Secrets Of The Silver Box

FICTION Concluding chapter: Injured soldiers are arriving on the beach – but is Doreen’s sweetheart Jim among them?

Some of the boats are back!” Eliza’s screech echoed up from the hall to the top floor where Doreen and Aunt Edith were pretending to mend stockings in one of the spare rooms.

“It will divert our minds,” her aunt had declared sharply.

No-one in the town could think of anything else but the brave men and women who had set sail across the sea to rescue the troops trapped in France as the German army advanced. To think that her beloved Jim was one of them!

Doreen felt sick to the stomach. She’d not been able to eat anything since he set off. Eliza’s voice made her leap to her feet.

“Calm down, child,” snapped Aunt Edith. “A true lady never gets agitated. Not even in wartime. If we can’t set an example, who can?”

But Doreen suspected that deep down her aunt was more agitated than she let on. Maybe she had lost someone special once. Fleetingly, her thoughts went back to that photograph of her aunt standing next to a man who looked just like her father. Then, ignoring instructions, she ran down the stairs towards the maid. “Is Jim all right?” Eliza’s face was pale. “I don’t know. His boat isn’t back. Some of the men are hurt. They need help.” “I do hope he’s all right.” The maid turned on her. “What’s it to you? He’s my flesh and blood. Not yours. Anyway, if he does return in one piece, her upstairs will have him in jail.” Her eyes were blazing. “How dare she accuse him of being a common thief? I know my Jim and he’s not like that.”

Doreen felt herself going hot and cold all over. Luckily her aunt appeared.

“This is no time to be arguing. Help me get some blankets and food together. Who knows what they might be needing.”

What a sight! Never had she seen the likes of it before. Hundreds of boats in all shapes and sizes. Some were already on the shingle, others still on their way in. Men were lying on the beach or being helped up to the promenade. Some were crying out with pain – Doreen could hardly bear to look at that poor man over there with a twisted leg.

“Stop staring and get to it, will you?” said Aunt Edith crisply.

How helpless Doreen felt! “But I don’t know how to put on a bandage.”

“Leave that to me and your aunt.” Eliza was speaking as though she was in charge and Doreen was the servant. “You can take the bottles and food.”

“Water, water!” called out a man close to her. He was sitting with his back propped up against the rocks, his eyes staring into the distance as if he’d witnessed a horror too awful to describe.

Clumsily, Doreen tried to hold the bottle against his mouth. Some of the liquid dribbled down his chin but he was gulping down the rest like a wild animal. “Ta,” he said weakly, when he’d finished. “You’re an angel, love. For a minute there, I thought I’d died and gone to heaven.” Doreen shivered. “I don’t suppose you know a boy called Jim Thomas, do you? He went out in his father’s boat two days ago.”

He shook his head. “Don’t think so. But me head isn’t working straight, if you know what I mean. Got anything to eat, have you? I’m starving.”

She fumbled in the bag for bread and cheese. The man tore into it as if he had never seen food before.

“Gawd bless you, Miss.”

As she was HELPING the LAST MEN off the BEACH, Eliza ran up, EYES WET

Before she knew it, the sun was low in the sky, indicating that several hours had passed since they’d set out. Four times Doreen had been back to the house with her aunt for more food, blankets and bandages. Then it was back to the beach, helping more men and asking the same question. Had anyone seen a young lad called Jim or his father Tom? But no-one had. Just as Doreen was helping the last men off the beach, Eliza came running up. Her eyes were wet. “What’s wrong?” asked Doreen. “Go away.” The girl pushed her to one

side. “I’ve got to find me mum.”

Doreen looked back at the stretcher the maid had just been tending. The man’s face looked familiar. That was it! She’d seen him once when Jim had been walking her home from school. He was a friend of his dad’s.

“Please,” she said desperately. “I’m sorry to bother you when you are so poorly. But have you seen Jim?”

His voice was flat. “I can only tell you what I told the other girl. The last I see of ’em was when Jim’s dad was trying to pull him out of the water.” Doreen went cold. “What happened?” “The lad went in to get some poor soldier who’d already had it. Kept saying he was breathing and that he had to give him a chance. Didn’t see either of ’em after that.”

It doesn’ t mean he’ s dead, Doreen told herself as she stumbled back to the car. He might be all right. He had to be.

There you are,” said her aunt. Her words sounded sharp but her voice was weary. “Where’s Eliza?” “She was upset.” Doreen could hardly get the words out of her mouth. “Jim hasn’t come back.” Her aunt’s mouth tightened. “That’s what happens to thieves.” “My friend is not a thief!” Doreen heard her voice rise in rage. “Jim’s a good person and he’s shown me a lot more kindness than you have.” Her aunt’s eyes blazed. “He stole my box.” “What’s that to you?” “Ask your precious father when he returns. It’s his fault. Now get in the car. We’re going home.”

That night, Doreen didn’t sleep. At midnight she got out of bed and stood by the window looking across the water.

“Come back to me,” she whispered. “Please, Jim.”

The following morning, the town was abuzz with news of who had come back safely; who had rescued who; and which of the men – and women – hadn’t made it. Jim’s name was one of them. So was his father’s.

I know he’s alive, Doreen kept telling herself. Jim’s a survivor.

Meanwhile, she could hardly bring herself to talk to her aunt.

The following day, a letter dropped through the door.

“I don’t believe it,” exclaimed Aunt Edith. “That girl’s handed in her notice. Says she’s too upset to work. It’s all right for some. Where are you going now?”

The last remark was addressed to Doreen, who had got up and left the table. Pulling on her coat, she ran down to the sea and her favourite rock. When Jim came back, she’d be the first to see him.

2017

Caroline stared once more at the picture of the silver watch in the paper under the headline Antique jewellery stolen in robberies. Then she looked at the watch on her wrist which Richard had given her.

How stupid she’d been! Hadn’t she learned by now? Men weren’t to be trusted. Just look how her own husband had behaved. Now she’d allowed herself to be taken in by a man who she hardly knew – and was clearly a common thief.

No point in going to him first and

asking for an explanation. No doubt he’d wriggle out of it with some plausible excuse, as her husband had done when she first suspected him of having an affair.

Caroline wasn’t going to make the same mistake twice. Luckily, the local paper had the number for the police station in the Useful Contacts section.

“Hello? I’d like to report something. It’s about the antique jewellery robbery…”

The police turned up at her door within an hour. Caroline explained the situation to a very nice woman who took notes on a computer tablet instead of a notebook.

“I can still hardly believe it,” she said when she’d finished giving her statement. “Richard seems like such a nice man.”

The policewoman shrugged. “Appearances can be deceptive. Now where can we find him?”

“Actually, he texted me just before you arrived. He asked if I’d like to meet him down at the allotment tomorrow.” “Right. We’ll see you there.” That night, Caroline couldn’t sleep. She was as good as handing him in! Yet wasn’t that what he deserved?

As she went through the little gate towards her patch, Richard’s dog came bounding to meet her. “Hello, Bonzo.”

She bent down to stroke his fur. What would happen to him if Richard was arrested? This was all so awful.

“Caroline,” called Richard, striding towards her with a trowel still in his hand. “Good to see you.”

As he spoke, a police car pulled up alongside the fence. Had she done the right thing? Yes. Of course she had.

“Mr Richard Green?” The same policewoman as before – along with a colleague – were marching up. “Would you come with us, please? We’ve received information that you have been passing on stolen goods.”

“What?” Richard’s face was a picture of stunned disbelief.

“The watch,” blurted out Caroline. “You gave me a stolen watch.”

“What on earth are you talking about? It belonged to my late wife. I was clearing out her things and thought you might like it as you’d lost yours…”

“You can explain everything down at the station, sir.”

His wife’s watch? Was that possible? As he got into the patrol car, Richard gave her such a look that Caroline felt she could sink into the ground.

“Well I never,” said Bert who’d been observing the proceedings with interest. “Must say I never had him down as a thief. Always seemed a decent man to me. Just goes to show that you can’t tell.”

Caroline was unable to stay. She had to talk to someone. Anyone!

Come to tell me you’ve had enough, have you?” said Betty as she opened her door. “Knew you wouldn’t last long in that allotment. Too much hard work, was it? Come to hand in your notice, I expect.” “No. What gives you that idea?” Betty’s expression softened. “The look on your face, love.” Love? Caroline would never have suspected that such a soft word could come out of the old lady’s lips. “Oh Betty,” she said, bursting into tears. “I’ve done something. And I don’t know if it was the right thing or not.”

Suddenly she found a frail old arm around her. “Why don’t you come in and tell me all about it?”

Somehow Caroline also found herself talking about her marriage, too.

“Sounds like you’ve been through the mill.” Betty looked up at the mantelpiece where the photograph of the young boy and girl used to be. “I know what that’s like. I also know how easy it is to make a mistake and then live with it for years.”

Caroline put out her hand and touched the old lady’s. “Something tells me I’m not the only one who has a story. Would you like to tell me yours now?”

There was a shrug. “Might as well. Nothing I can do now to fix it. No-one to tell on me, either.” She gave a deep sigh.

“It was like this. Many years ago, I worked as a maid for a stuck up woman called Edith at the big house. She wouldn’t call me by my real name, Betty. Thought it was too common. So she referred to me as Eliza. Then this young niece of hers – Doreen, she was called – came to live there during the war.

“I took against her – yes, I know that was unkind, but she was set on my cousin Jim. And I was sweet on him too. My mum had married her cousin, too. It was more common then.”

Caroline made a sound that suggested she understood.

“Anyway, our Jim liked her too and I was jealous. So I took this silver box what belonged to the posh aunt.” “The same box that I found?” There was a nod. “I knew the old lady would think that Jim had nicked it. I didn’t think he’d go to prison, though. I just thought it might get him sacked and then he wouldn’t be able to see this Doreen any more. It worked.

“The aunt banned them from seeing each other any more. But then…” At this point, her eyes filled with tears. “What happened?” asked Caroline. Her mouth tightened. “Our Jim went with my uncle to help the men stuck in France. They never came back. Doreen took it bad. I think she did love our Jim as much as I did. She stood on the cliff, night after night with her torch, waiting for his boat.

“After the war, her father came back and took her away. I never did find out what happened to her. And I’ve felt guilty about it ever since.”

“But how did the silver box end up in

“I know how EASY it is to make a MISTAKE and live with it for YEARS”

the allotment?” Caroline asked.

“I buried it in the old vegetable garden. Didn’t know what else to do with it. So you can see what a shock it was when you dug it up.” Yes. She could indeed. “Still, nothing I can do about it now.” There was real pain behind the words.

“There are ways of tracking people down,” said Caroline slowly. “One of my children is a bit of a techie geek. I’m sure he could help if you wanted.”

“What’s the point? The past is the past. But you’ve still got your future ahead of you. Suppose Richard is right and the watch did belong to his wife?” “But how am I going to find out?” “He’s got a son, hasn’t he? And a grandson. I’ve heard Bert say they live in Dartmoor. A small village on Dartmoor. Something beginning with W…”

Of course she couldn’t possibly go back to the allotment again. It would be far too embarrassing. It had been awkward enough finding Richard’s son and explaining the situation.

“Yes,” the son had said. “That sounds like Mum’s watch. Why did he give it to you? Mind you, Dad’s always been too generous. He’s also proud – which is probably why he didn’t call me for help.”

As soon as the son had given his statement – and produced pictures of his mother wearing the watch – Richard had been cleared of suspicion. Caroline heard all this from Bert, whom she bumped into outside Betty’s and who took great delight in recounting the story.

“I don’t know why you reported him without going into the facts beforehand,” he had sniffed.

“Sometimes people make mistakes,” Betty had said, leaping to her defence.

Luckily Betty understood why Caroline couldn’t carry on working on the allotment. Still, she was sad.

“I’ll have to give it up myself,” she said. “It’s too much at my age. But you can still make amends.” Caroline felt a flutter of hope. “How?” “Visit him. Visit him. Tell him you’re sorry. I wish I’d had that chance.”

That was how Caroline found herself walking up to Richard’s door. It was a tidy house with a beautiful front garden. The door opened almost immediately. “Caroline?” His voice was steady. “I’m so sorry,” she said, holding out the cyclamen she’d brought as a peace offering. “Can you forgive me? I… well, I lost trust in men after my ex. I suppose I put two and two together with you and made five. I feel like a complete idiot.”

“I have to admit that I never thought I could forgive you,” Richard said slowly. “Then your employer explained a few things…”

It was then that she saw Betty standing in the doorway behind him.

There was a short pause during which Caroline almost turned and fled. Then Richard spoke again.

“Why don’t you come in? We’re just looking through a new seed catalogue.”

“In fact,” sniffed Betty, “we were hoping you’d change your mind about not coming back. You can’t leave us now. Not with the allotment party coming up. We need you. We all do.”

I’m not sure I can go through with this,” mumbled Betty as they pulled up outside the nursing home in Cornwall.

“You’ll feel a lot better when you’ve got it off your chest,” said Richard reasonably as he helped her get out of the car. “Maybe. Maybe not.” “At least you explained it all in the letter you sent,” pointed out Caroline.

Betty had shown Doreen’s reply to her. It had almost broken Caroline’s heart. Yet at the same time it was positive…

It took me along time to get over Jim but eventually I met someone else and was very happy. We weren’ t able to have children but I ploughed my energies into our garden. I remembered all the things Jim had taught me. It helped to keep his memory alive for me.

My father later told me the reason my aunt was so sharp was because she had been engaged to his twin brother. There had been a terrible boating accident before I was born and my aunt’ s fiancé had dr owned. My aunt blamed my father for “mes sing about” on the boat as she put it–even though it wasn’ t his fault. She never-for-gave-him.

The silver box was his brother’ s last gift to my aunt. No wonder she treasured it so. How sad. But didn’t it prove how important it was to make up with family or friends after an argument? Suddenly Betty stopped. “There she is. I’d know her anywhere.” Richard and Caroline watched one old lady approach another. For a second they held their breaths.

“It’s going to be all right,” said Richard as they watched Betty hand over the little silver box and Doreen clasp her hand.

“For them or for us?” whispered Caroline. She still felt terrible about what she’d done. Not many men would be as generous as Richard in their forgiveness. It just went to show that you couldn’t tar everyone with the same brush…

“For all of us, I hope.” Then he reached into his pocket. “Bert found this with his metal detector the other day.” “My old watch,” she gasped. “Don’t you want to put it on?” “No. My ex-husband gave it to me. I’ve moved on.”

“Then maybe you’ll take my first gift back again. I meant it when I said I wanted you to have it. My daughter-in-law wasn’t interested and I know my first wife would have wanted someone to wear it.” “Really?” “Really.” He slipped his arm into hers. “Now why don’t we take a stroll around these beautiful gardens? I noticed a rather fine vegetable patch out there. Thought it might give us some ideas for the future…”