Page 71 of The Stranger in Room Six
‘Ah,’ she says, her eyes looking as if they were in another place. ‘That’s when it really got dangerous.’
If only Mabel knew how much danger she’s in now, thanks to me.
‘Please,’ I say, my smooth voice hiding a fast-beating heart. ‘Do continue your story.’
She leans back and closes her eyes as if transporting herself to another time. ‘Very well,’ she says. ‘It was 1943 …’
46
Mabel
1943
They were in the drawing room, sitting on large chesterfield sofas beside walnut tables with chequered marquetry. On the walls hung huge oil paintings, from which Mabel’s grandparents peered down with stern expressions, as if they too could not believe the family scandal about to come crashing down. The Colonel had been in jail for over a year awaiting trial. He’d been refused bail while the police built their case.
‘The authorities think Jonty has done something wrong,’ wept her aunt. ‘But he hasn’t. He was just trying to do his best for King and Country. They’ve got it all wrong.’
Cook made a noise from the door. Mabel wasn’t sure if it was because she disagreed or because she wanted to alert them to her presence.
‘Lunch is served,’ she said.
‘I can’t eat anything,’ wept Aunt Clarissa.
‘I won’t eat either,’ declared Mabel.
‘You must,’ whispered Cook, coming to Mabel’s side. ‘You need to keep your spirits up. I don’t know how to say this but it’s best if people don’t think you’re too upset about everything that’s happened.’
‘What are you whispering?’ said Clarissa, lifting her tear-stained face.
‘I suggested that Miss Mabel might like to try some of the broth I’ve made.’
‘Go,’ said her aunt, waving her hand. ‘I need to be alone.’
After lunch, Frannie was still giving her cold looks despite her promise that they would be friends again.
‘Will you go for a walk with me after you finish your work?’ Mabel asked.
‘I need to help my mam at home,’ Frannie replied shortly. ‘Besides, I don’t want to walk with a Blackshirt supporter.’
‘I’m not a Blackshirt,’ Mabel declared stoutly. ‘Cook has told me about them.’
Frannie turned on me, her eyes blazing. ‘Then why are you so upset about the Colonel? People like him think Hitler will make them powerful. Some poor people even think they’ll get better living conditions, but they’re both wrong. That’s what my dad used to say … before he got murdered. Now leave me alone.’
Frannie had to be wrong. The Colonel could be tough at times but on the whole, he was kind. Surely he couldn’t be supporting that wicked man in Germany?
Mabel wandered out to the stables. She needed to dosomethingor she felt her head would burst.
‘Are you all right, my dear?’ asked James the groom when he found her sobbing into Foam’s neck for comfort.
‘I’m so confused about the Colonel. My aunt says he tried his best for King and Country. But now someone – I can’t say who – has told me he’s on Hitler’s side. I can’t believe it. He’s usually so nice to me. He cannot be bad.’
The groom patted her on the shoulder. ‘Sometimes, bad people seem good on the outside. The Colonel is being tried for treason.’ His voice rose with anger. ‘That’s an extremely serious offence.’
‘But he loves England. He’s always saying so.’
‘People can show their love in strange ways, miss.’
‘But if he has done wrong, why can’t they just lock him up instead of hanging him?’
