Classic Bestsellers from Josephine Cox: Bumper Collection

Kathy found it hard to believe him. ‘Mother says I’ve been selfish and greedy. She says I should have sold this house and given her half … that it wasn’t much to ask, and I turned my back on her when she needed help.’ Taking a deep, choking breath, she went on. ‘Maybe if I’d promised to do what she wanted she would still be here today.’

‘Now then! Don’t torment yersel’ with them kinda foolish notions. Y’see, lass … we’re all on us sent into this ’ere world with a number agin us. When that number is called, we’re away to God Almighty, and there ain’t nobody – not you, nor me, nor anybody else – as can mek the slightest difference to that.’

For a time, Kathy couldn’t answer him. Instead, she held onto him, her face buried in his shoulder, and the tears ran freely as she thought of Samantha and the awful way she had died: slipping and knocking her head as she fell into the harbour. ‘You’re a good friend, Jasper,’ she murmured. ‘I don’t know what I would have done without you.’

‘I’ll tell yer what, lass.’

Sniffing, she wiped away the tears. ‘What?’ Looking up at him, she felt safe; absolved somehow.

‘How about you mek us a brew, eh? An’ we’ll sit and decide what’s to be done.’

A great, heavy sob escaped her, but with it came the tiniest of smiles. ‘I forgot my manners, didn’t I?’

He wagged a podgy finger. ‘So yer did. Shame on yer!’

He thought it would be good for her to busy herself and take her mind off things. While he waited, he asked about Rosie. ‘She’s been that worried about yer.’

Kathy returned with the tea. ‘Rosie’s been wonderful … just like you.’

Placing the tea in his outstretched hand, she sat in the other chair.

Hesitating just a little because he knew it was a thing close to her heart, he asked pointedly, ‘D’yer intend asking Tom if he’ll come back?’

‘No.’

‘Yer do know where he’s staying, don’t yer, lass? I mean … he did give you an address of sorts, didn’t he?’

‘I have the address of his hotel, yes.’ So many times she had been tempted to write to him or telephone, but she hadn’t, and she wouldn’t. ‘See, Jasper, if I were to phone him he’d be here straight away, and that wouldn’t be fair … to get him back just for my sake. He has a job to do, and the last thing I want to do is interfere with that.’

‘He’s bound to telephone you sooner or later.’

‘I know.’

‘And what will you say to him?’

‘That I’m all right, and that I’m missing him. That I love him and can’t wait for him to come home.’

‘Nothing about what happened, then?’

‘No.’

‘What’s the name of his hotel?’

‘I’m not saying.’

‘I see.’ Jasper realised he’d been rumbled. ‘All right, but he’ll not be best pleased when he finds out what’s happened, and that you didn’t contact him.’

‘I know that.’

‘Your choice, lass.’

‘It’s the only choice I’ve got.’ She was doing the right thing in leaving Tom out of it. Only she did need him so desperately, especially now.

‘I’m going to see Samantha, before she’s taken away.’ Her voice broke, but this time she steadied herself. ‘I have to say my goodbyes. I have to see her one more time.’ She bowed her head. ‘There are things I need to say.’

‘I understand that, lass. And you do right to go and see her.’ Though he didn’t like the idea of her going on her own, not in her state. ‘If yer want somebody to come with yer, I’ll be on hand, lass.’

Kathy thanked him. ‘Rosie’s going with me, but thank you all the same, Jasper. It’s good of you to offer.’

She glanced towards the stairs. ‘There’s something you could do, if you don’t mind, that is?’

‘That’s what I’m here for, lass … to help wherever I can.’

‘Mother told me to get Samantha’s things ready, but I haven’t the heart to do it on my own.’

‘’Course not, lass. I’ll be glad to give a hand, whenever yer ready.’

Kathy was in no hurry. ‘Mother said she’d be back in an hour. We’ve time yet.’

When, an hour later to the minute, Irene and Richard returned, all of Samantha’s things were ready for collection.

Fighting back the tears, Kathy had gathered the more personal items, while Jasper had folded her clothes and put them in the small case.

Irene banged on the door in her usual impatient manner. When Kathy opened it, she barged through; on seeing Jasper she demanded to know what he was doing there. ‘I should have thought this was a time for reflection,’ she said, spying the two teacups, ‘instead of drinking tea and behaving as if nothing had happened!’

Up until now, Richard had kept his own counsel, but with Kathy looking so upset and Irene overstepping the mark, he stepped in to chide her. ‘Easy now, Irene. Everyone needs a friend at times like this.’ Allowing Jasper a friendly nod, he gave his wife a gentle pat on the shoulder. ‘I think we should leave now.’

Swinging round, she was about to give him a piece of her mind, when she remembered he was not the soft touch she had at first imagined him to be. He had only now reinstated her account because, being the good man he was, he thought she had suffered enough.

‘All right.’ Since he could take her account away any time he thought fit, she needed to keep him sweet, particularly now she no longer had her elder daughter as an ally. ‘You’re right. There’s nothing to be gained by getting myself upset all over again.’

Before they left she had a warning for Kathy. ‘I’ve spent the worst day of my life!’ she told her. ‘The police have given me little peace. I’m desperate to organise for your sister to be taken home, only they won’t release her, not yet.’ Her voice trembled. ‘As for you!’ She came forward threateningly. ‘You monster!’

When Kathy involuntarily took a step back, Jasper was there to hold her, his face set hard as he looked at her mother, and thinking how he was on the verge of showing her the door.

‘It should be you lying there, not Samantha! I know you plan to see her at rest, but I don’t want you anywhere near her! It’s all your fault that this has happened. You’re a wicked, selfish creature, and I wash my hands of you. As far as I’m concerned, I have no family now …’ She turned to smile weakly at her husband. ‘Only my darling Richard,’ she added disingenuously.

When again she turned to round on Kathy, Jasper stepped forward. ‘I would not normally interfere in family business,’ he said respectfully, ‘and I’m very sorry for your loss. But I think you should listen to your husband.’ He smiled sadly. ‘Best to leave now, I reckon.’

‘Really!’ After staring at him for what seemed an age, she stormed out, with Richard lingering to apologise to Kathy before he, too, was gone.

‘She can’t stop you from seeing yer sister, if that’s what you want, lass.’ Jasper had never before encountered such a horrid creature as Kathy’s mother.

The tirade of abuse had shaken Kathy but after a minute or two at the window, watching them depart, she quickly recovered. She felt stronger and more determined. ‘If they’ll let me, I will go and see her. I have to.’ Her mind was made up.

Later that afternoon, she and Rosie set off. ‘Are you sure you want to do this, me darling?’ Rosie was nervous for her. ‘Sure, it’ll not be a pleasant thing, you do realise that?’

‘She’s my sister.’