Rita
The Flames of Hell
Rita looked towards where the rifle shot had come from. It was a normal sound for around these parts and one that wouldn’t usually bother her, but it frayed her nerves more than they already were.
The bag she’d just placed in the undergrowth, next to where a supporting wooden beam stood out from the rough stones of the building, looked huge and highly visible. Hesitating, she wondered if she should squash it down, but that might mean the petrol seeped through onto her foot. Shaking with fear and indecision, she stood still, listening. The gunshot didn’t seem to have disturbed anyone else.
Though it was only just on five o’clock, darkness had crept up and the air held a bitter sting in its coldness. The girls’ voices came to her, giggling like children. They must be outside, but she had no idea why. Or were they in the stable itself? Blimey, if they were, she’d have to get them out of there before she left them.
Trying to summon some courage, she moved away from the wall and strode out around the barn. Now the girls’ location became clear. The floodlit yard showed the stable door ajar, and she heard their squeals of delight and an annoyed snort from one of the horses.
Heading towards the entrance of the stable, she glanced up at the house. A light shone from the top of the door and from one of the rooms to the right of it, but there was no car in the drive. She supposed one of them must be out. She wished they both bleedin’ were. She didn’t want any folk around when she did the deed. Not that she could help the girls being here, but she just hoped none of them came out with heroics to try and save the animals. She couldn’t have anyone being hurt on her conscience; it was bad enough to think of the poor bleedin’ horses. But then what was a bit of animal flesh, compared to her ticket to a better life?
‘Ahh, he’s lovely. Look at him. I can’t believe he can stand, and him only a few hours old.’ This was from the young one, Iris.
‘Oh, they are not like our babies. He will be half as big as his mother in a few weeks.’ The replying voice was that of Louise, the posh one.
Jealousy still lay in Rita over Louise. She had everything – looks and money – and now she was going to take bleedin’ Terence if she’d read the signs right. It was Louise who spotted her looking in the door.
‘Rita! Gracious, they haven’t brought you over in the car, have they?’
‘Fat chance of that. Me, in the toff’s bleedin’ car? I don’t think that’s going to happen. No, I walked over. Got a bit fed up. I’ve never been in such a boring place in all me life as that Hensal Grange. What you up to? You were all gawking and cooing over something. I could have crept up on yer and murdered the lot of yer.’
‘We’ve had a foal born last night. Come and look. He’s beautiful.’
‘Nah, I ain’t interested in bleedin’ animals. Besides, I’m freezing. Any chance of a cup of Rosie Lee?’
‘Yes, love. Come on – come up to our flat. It’s lovely and warm up there.’ Mildred came over to her and linked arms with her. ‘We’ll make you more than a cap, as you call it. We’ll make you a pot full.’ They all laughed at this.
She’d found that Mildred and Iris were the friendliest of these girls, but all of them seemed a cut above her and Penny. Although they were all from down south, she and Penny were the only ones from the East End.
‘I won’t come up,’ Louise said. ‘Terence said the car would be here for me between four-thirty and five. That’s why I thought it had brought you, Rita.’
The twinge of hurt she felt at Louise assuming she would be brought over here by the family chauffeur was nothing to what hit her when, in answer to her question as to the reason the car was coming, Louise replied, ‘I’m invited to dinner with him and his family at Hensal Grange.’
Seething with jealousy, she couldn’t keep the sarcasm from her voice. ‘Oh, well, I hope you has a nice time, I’m sure.’
‘I’m sorry – have I offended you in any way, Rita? I didn’t mean to.’
Offended her! She could have scratched the girl’s eyes out, and Terence bleedin’ Crompton’s, the bastard! As it were, she felt like saying: Yes, you have actually, as your so-called fancy man is having the bleedin’ time of his life with me, whenever he fancies. And at this moment he’s probably having a go at Penny!
The thought of that fuelled Rita’s temper even more. Terence had come across the yard just as she was leaving. He’d saved the day, as it happened, as she had Penny in tow and didn’t know how to get rid of her. He’d said he wanted to talk to Penny, explaining that he’d not had a chance to get to know her, and had steered her into the barn.
As she’d left them, all she could think of was the bed up in the loft. It had taken all her effort not to have a go at him. She’d wanted to, just like she did now with Louise, but the thought of the threats Terence had made stopped her. If she was to get out of this with what she wanted, she’d have to carry out his instructions to the letter – and spoiling his chance with this posh bitch didn’t come into that. He’d been a different bloke when he’d come on rough to her, holding her in an armlock and warning of the consequences, and she believed he’d meant it.
Putting a cheeky smile on her face, Rita told Louise, ‘Nah, I’m not offended. It’s me way. Take no notice of me.’
Dorothy made and poured the tea. As she took it from her, Rita wished that she dared take three heaped spoons of sugar to steady her nerves, but the stuff was getting hard to come by and there was talk of rationing, so she just took one and stirred it well.
Sitting having a laugh with them all eased some of her dread until Dorothy said, ‘Has anyone heard Jack come back yet?’
Mildred and Iris shook their heads. ‘I heard a car just now, but I reckon as that was Louise leaving. Why?’
‘It just seemed funny how they all left, that’s all. That son of Mrs Fellam’s arrived, then she took off like she was in a hurry; not ten minutes later the son left, then not long after that Jack tore across the yard and jumped the fence by the barn over there. He was running like something possessed across the fields – or, I should say, staggering in a hurried fashion towards Sarah’s cottage.’
Iris, her eyes wide, said, ‘I don’t like that Billy. He seems surly.’
‘Nah, and he ain’t one to like, neither. He’s a murderer.’
‘What?’
Three voices said this in shocked unison. Rita was stunned to realize they didn’t know. How could they have missed all the tales about him? But then this farm was four or so miles from the village, so they might not hear the gossip. ‘He’s killed two, as I heard, and I can see as none of you know about it. Well, it happened a long time ago.’
By the time she’d told them all she knew, Iris was quivering, Mildred sat with her mouth open, and Dorothy looked as though Rita had told her a bomb would drop any minute. Dorothy found her voice first: ‘Oh God! It doesn’t seem possible. I mean, Jack’s let him marry his daughter!’
‘I know. And I have it at first hand as Billy’s still dangerous. I’ve seen him rape someone.’
‘Rape!’
‘Yes, Mildred. I keep me bleedin’ nose into everything as goes on and I snoop around – and that’s not all I’ve seen. It’s bleedin’ fantastic what these country folk get up to, I’ll tell yer. London ain’t got nuffing on them up here, and that’s with all the gangsters and the barrow boys, and everything you can think of to compare it with.’
A whimper took their attention. Iris, white-faced and trembling, sat huddled in her chair, tears running down her face.
‘Aw, come ’ere, love. You’re safe. He ain’t no random killer. He has to have something against yer. Don’t be worrying.’
The tone of Dorothy’s voice as she said, ‘I’m worried – I’m scared out of my wits’ sent a chill through Rita’s bones, and her voice shook as she asked, ‘Why’s that, Dorothy?’
‘Well, why should all three – Mrs Fellam, her son and Jack – go towards the cottage one after the other, not together, and all looking agitated?’
‘That’s not all. Oh my God!’
‘What is it, Mildred?’
Mildred’s face had paled. ‘I – I came out of the stables for a few minutes to have a fag. Just as I got to the door, I saw that son of Mrs Fellam’s coming out of the storeroom. He – he had a gun!’
‘’Ere, come on. Don’t be daft. He was probably going shooting.’
‘No, Rita. Something is wrong.’
‘Look, if there is, there’s nuffing you lot can do now, is there?’
‘If you want to go to the cottage, I’ll come with you, Dot.’
This from Mildred set Rita feeling agitated. They’d expect her to go with them, but she couldn’t. Her frantic brain sought a good reason why not, and suddenly one occurred. ‘Well, I think you’re daft and will look stupid if you turn up and they’re all sitting enjoying a cup of tea. What’re you going to say then, eh? Besides, what about Iris, ’ere? She’s scared out of her wits. You can’t leave her alone.’
‘Will you stay with her? We’ll be back as soon as we can. It takes about twenty minutes to reach the cottage and get back.’
‘Well, I think you’re out of your minds. It’ll only look as though you’re poking your noses into family business and—’
‘I don’t care. I just feel something is wrong. I don’t know what, but I’m going over to that cottage, and that’s that.’
‘All right, keep your hair on. I’ll stay, but I can’t stay for long. I have to be back to bed the cows down.’
‘You won’t leave me, Rita, if they’re not back, will you? Promise me you won’t leave me?’
‘Nah, if they’re not back, I’ll take you with me. How’s that? Then it will serve them right when they have to fetch yer.’
She’d hardly said this when the door closed behind Mildred and Dorothy. Bloody hell, what do I do now?
Terence sat in his car, his limbs stiff with cold. His fingers, though encased in gloves, were aching and tingling. His breath curled like smoke, causing patches of mist on the iced windows. Where is that bitch? God, I’ll kill her if she flunks this.
And what would it look like if he didn’t have the fire as his reason for not being home when Louise arrived? His parents would be furious.
He’d spent half an hour with the virgin, Penny, doing what he called ‘priming’ her, giving her a few kisses, compliments and endearments, all said and done with gentleness and easily pretended. He’d found her innocence – and, yes, her vulnerability – more than appealing. It wasn’t long before he was no longer putting on an act, as Penny had begun to have a deep effect on him. It had been her shy and confused reaction that had prompted him to take things easy with her, for fear of spoiling something quite unique, and which, he knew, would be better for the waiting. Getting out of the house afterwards had been a simple matter: a message left for the parents to say he had remembered that he was due at a late-afternoon parish council meeting, but he’d be back in plenty of time to greet Louise. Not being there was out of the question – a faux pas of the worst order. And now it would happen. He’d seen the family car pick Louise up, but there was nothing he could do about it. The moment had him sweating with fear that their driver would have to wait and might get out and wander around, but Louise had come out of one of the stables the moment the car glided to a halt.
Now he sat here like a bloody idiot. Where the hell was Rita?
One thing had pleased him: he’d passed Mrs Fellam going out in her car, and then just as he got here, he’d seen Fellam crossing the field towards their daughter’s cottage. All a bit strange, he thought, as they’d left the door to the house open. Then, just now, two of the Land Girls had left and gone that way, too. Still, he couldn’t worry about whatever had taken them all away; at least none of them would be around to do anything about the fire or, worse, would be hurt in any way by it. Though there was one other girl who must still be here. Oh God, the fact that someone might get hurt hadn’t really occurred to him before. But no, he couldn’t start imagining something like that. He’d get help here before anyone tried any heroics. That’s if there even was a bloody fire! Come on, Rita, for Christ’s sake.
Sitting back and trying to relax his taut sinews, Terence thought about how, for the first time since he’d been a member of the parish council, it had been of use to him. His father had put him forward for the job once he could no longer continue in the role himself. Not that the role meant anything – not to him, it didn’t. He rarely attended their bloody meetings. Oh, he’d put his face around the door, but always with a ready excuse. After looking at the agenda, he’d give his views on each item and then leave.
Pater might or might not know there was no meeting, but that was of no real consequence. He would understand why Terence had used this as an excuse when he presented them with the made-up reason he’d had to leave – one he could not share, for fear of upsetting Mater. He would say he’d come to the farm because he had suspicions over something Rita had said to him. Which brought him to the last part of his plan: that, as he drove up to Fellam’s farm, he could see the flames, and all his fears came true.
He’d tell them that when he got nearer, he saw Rita standing watching the flames take hold, then turn and run away. He’d then say he stopped and ran towards the fire, but it was already too fierce for him to tackle. And, this was the best bit: with Fellam out of the way, he could say he went to the house to raise the alarm, but no one answered; and, in his panic, he didn’t think of using their phone, even though the door was open. So rather than waste any more time, he drove home as quickly as he could to phone for help. He smiled to himself at this, because he knew that however quickly he got help to the scene, it wouldn’t save the stable – not with it being seventy per cent wood, and dry at that. So his mission would be accomplished. And more than that, Rita would be out of his hair.
As to Rita’s alleged motive, that had been a bit more difficult to come up with. He’d come to the conclusion that he would have to shame himself a little. He would say he’d had an attraction for her when she’d first arrived, and he’d been silly enough to show it and confide in her his dearest wish to have his own stud farm and tell her the reason why he couldn’t have it. Then, he would make out, the girl had become obsessed with him and had tried many tricks to compromise him. Even to the point of making herself useful to his sister, having seen how close Theresa and he were.
He’d say Rita would hang around him, making any excuse to talk to him, and – out of politeness and because he had given her the wrong impression, and because of his desire not to hurt or embarrass her – he’d made time for her, while being careful to keep to propriety. He’d go on to say that he had begun to sense her sexual frustration, and she’d got to the point where she would say things like ‘I’ll do anything for you, guv – anything. You only have to ask, yer know.’ He’d say that at first he thought she was offering him sexual favours, which had prompted him to distance himself from her and to be very cold and businesslike in his dealings with her. But it hadn’t worked, and Rita had started to intimate that she could help him in his quest to achieve his dream.
He’d tell them that although he’d had fears, he couldn’t discuss them with anyone – he would have looked foolish, and there was nothing he could back it up with, other than his own concerns and intuition.
The final nail in her coffin would be relaying his suspicions about what Rita intended and how he had been alarmed when, after telling him she was going to visit the girls over at Fellam’s, he’d found that the drum of petrol kept for the tractors had been interfered with. The cap had been left off, and there were small stains of petrol on the floor leading out of the shed. This part of his story would have the ring of truth, as he’d asked Earnshaw if he knew anything about what he’d discovered. Of course he did, as Terence had made sure he was around to see Rita coming out of the shed.
He would need Penny on his side. She knew too much about his relationship with Rita, and that mustn’t come out. But he felt confident that he could get her to keep quiet. If she didn’t play ball, he’d say she was a liar; that Rita ruled Penny and made her tell lies about him. He would be believed. After all, he was the son of a lord. Rita and Penny were just East End scum.
He also needed to account for his own presence at Fellam’s, so he’d worked out to say that, whilst getting ready for dinner and mulling over the incident of the tampered petrol, he’d had a horror-struck moment when Rita’s real intentions had dawned on him – she’d said she would help in his quest to achieve his dream! Could that mean she intended to destroy the main obstacle standing in his way? Hence he’d made his excuses and dashed over to Fellam’s. It was fantastic, and the story was flawless – except that he’d been here ten minutes already and the bloody deed hadn’t yet been done. Christ! How was he going to explain the time-lapse?
Taking his glove off and running his finger around his collar, Terence flinched at the cold touch of it, as his agitation mounted. Such a perfect plan, with every bloody ‘i’ dotted and every ‘t’ crossed, and that . . . that—
His thoughts were suspended as the barn door opened and Rita appeared. Hardly breathing, he watched her make her way around the back of the stables. He waited a moment. When she didn’t reappear, he got out of the car and hurried after her.
It was done! The flames licked at the wooden prop, caught the grass and took hold quicker than he could have imagined. Elation gripped him, but so did fear about his position. Running like he’d never run before, he made it back to his car in seconds. He cranked the engine, which, still being warm, fired up on the first turn of the starting handle. Thank God!
Sweating in a lower-class way that appalled him, he reversed out into the space behind the barn, his wheels spinning on the pebbled surface. Please, God, don’t let me get stuck now.