SERIAL Together We Stand by Heather Pardoe
Not everyone was happy with the things that Gwendolyn Humphries had to say!
TANNI followed Madeleine through the maze of rooms and offices above the tearooms. The footsteps behind them followed, quietly and stealthily, keeping pace but without hurrying.
“They must have guessed there is no other way out,” Tanni whispered as they reached the higher floors. “They know we’re trapped.”
Madeleine peered around in the darkness. They had reached the top floor, with doors leading off either side of a narrow corridor, and a spiralling staircase that led up to the old servants’ rooms in the attics.
The two exchanged glances. The footsteps on the stairs behind them had stopped. Their pursuer was listening, waiting to see in which of the rooms they would hide.
“There must be a place we can lock ourselves in,” Madeleine whispered.
Her voice was drowned out by a shot, its crack echoing round the dusty rooms.
The footsteps were moving towards them again. Tanni felt a bullet fly past her, burying itself into the plaster of the far wall.
“Quickly!” she hissed, racing to the end of the corridor and up the stairs into the attic, Madeleine close behind her.
There were two doors on either side at the top. They tried one, then the other, but both were locked.
At the far end, a door warped with age and hanging off its hinges loomed out of the half-light of a distant window, leading to rooms further along.
“They might lead to the next building along,” Madeleine said desperately.
“It must be the Harpers, next door on this side. They’d help us if we can find a way through.”
Tanni pulled the remains of the broken door just wide enough for them to squeeze through. The attic loomed dark and vast in front of them.
“If only we had a candle,” Tanni muttered. “Whoever is behind us could have a lamp, then we won’t stand a chance.”
“There’s more than one following us,” Madeleine whispered, as behind them a rush of footsteps joined the first, followed by a low murmur of voices.
“But there is one other way out.” She swept Tanni into one of the attic rooms, bolting the door behind them.
“At least that should hold them for a while. I helped Mrs Humphries when they were clearing up here. I’m sure the windows opened.”
“The window?” Tanni glanced at her, horrified. “It’s the only way out.” The footsteps had reached the attic. There was the sound of a shot, echoing into the darkness.
Madeleine pushed open the window, which led on to the roof. The street below looked horribly small.
Tanni glanced back. The room was bare of furniture, with nowhere to hide.
As she watched, the handle of the door rattled, followed by a banging as their pursuer pushed at the door.
The lock wasn’t strong and already it was giving way.
She met Madeleine’s eyes. On the other side of the door lay an unknown enemy with a weapon, and a clear desire to see them silenced.
“This way we stand a chance.” Tanni eased herself through the window, clambering on to the roof, followed by Madeleine.
They pulled the window closed behind them as firmly as they could.
A sea breeze caught them, sending them off balance, but at least the rain had stopped and the evening sun had dried the tiles.
Trying not to look down, they set off across the roof as fast as they dared.
****
Next to the town hall, Gwendolyn Humphries’s rally was in full swing.
She stepped on to the platform and gazed at the small group of supporters.
“I never thought to see this day,” she said, “when I would be standing for election to become a councillor and have a say in how our lives can be improved.
“Too long, women have been forced into the background, told to be invisible and to obey our fathers and husbands.”
“Hear, hear!” a woman’s voice replied.
“It’s high time a woman’s voice was heard on the council,” Gwendolyn continued. “Women are just as practical as men. I’ve helped run my late husband’s business for the past twenty years, and I run it perfectly well on my own now.
“I understand how important it is for business to provide an income for every single one of us. But what is the point of earning an income for it to go on statues and vanity projects for the rich?”
Henry Gillingham shifted his position at the edge of the crowd. He could see the numbers were rapidly increasing, swelled by the intrigued, and one or two of the hostile.
A few of the visitors passing by looked shocked at the sight of a woman speaking in public, but more than one had already stopped to listen.
“Exactly!” an elderly woman called. “Good for you! Time they was told, an’ all.”
Henry grinned, his anxiety relaxing a little. He still couldn’t see this passing without some trouble, but with so many witnesses, no-one would attempt anything truly despicable.
“Evan!” Henry spotted his friend walking towards him. “Where are Tanni and Madeleine? I thought you were with them at the tearooms?”
“Aren’t they here?” Evan frowned at him. “The message said they had decided to leave the developing of the photographs until morning so that they could support my mother from the start.” Henry shook his head. “What message? They went to the tearooms as planned.”
On the platform, Gwendolyn was getting into her stride.
“We need practical matters. I am talking about hospitals open to all, not just the rich. And drainage.
“There are still families living in appalling conditions, with one outhouse between ten families or more. Is it any wonder disease is rife? What I am suggesting are practical measures . . .”
Her voice was drowned out by the arrival of a large crowd of men and women emerging in a rush from a side street with the look of meaning business.
Evan dodged as an egg flew over his head. He turned to one of the older men next to him.
“Alert Inspector Williams, will you, Gwyn? Or there will be a riot on our hands.”
“With pleasure, Doctor,” Gwyn replied, eyeing the newcomers with contempt.
“Not even local, half of them. Councillor Banks brought them in from Conwy and Penmaenmawr, and there’s one or two I know from Bangor.
“Must have cost the earth, bringing them all the way up here just to stop a respectable woman from speaking. Disgraceful.”
As Gwyn shot off in the direction of the police station, a flurry of flour and eggs hit the women on the platform.
Several of the men in the crowd had already turned to tackle the intruders, and fists were beginning to fly.
A few of the newcomers staggered into the platform, sending its rickety structure swaying.
“Get off there, you fools!” Evan yelled. “Someone is going to be killed!”
As he and Henry pushed their way through the surging crowd towards the front, the platform finally collapsed and Gwendolyn disappeared from view.
****
“It sounds like a riot!” Tanni cried in despair as she and Madeleine reached the furthest roof from the window, crawling on hands and knees across the slates. “Look, the police are arriving. No-one is going to see us up here.”
“It’ll be all right. They’ll work out we are missing and look for us.” Madeleine glanced back. There was still no sign of the intruder emerging to follow.
They had reached the end of the row of terraced buildings, and were clinging to the final chimney, where the roof fell away on all sides towards the street.
“Look,” Tanni said, her voice rising in alarm. “Someone’s opening the window. They’re not giving up.”
“Well, I’m not staying here to be murdered.” Madeleine peered down.
As she had hoped, there was a small balcony with a room in the eaves below them, with an ill-fitting window, just like the one they had left.
Once they got down there, if they couldn’t force the window open, they would be truly trapped. Tanni followed her gaze. “At least we’ll be hidden.” They slid down gingerly on to the little balcony.
Tanni pulled her hat from her head, using it as protection as she broke the pane, smothering the sound of shattering as much as she could, and praying their pursuer wasn’t near enough to hear.
She reached in and undid the lock, allowing the two of them to slip inside.
Like the room they
A flurry of flour and eggs hit the women on the platform
had left, the little attic was used only for storage.
“Let’s hope there’s no lock on the door,” Tanni muttered.
“Shhh.” Madeleine pulled her down.
Above them came the sound of boots, clattering as they made their way above their hiding place.
Holding their breath, Tanni and Madeleine stayed as still as they could and waited.
****
“Mama!” Evan reached the stage as Gwendolyn was pulled out, covered in dust.
“Good grief!” Councillor Banks arrived behind Evan, his face ashen. He pulled himself together.
“This is an outrage. You can see what this foolishness can lead to. This is precisely why I was forced to shut down those tearooms.” Gwendolyn sneezed. “I’ve had more than a few bruises in my time.” She struggled to her feet.
“Maybe you should put your energies into dispersing your ruffians, Andrew.
“I’m quite sure the police have been alerted and are on their way. You wouldn’t want anyone saying anything they shouldn’t, would you?”
“I . . .” Andrew Banks spluttered. He caught sight of Inspector Williams, followed by half the police of Llandudno, heading their way.
“Well, if you are sure you are unhurt,” he muttered, shooting off to disperse the sections of the crowd who had been rather too well entertained at the nearest public house to notice disaster bearing down on them.
“I hope he’s arrested for what he has done,” Evan said angrily.
“Unlikely.” Gwendolyn brushed herself down, removing flour and the remains of eggs from her collar. “But it might give him pause next time.”
“Next time?” Evan gazed at her, horrified.
“In fact, there’s no reason for us not to resume, now the inebriated element has been dispersed.”
“I’m taking you back to the surgery,” Evan told her firmly. “That was quite a bang on the head.”
“I’m sure there’s no need.” Gwendolyn came to a halt as Henry pushed through the crowds to join them, followed closely by Inspector Williams.
Gwendolyn blinked at them, then turned to Evan.
“Did you hear this commotion from as far away as the tearooms?” she demanded. “Who’s staying to guard Tanni?”
Evan looked at her anxiously.
“Mama, are you sure you shouldn’t sit down? Don’t you remember, Tanni decided not to go until the morning to print her photographs.” He glanced round at the ladies from the tearoom gathering around.
“She and Madeleine must be here somewhere.”
“Of course they are not.” Gwendolyn turned even paler. “Tanni promised to deliver a print early tomorrow morning. She wouldn’t have time for it to dry.
“And I know Tanni – she wouldn’t let any of her customers down.”
“Which means she must be in the tearooms!” Henry exclaimed. “I’ll alert the inspector. The sooner we get there the better. Let’s hope we’re not too late.” Evan hesitated.
“I need to examine your head, Mama.”
“I’ve had my head for some time, my dear. I’m quite sure it can wait. Off you go. This smells of a trick to me. It’s Tanni and Madeleine who might be in urgent need of your skills.”
****
Tanni and Madeleine crouched in the attic, keeping as still as they could. Tanni could hear her heart beating in her chest, and was quite sure it would betray them.
Their pursuer paused above the broken window. They could feel him listening for any sound that might betray their presence.
A tile slipped, as there was an experimental slide towards them, then abruptly halted. Tanni grabbed Madeleine’s arm as the slide began again.
“Police!” The shout was distant, but clear. The man above them cursed under his breath, followed by the sound of running footsteps across the roof, back towards the window.
“Thank goodness for that,” Madeleine breathed. “Now we have to find a way to get out of here.”
She caught the look on Tanni’s face from the light creeping in from the window.
“What is it?”
“That warning sounded like Edith.”
“Edith?” Madeleine frowned at her. “Edith was down in the basement. She could still be down there. And if she’d escaped . . .”
“Exactly,” Tanni said. “She wouldn’t be alerting her kidnapper.”
“Are you sure it was her?” “No,” Tanni confessed, “but I can’t be sure it wasn’t. Mari Jones’s husband works for Edith’s grandfather.
“Wasn’t he sent out to Russia? That was why they wanted the photograph of the baby so badly.
“He could be out there for months. Supposing it’s not for trade, or that trade is a cover?” Madeleine shivered. “I can’t believe Edith would do such a thing.”
“If her grandfather is involved in any way with espionage, the rest of the family would be ruined.”
“But he runs a respectable business. He’s one of the wealthiest and most respectable men in the town. Who on earth is going to believe us?”
“Exactly,” Tanni said, scrambling over rolls of wallpaper and abandoned tea chests to try the door. “If this is to do with Edith’s grandfather, they might beat us yet.”
****
Henry was the first to reach the tearooms. He could see from a distance that it was open. Fear coursing through him, he hurried inside.
The tearooms were empty. The studio was shuttered with a light burning in the basement.
“Tanni?” he called. “Madeleine?”
There was no reply. Cautiously, he made his way down. There was no-one there, and no signs of Tanni starting her work.
Unease gripping him, he began to make his way up the stairs again.
He was just at the top when he heard the inspector’s voice arriving at the door, instructing his men to search the building.
There was a rush of boots across the room. Henry raced to the top of the steps, almost colliding with a figure heading for the shutters.
“No, you don’t!” he exclaimed, grabbing the fugitive’s arm.
They struggled for a few moments, but his opponent was strong, pulling himself free, making for the windows.
“In here!” Henry yelled, giving chase.
He managed to grasp the intruder’s coat, but with the sound of ripping the man turned, landing a blow that winded him, before escaping through the window.
“Don’t worry, sir, we’ll catch him,” Inspector Williams said, as his men gave chase.
“They are not in the basement.” Henry gasped, trying to catch his breath. “They must be upstairs.”
“It’s all right, sir.” The inspector helped him to his feet. “A lady has just reported seeing two figures on the roof.”
“The roof!” Henry gazed at him in alarm.
“Enterprising young women,” the inspector remarked. “Sounds like they managed to make their way into Harpers’ shop at the end.
“It’s closed today, but my sergeant has been dispatched to fetch the key. We’ll have them out of there in no time.”
It took only minutes for the key to be located, and for Tanni and Madeleine to be released from the gloom of the shop.
“I still need to print those photographs,” Tanni said anxiously as they emerged into the street.
“I should think the last place you want to be is in that darkroom.” Inspector Williams frowned.
“It’s all right,” Henry said. “My sister and I will stay with her.”
“As you wish. I’ll leave as many of my men outside as can be spared. I’m not letting the ruffian get away this time. We’ll catch him.
“I can see no-one in Llandudno is going to be able to sleep in their beds until we do.”
****
Later that night, Tanni wearily made her way up the last few steps to the cottage on the Orme.
“Thank you, Mr Gillingham,” she said as they stopped in the darkness, just out of earshot of the policeman standing in front of the door. “I’m glad I managed to get the prints finished.”
“I’ll fetch you tomorrow morning. I can drive you to the hotel in plenty of time before your clients leave.” “There’s no need.”
“I think there is,” Henry persisted. “You saved my sister’s life with your quick thinking. Heaven knows what might have happened if you hadn’t managed to escape. I don’t know what I would have done.”
“At least Madeleine is safe.”
“It wasn’t just Madeleine I was thinking of. Finding the tearooms open, and realising we had all been tricked . . .” He took her hands.
“I couldn’t bear it, Tanni. There are few things certain in my life, but of one thing I am certain, and that is that I can’t imagine life without you.” He pulled her close towards him.
“I can’t imagine life without you,” she whispered, meeting his kiss.
She pulled away to look into his eyes.
“I must go. Mam will be worried, and you need to get back to Madeleine.”
As if in answer, the door opened and her mother appeared, her voice anxious as she spoke to the guarding policeman.
“Of course,” Henry whispered regretfully into Tanni’s hair.
With an effort, Tanni pulled herself free, and ran across the grass to where her mother was waiting.
****
“Mr Banks.” Gwendolyn pushed her way into the councillor’s offices a few days later, bruising still visible on one cheek. She had a look of determination on her face.
“Mrs Humphries.” Banks stared at her, alarm turning his face a shade of pink.
“I wish to have a word with you.”
“I’m somewhat preoccupied.” He waved a wad of papers rather helplessly. “You can make an appointment.” Gwendolyn sat down. “I am not going anywhere. And in case you are considering sending for the police to remove me, I suggest you think twice. For your own good, that is.”
Banks flushed scarlet. He glanced at his staff, who had appeared at the door to remove the intruder, and were hanging on every word.
“Ask my next appointment to wait, will you, Mr Huws?” he remarked to his secretary, a rather pale young man who looked decidedly nervous at the sight of Gwendolyn’s umbrella held in an uncompromising manner. “I am never one to say no to a lady in distress.”
“So I’ve heard.” Gwendolyn smiled grimly.
“I can give you ten minutes,” Banks said in tones of deepest dignity.
Gwendolyn sighed. She waited until the door to the outer office shut, then leaned forward, placing her arms on the table.
“Come on, Andrew. You can do better than that. I’m giving you a way out.” “A way out?”
“My solicitor suggests I bring a prosecution. They’ve arrested more than one of your hired thugs, who talked quickly once they sobered up.
“I could have been killed as a result of your antics. I’ve dissuaded him for now.”
“My dear lady –” “Oh, for goodness’ sake!” She frowned at him. “We’ve known each other long enough not to beat about the bush, and it’s no good you coming over all pompous with me.
“Hasn’t it occurred to you that I have no intention of stepping into your shoes and taking your place?
“This isn’t a matter of winning or losing. It’s a matter of different points of view.
“You say I can’t understand the world of commerce and of men. Very well, I don’t agree, but I’ll concede the point.”
“Indeed.” His features eased and he sat back in his chair, a hint of smugness threatening to overtake his features. “On one condition.” “Condition?”
“Yes. That you concede that you have very little understanding of the world of women.”
He bristled.
“My wife will testify to the contrary.”
“I’m not talking about your wife!” She gazed at him, exasperated. “I’m talking about looking after a household, looking after children, the sick, and the old.
“I’m talking about women who have no home and no family, often through sickness, and through no fault of their own.
“I’m talking of women’s particular needs.” At this the councillor blanched. “In particular, women’s health needs,” she added a little louder, pressing home her advantage.
“Women feel happier talking to women, just as men feel happier talking to men. They have a different point of view.
“I’m not attempting to take over your role, but to complement it.” She eyed him. “Your Annabelle is a good woman. I’d have made you a terrible wife, Andrew. You’d never have had a moment’s peace.”
She saw the look of dignity returning to his face and gritted her teeth, preparing to make the ultimate sacrifice.
“The truth is, Andrew, I have always been grateful for your perception, and your generous gesture in not forcing me to bend to our parents’ wishes. I will always deeply respect you for that.”
“Indeed.” Andrew Banks shot her a suspicious glance, but her face was perfectly serious. He cleared his throat. “And I have always admired your energy and commitment,” he muttered graciously. Gwendolyn smiled. “Then perhaps it might not be so hard to work together, after all. Should I have the good fortune to be elected, that is.” “Indeed,” he murmured. “Without intervention,” she added firmly. “I’m well aware that missiles thrown at me before I speak are likely to be my lot. I can take it from those I wish to represent. Not those brought in for the occasion.”
“Yes,” Andrew said smoothly once again. “I shall instruct Inspector Williams to keep an eye out for such underhand dealings.
“I am a strong supporter of democracy, as you know, Mrs Humphries. I will always uphold the rule of law.”
“Oh, indeed.” She rose. “I shall inform the inspector of that, shall I? It won’t be out of my way as I go to instruct my solicitor.”
“If you would be so kind,” he growled, with the expression of a man about to have teeth pulled.
“Excellent. I shall leave you to your appointment.” At the door she turned. “I look forward to the prospect of working with you.”
“Yes,” Mr Banks growled, not quite able to bring himself to return the compliment. “Should you have the good fortune to be elected.”
“Oh, I will,” she replied, the glint back in her eye. “Just you wait.”
****
“There has to be something here,” Tanni said, peering up at the
looming shadow of the picture wagon. “Agreed,” Madeleine replied, joining her.
“Maybe we should just get rid of it.” Tanni sighed.
“And give in to threats?” Henry said. “It seems our mysterious intruder has concluded there is nothing more of value here.” He looked at the wagon. “It has to be worth one more try. The inspector seems to have little idea about who this might be, and why they are interested in Uncle Samuel’s wagon.”
“One last try,” Madeleine agreed.
They stepped inside. For the remainder of the afternoon and long into the evening, the three of them searched.
“It can’t be here,” Henry said at last, as dusk began to fall, and he and Madeleine emerged into the fresh air, while Tanni tidied up a few last items.
“But that means it might never be found. And we don’t even know what we are looking for.” Madeleine shuddered. “I’m not sure I want to stay here, never knowing what might happen next.”
“Nor do I,” Henry replied thoughtfully.
He forced himself to be cheerful as Tanni emerged from the picture wagon, a canister of film in her hand.
“A cup of tea to chase all those chemicals away, I think,” he suggested.
“That sounds like a good idea.” Tanni glanced at the canister. “This had rolled under one of the cabinets. It must be film inside.” She shook it. “What?” Madeleine demanded as Tanni came to an abrupt halt.
“That’s not film,” Tanni said slowly. “That sounds like paper.”
She prised it open and shook out a carefully rolled sheet of paper.
“That doesn’t look like writing,” Henry said. “And it doesn’t look like any kind of journalist’s shorthand, with those marks and numbers.”
“It could be some kind of code,” Madeleine said.
“The kind of code used by spies?” Tanni asked. Madeleine nodded. They looked at each other. Darkness was now falling rapidly, and a breeze had stirred.
Tanni shivered.
“This could be the very thing our intruder has been looking for.”
“And was prepared to kill for,” Madeleine added, glancing round uneasily.
“That settles it.” Henry straightened. “I suggest we take this down to Inspector Williams. The sooner this is out of our hands, the better.”
“I’ll telephone now and let him know we are on our way,” Madeleine said.
Tanni followed them back towards the house, carefully rolling up the paper and resealing it in its canister, which she thrust as deep as she could into her pocket.
“Inspector Williams will meet us at the station,” Madeleine said, emerging breathlessly from the house. She handed a coat to Tanni. “This will keep you warm. The air is cold tonight. It almost feels like autumn.”
Tanni paused, her hand on the coat. Madeleine was right. There was an edge of chill in the air, laced with the scent of distant bonfires.
“Oh!” she whispered, letting the coat fall.
“What is it?” Madeleine exclaimed.
“Have you seen?” Henry called, racing back from the road. “I saw it as I was starting the automobile. It’s high up on the Orme. It looks like the flames took hold almost instantly.”
“Tanni.” Madeleine grasped her hand. “Tanni, it isn’t . . .”
“No,” Tanni said in a strangled voice. “It’s not Mam’s house.”
“It must be the Jones’s cottage,” Henry said.
“Mari’s there alone with the baby,” Tanni cried.
“Come on!” Henry cried. “It will take ages for anyone to reach them from the town, and we are only a few minutes away.”
The next minute they were roaring up the hill, towards the flames etched against the sky.
To be concluded.