Nobody's Girl Read online

  ‘The rental on the cottage has been finalised now so we’re all sorted,’ Bernie said. ‘It’s a nice little place and we’ll be fine there for a while. We’ll be going down in Kevin’s car. There’s no sense in leaving it to rot.’

  ‘I didn’t know you could drive, Bernie.’

  ‘Of course I can, love, but it’s been years since I had a car.’

  ‘Oh dear, are you sure you’re not out of practice?’

  He grinned. ‘Don’t worry, I’ll be fine, and when he comes to stay Johnny won’t come to any harm with me.’

  Pearl lowered her eyes. Yes, Johnny might be safe with Bernie, but after Kevin’s warning, she still couldn’t say the same about Dolly.

  39

  On Friday morning, Pearl was rearranging the window display when she saw Derek Lewis talking to a costermonger. Across the distance he saw her, and then, crossing the road, he stood outside, looking at the picture in the window that hadn’t sold. For a moment he studied it, and then he came into the shop.

  ‘Is that painting of the market one of yours, Pearl?’

  ‘Yes, but it isn’t one of my best.’

  ‘I can see my old stall, and I’d like to buy it.’

  ‘You don’t have to do that. You can have it for nothing.’

  ‘Thanks, but I’d rather pay.’ His eyes flicked around the shop. ‘Where’s Bessie?’

  ‘She’s upstairs. Nora’s staying with us for a while and they’re sorting her room out.’

  ‘What, nutty Nora? Oh, sorry, I know you don’t like to hear her called that, but why is she staying here?’

  Pearl briefly explained and Derek said, ‘I don’t think she’s got any other relatives.’

  ‘Not even distant ones?’

  ‘Not as far as I know.’

  Johnny jiggled in his pram, arms waving as he gurgled happily. Derek smiled. ‘Bit of a bruiser you’ve got there, Pearl.’

  ‘Yes, that’s what everyone says.’

  ‘How are you coping?’

  ‘I’m fine. What about you? Are you enjoying your job at the gym?’

  ‘Yes, but I still miss the market at times.’ He paused, licked his lips and then said, ‘Like me, Gran thinks there’s more to your story than meets the eye. Are you still sticking to it, Pearl?’

  ‘Well, it wasn’t quite like Dolly presented it, but it doesn’t matter. It’s all water under the bridge now.’

  ‘It wasn’t just Dolly, there was Kevin too. He told me that he wasn’t the first to … well, sleep with you.’

  ‘What!’

  ‘It’s all right, Pearl. I know now that he was lying.’

  ‘Oh, Derek … how could he?’

  ‘Self-preservation, love, and, knowing what I’d do to him, I ain’t surprised. I’m just annoyed that I believed him. Despite your denial, I still reckon that like that other girl, he raped you.’

  Pearl shook her head. There had been enough lies and Derek deserved the truth. ‘No, as I told you before, he didn’t rape me. Like a fool, I was flattered by Kevin’s attention and couldn’t believe he was interested in someone like me. I should have stopped him, I know that, but I didn’t. I’ll never forgive myself for hurting you, and hope one day you’ll find happiness with someone else.’

  He was quite for a moment, but then said, ‘All right, Pearl, and thanks for being honest. As for finding someone else, well, I’ve got a date tonight.’

  ‘Have you? Oh, that’s wonderful.’ Pearl kicked herself. She sounded over-enthusiastic, but finding that Derek had moved on lifted her spirits. ‘Do I know her?’

  ‘I don’t think so. Her name’s Jessica Bailey and she brought her son to the gym to ask about boxing lessons.’

  ‘Her son?’

  He smiled faintly. ‘She’s a widow. But enough about me. How much is the painting?’

  ‘Please, Derek, let me give it to you as a gift.’

  For a moment she thought he was going to refuse, but then he said quietly, ‘All right, and thanks.’

  She lifted it down. Derek took it from her hands and held it up. ‘Yes, look, that’s my stall, and I can even see china on display.’

  Pearl looked at it too, but critically, once again thinking that she hadn’t got the proportions right. Oh, she missed art classes, missed sketching. Bessie had insisted that she keep any money from the sale of her pictures, and she was so grateful, saving hard for a few materials.

  ‘I hear on the grapevine that Bernie and Dolly are moving tomorrow,’ Derek said as he lowered the painting to his side.

  ‘Yes, they’re going to Dorset.’

  ‘So much is changing around here, but I never thought I’d see the day when Dolly didn’t run the café. Still, there’s quite a few that won’t be sad to see the back of her – you included, I should think.’

  Pearl offered no comment, and then Derek spoke again.

  ‘Do you visit Kevin?’

  ‘No, and anyway, he doesn’t want to see me. As soon as I can afford it I’m getting a divorce.’

  ‘Can’t say I blame you, and are you going to stay here permanently?’

  ‘I’d like to move away before Johnny’s old enough to hear his father talked about, but it won’t be easy. For the time being I’ll have to stay – well, that’s if Bessie’s prepared to put up with me.’

  ‘Anyone would put up with you, Pearl.’

  She saw the fondness in Derek’s eyes, and looked away. She had hurt him so badly, used him, and yet still he cared. For a moment she remembered how safe he made her feel and was tempted. She could have married this man. He would have treated her like a queen, but instead she’d been Dolly’s servant and Kevin’s doormat. If she went out with Derek again, she wouldn’t have to fear Dolly’s reaction when she backed out of the weekend visits. Instead she’d have this man’s protection, her son too. Stop it, she berated herself. Yes, she’d been fond of Derek, but it hadn’t been love, and here she was thinking about using him again. Derek deserved someone better than her, someone who could truly love him. He had to forget her, to walk away, and maybe the woman he was taking out that night could bring him happiness.

  Brusquely she said, ‘Well, I had better get on with some work.’

  ‘All right, Pearl, and thanks for the painting.’

  ‘You’re welcome.’

  He shuffled on his feet for a moment, but when she refused to meet his eyes, he turned swiftly, saying no more as he left the shop.

  Pearl was sickened by where her thoughts had been taking her. Connie Lewis was right, she was a user, but it had to stop, and now. Somehow, no matter what she faced in the future, she had to stand on her own two feet.

  It was ten minutes later when Bessie and Nora appeared and by that time Pearl had managed to pull herself together. Johnny threw a toy out of his pram, something he did umpteen times a day, and whilst Nora bent to pick it up, Pearl went to speak to Bessie.

  ‘Derek’s just been in and he said that Nora hasn’t got any other relatives.’

  ‘No, I didn’t think so.’

  ‘But that means she’ll have to go into a home.’

  ‘Not if I have anything to say about it. If they’ll allow it she can stay with us, and you must admit she’s turned out to be handy to have around. She cleans the place like a demon and, other than feeding her, she ain’t gonna cost much to keep.’

  ‘So, you knew there wasn’t anyone else when you brought her here?’

  ‘Well, yeah.’

  ‘Do you know something, Bessie Penfold, you’re a lovely woman. First you took me in, and now Nora.’ With a grin she added, ‘Are there any more waifs and strays that you’ve got your eye on?’

  ‘No I bleedin’ ain’t,’ she said, obviously trying to hide her pleasure at the compliment as she added brusquely, ‘Anyway, you can both earn your keep. I’ve put Nora in the back bedroom, but we had to move piles of stuff. The pair of you can sort it out, while I keep an eye on Johnny.’

  ‘Yes, ma’am,’ Pearl said with a mock salute, and calling Nor
a, they went upstairs, to start on their work.

  40

  On Saturday morning, Pearl was getting Johnny dressed. Bernie would be here soon and she was easing her son’s arms into his coat when Bessie spoke.

  ‘Don’t let them have the lad today.’

  ‘Not have him? But why?’

  ‘I dunno, it’s just a feeling.’

  ‘Oh God! Have you had another vision?’

  ‘Only a small one and it was some time ago now, but I don’t think you should let Johnny out of your sight.’

  Pearl’s eyes were wide as she gazed at Bessie, her thoughts still racing when Bernie turned up. It was then that she came to a decision. ‘Do you mind if I come with you today?’

  ‘No, love, but what’s brought this on?’

  Pearl forced the parody of a smile. ‘Well, er … I think I should say goodbye to Dolly. It would be nice to part without bad feelings.’

  ‘I’m sure she’ll be dead chuffed.’

  Pearl doubted it, but with Bessie’s warning in her ears she wasn’t going to let her son out of her sight.

  The furniture was already being loaded when they arrived at the café, and though Dolly gawked when she saw Pearl, she soon recovered, her smile pleasant.

  ‘Hello, Pearl, how nice that you’ve come to say goodbye.’ She took Johnny from her arms, kissing him on the cheek. ‘I’m going to miss him so much, but thank you for letting us have him for weekends. You’d be welcome too, Pearl.’

  Finding this Dolly unrecognisable, Pearl said, ‘That’s kind of you. I … I’ll think about it.’

  ‘Bernie, keep an eye on the removal men,’ Dolly ordered, and then her attention was once again focused on Johnny.

  During the next half an hour, Dolly struggled to remain pleasant. Christ, Pearl turning up had ruined everything. She’d had it all worked out, right to the last detail, even a bag of stuff stashed away for Johnny to get them through the first twenty-four hours. After that she’d planned to buy everything they’d need.

  Her lips tightened. Now it was all going wrong, but she refused to give up. There had to be a way – and almost immediately she found it.

  When Bernie came back into the room, Dolly handed Johnny to him. ‘Here, you have him for a while. I’d best ring the solicitor to see if the money has come through. We can’t leave until we know the sale has been properly completed.’

  Bernie lifted Johnny high into the air, laughing up at him. ‘It’s about time your granny gave me a look in.’

  Dolly went into the hall to ring the solicitor. The call was short, the money cleared, and after making sure it would be transferred to her private bank account she replaced the receiver. She’d planned to use this excuse with Bernie, pretending that she needed to see the solicitor, taking Johnny with her whilst he remained to supervise the loading. Of course she had no intention of returning, her route planned, and despite Pearl turning up, it could still work.

  Fixing an indignant look on her face, she returned to the living room, taking Johnny from Bernie as she formed the lie. ‘Huh, I thought it was expecting too much that things would go through without a hitch. Apparently there’s a document that needs signing and I’ve got to go to their offices immediately.’

  ‘I thought you’d already signed everything.’

  ‘So did I, but it’s to do with the fixtures and fittings. Sod it, if I go out now I won’t have much time with Johnny. Can I take him with me, Pearl? The solicitor is only in Falcon Road and I won’t be long.’

  ‘Er … er, I’ll come with you.’

  ‘There’s no need and—’

  One of the removal men poked his head into the room, ‘Excuse me, missus, we’ll need to load the stuff in here soon and there’s a woman downstairs asking to see someone called Pearl.’

  ‘Send her up,’ Dolly said, thinking that the gods were smiling on her. She didn’t know who this woman was, but with any luck she’d be able to slip out with Johnny whilst Pearl was distracted. She moved closer to the door, saying, ‘I wonder who it is, Pearl?’

  A youngish woman appeared, but she looked frail, breathing heavily as she climbed the last stair. It wasn’t anyone Dolly recognised, but she gestured her into the room. As long as this woman held Pearl’s attention for a minute, it would be enough.

  When Pearl saw the woman walking into the room, her voice came out in a squeak.

  ‘Miss Rosen!’

  ‘I’m so sorry, my dear, but when you didn’t respond to my letter, I just had to come.’

  ‘Letter … what letter?’

  ‘I wrote to you over a month ago.’

  Pearl shook her head in confusion. She hadn’t received it, and though it was lovely to see her old art teacher, what was she doing here? The woman suddenly paled, swaying on her feet, and Pearl moved quickly forward.

  ‘Are you all right?’

  Bernie moved at the same time, grasping the woman’s arm. ‘Here, sit down.’

  Miss Rosen’s upper lip was beaded with perspiration. She looked ill, her skin holding a greyish tinge as she sunk onto a chair.

  ‘Can I get you anything? A drink of water?’ Pearl asked.

  ‘Yes, please.’

  ‘I’ll get it,’ Bernie said, hurrying through to the kitchen.

  Pearl continued to gaze at Miss Rosen, glad to see that she was looking a little better and then Bernie returned, holding out an old cup. ‘I’m sorry, but all our stuff has been packed and this is all I could find.’

  Miss Rosen waved his apology away before sipping the water. A little colour returned to her cheeks, but her expression was anxious as she looked at Pearl.

  ‘As you didn’t get my letter, this is going to be a little difficult. Would it be possible to speak to you alone?’

  Pearl’s eyes flicked to her father-in-law first, and then she looked towards the door, suddenly tensing. ‘Bernie, where’s Dolly?’

  ‘Blimey, she was standing over there a moment ago.’ He scratched his head. ‘I expect she’s gone to see the solicitor.’

  Bessie’s warning rang in Pearl’s mind, her voice holding panic, ‘Bernie, she’s taken Johnny with her.’

  ‘Yeah, but she’ll be back soon.’

  ‘But what if she isn’t?

  ‘Don’t be daft, love. She’ll be here in a minu …’

  Pearl heard no more as she headed for the door, stumbling down the stairs in her haste to find her son. Oh, no, God! Oh, please God! The words were a chant in her head as she dashed outside.

  She ran across to Falcon Road, her eyes frantically searching, but there was no sign of Dolly. How far along was the solicitor’s office? She continued to run, legs pumping and heat thumping in her chest. Where was she? Oh, please, let me find her.

  Pearl was mindless with fear when she stopped, leaning forward as she gasped for air. Had she passed the solicitor’s office?

  Once again her eyes flicked frantically up and down the road, but then with sickening clarity the truth dawned. Dolly hadn’t gone to see the solicitor. It was a ruse, and by now she could be anywhere!

  * * * Bernie stared at Pearl’s back as she flew from the room, wondering what all the fuss was about. Dolly would be back soon and in another hour or so they’d be on their way. Pearl’s panic would have been understandable if she’d known about Dolly’s insane idea to take the boy with them, but thankfully he’d talked her out of that.

  He froze. He had talked Dolly out of it – hadn’t he? Bernie felt a moment of doubt. Had Dolly given in too easily? With a sick feeling in his stomach he made for the telephone.

  ‘What’s going on? Why did Pearl run out like that?’ Miss Rosen asked.

  ‘I’ll explain later,’ he said, scurrying into the hall.

  After speaking to the solicitor and hearing that there weren’t any papers to sign, Bernie found his hands shaking as he replaced the receiver. Dolly had lied, and he guessed why. She’d done a runner with the lad.

  Christ, she’d been cunning, clever, and must have planned this, fooling t
hem with her amiable act. He had to stop her, do something, and quickly. For a moment his mind raced, but then he exhaled loudly. There was no choice, he knew that, and, picking up the receiver again, Bernie dialled 999.

  It took some time, but at last he was taken seriously, the police on alert now and saying they’d be round to take a statement. When the call was finished he became galvanised, rushing into the living room to give Miss Rosen a potted explanation before going to find Pearl. A removals man halted him in his tracks, but Bernie dismissed his query, only saying, ‘Look, we’ve got a bit of a problem so why don’t you have a break? Leave the rest of the loading until I come back.’

  As he stepped outside, another thought crossed Bernie’s mind. It might not be a bad idea to spread the news. Someone might have seen which direction Dolly had taken.

  ‘I didn’t see her,’ the first stallholder said. ‘She’s taken Pearl’s kid, you say. Blimey, I’ll put the word out.’

  Bernie thanked the man and then crossed the road, almost immediately seeing Pearl. She was running back along Falcon Road, her face set in panic.

  ‘I can’t find her, Bernie!’

  ‘It’s all right, love, calm down. She can’t have gone far and I’ve called the police. They’ll find her.’

  Pearl began to cry then, tears flooding down her cheeks. ‘But what if they don’t? Oh, Johnny … Johnny.’

  Bernie ineffectually patted her back, his voice coaxing. ‘Don’t cry, love. I’ve given the police a good description and, let’s face it, Dolly ain’t easy to miss. Now come on, let’s get back to the café. The old bill will be arriving soon to take a statement, and that woman is still waiting to talk to you.’

  ‘I’ve put the word about, Bernie, but so far nobody’s seen your missus,’ the stallholder said when he saw them.