Beyond the Sunset (43 page)

‘I’m sure the police will have looked there,’ Pandora said. ‘It’s the worst slum in town.’

‘Well, there’s a separate entrance at the back that goes down to an old cellar. I chased Harry and his cousin in there once when we were lads and he’d pinched my ball. You’d not know about that entrance if you hadn’t been shown.’

‘You won’t – go on your own?’ she asked.

‘I’ll find the other fellows on my way. They’re searching in that area.’

‘They said they’d come back here. Can’t you wait for them?’

‘No. I daren’t.’ He hesitated then came to grasp Pandora’s hand for a moment. ‘Will you stay with my mother?’

‘Yes, of course.’

‘Keep a rolling pin handy, Mum.’

As she went to get it out, he lowered his voice and whispered to his wife, ‘He’ll hurt Hallie to pay me back, I know he will.’ Then he raised his voice again and said, ‘Don’t worry, Mum. I’m big enough to take care of myself.’ With a quick kiss on her cheek, he left.

Pandora sat and worried, trying to reassure his mother and failing.

Ten minutes later Marshall came back to report that no one had seen Harry – or Hallie – and she stared at him in dismay. ‘Zachary went out. He said he’d find you.’

‘Well, he didn’t. Where did he go?’

Quickly Pandora told him.

‘I’ll follow him.’

The waiting began again. After a few moments, Pandora could stand it no longer. ‘Come on. We have to get help for them.’

‘Zachary said to wait here.’

‘Well, I’m not doing it. I’ll go mad sitting here worrying. I’m going to fetch the police.’

‘You do that, love. I’ll wait here in case he comes back.’

‘Get a neighbour in to sit with you, then.’

‘I will.’ Mrs Carr rapped on the wall three times. ‘She’ll come straight away. You get off.’

Prebble moved across to where Hallie sat helpless in the chair. He flicked her cheek so hard it stung. ‘I might as well have a little fun to pass the time. It’ll be a while before your brother gets the money for me, I’m sure.’

Her heart stuttered in her chest as his fingers trailed down her throat and stopped there. Suddenly he put his hand round it and squeezed, so that she couldn’t breathe properly. When he let go, she gulped in air.

‘Tsk, tsk! Did you have trouble breathing? You see what happens when you don’t do as I wish.’

Then he grabbed the neck of her bodice and tore it down the front.

She couldn’t help screaming in terror but he just laughed.

‘You can scream all you like. No one will come to help you. They all do as I tell them round here.’

But the woman who’d been there before came back into the room and leaned against the wall, arms folded.

‘Go away, Nancy.’

‘No. I want to watch how you do it with other women.’

He turned on her, fist raised and she pulled out a kitchen knife.

‘Oh, no, Harry! I can look after myself, unlike this poor bitch here. I’m not stirring from your side till you get the money and after you give me my share, which you’d better do—’ she gestured with the knife, ‘– I’m leaving town with you. She’s seen us both now. I’m not going to be here when she tells the police who I am.’

He turned back to Hallie, stretched out his hand, then hesitated, scowling at Nancy again.

Zachary ran towards the slums and when he passed Daniel in the street, called out to him to follow and kept running. He ran past the narrow streets and alleys of the worst part of town, moving towards the reservoir at the back of the biggest mill.

Only when he got there did he slow down, looking round and gesturing to Daniel to move quietly now. Their caution paid off and they managed not to alert a man keeping watch behind a tumble-down shed.

‘I’ll get him,’ Daniel whispered. ‘Wait a minute then let him see you. I’ll creep up and thump him from behind while he’s looking at you.’ He picked up a chunk of broken brick.

The man started to his feet at the sight of Zachary, but before he could call for help, Daniel thumped him and he crumpled to the ground.

Zachary moved forward. ‘It’s years since I was here but I know the entrance is round here somewhere.’

‘You must be on the right track. Why would someone be keeping watch unless Harry is hiding nearby?’

‘Ah!’ Zachary said. ‘This is it.’ He bent nearly double to get into a low space that looked like the top of a former basement window, now not in use.

‘I’d never have thought that was a doorway,’ Daniel said.

‘Shh!’ Zachary pointed. ‘Follow me.’

As quietly as they could, they went down some extremely narrow stone stairs.

Before they got to the bottom they heard Harry’s voice. He was taunting Hallie, telling her how he was going to hurt her and her brother once he’d got the money.

‘He’ll be sorry he ever crossed me, that one will,’ Harry gloated.

Just as he got to the bottom, Zachary’s foot twisted on a small piece of broken brick and he nearly fell. He made enough noise to warn those inside the small cellar, so burst in quickly, to stop short at the sight of Harry holding a knife to Hallie’s throat with one hand and holding her by the hair with the other.

‘Stop where you are or I’ll kill her!’ he yelled.

Zachary froze, his eyes taking in Hallie’s torn clothes and the terror on her face as the knife blade pricked against the soft skin of her throat.

‘Get away from the door,’ yelled Harry. ‘Go on! Move round to that side.’

Zachary did as he was told, wondering desperately how to get his sister free of that knife. As he moved, Harry watched him and Daniel seized his chance to move forward, but a woman stepped out from the other side of the doorway and tripped him up.

As the two of them went down in a flurry of petticoats and kicking feet, Harry dragged Hallie to the doorway, yelling, ‘I’ll kill her if you don’t stay back.’

‘Well, I’ve got your friend, so let’s do a swap,’ Daniel panted, bleeding from a cut on the arm and struggling to hold the woman still.

‘What do I care about her? You can do what you like with her. I’ve got your sister, Zachary, and if you want her to stay alive, you’ll let us go.’

‘The police are looking for you. You’ll never get out of town.’

‘I know this part of town better than they do. There are people who’ll shelter me and see me safely on my way. She’ll not be freed till I’m clear and you’ve coughed up the money. Now damned well stay back.’

Helpless, Zachary watched as Harry edged up the stairs, still holding the knife to Hallie’s throat.

As they disappeared from view, Zachary moved quietly forward but yells from outside had him abandoning caution to leap up the stairs. He hesitated at the low doorway, groaning in relief.

Harry was on the ground, struggling against two men and Marshall was holding a weeping Hallie against him, murmuring, ‘You’re safe now, lass. You’re safe.’ He bent to pick up the knife and cut her bonds, still talking soothingly.

Daniel crawled out from the low opening, dragging the woman who’d been with Harry, cursing her as she tried to bite him.

Zachary moved to his sister and took her from Marshall, holding her closely against him as Marshall turned to help with the wriggling, screeching woman.

At that moment two policemen came running round the corner, with Pandora behind them.

She stopped at the sight of her husband, her face lighting up in relief, then came across to join him.

Zachary left Marshall and Daniel to explain to the policemen what had happened and pulled off his jacket, wrapping it round Hallie to hide her torn bodice.

He could hear Harry cursing and ranting, but he didn’t care what they did to him now. He put one arm round his wife, the other round his still trembling sister.

‘I don’t think I’ve ever been as scared in my life,’ he told them.

‘You got to her in time?’ Pandora asked.

He nodded. ‘In time to prevent the worst. Shh, Hallie, love. You’re all right now. I’ve got you safe.’

She gulped and tried to stop weeping, but couldn’t.

Pandora found a handkerchief and passed it to her, wishing she could do more to help.

One of the policemen came up to them. ‘If you want to take the young ladies home, Mr Carr, we’ll get your side of the story later. It’s not good to take the law into your own hands, but in this case, I think your sister might have been in serious trouble if you hadn’t got here so quickly.’

Slowly the three of them walked home, ignoring the stares of people they passed. Hallie gradually calmed down a bit, but she clung to both Zachary and Pandora as if they were her only comfort in a dangerous world.

They found the neighbour sitting with Mrs Carr, who first wept in relief, then pulled herself together and got everyone a hot drink. ‘And after that, you’ll all need a good wash.’

Pandora looked at the mirror and saw their reflections. She couldn’t help smiling at the picture they presented. No wonder people had stared. Her face was still red from running through the streets – yet again – and her hair was streaming down her back. Hallie had torn clothing and equally untidy hair. Zachary’s shirt was ripped and his face bruised. All three of them were covered in dust from the rubble in and around the hidden cellar.

‘We look like three beggars,’ she said.

An hour after they got back there was a knock on the door. Hallie stiffened and Pandora patted her hand as Zachary went to answer it.

They heard a short conversation then he came back. ‘They want me at the police station, to give my part of the story.’ He looked at Hallie. ‘You as well, if you’re not too upset.’

She stood up. ‘It’ll be a pleasure to help put that horrible creature behind bars.’

‘I always disliked him,’ Zachary said. ‘But even working closely with him, I never realised how bad he really was.’

‘Dot’s afraid of him,’ Pandora said. ‘I understand why now.’ Then she stood up. ‘We’re all going to the police station together. I’m not letting you out of my sight again, Zachary Carr. You’re coming too, aren’t you, Mrs Carr?’

‘I certainly am. I’m too old to run round town chasing people, but not too old to stand beside my daughter while she talks to the police.’

It was over an hour before they were able to leave the police station.

Zachary stopped just outside it. ‘Just look at that. It’s a beautiful evening.’

They all stood still for a few moments, taking in the blessed normality of it all. People were strolling down the main street, chatting and stopping occasionally to greet friends. A little boy was bowling his hoop. An old man was walking with his dog on a lead. A pretty young woman was smiling up at her escort, who seemed equally besotted with her.

‘Yes, it is a lovely evening,’ Pandora said quietly. ‘This is what I wanted to return to Lancashire for. Let’s walk your mother and sister home, Zachary love, then we’ll go back to the shop.’

At the house door, Mrs Carr gave her a hug and a kiss. ‘I’m glad my son’s met you, lass. Welcome to the family.’

Hallie gave her a big hug, too.

‘You’ll be all right?’ Zachary asked her.

‘I’ll be fine now I know Harry Prebble’s locked away.’

As they walked towards the shop, Pandora felt as if the world had settled into its rightful place around her. She was home, in Lancashire, with the man she loved.

When they reached the shop, they found it had closed early and the house door was locked. ‘I’ve not got my keys.’ Pandora smiled as she rapped on the door.

Dot came to open it, beaming at the sight of them. ‘Thank goodness you’re both safe. Daniel came round to tell me what had happened and then he stayed with me to make sure I was all right.’

‘I think we’re all a lot safer now,’ Zachary said.

‘They really have got that Harry Prebble locked up?’

‘Yes. And I think he’ll be in prison for a very long time. He’s been stealing and frightening people. The woman he was with confessed everything because she was so angry at him for not caring if he left her behind.’

He stopped at the foot of the stairs. ‘Is there anything to eat, Dot? I’m ravenous.’

This request, so typical of him, made Pandora smile. ‘You’ll find your new master’s got a hearty appetite, Dot.’

The maid smiled. ‘I’ll fetch you something up at once, sir. I put a stew on and kept it simmering low.’

When she’d gone, Zachary put his arm round his wife’s waist and they walked slowly up the stairs together.

‘Welcome to your new home,’ she said softly.

At the top he stopped, glancing down to make sure the door to the kitchen was closed. He pulled Pandora towards him and gave her a lingering kiss.

She nestled against him, then a sound down in the kitchen made them draw apart.

‘We’ll leave the rest for later,’ he said with a smile. ‘Now, show me round my new home, Pandora love. I’ve only ever seen the parlour before.’

When Dot brought up a heavy tray a few minutes later, she said, ‘Oh, I forgot to tell you. Miss Blair has moved back to her cousins’ until she marries Mr Dawson.’

She had their full attention now.

‘She’s going to marry Mr Dawson?’ Pandora asked.

‘Yes. It was lovely to see them both looking so happy. She deserves to be happy. She’s a lovely lady.’ Dot took out a handkerchief and blew her nose hard.

‘I’m delighted for them.’

‘Well, I’ll leave you to start your meal, ma’am. I’ve got a pudding ready to serve when you ring the bell.’

Pandora watched with pleasure as Zachary cleared his plate and then ate two helpings of apple pie and cream.

He saw her smiling and chuckled. ‘I’ve got my appetite back now those I love are safe.’

After Dot had cleared the table, however, Pandora felt unaccountably shy. She looked at her husband, wondering if he felt the same.

‘Do you want to sit and chat for a while?’ he asked.

She took her courage in both hands. ‘No, let’s go to bed. I love to lie in your arms. I’ve missed that so much.’

‘I love to hold you.’

The room was filled with soft candlelight as they undressed and the bed was the most comfortable they’d ever shared.

All shyness fell away as they kissed, murmured and embraced one another, so that it seemed the most natural and wonderful thing in the world to make love at last.