The Beachcomber

The kitchen was small but functional: there were pretty floral curtains at the window, and a smart white kitchenette with drop-down front and glass doors at the top. On the shelf near the window there was a stack of recipes and cookbooks by favourites such as Marguerite Patten. ‘Used to pride herself on being an excellent cook,’ Jasper revealed.

Both upstairs bedrooms were finished in the same subtle colours. The largest one had a theme of green: smart pink-and-green patchwork eiderdowns, apple-green curtains to match; a dressing table and wardrobe of adequate size.

The second room was done out exactly the same, though finished in blue.

Between the two rooms was a tiny bathroom, which was small but adequate. This too was a light, airy room. Emanating from a small dish of broken blossom in the window-sill, the sweetest of fragrances filled the air.

There was soap and towels already laid out, as if Jasper really had been expecting a visitor. ‘The thing is,’ he said after Tom made the comment, ‘I wanted it to look nice in case I had to show anybody over.’ His face creased into that wonderful, homely grin. ‘Though, if yer happy with it, I’ll not be showing nobody else, will I, eh?’

Outside, in the twilight, the garden reflected the same love and care. There was a lawn surrounded by flower-beds and corner shrubberies, a delightful summer-house and orchard further down, and from the terrace there was the most magnificent view imaginable.

Tom stood at the end of the terrace, lost in the scenery. The endless sea shimmered and danced in the flickering light and, as the sun was beginning to dip in the heavens, the whole sky was marbled with rivers of red and yellow. ‘It’s the most beautiful sunset I’ve ever seen.’ He could hardly tear himself away.

Raising a thumb upwards, Jasper suggested mischievously, ‘I had a word with ’im upstairs and asked him to show yer what he could do.’

Quietly smiling at Jasper’s outlandish remark, Tom still had the look of wonder on his face. ‘I know what you mean now,’ he said, ‘about the “magic” taking hold.’ Already his soul was beginning to quieten. Here, in this seemingly timeless place, he was experiencing the first real joy since the day of the tragedy.

‘So, does that mean you’ll stay?’ Having taken a liking to Tom, Jasper wouldn’t let go.

Tom didn’t even hesitate. ‘I’ll need the cottage straight away,’ he answered, ‘if that’s all right? I mean … do you need to contact anybody … will the agent want to see me before I take on the tenancy? I can stay at the pub if that’s the case.’ He hoped he wouldn’t have to. Somehow he felt as though he belonged in this delightful, cosy cottage.

Jasper had no doubts. ‘Look, it’s the weekend, and as far as I’m concerned, you’re already the new tenant. There’ll be time enough to tell him on Monday. I expect he’ll be round to have a chat with you … checking you out, like … papers to sign, that kinda thing. But I’m sure he’ll agree with me that you’ll do fine. So don’t you worry, son, it’ll be all right.’

Grinning from ear to ear, Jasper handed him the key. ‘I’m away now, but I’ll be back in about half an hour.’ He began talking to himself. ‘Let me see, you’ll need bread … milk too, an’ tea if you take it. Oh, an’ you’ll want to start a fire … it’s an old cottage … gets a bit chilly when the sun’s gone down, even in summer. I’ll need your ration book, if that’s all right. Give me a list of what you’d like.’

He carried on talking as he went out the door, addressing Tom in fatherly tones. ‘You’ll find everything works … electric, water … there’s a bulb gone in the back bedroom, but I dare say you’ll be sleeping in the front one so it won’t matter. All the same, I’ll have one fitted afore you know it.’ He clapped his hands and softly chuckled. ‘Glad to have you aboard,’ he said, and left whistling.

Following him to the door, Tom watched the old man walk down the hill and away out of sight. ‘It seems I’ve found a friend,’ he mused, ‘and a home.’ It was a good feeling.

After collecting his portmanteau from the car, he first hung up his clothes in the wardrobe: four shirts – two short-sleeved, two-long-sleeved; two pairs of trousers; a casual tweed jacket and a formal suit for the odd occasion he might need it. All the smaller items, such as underwear and everyday bits and bobs, went into the drawer beneath. Shoes and plimsolls went under the bed.

When all that was done, he emptied out the toiletries, and a few personal items, which he laid on the bed. The photograph of his wife and children he placed on the dressing-table. That finished, he put the case on top of the wardrobe.

After taking the toiletries into the bathroom, he made his way downstairs to the kitchen.

By the time he’d boiled the kettle and found teapot and cups, the old chap was back. ‘If yer mekking tea, I’m gasping after that long trek up the hill.’ He gave a cheeky wink. ‘I’m a glutton for me tea with a spoon o’ sugar if yer please. You’ll find spoons in that there drawer.’ Pointing to a small drawer alongside the cooker, he placed his box of goodies on the table.

Taking the items out one by one, he counted them off. ‘Sugar, tea, toilet roll … can’t do without that. Now then, let’s see what’s next. Oh yes … loaf o’ bread, marge, a pinta milk, and a tin of spam.’ Dropping the empty box to the floor, he sat in the chair and waited for Tom to bring his tea. ‘I reckon you’ve enough groceries to be going on with,’ he told Tom.

He gratefully accepted his mug of tea. Tom seated himself at the other end of the table. The old man slurped at his cup and wiped his moustache. Tom laughed and shook his head; Jasper was a real gem. ‘Where did you get all this stuff anyway? I didn’t see any grocery shops down there.’

The old fellow explained. ‘There’s four shops altogether: the fishmonger’s, and next door to him the fishing-tackle shop. Then there’s the baker’s – she bakes her own bread every day; it’s allus fresh and crusty. An’ round the corner there’s the little shop as stays open a bit longer. It’s run by a right nice lady, name of Amy Tatler. She sells everything from matches to newspapers. By! She’s been running that shop for as long as I remember. I reckon she must be even older than what I am. Fit though … and smart with it.’

He scratched his chin, gazing up to the ceiling as if working out the years. ‘She never wed as far as I can mek out, but she’s a kind, quiet little woman, never lets on what she’s thinking. All on ’er own, she is. By! It’s a crying shame …’

For a minute, the old chap’s thoughts seemed elsewhere, before he visibly shook himself. ‘She pretends to close at five o’clock like the rest of ’em, but you’ve only to knock on the door and she’s there at yer beck an’ call.’

Tom sensed the old man’s fondness for this woman. ‘Sounds to me like she might be lonely?’

Jasper shook his head. ‘Naw! Not Amy. She knits and sews, and keeps herself busy.’ Again, for a fleeting minute, he lapsed into that odd silence. ‘I can never understand why she never got wed, though … She were allus a pretty woman as I recall, and even now she’s pleasant to the eye, an’ pleasant in nature.’ He shook his head. ‘Seems a waste, but there y’are.’

Tom nodded. ‘You really like her, don’t you?’ That much was painfully obvious.

Shocked that another man had found out his secret, Jasper blushed bright pink. ‘Gerraway! What would I do with a woman at my age, eh?’

Tom said no more. He knew when to keep quiet, so for a time he sipped his tea and the old man did the same, and all that could be heard was the ticking of the mantelpiece clock, until suddenly Jasper was on his feet and slapping Tom on the back. ‘I’m glad the cottage found its rightful tenant.’ He took a piece of paper from his waistcoat pocket and handed it to Tom. ‘I’ll be here in the mornin’ to mek sure yer all right. Meanwhile, here’s me address if yer should want anythin’.’

‘I won’t, thank you all the same.’

‘Well, just in case, yer can find me easy enough. Yer go down the hill and over the little bridge; turn left at the pub. Yer can’t go wrong. My humble little home is right at the end of George Street, next to where they park the boat-trailers.’

‘I’m sure I won’t need to trouble you,’ Tom assured him. ‘But thanks for all your help. You’re a lifesaver.’

‘Fine, but don’t forget now … I’m there if yer need me. I’m a light sleeper, so just tap on the window.’ He laughed. ‘Don’t tap too hard, though, or that yappy dog next door will wake the whole bloody street!’

He bade Tom goodnight and was gone.

Afterwards, Tom sat at the table for a while, sipping his now-cold tea and reflecting on his actions. ‘I’m beginning to think I’ve done the right thing after all,’ he mused aloud. ‘Coming here … leaving it all behind.’

During the lengthy journey here, he’d had nagging doubts, but they were gone now. After meeting Jasper and finding this cottage, he felt in his heart that everything would come right.

A moment later, when the sleep weighed heavy on him, he cleared away the cups, made sure the house was locked up, and went upstairs.

First, he took a long, lazy bath. Afterwards he climbed into bed and was asleep almost before his head hit the pillow.

It had been a busy day.

Over the coming week, Jasper was a godsend.

Tom had settled into the cottage as though he was born to it, and the two men became firm friends. Though he would have liked to cut himself off from the world, Tom knew there were practical things he must do, such as letting his bank and other agencies know his change of address, and sorting out the rental agreement for the cottage. He had thought about applying for a telephone to be installed. Having a telephone line to the outside world went against all Tom’s plans – and it would be expensive. But he worried about whether he should have a line for emergencies, and for keeping in touch with his good friend Lilian and his brother Dougie. In the end he decided to wait and see. There was a payphone just down the road.

‘I expect you’ll want to arrange deliveries of milk and newspaper too,’ the old man suggested, but Tom refused that idea. ‘I think it would be better if I walked down to Amy’s and collected them,’ he decided and, for once, Jasper agreed.

By the evening after his arrival in West Bay, Tom had managed to get most of the practicalities dealt with and out of the way. To celebrate, he and Jasper paid a visit to the pub, where they drank a pint of best bitter and chatted to the locals.

Afterwards, Jasper introduced him to Amy. ‘Any friend of Jasper’s is a friend of mine,’ she said. Tom was astonished at how tiny and vibrant she was. Looking into her deep brown eyes and noting the sunshine of her smile, Tom could understand what Jasper had said. Yes, he thought, she has a goodness that shines out. And, like Jasper, he was filled with admiration.

The next morning, Tom was up early. For whatever reason he had found it difficult to sleep. ‘Must have been the beer,’ he groaned, rubbing his stomach with the flat of his hand.

As he couldn’t sleep, he got washed and dressed and made his way downstairs, where he searched the cupboards, greatly relieved to find that Jasper had allowed for all occasions. The bicarbonate of soda in a glass of water was just what the doctor ordered.

While the kettle was boiling he threw open the back door and stood watching the sun come up. ‘Looks like it’ll be a glorious day,’ he murmured. Already the air was warm and the skies blue, with no hint of a cloud anywhere. ‘Makes a man feel good!’ He had not even spent forty-eight hours in West Bay, and already he was beginning to relax.

He drank his tea, and a few minutes later he had put on his jacket and was making his way to the clifftops. High above the world, striding through the fields and on towards the sea, he felt like a man out of his time. It was a weird and wonderful feeling.

Down below in the hamlet, Amy was sorting the newspapers, with the help of Jasper, who every morning insisted on lifting the heavy bundles as they came in. ‘Look!’ Amy had caught sight of the man at the top of the cliff. ‘It’s odd for someone to be walking the cliffs at this early hour, don’t you think?’

Curious, Jasper looked up. ‘It’s that Tom chap.’ He recognised him straight away: the long, lean figure and that mop of hair, made unruly by the wild air-currents that swirled up from the beach below. ‘Poor devil. Looks like he couldn’t sleep.’

Amy suspected that Tom was a man with troubles but, like Jasper, she asked no questions. Now, though, she was curious. ‘Whatever’s he doing up there, at ten to six of a morning?’ A terrible thought crossed her mind. ‘He’s not going to throw himself over, is he?’

‘Good God no!’ Jasper chided. ‘What little I know of him, I wouldn’t say he were the sort to throw himself over a cliff!’ Though it would not be the first time a man had leaped from the clifftops to end it all.

Jasper studied Tom for a moment longer, quietly satisfied that he would come to no harm up there. All the same, he could tell that Tom was deeply troubled; from the way he sat hunched on the boulder, so still, his head bent low to the ocean, as though deep in thought.

‘What’s he doing?’ Like Jasper, Amy was concerned.

‘He’s searching, lass.’

‘Searching … for what?’

Jasper shrugged. ‘Who knows?’ He shook his head. He wondered what might be going on in Tom’s mind at that minute. He remembered the way it had been with him, and his heart went out to that young man. ‘He’s looking for what we all want,’ he murmured. ‘Contentment … peace of mind, call it what yer will.’

Something in his voice made Amy reach out to touch him. ‘Let’s hope he finds it then,’ she said softly. ‘You too, Jasper.’

The old man squeezed her hand. ‘Yer a lovely lady,’ he said.

She laughed at that. ‘Flatterer!’

Drawing away, she wagged a finger at him. ‘We’d best get on with these papers, or they’ll not be delivered by this time next week!’

As they worked, Jasper occasionally glanced up to where Tom was, high above the world, away from all things painful. ‘After a time it won’t hurt so much,’ he murmured. ‘It’ll get easier, son, you’ll see.’ He gave a long, shivering sigh. ‘Whatever it is that haunts yer, it’ll get easier, I promise.’

He hoped there would come a day when Tom might confide in him. After all, everybody needs a friend, he thought. As for himself, he had been fortunate in finding one in little Amy.

Up on the clifftop, Tom was oblivious to the interest he had caused. He thought about his wife and children, and he smiled. ‘I wish I’d brought you here to this lovely place, when I had the chance,’ he whispered, ‘but you’re here in my thoughts and in my heart.’ Before, when he thought of them, he had found it hard to breathe for the pain, but now, when he thought of them, it was with a strange sense of joy. ‘I’ve been a lucky man.’

He looked straight ahead, as though speaking to a physical presence. ‘I’ve had the love of three wonderful people, and I’ve shared their lives. That’s something that can never be taken away.’

There was something else, too, and the hatred was like a bad taste in his mouth. ‘You might be hard to trace, you murderous bastard!’ Instinctively clutching his fist until the knuckles bled white, he spoke in a whisper. ‘But I’ll find you and, when I do, you’ll rue the day you took my family from me.’

Time and again he had searched his mind for a reason, and each time he was forced to surmise that the person who ran him over that cliff-edge must have been out of his mind. But it made no difference. ‘Madman or fool, you took three lives that day … and ruined another.’

A terrible sense of rage overwhelmed him. ‘You’ll pay for it. When the time is right, I’ll take up your trail and make you pay for what you did!’

He stood up and strode away, his face set hard as stone as he walked towards the cottage and a measure of sanctuary. For now he must give himself the time he so badly needed. But the day would come when he would heal. His mind would clear and he would be able to think straight.

On that day, he would set out to find the killer.

And he would not rest until he found him!

Chapter 4

‘FOR GOD’S SAKE, Kathy!’ Trying unsuccessfully for the umpteenth time to fasten the portmanteau, Maggie sat back on her knees and groaned. ‘What the hell have you got in here … the kitchen sink?’ Suddenly free of her weight, the portmanteau heaved a sigh and up popped the lid. ‘Oh no … not again!’ Throwing herself flat on the floor, arms outstretched and eyes closed, she told Kathy, ‘That’s it, gal. I give up!’

Up to her neck in scattered clothes and half-filled boxes, Kathy threw down the saucepan she was carrying and walked across the room. Leaning over the prostrate figure of her friend, she suggested invitingly, ‘What say we stop for a cup of tea?’

Looking up through one weary, open eye, Maggie wanted to know, ‘Is there any o’ that fruit cake left?’

Kathy rolled her eyes. ‘Oh, I dare say I can find us a piece … but only if you can stop swearing and moaning long enough to eat it!’

Maggie scrambled up. ‘Go on then, gal. Go to it.’

While Kathy busied herself at that, Maggie made another attempt to close the portmanteau lid, whooping and hollering when it finally clicked into place. ‘But you can carry it down the stairs!’ she warned Kathy as they sat at the table with their tea and cake. ‘I’ve got a date on Thursday.’ She chuckled naughtily. ‘I’d rather not turn up ruptured … if you know what I mean?’

Kathy gave her a warning in return. ‘As long as you don’t end up pregnant instead!’

Maggie was indignant. ‘No chance. I’m not that stupid!’

‘All the same, be careful. You know as well as I do … blokes are only ever out for one thing.’

‘Not this one.’

Replacing her empty cup on the table, Kathy was curious, ‘Who is he, then?’

‘Just a bloke.’ Shrugging her shoulders, Maggie bent her head to the tea in front of her.

Realising, Kathy groaned. ‘Oh, Maggie! It’s not that cunning devil who kept bothering you the last time we were at the Palais, is it? The one who kept combing his hair and winking every time you turned round?’

Maggie went on the defensive. ‘It might be.’

Sitting back in her chair, Kathy sighed. ‘Maggie! Maggie! Will you never learn?’

Wide-eyed and accusing, Maggie stared back at her. ‘What’s wrong with him, that’s what I’d like to know?’

‘Well, for starters, he’s vain and arrogant, and for another, didn’t you see his snidey “mates”, sniggering and carrying on behind him?’

‘So?’ Now she was really on the defensive.

Undeterred, Kathy spelt it out. ‘So … they were egging him on. You said that yourself.’ She was convinced. ‘I reckon he’s trying to get off with you for a bet.’

‘I asked him that and he denied it,’ Maggie answered sulkily.

‘Oh, did you now?’ This was something Kathy had not been aware of. ‘So, you thought the same, did you? You never told me.’

Maggie didn’t like being cornered. ‘All right, it did cross my mind that he just might be trying it on for a bet, but he wasn’t.’ Leaning forward, she gave Kathy one of her ‘leave me alone’ stares.

Kathy got the message. ‘Okay, I won’t say another word.’

‘Good!’ Sighing loudly, she told Kathy, ‘I really like him. Anyway, I know how to look after myself.’

‘Fair enough.’ Not wanting to upset her, Kathy backed off. ‘Just be wary, that’s all I’m saying.’ Her own mistake with Geoff was in her mind.

Secretly, Maggie still had her own doubts about her date, but she was feeling lonely already, and Kathy hadn’t even gone yet. ‘What about you?’

‘What d’you mean?’

‘Are you sure you’re doing the right thing?’

Kathy gave a half-smile. ‘No.’

‘Then don’t do it.’

‘It’s too late now. I’ve broken it off with Geoff, I’ve left my job, my flat’s been rented out to someone else and, thanks to you, I’m already packed.’ Glancing at the portmanteau, she laughed. ‘If it bursts open on the train, I’ll pretend it’s not mine.’

At that, Maggie laughed with her, before making a serious suggestion. ‘If you change your mind, you know they’ll give you back your job, because they said so. And you can always bunk in with me until you find another flat.’

Kathy thanked her, but, ‘This is something I have to do, Mags,’ she replied thoughtfully. ‘I believe that house at West Bay was left to me for a purpose. Dad wanted me to have it, and I need to go there.’

‘Well, yes, I understand that, but why can’t the pair of us go together … just for a week, to get the lie of the land. There’s no need to throw away everything, not when you’re not sure what you might be walking into.’

Kathy didn’t see it that way. ‘We’ve been through all this, Mags, and I’m still determined to go … though I wish you were coming with me, at least for a holiday.’ Lowering her voice, she tried to explain how she felt. ‘I’ve no family to speak of … except you. I work hard and pay my bills and sometimes I can’t see the point of it all. I’m not happy, Mags … I haven’t been since Dad … well, not for a long time, and what with Mother always on my back, and Samantha whining and moaning at every little thing, I think I’d have gone crazy if it wasn’t for you.’

‘But look, Kathy … packing up and moving to a strange place … to a broken-down old house you’ve never even seen?’ Pausing, she let the words sink in. ‘It’s such a drastic step.’

Kathy was unmoved. ‘But I’ve got nothing to lose.’ She gave a smile that was meant to put all Maggie’s doubts aside. ‘I’ll be all right, you’ll see.’

Maggie was still not convinced. ‘It’s just plain daft if you ask me! Look at what you’re doing. You’ve got two weeks’ wages and a week’s holiday pay, and a few savings – that ain’t gonna last long, is it? And from what your mother told you about the place being “derelict”, you could be walking into a right dump.’

Kathy laughed. ‘Don’t exaggerate.’

Maggie persisted. ‘But how do you know, eh? You haven’t even seen it. What if it’s so bad you can’t even live in it, then what? All right, you could check into a hotel, but then your money will be gone faster than you can catch the next train back … that’s if you’ve got the fare.’

She was desperately worried. ‘Think again, Kathy. Give me a few days and I’ll get time off to go with you. It’s at the coast so there must be caravans there. We’ll rent one for a week and get the house sorted out at the same time. It’ll be fun. Oh, Kathy! Say you will?’

Kathy was half tempted, but on reflection her resolve hardened. ‘My mind’s made up. I’m catching the half past ten train and I’ll call you when I get there.’ She loved Maggie and didn’t want her worrying. ‘Look, if you like you can still ask for time off and follow me down. I’d like that.’

‘I’m not staying in no “derelict” house, though!’ Maggie was adamant. ‘I’m not as daft as you.’

Kathy laughed. ‘No, you’re dafter, or you wouldn’t be going out with that bloke.’

Maggie gave her a playful thump. ‘We’ll see.’

Kathy asked hopefully, ‘Do you think you will be able to get time off?’

‘I’ll have a damned good try.’

Returning to stand the case on its end, she groaned when trying to lift it. ‘Like I said … I’m not carrying this thing down the stairs.’

‘Stop moaning, you don’t have to,’ Kathy explained. ‘I’ve ordered a taxi. The driver can take it down the stairs, and the porter will carry it for me at the station.’

Maggie gave a sigh of relief. ‘Thank God for that. Let them get the ruptures!’

There was still a lot more to do before the taxi arrived. ‘These are the boxes to be collected for the charity shop.’ Kathy closed the last box. ‘And the rest is to be left for the landlord.’ Pointing to a piled-up sofa, she told Maggie, ‘He paid me a few bob to leave all the curtains, bedding, rugs and towels … oh, and a few ornaments I don’t have use for. He wants to keep it all for his next tenant.’