how to thank you either, but I’m deeply indebted to you.’
The doctor arrived and asked all but Eric’s parents to leave. Derek and Pearl went downstairs.
‘Pearl, your feet are bare,’ Dolly said brusquely, ‘and you look awful. You’d best take her home again, Derek.’
‘Yes, Mrs D.’
Pearl was led outside, but then shock set in and she was hardly aware of anything as Derek walked her home. Many stallholders and locals patted her back as they trod the short distance, but when Pearl winced as she stood on something sharp, Derek picked her up, carrying her to the still-open street door.
The house was silent as they went in and suddenly Pearl stiffened in Derek’s arms. It felt like a house of horrors now, the thought of living there abhorrent.
‘I … can’t stay here. I just can’t.’
‘All right, love, I’ll take you round to my place. Connie will take care of you.’
Pearl didn’t argue, but as Derek carried her outside again she saw Kevin Dolby amongst the crowd. As their eyes met his smile was like a leer and Pearl looked quickly away, feeling sick inside.
Her arms tightened around Derek’s neck. Oh God, she had betrayed this lovely man. Instead of being cared for and treated like a hero, she should be stoned.
After staying at Derek’s overnight and then all weekend, Pearl was able to return to work, but she was still full of self-loathing. Derek and Connie had been so kind. They had believed her lies about being ill and she’d been cosseted by both of them. Of course, this had made her feel worse and she felt torn in two. She had betrayed Derek. Should she break up with him?
Pearl baulked at the thought. Despite her feelings for Kevin, he didn’t want her, he’d made that plain, and if she broke up with Derek she’d be alone again, unprotected. Not only that, she would lose Connie too, a woman she had grown deeply fond of.
A foretaste of what was to come happened as she walked through the market on her way to work. She was greeted with smiles, waves, and several stallholders stuffed bags of fruit into her arms. She was even given a bunch of flowers from the old lady who sat on the opposite corner to the café. The flower seller was known for being mean, her flowers often wired around the base of the blooms to make them look tight and fresh. Pearl took the carnations, the old crone patting her hand, and laden, she was greeted with more smiles from Bernie when he saw her.
‘Hello, love,’ he said. ‘Are you feeling better now?’
‘Yes, I’m fine, thanks.’
‘I see the stallholders have been showing their appreciation. You’d better take that lot through to the kitchen.’
‘Have you heard anything about Eric?’
Bernie’s face straightened. ‘He’s in hospital, and may be there for some time. Go and have a word with Dolly. It’ll be better coming from her.’
‘Pearl!’ Dolly exclaimed. ‘It’s good to see you, girl, but you still look a bit pale. Are you sure you’re up to doing a full shift?’
‘Yes, I’m fine. Bernie said that Eric’s in hospital and you’d tell me why.’
Dolly exhaled loudly. ‘This ain’t gonna be easy for you to hear, but from what we’ve heard he has a lot of rectal damage needing surgery. The poor kid is badly traumatised too.’
‘What about Mr Bardington? Has he been arrested?’
‘Pearl, don’t ever mention that man’s name again, especially to the police. We have a way of looking after our own around here, and believe me, he got what he deserved. As far as the police are concerned, they were told that he ran off.’
‘Oh, please, don’t tell me that he got away?’
‘No, love, there was no chance of that. That bastard will never harm another child.’
‘You … you don’t mean that he’s—’
‘Don’t ask,’ Dolly interrupted. ‘All I’ll say is that there are a couple of blokes who run this borough, and they sorted it out. That’s all you need to know. Now go and get yourself a cup of tea before the rush starts.’
With a small nod, Pearl went back to the dining room. She had seen the beating, and from what Dolly had inferred, could guess what had happened to Trevor Bardington. It she wanted to remain in this area, like everyone else she would have to keep her mouth shut. But her stomach churned. If she had called the police instead of running to Derek, the man might still be alive, but instead she had caused his death.
‘You look awful,’ Bernie said. ‘Are you sure you can manage today?’
‘Yes,’ Pearl told him. She saw Bernie’s concerned expression, the kindness in his eyes, and blurted out, ‘I feel awful about what happened to Trevor Bardington. He’d still be alive if I’d called the pol—’
Bernie held up his hand before she could finish the sentence, saying quickly, ‘Who said he’s dead?’
‘Dolly said he’d never hurt another child again, and … and I assumed that’s what she meant.’
‘Don’t assume anything, Pearl. That bastard got the kicking he deserved and a good one at that, but it wasn’t one of our lot that took a knife to him. When he was handed over, that came later. From what we’ve been told, he’s been castrated, and that’s why he’ll never be able to hurt a child again.’
‘Castrated?’
‘Christ, girl, I ain’t about to explain the procedure. Sufficient to say that the man’s alive and you have nothing to feel guilty about.’
‘Oh, thank God,’ Pearl said, relief making her collapse onto the nearest chair.
‘Here, get that down you,’ Bernie said as he placed a cup of tea in front of her.
Pearl gulped the hot, sweet brew and a few minutes later Alice Freeman arrived.
‘Hello, Pearl, it’s good to have you back. You still look a bit rough, but don’t worry, I’ll help you as much as I can until you’re up to scratch again.’
‘Thanks, Alice.’
‘You’re a bit of a hero around here now and it’s nice to hear that Derek and his gran have been looking after you.’
Pearl hung her head. Yes, Derek and Connie had been wonderful, but after what had happened with Kevin she didn’t feel like a hero. She felt more like a slut.
By the end of the morning rush, Pearl had been inundated with gifts. She had also been hugged, thanked and made a fuss of by every customer.
Derek came in at eight o’clock, his face showing concern. ‘Are you all right, Pearl? Is your tummy still holding up?’
‘It’s fine, but I’m a bit overwhelmed by the way the customers are treating me.’
‘You’re the talk of the market. They’ve taken you to their hearts and you’re one of us now.’
‘But, Derek, all I did was hear a noise.’
‘Yeah, but you acted on it. If you hadn’t, we might never have found Eric. Or when we did, it might have been too late.’ He reached out to take Pearl’s hand. ‘Listen, love, I know you can’t face living in your bedsit, so I’ve had a word with Gran. She said you’re to stay with us until you find somewhere else to live. When you finish work, give me a shout, and I’ll come with you to pack up your stuff.’
Pearl hung her head with shame. She didn’t deserve this kindness, yet at the thought of living in that room,