what you’re planning, and I don’t want to know, but I have no love for the owners of this place so I’ll wish you good luck. Now go while no one’s around. He opened the door, looked through then pushed me inside, closing it behind me.

I was standing in a stone hallway at the far end was a wooden door. On the wall to my left were a series of small windows, which faced the courtyard. As I looked out the first one, I could see Jack talking to one of the castle workers. There were a number of farmers coming in through the main gate bringing more supplies. The courtyard was about a hundred feet across with doors leading off on all sides. Lord Beecham must have had a very large staff, the workers were coming and going, directing the farmers and suppliers where to unload their goods. There was a large pen off to one side stocked with cows, goats and pigs. Chickens were running around in the courtyard avoiding the cartwheels and complaining noisily to the horses and farmers. There was no sign of Sarah so I made my way towards the door at the end of the hall.

Taking hold of the handle I carefully turned it and quietly pushed it open. I peered around the edge of the door, ready to turn and run if anyone was there. The room must have been forty feet long; in the centre was the biggest dinner table I had ever seen. It could easily have sat fifty people. Three large chandeliers hung down from the ceiling twenty feet above. The walls were covered in a cream and gold wallpaper and silk drapes hung to the sides of the windows. There were cabinets along the walls with silver candelabra and cutlery arranged along the tops. I couldn’t believe one man could own such a place. There were doors at either end of the room. I had no idea which one to take; this place was so big I could spend days looking and still not find Sarah.

I heard a noise at the door to my right and saw the handle start to turn. I frantically looked around for a place to hide, my only hope was the table and I ducked underneath, knocking a chair to one side as I did. I saw the door open and a pair of legs walked in. They walked around the table getting closer to where I was crouched. Had I been seen? My heart was racing as the legs came closer and closer, until they were standing right in front of me. I’d been caught, and I had no further than one room. Well I wasn’t going to give up without a fight. I tensed my legs ready to rush at whoever it was. I was pretty sure I could knock them over and make a dash for the other door. Then, if it wasn’t locked I could get out and hide. The castle was so big it would take them forever to find me. Hopefully, I’d find Sarah before they found me and we could make a run for it.

I took a deep breath... the corner of the chair I’d moved banged into my nose! I stifled a yell and saw the legs walk back in the direction they had come and walk back out the door. I sat back against one of the table legs until my heart rate slowed down to only twice its normal rate and my eyes stopped watering. Then pushed the chair back out, being careful to replace it exactly in line with all the others, and went towards the opposite door.

I held my breath as I turned the handle and pushed the door open an inch. I peered through the crack and once again was relieved to find the room unoccupied. I opened the door wider and stepped inside. The room was as big as the one I’d just left, but instead of a table it appeared to be some sort of sitting room. In the centre of one wall was a large fireplace; grouped around it were two large couches and four armchairs. Throughout the rest of the room were similar groupings, some with low tables in the middle and large carpets in reds and greens. There was another door at the far end and I quickly made my way through the room, stopping to feel the amazingly soft carpets on my way.

Once again carefully opening the door an inch, I looked through the small crack. There was a hallway with stairs leading up on both sides and people rushing back and forth. I assumed they were servants, although I’d rarely seen even gentlemen dressed as richly. There was no way I could get to the stairs without being seen and I guessed that the more private areas of the castle were most likely up there. I closed the door again. I was trapped here. How could I get upstairs? The door flew open, almost knocking me off my feet.

Two men stormed through, the older one shouting at the other. “DO I HAVE TO DO EVERYTHING MYSELF? I’M GOING TO SHOW YOU ONCE MORE. IF YOU MESS IT UP AGAIN, YOU’RE OUT.”

The younger man kept apologizing and almost had to run to keep up.

“STOP SNIVELLING.” The older man almost screamed and grabbed him by the shoulder.

I thought they were going to walk straight into the wall and then I noticed a small door, which the older man pushed open, dragging the other man with him.

I stared after them then ran to the door. It led to a set of stairs. I climbed up. If someone was to come down, I was done for. I took the rest of them two at a time. At the top was another door. I put my ear to it but couldn’t hear anything. I opened it a fraction and looked around. It was another hallway, which seemed to go on forever, with more rooms along both sides. I couldn’t possibly check all of these rooms without getting caught. Someone was bound to see me, but what else could I do? Stepping through I started to check the rooms. Most were empty; I heard voices inside some, so skipping them I moved on to the next.

I’d got half way down the hall when a door opened and the same two men I’d seen earlier came out, the older one still berating the younger. I was standing next to a door and without stopping to check, stepped inside. The room was empty. I listened at the door until I heard them pass. I was about to step back into the hall when I heard shouting from outside the window. I went over to investigate and when I looked out found myself looking back down into the courtyard. A wheel had fallen off one of the carts, pinning a young boy underneath. A man was trying to lift the cart but fully loaded it was far too heavy, and he was shouting for someone to help him lift the cart off his son. Four other men rushed over. The boy started screaming, as two other men pulled him out from under the cart. The edge of the cart had fallen onto the boy’s legs and as the men pulled him away, a thick trail of blood smeared the ground. As the boy continued to scream, a crowd gathered round. The boy’s father took a hold of his head and cried out for someone to help. People were coming out of the doors on all sides of the courtyard to see what was going on…

And then I saw her!