Diamonds in the Dust (14 page)

Two days later Stan went into hospital, ready for his operation on Monday. Nothing helpful had come from the newspaper appeal, and the rain was coming down in torrents on this Saturday morning, only adding to the Bentleys’ gloom and worry.

‘Is it ever going to stop raining?’ Tom complained. ‘What can we do in weather like this?’

Dora watched the water running down the windows. ‘We can’t go out, but tell you what, let’s have a look and see what we can pawn. Then if it eases we can go and see how much money we can raise.’

‘Are we broke?’ Lily asked.

‘Not quite, sweetie, but our money’s going faster than I thought it would. Once Stan’s had his operation we can go and visit him, so we’re going to have fares to pay.’

‘Yes.’ She nodded eagerly. ‘What are we going to sell? You can have my doll. I don’t play with it now, I’m too big.’

She was touched by her sister’s unselfish offer. She was small for a six-year-old and didn’t look her age, and there was no way she would take her doll from her. It was always on the chair beside her bed, and even though she said she didn’t play with it any more, Dora knew it was precious to her. It was the last gift their father had bought her – a father she didn’t remember much about. ‘Thank you, sweetie, but we have lots to sell before we need to consider your doll. We’ll get rid of some of Mum’s things first.’

‘She isn’t coming back, is she?’ Lily’s expression clouded.

Stooping down, Dora rested her hands on her sister’s shoulders. ‘I don’t think she is. I could be wrong, but too much time has passed without word of her. We’ve got to think about ourselves now. Do you understand?’

Lily nodded, throwing her arms around Dora to give her a quick hug, then she smiled. ‘There’s pretty things on her dressing table. We could sell them.’

‘Good idea.’ Dora stood up, relieved. It looked as if her sister was accepting the situation at last. Her biggest worry in all this was the little girl. She was missing her mother dreadfully and clinging to Tom and herself, but was trying so hard to be brave. Dora loved her all the more for it, and longed with all her heart that she could protect her from this distress. But, of course, she couldn’t.

After an hour they had collected together several
items, and as the rain had eased off, decided to go to the pawnbroker at once.

He was only a short walk away in the High Street, and by the time they reached the shop the rain had stopped completely. There was even a tiny patch of blue to be seen.

‘Ah, hello.’ The shopkeeper eyed them with pleasure. ‘What have you brought me?’

They put the dressing table set and two glass dishes on the table. ‘These are very pretty,’ Lily told him, standing on tiptoe so she could see over the top of the counter.

He gazed down at her serious little face and even smiled. ‘So I see. And what do you think I should give you for them?’

‘Lots!’

‘Well, I don’t know about that.’ He was all business again now and picked up each item to examine it carefully.

Lily couldn’t stand the silence. ‘We need lots because our friend is in hospital and we want to go and see him. The bus costs money,’ she told him, almost accusingly.

Dora and Tom stood there saying nothing and fighting to remain serious. The pawnbroker obviously had a soft spot for children, especially Lily. They were quite happy to let her work her magic on him.

‘I see.’ He pursed his lips. ‘In that case I’ll give you three and sixpence for the lot.’

‘That’s no good, is it, Dora?’ She turned to her big sister. ‘They’re worth more than that, aren’t they?’

‘Definitely!’ Dora began to collect up the items. ‘I think we’ll find another pawnbroker, don’t you Tom?’

‘There’s plenty of them around,’ he agreed.

‘Just a minute.’ He wasn’t one to let trade walk out the door. ‘I’ll make it five bob, and that’s my final offer.’

She laid the items back on the counter. ‘We’ll take it.’

He shook his head ruefully. ‘You youngsters, I’ll be broke if I’m this generous with every customer. Too soft, that’s what I am.’

Lily scooped up the money and handed it to Tom. All three of them left quickly, well pleased with the deal.

On the way home they called in to see Winnie and June. The two little girls disappeared out in the garden immediately, playing ball and chatting away quite happily.

‘Hope you don’t mind us calling, Winnie,’ Dora said. ‘But Lily wanted to see June. This weather has been terrible and we haven’t been able to get out until now.’

‘You’re always welcome here.’ Winnie ushered them into the kitchen. ‘And you must stay for lunch. I’ve made a big saucepan of mutton stew, so there’s plenty to go around.’

It smelt wonderful, but Dora was doubtful. ‘There’s three of us, Winnie. You can’t afford to feed us all.’

‘Of course I can. I’ve just bought a fresh loaf to have with it and soak up the gravy.’

Tom almost groaned with pleasure, and Dora smiled, readily agreeing to stay and share the mutton stew.

The following evening was nine o’clock before Reg finally arrived home. ‘Where have you been? It’s too late to go and see Stan now. It’s a good job Dora’s gone tonight. They’re going to operate tomorrow.’

‘Sorry, love, but I just couldn’t get away.’

Winnie clenched her hands, unable to hide the concern she felt for her brother. ‘I’m going to the hospital in the morning and I’ll stay there until I know he’s all right. Dora and Tom have agreed to look after June for me.’

‘He’ll be all right.’ Reg placed an arm around her. ‘He’s a tough devil.’

She smiled up at her husband. ‘Yes, he is, and wouldn’t it be wonderful to see him free of pain? I know he’s never said much, but the strain shows on his face.’

‘This doctor’s a good bloke, so if anyone can help Stan, it’s him.’ Reg looked preoccupied.

Winnie handed him a cup of tea and made him sit down. ‘Have you found out anything yet?’

‘We keep coming across another name, but you know I can’t discuss it with you, love. And we don’t want a hint of this to reach those youngsters. We could be completely wrong and we don’t want to cause them any more distress than necessary.’

‘I can tell from your face you don’t believe you are wrong.’

Reg shrugged. ‘Too many coincidences, and that makes me suspicious.’

‘Hmm.’ Win pressed for more information. ‘Do you think this is more than an ordinary woman running out on her children?’

‘We don’t know what to think at this point.’ He smiled at his wife. ‘How about getting me something to eat?’

‘Sorry love, you must be starving. It won’t take me long to heat up your dinner.’ Winnie busied herself with the meal, knowing he wouldn’t say any more about the case,
but she didn’t like his reference to another name cropping up. She had a nasty feeling about Mrs Bentley, and it was growing with every snippet of information she heard.

By the time she put his dinner on the table, her husband had a faraway expression on his face. He finished his meal in silence.

She chatted away, telling him about them coming round today. ‘They’re decent youngsters, aren’t they? Whatever secrets their mother’s been hiding, she’s made a good job of bringing them up.’

When Reg merely nodded, Winnie couldn’t help asking softly, ‘Are they in for unpleasant news, love?’

He sighed, lit a cigarette and said nothing.

Stan fought his way back to consciousness, vivid flashes like shells exploding around him – then awareness. He wasn’t in the trenches again, but in a clean, comfortable bed.

‘He’s coming round,’ he heard someone say. ‘Tell the nurse, Win.’

Win? That was his sister. He moved his head from side to side in an effort to clear the muddle as panic swept through him. What had they done to him? He must have been crazy to agree to this.

‘Take it easy, my boy. It’s all over.’

Dragging his eyes open, he peered at the man bending over him. Dr Burridge. He lifted his head from the pillow so he could look down the bed …

‘You’re still in one piece.’ The doctor held his wrist to
check his pulse. ‘Everything went well, and we expect you to make a good recovery.’

‘Am I going to walk properly again?’ He managed to croak out the words.

‘That should be possible.’ The doctor smiled. ‘And I believe we’ve been able to safely remove the pieces of shrapnel from your body. But we’ll be keeping an eye on you for a while just to make sure.’

‘Thanks, Doc.’ Stan relaxed and screwed his eyes up tight, tears of relief threatening to spill over. Was he going to have a future after all?

‘You may stay for another ten minutes,’ the doctor said to Winnie and Reg. ‘Then you must leave him to rest.’

Stan was already drifting off into a natural sleep.

‘We must collect June and tell them that Stan’s come through all right.’ Winnie slipped her hand through her husband’s arm as they headed for the bus stop. ‘They’ll be anxious for news.’

They were right. The door of the Bentleys’ house was flung open before they had a chance to knock. Tom pulled them inside.

‘How is he?’ They all spoke at once.

Winnie told them what the doctor had said and watched their faces light up. The three youngsters had obviously become very attached to her brother.

‘Oh goody!’ Lily was hopping about in delight. ‘When can we go and see him?’

‘Tomorrow evening should be all right,’ Winnie told them.

‘We could go as soon as you get home, couldn’t we, Dora?’ Lily was gazing expectantly at her big sister. ‘Did you get enough money for our fares? We could sell some more things if you didn’t.’

‘We’ve got enough. Don’t you worry about that, sweetie.’ She gave their visitors an embarrassed smile as Lily beamed.

After listening to that exchange, Winnie frowned. ‘How short of money are you?’

‘We can manage.’ Dora smiled confidently.

Winnie wasn’t convinced. ‘You’ll come to us if you’re struggling, won’t you?’

‘We’re doing all right,’ Tom said, relieving Dora of the need to answer.

Reg stood up. ‘We must go. Thank you for looking after June for us.’

‘We’d be happy to do that any time.’ Dora saw them to the door. ‘And thank you for telling us about Stan. It’s such a relief to know he’s all right.’

Once they were away from the house and June was dancing along several steps ahead of them, Winnie’s mouth set in a grim line. ‘They’re selling things. That job of Dora’s can’t pay much. She’s beginning to struggle to keep her family together. How can she continue to pay the rent and keep those children in school? She’ll need a better job. Why isn’t she looking for one?’

‘Win!’ Reg stopped his wife. ‘We can’t force them to take help from us. They’ve got their pride, you know, and at the moment they must feel that’s all they’ve got. They’re
sensible and they’ll manage for a while. But I realise it’s urgent for us to find their mother – dead or alive. Then the children will be all right. I promise.’

‘I wish I knew what was going on because I can’t see how you can make a promise like that.’

‘I’ll tell you as soon as we know we’re not following a false trail. Now stop fretting, love. We’ll keep an eye on them, and Stan will see they don’t starve.’

‘You’re right, of course. I’ve always been a worrier, haven’t I?’

‘And I love you just the way you are.’

Winnie relaxed then, and smiled. ‘You can be a real charmer at times, darling.’

He smirked. ‘That’s why you married me, isn’t it?’

‘When can I get out of this bed, nurse?’

‘Not yet, Mr Crawford.’ She gave him a stern look. ‘Don’t be impatient. You don’t want to undo all the doctor’s good work, do you?’

‘Can I at least sit up?’

‘Is he giving you trouble, nurse?’ Dr Burridge appeared suddenly.

‘Mr Crawford wants to sit up, sir.’

‘I see. Well, let me have a look at him first.’ The doctor took his time, and then stood back. ‘I can give you something for the pain if it’s too bad.’

Stan shook his head. ‘It isn’t as bad as it was before you operated.’

‘That’s a good sign.’ He turned to the nurse who was patiently awaiting his instructions. ‘Mr Crawford is well
enough to sit up. I’ll help you because we don’t want to disturb his leg.’

It was good to see something other than the ceiling. He rested back on the pillows and sighed. ‘That’s better, thank you.’

Dr Burridge nodded. ‘Now you behave yourself, my boy, and we’ll soon have you back on your feet.’

The nurse straightened his blankets as the doctor left the ward. ‘How about a nice cup of tea?’

‘Thanks. Ah, can you make that two?’ Reg was striding towards his bed.

‘It isn’t visiting time, Mr Crawford, but seeing he’s a policeman I’ll allow it this time.’ The nurse hurried away to get the tea.

‘You look a lot better today.’ Reg pulled up a chair and sat beside the bed, pleased to see the improvement in his brother-in-law.

‘I feel it. Something must have happened to bring you here in the morning. Have they found her?’

‘Ah, I see your mind’s in good working order again. I went to the station before coming here, but there’s no trace of her. They are taking it seriously now, and they’ve agreed there might be a connection between Bentley and Duval. I’ve asked for permission to do a thorough search of the flat. They’re going to let me know when it’s agreed.’

‘Damn!’ Stan closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them again. ‘And I’m stuck in this bed for who knows how long. I hope to goodness you find something to connect them soon, because we haven’t got anything else to work on.’

‘I’m convinced it’s the same woman. The name’s coming up too many times for it to be otherwise, Stan.’

‘I know. How are they?’

Reg told him what Lily had said about the Bentleys selling things. ‘They’re coming to see you this evening, but don’t say I’ve told you about this. Dora will be embarrassed.’

‘I won’t say a word. Poor little devils!’ Stan became agitated. ‘Don’t let them move out of that house. I’ll deal with this as soon as I can. And you can tell them at the station I’m coming back to work!’

‘I’ll be pleased to do that.’ Reg stood up. ‘And don’t tell Win I’ve been here making you think. She’ll never forgive me!’

Both men gave amused grins, then Stan waved him away. ‘Get going. You’ve got investigating to do.’

As soon as his brother-in-law had gone Stan rested his head back and closed his eyes, but the case was running through his head, denying him rest.

An hour later the nurse found him scribbling away, listing everything they had found out about the case so far in an effort to clear his mind. There must be something – some small detail they had missed. The longer this went on, the harder it was on Mrs Bentley’s children.

‘Mr Crawford!’ the nurse scolded. ‘You’re supposed to be resting.’

‘I’ve been resting all day, nurse. And I’m only using my mind,’ he joked. ‘This is important.’

‘It may well be, but visitors will be arriving in fifteen minutes.’

‘Ah, sorry.’ Stan quickly tucked his notes under the pillows, then rested back while his bed was straightened. He had an idea, and he hoped Reg would come back this evening.

His first visitors were the Bentleys, and he was so pleased to see them. The more he got to know them, the more he liked them – all of them, not just Dora. When their faces lit up with smiles as they walked towards him, he was determined to make a full recovery so he could look after them.

Lily was the first to reach him. She whispered, ‘The nurse said I could come in if I behave myself.’

‘And do you think you can?’ he teased.

She giggled, holding on to his hand while her brother and sister greeted him. She prodded Tom until he pulled an apple out of his pocket and handed it to her. ‘This is for you. I’ve polished it.’

Stan accepted the shiny piece of fruit, looking suitably impressed by its magnificence. ‘Why thank you, Lily. I’ll enjoy that very much.’

Looking pleased, the little girl now turned her attention to his leg, swathed in bandages and being held immobile in a cradle. She gave him a shy smile but said nothing.

‘Find some chairs, Tom,’ he said, ‘and you can tell me what you’ve been doing.’

They spent the next half hour telling him about school and the Wandsworth house. Stan listened intently,
watching their expressions. They never mentioned their mother, but he was uneasy. The strain was showing in their eyes, especially Dora’s. He wanted to take her in his arms and tell her everything was going to be all right. But it wasn’t. And that hurt him.

The nurse appeared. ‘You have more visitors, Mr Crawford, and you aren’t allowed more than two at a time.’

Dora was immediately on her feet. ‘We’re just leaving, nurse.’

After making them promise to come and see him again, Stan watched them leave the ward. Alan came in, walking confidently. Stan prayed that he himself would soon be able to do the same.

‘You look good, Alan.’

‘I feel it. And you don’t look too bad yourself, considering. I saw the doctor as I came in and he said they had high hopes for you.’

‘It’s going to take time though, and patience has never been one of my virtues.’

‘Or caution, and I thank you for that. If you’d hesitated I wouldn’t be here now.’

‘You’d have done the same.’ Stan changed the subject. ‘How are you getting on?’

‘Fine, I’ve even found myself a job.’

‘That’s good news.’ Stan was pleased for him. Alan had never expected his men to do anything he wasn’t prepared to tackle himself, and that had earned him respect among the ranks. Stan liked him as a man as well. Although he obviously came from the middle classes, he
treated everyone with the same easy attitude. ‘What are you going to do?’

‘I was studying law before the war, and I’m going to work for a firm of solicitors. I’ll take up my studies again and try to qualify.’

Stan gripped Alan’s left hand. ‘Congratulations!’

‘Thanks, we might find ourselves working together sometime if you go back into the police force.’

‘Or against each other.’ Stan grinned at the thought.

‘That too.’ Alan glanced at his watch. ‘Your sister and brother-in-law are waiting outside, so I’ll make room for them. I’ve asked Dora and her siblings to wait for me. I’ve bought a car, so I’ll be able to take them home. I’ll come again.’

‘Bring a bottle with you next time!’

Alan winked in agreement, then left.

Stan rested his head back, beginning to feel drained.

‘Are you all right, Stan?’

At the sound of his sister’s concerned voice he opened his eyes and smiled. When he saw Reg was with her he was immediately awake. ‘I’m doing fine – so they tell me. How’s June?’

‘Waiting outside the ward. One of the nurses is letting her help make tea.’

‘You can bring her in. Lily’s just been in to see me.’

‘Nurse said she’d let her in to see you about ten minutes before the end of visiting. She’s quite happy, Stan.’

He nodded and looked at Reg. Both men were bursting to discuss the case, but thought it unwise while Win was there.

‘Who was that man with you?’ Winnie asked.

‘That was Alan. I knew him in the army.’

‘Hmm.’ Winnie pursed her lips. ‘Nice-looking man. Dora’s waiting for him. Is he a friend of hers?’

‘He was one of the doc’s patients.’ A slight smile touched Stan’s lips, guessing just what his sister was thinking. ‘He won’t hurt Dora, because he knows if he does, he’ll have me to deal with.’

That made his sister shake her head in disbelief. ‘You couldn’t deal with a kitten at the moment.’

‘No, but give me a couple of months. Now, why don’t you go and see if June’s all right. I want to talk to Reg.’

She sighed and raised her hands in resignation. ‘I might have known it. You’ve been working, haven’t you?’

He merely looked innocent, and chuckled when his sister left them. He turned to Reg. ‘I think you ought to see Roger Grant again. It’s only a hunch, but I’ve got a strong feeling he’s implicated in some way or another.’

‘I trust your hunches. I’ll be at that factory as soon as the gates open in the morning. And if I can find any proof that the man had a relationship with her, I’ll have him down the station at once.’

‘A night in the cells might jog his memory.’ Stan rested his head on the pillows, drained.

‘You’d better rest now.’ Reg stood up and looked down at his brother-in-law. ‘Try not to worry too much, Stan, we’ll find the truth in the end, no matter how long it takes.’

‘Whatever that is!’ Stan pulled a face, aware that the truth could turn out to be unpleasant.

There was no further chance to talk as June came running into the ward, with her mother right behind her.

‘Get back on your feet, Stan,’ Reg murmured. ‘We all need you.’