Page 53

BEFORE

July 1981

Elsie

Elite, Wandsworth, London

Nicola and Elsie had spent hours preparing the flat above the salon for Sally and Zach’s arrival. While Nicola had prepared a supper for them, Elsie ran to the supermarket to buy baby essentials, because she wasn’t sure if Sally would have the time to bring formula and nappies. It had felt good doing something at last other than being silent witnesses to a situation, that became increasingly dangerous daily.

But Sally did not arrive as planned.

As the minutes ticked on, Elsie knew something had gone drastically wrong. As Nicola and she decided to call a taxi and go to Hereford Gardens themselves to collect Sally, the phone rang.

Baldwin.

He relayed a cock-and-bull story about a silly row being resolved. As Elsie’s temper flared, and she tried to grab the phone from Nicola to scream at him, Nicola had proved herself to be quick-witted and strong, holding Elsie at arm’s length.

‘I’m so pleased to hear that. As I always say to Sally, she is so lucky to have you, Ian. You are such a good and decent man. I knew it would blow over. Give Sally my love and tell her that I’ll see her next week.’

When she placed the phone’s receiver down, she turned to Elsie to explain. ‘I had to pretend I’m on his side, so he doesn’t stop Sally from coming here. Our only chance to help her is if we make sure she’s not further isolated from us.’

‘Clever,’ Elsie said, understanding immediately. ‘I should have gone with her. I knew that bastard would find a way to keep Sally at home. What has he said to her?’

‘Who knows?’ Nicola replied, her brow furrowed. ‘I just hope he hasn’t hit her again.’

‘Or charmed her into forgiving him,’ Elsie muttered bitterly. She felt irritation grow at that thought. ‘If she’s stupid enough to believe his bull—’

‘Eh! Settle down,’ Nicola replied. ‘You will never understand what Sally is going through. Not unless you’ve walked in her shoes.’

Elsie sighed. She may not have walked in Sally’s shoes, but she sure as hell had walked in the shoes of a child at risk. And there was no way she was going to let anything happen to Zach.

On Saturday afternoon, Elsie asked Reggie to drive her to Hereford Gardens. And, despite the fact that they were no longer dating, he dropped everything to help. They parked a few doors up from Sally’s house, and watched, hoping that Ian might leave, giving Elsie a chance to check in on Sally. But the front door remained firmly shut.

Reggie grew angrier by the minute as Elsie told him what Ian had done to Sally and Zach.

‘Someone needs to teach Baldwin a lesson,’ Reggie growled.

But Elsie remembered Nicola’s words and knew that, for now, she had to wait and bide her time. They finally drove away, worried that if they knocked on the front door, they’d make things worse.

The rest of the weekend passed without contact from Sally. Watching the second hand on the clock, tick and tock, at an excruciatingly slow speed, almost drove Elsie to distraction. She was sleep-deprived and anxious, but she couldn’t rest until she knew Sally and Zach were safe. Her mind raced with all the possibilities of what Baldwin might have done to them or what he might plan to do yet.

After a restless night, Elsie awoke on Monday morning with fresh resolve. She would go to the park near Sally’s house, at midday, in the hope that Sally had kept her daily routine. If Sally wasn’t at the park, then Elsie would call at the house and demand to see her. And, if Ian refused, then Elsie would call the police. Or let Reggie and his friends sort Ian out.

At a quarter to twelve, Elsie sat at the same bench where she had met Sally only a few days earlier. She couldn’t relax and felt uneasy, constantly scanning her surroundings, searching for her friend. She felt too exposed, sitting out in the open, and her instincts urged her to move. So she concealed herself behind a large, leafy oak tree a few feet from the bench. Her heart jumped with relief when she saw the familiar sight of Sally pushing Zach’s pram. Only to fall when she noticed a tall, stocky figure walking beside her. Baldwin. Elsie watched them take a seat on the bench, and her skin crawled when she saw Baldwin’s hand move up and hold on to Sally’s neck in a vicelike grip. It took all Elsie’s power not to lunge at him, claw his face, eyes and skin.

Sally looked around her, and her eyes rested on the oak tree. Ensuring Baldwin’s head was facing forward, Elsie stepped out from behind her shadowy hiding spot. Sally nodded once, and Elsie scanned her face, thanking the heavens that there was no outward sign of injury. Then Sally turned back towards her husband. Elsie quickly hid again and waited anxiously, her mind whirling with possible scenarios of what she should do next.

Her instinct was to confront Ian, but Elsie thought of Nicola’s wise counsel on Saturday. And knew that she should remain hidden. Her heart pumped so hard that she felt it thudding against her chest. Sally rocked the pram. Baldwin stood up and put his arms on his hips as he looked around. Then Sally stood up to join him.

But, as they walked away, Elsie noticed Sally drop something onto the bench. That was deliberate, Elsie thought, praying that the wind would not whip up whatever it was. Once they’d disappeared from view, Elsie raced over and retrieved an envelope with her name scribbled on it.

Elsie,

I have no idea if you’ll come to the park or if I’ll even get a chance to get this to you, but I have to try.

I’m trapped.

Ian was two steps ahead of me. He’s been to a solicitor and reported me for abusing Zach. He will get full custody of Zach if I leave. As he said, it’s his word, as a police officer, or mine, someone who was brought up in care, the daughter of a prostitute.

He swears I’ll never see Zach again. And I believe him. So I can’t go. Yet.

I need your help, Elsie.

I have to run, as far away as I can from Ian. Because when we go we have to disappear forever.

Please help us,

Sally x