FLASHES OF BLACK came and went, came and went, merging with the grey. Sally blinked drowsily then winced as agony scorched the length of her face. She was aware of a jolting sensation and nausea was rising.
From beneath lids lead-heavy, she glimpsed the shapes again. They appeared then disappeared, appeared and disappeared, blending with the greyness until everything swirled together. Another wave of sickness swooped and she closed her eyes.
A steady drum of noise grew and her fog-filled brain counted: one, two, one, two, one, two. When she opened her eyes, her vision was clearer. The blur receded and she saw the grey was cobblestones. She squinted at the flashes of black – one, two, one, two. The sound was coming from them.
They were feet.
The answer came suddenly. They were the backs of someone’s clogs, appearing then disappearing with each step. At once, her mind snapped into shape. Snippets of memory … standing at Ivy’s door, Joseph, pain …
Clarity brought fear so overwhelming, she gagged. Rearing back, she screamed at the top of her lungs. His hold tightened and she thrashed wildly. They reached a door and, realising he was taking her within, she gripped the frame but he prised her fingers away and hauled her, kicking and screaming, inside.
He slammed the door and threw her to the floor, the impact knocking the breath from her. She gasped for air then grimaced when a fetid stench hit the back of her throat. A long ago memory … That smell was unmistakable. Dear God, no! A familiar cackle sounded; hesitantly, she turned.
Alice sat grinning by the fire. ‘Well, look what we have here. And where the divil have you been, you loose young bitch? All go well?’ she added to Joseph.
‘Aye.’
‘Tha weren’t seen? How about just now? I heard her screams from here.’
‘Nay. Folk will still be kipping off last night’s ale. A farmer asked what we were about when I were crossing his field, but I told him she were half-slat from last night.’ Crossing his eyes, he made drinking motions with his hand then laughed. ‘He swallowed it, said his wife liked a tipple too much herself, gormless shit.’
‘Harold left at first light in search of a day’s graft – as if the useless swine will find owt – and what children come home last night have gone out. Where’s anyone’s guess; probably on t’ thieve somewhere, bloody wastrels. I’ll take meself to Nellie’s, leave youse two alone.’ She grinned at Sally, donned her shawl and left.
Seeing Alice, bile had risen in Sally’s stomach. However, the fear her sister-in-law evoked was nothing compared to the sight of Joseph. Their gazes locked and the room swayed.
His eyes bulged from his stubbled face, as though he couldn’t quite believe what he saw. He stepped towards her. ‘Well? Ain’t you gorra welcome kiss for your husband?’
Her heart banged but hot anger was growing. The faded welts along Ivy’s neck flashed into her mind and her fury boiled over. Of its own accord, her chin rose.
‘Don’t you dare come any closer. I’m not afraid of you. The days of my putting up with you are over. Take one more step and I’m warning you, Joseph, I’ll—’
‘You’ll what?’ He lunged and grabbed her throat. ‘Grown some backbone since you’ve been away, ain’t you?’ He leaned in until their noses touched. ‘Well, don’t fret, my girl, for I’ll soon have you back to the snivelling wreck you’ve allus been.’ Shaking his head slowly, he curled his lips in a snarl. ‘You’re one sneaky, thieving young whore – what are you?
‘Think you could hide for ever, did you? Did you?’ he roared. ‘You’ve ruined me good and proper, lost me my home, job, my good name, everything. I’ve nowt left to lose, now. I warned what would happen if you opened that mouth of yourn.’ His grip tightened. ‘Have a fine ol’ time in Manchester, did you?’
Her eyes showed her surprise; he smiled. ‘Oh aye, I know where you’ve been. A rat allus returns to its hole. Well, I hope you enjoyed your jaunt, my girl, for I promise you summat, you’ll not escape me a second time. For the rest of your days you’ll suffer for what you’ve done, you little bitch.’
She’d forced her anger down and listened to his rant without resistance. Years of torture had taught her well. She knew how to respond so as to receive the least pain possible.
She’d almost reacted when his hand tightened but willed herself to remain impassive. Incurring his wrath further wasn’t an option whilst he squeezed her throat; he’d rendered her unconscious that way more times than she could remember. She needed a clear head, must play this right if she were to escape alive.
Relief that Jonathan was safe at Ivy’s flooded through her. Dear Lord, if he’d discovered him … The notion was horrifying. He’d do anything to hurt her, and would have no qualms about using their son to do so, she was certain.
Surely, soon, the Morgans would notice her missing and come looking? Please God. She just hoped that until then she’d have the strength to endure the inevitable abuse to come. What further injuries he’d inflict, she dreaded to imagine. Her face was ablaze, her nose likely broken. But she knew better than to show it. He’d only strike it again for the enjoyment of seeing her suffer.
‘Undress,’ Joseph barked suddenly, unfastening his belt with his free hand.
Trying desperately to remain calm, she shook her head.
‘I said undress.’
‘No.’ The word had barely left her when, to her horror, he grabbed her blouse and tore it open.
Her breasts spilled into his waiting hands and, despite her terror, fury charged through her feeling those all-too-familiar fingers on her flesh. She smacked them away fiercely and covered herself with her arms but before she could jump to her feet, a slap sent her sprawling. Her head hit the flags, blurring her vision, and moments later, his hands were on her thighs.
When he threw her skirts over her head and ripped away her undergarments, she kicked out, but he caught and spread her legs. He growled with pleasure and her panic reached fever pitch. His jerking member prodded and a scream tore from her.
Bucking wildly, she lashed out with nails and fists. He caught her wrists in an iron-like grip and wrenched them above her head.
‘Go on, whore, fight it. I love it when you scream and struggle, makes it all the more enjoyable,’ he panted, forcing her legs wider with his knee and positioning himself between.
‘Please, don’t do this.’ She knew begging was useless but crippling desperation chased away logic. ‘Beat me, do whatever you want, but not this. Please. Not this! ’
Joseph looked deep into her eyes and uttered two words she knew would haunt her the rest of her life:
‘Welcome home.’
A scream froze on her lips as he savagely thrust inside her.
Ivy held Jonathan against her chest and, making soothing noises, rocked him. His cries merely grew and her gaze strayed back to the window.
With each minute, her anxiety had mounted. Her husband and sons were out scouring the lanes and with all her heart she hoped they would find the lass safe and well.
Arthur had insisted they would prove her worries unfounded, that Sally had likely taken a walk with Shield and lost track of time. But she knew he was wrong. Sally doted on Jonathan, would never leave him alone.
She returned her attention to him, desperate for distraction. His hungry screams intensified and she began praying again for his mother’s safe return. Suddenly, the cottage door burst open and she whipped around.
Arthur and Shaun, faces drawn, entered. Tommy followed, holding a black mass.
‘Oh, dear God, is Sally—?’
‘We didn’t find her,’ Arthur cut in. ‘We found the dog in a ditch but there’s no sign of the lass.’
Tommy laid Shield on the rag rug. ‘It’s had a nasty blow to the head but it’s alive. Goden’s done this, I’d stake my life on it. He’s been back and Sally … I knew we should’ve checked that cottage of his sister’s last time. I’ll kill the evil bastard when I get my hands on him.’
‘Dear God, if he’s got her … if he could do what he did to me, that poor lass …’ Ivy’s words were lost in Jonathan’s cries. She swallowed her feelings and turned to Shaun. ‘Fetch Mrs Oakes, will you, lad? She’ll wet-nurse this poor beggar, I’m sure. Let’s pray we’ll not need her long. Mother of God, if Sally …’
Arthur drew her into his arms. ‘We’ll find her, wench. We’ll fetch her back, don’t you fret.’
With increasing anger, Tommy watched his mother gulp down tears. She’d changed since the attack, wasn’t the stoic woman they knew and loved. That bastard had knocked out of her a little of the fight they had always admired. Lord, when they found him … ‘We’re wasting time. We need to go,’ he said abruptly.
Face as though set in stone, his father nodded. He kissed Ivy and strode to the door.
‘Find Sally, fetch her back but please, be careful,’ she begged him.
‘Don’t fret, wench. We’ll not swing for him.’
Leading the way, Tommy left the cottage. Reaching the gate, he saw Shaun and Mrs Oakes hurrying up the row. ‘Look after the dog while we’re gone, lad,’ he called. ‘If it’ll let thee, tend to that gash on its head, see what the damage is.’
‘And call on Martha Smith,’ added his father, ‘ask her to sit with your mam till we return.’
Spurred on by worry and fury – and eager to give Joseph the beating of his life – they made good headway and in no time were nearing Bolton town. When Deansgate came into view, Arthur slowed his pace.
‘Wait up, lad. I’ve summat to say.’
‘Can’t it wait?’
‘Nay, it can’t. Last night—’
‘I know what you’re about to say, but—’
‘You couldn’t keep your bloody eyes off the lass! How your mam didn’t notice, I don’t know. And raging as you were when we returned with the dog … Folk will start questioning your intentions if you don’t keep a rein on that tongue of yourn.’
‘We’ll talk about this later, we’re wasting—’
‘You’ll hear me out, first,’ ordered his father. ‘Son, this has to stop. You’re betrothed to Dolly, now. She’s a nice lass with enough love for the pair of you to make your marriage work. You could be happy with her but you’ve got to meet her halfway. For God’s sake, get whatever designs you have on Sally from that head of yourn and start thinking on your future.’
He sighed helplessly at the raw pain Tommy knew shone from his eyes. ‘If we find her, whatever’s happened, whatever state she might be in … for the love of God, don’t let your emotions get the better of thee. Don’t go making no declarations nor saying summat you’ll regret. Please, for all your sakes. Promise me.’
Heavy silence hung between them.
‘I promise,’ Tommy murmured without an ounce of self-conviction.
‘Right. Come on.’
As they drew level with Deansgate, there came a rumble of wheels in the distance and they saw a cart approaching along a dirt road. His father didn’t give it a second glance. But Tommy stopped dead in his tracks. Surely not …
‘What’s wrong?’ Arthur followed his gaze back to the cart but clearly saw nothing that could have caused his face to pale, as Tommy knew it had. ‘Lad?’
His eyes flicked to the female passenger then again rested on the man beside her. ‘That fella on t’ cart, there, don’t half favour …’ It couldn’t be him. It wasn’t. It was merely his mind playing tricks. ‘Never mind.’
Falling back into step, his father frowned. ‘Who did he look like?’
‘It doesn’t matter,’ Tommy muttered, and was thankful when Arthur didn’t press him.
On reaching Chapel Alley, his father made to hammer on number thirteen, but he shook his head. ‘We’ll not be knocking this time. Children or no, Sally’s life could be at risk. They’ll not get chance to cover their tracks this time.’
At his first kick, the rotten frame splintered and the door flew open.
The kitchen proved empty and they rushed to search the other rooms – his father making for the stairs, Tommy the front room. Within seconds, they were back in the kitchen.
‘Nowt?’
Tommy shook his head.
‘There’s no one upstairs, neither.’
‘Did you check everywhere? Happen he’s hiding or, or he might—’
‘The place’s empty, lad.’
Kicking over a stool in frustration, he raked his hands through his hair. ‘What do we do? The bastard’s got her, I know it.’
His father headed for the door. ‘We’ll ask on the neighbours either side. Happen someone’s seen or heard summat.’
‘And if not? What then?’
‘We keep looking. I gave your mam my word we’d fetch the lass back, and we will.’
Alice watched Joseph as he drank. When he placed his empty tankard on the table and motioned to Nellie for a refill, she shook her head.
‘You’ve gorra problem with the ale, Joseph. You want to mind you don’t finish up like our old man.’
He wiped a dribble of ale from his chin. ‘Don’t start, Alice, for Christ’s sake. I’m celebrating, ain’t I? Anyroad, you’ve room to talk. You’ve never been one to turn your nose up at a drop of gin.’
‘Aye, mebbe, but you’re supping like there’s a shortage. Look, look how your hands are shaking. You’ve dragged her over here to fill your belly with ale; you should be lying low in case them fellas come looking. Start slowing down, for you’ll need your wits about you if you’re to keep a grip of that one.’ She glanced to the corner. ‘Slippery little bitch, she is. Turn your back forra second and she’ll be away, you mark my words.’
But Joseph’s attention was on the counter. ‘Nellie, where’s that ale?’ he barked. ‘Fetch another gin for our Alice while you’re about it. Nancy will clear it, later.’
Nellie’s serving girl glanced across the inn, frowned at the curled-up figure then lowered her head. Poking her nose into customers’ business would earn her a thick ear or, worse, dismissal. Though she hated the position, she needed the brass.
None the less, she couldn’t help sneaking another look to the corner. Pity filled her but she knew she couldn’t intervene. Dropping her gaze, she continued to the door.
Stepping outside, she emptied a pail of slops on to the cobbles and was about to turn back when two men blocked her path. The elder smiled but the strikingly handsome one remained stiff-faced.
‘Can I help thee with summat, mister?’
‘I hope so, lass. We’re looking forra fella, name of Goden, what’s lodging round here with his sister. You don’t know of him, d’you, or where he could be? We’ve asked at the cottages hereabouts but no one knows owt. There’d be some coppers in it for thee.’
She bit her lip for a long moment then through the side of her mouth, whispered, ‘Is anyone watching me?’
The elder man looked to the inn door. ‘Nay, lass.’
‘How about the window? Look in t’ window. My mistress ain’t watching?’
Again, he looked behind her. ‘Oh, aye, I see her. Have no fear, she’s busy at the counter. Have you summat to tell us? D’you know Goden?’
She hesitated. But remembering the desperate state of the woman in Joseph and Alice’s company, she nodded. ‘Aye, I know him. He’s in here all the time. In fact, he …’ Her words trailed off as glancing to the window she saw Nellie staring back, face scarlet with fury. ‘Oh Lord, I must go!’
The handsome one caught her arm. ‘Wait, what were you about to say? In fact what?’
‘Leave go! She’ll flay me alive if I don’t get back.’ She tried tugging free but his grip tightened. ‘Please, mister!’
‘Tell us, lass, please. Has tha seen him today? Has he …?’ His questions died, his hold with them. ‘He’s here now, ain’t he?’
Without waiting for confirmation, he pushed past her and charged into the inn.
‘Well, look who’s here.’ Hot on Tommy’s heels, his father stared in distaste at the lone customer. ‘Right, where is he? And don’t bother lying for the bastard, for it won’t wash. Not this time.’
Joseph’s sister took a slow sip of her gin, then another. ‘Back again? Well, you’ve had another wasted journey, for I ain’t seen nowt of our Joseph since last time you asked. Go on, sling your hook. Or have you a mind to belt me one as you did my husband?’
In all his life, Tommy had never laid his hands on a woman, hadn’t come close. At this moment, however, he struggled not to lunge at this sickeningly smug one. ‘Liar. Where is he? Where’s Sally?’
‘How the divil should I know where that whore is? What right have youse interfering in other folks’ marriages, anyroad?’
‘I’m warning you, woman.’
Her smile deepened. ‘Tell them, Nellie. Our Joseph ain’t been here for weeks, has he?’
Without hesitation, she shook her head. ‘Nay, Alice. I’ve not seen him forra while.’
Tommy shot her a disgusted look then glanced at the serving girl’s bowed head. ‘Lass, if tha knows owt, please—’
‘She don’t, for there’s nowt to tell. Is there?’ Nellie asked with a dig to her ribs.
The girl’s response was barely audible. ‘There’s nowt to tell. He’s not been in for weeks.’
Tommy made to protest but his father stopped him. ‘Save your breath, son, they’ll not talk.’ He jerked his head to a door behind the ale-splattered counter. ‘Mind, if they’ve nowt to hide, they’ll not bother about us searching the place.’
Nellie’s mouth dropped open. ‘’Ere, you’ve no right going through there! Them’s my own private quarters.’ She tried blocking their path but they shoved her aside. ‘Get out of my inn, now, the pair of you.’
‘Oh, let them look,’ called Alice. ‘We know they’ll find nowt, but if they’ve time to waste …’ She grinned at them. ‘Go on, have a good look. You’ll not find him.’
As the men’s footsteps thundered upstairs, Nellie shook her head at a now-worried Alice. ‘Well, they called your bluff! If they find him—’
‘Keep your voice down,’ she hissed. ‘Joseph ain’t daft. He’ll have found somewhere to hide.’
‘If they find him,’ Nellie repeated, ‘you take yourselfs off, the lot of you, and battle it out elsewhere. I’ll not have trouble here, don’t want no police sniffing about my inn.’
‘Shurrup, they’re coming.’
They re-entered, grim-faced and seething.
‘See, what did I tell youse?’ Relief tinged Alice’s gloating smile. ‘He’s not here, just as I said. Now go on, bugger off and don’t come back.’
‘We’re going nowhere.’ Despite their rage, the younger one spoke calmly. ‘We’ll bed down outside yon cottage the night if we must but I promise thee, we’ll not leave till we’ve found Sally and made that evil bastard pay. One way or t’ other, we’ll find him.’
When the inn door slammed shut behind them, she hurried to the window. They crossed the road to her door and she shook her head. He’d been true to his word; it didn’t look as though they were going anywhere.
‘They gone?’
She turned and breathed out slowly. ‘Aye. That were a close ’un, eh? How didn’t they find thee, Joseph?’
Face void of colour, he peeked about. ‘They definitely gone?’
‘The sods have made themselfs comfortable outside the cottage. What will you do? There’s no chance of leaving without them—’ A noise like the cracking of a whip cut her speech. She nodded in satisfaction to see the serving girl in a heap on the floor, one side of her face livid red.
‘Don’t fret,’ said Nellie. ‘She’ll get more of the same, later, loose-tongued little bitch that she is.’
Amusement creased Joseph’s eyes. ‘Ta for the warning, Nellie. How did you—?’
‘Know they were after thee? I didn’t. But by the look of that one, it’s clear summat’s up.’ She jerked her head to Sally’s limp form under his arm.
‘I owe thee.’
‘Aye, tha does. I’ll not ask what’s afoot, for I don’t want to know. Just don’t make a habit of what’s occurred today, d’you hear?’
He nodded, but even Alice knew that if the time came again, Nellie would help him out. He – well, Nancy – spent a good deal of money here. She wouldn’t risk them finding another watering hole.
Alice returned to the window. ‘What will you do, our Joseph?’ she asked over her shoulder. ‘They’re not for shifting.’
As though discarding a piece of rubbish, he threw Sally back into the corner and dragged a hand through his hair. ‘Keep a lookout while I think. There’s gorra be a way.’
Uneasy silence filled the inn. For several minutes, the only sounds were those of the serving girl going about her duties.
‘Oh, for Christ’s … That’s all we need.’
He was ready to snatch up Sally in a heartbeat. ‘What, Alice? They coming back?’
‘Nay, our Lily’s just rounded the corner. She knows not to say owt, they all do. Mind, you never know with that one, sneaky bitch that she is.’
His face contorted in utter fury. ‘See the trouble you’ve stirred up, you filthy slut? By God, you’ll spend the rest of your days paying for this, you see if you don’t.’ He delivered savage kicks to Sally. ‘I’ll not lose thee again, I’ll not,’ he muttered over and over. ‘You’ll not escape me a second time. With my bare hands, I’ll kill you first.’
After getting in several kicks herself, Alice headed for the door. ‘Stay on your toes, lad. I’ll be back in a minute.’
The dead cat had been horrible, all bloated belly and gooey eyes. Lily shuddered at the memory.
The twins had cajoled her into seeing it, had made it sound like a smashing trip, something she’d be real daft to miss.
‘I bet she screams,’ sniggered Sid, rolling his eyes at girls’ soft ways.
But she didn’t. As she wrinkled her nose at the smelly heap of fur, a small grey lump, then another, had caught her eye. The first was unmarked, looked to be asleep, but the other, squashed and bloody, had had a nail driven through its eye. Her brothers had left their find to poke her offspring but Lily grabbed their sticks.
‘Don’t, they’re only babbies.’
‘They’re dead, our Lil,’ Joey scoffed. ‘They can’t feel nowt.’
Ignoring his laughter, she’d scooped them up and laid them by their mother’s battered head. ‘Let’s leave them, now, eh?’ she’d begged. ‘It’s a shame, it is.’
‘Aye, come on, our Sid. The stink’s getting worse.’
Planning their day in whispers, they slunk away. It was then she’d seen it: movement by the mother. A muffled cry followed and a tiny head had appeared between her paws.
Now, heading home with the survivor nestled in her arms, Lily frowned. What should she name it? It must be special, she decided, nodding. It was very lucky to have been spared. One foot in the gutter, she plodded on, lost in thought.
Suddenly, her fingers stilled on the silky fur and she swore under her breath. Her mother was crossing the road towards her and didn’t look best pleased. She thought about stuffing the kitten up her frock or behind her back, but it was too late. She stopped in her tracks at the demand to wait and, tears pricking, prayed she wouldn’t make her get rid of her new friend.
Her mother glanced at the squirming bundle but, to Lily’s astonishment, uttered nothing. Instead, she looked beyond her daughter, laughed for a reason Lily couldn’t fathom, then motioned her to follow. Frowning, Lily obeyed. When she and her mother reached Nellie’s inn, she glanced over her shoulder. Two men leaning against the wall of their cottage in Chapel Alley locked eyes with her and her mouth ran dry.
The blokes who had threatened Father! Had they returned to give him a proper thrashing? She opened her mouth to yell at them to go away and leave him alone, but her mother yanked her inside the inn before she could.
‘Sit.’
Filled with confusion, she perched on a stool. ‘Why are them fellas back, Mam? They’ll not touch Father again, will they?’
Alice had returned to the window but hearing Lily’s terrified tone she swivelled around. Nodding slowly, she crouched before her.
‘Aye. They’re back to finish him.’ She forced a sob and hid a smile when the young face crumpled. ‘Me and Uncle Joseph, we’re that frickened for him. Happen you could persuade the swines to bugger off, our Lil, like last time? Tell them your uncle’s not been near. Put the tears on, lass, beg them to go. It might do the trick again.’
‘Aye, do as your mam tells thee,’ Joseph added from the corner, leaning forward to block her view of Sally. ‘Lay it on good and proper, mind, or it’ll not work and they’ll kill your father. You don’t want him to die, d’you?’
‘Nay!’ Lily cried. ‘Nay,’ she repeated, shaking her head and sending tears spilling.
Moments later, Alice watched the skinny legs cross the cobbles.
‘You reckon it’ll work?’ Joseph asked.
She shrugged. ‘The young sneak can lie through her teeth easy enough when the mood takes her. She’ll lay it on thick; she’s allus been soft on that wastrel father of hers. Get thinking on what you’ll do if it don’t, mind. Tha can’t stop here for ever, Joseph, and nor can I.’
‘A few hours, that’s all I need,’ he muttered. ‘Nancy will do my bidding. She’ll get me some brass so I can be away. By the time she realises I’m taking Sally and not her, it’ll be too late. We’ll be away; away from here, Spring Row and the bastards what live there. A few hours. Just a few more hours.’
Groaning floated from the corner and Alice clicked her tongue. ‘That one’s rousing. Take her back upstairs afore she starts bleating. I’ll shout a warning if owt occurs.’
Tommy and Arthur had their targets in sight. Ahead was the inn, and left and right gave a clear view of Deansgate. Goden must be hiding nearby. If he tried scarpering, they would spot him.
The child who defended her father last time emerged from the inn and their eyes narrowed. They had planned to question her earlier but her mother dragged her away. Now, it seemed, they would get their chance; surprisingly, she was heading towards them.
When the scared-looking bundle of rags halted, Tommy crouched to her level and smiled. ‘Hello, lass. That’s a bonny young thing you’ve got. What’s his name, then?’
She blinked at the kitten then back at him. Despite his manner, he knew she was remembering their treatment of her father. These two are slippery buggers, all right. I must be careful if I’m to keep him safe, her stare screamed. She bit her lip until her eyes watered then gazed up, chin quivering expertly.
‘Why, mister? Why have you come to kill Father?’
‘Nay, lass, nay. Fancy thee thinking that. Last time were a mistake. We’d not touch him again. We’re that sorry you and the other little ’uns saw that carry-on. We didn’t know children were present, you see.’
His father squatted beside him. ‘That’s right. It’s your uncle we’ve come for, like last time. Only to talk, mind,’ he added with a disarming smile. ‘You know where he is, lass?’
It was evident that she didn’t believe a word. Face a picture of innocence, she shook her head. ‘I don’t, mister. He’s been gone weeks. Please leave us be. We don’t know where he is, honest we don’t.’
Anger rose within Tommy. The poor mite was lying and it didn’t take much to work out who had put her up to it. Of all the dirty, rotten tricks … using an innocent child to save your own skin. What a low and wicked depth to sink to.
She looked at the scrap of life in her arms. When she raised her head, genuine tears lit her blue eyes. Her hold tightened but she murmured, ‘’Ere, mister.’ She held the kitten up. ‘Leave us be, go on home, and you can have her. I love her, I do, but I love Father more. That’s a fair deal, in’t it, mister?’
He half turned and sighed. Her distress was hard to stomach. He placed a large but tender hand on her shoulder.
‘Lass, listen to me. I give thee my word; we’ll not touch a hair on your father’s head. May the Lord strike me down, that’s the ’onest truth. Your uncle …’ He paused, chose his words carefully. ‘He’s been a bad man, you see. He hurt my mam and will hurt a nice lady if we don’t find him. Please, lass, if you know where he is, it’s important you tell us. Sally’s in real danger.’
Her eyes widened. ‘Sally?’
‘Aye. Have you seen her? Is she here with your uncle?’
This quandary dizzied Lily. Was Sally the kind lady from the market who gave her food and a shilling, smiled, spoke to her softly, told her she was clever? The lady she’d prayed and prayed, every night since, had taken her with her? But why would Uncle Joseph hurt her?
He had wanted to find her. He’d gone off in a right old rage that day – with her precious coin, too. Had he now found her? She wasn’t in the inn; though he could be hiding her … And what of her tiny baby? Was he in danger, too?
She’d processed these thoughts in seconds when another struck. He’d hurt another lady, she remembered. She’d heard her the other week, moaning and groaning and panting like a dog, as though she couldn’t breathe. Afterwards, he’d sneaked her from the cottage. He thought no one saw, but she had. She couldn’t have stopped him hurting that lady. Perhaps she could with Sally.
If she did, maybe this time she’d take her home with her. She’d try harder, beg on her knees. If she’d give a shilling and grub as nice as she had for help with a rotten old basket and blanket … She’d take her to live with her for sure.
But were these two truthful? Mam said … mind you, Mam said things aplenty that weren’t true, Lily reminded herself. Still, could she risk Father getting a thrashing? Were they really only here for her uncle, for Sally?
She chewed her lower lip raw as she agonised over what to do. Suddenly, she ceased gnawing. There was a way to be sure, she recalled. Father always said when a man gave his word, he shook on it, that a vow made on a handshake was worth its weight in gold.
‘What you said, about Father—’
‘It’s the truth. We’re here for Joseph, nowt else.’ Without realising, the younger man secured alliance – he held out a hand. ‘You have my word, lass.’
She placed her tiny one into his and nodded solemnly. What Mam would do when she found out … Pushing the thought away, she adopted the twins’ motto: Mam could eat shit, for all she cared.
Despite her cunning from years of necessity, Lily knew she’d have to use all her wits to pull this off. Her mother was clever.
But as the lady at the market told me, she remembered with a determined smile, so am I.
Eager-faced, the men leaned in.
‘He’s snidy, my uncle. Snidy and slippery as a kipper. You need to be cleverer. I’ll show you how but you’ve gorra listen. You’ve gorra listen and do everything I say.’
She’d been sick again.
The last acrid dribbles ran down Sally’s cheek and neck. Spears of pain faded again and she welcomed impending release with a sigh.
Oblivion was on the cusp of taking her when rough fingers chased her descent away. They lifted one of her eyelids then the other. Then they raised her head from the ground.
The now-familiar scorch worked its way down her throat and on instinct alone, she spluttered and gagged. Senses too debilitated by injury and alcohol to resist, the dreamlike state imprisoned her once more.
She floated beyond reality. Her thoughts felt weighted, impossible to process. Where was she? How long had she been here? A day? Three? A week?
Place and time didn’t apply to her any more. She’d wake in fits to the fiery liquid and sporadic blows – or the searing between her legs when he took her at will.
Like now. He was doing it again.
Awareness swirled around her foggy mind. Survival lent her a spurt of life and she pushed at the looming chest. Her feeble effort produced but a guttural laugh from the demon ravaging her.
As the thrusts intensified, she slipped blissfully into the sea of nothingness.