Page 20 of Echoes on the Wind (Borrowed Time #2)

With Mair safely on her way home, my next task was to grovel to Mr Carter and explain why I hadn’t shown up for work. The walk to the farm was exhausting after a sleepless night, but the cooler weather made it a little more bearable after the intense heat of the past few days.

From the road, I could see Mr Carter shovelling muck in the yard, and I rushed through the gate to plead my case. He looked up briefly but turned away with a scowl when he saw me.

“You don’t work here anymore,” he called out, as he continued shovelling.

“Mr Carter, I’m sorry,” I pleaded, stepping around the barrow so that he’d be forced to look at me. “It won’t happen again.”

“I know,” he replied, still not meeting my stare. “Because you don’t work here anymore. You can cure your hangovers on your own time. I’ve got a business to run.”

“I’m not hungover. I wasn’t even drinking yesterday. ”

It was a lie, and I actually felt like hell, but it was from the worry and the lack of sleep rather than the alcohol. The attack on Gwyn had more than sobered me up.

“My friend was attacked after the festival,” I explained. “I was with him, and I was there all night while he had surgery.”

Surgery felt like a bit of a stretch, but I needed to get the seriousness across without revealing why Gwyn’s well-being was so personal. I didn’t have the luxury of calling him my partner or boyfriend or spouse, and there was little else that Mr Carter might excuse my absence for.

“I’ve heard nothing of an attack,” he said, but my words must have resonated somewhat because he finally stopped what he was doing and leaned on his shovel to look at me.

“You can ask Mr Evans, the schoolmaster. It all happened at his house. He can vouch for me. His wife is a nurse. She was there. She helped.”

I hated playing down Nellie’s role in saving Gwyn, because if it wasn’t for her he could have died, but I didn’t want to risk getting her in trouble if Mr Carter went making enquiries.

“And were you injured?” he asked, giving me a once over.

“No, thankfully. As soon as I was able, I came straight here to explain, because I knew you’d understand.”

Mr Carter wasn’t a man who showed any real emotion beyond indifference, so it was a risk trying to play to his good nature with some flattery, but he nodded, and I took that as a good sign .

“I promise it won’t happen again,” I added. “I’ll even come in early tomorrow to catch up on what I’ve missed today.”

“You’ll come back now,” he said, returning to his work, “or you won’t come back at all.”

“Yes, sir,” I said, grateful that he wasn’t looking at me or the lack of enthusiasm I was undoubtedly expressing.

I’d barely slept over the last 48 hours, so the idea of spending the rest of the day doing manual labour just added to my exhaustion. I was in no position to argue, though, if I wanted to keep my job, so I made my way up to one of the barns to see what needed doing.

As soon as I was inside, I sank down on some sacks of grain and contemplated where to start. I leaned back, letting them mould around me, and closed my eyes for just a second, but the sounds of the farm slowly faded, and before long, I’d nodded off.

I don’t think I was asleep for very long, or very deeply, but I definitely hadn’t heard the barn door sliding open. What woke me, and made me bolt to my feet, was the unfamiliar feeling of a hand on my chest.

“Fucking hell, Ellis. You frightened the life out of me.”

He leaned down on the sacks next to where I’d been lying and grinned up at me, amused by my reaction. “Sorry, mate. I was trying to shake you awake. I called from the door, but you didn’t wake up.”

I settled back down, leaving a gap between us, and rubbed the sleep from my eyes. “At least it wasn’t Mr Carter, I guess.”

“I didn’t think you were coming in,” he said. “I nearly came looking for you. Hangover lay-in, was it? ”

“I was just running late,” I replied. “It was a long night.”

Memories of the previous evening filled my thoughts, and the emotion of it must have been written all over my face because he shuffled up next to me and threw his arm over my shoulder.

“Tom, what’s the matter? Is everything alright?”

“I’m fine,” I replied, trying to play it off. “I just need some sleep.”

“No, I don’t believe you. Something’s wrong, I can tell. Talk to me.”

I paused for a second and shifted, partly to make myself comfortable, and partly to move away from his embrace. He took the hint, pulling his hand away, but placed it on my knee instead.

“We were attacked last night after we left. Well, Gwyn was. He was hurt pretty badly, and we were up for most of the night while Nellie tried to save him.”

Finally, he moved his hand, bringing it to his mouth in shock. “Jesus. Are you alright? Do you know who did it?”

“Gwyn and Lee got into it with those guys in the tent. I guess they wanted payback.”

I shrugged, unsure if my theory was correct, but I’d sat discussing it with Mair all night and it made the most sense. Gwyn got on with everyone, and that attack wasn’t random. I just wish somebody knew who they were. Nobody at home recognised them. If they’d come into town for the festival, they could be from anywhere.

“That does make sense,” he replied, nodding his head. “Bastards. I’m so glad you’re alright. ”

“I thought he was dead, Ellis. There was so much blood, and he wasn’t moving. I thought…”

I trailed off, not wanting to relive it, and he smiled sympathetically.

“Come here.”

He grabbed my shoulders and pulled me into an awkward, lingering hug. I was grateful for the concern, but his embrace felt too forward, and I tensed up as he started stroking my back.

He must have sensed my hesitancy because he loosened his grip, but he kept hold of my shoulders instead, forcing me to face him.

“This isn’t your fault, Tom,” he said sternly. “You mustn’t blame yourself.”

His whole demeanour shifted as he tried to ease the guilt he believed I was feeling. As if the real issue wasn’t Gwyn being attacked, but the fact that it had upset me.

“I can’t believe they’ve done this to you,” he added, looking furious. “Jesus. I hate seeing you like this.”

Any upset I’d been feeling vanished, replaced by an utter confusion about what was happening. He held me so tightly that his fingers dug into my skin, his jaw clenched, and his breathing sped up, and he was looking at me so intensely that I was uncomfortable looking back.

“I’m here for you. You know that, don’t you?”

I felt like I had no option but to nod in agreement, and a smile filled his features as he pulled me towards him again.

Expecting another unwanted hug, I kept my arms hanging awkwardly at my sides, but as he leaned in, his smile never fading, he pressed his lips against mine and tried to push his tongue into my mouth.

I pressed my lips shut tightly and reached for his chest, pushing him away with such force that he fell backwards onto the floor as I got to my feet.

“What the fuck was that?” I shouted as I dragged the back of my sleeve across my mouth.

He scrambled to his feet, looking like he was about to cry. “It’s not what you think,” he stuttered. “I… I–”

“I know exactly what it was,” I spat. “What the hell were you thinking?”

“Tom, I…” His words trailed off, and a rage came over him, changing his whole expression.

He lunged forward and threw me against the course brickwork of the barn wall, then brought his arm up under my chin, forcing my mouth shut. I tried to hit out, to free myself, but he grabbed my wrist and slammed it against the wall, keeping me trapped.

“I don’t know what you think just happened, but if you say anything to anyone, we’re going to have a problem. Do you hear me?”

His hot breath coated my face, and I tried to turn my head away, but he held me firm.

“I don’t want us to fall out, Tom.”

He loosened his grip, then patted my shoulders down and neatened up my shirt, but as soon as he moved away, I headed for the door.

“Hey,” he called out, his voice calm and casual again, and when I turned around to face him he was smiling warmly, as though the last five minutes hadn’t even happened. “Where are you off? If you help me with the chicken feed, we’ll get done a lot quicker and can head to the pub. ”

“There’s something fucking wrong with you,” I snapped, resisting the urge to go and wipe the smile off his face.

“Suit yourself,” he replied, and I slammed the barn door behind me as I left.

I didn’t have the headspace for whatever it was that he was playing at, and I had zero desire to be around him anymore, so as I stormed past Mr Carter in the yard I tossed my gloves down at his feet.

“I quit,” I shouted, but I offered no explanation and didn’t wait around for him to ask why.

As I pushed through the gate to head home, Gerwyn was coming towards it with a barrow of seeds, and he called out to me with a wave.

“Hey, Tom. I’ll be free in about ten minutes if you still want that chat.

“No need,” I said, coming to a stop beside him. “I’ve just quit. I’m not working with that prick for a second longer. There’s something not right with him.”

“I’m sorry to see you go,” he said, giving me a friendly slap to the shoulder. “I can’t say I’m surprised, though. I’ve seen the way he follows you around, just like he did with Joel. If you ask me, you should be staying, and Mr Carter should be giving him his marching orders.”

“Well, if he ever does, let me know. Not that Mr Carter will ever give me my job back, now.”

“Take care of yourself, Tom.”

He doffed his cap at me and pushed his barrow through the gate, and I made my way back to town .

Not wanting to take my mood home when Gwyn already had enough on his plate, I decided instead to head for the mine to sound off to my brother.

Having learned from my mistakes, I climbed the stairs to Lee’s office with the intention of knocking instead of barging in, but as I got to the door I could hear voices from inside, and neither of them sounded like my brother.

“I don’t give a shit what the report says, I’m not paying. Look out there. Look. Does it look like it’s going to fall to you?”

Mr Awbrey’s voice was all too familiar as he bellowed at someone unknown, and I hung back, being careful not to be seen through the window as I listened in. Lee had already gotten into trouble for having me on site, and Awbrey’s feelings for me were well known, so I didn’t want to bring any more trouble by getting caught where I shouldn’t be.

“And what would you like me to say on the declaration, sir? The insurance company are quite clear about–”

“Just sign the damn forms, Jones, and make sure we’re covered. I ought to wring his bloody neck, and that damn brother of his.”

That caught my attention, and I brought my ear closer to the door to try and hear better.

“And what about the men?” the other man asked, rather timidly.

“That’s not your concern,” Awbrey barked back. “Just make sure you keep my name out of it. This is Jacob’s doing. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”

The sound of movement inside the office came more suddenly than I’d expected, and I ran down the steps two at a time to avoid detection. When I reached the bottom I hid underneath them, and tucked myself against some old crates, peeking out at Awbrey and his companion through the gaps in the steps.

They shook hands, then departed in different directions, with the suited stranger walking off amongst the spoil tips, and Mr Awbrey getting into his waiting carriage.

Once I was sure that he was gone, I stepped out from my hiding place and ran back up the steps to Lee’s office. Awbrey had his own office right next door, so why take a meeting in Lee’s? And what was Lee responsible for? Or had he meant me? Either way, my interest was piqued.

I searched around on the desk to see what I could find, and pulled through his drawers looking for something conspicuous. There didn’t seem to be anything there that shouldn’t be, but I had no idea if anything was missing.

“What are you doing?”

I hadn’t heard anyone on the stairs or the door opening, but as I looked up at my brother in the doorway I thought my heart was going to beat right out of my chest.

“Fuck, Lee, you scared the life out of me.”

I propped myself down in his chair with my hand to my chest, and he put his bag on the desk and sat opposite me in the guest chair.

“Who’s Jones?” I asked.

“Jesus, Tom," he said, lighting up a cigarette. “This is Wales. Everyone is Jones. Can you narrow it down? ”

“Thin. Brown suit. 40’s. He was in here with Awbrey when I arrived. They were talking about insurance, and that he wants to wring our necks because it’s ‘ Jacob’s fault ’. Probably yours.”

He leaned over to flick his cigarette into the ashtray, then looked up and shrugged his shoulders. “No idea, but I’ll bet it’s to do with those spoil tips. He’s acting like the inspection report doesn’t exist, and he’s refusing point blank to get them secured.”

“How long does he have?”

“‘Til the end of the year. He thinks he’s being smart; that he can use it to his advantage. The miners don’t have any rights here, so when they close us down for five days, he doesn’t have to pay them any wages. He’ll use that to make the books look better, but the inspector is going to come back, see that the work hasn’t been done, and the numbers won’t matter anyway.”

“But won’t they just close him down?”

“Probably, but he thinks he’s got that covered as well. Instead of securing them, he’s going to create two more around the back by capping off the existing ones. It might bring them under height restrictions, which could be enough to satisfy the inspector, but I doubt it. Digging at them is just going to loosen them up. The whole thing is a mess, to be honest. I’ve had enough of it.”

He stubbed his cigarette out and immediately lit up another one, then leaned back in his chair and blew out a cloud of smoke. “What are you doing here, anyway? Shouldn’t you be at work? It’s not Gwyn, is it? Is he alright? ”

“He's fine,” I said, leaning over the desk. “He was sleeping when I took Mair for the bus earlier. Nellie gave him something, and he was out pretty much straight away. Also, I think he was kinda high. When Mair went to say goodbye, he couldn’t stop grinning, and his eyes were kind of hazy.”

“Opium,” Lee said. “It’s in everything. Or cocaine, maybe. People these days do a whole lot more drugs than they ever taught us in school, and they all think it’s perfectly normal.”

“Well, whatever it is, I just hope it works.”

“So what else is going on? I can tell that something’s up.”

I stared out the window, trying to figure out where to start, and noticed the postman climbing the stairs to the office. I nodded towards him for Lee’s attention, and he got up from his seat and greeted him at the door.

He returned with a brown envelope and sat back down to open it. “What else has been happening,” he asked as he tore at the seal.

“Well there’s kind of a lot going on,” I admitted. “But earlier today, I went up to work and–”

“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me,” he interrupted. “Absolute fucking wanker.”

“What’s wrong?” I asked, and he looked up from the letter and slammed it on the table.

“I’m being evicted. Awbrey is selling all the old miners’ houses in Williamstown, including mine. I’ve got three months to find somewhere to live.”

“Three months isn’t so bad,” I said, trying to put a positive spin on it. “There’s loads of empty houses in the paper. I was just looking at them with Mair. ”

“That’s not the point,” he said, pinching the bridge of his nose. “He didn’t even tell me. I work in the fucking office right next to his, and he tells me in a letter, which he had mailed to the damn office. I probably took it to the post office for him.”

“Maybe he thought you’d kick off,” I said, raising an eye to his current demeanour.

“Oh, I’m going to kick off, alright.” He got to his feet and lit another cigarette, then threw his jacket back on. “I’m going up there.”

“Lee, don’t do anything stupid. You don’t want to lose your job as well as your house.”

“I won’t,” he replied, and he grabbed my shoulder and kissed me on the forehead. “I’m sorry, Tom, I know you wanted to chat, but can we catch up later instead?”

“It’s fine,” I said, pushing him towards the door. “Go. I’ll let myself out.”

I watched from the window as he ran across the back end of the mine towards the high street, then picked up the letter he'd left on the desk and glanced over it. I wasn’t aware of any law in these times that meant landlords had to give notice, so three months was better than nothing, but it still seemed less than ideal, and definitely wasn’t a good sign of the state of Awbrey’s finances.

Setting it aside, I headed for the door to go home, and when I stepped out into the sunshine, I saw Tish at the bottom of the steps, dressed to the nines in a ruffled teal dress and a matching peacock feather fascinator.

“Tom, hello,” she said, smiling widely. “I was just going to come and see you. I had Cook make stew for Gwyn. I’d have made it myself, but I’m not very good at all that. How is he?”

“Resting up,” I said as I made my way down to her. “I think the worst of it is over, though, thankfully. If you’re looking for Lee, he just left.”

“That’s alright. This came for Daddy, so I was dropping it off on my way to your house.”

She waved an envelope at me, then cast a daunted glance up the stairs.

“Do you want me to take it up for you?” I asked, pointing behind me, and she smiled, handing it over without hesitation.

“Thank you. I’m no good with heights. Especially in these shoes.”

“I’ll be right back,” I said, heading back up the steps and across the bridge to Awbrey’s office.

Unlike my brother’s office, which was cluttered with cabinets, Awbrey’s was sparse. Aside from an overly large safe tucked away on the back wall, the only other furniture was a plain desk with two unmatching chairs on either side.

I carried the envelope over, ready to toss it down and leave, but my suspicion and curiosity quickly got the better of me. I cast a glance out the window, then, before I could tell myself to stop, I pulled it open and slid out the contents.

My suspicions quickly turned to a feeling of foolishness. The pages contained nothing more than an invoice from a company called Browning that it’s improper for a woman to laugh so often. But I just want to see the good in the world. I don't think that’s so terrible.”

I found her candour refreshing, but I felt bad that she’d been made to feel so rejected, or that she felt she had any need to reassure me about her intentions with Lee.

“It’s not terrible at all,” I said. “I wish I had even half of your optimism. Don’t ever lose it.”

“My brother used to tell me the same thing,” she said, and there was a sadness behind her smile this time.

“I didn’t know you had a brother.”

“He and Daddy don’t talk anymore. Not since…” She trailed off for a moment and looked over to the school as we began to walk up the hill. “He doesn’t visit or write, and I don’t know where he lives, so I haven’t seen him in nearly five years. I miss him dearly, though.”

The hurt in her voice as she talked about him was obvious, so despite the temptation to ask what had caused the rift, I left it alone.

“I found Lee again,” I said, trying to take a leaf out of her book to find a positive. “I’m sure you’ll find your brother again, too.”

“Yes,” she said, smiling broadly. “I’m sure I will.

We weren’t even halfway along the street when the raised voices of Nellie and Gethin reached our ears, and by the time we got to the gate, it felt almost embarrassingly loud.

“I think perhaps visiting today wouldn’t be a good idea,” Tish said, looking nervously at the front door.

“Are you sure?” I asked. I was trying to be polite, but it wouldn’t have been fair for her to walk into whatever today’s problem was.

“Yes, of course,” she said, smiling. “It’s alright, though. It was a lovely walk, and I really enjoyed our discussions.”

“Me too,” I replied honestly. In truth, she’d been the first person who’d managed to take my mind off everything, and I was really grateful for it. “Would you like me to walk you home?”

“Oh, no,” she giggled, patting me on the arm. “I can find my way just fine. Perhaps I’ll stop for a scone along the way. You go in and make sure that Gwyn is well.”

She leaned in and threw her arms around me, squeezing so tightly that I nearly dropped the bag I was carrying, then adjusted her fascinator and wandered back towards the hill .

I opened the gate and looked up at the house, letting out a sigh. Normally we all just pretended we didn’t hear anything, but there’d be no escaping it this time. They were being so loud that the whole street likely knew what was going on.

“What did you expect me to do?” Nellie screamed as I crept inside. “Let him bleed to death?”

I’d hoped to sneak upstairs, but I was wary of being seen passing the living room, so I froze in the hallway instead.

“I expect you to respect me and this house,” Gethin bellowed. “I expect not to come home to find you’ve turned the kitchen into an operating room, and half the town in my living room.”

“And where were you?” she shouted back scornfully.

During most of their arguments, Nellie would remain meek and quiet, and always apologetic. This time, she was matching him in volume and anger, which was making him even more irate.

“I was down there,” he screamed. “Serving the town. Making something of myself.”

“Making something of yourself? And what I do is unimportant, is it?”

“Yes, quite frankly,” he replied. “You’re a nurse. It’s shameful.”

Gwyn told me once, after Gethin made a particularly snide remark about her work, that although opinions were shifting, many still saw nursing as a job for the uneducated or lower classes. Gethin, being neither, certainly didn’t expect his wife to be viewed as such .

“There’s nothing shameful about what I do,” she shouted. “I save people every day.”

“And at what cost? Over two years of marriage, and you’re still unable to give us a child. Mrs Lloyd was with child within months. Even your trollop sister has proven more fertile.”

Nellie let out a loud, high-pitched yell, and a glass came flying through the hallway, hitting the wall in front of the stairs and shattering into pieces over the tiles.

Gethin stormed out of the living room, paused briefly upon seeing me, and then reached behind me to grab his coat from the hook. When he slammed the front door shut, Nellie matched him by slamming the living room door, and I tiptoed up the stairs to check on Gwyn.