The Consequences of Fear Jacqueline Winspear (i can read book club .txt) 📖

I have a flat in Pimlico, across the water, and I think it would be best if you all go there. It’s empty at the moment—my secretary was living there for a while, but she’s moved to the country with her husband and son. It’s furnished and there are some sheets and so on in the linen cupboard, which means you won’t need anything except a few personal bits and pieces. There’s a cellar underneath the building, so you’ve somewhere to go when there’s an air raid, and there’s a shelter down the street. Now then, quickly gather whatever you’d like to take with you, and leave a note for your husband. Tell him you’ve gone to stay with relatives—make up something.”

“He’ll kill me for leaving him,” said Grace, tears filling her eyes.

“Not on my watch, Mrs. Hackett,” said Billy

“Billy’s right—we’ll make sure your safety isn’t compromised. If you prefer, you can leave a note here with my name, our officeaddress and telephone number for Mr. Hackett to get in touch. The fact is that I want Freddie away from here and I want tofeel confident that you and Iris are out of harm’s way—and I will be honest with you, as things stand with Freddie not workingthis evening, he won’t be bringing home money, which means none of you are safe if you remain at home. We both know why.”

“But—”

“Please, Mrs. Hackett—Grace—please do as I say.”

“Come on, Mum,” said Freddie. “Miss Dobbs is right—I’ve seen that man, and I’m scared. I saw him kill his mate. And I don’twant another right-hander from Dad either.”

“Oh, Fred, you shouldn’t talk like that about your father, not in company,” said Grace Hackett.

“This is a really good plan, Mrs. Hackett,” said Billy. “And you’re like Doreen, my wife—you’re a lovely mum to your children,so you know what’s the best thing to do for them. Look how you’ve kept little Iris from being put away.”

At once Grace Hackett stood up and took a deep breath, as if drawing in strength. “Yes—we’ll come. Freddie—you gather a few bits for yourself while I put what I can in a bag. It’s not as if we have much, so it’ll only take a few minutes. And I’ll scribble a note for your father.”

Ten minutes later three members of the Hackett family were safely ensconced in the taxicab, with Billy and Freddie sittingon the fold-down seats opposite Maisie, Grace and Iris. Maisie gave an address in Pimlico, then added that there would beanother stop afterward.

“Billy, I want you to go to number sixty-four Baker Street and ask for MacFarlane—if he’s there, tell him what we’re doingand why. See the porter and let him know that Freddie is not at work because . . . because . . . well, make up something—he’llthen get onto the other porter at Albert Embankment. Oh, and ask MacFarlane what to do about briefing Caldwell at the Yard.I don’t want Caldwell to think we’re going around him to MacFarlane about a murder investigation—that won’t help us in thefuture, so do what’s necessary, even if you have to go back down to see Caldwell. He seems to be in his office at all hoursnow, so he’s hardly likely to be going home early.”

“Right you are, miss.”

As the taxicab drew up outside the flat, Maisie realized she had not seen it for over two years. When she had first appliedto purchase the property, unbeknownst to her, Priscilla had arranged to be a guarantor on the loan so she could proceed withownership—otherwise there would have been no means by which a woman of Maisie’s background and standing could secure a loan.Maisie knew nothing about the gesture for a long time. Now she was using the home where she had always felt so sheltered tosecure the safety of a boy she believed needed protection of his own.

“Here we are,” said Maisie, reaching for the light switch—the Hackett family would soon get used to the advantages of electriclighting instead of gas lamps.

“Oh my, this is big,” said Grace Hackett as Maisie ushered the family past the bedrooms and into the sitting room. “You could have a room to yourself, Freddie—and you deserve it, my boy.”

Freddie blushed as he put down the two paper bags he was carrying, one holding half a loaf of bread and a few vegetables,the second a book and a clean pair of socks.

“The blinds can be a bit tricky, and the flat could do with a little dusting as no one’s lived here for a while, but there’severything you need in the kitchen, and there’s a linen cupboard through there in the hall where you’ll find sheets, pillowcases,blankets and towels. There’s not a lot of furniture, as you can see, but there’s a settee and armchair here in the sittingroom, and Freddie, that desk over there will be perfect for you to do your homework. We’ll have to arrange for you to continueyour education here—there’s a school down the road, so not far to go once we’ve got you enrolled. And there are a few shopsnot very far away, so you can take your ration books down there, Grace. I’ll vouch for you, and I can get in touch with theschool to help you register Freddie. And I’ll think of something for Iris, Mrs. Hackett, so you don’t lose your job. You cancatch a bus on the corner that will take you almost all the way to your work.”

Maisie went on to show the new residents the kitchen and pantry, and demonstrated how to open the door to the fire escape,which was accessed via the kitchen.

Grace Hackett nodded. She seemed close to tears.

“Let me put the kettle on, and you can make a nice cup of tea while I see the caretaker so he knows you’re here.” Maisie turned on the kitchen tap, which spluttered and ran brown water for a few seconds, before it was clear enough for Maisie to fill the kettle. “You know, before the war, his wife used to take in children to look