The five days leading up to Saturday were a distant blur. We visited old towns, cathedrals, museums, art galleries and of course pubs. We had stayed in several pubs for B&B during the week, and found them cheap and convenient, not having to go far for food and drink, but I couldn't tell you any of the places we visited or stayed during that week, except the last one.
The Fox and Hounds in Little Upton. That stay has changed our lives. We have not talked about the other night, but we will have to soon. I need to know if what happened has changed our relationship. On the outside, Chas seems much the same. I can't say I am. I keep replaying what happened over and over trying to find something wrong in it . . . something evil maybe, but I only find pleasure and fulfilment. The phone rings and I shake as it brings me back to reality. It's mum, wanting to know how the holiday went and was I still with that 'hanger-on' as she calls him.
Chapter Four
1955 Cranleigh Village, England.
The streets were lightly covered in frost, and smoke from the chimneys filled the air with memories of an earlier life for Rupert Ferris. A life before the war. One of peace and harmony. Of love and passion. Of deceit and adultery. All that seemed a long time ago now. Twenty years in the army changes any man. It rips them inside out. Cleanses them of love and passion. Only purpose and truth are left. Truth. In this case, what happened to the young Marcus von Hartstein back in Austria? A week after Dr Star's leaving it was discovered the young man known as Marcus von Hartstein had died and been cremated the same day.
Ferris was furious he had not been informed, but the medical unit was not obliged to report every death in the camp unless they were army personnel, which Marcus was not. Ferris contacted East Grinstead in England to confirm if two people had arrived recently from Austria as expected. The next day he received a reply;
From: Queen Victoria Burns Unit, East Grinstead
Attention: Major Ferris
Re your recent communiqué - we have received one patient, Private Banner who is in a serious, but stable condition. The second patient, Herr Rosenberg did not arrive - assumed died.
Signed
S Marshall
Chief Medical Officer
Major Ferris then realised who had been cremated - not the young Marcus von Hartstein, but Herr Rosenberg - the good doctor had spirited Marcus out of Austria. However, before Major Ferris could launch a full-scale enquiry and report his findings, fate intervened when he contracted T.B, and was sent to Switzerland to recover and convalesce for nine months. After serving another two years in Austria on his return to duty he finally retired and promised himself he would seek out those unanswered questions back in England, no matter how long it took.
Early evening. Car in the drive. Good chance everyone was at home. Ferris rang the bell. Mrs Star answered the door seemingly flustered at the interruption. “Sorry, my husband is not here just now. In fact, I am meeting him at the station and we are going to see our daughter perform in the school Nativity play. What did you say your name was?”
“Major Ferris. I served with your husband in Austria, after the war. He may have mentioned me.” Ferris said, turning on the charm. Rosemary Star looked thoughtful in-between checking the contents of her handbag and looking in the hall mirror. “Sorry, no, I don't think so.” She answered convincingly. “I really must go, Mr Ferris. I am late as it is.”
“Of course. I am sorry to have disturbed you. I was just in the area looking at property and remembered Nathan mention he lived around here. I am sure we can meet again.” He said, tipping his trilby. “By the way, are both of your children performing in the school play, Mrs Star?”
Rosemary did not hesitate and looked surprised at the question. “Two children? We only have a daughter, Barbara.”
“So sorry, my mistake. I must have got you mixed up with another surgeon. We met so many people during that time. Do forgive me.” Rosemary Star smiled and nodded her agreement as she got into her car and drove away, leaving the ex. Major pondering his next move. One that will flush out any close friends and relatives for certa
Chapter Five
When Rosemary and Nathan Star were killed in the car accident, Barbara was in the back seat of the car. She was just ten years old.
Her parents died instantly but she was in a coma for nearly five months in East Surrey Hospital. Rosemary had adored Marcus, as had Barbara, whom she looked up to as the brother she never had. It had been such a pointless death, as are all deaths, but Marcus could not understand how it had happened. The police reports said they swerved to avoid another car, but the road was wide and dry that Sunday afternoon, with little traffic around. He read every report on the accident including the coroner's report, who returned a verdict of accidental death. Barbara was still in a coma when the funeral was held. The small village church in Cranleigh was filled with close relatives, friends and neighbours, and Nathan's colleagues from the hospital, but one important 'friend' was missing.
“Are you sure you want to be in the choir today, of all days, Marcus,” the vicar asked with genuine concern, on hearing his request to sing at the funeral.
“Please, vicar, it would mean so much to me to sing the hymns they loved,” Marcus replied with sincere remorse.
So Marcus sat in the choir stalls giving him a vantage point to oversee the faces of the congregation. He knew the locals and a few of the relatives, but one mourner stood out from the crowd whom he recognised immediately, seated at the back of the church. Some people cannot blend-in, or they are so arrogant they just don't consider the consequences. Major Rupert Ferris sat staring at every member of the congregation, looking for a young blond man. His face was long and grave, and fellow mourners genuinely thought he was mourning for the Star's, but he was just depressed as he could not find his quarry. Marcus followed Ferris out of the church and into a waiting car, which Marcus noted the number plate of. He now had the advantage. His time would come.
Barbara woke from her coma five months after that fateful day and called out for her parents. Marcus was there, holding her hand. “Hi, precious. Where have you been all this time?” He had persuaded the doctors to allow him to break the news to his sister, which he did as gently as possible. She closed her eyes, but that had not stopped the tears and Marcus patted her face with his handkerchief, and kissed her forehead. “We will be OK, you and me. I promise,” he said, hoping it was a promise he could fulfil one day.
As Barbara was only ten years old she was placed with her grandparents until she was eighteen. She had inherited her parents’ house which had been sold, but most of the money was spent on her education at a ridiculously expensive private boarding school for girls, so her grandparents did not have the responsibility of looking after her. After sixth form, she won a place at St Andrews University where she studied, Politics, Sociology, Art and History. At her graduation, which Marcus attended, he promised again to take care of her, and she could be as free as she wanted. It would be a wonderful co-existence.
*
Marcus had to deal with the one problem in his life that could ruin everything, Major Rupert Ferris. Marcus's research showed he was living in rented accommodation in Hampstead. He had no help and was not married. Marcus surveyed his coming and goings for a month until he knew exactly where he would be on any given day. The day in question was a Thursday and the place was Walthamstow dog track. Ferris also liked the horses, in fact, anything he could put a wager on. Marcus remembered seeing him playing cards on several occasions back in the camp, and the word was he was really very