Blood Brothers Page 9

  ‘I’m sorry, Alice,’ Joe explained with a lop-sided grin, ‘I didn’t realise it was you! I thought I might find a pack of thieves, looking to steal goods or livestock. I happened to catch a glimpse of light from the tilly lamp, so I thought I’d best come down and investigate.’

  Carefully, he laid the gun on the ground and sat beside her. ‘So, what are you doing out here, in the early hours of the morning? Come to check on our little friend, have you?’

  Alice merely nodded; while discreetly wiping away the tears.

  Joe felt his heart melt. ‘Did I frighten you?’

  ‘No.’ Fearful he would know she’d been crying, Alice kept her gaze averted.

  ‘Is there something wrong, Alice?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘Do you want me to go away, leave you alone?’

  Panic-stricken and in need of a friend, she grabbed hold of his coat. ‘No! I would like you to stay. Please, Joe? Stay with me, just a while longer?’

  Joe sat beside her. ‘Why don’t you tell me what’s wrong?’ he enquired gently.

  ‘There’s nothing wrong.’ She gave him her brightest smile. ‘Why would you ask that?’

  Joe paused a moment, unsure of himself, and yet not wanting to deceive her. ‘I have a confession to make,’ he said in a low, sorry voice.

  Instinctively wary, Alice asked him, ‘What do you mean a confession? What kind of confession?’ Something about Joe’s expression worried her.

  Joe chose his words carefully. ‘Just now as I came in, I thought I heard you crying.’

  ‘Oh?’ Smiling, she put on a brave face. ‘So you thought I was crying, did you?’

  Joe looked her in the eye. ‘You were crying.’ He gave a reassuring smile. ‘I think I might know when a girl is crying, but don’t worry. I promise, your secret is safe with me.’

  ‘I’m sorry, Joe. You’re right, I was crying, but it was nothing, really. Just pre-wedding nerves. I expect every bride gets them.’

  Joe was careful not to reveal how he knew of her doubts concerning Frank. Instead he reached out, and placing his hand beneath her chin, he lifted her face to look at him. ‘Frank upset you tonight, didn’t he?’

  Alice drew away, ‘Yes…I suppose.’

  ‘He didn’t mean to,’ Joe assured her. ‘Sometimes he lets his tongue run away with him; speak first, think later, that’s Frank I’m afraid.’ He laughed. ‘You were more than a match for him though,’ he said proudly. ‘You let him know you were not a woman to be messed with.’

  Thinking of her mother, Alice laughed at that. ‘Did I really come across as a woman not to be messed with?’

  ‘Oh yes!’ Joe was adamant. ‘You even made me nervous!’ he said jokingly.

  Alice laughed at that, and then she was smiling, shaking her head in disbelief. ‘Good Lord! I’d best be careful, or I might turn into Mother!’

  Joe was curious. ‘Would that be so bad?’

  Alice laughed, ‘If you knew my mother, you wouldn’t even ask that,’ she promised with a hearty chuckle. ‘Trust me, it would be the end of life as we know it!’

  Joe laughed out loud, ‘I can’t wait to meet her.’

  ‘She’ll be there on Saturday,’ Alice promised light-heartedly. ‘She’ll be the one with the biggest hat and the sergeant-major voice. The slimmer version beside her, will be my older sister Pauline.’

  Joe was intrigued. How could such a dainty, lovely creature like Alice have a mother of that description? ‘So, how does Frank get on with your family?’

  Alice shrugged. ‘He’s only really met them twice. The first time, so my father could inspect him, and then again when he was invited to have tea. Of course, he’s seen them when he’s been collecting me, but Father works long hours in his study and Mother is never that sociable. A wave of her hand and she’s away.’

  ‘I see.’ Joe couldn’t help but wonder how Frank would fit into such a formal family as this.

  Alice went on, ‘I think Frank was quite impressed with Mother. She made sure he had everything he wanted; an extra slice of cake, or another pot of tea, and even a glass of wine to end the evening. Father talked a lot about business, and Frank seemed comfortable with that. In fact, he came away quite pleased with himself.’

  ‘I’m not surprised,’ Joe remarked. ‘As you witnessed for yourself this evening, Frank is ambitious. It’s in his nature to aspire to greater things.’

  Joe could easily imagine how Frank would have made more of himself than he really was. Tonight for example, he appeared to think he’d got Alice’s family wound round his little finger.

  ‘My father has always been ambitious like that, and my mother is the same,’ Alice revealed. ‘Do you think it’s a bad thing to be ambitious, Joe?’

  ‘No, I don’t think that.’ Though knowing Frank, Joe had his doubts. ‘Shall I tell you what I really think?’

  ‘Yes! I’d like to know.’

  Joe worded his thoughts carefully. ‘Frank is headstrong. Sometimes he needs someone to hold him back. At first, he’ll find it virtually impossible to keep you in the manner you’ve been used to, but there is no doubt he’ll work his fingers to the bone. You will never want for anything, and in time, who knows, he may well give your father a run for his money.’ He had to smile. ‘If not, it won’t be for the want of trying.’

  Without being vindictive, he felt he had to be honest. ‘The thing is, when Frank sets his mind to something, he wants it right away. Unfortunately, it doesn’t always happen like that.’

  Joe went on in a serious voice. ‘He needs guidance, someone to draw the reins in now and then.’ He went on reluctantly, ‘You might just be the one, Alice.’

  Alice was flattered. ‘Do you really think so?’

  ‘Yes, I do.’ Against all his instincts, Joe reassured her. ‘I really do think you could handle Frank, where no one else can. Tonight for example. You didn’t yell or argue. You just told him quietly that it was never going to happen, that there was no point in him expecting your parents’ money. You stood up to him, and I’m proud of you. That took some guts, Alice Jacobs!’

  ‘Thank you, Joe.’

  When she smiled up at him, Joe’s heart bounced in his chest, and for a moment he couldn’t speak. Instead, he gazed into those wonderful, dark-blue eyes and his heart turned over. ‘You really are an amazing little thing,’ he murmured, ‘Frank is a very lucky man.’

  Beneath his intense gaze, Alice felt oddly uncomfortable, but not in a bad way. It was a feeling she had never before experienced, a feeling of someone looking right into your soul, to know you better than you knew yourself, to read your emotions like they were an open book.

  She felt worried and excited, all at the same time.

  Suddenly she knew. ‘You heard me, didn’t you?’ she whispered harshly. ‘Just now, you heard what I was saying. You heard it all. Didn’t you, Joe?’

  Joe nodded his head. ‘Yes, I heard.’ He felt ashamed. ‘I’m sorry.’

  Alice clambered up. ‘I’ve got to go!’ She began to move away, the tears rolling down her face. ‘Please, Joe, don’t tell Frank. I didn’t mean it, none of it! I didn’t know what I was saying. It’s not that I don’t love him, because I do. Only what with Mother taking over, and then Frank behaving like that tonight, I don’t know how I feel anymore…I just don’t…’

  ‘Ssh! Don’t cry, Alice.’ Impulsively, Joe drew her into his arms.

  Alice nestled into him; the faint, dry smell of his work-jacket offering an odd kind of comfort. She felt as though she belonged here, in Joe’s strong embrace.

  In that instant they were in each other’s arms. It was like a dam had burst and then they were kissing, long passionate kisses that surprised and thrilled.

  Shocked at her own response, Alice tentatively pulled away. ‘No! We shouldn’t…this is bad, Joe.’ Her head was saying one thing but her heart was saying another.

  ‘I understand.’ Joe released her. ‘Don’t blame yourself, Alice,’ he whispered. ‘It was my fault, not yours.
’

  Stunned by what had just happened, Alice stumbled backwards.

  Behind her, Joe sat down in the hay, head bowed; his feelings in chaos, when he thought of the enormity of what might have been. He felt deeply ashamed, but he still wanted her so much he could hardly breathe.

  Deeply shaken, he went over the dizzy madness of the past few minutes. ‘I’m sorry.’ He didn’t look up; didn’t want to see her walking away. Suddenly, his every sense was heightened, and he knew she was there, standing right before him.

  He raised his head to look up, and there she was; hands motionless by her sides, and her blue eyes gazing down on him, alive with emotion.

  In that unforgettable moment, Joe saw his own powerful feelings mirrored in her eyes. Without a word, she held out her arms and Joe folded her to him. ‘I love you,’ he whispered, ‘I always have.’

  When he carried her deeper into the darkness where no one could see, Alice went willingly; wanting him every bit as much as he wanted her.

  In the darkest corner, he gently laid her down. Alice knew it was meant to be. She had never been more content.

  It was a shocking truth, but it was the truth and right now here in Joe’s arms, shrouded by the darkness…she had no regrets.

  Their lovemaking was both fierce and tender; fierce in its hunger, and tender in the taking.

  For Joe, it was something he had always known would happen. For Alice, it was her very first time, and she believed with all her heart that it was right to be with Joe.

  Afterwards, Joe asked in a whisper, ‘Are you afraid? Do you regret what we’ve done?’

  Alice shook her head, her eyes alight with the joy of being in Joe’s arms. ‘No’ she whispered, ‘I’m only sorry it had to be now.’ In his embrace, it was as though time did not exist.

  Later, she may regret this night, but not in this moment, safe and bathed by his need of her.

  She had given herself freely, without reservation; without a thought for the consequences.

  Without fear of what tomorrow might bring.

  Jimmy the farmhand had been making his way back from a night in the pub, when he decided to take a shortcut through the farm.

  Harbouring a grudge after Frank had viciously whipped and humiliated him, he had lost himself in drink and was now well and truly inebriated.

  As always when fuelled by booze, he broke into song; cater-wauling and laughing as he tripped and stumbled towards his modest little cottage.

  In his condition, it was not easy to negotiate his way home, especially in the dark, which is why he failed to see the spade propped against the wall. After stumbling over it, he lay on the ground, laughing and cursing. ‘What damned idiot leaves a spade across the path?’

  When both himself and the spade was upright again, he wagged a finger at the spade. ‘Aha!’ Replacing it against the wall, he laughed. ‘Didn’t get me that time, did yer, eh?’

  Haphazardly continuing on his way, he rounded the wall and came up towards the barn. ‘What’s that then, eh?’ His attention caught by the flickering light, he went as carefully as he could. ‘Why would anybody be in the barn, at this time o’ morning!’ Stooping low, he went on at a careful pace. ‘Ssh!’ Feeling more afraid than drunk, he managed to keep himself upright as he approached the barn door.

  Once there, he steadied himself against the wall as he peeped inside. On seeing that the place appeared empty, he shook his head in disbelief. ‘Some daft idiot’s left the lamp on.’ He started forward, ‘best turn that bugger off.’ He shook his head. ‘Set the damned barn alight that could!’

  A wicked thought stopped him in his tracks. ‘Hey! If that lamp was to tip over, the whole place would be cinders in no time.’ He gave a devious smile. ‘Mebbe the farmhouse with it an’ all!’

  The drink may have fuddled his thinking, but his intention was clear. ‘Take a chain to whip me, would he? Give me the marching orders and take away my living, eh? Bastard!’ The more he thought on Frank’s treatment of him, the angrier he grew.

  As he inched forward, he was made to stop and listen. Alarmed on hearing low voices and the sound of someone emerging, he crouched down and hid in the shadows. ‘Jeez! So, there is somebody inside after all, eh? Hmm! Thieves, grabbing what they can lay their hands on, is it?’ He shrugged. ‘What do I care, eh? Let the buggers ‘ave the lot! What’s it to me, eh? Nothing!’

  Inching back, he crept deeper into the shadows, to a place where he could see them, but they could not see him.

  First, the light was extinguished, and then the two figures came out, close together, the man with his arm about the girl, who appeared to turn and look up at him.

  Intrigued, Jimmy came closer; frustrated when he was unable to recognise them. ‘They don’t appear to be thieves,’ he reasoned. ‘So, who the divil are they?’ He sniggered. ‘That bad bugger Frank and his woman I expect, escaped from the others, to have it away in the barn?’ It irritated him that he couldn’t see them clearly enough.

  Deciding to take a risk he slipped closer, but as he set one foot forward, the couple moved furtively away, towards the house. Excited and curious, he slithered along through the shrubbery towards them, still hidden, still undetected.

  He watched as they picked their way through the darkness. And now they were in the porch.

  For one split second, the soft glow from the porch light partly bathed their features and Jimmy almost fell over with the shock of it. ‘Bloody Hell!’ Rooted to the ground, he had recognised Alice; and there was something familiar about the man, but it was not Frank, he was sure of it.

  He waited, his whole body tingling with excitement as the man paused for Alice to go into the house before softly closing the door behind her.

  When the man turned round to light a cigarette, Jimmy’s suspicions were well and truly confirmed. ‘Lord above!’ He shivered with excitement. ‘Frank’s brother!’ His heart was beating so fast he feared he might pass out.

  When he believed it was safe to go inside, and unaware that he was being watched, Joe finished his cigarette, before dropping the tip on the floor and grinding it into the earth. He took a moment to think, and wonder if tonight had been just one fleeting, magical experience, or the start of a whole new beginning. He hoped so. With all his heart, he hoped so; though it concerned him that on the way back to the house, Alice had been very quiet.

  Was she already regretting it, he thought sadly. Or like himself, was she concerned about Frank and the family, and how they would take the news.

  He could not be certain that things would turn out as he prayed they would. In all fairness, he had left the decision for Alice to make. She knew that whatever decision she came to, he would abide by it. After tonight, and the long, intimate talk they had while still in each other’s arms, he never doubted her love, not for one minute. Alice loved him, he knew that with absolute certainty.

  Right now, with the aura of Alice still on him, he was the happiest man alive. It was never his intention to hurt anyone, especially family, and yes, the cloud of guilt lay heavy on him; but that was the price he was willing to pay, if it meant he and Alice could be together.

  From his hiding place, Jimmy kept his eyes firmly on Joe, watching as he gingerly opened the door and went silently inside.

  Sniggering to himself, then unable to contain himself, laughing out loud manically he loped off into the darkness. ‘Well now, fancy that, eh?’ Breathless, he turned against the tree to empty himself of the booze put away that night. ‘Joe and his brother’s woman, well I never. Whoever would ‘ave thought it?’

  He roared with delight. ‘Not Frank, that’s for sure. Oh, but won’t it wipe the smile off that smug face of his when he finds out, eh?’

  Tonight he had accidentally discovered what was potential dynamite to the Arnold family, and to Frank in particular.

  ‘Now then, Jimmy boy,’ he chided himself. ‘Don’t get too carried away just yet. This is no time to go barging in like a mad bull. You need to think this through,’


  So many questions rampaged through his simple mind. ‘How do you deal with this pleasurable information?’ He flicked his tongue over his lips as though savouring a tasty meal. What to do? Do you go straight to Frank Arnold, and watch the look on his face when you tell him what’s been going on, right under his nose?

  ‘No, wait…wait a minute!’ He reminded himself how he still bore the marks of that wicked chain on his back. He must be very careful not to sign his own death warrant, because there was not the slightest doubt in his mind that the man in question was capable of killing.

  ‘I could blackmail Joe.’ He swiftly discarded that option. It was fairly obvious that Joe had returned to the fold without a respectable penny to his name. Besides, he reminded himself that it was Joe who saved his skin from being lacerated, and more.

  ‘Or I could wait until Frank and Joe have gone out across the fields, then slip a note under the door, addressed to Tom Arnold. That old bugger would raise hell and damnation, there’s no doubt about it.’

  Jimmy reminded himself that he had no grouse against any of the Arnold family, other than Frank. At different times, both Tom and Nancy had been good to him. In fact, if Tom had not pleaded with the landowner to let him rent the cottage, he wouldn’t even have a roof over his head.

  So, he concluded that he would not deliberately hurt the old couple; though if they got caught up in the fray, that would be a different story, and not altogether his fault.

  Their oldest son though, was a very different kettle of fish. ‘I have to teach that son of theirs a lesson!’ he decided. ‘And it might not be a bad thing if they were to learn what he was really like. There’s a badness about that Frank! He’s got a murderous heart if ever I saw one!’ Moreover, Frank Arnold cared for no one, not man, woman nor child.

  His hatred of Frank was like a canker inside him. But how to punish him without hurting the others too much? How to make him suffer, without getting himself killed?

  The discovery he had stumbled on this night was like a bomb waiting to go off.