Winter on the Mersey(107)
Sarah held on to his hand. ‘I’d rather he beat me up than succeeded in getting into bed with Kitty. That’s what he was after, wasn’t it? It could have been so much worse if he hadn’t realised who I was. But he did, and I’m still here to tell the tale and so is Kitty. And anyway, he can’t harm us or anyone else any more.’
She fell silent. It had been a shock, she could hardly pretend otherwise, when she had finally felt able to leave her bed after the attack to come downstairs and hear the latest news. Apparently Alfie had attempted to flee from the police who’d come to arrest him by jumping into his car and driving off, even more drunk than he’d been when he’d broken in to the room where she’d been sleeping. Having left Empire Street, he had spent hours in the pub, leaving Georgie locked up in the outhouse, staying on without realising the little boy had been rescued. The publican, when questioned, had claimed he’d had no idea that the little boy had been in there. He’d thought nothing of it – just the return of a regular customer, who’d often used the yard to park his car. It wasn’t any of his business, as long as Alfie paid for his drinks. He’d been as surprised as anybody by the police arriving and accusing Alfie of his crimes.
Alfie had done a runner and sped off in his car, weaving erratically through the narrow streets. Inevitably his car had crashed, fortunately not involving any other vehicles, but he hadn’t stood a chance. He’d died there behind the wheel of his beloved car, the bonnet buckled into the windscreen, and him not yet thirty years old.
Sarah shook her head. ‘I know we shouldn’t speak ill of the dead, but nobody’s going to miss him, are they, with the exception of his mother.’
‘It was no more than he deserved,’ said Danny hotly. ‘He was a bully, a coward, a drunk and a fool. I for one won’t miss him. To think he could have had Georgie in that car with him when he crashed. It doesn’t bear thinking about.’
‘It seems cruel,’ Sarah went on, ‘to feel so little emotion. But with all the other deaths in the war, those who’ve paid the ultimate price for serving their country, I can’t bring myself to mourn him.’
Danny stroked her fingers. ‘You’re always so kind, Sar, you see the good in everyone. Even when there’s not much to see.’
‘The things you say, Danny Callaghan,’ she protested, but she didn’t move her hand.
He gazed at her directly. ‘I missed you, you know. When I was on that course, stuck in the middle of nowhere. It gave me time to think. All the men were going on about their girls and how they didn’t know if they’d be waiting for them, or if they could trust the ones who’d joined up and were on active service themselves, meeting other men. Hardly any of them seemed to be happy; they didn’t seem to have that trust between them. I thought then, how awful that must be, not to trust the woman you love. I trust you above anyone, Sar. I don’t even have to question it. I’m sorry I never said anything before. It’s just …’ He looked away, embarrassed.
Sarah kept tight hold of his hand. ‘Danny, are you saying what I think you’re saying? You’re being all cryptic, like one of your crosswords.’ She kept her tone light but she was deadly serious.
‘All right. Yes. Sar, you’re the only woman for me, I’ve known it for ages but I never dared to say.’
‘Danny.’ Sarah gasped. It felt as if she’d waited so long for him to say this that, now he finally had, words failed her.
‘Look, Sar, the thing is, you know about my heart and everything,’ he went on. ‘I felt I couldn’t offer you anything – not when I could just go out like a light at any time. I mean, what sort of life together would that be? You’d be worrying about me all the time and I’d be worrying about you worrying about me. I couldn’t ask that of you.’
‘Danny, you trusted me to keep quiet about your condition before anyone else, so why would it worry me?’ she asked, her eyes dark with concern that he might be pulling away from her even now. ‘I’ll take you as you are, Danny. As long as I’m good enough for you. I’m not clever like you, and I’m not cheeky and funny like some of the other nurses – like Maeve for instance.’
‘Maeve? Maeve Kerrigan? What’s she got to do with it?’ Danny asked, confused.
‘Oh, I was just being silly. When she came round at Christmas, I could see you liked her.’ Sarah felt sheepish now, admitting to her fleeting fear.
‘Of course I like her,’ Danny said. ‘Like you say, she’s fun, and she’s a good friend to Rita, and she’s a pretty good nurse. But that’s all there is to it. I don’t love her, Sar. I love you.’
Sarah gasped again. He’d finally said the words she’d so wanted him to say. ‘Danny. I’m so glad. I’ve loved you for as long as I can remember. Why wouldn’t I? Your heart condition makes no difference to me – it’s part of you and that’s all there is to it.’
It was Danny’s turn to look sheepish. ‘I should have known you’d say that. I was too afraid to ask you. I should have trusted you in that, like I do in every other way.’
‘Yes, Danny, you should,’ Sarah said emphatically. ‘We trust each other about everything, don’t we?’
Danny nodded. It was true. He could say anything to this woman, knowing she wouldn’t be shocked or horrified or let him down. ‘There is something else,’ he said quietly.