A Whisper of Life Read online

  ‘It was worth me calling.’ Sidney gave a mocking laugh and snatched the tin from her. His coal-dust darkened fingers tore off the lid and scrabbled to take out a ten-shilling note and some change.

  ‘You’re despicable.’

  He laughed again. ‘Learning big words, eh, little sis? You’ve got in with some young toff, I hear. His car was the talk of the village, almost as much as Tony’s death. Going to marry him?’

  ‘That’s none of your business.’

  ‘More fool you if you don’t. You going to Tony’s funeral when the cops release his body? It’ll be a quiet affair. God knows where the money for that is going to come from.’

  ‘Well, it won’t come from me. I don’t suppose Mother’s funeral will ever get paid for. That’s Father’s responsibility.’

  ‘Kate! Kate!’ The calls came from above.

  ‘Ah, that’s my darling wife. Think I’ll say goodbye to her. Tell her she never was much good to me.’

  ‘No, Sidney! Leave her be,’ Kate pleaded. ‘Delia’s suffered enough. Just take what you’ve come for and go.’

  ‘All right. But where’s that old woman?’ Sidney went after Tilda, stopping at the foot of Jill’s stairs. Delia had dragged herself to the top of them. He took in the luxurious borrowed nightdress and bed jacket she was wearing and it angered him. ‘So there you are! Thought you’d go after Kate and see what you could get out of these rich buggers too! Never gave a thought about me.’

  ‘That’s not fair, Sidney.’ Kate tried to pull him away. ‘Just—’

  Kate’s words were cut off by Delia’s screams. ‘I’m not going back with you! Go away! Go away!’

  ‘You’re my wife and you’ll do what I say!’ Sidney roared in evil pleasure, stomping up the first few steps. He’d show her one last time he was in control.

  ‘It’s all right, Delia. He hasn’t come for you. He’s going for good.’

  Kate’s pleas were lost on Delia. She was in frenzy.

  ‘Sidney, come back down and go outside!’ Kate yanked on his arm.

  He wrenched himself away from her, pushing her so hard she was sent stumbling towards the wall.

  ‘I hate you!’ Delia shrieked at Sidney. ‘Don’t you dare come near me!’ At the top of the stairs on the wall was a heavy barometer. She backed up and ripped it off the wall, then returning to the top of the stairs made to hurl it down at him.

  ‘Delia, don’t!’ Kate screamed.

  Delia threw down the barometer and Sidney grabbed the handrail and ducked. The force of the throw pitched Delia forward and the next instant she was falling, coming down at speed, head first.

  Kate screamed and screamed. ‘Delia!’

  Delia’s fall was broken as she hit Sidney’s body. Crouching, he yelled out in pain as he was struck on the back by her top half. Without forethought or humanity, instead of making a grab to hold her he thrust up his arms and heaved her away. Like a rag doll, Delia was flung upwards and back, coming down to hit her spine on the stairs. She had cried out at the beginning of the plunge, now she yelled in agony, a terrible animal sound.

  Sidney shuffled, cursing loudly, until he was staring down at his wife. Kate pushed past him to Delia, sprawled on the stairs, her head lolling backwards. The breath and perhaps the life had been knocked out of her and she was still, her eyes staring upwards. Sidney hastily headed back to the kitchen. ‘Where are you going?’

  ‘I’m not hanging about here.’

  ‘But you can’t just go. Delia’s hurt!’

  ‘And she might be dead and I couldn’t care less. I’m off.’ He disappeared, banging the doors as he charged outside.

  Delia groaned. Leaning over her, Kate supported her head.

  Tilda came through from the other part of the house, a small tin cash box with a tiny key on a blue ribbon in her hands. ‘Oh, dear God, dear God. I’ve rung the constable and for Tom and Jill to come back home.’

  ‘Ring for the doctor,’ Kate cried. ‘Hurry!’

  Delia focused her eyes on Kate. ‘We’re getting help,’ Kate told her soothingly. ‘Keep still. You’ll be all right.’

  Delia’s lips were moving and Kate put her ear close to hear her whisper. ‘Jill… Jill… the baby.’

  ‘She’s on her way home. Don’t worry. Sidney’s gone for good. We’ll look after you. Everything will be fine from now on.’

  Deha’s eyes were closing and before she lost consciousness, she whispered again, ‘Jill…’

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  ‘Of all the days for your brother to have come, Kate, with all the rest of us out.’ Jill wrung her hands. She couldn’t bear it if this led to the loss of the baby, and Delia was in poor shape too. ‘You shouldn’t have allowed Delia to get out of bed.’

  Kate didn’t answer. Jill had never been sharp with her before, but with the terrifying incident replaying itself inside her head it didn’t matter. And she understood Jill’s point of view. Jill had willingly helped her during her time of deepest need and she had done the same for Delia. This next sordid incident had happened in Jill’s home. It was not surprising she was angry and upset.

  It had been an agonizing time for Kate waiting for help to arrive. The village constable, after helping Dr Edward Greaves carry Delia up to her room, had subjected Kate to endless questions, and she had received another barrage when the family, including Jonny, had rushed in from the wedding reception. The constable had left satisfied that Sidney was not directly responsible for Delia’s injuries, and as no one wanted to press charges against him, wanting only to be rid of him for ever, had considered no more police activity need be involved. There was still the anxious wait for the doctor’s report. He had decided Sidney had taken the brunt of Delia’s fall, and he was now biding his time to consider whether Delia should stay here and continue with bed rest or be admitted to hospital.

  ‘You can’t blame Kate for what happened. She’s been through an awful time too.’ Jonny was appalled at Jill’s stance. It was hard not to go to Kate and throw his arms around her, say something to ease her dejection. Every so often she trembled in shock. ‘Sounds to me that she controlled the situation very bravely, and Tilda had the presence of mind to summon help. It could have been a lot worse.’

  Kate was grateful for his support. The others had sent her head into a whirl of confusion but Jonny was calm and had not added to the pressure. He had come in quietly, as a concerned friend, nothing more, she was sure. Alan had been mistaken about him falling in love with her. Alan had seen things that way out of jealousy, fearing he had a rival. Each time she thought about it the idea of Jonny falling for her seemed more unlikely, even ridiculous. She and Jonny were very close, they shared an affection, but they lived on a different rise, with different outlooks and dreams, there could be nothing else between them. She met his eyes and lingered on his steady gentle gaze. He was secretly telling her that whatever happened he was one hundred per cent behind her, as a good friend would be. Opinions and advice about Delia’s care flew round the room, but Delia was her relative, and apart from the baby, Kate was all she had left. If Delia wasn’t up to making decisions then she would make them on her behalf.

  ‘Yes, of course. I’m sorry, Kate. That wasn’t fair of me,’ Jill said, finally going to her, aware that her priorities had shifted. In any other case Kate would have been her first concern. ‘At least Sidney will never trouble Delia or you again.’

  ‘All being well.’ Emilia glanced up at the ceiling. ‘Delia will be able to start out fresh when the baby is born.’ She was worried about how Delia would come through her labour when the time came. Dr Greaves had said he would feel happier if she was in the infirmary but he didn’t think it particularly wise for her to travel. He was a busy man. He must be greatly concerned to be spending so much time with Delia. She was worried about Jill too. She was edgy. She couldn’t keep still and was rising up and down on her toes. How was she going to cope if the baby was born under her roof when she had been so looking forward to her own baby’s fir
st cries here?

  Jill twisted her bottom lip and glanced at Tom. She couldn’t stand the strain and deserted Kate to seek his shelter.

  Perry put a fatherly arm round Kate. ‘I’m sure everything will be all right, my love.’

  The bedroom door above was opened. ‘Ah.’ Tilda leapt towards the range. Her nervousness had returned and she needed to be active. ‘Here’s the doctor at last. I’ll put the kettle on again.’

  ‘Mr and Mrs Harvey, can you come?’ Dr Greaves called urgently down the stairs.

  Jill and Tom shot out of the kitchen and Emilia, Perry and Tilda were on their heels.

  ‘He should have called for me,’ Kate complained to Jonny as they brought up the rear.

  ‘Don’t worry, I’m here for you.’ He pushed her through to the front of those gazing up the stairs.

  ‘I need someone to call the district nurse,’ Dr Greaves, young, stocky, with thinning hair, directed in his precise, clipped manner. ‘The baby’s heartbeat is weakening. I fear the fall may have caused placental abruption, in which case the baby needs to be delivered quickly. Tell the nurse not to delay. I’ll need to do a Caesarean. Mrs Viant was in a lot of pain from the accident and I’ve already sedated her. You should prepare yourselves for possible bad news where the baby is concerned.’

  ‘Oh no!’ Jill cried out. Tom took her away. Emilia and Perry hurried to the telephone. Tilda went off trembling to make tea. Kate stayed put, clenching her fists. Damn Sidney, damn her vile evil brother. He had traumatized and hurt Delia again. Getting her away from home had not been enough to protect her. Now he might be responsible for the death of his own child, and for even more pain and heartbreak for Delia. And for Jill too. Jill didn’t deserve this.

  ‘I’m sure everything will be fine, Kate,’ Jonny said gently.

  ‘You can’t promise that, Jonny. It’s not how things work. Excuse me, I want to make a phone call.’

  The district nurse was tracked down and got to the farm within twenty minutes. Another nail-biting vigil began. Jill and Tom couldn’t tear themselves away from the house, but Kate couldn’t bear to stay inside it. She went out to the back garden, where she could listen for sounds from Delia’s bedroom. All she could hear was the occasional muffled voice of the doctor or nurse. Jonny joined her. She was pleased to have his company. He circled an arm round her and she rested in his comfort. ‘I’m so scared for them.’

  He placed the side of his face on her head. ‘You’re right, I can’t promise they’ll both come through safely. But I can promise I won’t leave you.’ Not ever, there was no need to. The proof was Kate needed him and was responding to his embrace.

  ‘Thanks, Jonny. It means so much.’

  That proved it too. Alan Killigrew was of no real account to her.

  Time went by and then some more. How long did the operation take? It seemed hours. Then, as if Kate’s inner senses had received a signal, she reached for Jonny’s hand. ‘It’s time to go in.’

  They found Jill and Tom huddled at the foot of the stairs, a pathetic sight in their wedding clothes. They seemed to be really hurting. It was so good of them to be deeply concerned for a woman they hadn’t known until a few days ago.

  Fear-stricken that her worst nightmare had come true, Jill peered at Kate. ‘I’m sure something’s happened.’ Something bad, she meant. ‘I thought I heard a baby’s tiny cry then it went quiet.’

  Tom knocked on his mother’s door, and Emilia and Perry and Tilda filed through in a funereal hush.

  Dr Greaves appeared up above them in his suit and tie. He was a highly professional sort and his expression was blank. ‘I’m coming down.’

  All went into Jill and Tom’s kitchen. Jonny spoke up. ‘Whatever you’ve come to say, doctor, you should address it to Miss Viant first.’

  ‘Quite, quite,’ Dr Greaves replied, with the gravity of a judge. ‘You have a nephew, Miss Viant. It was an effort to get him to breathe but he seems to be holding his own for now. Could someone ring for an ambulance? He’s underweight and needs more care than can be given here.’

  ‘But he stands a chance?’ Kate said. Jill was with her, clutching at her hand. This must be a terrible reminder for her.

  ‘I’m hopeful. With all her experience with babies the nurse is hopeful too.’ Dr Greaves pulled at his starched shirt cuffs. ‘Now, to get to Mrs Viant. It’s a different story, I’m afraid. I’m very sorry, she was too frail to survive the operation. As you already know, her health wasn’t anywhere near as good as I’d hope to find in an expectant mother. The accident was too much for her. Her heart actually stopped just before I’d got the baby out. Do take comfort in the fact that she didn’t suffer. The ambulance can take her body away. I’ll inform the coroner.’

  ‘Oh, my God! Not this!’ Jill exclaimed, dashing her hands to her face. She had been hoping Delia wouldn’t change her mind about keeping the baby but now she would never have the chance to.

  Kate felt a rushing in her ears and her legs began to buckle, but taking a deep determined breath she held her ground. Her voice shook. ‘Delia dead. Poor Delia. Thanks for all your efforts, doctor. Can I hold the baby and stay with Delia alone for a while?’

  ‘Of course. Just give the nurse and me a little more time.’

  Delia looked as if she was sleeping, at peace, back to her true age of just twenty years. It was this that made Kate break down and cry and tore her heart to pieces. She sat at the bedside, cradling her tiny nephew swathed in a warm blanket, and held Delia’s marble-cold hand. ‘My family made me suffer too but at this moment I’m ashamed to be a Viant. I think this is what you wanted, Delia. To die. To be out of it. I don’t blame you for that. You never had the good fortune of meeting someone like Jill earlier in your life like I did. Rest in peace, you deserve it. Here’s a promise you can take with you. You never knew your little boy, but I promise you that I will do everything in my power to see he has a good life. I will never, ever forsake him.’

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  ‘Tom and I will take you to follow on after the ambulance,’ Jill said when Kate came downstairs. The district nurse was behind her carrying down the little bundle, and Jill strained to see the baby she was hoping would become her son. She and Tom would look for the right moment to broach the matter to Kate of Delia’s wish for the baby, their passionate wish too.

  Kate nodded, too bereft to talk.

  Jonny was longing to kiss the tears from her face, to give her his solace, his strength.

  Kate went to the kitchen window. She saw what she was hoping for from the result of her telephone call, what she really needed. ‘There’s no need, Jill. Alan’s here. He’ll take me.’ She was out of the door before anyone could react.

  Jill glanced anxiously at Tom, hoping they weren’t about to be cut out of the baby’s life. Kate was his next of kin and had the right to say what happened to him. What if she wanted to settle down with Alan and bring him up herself? They could hardly go to her and tell her about Delia’s wish. And Delia would have likely offered her child to Kate if she had thought she was about to get married.

  Jonny’s heart and hopes plummeted as violently as his plane had plunged into the sea. He was a casualty again. This time the pain was almost too much to bear. Still, he rushed outside after Kate. Only to freeze in horror, watching as if in some terrible dream while Kate flung herself into Alan’s arms and sobbed against him. He saw the desire of his life being taken into the other man’s loving embrace, a man who whispered soothing words to her, caressed her, cared for her in the way that he was denied. Then Kate looked up at Alan and in her eyes was the look of a woman in love. A love not given in the first flush of womanhood, but the strong and enduring sort of love that lasts for ever.

  All this time Kate had seen him as no more than a friend, not even so close a friend as to mention she was in love with someone. It was as plain and as devastating as that to Jonny. He had to get away. He couldn’t bear for Kate to see his desolation.

  Someone touched him. ‘
Come with me, Jonny.’ It was Emilia.

  ‘I’ve got no other option, have I, Aunt Em?’

  ‘I’m afraid not.’ She led him away to a quiet spot.

  ‘You can’t help me,’ he said, wiping the tears from his eyes. ‘No one can mend a heart broken in this many pieces. I was wrong, terribly wrong. I thought I could make Kate fall in love with me. You were right. There’s too much of a gap between us to ever have been bridged. I’ll go back to Louisa’s house. I need to be alone.’

  ‘I’m sure you’ll find love again one day, Jonny. There’s bound to be someone out there for you. You know what it is like to be in love now.’

  He shook his head, the searing pain of what could never be nearly blinding him. The intolerable loneliness was already settling in. ‘I can’t imagine loving anyone but Kate.’

  ‘I know it’s wretched for you right now but you’ll never regret loving her, Jonny.’

  ‘No, I won’t. Never that. I can’t stay round here. I’ll say goodbye at Tremore tomorrow. Tell Kate I’ve gone away on an assignment. Bye, Aunt Em.’ He dragged his feet out into the lane, leaving Kate behind for ever. He’d lost everything but somehow he’d survive. He was that sort of man. The world and its sights and even perhaps some of its pleasures beckoned him, but without Kate it wouldn’t be the same.

  * * *

  Tom helped Jill restore to its former state the room Delia had died in. ‘There’s a feeling of peace in here, don’t you think?’ he said, weighed down with sadness. What terrible suffering Delia had endured. ‘I mean, Delia doesn’t seem to be lingering. I think she’s at peace.’