The Girl with the Red Ribbon (37 page)

They continued on in companionable silence as they devoured the home-baked bread.

‘Your wife's a good baker, sir,' Rowan said when she'd eaten, brushing the crumbs from her lap.

‘She is that, and rain's stopped. See yonder,' the carter replied, pointing ahead. A beautiful rainbow arched the rolling hills beyond. ‘ 'Tis lucky. Have a wish, maid.' She
grinned at his optimism, knowing full well it was merely a sign of more rain to come.

Soon the rutted track widened and her heart leaped as the cart began climbing the familiar lane to Sudbury. As they approached the sprawling hamlet, her heart lurched. How would her father greet her? What would Fanny say when she saw her?

When they reached the market square opposite the church, the carter turned to her.

‘Where be your home, maid?' he asked, breaking into her thoughts. She pointed up to the hills.

‘Orchard Farm's up there. You can drop me off here.'

He snorted. ‘I may not be a toff, but I do know me manners.' He yanked on the reins and the horse obligingly moved on through the village, over the humped-back bridge and turned onto the familiar track that led to the farm. She smiled gratefully, for truth to tell she was feeling quite exhausted. Settling back in her seat again, she stared around at the familiar scenery then squinted through the trees as she noticed a plume of smoke rising from an old caravan. She didn't remember that being there.

‘There we are, my dear. You'll be glad to be home, I'm sure,' the carter said, interrupting her musing as he pointed towards the farmhouse. ‘And before sun's set as promised,' he laughed.

‘Thank you so much, sir,' she said, fumbling for her purse.

‘Get away with you, maid. Been a pleasure having your company,' he called as she clambered down. With a quick wave, he turned the cart and was soon lost to view.

Rowan
stood looking around at the farmyard. Although it was strangely empty and had an air of neglect, she couldn't help the feeling of excitement that bubbled up inside her. She took a deep breath of the country air, with its distinct smells that were so different from the salty tang of the seaside town. She could hear the dogs barking, but they didn't come to see who was there. Clutching her bundle, and suddenly feeling nervous, she made her way towards the house that had been her home for so long. Should she knock, she wondered. Before she could decide, the door was thrown open and Fanny stood there glaring.

‘What the hell are you doing here? Be off with you,' she snarled, as though Rowan was some stray.

‘Who's there?' her father called. Fanny made to shut the door but Rowan was too quick for her and stuck out her foot. Then her father appeared, his eyes widening as if he'd seen a ghost.

‘Rowan, is it really you?' he gasped, then peered around. ‘Where's Sab?'

‘Sab? Why should he be here?' she asked.

‘Oh, stop mithering and get inside, Edward. You're letting all the heat out,' Fanny whined, but to Rowan's surprise he ignored her.

‘Come in, my dear, and let me look at you. How have you been? Is Sab treating you well?' he gabbled, leading Rowan towards the fire.

‘Why do you keep asking me about Sab, Father? And why should he have been treating me well or otherwise?' she frowned.

‘Let me take that wet wrap,' Fanny butted in, her eyes
gleaming as she held her hands out for the soft cape. Rowan ignored her.

‘How have you been, Father? I was right sorry you didn't reply to my letter.'

‘Letter? We haven't had any letter, have we, Fanny?'

The woman turned away but not before Rowan had seen the flush that swept over her cheeks.

‘I suppose you're in trouble,' she spat, nodding towards Rowan's stomach. ‘Well, let me tell you …'

‘You be quiet, Fanny.' Both women turned to stare at Edward in surprise. ‘Now, Rowan, sit yourself down and tell me what's been going on. I couldn't believe it when Fanny said you and Sab had run off together.'

‘What?' she cried. ‘But I was kidnapped, Father.'

‘Now don't you come here telling your father a pack of lies …' Fanny began.

‘I said quiet, Fanny, and I meant it,' Edward ordered. ‘If you had any manners, woman, you'd be offering the girl a cup of tea or bowl of broth, not berating her. Now, I want you to go into the parlour whilst I speak to Rowan.'

Fanny stared at him in amazement. ‘But …'

‘ 'Tis you who insist on keeping the fire going in there, so go and make use of it.' There was a moment's silence. ‘I'm waiting, Fanny, and don't come back until I call for you.'

As Fanny slunk from the room, Rowan turned to her father in surprise. ‘Gosh father, that was quite a speech for you. I've never heard you talk like that before, especially not to Fanny.'

‘I know. Should have put me foot down from the start. Guess I was a bit infatuated. Being lonely after your mother died, I think the attention went to my head.'

‘Yes, Fanny did say she could provide your creature comforts and …' Seeing her father looking uncomfortable, she stuttered to a halt. ‘So how have you been?'

He shrugged. ‘Truth is, after you and Sab ran off, Fanny began lording it over me.'

‘Father, as I said, Sab and I never ran off together. I was kidnapped, and Fanny threatened to tell the authorities where Sab was if he didn't ignore me. He was scared of being sent to train for the army, that's why he disappeared.' Edward stroked the beard, which had regrown since she left. He was also in need of a haircut, she noted, taking in the wiry locks curling over his shoulders.

‘I had a feeling Fanny wasn't telling me the truth when I asked where you were, but when I never heard anything from either of you what was I to think?'

‘Look, Father, let me start from when you and Sab were sowing Five Acre Field. I was carrying out my Eostre ritual
as usual when a man came up and threw a sack over my head.'

‘What?' he cried, reaching out and patting Rowan's hand. ‘My poor little girl. What happened next?' He put his pipe to his mouth, but did not light it.

Without sparing any detail, Rowan related the events of that terrible time in Hell Tor Asylum. Then she told him about her apprenticeship, meeting up with Sab, and finally about the mirror and losing her job. Exhausted, she stuttered to a halt. Her father sat staring into the flames in the fireplace as he digested everything she'd told him.

‘Fanny, get yourself in here this minute,' he barked suddenly, making Rowan jump.

‘Did you want me?' Fanny simpered, appearing in the doorway.

‘Not particularly, no,' he muttered. ‘Come here so I can see your face.'

‘Why, Edward, dearest,' she gushed, rushing over to him.

Seeing her father's set look, Rowan gulped. Couldn't this stupid woman read her husband after all this time?

‘Now, Fanny, I need to ask you a question, and I want a truthful answer. Was a letter from Rowan delivered to this address?'

‘Well, yes, but I didn't want to worry you.'

‘And did you sell Rowan's mirror?' he cut in, stopping the woman's excuses mid-flow.

‘Oh, that old thing. Davey found it in the field a while back. When the pedlar called and asked if I'd any trinkets to sell, I thought the money would buy us a few luxuries, Edward, dear.'

‘The
only luxuries around here are those you've bought for yourself. Now go,' he ordered. As Fanny stood gaping like a goldfish, he pointed to the stairs. ‘Pack your things and be gone. I can't bear you near me a moment longer.'

‘Edward, my dear, I was only thinking of you,' Fanny said, rushing over and throwing her arms around him. Silently he moved away, his eyes glittering.

She stood staring at him in surprise as it finally dawned on her he wasn't going to be swayed.

‘Give me a chance, Edward. I can change. I'll be a good …' she began.

‘Be gone now, Fanny, or I'll get the dogs.' The woman hovered a moment longer, but when Edward remained silent she shot a malevolent glare in Rowan's direction and stomped up the stairs.

As drawers slammed and footsteps thundered overhead, Edward just sat staring into the fire, the set look remaining on his face. Finally, Fanny came back down the stairs, staggering under the weight of two enormous bags.

‘Edward …' she simpered.

‘Be gone,' Edward shouted, without turning away from the fire.

‘I'll take the trap then, shall I?'

‘You're taking nothing more from me. You can walk.'

‘But it's a long way and my bags are heavy,' she said, dropping them theatrically onto the floor.

‘Should have thought of that before you packed so much stuff,' he said mildly. ‘Anyhow, you've put on so much weight since you've been here, you look like a barrel. Some exercise will do you good.'

‘Well!' Fanny gasped. She looked so indignant Rowan
had to hide a smile. Finally, realizing Edward wasn't going to be swayed, the woman picked up her bags and stormed out, leaving the door swinging in her wake.

Edward got to his feet. ‘And good riddance,' he called, slamming the door behind her.

Rowan stared at her father as if she'd never seen him before. Unaware of her scrutiny, he crossed to the dresser and poured two jugs of cider.

‘Guess we need something after that performance,' he said, handing her one before sinking back in his chair and taking a long drink. ‘I'm sorry about that letter, Rowan, but it's really good to see you again. Tell me, did you just decide to pay your old father a visit after all this time or was there some other reason?'

Her father knew her too well, she thought wryly.

‘Actually, Father, I came to warn you.'

He looked at her sharply. ‘What about?'

‘Father, I'm walking out with a Preventative officer who is stationed in Saltmouth where I've been working.'

‘You're what?' her father cried.

Intent on telling her story, Rowan ignored his outburst.

‘Jack, that's his name, let slip they'd had a tip-off that owlers will be moving wool in this area, and I thought …' she stuttered to a halt.

‘You thought I might be involved?' he finished for her. ‘Well, you can rest assured I'm not.' Relief flooded through her. Her father took a long pull of his cider. ‘I might well have been if I'd listened to Fanny, though. She tried her best to get me to deal with them, but dear old Davey, God rest his soul, said your mother would turn in her grave.'
Rowan gasped and he reached over and patted her hand. ‘Sorry, my dear, you wouldn't have known about poor Davey.'

‘But I did. Well, that is, he told me he wouldn't see another spring,' she said, tears welling as she remembered. How she'd loved that wise old man.

Her father nodded sagely. ‘He knew his body was wearing out. Said it was like the seasons and his had reached the final days of winter.' Rowan smiled sadly; she could imagine him saying that. ‘Offered him a bed in the farmhouse, but he was having none of it,' he continued. ‘Helped with shearing as usual then went back to his hut. I went and found them, dog and man together, dead to the world.' He covered his face with his hand.

‘You all right, Father?'

He nodded. ‘Just something in my eye,' he insisted. ‘Anyhow, old Davey's words stayed with me. The thought of dealing with those hoodlums never sat easy with me, you know. I sold my wool straight after shearing, the way I always have in the past. It saddens me to think you thought so badly of me, but I guess I haven't done much to earn your respect recently.'

She looked at him forlornly. It was the truth and there was no good denying it. Lost in their thoughts, they sat staring at the dying fire, neither having the energy to prod it back into life.

Then she realized her cat wasn't curled up in her usual place.

‘Where's Magic?' she asked.

Her father looked uncomfortable. ‘I caught Fanny kicking her once too often.'

‘What!
Why, that old besom. Magic's not … ?' She could hardly voice her fears.

‘No, she's all right. Auntie Sal took her to their farm.'

‘Oh, Father …' She shook her head.

‘That was when I first began having my doubts about the woman; can't abide cruelty.'

Rowan nodded, then stifled a yawn, as the traumatic events of the day caught up with her.

‘Can I sleep here tonight, Father?' she asked, breaking the silence.

‘This is still your home, Rowan. Stay as long as you like. And I am grateful that you thought to come and warn your old father, after all that's gone on this past year.'

‘I'm glad it wasn't necessary, though,' she said, getting to her feet and kissing his cheek. ‘I'll see you in the morning.'

To her surprise, no sooner had she climbed into her old bed than sleep overtook her and she knew nothing until the cold light of dawn crept through the window. For a moment she wondered where she was and then, as her mind cleared, she lay there, thinking back over the past few days. So much had happened, she thought, her hand automatically going to her wrist. Stroking the red ribbon, she reflected on how her life had turned full circle. Through a strange chain of events, she was back where she'd been born. Except now she wasn't the naïve country girl she'd been when she left.

Her musing was rudely interrupted by the frenzied barking of the farm dogs. Then she heard the shout of voices and hooves thundering over the cobbles in the yard. Jumping out of bed, she peered out of the window, just in
time to see two uniformed riders dismounting. One of them was Jack! Hastily throwing on her dress and running her fingers through her tousled hair, she ran down the stairs. The senior Preventative officer was talking to her father.

‘Edward Clode, we have a warrant to search your property,' he said, holding up a card for her father to read.

Jack was peering over the officer's shoulder and into the room beyond.

‘But Father hasn't done anything wrong,' Rowan cried.

Hearing her voice, Jack's eyes widened and he stared at her in horror.

‘Carslake, you search the house with the girl. I'll take the farmer and have a look around the outbuildings. If you find anything, blow on your whistle.'

‘Sir,' Jack responded, giving a smart salute.

‘It's all right, Jack,' Rowan said, as the men disappeared across the yard. ‘Father isn't hiding anything. He sold his wool in the usual way, he told me so last night.'

‘Miss Clode, I'd be obliged if you would allow me to carry out my duty,' he said stiffly, ignoring what she'd just said. As he began rifling through their cupboards and the bacon settle, she followed after him, explaining about her father and Fanny, but he took no notice. Then without even glancing in her direction, he bounded up the stairs. Seeing he had no intention of listening, she sank onto the chair beside the fire, and idly prodded the wood.

When he came down the stairs again, she jumped to her feet, determined to make him understand her father was innocent.

‘Jack,
please listen. Although Fanny wanted Father to deal with the owlers, his principles wouldn't let him. He listened to his conscience.'

‘And you, Rowan, did you listen to your conscience? Or doesn't betrayal count?' he asked, his cold stare sending shivers down her spine.

‘Betrayal? What do you mean?'

‘What I told you about our movements was in confidence. I expressly asked you not to tell anyone. Yet I arrive to find that you hightailed it here and tipped off your father. You might have thought you were being clever trying to pull the wool over my eyes once again, Rowan, but believe you me, it will be the last time.'

‘Come along, Carslake, there's nothing here,' the officer called from the doorway.

‘Yes, sir,' Jack said as, with a final glare at Rowan, he turned to go.

‘Please don't leave like this, Jack,' she cried, grabbing his arm.

‘Don't touch me,' he hissed, trying to snatch it away. Determined to make him see sense, she hung on, and in the ensuing tussle her ribbon caught on the button of his sleeve. With a final yank, he freed himself from her grasp and strode from the room, too wound up to notice the red material dangling from his cuff.

‘Jack,' she shrieked, hurrying after him. But he'd already mounted his horse and was galloping away, kicking up red dust in his wake. She stared down at her bare wrist, its band of white skin gleaming up at her. ‘Oh, no,' she whispered.

‘Well, that was a bit of excitement,' her father said, as
she went back indoors. Then he saw the tears coursing down her cheeks. ‘Whatever's the matter?' he asked.

‘He didn't believe me, Father, and now I've lost everything, including my ribbon,' she sobbed. Drawing her close, Edward waited until the storm of anguish had passed. When her sobbing had turned to hiccups, he sat her down beside the fire and handed her a glass.

‘Drink this. It'll make you feel better,' he urged. As the water hit the back of her throat, she spluttered. ‘Best thing I know for curing hiccups. Now, you'd better tell me what you meant about losing everything.'

She held up her wrist. ‘My ribbon's gone. It caught on Jack's button and he never noticed,' she wailed.

‘Well, it was always just a piece of ribbon, in my book. Oh, I know your mother thought it had some magical power,' he said, as Rowan opened her mouth to protest, ‘but let's be honest, it's just a tatty bit of ribbon really.'