Peppercorn Street (16 page)

Janey was sitting quietly, playing card games on her computer and thinking of going to bed. When she heard a car, she went to the window. Living alone made you nosy, she’d found.

The garage door began to roll up and the light inside showed her that it was Kieran. He had the kind librarian with him, as well as a lad. They drove into the garage and the door rolled down on them. There must be another way inside the building from the garage because they didn’t come out.

Were the woman and boy staying here? As far as Janey was concerned, the more people there were around her, the better. She’d been feeling jittery this evening, worrying about her father and Gary, worrying that either or both of them might come after her.

Her parents had never believed her when she said she’d been forced. They’d think she’d gone crazy if she told them it was Gary. She hadn’t said a word about him to anyone because he’d threatened to kill her if she revealed who’d raped her. And she’d believed him.

If he’d thumped her about, it’d have been easier to prove, but by the time she realised what he was doing that night, he’d had handcuffs on her and she’d been helpless.

She felt fairly safe here, but if Gary came near her again, she was going to tell the world who’d raped her. If he tried to hurt her again, she’d make sure he got in trouble about it. But surely a man in his position had too much to lose to mess around with her again?

She’d always hated him. He was as chauvinistic as her father. No wonder he’d not got promoted. She’d heard
him complaining to her father about that more than once, saying they only wanted toffee-nosed, squeaky-clean policemen these days, some of them trained at university. If they listened to men like him, men who knew what the world was really like, they’d solve a lot more crimes.

With a sigh she went to bed, not forgetting to slide the bolt on the outer door and jam the chair under the handle. She always kept the door locked, even in the daytime, but one little lock never felt quite enough to keep her safe.

Kieran led the way inside. He was in considerable pain now, but it didn’t seem to matter as much as before. What was much more important was making sure Nicole got a good night’s sleep.

‘Drinking chocolate?’ he asked. ‘Old-fashioned, but so comforting.’

‘Yes, please.’

Paul looked at him doubtfully.

‘If you’re hungry, there’s plenty to eat.’

‘I am a bit hungry.’

‘I’ll get him something,’ Nicole said automatically.

‘You’re to go to bed and get the rest you need or you’ll not be fit to face tomorrow. I’ll look after Paul.’ He smiled at her, wanting to give her a hug, she looked so forlorn, but knowing she’d not want him to do that in front of her son. Would she want him to do that if they were on their own? He hoped so.

‘Well, if you’re sure,’ she said, rubbing her forehead.

‘Go to bed, Mum.’

In the kitchen Kieran asked, ‘Toasted cheese sandwiches or a bowl of cereal?’

‘Um – could I have both? I’ve not had much to eat lately and I feel empty.’

‘Of course. Here, take your choice of cereal and I’ll make some toasties. I’m a bit peckish myself.’

There was silence but from the way Paul shovelled the muesli down, he hadn’t been exaggerating his hunger.

‘Here you are.’ Kieran shoved the cheese toasties across and watched the lad demolish those as well. He ate his own more slowly. ‘There’s plenty of fruit. Just help yourself.’

‘Are you sure? Mum’ll pay you back.’

‘I don’t need paying back. If I can’t help a friend, I’m not much of a person.’

Paul picked out a banana and started to peel it. ‘Have you known Mum for long?’

‘No. Only since she moved into the flat. But sometimes you get on with people straight away. And she was a big help to me.’

‘Oh?’

‘Yes. I’d been recovering from an accident for nearly a year and I was stuck in a rut. Your mother needed help and that made me feel useful again. I was able to start driving and oh, feel more optimistic about the future.’

‘I don’t know what’s going to happen to me.’

‘You have your mother. Whatever happens, you’ll not be alone.’ He was glad to see the lad’s face brighten and judged it time to end the confidences for now. ‘Right, then, let’s make up your bed.’

‘If you give me the sheets and stuff, I can do that. I’m never going to be like William and expect everyone to do things for me.’

Kieran was touched by this, and by Paul’s earnest
expression, neither child nor man. How could a woman have two sons so different? It must upset her. ‘OK. Thanks. I’ll lend you some shorts and a tee shirt to sleep in, if you like.’

He went to bed, lying there for a few minutes while another half dose of painkiller kicked in, thinking what a nice lad Paul was and how lucky Nicole was to have him.

He wished suddenly that he had a son to carry on his name and genes.

It was a fine day and since she didn’t have any classes to attend, Janey decided to go for a walk. As she was carrying Millie down the stairs, Kieran came out of his flat and waited for her to strap the baby into the buggy before holding the door open.

‘Going for a walk?’

‘Yes. It’s quite a nice day, isn’t it?’

‘It is. Nearly March now. Spring is in the air.’

Whistling cheerfully, something she’d never heard him do before, he went back into the flat. It was such a happy sound, that whistle. It made her smile. And he was right. There was a feel of spring in the air, just a hint, enough to make your blood stir and your spirits rise.

As she was walking up the road, she heard a car come out of the flats behind her and glanced sideways to see three people sitting in it. The librarian and her son were with Kieran again. Was it their presence that was
cheering him up? If so, she hoped they’d stay.

Oh, to have a car! It’d make her life so much easier. But she’d still go for walks because she loved being out in the fresh air.

Of course she headed for the allotments first, because she liked chatting to Mr Shackleton and knew he enjoyed company. He was there as usual, this time turning over the soil at one end of his plot. As soon as he saw her, he beckoned. ‘You’re just in time for a cuppa!’

She’d had a cup of tea before she left the flat but accepted his offer anyway. ‘It looks like good soil, nice and dark.’

‘Yes. Best Wiltshire, that is. You can grow anything in soil like that. Wait till you taste my runner beans.’

As they were waiting for the tea to brew, Dawn came into the allotments and walked briskly across to join them.

‘Hello, Dawn,’ he called. ‘Haven’t seen you for a while.’

‘I’ve been even busier than usual. Have you got a spare cuppa, Mr S? And a spare minute, too? I’d like to talk to you about something and ask your advice.’

‘I can leave if it’s private,’ Janey offered at once.

‘No, don’t do that,’ Dawn said. ‘It’s not at all private and another opinion is always helpful. How are things going, Janey? I can see your Millie is thriving. Just look at that smile.’ She turned back to Dan and said in a gentler tone, ‘I was sorry to hear about Peggy.’

‘Thank you.’ He busied himself with the tea, then passed the mugs to them. ‘Right then, what can I do for you, Dawn?’

‘I’m thinking of starting a shared gardens scheme.’

‘What’s that?’ Janey asked.

‘It’s when people who have too much garden to cope
with let other people use it to grow vegetables, in return for a share of the produce. It’s usually the gardens of older people who can’t do the heavy work any longer or else people who’re too busy or are simply not interested in gardening. And there are people in flats who’d love a bit of garden, or mad-keen gardeners who’d like more land.’

‘I’m one of the ones in a flat,’ Janey said at once. ‘I love getting my hands into the soil, and you can’t beat home-grown fruit and vegetables. Nothing you buy at the shops tastes half as good.’

‘It’s a great idea!’ Dan said. ‘People can wait years to get allotments in this town. What can I do to help?’

‘Well – and you must say no if it’s too much to ask – I’d be happy if you’d help generally, but specifically I’d love you to advise people who aren’t used to gardening. You know, be our resident expert. You’ve not only got green fingers, you always seem to know the science behind what you’re doing.’

He beamed at her. ‘What a nice compliment! And I’d love to do that. Just what I need to keep me busy … now.’ Then he nodded towards Janey. ‘And this lass can be the first on our list to garden share.’

Dawn looked at her doubtfully. ‘People your age don’t usually want to be responsible for a garden.’

‘I love gardening. I used to help my granddad, and after he died, I grew vegetables for my parents. My father didn’t enjoy gardening and he didn’t like me going out with friends, but he approved of that because it saved us money. And it got me out of the house.’

‘Then you can be our guinea pig.’

An idea started growing in Janey’s head as she listened
to them talking about how they could organise it. When there was a break in the conversation, she said, ‘Um – I think I know someone who’d love to share her garden, if you want to try it out before you go public. It upsets her that she can’t look after it and it’s a really big garden. You know her, too, Miss Parfitt who lives in the big house at the end of Peppercorn Street.’

‘I should have thought of Winifred myself. Good idea, Janey. Let’s go and see her today.’ Dawn looked at her watch. ‘Oh no, is that really the time?’ She drained her cup. ‘I can’t fit her in today. I’ll have to try to find time tomorrow.’

‘I could call and see her, if you like,’ Janey said. ‘Give her a rough idea of what you want to do, so she can think about it.’

She knew Dan was lonely and guessed that Miss Parfitt was too. Suddenly her idea expanded. ‘Though it might be better if Mr Shackleton came with me. He could check out the garden and think how to divide it up. We could practise on it, couldn’t we, Mr Shackleton? If you don’t think I’m too young to take part, that is.’

‘Of course you’re not too young!’ he said at once. ‘And do call me Mr S. Most people do. Shackleton’s such a mouthful of a name.’

Dawn beamed at them both. ‘Great to see you making friends. I don’t at all approve of the way people from different generations stay so separate.’ She looked thoughtful for a moment. ‘Perhaps we could get my mum and Winifred to do the paperwork for the scheme. I don’t really have time to run it, but when I heard about the idea, I knew it was
needed
in our town.’

She stood up. ‘Could you go and see Miss Parfitt today, do you think? I don’t believe in letting the grass grow under my feet.’

After she’d gone, Dan grinned at Janey. ‘She sweeps everyone along in her plans, Dawn does. She’s a treasure, that lass is. Does a lot of good in this town. Her husband’s quieter, but he helps behind the scenes and he’s very proud of her.’ He started gathering the mugs together. ‘Shall we go and see this Miss Parfitt now?’

‘Yes. We’ve just got time before lunch. Millie plays up if her food is late.’

It felt strange but nice to have someone walking along beside her, chatting, as she pushed the buggy. She’d grown so used to being on her own with Millie, didn’t ever again want to feel as utterly alone as she had the day she moved into the flat.

When Winifred heard the doorbell, her heart started to beat a little faster. Bradley’s fault. He’d made her nervous of answering her own front door. She went into the sitting room and peered out of the window, breathing a sigh of relief when she saw Janey there, with her baby in the buggy, and an elderly man standing beside her, smiling down at the baby. Such a nice smile, the man had, kindly and tolerant.

She hurried to open the door.

‘Is this a convenient time to call?’ Janey asked.

‘Yes, of course. I don’t get many visitors so it’s nearly always convenient. Call any time you feel like some company or a piece of cake.’ She wondered if she’d said too much but Janey’s smile didn’t falter as she nodded
acceptance of this ongoing invitation. At least, Winifred hoped that was what the nod meant.

‘This is Mr Shackleton. He has one of the Grove Allotments and he’s a friend of Dawn’s. She sent us over to ask you something.’

‘Then you’d better come in. Would you like a cup of tea?’

They both laughed.

‘We’ve just had one,’ Janey explained. ‘Mr S has a little gas ring at his shed on the allotment and he’s always making me tea.’

‘Come and visit me sometime and I’ll make you one too, Miss Parfitt,’ he offered. ‘And my name’s Dan.’

Winifred blinked, surprised at such an immediate gesture of friendship. ‘I’d like that. And do call me Winifred. Come and sit down.’

But he went to the kitchen window first, staring out at the garden and giving a soft whistle. ‘I didn’t realise how big your place was. The wall and hedge hide it.’

‘Far too big for me now, but I don’t want to leave my home.’ Winifred couldn’t hold back a sigh.

He came back to join them at the table. ‘That’s what we’ve come about. Dawn wants to start a garden sharing scheme in the town. Do you know what that is?’

‘She mentioned it one day, so I have a rough general idea.’

‘It’s a great concept, isn’t it? There’s such a long waiting list for allotments, people lose heart, yet more of them are wanting to grow their own food,
if
they can find somewhere to grow it.’

‘But what has it got to do with me?’

He gave her another of his gentle smiles. ‘We thought you might like to be our guinea pig and be the first person to share a garden.’

Winifred stared at him as this idea sank in. She’d not thought about the scheme in relation to herself. She looked out of the window thoughtfully. ‘I wouldn’t know where to start, how to find people, but I would definitely be interested in sharing my garden. It looks such a mess these days, it upsets me to see it. I used to love gardening, but I can’t do the bending and kneeling now. Arthritis.’

‘It’s a curse, arthritis is,’ Dan said. ‘I’ve got it in my hands and knees but it’s not too bad yet.’ He spread out his gnarled old fingers, looked at them with a grimace, then shrugged. ‘Anno domini. I try to ignore my age and carry on anyway.’ He leant forward. ‘I thought you could help us start the scheme together. And Dawn suggested her mother might help too. It’ll take some organising if we’re going to involve the whole town.’

‘The whole town?’

‘Oh, yes. Dawn never does things by halves.’

‘I don’t think her mother is very fond of gardening and as I said before, I can’t bend or—’

‘No, but there’s going to be a lot of paperwork, so Dawn thought you and Hazel could take charge of that. What do you think?’

Winifred took another chance, excitement rising in her. ‘I think it’s an excellent idea and I’d love to help out in any way I can. I’m sure Hazel will too.’

Nicole and Paul had decided to go to the hospital before they went back to visit their old house, and this time both
were allowed in to see Sam. He was still lying there, not seeming aware of what was going on around him.

‘He had a disturbed night, I’m afraid,’ the nurse said. ‘Is he worrying about something?’

‘Could be. Our older son has gone off the rails and the police are looking for him.’

‘Did your husband know about that before he collapsed? What a terrible thing for you all! Anyway, stay as long as you like. There are no restrictions on visiting times.’

That sounded ominous to Nicole but she could see that Paul hadn’t picked up the implications, so she didn’t comment.

They stayed for ten minutes, sitting by the bed, finding it hard to chat to a man who didn’t respond in any way. In the end Nicole could bear it no longer. ‘Shall we go now?’

Paul nodded, looking relieved.

‘I don’t like to see Dad looking like that,’ he whispered once they got outside.

‘Neither do I.’ She led the way down to the foyer, where Kieran was sitting at a table drinking something from the refreshments kiosk.

He stood up as soon as he saw them. ‘Would you like a drink?’

‘Not really. I think perhaps we should go home now and get Paul’s clothes and the other stuff he needs for school.’

‘I’ve been thinking – it might be better to ring the police first and check that it’s all right to go back. We don’t know what William’s been up to overnight, after all. Do you have the card they gave you?’

The person at the other end of the line seemed to know about the case and said she’d ask a car to drop round to
the house, just to make sure everything was all right.

When they pulled up outside her old home, Nicole shivered.

‘Is something wrong?’ Kieran asked.

‘I’m just … a bit nervous.’

‘What if William’s here?’ Paul asked. ‘He has to hide somewhere, after all.’

‘If he is, we’ll run outside again.’ She tried to joke but her voice wavered on the final words. Paul made no attempt to go rushing ahead of her as he usually would have done and Kieran stayed firmly by her side.

She got out the front door key, but fumbled and dropped it on the path.

Paul picked it up and put it in the lock for her, turning it and stepping forward.

She dragged him back by his jacket. ‘I’ll go first.’ Taking a deep breath she pushed the door fully open and took two steps into the hall, stopping to wrinkle her nose because the place smelt of sweat and rotten food. She looked into the front room, where the pieces of her broken figurine were still scattered across the hearth. It didn’t look as if anything had been touched in here since she left.

Kieran and Paul waited near the door, still taking their cue from her. She went across to the dining room and gasped. Gouged into the polished tabletop was the word:
BITCH
.

Kieran came and put his arm round her shoulders. Paul pressed against her other side.

‘He’s a sicko, Mum. Let’s go outside again and wait for the police.’

She stiffened. ‘No. Let’s continue exploring.’

‘What if he’s here?’ he whispered. ‘He’s already hurt you once.’

She put her hand up to the back of her head instinctively as he said that.

‘Paul’s right,’ Kieran urged. ‘Better to be cautious.’

As they moved into the hall again, there was a sound from the kitchen.

Without asking permission, Kieran pushed her and Paul outside again and moved to stand in front of her.

As Nicole looked into the house, she saw someone come out of the kitchen and stand at the end of the hall: her son – and yet, not her son, somehow. William’s face was so full of anger, he didn’t look like the lad she knew. Though why he was so angry all the time, she couldn’t work out. He stood there glaring at her, then took a step forward, one fist raised as if he was about to attack them. She couldn’t help it – she took another quick step backwards.

William smiled and took another step forward, taunting her with that brandished fist. ‘Keep away from here, bitch!’

‘Get in the car,’ Kieran muttered.