A Time of Peace (19 page)

‘You were quite right to put him in his place.' He continued driving as the lights turned green. ‘I believe he only turned up at Susan's party so he could meet you. I should have warned you about him.'

‘There wasn't any harm done.' Kate smiled at him. ‘He said you'd told him all about me.'

‘The liar!' Pete exploded. ‘When he found out who I was working for, he went and did a lot of research into your family. He must have thought that as he was my cousin he might be in with a chance.'

‘Well, he wasn't.'

‘That's a relief.' Pete shook with silent laughter. ‘He said you'd sussed him out much more quickly than most girls, and that was a shame, he told me, because he really liked you.'

They reached the Register Office just as the wedding guests were arriving, and from then on there wasn't time to talk.

The day swept by in a flurry of activity. Kate enjoyed working with Pete again, and they returned to the shop about four thirty – tired but pleased with the work they'd done.

Before walking in the shop, Kate glanced up at the flat above the shop. It had been empty for weeks, and there was still no sign of a tenant. She handed her camera and bag to Pete. ‘Start on the developing – I won't be long.' Then she headed for the estate agents'.

Half an hour later she was back with the keys to the flat in her hand. ‘I've rented the flat above the shop,' she told Pete and Susan. ‘I'm going to live there.'

‘You're leaving home?' Pete's eyes were wide with surprise.

Kate watched Susan hurry off to serve a customer and turned to Pete. ‘I'm worrying the life out of my parents. I need to be on my own for a while.' Her laugh was dry and devoid of humour. ‘I never thought I'd say that, but the nearer the trial gets, the more unbearable I become. I know everyone loves me and wants to help, but I feel stifled. I need some space to be myself.'

‘What's the matter, Kate?' Pete asked gently.

‘I'm frightened,' she admitted. ‘Frightened of facing
Derek Howard again, and terrified about the things I'll have to reveal when I'm called to testify.'

‘We'll all be supporting you, but if it makes you feel better, then go ahead and move in upstairs.' He gave her an understanding smile. ‘Susan and I will help you make it comfortable.'

She felt her spirits rise and knew she was doing the right thing. Most women of her age were either married or out on their own, and it was time she became more independent. The kidnapping had made her realize that she mustn't reply on other people so much. She must become more self-sufficient, more able to stand on her own. Telling her parents was going to be hard, though.

When they closed the shop, she headed for Wilkins House to see Eddie before he went to bed. She stayed to read him a story, and then, as his eyes began to close, she tucked him up. This was a treat he loved, so after kissing his cheek she watched him fall asleep with a blissful smile on his face.

Kate stood up and gazed at the little boy with affection. This was the only time she felt at peace, and she came as often as she could now. As she turned to leave the room, she saw the photo of herself and Jon Devlin on the cupboard beside his bed. This was Eddie's most prized possession. She gave the boy another gentle kiss to see him through the night.

Her parents were clearing up after dinner when Kate arrived home.

‘Do you want something to eat?' her mother asked.

‘No, thanks, I had tea with the boys.' She gave her
father a silent hug to say that she was sorry for the way she'd snapped at him, and was relieved when he squeezed her shoulder to let her know he understood.

‘Had a good day?' he asked.

‘Very good.' Her smile was genuine as she remembered the fun it had been working with Pete again, and Eddie's little face in repose as he'd fallen asleep; it had been balm to her troubled soul.

She told them all about it as they sat at the kitchen table drinking tea, and the worry gradually eased from their expressions as she chatted away. Now she was going to hurt them again, but there was no putting it off. ‘The flat above the shop is empty, so I've rented it. I'm going to move in there tomorrow.'

There was absolute silence for a few moments, and Kate cursed herself for telling them in that abrupt manner. When neither spoke, she gave them a beseeching look. ‘I need to do this.'

Her mother recovered first. ‘That will be handy for you, Kate. No more travelling back and forth.'

‘What's it like?' Her father sounded falsely bright.

‘Small but clean. There's one bedroom, lounge/diner, bathroom and a tiny kitchen, and it's already furnished.' She knew this was the last thing they'd expected, but they were doing their best to sound pleased for her. ‘I could use some help with moving in the morning.'

‘We'd love to help you settle in, wouldn't we, Rose?'

Her mother agreed and Kate knew she'd done the right thing to involve them. It would have been cruel to do otherwise. She loved them too much to do that.

Packing her things the next morning was painful, knowing she was leaving the home she'd lived in all her life. The tears were streaming down her face when her mother walked in.

‘You don't have to do this,' Rose told her.

‘Yes, I do, Mum.' She wiped her face and summoned up a smile. ‘I need to be on my own.'

Rose sat on the edge of the bed. ‘You'll always have a home here if you want it, but, for what it's worth, I believe you're doing the right thing. I'd feel exactly the same as you in this position. Don't hide yourself away, though, that won't solve your problems.'

‘I don't intend to. I'll phone every day and come to lunch on Sundays.'

‘Good.' Rose stood up. ‘You'll get through this bad time, but you've got to do it in your own way, so having a place to call your own might help. We understand that, Kate.'

She kissed her mother for being so understanding, but if anyone knew about hard times, it was Rose Freeman.

Kate kept her word and over the next couple of weeks she found a measure of contentment. She had never liked being alone but now she welcomed the solitude. At night, in the privacy of her own home, she could rage or cry without distressing her parents, so that by the time the trial arrived she felt stronger, both mentally and physically.

She'd had to go through everything with the prosecuting barrister, and James, whose constant love and support was a blessing. Much to her relief, she'd managed quite well, but there was no use kidding herself, she was dreading it.

The night before the trial she packed her overnight bag and headed for Roehampton. She was going to need all the help and support her family could supply. This would be an ordeal for all of them, so they would band together and help each other, as they had always done in any difficult situation.

Her parents were delighted to see her, and both gave her a hug.

‘Can I stay until the trial's over?' she asked.

‘You don't have to ask,' her mother said. ‘Your room's always there when you want it.'

‘This house is empty without you and James,' her father said, sighing.

‘How about putting your other wandering child up
for tonight?' James strode in with his bag. ‘I'll take the spare room, as Kate's turned my old room into a darkroom.'

She'd planned this with James, and when she saw how pleased their parents were she nodded to her brother.

‘Right, let's have a drink,' Bill said. They all trooped after him into the sitting room.

They had a brandy each, even Kate, who knew she was going to need it.

Rose sipped her drink and studied her children. ‘You can tell us what this is all about now.'

James smiled ruefully. ‘You don't miss a thing, do you, Mum?'

‘I know you two well enough to guess when you're up to something, and there's more on your minds than keeping us company before the trial.'

James glanced anxiously at his father. ‘You'd better have another drink, Dad, because we've got something to tell you.'

‘We know you've been keeping secrets,' their father said. ‘So you'd better start talking, because we don't want any unpleasant shocks at the trial.'

‘Who's going to start?' Rose put her glass down and waited.

James glanced at Kate, and when she indicated that he should go first, he launched into the story of the ransom demand.

‘My God!' Bill gasped. ‘The man's mad. We'd never have been able to raise that kind of money. Why the blazes didn't you tell me, James? You shouldn't have tried to shoulder the burden on your own.'

‘I thought I could handle it, but if I couldn't I'd have
come straight to you. I would never have put Kate's life at risk, you know that.'

‘I should damned well hope not,' Bill exploded. ‘You had no right to keep anything from me.'

Kate watched anxiously. She'd never seen her father lose his temper before, and she glimpsed the extent of his love for them both. It was humbling.

‘James was trying to save you from more worry,' she told them. ‘He was ready to give everything he owned and was hoping for a chance to negotiate, but Derek Howard had no intention of letting me live. He would have taken the money and then killed me. I suspect James realized that.'

‘I did.' James swallowed his brandy in one mouthful. ‘I was praying I could talk with Howard, and keep Kate alive until we could find her.'

Her father drew in a sharp breath. ‘Tell us what really happened, Kate.'

She unburdened herself, knowing they would hear this during the trial, leaving nothing out, and by the time she'd finished she let out a deep sigh of relief. That had been difficult, but she
could
talk about it now without falling apart, and that gave her hope for the trial. If she could just hold her composure during her time in the witness box, then she might be able to put this whole thing behind her and start getting her life back together again. Her emotions were being tossed around like a piece of flotsam, and at times she felt as if she had no control over her life any more. How she longed for the calm, confident Kate Freeman of before to emerge from the turmoil.

Her mother handed her another small brandy and she sipped it gratefully.

Rose nodded at her husband. ‘I think we've brought up a couple of children to be proud of, don't you agree, Bill?'

‘I most certainly do.' He lifted his glass to James and Kate. ‘Thanks for trying to shield us, but it wasn't necessary.'

She cast her brother a quick glance. Their father might say that, but he still looked drawn and ill. She knew James was just as worried as she was.

As Kate dressed the next morning, she was glad she'd taken trouble over her appearance. She'd chosen a classic suit in a burgundy so dark that it was almost black; this was teamed with black suede court shoes and a cream silk blouse. The effect was elegant in its simplicity.

She could hear voices downstairs, and gained comfort from the fact that she had much loving support. She headed for the kitchen. Reid and Annie had arrived and she hugged them, grateful to have them there.

James smiled in approval when he saw her. ‘You look perfect.'

‘So do you.' Her brother was wearing a beautifully cut suit in dark grey, with a tie almost the same colour as her outfit. She didn't miss the dark shadow of strain under his eyes, though, and knew that he was dreading this.

He touched her arm. ‘Soon be over.'

She tensed at the thought of the next few days or weeks, or however long the trial took. Their barrister
had warned them that they could expect some hostile questioning from the defence lawyers. No one was claiming that Howard was innocent, for he had been caught on his way up the stairs with a knife in his hand. After being told that, she knew he had been about to carry out his threat and kill her. Another ten minutes and rescue might have been impossible!

She knew she mustn't dwell on what might have been. She had to concentrate on seeing that Derek Howard was given a long prison sentence for his crimes.

A plate of eggs and bacon was put in front of her, and, when she hesitated, wondering if her stomach could take the food, her mother said firmly, ‘Eat, Kate, it's going to be a long day.'

The food vanished from her plate, but she was hardly aware of eating it.

Because of the serious nature of the crime, the trial was being held at the Old Bailey. Her mother knew the building well and Kate followed her, not taking much notice of her surroundings. If Derek Howard had pleaded guilty, then this would have been less of an ordeal, but she knew that his lawyers were going to try for a lesser sentence than that for kidnapping and attempted murder, by showing that he was unbalanced at the time and had not been aware of his actions. That made her furious! He had known exactly what he was doing and it had been well planned.

They reached some seats in a corridor and her father gave her a reassuring smile. ‘Sit here, Kate, while your mother finds out what is happening.'

‘There will be a lot of hanging around,' her mother
explained. ‘They've got to choose a jury and that might take a while. I'll see how they're getting on.'

Kate watched her mother walk along the corridor with her usual determined air. There were people hurrying along and in and out of the various doors, but they parted like the Red Sea to let Rose Freeman through.

‘I wonder if we can get some coffee while we wait.' James stood up, and, as he wandered off, her father and Reid went with him.

The men were already restless with nothing to do, and she was left with her Aunt Annie. Her mother had run through the proceedings with her. She knew what to expect, and until she was called there wasn't anything she could do. Up to now she had not been greatly involved in the run-up to the trial. The hearing at the magistrates court had been brief, when it was decided that there was a case to answer. There would be a separate trial for the embezzlement. Grant Phillips was bringing that charge, and James had assured her that she wouldn't be needed for that.

Kate watched as Annie's hand rested over her tightly clasped ones. She looked up and grimaced. ‘I'm so scared. I'm a coward, Aunt Annie.'

‘Kate, we all have times when we're frightened, but that doesn't mean we're cowards.' She cradled Kate's hands in her own and smiled. ‘You haven't anything to be ashamed of, sweetheart.'

Kate knew her aunt had parachuted into France during the war to find a man who was missing. She'd found him badly injured, and, although Annie had managed to get him back to England, he had died.

‘Before I jumped out of the plane I was terrified, Kate,
but a strange thing happened as the order came to jump. My mind cleared, and I was completely calm and focused on the task of finding Jack Graham. That will happen to you when you go into the witness box. Waiting is the worst time.'

She prayed that would happen, yet she doubted it. Annie had extraordinary courage – but did
she
?

It was a wasted and anxious day for Kate. She wasn't called. James had been in court for quite a while, and her parents and Reid had been following the case carefully. Annie had sat with Kate all day, trying to take her mind off things by telling her about being in the WAAF during the war, and the antics she and Dora had got up to.

She was struck by the courage of everyone during the conflict. They had been perilous times, but they had laughed then, and still could. Her father had been a naval captain, Uncle Will in the Fleet Air Arm, Uncle Charlie in the Air Force as a mechanic, and Reid had been a Battle of Britain pilot. Her mother had risked her life in London during the Blitz, and Annie had gone behind enemy lines. All had been in grave danger, but they'd never hesitated to do what had to be done.

She lifted her head defiantly. She mustn't let them down!

It was ten o'clock the next morning when Kate was called to give evidence. Rose watched her daughter walk into the courtroom. She was wearing the same clothes as yesterday and looked composed and elegant as she went into the box, but she understood the turmoil that must be raging inside Kate. It was going to be terrible to stand
in a public courtroom and tell everyone what that animal had done to her. Rose knew she would never have been able to do such a thing after the attack on her when she'd been a girl. She'd hidden the truth from almost everyone, and it had taken years before she'd been able to put the trauma behind her. She glanced at her husband sitting tensely beside her with his gaze fixed on his daughter.

As Kate answered the questions put to her by the prosecution lawyer in a clear steady voice, fury raged through her that their daughter had to face this ordeal. Her dark eyes glared at Derek Howard as he sat in the dock, and, as if sensing the scrutiny, he looked straight at her. Rose held his gaze, her black eyes leaving him in no doubt that he was going to suffer for his actions. He was the first one to break the contact, and he looked at the floor, appearing uneasy for the first time.

When questions came to an end, Kate took in a deep silent breath. That had been fairly easy; she'd known in advance what the prosecution lawyer wanted her to say, and he'd guided her carefully through it. But now for the cross-examination!

‘Miss Freeman.' The defence barrister, Mr Holdsworth, came towards her with a smile on his face that didn't reach his eyes. ‘Are you a virgin?'

‘Objection!' The prosecution barrister, Charles Prendergast, was on his feet. ‘Miss Freeman's private life is not relevant to this trial.'

‘I disagree, my lord. I aim to show the court that, far from being the innocent victim, Miss Freeman was the instigator of this plot in order to get money from her family.'

Kate's head began to swim, and she gripped the witness box to steady herself. What was going on? The judge said something, but she didn't grasp it; the words sounded like a meaningless jumble.

‘When did you meet Mr Howard?' Mr Holdsworth continued.

Kate fought for concentration. She looked towards the barrister. Should she answer? He nodded quickly at her. ‘When he came to the shop just before Christmas.'

‘Come now, Miss Freeman, remember you are under oath. You first met Mr Howard at a party given by Grant Phillips almost a year ago, didn't you?'

‘No!'

He ignored her reply. ‘You became lovers and decided that you needed money – lots of money – to give you a lavish lifestyle.'

‘No!'

‘And it was you who came up with the idea of a kidnapping – '

‘No!'

‘You deny it vehemently, Miss Freeman, but my client assures me it was your idea, and he only went ahead with it because he was besotted with you.'

‘Then he's a liar!' Kate was so distressed by now that the courtroom had blurred around her. All she could focus on was the arrogant, unfeeling man who was accusing her of this crime. Wasn't this supposed to be Howard's trial? She was now the one in the dock, and her character was being torn to shreds.