Brides of War (15 page)

It was now late September and somewhat cooler temperatures had replaced the searing heat and humidity of New York. It was the beginning of fall, as the Americans called autumn. Having lived in Singapore in her youth, Valerie had taken the heat in her stride, thankful for the air cooler in Max’s apartment, but she welcomed the change even so.

They had both been to see Max’s lawyer, but had been advised that Ross held the upper hand in the divorce case, even though Valerie had stated that she’d left him because of his attitude to all things financial, which made living with him untenable.

‘But unfortunately, Mrs Johnson, you immediately moved in with Mr Brennen, so your husband has sited him as correspondent. Had you set up a home on your own, it would have been different.’ The lawyer raised his eyebrows and shrugged. ‘You don’t have a leg to stand on, I’m afraid. He can have you for adultery.’

As they left the office, Max put an arm round her shoulders. ‘Never mind, he didn’t tell us something we
didn’t already know. There’s no point us going to court to defend the case, we’ll just have to take what comes.’

‘He’ll claim damages and court costs,’ she said.

‘Then you’ll be free, that in itself is worth every cent. After, we can get on with our lives.’

Ross, too, was anxious to get things settled. He was sick of seeing photos of his wife with Max Brennen in different locations. The press had been relentless in their pursuit of them and to a lesser degree with Ross himself. But to his great annoyance his mother had been very vocal whenever a reporter had questioned her about her son’s marriage.

‘Well you know how it is,’ Gloria had told one reporter, ‘these boys go to war fighting for their country, putting their lives on the line. They get stationed in Britain waiting to fight, feel lonely, and marry in haste to some woman who is entirely unsuited to life out here!’

‘But your daughter-in-law has had great success in this country with her paintings,’ the reporter had persisted, ‘and I believe she comes from a wealthy family. He father worked in Singapore for the British government.’

Gloria floored him with an icy glare.

‘That maybe so, but she doesn’t understand the American way of life, so she was unsuitable as a wife for my son!’

The reporter watched her stormy exit with a grin. ‘Hell, I’d hate to have her as my mother-law,’ he muttered to himself.

When Ross had read the report in the paper, he’d rung his mother, furious at her intervention.

‘I have asked you not to say a word other than “no comment”, Mother!’

‘Maybe so, but it makes me so mad when I see pictures of her with
that
man!’

‘I don’t give a damn about that. Just keep out of my business! You are not helping!’ He slammed down the receiver.

That evening he was going to a dinner given by the law society at the Plaza Hotel on Central Park. He had mixed feelings about it. It was an event he needed to be seen at as a lawyer of repute, but his father would also be there and they hadn’t met since he’d set up on his own. The two other lawyers who had left to join him would also be with him and Ross wondered what kind of reception he would get if he bumped into his father.

He found out as soon as the three of them arrived and walked into the foyer. Leo Johnson was standing there, talking to another man, but saw Ross enter the hotel. They looked at one another. It was Ross who made the first move. He walked over to him.

‘Good evening, Father,’ he said.

‘Evening Ross!’ he said gruffly. The man he was talking to walked away.

‘You’re looking well,’ said Ross.

‘I’m fine, not pleased with all the gossip in the papers about your divorce. Not good for the family name and reputation!’ he stated bluntly.

‘Yes, well there’s not much I can do about that. However, the case comes up next month so then it’ll be over.’

His father glared at him. ‘Pity! I rather liked Valerie. I thought she’d have been an asset to you. She had style, you could tell she came from a good background – pity you couldn’t have made it work.’ He turned and walked away.

Ross felt like a child who’d been chastised, which didn’t sit well with him and made him feel irritable all through dinner and then after. When he was at the bar, he was suddenly faced with Laura, his ex-girlfriend, who flung her arms around him and kissed him soundly, just as a photographer was on hand to record the incident. Ross was furious! He pushed her firmly away.

‘What the hell do you think you’re doing?’

Taken aback by his anger, she looked startled. ‘Why Ross, I was just so pleased to see you, that’s all.’

‘You stupid bitch! Don’t you know I’m suing Valerie for a divorce? A picture of us kissing is the last thing I need!’

She was so angry, she threw the contents of the glass of wine she was holding in his face. The flash from the photographer caught the scene beautifully.

Ross, dripping wet, glared at Laura and walked out of the hotel.

The incident made the news the next day, to Valerie’s great amusement. She showed the pictures to Max. ‘Well it’s his turn now,’ she said with much hilarity. ‘Bet he’ll be livid!’

She was right. Ross stormed around his office after reading the paper and the headlines.
Eminent lawyer Ross Johnson gets soaked by ex.

If any of my clients see this picture they will not be pleased, he thought. Especially the big company he was dealing with who were about to sign a contract the following week.

When days later they backed out of the deal, Ross was in a murderous mood.

He picked up the phone and rang Laura. When she answered he railed at her.

‘Your stupidity the other night, cost me an account that would have brought a lot of money into my business. Just keep away from me in future. Understand?’

‘I wouldn’t have you, Ross Johnson, if you were the last man on earth!’ she screamed down the phone. ‘No wonder your wife left you, she has my deepest sympathy!’

He was left holding the receiver as she rang off.

Despite the imminent divorce hanging over them like the Sword of Damocles, Max and Valerie were living together, happily. They had so much in common. They visited museums and art galleries, had heated discussions about a number of subjects and they shared the special world of the artist, working together in the studio or out at some location where they could find a different perspective for their paintings.

Valerie became a favourite with the local store owners, who loved to hear her accent and where her natural charm endeared her to them. She in turn, depicted them on canvas, showing the everyday life in the village.

Carlo was delighted to see himself and his store featured in one scene. ‘Senora, this is
bellisimo
!’ he cried. ‘You make me look very ’andsome, no?’

Laughing she said, ‘But Carlo, you are! I paint what I see.’

He clapped his hands with joy. ‘Anything you want, any time, you come see me!’

Max had overheard his comment and smiled. ‘I can see I’ll have to watch my back or that man will be making a move on you!’ He looked at the canvas. ‘That’s really good. I love the detail of the passers-by.’

Valerie had caught the feel of the Village with its inhabitants. The smiling black woman with her small child, the lanky young man on his roller skates, the headband he wore, keeping his long hair under control as he sped along the sidewalk. The elderly man slightly bent with age, the woman beside him, helping him manage the step into a nearby grocery store. The colourful display of goods outside the small shops. It had a warmth about it, a sense of belonging.

‘This is one for the next viewing, definitely,’ Max declared. ‘The public will love it!’

They had discussed when to hold another display of their work. Neither could decide whether it would be wiser to wait until after the divorce, or before. Would the press activity before the divorce work for them or against? It was a difficult decision; after all, their livelihoods depended on it.

‘You lose the affection of the public, you’re finished in any business,’ Max had said. In the end, they decided to wait. Time was on their side and it meant they would have more paintings to show.

Valerie was secretly pleased as she felt that any sales she made would go towards whatever cost would be incurred when the divorce went to court, knowing that Ross would do his utmost to make them pay.

In the home of Gracie Rider, money wasn’t a problem at the moment. Jeff seemed to be on a winning streak, so he was in the best of spirits, which made life for Gracie more than pleasant. She quietly slipped a few of the dollars Jeff had thrust at her every time he won into her bank account towards her fare back to England. She was still enjoying
working for Milly, but she knew that this
joie de vivre
couldn’t last for ever.

As the month of September slowly passed, the temperature slowly cooled. Milly had warned her that the winter could be severe with heavy falls of snow and she didn’t relish the thought, having experienced snow on her arrival in the country. She remembered the extreme cold.

Milly told her. ‘One year we had six feet of the darned stuff!’

‘Yes I remember. I arrived here last January. Jeff kitted me out in warm clothes because of the cold.’

A week later, Jeff’s run of luck ran out! He came home in a foul temper and started drinking.

Gracie tried to talk him out of his mood. ‘You’ve had a good run,’ she said, ‘you’re bound to have a setback now and again.’

‘Since when did you become a specialist on poker?’ he sneered.

‘You know I’m not. It’s just common sense.’

He refused to listen and as he drank more and more, Gracie decided to go to bed out of his way.

How long she’d been asleep she didn’t know, but she woke when Jeff staggered into the room and undressed. She pretended to be asleep as he reached for her, but he wasn’t fooled.

‘I know you’re awake baby, come to papa.’

His stale breath made her feel nauseous and she pushed him away. ‘Not tonight,’ she said, ‘I can’t stand the smell of beer, and you reek of it.’

But he would have none of it. He gripped her breast so hard it made her wince.

‘Jeff, you’re hurting me!’ she cried.

He ignored her. The next twenty minutes would be forever carved on her soul as her drunken husband forced himself on her. When she struggled, he hit her so hard she saw stars. Eventually to evade another blow, she lay still until he’d finished invading her body with some force, then he turned over and went to sleep.

For a while, Gracie couldn’t move. Every bone in her body seemed to hurt. Her right eye was closing. She felt violated! She slowly climbed out of bed and went to the bathroom. Soaking a flannel in cold water, she held it over her eye, but when she went to the toilet, she found she was bleeding. She started to cry.

She sat like that for a while, but the thought of seeing Jeff in the morning was terrifying. What if he was still in a bad mood? She made her way downstairs, reached for her handbag, took out a card and picked up the telephone, praying there would be an answer.

‘Hello!’

‘Rick! Rick!’ she started crying. ‘I need your help,’ she managed to say.

‘Gracie where are you?’

‘I’m at home, Jeff’s drunk and asleep. Help me Rick!’

‘I’ll be there in ten minutes,’ he said and put down the phone.

She grabbed her bag and a rug from a chair, put it round her shoulders, opened the front door and waited.

Rick came flying up the stairs, two at a time until he saw her. ‘Christ!’ he said. Then closing the door, he picked her up in his arms, took her downstairs, put her in the car, started the engine and drove away. When he reached his
place, he helped her out and once again carried her inside, sitting her gently on a couch.

‘Oh, Gracie honey! What the hell happened?’

Between sobs she told him. But when she told him she was bleeding, he rang for a doctor, holding her and trying to comfort her whilst they waited. When the doctor arrived, Rick told him quickly what had happened.

The doctor examined Gracie and turning to Rick said, ‘We must get her into the hospital. We need to find out if she has any internal injuries.’

‘I’ll drive her there,’ said Rick.

The next few hours passed in a haze to Gracie. She was aware she’d been examined, had an X-ray and put into a hospital bed. Rick stayed with her all the time, saying little, just holding her hand.

The hospital doctor told them that apart from some tearing, fortunately Gracie wasn’t injured internally. She was badly bruised and they wanted to treat the swelling round the eye, to make sure there was no damage.

‘I’m going to give Mrs Rider a sedative so she’ll get a good night’s sleep. I suggest you come back in the morning,’ he told Rick.

He started to argue but Gracie, who had recovered enough to understand, urged him to go home. ‘Please, Rick. You get some sleep too. I can’t thank you enough for getting me out of that place.’

Taking her hands in his, he said, ‘You will
never ever
go back to my brother, understand?’

Tears filled her eyes. ‘Thank you. I don’t think I could face him again.’

He leant forward and kissed her forehead. ‘You get
some sleep, you hear. I’ll come by tomorrow morning.’ He reluctantly left her to the care of the hospital staff and drove home, seething with rage.

Early the next morning, Rick drove to his brother’s flat and stood with his hand on the doorbell, keeping it there until he heard footsteps.

With bleary eyes Jeff opened the door. When he saw his brother standing there he was not pleased.

‘What the hell are you doing here?’ He had hardly got the words out when he was sent flying backwards as Rick punched him on the nose.

‘You son of a bitch!’ Rick yelled at him before hitting him again. ‘I had to take your wife to hospital after you beat her up.’ He held Jeff by the throat. ‘You go near her again, I’ll kill you!’

Gracie spent the next three days in hospital. The swelling around her eye was going down. Fortunately there was no damage done to her sight but she was badly bruised. The hospital staff were very solicitous, treating her kindly as she was so shaken mentally by the attack and terrified in case Jeff came to the hospital to see her. Rick soon put a stop to that by informing the hospital reception that Mr Rider was not in any way allowed to see his wife. He wanted Gracie to report the incident to the police, but she refused.

‘I don’t want to have to go to court and face him,’ she said, ‘I couldn’t do it.’

Rick assured her if that’s what she wanted it was fine with him. ‘You’ll come and stay at my place,’ he told her.

‘Won’t that cause more trouble?’

‘Jeff won’t bother me I can assure you!’

The venom in his tone made her question him.

‘How can you be so sure?’

‘Because I called on him and gave him a taste of his own medicine,’ he said. ‘He won’t want more of the same.’

‘Oh dear, Rick, that wasn’t very wise, it will only make things worse between you.’

With a derisive laugh he said, ‘I never got on with him so he’s no great loss.’

‘What about your family?’

‘Now you listen to me, Gracie honey, stop looking for trouble. We need to get you well, that’s more important.’

She lay back on her pillows, exhausted, wondering what would happen when she’d recovered. She certainly didn’t want to stay around Barton. She wanted to get as far away as possible, but she still didn’t have quite enough money to get her home. But Rick came up with a solution.

‘When you’re better, why don’t you go visit with your friend in New York? Take a break away, give you time to think?’

She loved the idea but knew, having read the newspapers, that Valerie was going through a divorce and this was not the time to accept her invitation, she thought. She’d wait until her bruises had gone and she’d recovered, then she’d think about it again.

The day his brother had given him a hiding, Jeff called his employer saying he was unwell. He was sporting a black eye, his face was cut from the punches he’d received and his ribs were sore. He bathed his face in cold water and filled a bag of ice, holding it over his eye. He realised that he was in trouble. He didn’t remember what had happened, he’d been too drunk, but Rick had made everything very clear and when he’d had time to think, he was full of remorse. Poor Gracie, she hadn’t deserved that. He knew his gambling was
addictive, he’d often tried to stop, but the draw of the cards had beaten him every time.

What would Gracie do? Would she come home? He doubted it, why would she? But in his heart he knew where she would find comfort – with his brother! During the many spats he and Rick had in the past, Jeff had never ever seen him so angry and he knew it would be most unwise to cross him again. Jeez, he’d threatened to kill him and Jeff was convinced he meant every word.

During the two weeks convalescence, spent with Rick at his apartment over the garage, Gracie gradually recovered. Rick had insisted she sleep in his bed, whilst he slept in the spare bedroom. Not once did he make a pass at her, just made sure she was comfortable, took the tablets the doctors gave her and made sure she ate. She was overwhelmed by his kindness.

Milly had been told what had happened and helped Rick choose some clothes for Gracie as she’d left her home with just a nightdress and a blanket. She called on Gracie with a further selection of clothes a couple of times, bringing flowers and cookies as well. She’d made no comment about Jeff or what had transpired, but had just sat drinking a cup of coffee and chatted.

‘Gee, Gracie, we all miss you in the shop. All my customers are asking when are you coming back, I don’t know what to tell them,’ she said. ‘They think you’ve not been well, that’s all.’

‘Thanks for that,’ said Gracie, grateful for Milly’s diplomacy. ‘I’m thinking of going to New York to see my friend for a few days, but after that I don’t know.’

‘You know that Rick’s in love with you don’t you?’ Seeing the surprise on Gracie’s face she chuckled. ‘I’m surprised you didn’t guess. I’ve never seen him like this with any woman. If you leave for good, you’ll break his heart!’

After Milly had gone and she was alone, Gracie thought back to the beginning when she’d called Rick for help and the days that had followed and realised that he had shown how he felt about her in a million little ways and she’d been too blind to see. This only complicated matters even further. She needed to get away to give herself time to sort out her future … away from here. She found Valerie’s telephone number and called her.

Valerie had been delighted to hear from her. Gracie had been completely honest and told her what had happened.

‘Oh Gracie, how dreadful! Of course you must come. Max and I aren’t planning to be away for some time, we’d love to see you – especially me! Let me know the date you are coming and what time the train arrives and I’ll meet you at Grand Central Station.’

‘I can’t thank you enough, Valerie. I know you’ve got your own problems. I read about you in the papers.’

‘Damned press!’ Valerie exclaimed. ‘However they have left us alone at last. As for my problem, it pales into insignificance against yours. When we get together, we’ll try and sort out your future.’

Gracie felt as if a weight had been taken from her shoulders, remembering how very capable her friend was. Her spirits lifted immediately.

When Rick had finished work, Gracie told him of her plans as they sat down to a meal. ‘I just have to book a train ticket and she’ll meet me.’

‘I’m happy for you honey. I know how fond you are of your friend, she’s just what you need right now, a touch of home.’ But there was such a look of sadness in his expression that Gracie was filled with concern.

‘What’s the matter?’

‘I just have this awful feeling I’m losing you. I know you won’t want to stay around here and I wonder just where you’ll settle. I’m gonna miss you so much.’

She looked over at him with an overwhelming feeling of tenderness. Rick had been wonderful, he’d treated her with gentleness and understanding, had cared for her every need and she suddenly realised she’d miss him too – and told him so.

‘His eyes brightened and he smiled. ‘Honestly? You wouldn’t kid a boy, would you lady?’

‘No, I wouldn’t. I don’t know what I’ve had done if you hadn’t been around.’

‘I’d kinda like to be around permanently, how does that appeal to you?’

What could she say? If things had been different, if he had been the GI she’d met in Southampton … but he wasn’t.

‘Oh Rick! Another time, another place, maybe we could have had a future together, but here in Barton, it would never work, there are too many complications.’

He looked disappointed but he didn’t press her further. ‘I guess we’d better fix your train ticket then,’ was all he said.

A week later, Rick drove Gracie into Denver. He’d insisted on paying for her fare.

‘You need whatever money you have for your stay in the
Big Apple. Just give me a call when you get to your friend’s house so as I know you’ve arrived safely.’

He walked her to the train and found her a carriage, put her case on the rack then, putting his hands on her shoulders, he drew her close.

‘You take care, you hear!’ Then he gave her a long lingering kiss. ‘I’ve wanted to do that from the moment I picked you up all bruised and battered,’ he said.

Gracie just looked at him, her emotions in turmoil. ‘Oh, Rick, it all could have been so different!’ She gently held his face and kissed him before he left the carriage, and as the guard’s whistle blew, she leant out of the window and waved goodbye, wondering if she’d ever see him again.

Rick walked out of the station, feeling desolate. He’d never felt like that about any of his many girlfriends. He’d always declared forcibly that marriage was for fools, but now he’d just said goodbye to the only woman with whom he’d love to spend the rest of his life. His hatred for his brother swelled inside him like a balloon.

When he arrived back in Barton, he drove to his mother’s house and walked into the kitchen to see Velda.

She was surprised to see him. Since he’d moved out, his visits had been infrequent.

‘Well, the prodigal returns,’ she said sarcastically. ‘Where have you been?’

‘I’ve just put your daughter-in-law on a train to New York,’ he told her, ‘and I’ll doubt she’ll be returning! And before you start cheering, Ma, you might as well know that your beloved son Jeff put her in hospital.’

‘Hospital? What are you talking about?’

‘He forced himself upon her and beat her up. He’s darned
lucky she didn’t report him to the police. Had it been my choice, I’d have seen him up in court and paying for what he did.’

‘I don’t believe you!’ She glared at him. ‘You’re making this up!’

‘Believe me, I’m not, but he didn’t enjoy a taste of his own medicine I gave him I can tell you, and if he ever crosses my path in the future, he’ll get the same again, you best tell him so!’ He walked out of the house, slamming the door behind him.

Gracie’s journey eventually was at an end and as the train pulled into Grand Central, she grabbed her case and stepped onto the platform, slowly walking towards the exit, searching for a familiar face.

‘Gracie! Gracie!’ Valerie came running towards her and the two women embraced.

‘How are you?’ Valerie asked quickly. ‘Are you completely recovered?’

‘I’m fine,’ she replied. ‘God! You’ve no idea how wonderful it is to hear an English voice!’

‘Come on, we’ll get a cab and go home. You must be feeling weary.’

‘Where are you and Max living?’

‘Greenwich Village, it’s quaint, you’ll love it!’

As they were driven through the city, Gracie remembered spending her first night in America here, with Jeff. It seemed such a long time ago.

Max greeted her warmly when they arrived at his apartment. He’d obviously been working and his clothes were splashed with paint.

‘Come on in, Gracie, it’s good to see you. I’ve got some
coffee on the go, or would you like something a bit stronger?’

‘Oh, Max, a drink is just what I need right now.’

He poured her a gin and tonic with ice and lemon, then discreetly left the two women alone to talk. Gracie told her friend her sad tale and how Rick had cared for her.

‘He sounds a really nice man,’ Valerie remarked.

With a slow smile Gracie spoke. ‘He wanted to be around permanently, but I can’t stay there with him, not with Jeff still around, I’d be a nervous wreck!’

‘What do you want to do?’

With her voice trembling with emotion, Gracie said, ‘I want to go home, but I haven’t enough money saved yet to pay for the fare.’

‘Are you sure this is what you want do, Gracie?’

‘I’ve never been so certain of anything in my life. I want to see my family, my mother and leave all this behind.’ With a grimace she added, ‘Before I got married, Mum asked me if I was really sure I wanted to go ahead with the wedding because, as she said, living with a man is very different to being courted. How right she was!’

With a shrug, Valerie agreed. ‘Those were wise words, however, we didn’t know did we? I too found that out, but I’m so lucky to have met Max. At least I know where my future lies – after the divorce.’

Max reappeared and said if the girls would like to wash up, he’d prepared a meal.

Valerie grinned broadly. ‘I’m only with him because he can cook!’

Max looked at Gracie and pretending to be mortified said, ‘Sadly this is true!’

The evening was a joyful one with much laughter and banter and for the first time in an age, Gracie relaxed. It thrilled her to see just how close and happy were these two together. But the long journey had taken its toll and after a meal and a few glasses of wine, Gracie asked to be excused.

Valerie showed her to her room and the bathroom saying she was to sleep in and not rush to get up in the morning. ‘Max and I will be working so just wander in when you’re ready.’ She gave Gracie a hug. ‘Sleep well,’ she said and walked back into the living room.

She and Max discussed Gracie’s situation. ‘She just wants to go home, that’s all but she doesn’t have enough for the fare, so I’m going to get her a passage out of here, after she’s enjoyed the city for a few days. It’s the least I can do for a friend.’

Gracie had a shower then slipped beneath the sheets with a sigh. ‘Thank you God,’ she said quietly and immediately fell asleep.

When she woke in the morning, she was surprised to see it was past ten o’clock. She stretched then lay still, thinking of Rick. Then she sat up remembering she’d forgotten to phone him to say she’d arrived. Gabbing a dressing gown she ran out of her bedroom in search of Valerie.

‘Whatever is the matter?’ asked Valerie seeing the look of alarm on the face of her friend.

‘I forgot to call Rick! I promised to do so when I arrived. Oh Valerie, how could I do such a thing?’

Relieved that it wasn’t something serious, Valerie showed her where the phone was. ‘There, make your call and I’ll fix you some breakfast.’

Left alone, Gracie dialled the number and was relieved to hear Rick’s voice on the other end.

‘Rick! I’m
so
sorry! In all the excitement I forgot to call you!’

She heard him chuckle. ‘There you go, you’ve forgotten about me already.’

‘No I will never forget you, it was just that I was tired, then seeing Max and Valerie …’

‘It’s fine, Gracie honey. I guessed that was the reason. Is everything OK with you?’

‘Yes thanks. It was lovely to see Valerie, and Max cooked us a meal, but when I went to bed I think I died!’

‘Don’t you dare go and die on me, you hear? We have unfinished business.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘I mean that I’m not going to let you walk out of my life, no how! I’m not sure just what I can do about it, but I aim to find a way.’

With a deep sigh she said, ‘That’s a wonderful thought, but it’s just a pipe dream.’