Blood Brothers (24 page)

‘Good girl! Firstly, I need to let them know you’re leaving.’

Collecting her canvas bag he walked her to the car, his arm taking her weight as she leaned heavily on him.

Knowing Alice better than most people, he was concerned that she had not told him everything.

Later, when she was rested and the two of them were alone in the house, he fully intended to discover the truth of it.

While helping her into the car, Ronald was shocked at how feather-light she was. ‘You need fattening up, my girl!’ he chided. ‘You need some good, healthy meals.’

He left her there, safe and warm, to return and explain how he was taking her home. Fortunately Nurse O’Conner was easily found and he returned in a few minutes.

On the way back to the house, he continued to make a fuss of her, and in spite of her fears, Alice was grateful for his genuine concern.

It occurred to her how her father would be sickened if he knew the absolute truth about Joe, and that night, and the news that she was two months’ pregnant.

‘What happened, Alice?’ He was pressing the question yet
again. ‘Why were you running from the hospital? Did someone recognise you…did they taunt you with what they’d read in the newspapers?’

Strangers had taunted
him
, and the rest of the family. That was why his wife and daughter Pauline were so loath to visit Alice.

Last night he had warned them both. Alice was coming home, whether they liked it or not!

‘No one taunted me, Father,’ Alice answered. ‘I just felt as though I couldn’t breathe in the hospital. I had to get out, that’s all, but I’ll be all right once I’m home, you’ll see. I’ll be able to think straight, without doctors and nurses constantly fussing round me.’

‘I hope so, Alice.’ For some odd reason, he did not altogether believe her excuse.

She asked after Tom. ‘I’m glad you let me know about Tom,’ she said. ‘Did you tell him I was sorry about what happened to him?’

‘Of course I did. I told him we were
all
sorry.’

‘How is he?’

‘He’s well enough,’ her father told her. ‘Thankfully, his wounds are now completely recovered.’ He thought it best not to mention the fact that Tom had barely spoken a word since the attack and Nancy was sick with worry.

Desperate for information, she asked, ‘What about Joe? How is he?’

‘The last time I heard, he was in the intensive care unit.’

‘Oh.’ For a moment Alice lapsed into silence, as did Ronald.

Eventually, Alice spoke. ‘Father?’

‘Yes, child?’

‘Do you blame Joe, for what happened?’

‘If it’s all right with you, sweetheart, I would rather not discuss it.’ His hope was that she might leave all those dreadful memories behind and start afresh. She was still recovering
from her injuries, both mental and physical. Yet she was young and her self esteem would return. In time, God willing, she might well carve out a life for herself.

It would take time though, and much courage; and shocking though it may be, she was still married to Frank Arnold.

The lawyer had warned, ‘Closing the marriage will not be straightforward. It seems the wheels of justice turn slowly.’ Which in layman’s terms meant it would cost a great deal of money. But Ronald Jacobs was a man of means, and if he could rid his daughter of that crazed monster, then it would be worth every penny.

Alice persisted. ‘So you
do
blame Joe, don’t you?’ His long silence told her as much.

‘I did not say that!’

‘It wasn’t all his fault,’ she was emphatic. ‘I’m just as much to blame.’

‘Water under the bridge, Alice. Best to let it be, don’t you think?’

She persisted, ‘Where did they take Joe?’

‘I don’t know.’ Although Ronald knew of Joe’s whereabouts, he had no intention of telling her. ‘
No one
knows! Except the family of course, and they’re not likely to tell
us
, are they? They seem to be keeping themselves to themselves.’

Something in his tone made her suspicious. ‘You would tell me if you knew, wouldn’t you Father?’

‘Of course…if I believed it was in your own interest.’ He was not usually so evasive, but on this occasion he thought it for the best.

‘You
do
know! Please tell me, Father. Where is he? I must see him! I need to know that he’s all right.’

‘Enough, Alice. The subject is over!’

‘Please, Father, it’s important I see him.’

Growing increasingly uncomfortable by her persistent questions, Ronald brought the conversation to an end. ‘Because of the press and such, the family have kept his whereabouts a
closely guarded secret. If they had wanted you to know, they would have told you, so now let it be! No more questions. All anyone knows is that Joe’s injuries warranted him being moved for specialist treatment.’

‘What…in London, you mean?’

‘Alice, what did I just say? I will not have you tormenting yourself. I’m unable to tell you where Joe is, so it’s no good you asking me.’

‘But London is where these specialist places are, isn’t that right?’

‘I have no idea! Look here, Alice, isn’t it enough for you to know that Joe is being well taken care of? What you should realise is you need taking care of! I didn’t want to bring this up, but you have to remember that cowardly swine who nearly killed you is still at large.’

‘I know that, Father, but I’m more worried about Joe!’

Frustrated, Ronald swung the car into the kerbside and brought it to a halt. Wrenching on the handbrake, he addressed her sternly. ‘And
I
am more worried about you! Listen to me, Alice! I’m sure Joe is safe enough. He has his own family to worry about him. It’s you I’m concerned about. I’m quite sure wherever he is, Joe is being well taken care of. Now, as far as I’m concerned, that’s an end to it!’

Alice knew when her father meant what he said.

She would need to use other means in order to locate Joe’s whereabouts.

A moment later they were back on the road and an uncomfortable silence filled the car until Alice broke it.

‘Why did Mother and Pauline never come to see me?’

For a long moment Ronald gave no answer. Then he reached out to take hold of her hand in a comforting manner. ‘They were wrong not to come and see you,’ he conceded angrily. ‘The thing is, Alice, these past months, it has been very difficult for them…’

‘For
all
of us!’ Alice was not sympathetic.

Returning his attention to the road, he went on. ‘People have not been too kind to our family. Apparently, your mother and sister have been made to endure much abuse from strangers.’

Alice wondered if they’d exaggerated in order to gain her father’s sympathy. ‘And of course they blame me, is that it? The thing is, father…if they didn’t think enough of me to visit, how come Mother is allowing me into her home?’

‘It’s
your
home too, Alice. And mine!’

Alice strongly believed there had been trouble about her returning to the family fold. ‘I won’t live in a war-zone, father,’ she remarked worriedly. ‘I would rather find myself a place to stay…’ Not the cottage, she thought, it was filled with bad memories.

Ronald interrupted, ‘Out of the question, child! And besides, there’s no need for that. Your mother and I had a long talk only yesterday, and she’s absolutely fine about having you home.’

He gave a smug little smile. ‘I have news by the way.’

‘What?’

‘My news is about your sister, Pauline.’

‘Oh, Mother’s bought her another salon has she?’ Alice was not prepared for what she was about to hear.

‘No need,’ he confided. ‘Pauline has gone one better than that.’ He gave a little laugh. ‘Would you believe, she’s got herself married? She never told us…just went off and did it in a hurry.’

Alice was amazed. ‘She always said she would rather die than have some man spending her money and lording it over her.’

‘Ah, but this man is different. He’s a wealthy man in his own right. They met at a business convention and when they got chatting, she learned he was the proud owner of some of the finest hairdressers in the business. After that, she seemed intent on keeping hold of him.’

Alice listened, but said little. Suddenly, the strain of the day was taking its toll on her.

Ronald explained, ‘His name is Tony Jackson. He has a fancy place in the suburbs of London, As far as I can tell, they seem made for each other.

‘At least she’s getting a life together.’ Alice felt despondent.

‘One day, you’ll get your life together again. And you will, Alice. It might not seem like it now, but mark my words, there
will
come a day when all this heartache and pain is well and truly behind you.’

Alice was sorely tempted to confide in him about the pregnancy; but she decided this was not the time. Besides, if she went for the option of ending the pregnancy, it would be for the best if he never knew the truth.

Strangely enough, she felt guilty at the idea of denying him what he obviously desired…to be a grandfather.

On the other hand, he might well be right; that the day would come when she would finally get her life together. If and when that day came, there might even be a chance for her to provide him with grandchildren.

For the briefest moment she allowed herself to believe that her future and Joe’s lay together.

But then she reminded herself of how it was pointless hoping for anything; especially when their lives were in tatters.

You may wish all you like, she thought sadly, but in the end, Fate will be the one to decide the outcome.

‘Tired are you, sweetheart?’

‘A little.’ In truth she felt as though she could sleep forever.

Ronald was concerned at how quiet she was, and how in these past few minutes she had slid down into her seat, her eyes closed and her face deathly pale.

‘Let’s get you home, eh?’ he said gently. ‘A hot drink, and maybe a little to eat, then it’s straight off to bed for you my girl!’ Not for the first time he wondered if they had discharged
her from hospital before she was truly well enough. ‘Perhaps they should have kept you in for another week or so,’ he remarked. ‘At least until you were much stronger.’

Alice was no longer listening. Her mind and heart was with Joe. Would she ever see him again, she wondered. And if she did, would he want to know her after all the pain and heartache she had caused?

‘Alice?’

‘Yes, Father?’

‘Are you all right?’

‘Yes, Father.’

‘A few more minutes and we’ll be home.’

He hesitated, before revealing the news. ‘I forgot to mention, your sister and her new husband may well be there. It seems Pauline can’t wait to introduce you to him. Is that all right with you, Alice? If not, we can sidetrack them for now…I can easily smuggle you in the back way and straight up to your room. I’ll tell them you were too tired and that you’ll meet up later. Shall I do that?’

‘No, it’s all right, Father.’ Alice could imagine how smug and satisfied Pauline would be, and it was not something she looked forward to. On the other hand, she remembered what her father had told her, about Pauline and Mother having been snubbed and humiliated because of her.

Alice felt as though she owed the family, and meeting Pauline’s husband might well prove to be the opportunity to build bridges. Besides, it was only polite to meet this Tony Jackson. After all, he was Pauline’s husband, and part of the family.

She hoped he might succeed where everyone else had failed.

‘No need for the cloak and dagger stuff,’ she smiled at him, ‘No, I think I’d like to meet the man that has made Pauline go soft!’

Ronald had to chuckle. He understood her remark; in fact he actually agreed with her.

These past difficult weeks he had witnessed both harsh words and bitchiness from Pauline and his wife.

But his greatest nightmare was the fact that Frank Arnold was still loose out there somewhere. He had proven himself to be seriously unhinged, without a shred of compassion or mercy. There was no denying he had reason to want revenge, but he had crossed the line, and having failed to exact the ultimate revenge on Alice, was he hellbent on finishing the job, at whatever cost?

It was a frightening prospect, and one that had haunted Ronald’s every waking moment.

Thankfully Alice had pulled through; but her deep affection for Joe Arnold was a constant and worrying issue. It had already come close to taking three lives.

By the grace of God, Alice and Tom Arnold had survived.

Joe’s extensive injuries on the other hand were still very much life-threatening.

He glanced at Alice now, his heart turning at the frailty of her. She had always been such a naturally joyful girl, with a passion for everything simple, everything in nature.

With his youngest daughter, what you saw, was what you got.

Today though, she was different; more like a river, running fast and clear on the surface, but underneath, in the shadows, there lived all manner of turbulence.

She was frighteningly vulnerable, and he knew from the way she spoke of Joe, that she needed protecting against herself.

To that end, he had already decided that he would have to keep Alice and Joe apart by whatever means possible.

‘Well, here we are, home again, my love.’

Thankful to have her back, Ronald swung the Jaguar into the drive of the big old house. He then got out, and rounded
the car to help her out. ‘Take it easy,’ he said, when she stumbled. He caught her to him. ‘You mustn’t forget you’ve been in hospital for the best part of two months. It’ll take a time to get your strength back.’

‘I’m fine, Father…stop fussing!’ Alice was deeply nervous about coming back to the family fold. ‘I don’t want Mother thinking I can’t take care of myself.’

‘You’re not fine!’ Ronald knew she was deliberately putting on a brave face. Her long silences on the way here were a real source of concern to him. ‘I really needed to speak with the doctor. No matter! I’ll make an appointment to see him in the week.’

Alice began to panic. ‘Why would you want to see him?’ she asked. ‘I already told you…he was obviously satisfied with my state of health, or he would never have let me leave. Besides, you saw him yesterday and he told you exactly the same, didn’t he?’