fingers over the object. Jessie uncurled her fingers and stared at a small key.
‘What is this for, Fred?’
‘It’s the key to a cottage, which I own.’
‘You own a cottage, Fred? Whereabouts is it? You have never spoken about this.’
‘I came here as a lad, when the old Mister Drury owned the place. When I arrived I planned to stay for a year or so, but here I am still here nearly fifty years later. You see lass, I like the country. I have never been one for the town life. It is way beyond me how people can live so close to one another. Anyway the story of the cottage is this. It was left to my sister and me when our parents died. I never married and neither did she. When she died five years ago the cottage became mine. Nelson is where we spent our childhood, and that is where the cottage is. Since I have no intention at my age of returning there, I want you to have it.’
‘Oh, Fred, that is very kind, but I couldn’t possibly accept.’
‘Why ever not, I thought you wanted to get away from here and in my opinion, you should leave sooner rather than later.’
‘I do, Fred. I really do, want to get away. For my safety and Allison’s, I know that I have to.’
‘Then what’s the problem?’
‘I don’t know, it just doesn’t seem right, taking your cottage.’
‘I don’t want the damn thing. Sorry lass, I didn’t mean to swear in front of Allison.’
Jessie smiled at him and looked at the key again. In her hand she literally held the key to a different life.
‘If it’s money you are worrying about, I have thought about that as well.’
‘Fred you are kind. Actually money is not necessarily a problem. You see, years ago when Paul began going into town whoring and drinking, he would return home at night dead drunk. When I picked up his clothes from the floor, where he dropped them, I always searched his pockets. I know this probably sounds terrible.’
‘If that is the worst thing you have done lass, then you have nothing to reproach yourself about.’
‘In the mornings, he would have such a hang over, that he never remembered how much money had been in his pockets. I think over the years, he thought he spent more than he actually did.’
‘Good for you lass, good for you.’
‘Mostly it was just small change, but once I found twenty dollars. Anyway over the years it has mounted up and I have a tidy sum. I always knew one day I was going to need it.’
‘Then today is that day. You know you cannot stay and take any more of his brutality. Think of the harm this is doing to Allison.’
Such was her state of agitation, that Jessie had temporarily forgotten Allison. ‘Oh, Fred, I shouldn’t speak about these things in front of her.’
‘Its all right, she is sitting by the window, patting Smithy. She can’t lip read from that angle.’
‘I don’t know how I would have managed over the years, without you Fred. You have been the only one to offer me any kindness. Even my parents ignored my pleas for help.’
‘I know lass, and in my opinion, that wasn’t right of them.’
‘What am I to do, Fred?’
‘Take the key and start a new life. Take it and leave today.’
‘Thank you, Fred.’ She had made up her mind. Here was an opportunity that was too good to turn down, and she owed it to herself and Allison to accept. She extended her arms and Fred smiled as he hugged her tightly. ‘Try and find some happiness, goodness only knows you deserve it lass.’
Having made her decision, it was now time to take decisive action. As she stood up she had to hold the table to keep her balance. ‘Allison dear, I want you to go and get the big suitcase from the hall cupboard and then pack all your clothes, and mine. Be as quick as you can.’ Jessie signed this to her, so that there would be no mistaking what she meant. Allison never questioned her mother, but left the room to do as she was bid.
‘Now, Fred, how am I going to get to Invercargill, to catch the train to Nelson?’
‘Don’t you worry about that, you just get yourself ready. I will organise something for you.’
Jessie looked with curiosity at him. He refused to answer, but instead handed her an envelope. ‘I have written a letter, that gives you my permission to occupy the cottage, if anyone questions you. There is no need to open it just now, you have more important things to think of. Are you sure you feel up to this today?’
‘Fred, one way or other, I am not spending another night under this roof.’ Her head was pounding and her vision blurred, but her decision was resolute. Today had been the breaking point for her.
‘You go up and help Allison. I will make you some sandwiches to take. Be ready by ten thirty sharp.’
Jessie had no idea what Fred had in mind, nor did she care, her whole focus was to get out of this house. As she mounted the stairs for the last time, she had to hold the stair rail for support. Going into her room, she went to her drawer where she kept an old kitchen knife. Next she lifted the mat and with the knife that she kept for this purpose she prised up a loose floorboard. Reaching down, she retrieved a tin box. Blowing away the dust, she opened the box and looked at her secret hoard of money. It contained nearly two hundred pounds. It was not a fortune, but it was enough for them to begin a new life.
By ten thirty, the suitcase and two travel bags with their few possessions stood by the door. On the bottom of the suitcase, Jessie had carefully placed all Allison’s drawings, there was no way she was leaving them behind. Allison never questioned her mother about what they were doing. She was happy getting away from the environment that led to her mother being abused. That was until she had to say good-bye to Smithy. Fred hugged her and tried his best to comfort her. ‘I promise you I will take good care of him.’
Jessie turned Allison around, so the she looked directly at her, and then she mouthed clearly. ‘When we get ourselves set up in a new home, the first thing we will do is to get a new cat. Fred has promised he will take care of Smithy.’ Jessie felt as if her heart would break as she watched Allison lovingly stroke her beloved pet.
‘We have to go now,’ said Fred. Jessie could tell he was becoming impatient. ‘I have arranged for Charlie the mail man, to take you both as far as Winton. Once there, you will have to catch a bus into town. Charlie tells me there is one that leaves midday.’
‘How did you arrange all this, Fred?’
‘I stopped him on his way up the road, half an hour ago. He will be back any minute, so come on let’s go out to the gate.’
They hurried out the driveway towards the gate. A thousand thoughts were whirling through Jessie’s brain, suddenly she thought about Paul and what he would do when he returned. ‘Fred, what if Paul chases after me?’
‘When he comes in at lunch, I will say I think you have gone to visit your parents. After what happened this morning, he will swallow that. By the time he realises what has really happened, hopefully, you
