The Poison Pen Part Two

Bob Helm's yard had changed little.  Tom found his old Boss in his office, Heavier and greyer, but still Bob, bombastic loud and forthright.  'It's great to have you back Tom,' He said as they shook hands.

'Can I Have my old job back?' Tom smiled.

'You certainly can.  I've loads of work on.  The post war boom is just starting Tom.  Stick with me and in a couple of years you can be out of that little terraced house and up in the leafy suburbs'.  Then shifting uncomfortably in his seat he went on,  'Now this is where I spoil it all but I'm going to say it.  I've heard about Laura.'  He shrugged, 'Gossip, the damned country's been awash with it.  I remember the day you came looking for a job.  She was with you.  Two scrawny kids hanging round the gate too scared to come into the yard.   She's a grand lass Tom,...it was nothing honestly.  Believe me there's plenty a lot worse than Laura.'  He saw Tom's face set and as he made no response, Bob went on lamely.  'Well there it is I've said it but you are coming back to work for me.?'

'Yes,' Tom replied.  They shook hands.

Bob put his hand on Tom's shoulder, 'Go and sort it all out Tom.'

Tom smiled briefly and left.

 

Tom walked into Boardmans News Agents And Tobacconists Shop.  John Boardman was a tall, paunchy, mild mannered man in his early forties.  'Yes,' he asked, going to serve Tom.

'I'm Tom Scot.'

'Ah,' Boardman came round the counter and put the closed sign on the shop door.  A woman entered the shop from a back room.

 She was a thin angular woman, neatly almost severely dressed. She stood next to Boardman. 

Tom asked, 'Mrs Boardman?'

The woman nodded.

'This might come as a shock to you.  Your husband has been having an affair with my wife!'

John Boardman groaned, 'You are not telling her anything she doesn't know.  She wrote the letter to you.  Laura showed it to me and I recognised the handwriting.  That's when Laura broke it off with me.'

'It's over then is it?' Tom asked.

Boardman was breathing heavily, he spoke heatedly.  'Tell Laura that if you leave her, I'll take her and the kids on willingly, like a shot'.

'Oh John!' his wife protested.

'You can go to hell!' Boardman bellowed.

'I am in hell!' his wife replied.

'Good!' Boardman roared.

Tom studied the couple.  He glanced round the shop and through into the living quarters at the back.  Mrs Boardman was obviously a good wife.  Her husbands clothes were immaculate and the back room bright with ornaments and flowers.  He could see she was fighting desperately to save her marriage but was helpless.  Despite her efforts, Laura had the power.  He said,'You have my sympathy Mrs Boardman.  None of this is your fault.'  Tom turned and left the shop.

 

In answer to Tom's knock, a woman who had been pretty once, opened the door.

'I am looking for Eddy Stevenson?'

'Have you noticed the time.  The pubs are open.  He's in The Old Oak,' the woman answered dismissively.

'How are his injuries?'

'Well put it this way, they haven't affected his drinking arm.'

'He was badly burned when his tank was hit,' Tom persisted.

'Oh,' the woman said scornfully.  'Are you one of his army pals?'  Tom nodded.

'He's in the pub,' she repeated and with that she slammed the door.

 

'Good to see you Tom.'  The two men shook hands.  Eddies face and hands were badly scarred, Tom noted.  He had no hair on the left side of his head, his ear was competely gone and patch of skin acted as an eyelid.  They got drinks and sat down talking about the regiment.  Eddy wanted to know about everybody and everything.

When they had talked that through, Eddy asked 'Laura and the kids alright?'

'We have our problems,' Tom replied guardedly.  'How about you?'

Eddy shrugged, 'You've met the wife.  The first thing she said when I walked through the door was, 'Don't ask me what I've been doing and I won't ask you what you've been doing.  It's been all down hill from there.'

Inevitably they discussed the death of their friend, Josh Cunliffe, known as Taxi because of his habit of gaining peoples attention by bawling 'Taxi!'  Tom and Taxi had been friends since childhood. They had been keen footballers at school and local league level.  It was a remarkable coincidence that they had ended up in the same regiment.  The only other person from their town had been Eddy Stevenson and the three of them had become firm friends.  Whilst unloading ammunition one day, they had been strafed by a German fighter plane and Taxi hit in the back, the bullet exiting through his chest.  Tom and Eddy had knelt beside him trying to support his head and momentarily he had looked at both of them but then his eyes slid away, His head lolled to one side and he was dead. The two troopers were saturated in their friends blood which streamed from the massive exit wound in his chest.  The fumes and reek of it woke Tom up at nights in a recurring nightmare that he feared would haunt him forever.  They agreed to go and see Taxi's family before Tom returned to his regiment.

 

Toms final stop was at the home of his Father and Aunt.  It was a joyous reunion.  They were both in good health and blissfully unaware of events in the family.  They were obsessed with Laura and the children and discussed them at great length.  Tom left happy that at least in that household, all was well.

 

As Tom arrived home, a man approached some what nervously.  As Tom opened the door he jerked his head inquiringly at the man whom he noted had a wart on his nose.

'It's the milk bill, two and ninepence,' the man responded.

'Laura!' Tom shouted.  He heard her response from the kitchen.

'Warm in bed Walmsley's waiting, we want a word.'

Laura hurried embarrassed into the hall, searching in her handbag.  She handed the money to the discomforted Walmsley who promptly fled.  Laura glanced at her husband in exasperation, then returned to the kitchen.  Tom followed.  The children were sat at the table laughing uncontrollably. 'Warm in bed Walmsley wants a word, that's alliteration that is Dad,' June said.

'Alliteration?' Jeffrey questioned, laughing also.

'Yes,' June replied.  'We had to write a sentence using it at school and I wrote, The daft duck dived down amongst the dewy daffodils.'

'The daft duck dived down amongst the dewy daffodils!' Jeffrey echoed, and again they dissolved into laughter.  Tom smiled, there was a touch of hysteria about the kids.  Laura said, 'Come on you two, calm down and finish your tea.'  Laura was understandably on edge and to ease the situation, Tom walked into the living room.  Everything was the same but tired looking and faded.  The same pictures were on the walls which Laura had obviously tried to brighten with a green distemper painted over the wallpaper.  Tom turned his attention to the side board.  Their wedding photographs.  God how young and happy they looked.  How the sun had shone.  Then he saw it, the group photograph.  There was Taxi in his best man's suit, chest ridiculously expanded, smiling broadly at the camera.  Tom was gripped by emotions.   Memories flood back.  He lowered himself into his chair and sat staring at the fireplace.  June entered the room, 'Are you alright Dad?'

'Yes.'

'Your tea is ready.'

After tea it was bath time which entailed bringing the tin bath in from the wash house and filling it with water.  Tom gave a hand.  Jeffrey went to do his homework.  It was always girls in first.  As June prepared to undress, Tom said, 'When they are both in bed, come down to the greenhouse. We can talk there.'

Laura nodded. 

Tom walked through the garden and entered the greenhouse.  He lent back against the now rickety old bench and watched the fading sun away to the west.  Laura finally arrived bearing two cups of tea. She handed one to Tom and then she too leant back against the bench.  They avoided eye contact both sipping their tea side by side,  Tom was aware of a slight touch, Laura's arm against his.  Finally he said, 'I saw Boardman and his wife today.  Mrs Boardman sent the poison pen letter.'

'That's right,' Laura replied.  'When you sent me the letter I showed it to John and he recognised the writing.  I ended the relationship that night.'

'He wants to leave his wife for you.  He wants you to know that he will willingly take on the kids.'

Laura made no reply.  Tom went on, 'Is that what you want to do.?'

Laura shook her head, 'No!' she anguished, her voice cracking with tension, 'If you hadn't gone away Tom I would never have looked twice at John Boardman.'

Tom bit his lip, as far as he was concerned he had not gone anywhere, he had been sent but he let that pass.  'Tell me how it happened,' He said.

'No,' Laura replied.  'You won't understand.  I did it Tom, I freely admit it...I am sorry.'

'Well tell me!' Tom's voice was sharp with impatience.  He felt Laura's arm flinch nervously at the tone of his voice.  'He spoke as calmly as he could, 'Just walk me through it I want to know.'