Blood Brothers Read online

  ‘Oh, and we are grateful, sir. It’s a lovely little place, right there beside the spinney and overlooking the whole of Bedfordshire.’ Frank reiterated his own ambition. ‘But I still have vision, sir. I also have a plan, which one day maybe you and I can discuss?’

  ‘Mmm.’ The big man looked towards the house, ‘I really must go now. Like you said, there’s work to do. Give my regards to your parents.’

  ‘I will, thank you.’

  Pleased with himself, Frank had a grin on his face as wide as the Mersey tunnel. ‘He’s taking the bait!’

  Once inside the car, he whooped for joy. ‘It’s only a matter of time before I’ve got the old bugger eating out of my hand!’ Nothing would stop him now, he thought. ‘The world is my oyster. With Alice as my wife, anything is possible!’

  Behind him, Ronald Jacobs remained in the porch, his wary gaze watching Frank’s car as it cleared the drive and headed on to the road. ‘Hmm!’ He shook his head. ‘He must think I was born yesterday. Cunning and brazen as you like, asking me to finance his venture into buying land. Not in a million years will I!’

  Thrusting his key into the door lock, he entered the house. Damned young upstart! he thought. If you want something badly enough, you’ll work all that much harder to achieve it. There are no handouts, not in this life.

  He was still muttering to himself as Maureen came bursting out of the living room.

  He gave her a peck on the cheek, and peered behind her to the closed living room door. ‘Is Alice in there?’

  ‘Yes. Don’t go in. She’s in her wedding dress, and oh, Ronald, she really does look lovely.’

  ‘I’m sure she does, and I look forward to seeing her on the day, but I’m not so sure about that young upstart she’s about to marry.’

  ‘Oh, and why’s that?’

  Leaning forward he asked her, ‘Are you sure we’re doing the right thing in allowing her to marry this man?’

  ‘What are you getting at? I thought we’d already discussed it in length. We both agreed that she was old enough to be married, and that she could do with the discipline. We’ve tried to train her into socialising and our way of life, but she is not the slightest bit interested. She won’t even be drawn into helping Pauline run her salon.’

  ‘Ah, well, if you don’t mind me saying, I blame Pauline for that. The one time Alice turned up at the salon, eager to learn the ropes, Pauline threw her in at the deep end and then complained vehemently, when everything was less than perfect.’

  Addressing her more cautiously, he took his life in his hands. ‘Pauline is much like you, my dear…strong-minded and sometimes a bit of a Sergeant-Major, while Alice is rather sensitive. You and Pauline might get better co-operation if you didn’t always treat her like a child straight out of school. She is an intelligent, hard-working young woman, and in my opinion for, what it’s worth, she deserves to be treated as such.’

  ‘My! my!’ Maureen was genuinely surprised. ‘Defending Alice all of a sudden is it? Some time back, you were sulking because she left your offices to work at the vets, taking care of the animals there.’

  ‘Well, I’ve had time to reflect, and I’ve come to the conclusion that she already knows more about animals than she cares to learn about filing cabinets. At least the veterinary profession is well-respected, if poorly paid.’

  She continued to taunt him. ‘She’s out of control, that’s the trouble.’

  ‘All right! All right! we should be thankful. She appears to have found some sort of purpose, and who knows, her unpredictable behaviour may soon be a thing of the past.’

  ‘I hope so.’ Maureen Jacobs was out of patience with her wayward daughter. ‘I’ll be the first one to celebrate if she ever attains a responsible attitude to our family values. Look how she behaved last Thursday when we had important guests for dinner; instead of wearing the sensible dress I chose for her, she came down in a bright pink top and swirly skirt. I was ashamed, to say the least.’

  ‘Really?’ He smiled at that. ‘I thought she looked quite lovely. Brightened up the place she did.’

  Ronald felt the heat of Maureen’s disapproval, and quickly added, ‘I do agree with you, though. Being a wife and consequently a mother, must certainly give her some semblance of discipline. I’m just sorry we weren’t able to find someone more suited to the family than this Frank Arnold fellow.’

  ‘You know very well, Ronald, we have endlessly tried to match her up with the more eligible young men, but she preferred the company of this Arnold person. In the end we had little choice but to accept him, or have a spinster on our hands.’

  ‘But will she be happy with him, my dear? That’s what worries me.’

  ‘Yes, because like I said, he was her choice. I think she’ll be happy. I also believe we’re doing the right thing. Before too long, people will start to think she’s gone wild, and uncontrollable. I mean, all this running off on her own; paddling in the brook in bare feet and preferring to be with the creatures rather than civilized people. It simply will not do, Ronald! You know as well as I do, we have a reputation to uphold.’

  He nodded. ‘You’re right. The responsibility of marriage and children should definitely quieten her down though. And as I say, she does appear to have a deep affection for this young man…’ he paused, ‘…although I can’t say I agree with her choice.’

  Maureen Jacobs was intrigued. ‘I had an idea you were not taking to him very well,’ she said, ‘…why is that?

  The big man leaned forward in confidence. ‘Unless I’m very much mistaken, he just tried to coax me into backing him on a grand idea he’s got in mind. Oh not in so many words, but he’s a clever young devil all the same. He claimed it was for Alice.’

  He gave a rueful look. ‘Now then, my dear, what d’you think to that?’

  ‘I think he’s got a damned good cheek, that’s what I think!’

  ‘I quite agree. Like I say, he did not so much as come out with it altogether, but he went about it in such a way, I knew straight off what he was getting at. I must admit though, I do have a sneaking admiration for him; he used clever tactics, which might well have worked on someone less alert than myself.’

  His manner grew serious. ‘He’s got the wrong idea, if he imagines for one minute that marrying Alice gives him access to the family fortune. It will never happen. In fact, I’ve already set things in motion to that effect.’

  ‘In what way?’ Maureen was intrigued.

  ‘All in good time, my dear.’ He tapped the side of his nose to imply secrecy. ‘No one gets the better of Ronald Jacobs,’ he concluded, ‘especially not a cocky young farmer with ideas above his station!’ As he spoke his voice rose in anger.

  ‘Ronald, ssh!’ She glanced towards the living room. ‘We have visitors. The florist is in there, and the dressmaker is in the throes of changing the hem on Alice’s gown.’

  ‘I see. Well, in that case I don’t suppose dinner will be on time. That’s a pity, because I have to say I’m ready for a good meal.’

  ‘Oh, dear!’ She gave a long sigh. ‘I really could have done without all this business. There are so many people in and out, and I haven’t had a minute to myself. All the same, it will all be over before we know it, and I for one will not be sorry.’

  He smiled at that. ‘I thought all mothers were supposed to enjoy their daughter’s wedding day?’

  ‘I don’t know about that. All I know is, after Saturday, Alice will be someone else’s responsibility, and I for one will not be sorry.’

  ‘You know I adore you, my dear,’ Ronald said, giving her a bird-peck on the cheek. ‘Sometimes though, I do believe you think of our children as a real liability.’

  ‘Don’t be ridiculous!’ He had touched a raw nerve, especially with regards to their youngest daughter. ‘Look, I’ll tell Lucy to get on with the meal as usual, and I’ll get rid of these people as soon as I can.’

  ‘Right, well, I’ll be in the office if you need me.’

  With that he strod
e away and closed his office door behind him; greatly relieved to be shutting out the world.

  ‘It’s all right for some!’ she called after him. But he was already out of hearing distance, and glad of it.

  ‘Joe?’

  Alice’s voice whispered across the field to where Joe was seated on the bank, deep in thought. Torn two ways about his promise to be Frank’s best man, he was sorely tempted to walk away and keep going. Now, the sight of Alice coming towards him was deeply unsettling.

  ‘What are you doing here?’ Getting up he stood before her, his eyes momentarily drawn towards the cottage. ‘If anyone sees you out here with me at this Godforsaken time there would be awkward questions to be answered.’

  She moved forward, a vision of loveliness, with a childish air of innocence. ‘I couldn’t rest,’ she admitted, ‘I keep thinking of…’ she hesitated before lowering her voice, ‘of that night together, you and me.’

  When Joe made to speak, she raised her hand. ‘No, please let me speak. I need to tell you something Joe.’ She quickened her words, afraid that if she didn’t say what was troubling her, then it would burden her for the rest of her days. ‘That night…you and me, it was wonderful, Joe. I will always cherish the memory, but that’s all. It was wrong. I’m promised to your brother, and he doesn’t deserve to be deceived in such a way. I do love you, Joe. I think I always will, but I love Frank too. Soon we’ll be married, and I mean to keep my vows.’

  Joe had listened in silence, but now he spoke. ‘I understand.’

  ‘Do you, Joe?’ There were tears in her eyes as she saw the pain in his face.

  ‘Yes, I do, and now you need to go. Get ready to make your vows and put all this behind you.’

  When she stepped forward he retreated a little. ‘Go, Alice,’ he urged. ‘Quickly, before you’re missed. Soon everyone will be awake and wondering where you are.’

  There was a moment when he thought he would take her in his arms and hold her to him, but then she was gone, and he was alone again.

  ‘I will never stop loving you,’ he murmured, watching her slight frame retreat into the distance. ‘Goodbye my darling Alice.’ His voice disappeared on the breeze, and with bowed head and heavy heart, he made his way back to the cottage.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  ‘JOE! ARE YOU ready yet?’ Nancy’s voice carried up to the bedroom, where Joe was finishing dressing for the big day.

  ‘Yes, I’ll be right down!’ Since seeing Alice in the early hours he had not slept a wink. Stepping into his black polished shoes, he tied the laces into a strong bow. Taking his tie from the bed, he slung it round his neck and tried several times to knot it correctly without much success.

  After the fourth attempt, he gave up. ‘Damned, stupid thing!’ He glanced at himself in the long mirror. ‘The trouble is, Joe Arnold, this is not your day.’ It was Frank’s day, and Alice’s, and he had to accept that, albeit reluctantly.

  He tried knotting the tie one more time, but again without success. ‘You’re not used to wearing ties,’ he told himself. ‘neither are you comfortable with being turned out all smart and dandy.’ He was more like Alice, going with his instinct, and wearing what he felt comfortable with.

  Drawing a deep sigh, he lowered his voice to a whisper, ‘One thing’s for sure, Joe Arnold, you won’t be comfortable witnessing the union of the woman you love to a brother you can never respect.’

  For a long, heavy moment he fell silent, thinking about Alice. These past few days had been a real trial, with his thoughts constantly returning to that all too brief but magical time in the barn. With her, he had shared a love he’d only ever dreamed of and now, in the blink of an eye, she was gone forever.

  He respected her choice, because there was little alternative. Where the future was concerned, he could not envisage any other way than to put as much distance between himself and Alice as possible, once the marriage was absolute.

  At the same time though, he would keep in touch with his parents. Unlike before, they would always know his whereabouts.

  He blamed himself for what happened between him and Alice, that night in the barn. He should have followed his instincts and stayed away, at least until the wedding was over. Not for the first time, he wondered how he might feel when the moment in church was imminent.

  His greatest fear was that when he handed over the wedding ring he might unwittingly reveal his feelings, in an unprotected glance, or the whisper of a smile.

  He smiled now at the thought of her. And what about you, Alice? When you give your vows before the altar, how will you feel? Will you believe them from the bottom of your heart? Or in that moment when you become man and wife, will you regret having done it? Will you be happy?

  In spite of everything, he wished her happiness with all his heart.

  ‘Joe!’ Nancy sounded frantic, ‘What the devil are you doing up there? The car’s here already!’

  ‘All right, I’m on my way!’ Joe took one last look in the mirror. ‘At least you look the part,’ he told himself. ‘Just remember why you’re here. Your brother asked you to fulfil a duty, and like it or not, that’s exactly what you must do.’

  Joe came running down the stairs two at a time. ‘At last!’ Nancy grabbed hold of him. ‘Look at the state of your tie. Come here, let’s get you ready and on your way.’ With a flick of her wrist and a flourish to finish, she stood back to admire her handiwork. ‘There! You look a real gent. Now get off with yer!’

  Looking smart and civilised, Frank was already in the car. ‘What the hell are you playing at, Joe? If we’re not careful we’ll have the bride there before us!’

  He had been in a sour mood ever since waking, and now, some hours later, his mood had not mellowed. ‘I’m a bag of nerves as it is,’ he complained all the way to church. ‘I wish we’d gone straight off and got wed in a registry office, but Alice and her mother would not hear of it!’

  ‘I should think not.’ Joe thought he was a real misery.

  Frank was beyond pacifying. ‘Bloody women! The idea of a big white wedding was not my idea. If we’d just gone to a registry office, we could have saved a heap of money and there wouldn’t be all this bloody panic!’

  Joe reasoned with him, ‘You shouldn’t deny Alice the right to choose what kind of wedding she wants, and besides, how could you save money, when it’s Alice’s parents who are paying for it all?’

  ‘Well, for your information, the wedding was not Alice’s choice. It was her mother’s…showing off to her friends and clients, that’s what it’s all about. As for the money, Alice is their daughter so she has a natural claim to their wealth.’

  He gave a sly little grin. ‘As a matter of fact, the minute Alice is my wife, I’ll have as much a claim to it as she does.’ He groaned. ‘Jeez! I hate all this wedding stuff! All the fuss and palaver, I’ll be glad when it’s over.’

  Joe said nothing. For very different reasons, he also wanted the day over and done with.

  While Joe and Frank were driven to the church, the Jacobs household was also in panic.

  Alice had been shut in her room for almost an hour. ‘What on earth is she doing up there?’ Maureen Jacobs demanded of her daughter, Pauline. ‘We’re all ready and waiting and here she is, locked in her room and refusing to open her door to anyone.’

  ‘Huh!’ Pauline snorted, ‘I’m not surprised. She’s always the same, you should know that by now.’

  Wearing a straight gown of cream silk, with a sparkly tiara on her head and clasping a ribboned posy of red rosebuds, Pauline looked every inch the bridesmaid; as her doting mother constantly reminded her. ‘You look absolutely stunning, my dear!’ she announced on first seeing her dressed. ‘In fact, you look good enough to put the bride to shame.’ The idea of which put a smile on Pauline’s face. That had been her intention: to belittle Alice’s special day.

  Behind the smile was a rising envy. Unable to find a man who was prepared to put up with her dictatorial manner, she was now being made to witness her
younger sister getting married, and as far as Pauline was concerned, nothing could be more humiliating.

  The prospect of playing second fiddle to Alice did not please her; although she consoled herself with the knowledge that Frank Arnold was nothing special. He was just a farmer, with no land of his own and no future. Besides which, according to the local gossip, he was a man of unpredictable temper, ready to fly off the handle at the slightest provocation. If that was true, then he was exactly the man to tame her wayward sister.

  ‘It’s time to go, everyone!’ Looking distinguished and dapper in his smart grey suit, Ronald Jacobs arrived to usher them out to the relevant cars. ‘Tell the driver of the first car to wait. I’ll go and bring Alice down.’

  ‘She won’t come down.’ Maureen informed him angrily. ‘She won’t even speak to anyone.’

  ‘Nonsense! The poor girl is probably overawed. It is her wedding day after all, so she’s allowed to be a little nervous. I expect all she needed was a moment or two on her own.’

  ‘Go on then!’ Maureen was out of patience. ‘See if you can succeed where we failed!’

  ‘You get in the car.’ He shooed them out. ‘I’ll go and reason with her. Alice will not respond to bullying, as well you know.’ It was a cleverly disguised accusation, which Maureen begrudgingly took note of.

  ‘Off you go then!’ He urged them away, before climbing the stairway with a sense of purpose.

  ‘Alice?’ Ronald tapped gently on the door. ‘Mother and Pauline have already gone to the car. It’s time to leave.’

  When Alice called back to say she wasn’t ready, he tapped on the door again, this time though he was less patient and spoke to her in a much sterner voice, ‘You’d better get your skates on, my dear. I’m afraid we have to leave right now. The cars are waiting, and I am not moving from this spot until you open that door!’

  ‘Give me a minute, Father, please!’

  ‘I’m sorry, Alice, but this is no time to be dithering. I should imagine Frank and Joe are already at the church, and it’s high time we were on our way. So come on now, Alice. Open this door.’