The children were asleep. Ted had left reluctantly, by Ellen’s wishes, leaving her alone with Arthur and the children. It was ten o’clock and Ellen could hardly believe all that had happened during the last five days. Cautiously she lifted the net curtain and peered down into the street, then quickly let the curtain drop.
‘Still out there, are they, love?’ Arthur had entered the room with two mugs of cocoa in his hands.
Ellen smiled tiredly. ‘Just a few. Journalists, I expect. I feel sorry for them in a way. After all, they are only trying to make a living.’ Taking one of the mugs she added, ‘I don’t think I’ll need any rocking tonight. I’m so tired I can hardly keep my eyes open.’
Arthur grunted in reply. ‘Me neither. It’s a pity we couldn’t find that pervert though. For all we know he might have snatched some other child while we were chasing round in circles in the forest. God! I hope not. Mind you, it was a miracle the hut was found at all, the way it was situated. Johnny reckons Stokes must have mingled with the search party. There’s no other way he could have got out of those woods because, don’t forget, only Johnny and a few of the older police officers know what Stokes looks like. I don’t blame the police for calling off the search. It was obvious after the third day that the man was long gone. At least we got Molly back, and in time, according to the doctor, so that’s something to be thankful for.’
Ellen smiled over the top of her mug. ‘Yes, indeed that is something to be thankful for. To be honest I’d begun to think the worst, but Micky never gave up hope.’
An awkward silence descended on them until Arthur coughed and said, ‘We should talk about the future, Ellen. I know you’re worried about hurting me, but I brought it on myself, and now it’s time to make amends.’
‘Really, Arthur, there’s no rush. It’s barely been a week since Molly was found, and we’ve hardly had time to catch our breath.’
Arthur shook his head and, in a resigned voice, said, ‘The longer we put things off, the harder it’s going to be. Ted’s already becoming impatient, and I can’t say as I blame him. By the way…’ He paused uncomfortably, shifting in his chair before continuing. ‘I expect you’ve told Ted about that night, not that I’m blaming you, I’d just like to know when to expect a thrashing.’
Her face flushed, Ellen replied quietly, ‘I told him we’d been together once, but that we’d both known it was a mistake, and decided to carry on as we had before, in a platonic relationship. Ted agreed that that part of our marriage would be best left between the three of us, so you needn’t worry on that score.’
Arthur gave a nervous laugh. ‘Well, that’s a relief I must say. Now look, Ellen, I know you’re tired, we both are, but as I said before, we need to talk. I’ve been thinking a lot these past few days and I’ve come to a decision.’ Reaching out he took hold of her hand. ‘I’m leaving the East End… No, don’t stop me,’ he added as Ellen made to speak. ‘Like I said, I’ve had a lot of time to think things over and I believe it’s best for all of us if I leave.’ Looking into Ellen’s shocked face Arthur saw something else mirrored in her eyes – relief. Arthur lowered his gaze for a moment so that Ellen wouldn’t see the pain his words were costing him. A brisk note entered his voice as he went on. ‘What I propose to do is leave you the business, and set up somewhere else.’ Fumbling in his pocket he brought out a crumpled letter. ‘This came a couple of days ago. I would have told you, but with all the commotion going on, it went completely out of my head.’ Unfolding the paper he said, ‘It’s from Mr Bradley, you remember, the couple we met in Southend,’ he said as Ellen looked puzzled.
‘Oh, oh yes, of course, I remember. What does he have to say? Not bad news I hope?’
‘No, no, far from it. He wrote that he and his wife were sorry we had to cut our holiday short, and he’s invited us down to stay with them in Chislehurst, when it’s convenient. I didn’t pay it much attention at first, but now it would be the perfect answer. It will give me the chance to get away. I’ve already written back explaining the situation and now I’m waiting for a reply. Of course they may take back the invitation when they realise it’ll only be me for company.’ He laughed self-consciously. ‘But I hope not. I was planning to go away, but I wasn’t relishing the notion of going somewhere strange by myself.’
He fell silent and his silence brought a wash of guilt over Ellen. But before she could say anything Arthur got up abruptly. ‘To be brutally honest, the fact is I just haven’t the gumption to stay around once you and Ted become common knowledge. I’ve been the butt of too many jokes in my life, and I’m tired of them. I know it will look like I’m running away, which I am, but I’d rather they all had a good laugh at my expense when I’m well out of earshot. At least then I’ll be able to salvage a bit of pride.’
Ellen didn’t know what to say. All Arthur had said made sense, but it wasn’t fair to expect him to leave his business and home when in essence he’d done nothing wrong. Yet it would solve a lot of worries if Arthur was no longer around. The selfish notion bowed Ellen’s head in shame.
‘I’ll give it a week, then, if I don’t hear from the Bradleys, I’ll make alternative arrangements.’ Arthur was speaking again, almost rambling, to cover the awkwardness between them. ‘In the meantime I’ll go on sleeping in the spare room, speaking of which…’ He yawned loudly. ‘I think I’ll retire now, I have to be up early in the morning. I have my customers to think of, though I’d appreciate it if you kept my plans to yourself, and Ted of course. Then, when the time comes, I’ll just slip away quietly. You’ll have to take on another baker of course. Bill Cummons would be only too happy to be offered the job, and he did do a good job while we were away on holiday; that’s if you want to carry on with the business. I hope you do, it’s been in the family a long time. Anyway, good night, love, see you in the morning.’ Stopping outside the spare room he said quietly, ‘You know, Ellen, I may not have all the qualities of a man like Ted Parker, but I’m a bloody good baker.’
Ellen didn’t reply, her throat was too full. Putting out the lamp she crept into her bedroom and climbed in beside Molly; Micky was sleeping on a bedroll on the floor. Since they had been reunited, they hadn’t let each other out of their sight for any longer than necessary. By mutual agreement it had been decided that the children should move back in with Ellen; and though Nora had protested at first, for she had grown used to having the children with her, she had been relieved at heart. At her age she had become set in her ways, and having two children under her feet was beginning to take its toll, though not for the world would she have admitted it.
Snuggling up against Molly’s warm body Ellen stared at the far wall thinking over what Arthur had proposed. If she had any loyalty at all she’d at least try and talk him out of his plans, but she wasn’t going to. She would keep quiet and let Arthur go, because that’s what she wanted; but she’d never have a moment’s peace or experience true joy until she knew for certain that Arthur was settled and happy, and for a man of her husband’s character, that could take a very long time.
The hospital room was eerily quiet, with only the swishing of the nurses’ uniforms as they passed by on their way to and from the main ward. At this time of night, with most of the patients asleep, it was a peaceful place to be, a safe place that induced a feeling of security.
‘I’d better be on me way, Agnes, before the Sister realises I’m still ’ere and kicks me out on me ear.’ Ted patted the thin hand. ‘I’ll be back tomorrow.’
Agnes, trying hard to keep awake, squeezed his hand. ‘You sure he’s dead, Ted? I mean yer not just telling me that ter make me feel better, ’cos I’d rather know the truth.’
Ted kept hold of her fingers, replying grimly, ‘Yeah, he’s dead all right. If not right now, then he will be soon. No one’s gonna find ’im where he is. Even if some tramp comes across the hut, whoever it is ain’t gonna be looking fer a trap door in a run-down hut, are they? And Stokes ain’t in no condition ter call out fer ’elp. Nah, he’s a goner, so yer just rest an’ get yerself better.’
In a hoarse whisper Agnes wheezed, ‘An’ yer don’t… don’t feel guilty… fer leaving ’im ter die, I mean?’
A muscle in Ted’s face twitched but his voice was deadly calm as he answered. ‘No, I don’t. Any more than I’d regret having a rabid dog put down, though I think I’d show the dog some pity. They ain’t got no control over what nature made them.’ Smoothing down the covers of the bed he lingered for a minute before asking, ‘Agnes, will yer tell me something? It’s about Arthur and Ellen. You know what went on there better than anyone else, an’ I was wondering like if…’
Agnes’ fingers scratched at the sheets in agitation. ‘Don’t take… any notice of what I said… about Arthur… forcing ’imself on Ellen. It… it ain’t true. I was… just… just being spiteful, that’s all. Just… just a spiteful old… old woman…’
Ted’s lean frame relaxed at her words. He had heard the rumours, but had been too afraid of tackling Ellen about them for fear of what her answer would be. He hadn’t trusted himself not to give Arthur a good beating if the rumours had contained any truth. Now he was glad he’d kept his own counsel, because if he hadn’t, maybe Arthur wouldn’t be as accommodating as he was being. Ellen had explained what had happened, but he had wanted to hear it from Agnes, just to be sure. And he had to admit it took a different kind of courage for a man to admit he had lived and slept with an attractive young woman for over two years, and never had any physical contact with her, especially when it wasn’t true. Arthur could have made it hard for them to start a new life together. He could have insisted on dragging Ellen through a public divorce, but, whatever his reasons, he was making it easy for them, and for that Ted owed him a debt of gratitude. That’s not to say he wasn’t disappointed that Arthur had been with Ellen first, but it had happened, and in all fairness to the man, he had been married at the time. Anyway, it was a subject he didn’t want to dwell on. It was in the past; he had the future to look to now. A future with Ellen, Micky and Molly. He might have to wait a while, but it would be worth it in the end.