Arnie Jenks and the House of Strangers (5 page)

‘Yes,' he said, thinking about his parents. ‘I would do it too.'

Both boys acknowledged each other with a single nod.

‘I wanted time to think; so I thought
where
I could ‘ide. ‘Ere seemed ideal; the police probably wouldn't think I'd ‘ave the nerve to scarper up this way. I'd just wait till dawn, I thought, and then clear off. My mum does the milkin' on one of the nearby farms. I could see her on my way through. If I could get away with that – I'd be ‘appy.'

Thomas puffed heavily and his lungs strained like exhausted bagpipes.

‘How old are you?' said Arnie, trying not to cough.

‘Eighteen – though I know I don't look it. Long pins don't run far in our family.'

‘Were you forced to join the army?'

‘No one made us. But everyone was signin' up and I wanted to do my bit. When the posters came out spoutin' “Your Country Needs YOU”, I didn't think twice.'

‘Ok,' said Arnie, ‘I get that.'

‘But I ‘ad no idea…' said Thomas, looking away.

‘Is it
really
awful out there?' Arnie said after a moment.

‘Yeah – ‘tis,' said Thomas, drawing hard on his cigarette. ‘Whatever they tell you – nothin' can prepare you for standin' on the top of the ladder and lookin' out over the miles of churned up ground…coils of barbed wire and…bodies…I just couldn't deal with it…I failed.'

‘You tried though…' reasoned Arnie. ‘That's important isn't it?'

‘Look where I am now. In a real fix!'

‘But you could explain…'

‘No. I ran away. That's not an excuse. I left ‘em behind…'

Arnie floundered, thinking of something helpful to say.

‘So, you're really a stranger ‘ere like me then.' Thomas said changing the subject.

‘Kind of,' said Arnie, swinging his legs a little. ‘I'm just passing through. I'd meant to leave earlier but my plans changed and so had to stay for the night. I hope to be away first thing.' Arnie crossed his fingers behind his back and wished.

‘Likewise,' yawned Thomas through dense patterns of mucky smoke. ‘But if I'm gonna ‘ave a fightin' chance…I should ‘ave that rest now.' He stood up and dragged himself over to a corner.

‘You cross with me?' he called back as he lay down.

‘Why?' said Arnie.

‘Disturbin' your peace. I must be the last person you expected to find down ‘ere. ‘Ell of a surprise?'

‘Not quite,' said Arnie truthfully.

‘Well, sorry ‘bout that, but I didn't plan it that way either – it just ‘appened.'

‘What? You running away?'

‘Didn't want to but ‘ad to in the end.'

Arnie looked to the floor.

‘It's ok you can say it. Not right to desert your country. I
do
know that.'

‘I don't know what to think,' said Arnie, leaning back in his chair.

‘Why should you? You're only a nipper – what do
you
know?'

‘Yes,' said Arnie softly. ‘I don't know anything really.'

Thomas sighed. ‘Thanks for not judgin' me – I've done enough of that myself for one day.'

Arnie stood up and indicated the sofa. ‘You should sleep on this.'

‘No, no…I'll be all right ‘ere. I'm more used to sleepin' on the ground.' Then Thomas sat up and pointed a finger at Arnie.

‘You promise not to ‘and me in while I'm asleep?'

‘You're fine. I'll keep watch,' said Arnie, forcing a flat smile.

‘Keep watch?' Thomas frowned.

‘Yes, till it's time for you to see your mum.'

‘Oh. Ok. I thought you meant somethin' else,' he yawned. ‘A few minutes spark out is all I need. At least it's quiet ‘ere,' he said softly, closing his eyes and laying back down. ‘Little chance of an attack tonight,' he said resigned, ‘so peaceful…' He rolled over away from Arnie. ‘Do you know a funny thing?'

‘No.'

‘Until I got called up, I'd never spent a night away from ‘ome before.'

‘Oh?'

‘And ‘ere I am – to France and back – not even my mum knows where I am.'

‘Well, you're home now,' Arnie reassured him.

Thomas uttered something under his breath but Arnie couldn't hear what he said.

‘If anything happens I'll wake you.'

But Thomas was already lightly snoring so didn't reply.

Arnie watched the resting soldier for a while before walking slowly to the door. He peered out into the corridor. ‘Emily,' he whispered. ‘Where have you gone? Are you hiding? Emily? I've got a bit of a problem here…'

A different noise answered him – feet were crunching the gravel outside.

Arnie rushed back into the Blue Room and leapt to the window. Outside he saw men carrying lamps. They were searching, slowly and methodically, spreading out across the garden. He ran over to the slumbering Thomas and tugged his hair.

Thomas jolted awake in a second. ‘What?' he said, fear in his eyes at first before seeing that it was Arnie, not a nightmare, nor an assassin.

‘There are some people outside. I saw lights,' Arnie confided.

‘What? ‘ere at the ‘ouse?' Thomas's face tensed.

‘I think they came along the driveway,' said Arnie quickly, ‘perhaps they're going to search the woods?'

‘I thought my luck was too good to last,' said Thomas realistically, getting up and heading for the door.

‘Where are you going?' said Arnie.

‘I've got to scarper – before it's too late.' He paced around thinking. ‘I can't believe they'd think to come up ‘ere…'

Thomas turned slowly to Arnie, his face hard like stone. ‘You ain't betrayed me ‘ave you?'

‘No!'

‘How do I know that? I've been out cold. You could ‘ave sent word to the town!'

‘I wouldn't do that!' said Arnie defensively.

Scurrying to the window, clearly panicking, he peered out. ‘It's gotta be the police! Who else could it be? They've come to get me!' he spluttered.

‘We have to be quick,' said Arnie. ‘This way!'

They exited into the hall and rushed to the stairs.

‘Where are we goin'?'

‘Somewhere you'll be safe until they've gone.'

‘Where?' gasped Thomas.

‘There's a room I tried to get into before – it might contain a secret hiding place.'

‘Might?'

‘Yes!
Might!
It's the best idea I've got!' insisted Arnie, as they rounded a corner on the first floor landing.

‘Where is it?'

‘Next floor,' panted Arnie. They raced on like cheetahs.

‘You're pretty sure though – ‘bout this room?'

‘No,' said Arnie catching his breath.

‘What?' cried Thomas.

‘You see it was locked when I was there before and though I found a key I was stopped from getting inside by Mr Silverthorne.'

‘Who's Mr Silverthorne?' Thomas wailed.

‘Take too long to explain. Anyway I hardly think you're going to run into him.'

‘Why?'

‘I…think he's…just not around at the moment, that's all,' said Arnie hastily, not wanting to explain any detail.

Thomas looked desperate as they skidded to a halt outside the door with the letter “M” proudly displayed above. This time there was no red rope refusing entry. Arnie stepped forward and tried the handle. ‘It's still locked,' he said frustrated.

‘‘Ow we going to get in?' fretted Thomas.

Arnie smiled mischievously. He stood on tiptoes as he had done before and stretched up, his fingers searching. ‘Let's hope some things don't change,' he said to himself.

Sure enough, lying at the furthest reach from him was the barrel of a key. He coaxed it out along the edge until he was able to flip the end round and then down onto the carpet.

‘Hurry!' said Thomas, as Arnie inserted it into the lock and with a sharp twist – the door fell open. A moment later they were both inside.

‘Don't turn on the light!' whispered Thomas. They shared a look before Arnie dashed to the window and stole a glimpse through the rotten net curtains.

‘What can you see?'

‘Nothing,' said Arnie warily.

‘Maybe they've given up?' whined Thomas.

‘Can't take that chance.' Arnie stared hard outside looking for any signs of life.

‘If they find me – I'll be shot!

‘We're not going to let that happen,' said Arnie defiantly.

‘But how?'

‘Quiet! I need to think,' hushed Arnie, looking around. ‘Now where would you hide a hole?'

The room appeared unexceptional. A slender bed and a washbasin on rusty metal legs huddled against one wall, while a tiny wardrobe and side table stood against another. Nearby, several childish sketches were dotted around a peeling cork pin board together with a faded chart showing large and small letters of the alphabet.

Arnie started his search by crawling over the unpainted wooden floorboards on his hands and knees but could find no evidence of a trapdoor. Then he moved to the walls. In one corner where the plaster dissolved into stone, Arnie traced his hand across the rough surface that curved in the middle before flattening out.

‘This could be part of the tower,' said Arnie. ‘I saw it from the outside earlier today.'

‘What good is that to me?' Thomas hissed.

‘Well, there might be a way in,' Arnie hoped, as he spread his palms outwards and pushed firmly to check for weakness but he could find none. He moved to the bed positioned hard up against some painted wooden panels into which smaller squares with individual patterns were carved. Moons, stars, suns and lightning were depicted but if there was a clue here, Arnie couldn't see it.

He started by trying combinations of the shapes, individually at first and then together, attempting to discover a hidden switch or key but luck seemed not to be with him.

‘Thomas! Any sign of anyone?' he called over his shoulder.

No answer came.

Arnie turned to see Thomas knelt in the middle of the room – praying.

‘Thomas! Cover the window! We must know what's happening out there!'

Thomas dragged himself up and risked a look.

‘One of ‘em is watchin' the ‘ouse! Why is he doin' that? Is he goin' to come in? Arnie!'

But Arnie was too busy concentrating on the cryptic puzzle. A symbol that was different from all the others – an image of an eye slightly eroded – had drawn his attention. He put his thumb onto it and pressed hard. He felt it move.

‘I think I've found something,' whispered Arnie excitedly.

Thomas dashed over as a section of wall swung open exposing a dark recess. He stepped quickly past Arnie and climbed inside.

‘I'll be back for you as soon as they've gone – promise,' said Arnie.

‘You do understand don't you?' Thomas said, peering out from the dark, ‘Why I couldn't go on fightin'?'

‘Get back in! There isn't much time…'

‘Once I'd got to France…'

‘You should never have gone,' croaked Arnie. ‘It's not your fault what happened.'

‘I wanted to do my bit but there ain't no rules – no one teaches you ‘ow to survive. Nobody knows that back ‘ome.'

‘I didn't either before I met you,' said Arnie, and he stuck out his hand. ‘But I do now.' He felt Thomas's palm brush his for a second before it retreated into the void. The panel closed up and all was as before.

‘Are you all right in there?' whispered Arnie, pressing his head lightly against the wall.

Thomas didn't reply.

‘I will come back,' he said to himself as he turned round to leave the room.

He jumped. Emily was standing there.

‘Where have you been?'

‘I haven't
been
anywhere,' she said innocently.

‘Really?' said Arnie puzzled.

‘Yes! I've seen
everything
. I finished laying the fire, turned round and the room seemed to change all around me. You were still asleep but soon woke. I wanted to speak but something stopped me like I was trapped in a sort of bubble – couldn't even reach out. All I could do was listen and follow. Until now.'

‘Why would that happen?' said Arnie, as they left the room quickly – him locking the door and pocketing the key.

‘I don't know – but thinking about it…'

‘Yes?'

‘…what if I can only be
with
you when you really need me?'

‘How do you mean?' he said.

‘Well, like now with Thomas when things get a bit sticky – a nudge in the right direction?'

‘You're to help out when I'm stuck?'

‘Maybe. That's what it looks like.'

‘I can cope quite all right – thanks a lot!' said Arnie, folding his arms.

‘Ok. So what are you going to do now?'

‘I haven't decided yet…I'm thinking,' said Arnie obstinately.

Emily peered out of the landing window. ‘Well you had better be quick. Look!'

Several men had formed a little group on the lawn and were talking. They flashed their lamps towards the house.

‘I think we might get paid a visit. Any minute!'

‘I'm
still
thinking,' said Arnie struggling, ‘but…as you're here and I'm not quite sure what the best plan is at this moment…what would you suggest we do?' As an option!'

Emily walked a little way along the landing – her mind turning.

‘Well it's Thomas they've come for,' she said gravely.

Arnie's face fell. ‘We can't hand him over!' he said, moving across to her.

‘No?' Emily looked blank. ‘Why not? It might be for the best.'

‘What?' said Arnie completely thrown.

‘Well he has broken the law.'

‘But…he's terrified!'

‘I know, he's a criminal on the wanted list! Traitor some might say.'

‘But he was made to run away. It's horrible out there – killing and blood and everything. How would you like it?'

‘I wouldn't!' she admitted, ‘But it wasn't me that signed up to go to war.'

‘But he didn't realise what it would do to him. How could he?'

‘And that's a good excuse for packing it in? What would happen if everyone thought like him, I mean, where would we be then? Occupied that's what! Invaded by foreigners!'

‘Emily!' he cried.

‘I'm only looking at it from the other side of things,' she said calmly. ‘I don't want to be uncharitable – but this is bad.'

‘But I promised!'

‘It's
dangerous
Arnie. If he's caught hiding here then we are in for it! I'm just explaining the risks.'

‘What risks?'

‘We could get hurt – those men out there are determined to get what they want, can't you see?'

‘I just wanted to help!'

‘I know you do,' she said coolly. Her eyes became still. ‘We could perhaps…'

Arnie raised his eyebrows. ‘What?'

‘…give him a sporting chance? Help him to get out of here unseen and then…it's up to him.'

‘You'd do that?'

Emily smiled. ‘Of course I will. We're both in this together aren't we?'

Arnie nodded quickly.

Emily looked back outside. ‘They're coming! I must get to the front door before they wake the whole house up.'

They made their way quickly down to the ground floor and into the hall. Emily turned to Arnie.

‘Once I've sent them on their way…'

‘…me to deal with Thomas!'

‘Agreed!' said Emily.

Arnie tried to follow but she waved her hand, ‘No, if they see you it may confuse them. They might think you're the soldier they've come for. Stay here.'

Reluctantly, he did as he was told and watched Emily disappear down the dim corridor out of sight. He listened, as he heard the heavy scrape of bolts being carefully drawn across and then the sound of a muffled conversation, too low to make out what was being said. Then all went quiet. No talking, no movement, no sound at all.

Arnie counted the seconds until a full minute had passed and then edged forward, slowly and carefully, crossing to where Emily had gone. He stopped dead and stared through the open front door. He was quite alone.

Beyond, a dog howled for a moment before the sound was carried away by the wind.

‘Thanks Emily,' Arnie whispered. ‘If you are standing there watching me, then – well done!' he grinned.

Oh yes! he reminded himself, better do my bit! He raced back towards Thomas high up in the secret room.

A clock on the landing was chiming 11pm as he reached the black door. He looked around to check the coast was clear before fishing out the key and letting himself in. He stood in the dark and listened for a moment, to make sure he felt safe, before walking over and opening the panel in the wall.

‘Thomas!' he whispered, as he peered inside. The space was empty.