Chapter 37. An Assault in Broad Daylight
Outside the first flakes were starting. The sharp air caught in Scarlet’s throat. Baby Nick’s breath came in short puffs. She saw nobody walking in the street at all. That’s paranoia for you, she thought. Being scared of people who aren’t there and people who are there. She resolved to walk to the grocery store like someone with a right to exist and to move freely, and not like a fearful, naughty schoolgirl playing hooky. But as soon as she turned the corner a man leaped out of the shadows and a hand grabbed her. It was Ian. “You almost frightened me to death!” she barked. “You’re not supposed to be here – I have a non-molestation order against you!” “If I didn’t know it was you – if you insist on creeping about in disguise – how can that be my mistake?” He was unshaven, his eyes terrible. She felt a stab of fear over his anger. This side of the building was virtually an alley – she should never have taken it but gone the long way around. No one would see her or help her if she needed it. She tried acting brave, and didn’t address his implication that he could have grabbed Enid. “Now that you know, leave me alone.” “But this court order, Scarlet! What are you playing at? That I’m a danger to you, to our son?” Her heart smote her – this would always be her Achilles’ heel. She could never believe he’d hurt Nick. On the other hand, she knew he was desperately committed to getting whatever he wanted when he wanted it - would be careless of Nick and entrust him to God knows who. And there had been a day – not so long ago, either – when she would have sworn he would never hurt her. The best defense - “You put Candi in the hospital!” she accused. “It was nothing but a couple stitches. She was in and out. I was only trying to stir up a bit of excitement – the woman’s like a planked fish in bed.” “You moved her into Wyvern because you’ve got a yen for fish?” Ian tightened his hold on Scarlet. “She quit her job! Her husband threw her out after she told him I raped her - I had to shut her up.” His eyes boiled at her – he did look dangerous. “Well that didn’t work – she followed you to London and threatened me.” “You’re joking.” Still, he didn’t release her. The greatcoat was so huge he couldn’t really hurt her but blocking her motion, imprisoning her, made her feel panicky. She tried shaking him off. “And who’s that living in the flat?” He relaxed into his first smile. But it was a wicked grin. “I knew this was all about jealousy! Relax, Scarlet, you’ll always be my number one! Don’t we need a nanny? She’s a nice country girl with a modest little job who needed a place to stay and is used to caring for brothers and sisters. If you decided you don’t like her, say the word and she’ll be gone.” “We need to make decisions through our solicitors,” said Scarlet, trying to push the stroller on. She didn’t want to call his attention to the fact that he hadn’t glanced at his son - it was informative – but she couldn’t surrender to his clutches. Ian shook his shaggy head. He needed a haircut. Maybe he was going for the look of one of the teddy boys at the Aldershot Palais. “Scarlet, you’re being ridiculous! You’ll beggar us and nobody wins! If you insist on divorce, all right, but let me see my son! Stay out of my sex life and I’ll stay out of yours. Don’t make me show MY photographs of YOUR boyfriend!” “I don’t have a BOYFRIEND. Pom is a FRIEND. My employer is employing him to do a job of work. If you’re willing to get the divorce all you have to do is tell Jellicoe. We’ll meet formally, iron out visitation, the lot. Don’t spring at me in alleys.” But he didn’t let her go, and he didn’t look at their son. Instead he pushed her against the wall and began passionately kissing her. “Oh Scarlet,” he moaned, “I’ve missed you so much. None of them are any good. No one’s got your spark. Don’t make me travel to America for a replacement! Come back to me, or if you won’t, at least give me husband’s privileges. Do you know how long it’s been?” She did know. She had reason to know that it was longer for her than for him. She twisted her mouth away but he crushed her lip with his teeth. Horribly he scrabbled at her clothing – she felt helpless – thinking –this must be what it feels like to be raped. She was powerless – he was so strong, swarming over her, pushing her right up against the stone wall. He found the police whistle and seemed to back up a little, pulling it up to his eye line so he could see what it was. “What’s this then?” He asked. “Gift from your admirer?” She snatched it from him and blew. The sound was earsplitting. He staggered away, pointed angrily at her and disappeared around the back of the building. Scarlet reversed course and rushed back to the front door of 14 Norfolk Crescent. Her thoughts were jumbled and crazy – where was the detective? How about HER detective? Where was ANYBODY – she certainly had seen no policemen. But Ian seemed believed to believe someone might come and that was good enough. She guided the pram up the steps and into Miss Bottomley’s front hall. She threw off the already unbuttoned greatcoat in a frenzy, stripping mitten and hat. Voices still came from the dining room so she pushed the pram towards the kitchen and through the swing door into the warm fug of the friendly room. Nick howled lustily. “Ian attacked me,” Scarlet gasped, falling into a chair. Enid’s face went white. “We’ve got to go to the police!” “I’m not going anywhere. I’m – afraid.” Scarlet burst into tears, laid her head on the table and wept. “At least we must call them.” Enid scrabbled for the phone. “Your police whistle saved me. Give me the phone.” Enid comforted Nick. Scarlet called D’Arcy instead. “It’s an emergency.” Gotobed the clerk put him right on the line. “Ian attacked me,” said Scarlet, trying to control her voice. “I was walking Nick, he pushed me up against a wall and started kissing me and tearing off my clothes.” “Oh, my God!” said D’Arcy. “How did you get away?” “I blew a police whistle.” “Well that was fortunate. Do you need a doctor?” Scarlet felt her lip. It was swelling, but no blood. “I don’t think so. Swollen lip.” “Can you make a police report?” The thought of leaving the house made tears spring to her eyes once again. “No, I don’t want to.” “I can do it for you. May I send Gotobed over to photograph your face? He’ll take the particulars.” Scarlet turned this over in her mind. Gotobed was a sweet, elderly man – could she speak to him about this? “All right.” “Very well then. He’s a cab ride away.” She hung up the phone feeling better while Enid alternated between taking pies out of the oven and getting tea. “I didn’t get your lemon curd,” she sniffed, “But your police whistle saved me.” “Thank God for that! Did a bobby respond?” Scarlet shook her head and sipped her strengthening tea. Gotobed arrived with a huge accordion camera and took a couple of snaps. Scarlet was so embarrassed she kept her eyes closed. Apparently there were also red marks on her throat – bruises developing. “The man must have been mad,” said Gotobed. “Have you ever been married?” asked Scarlet, instantly regretting the question as Gotobed’s face closed up. “I have not been blessed,” he sniffed. “Who would care to be blessed by THIS?” asked Enid, lightening the moment as she placed a plate of fragrant pie in front of Gotobed. Gotobed produced a notebook. “When was this incident precisely?” “Twenty minutes ago,” said Scarlet. “I was taking Nick on a walk to Sawditch’s to get lemon curd for Enid here and as soon as I rounded the corner – around to the right side there’s sort of an alley – he was on me.” “What did he say exactly?” She tried to remember while Gotobed wrote. “He was angry about the non-molestation order. I told him he shouldn’t be there – we needed to let the solicitors decide and he said they would beggar us. I said something about him putting Candi in the hospital and he said she was terrible in bed.” “He said that?” Enid gasped, then as Scarlet flushed said, “Sorry. I probably shouldn’t be here.” Scarlet placed a restraining hand on her arm. “No. Stay.” Mr. Gotobed said, “You have to stay. We need a second witness.” “Then he started kissing me, backed me right up against the wall. I was trying to twist my face away and he unbuttoned my coat and found the police whistle. While he was trying to figure out what it was I grabbed it out of his hands and blew it. He ran away. He never even looked at his son! Nick was right there!” Gotobed offered her statement for her to sign. “If you’ll just sign on the witness line, Mrs. Rumson? I’ll take this complaint around to the police and they’ll pick him up. Best pie I’ve ever tasted - ” he added, eying his half-eaten piece regretfully. “But I must be going.” “Of course,” Enid agreed. “Shall I wrap some up for you? No? Well, come back any time.” He insisted on taking another snap of Scarlet’s face – “It’s darkening up –“ he commented - before he left. Scarlet took Nick gratefully from Enid and buried her nose in his sweet neck.. A bell rang from the dining room. “Their tea needs freshening,” said Enid, preparing a tray. Scarlet was not able to get up the stairs without Miss Bottomley seeing her. “Scarlet! What happened to your face?” Bob Thomas’ concerned features appeared behind her. “Ian – my husband – attacked me. Mr. Gotobed’s taking my complaint to the police. I’m going to lie down.” Mr. Gotobed emerged from the kitchen, putting on his hat. “Just the man,” said Mr. Thomas. “Mrs. Bottomley’s business also requires a witness.” “Should I stay?” Scarlet asked unwillingly. “No. Gotobed can do it. You go lie down.” “Won’t the police want to speak to me?” “Not till tomorrow.” Nick started his caterwauling again – it was hard for Scarlet to surrender him to Enid but he knew she needed a hot bath. Thank God for mothers’ helpers. Every woman needs several, to Scarlet’s way of thinking. She went right upstairs and sank gratefully into a hot tub liberally laced with peony bath salts. Once she was dry she took a sleeping pill. When she awoke it was dark outside. “Turning night into day,” she thought. “Now I’ll be up forever.” She went into the bathroom. Her own face in the mirror terrified her – was that a BITE? She had no recollection of Ian’s teeth but he had kissed so forcefully she finally understood the term “masher.” This would take more cover-up and concealer makeup than Scarlet knew she possessed. In a way it was a relief to see the dark bruising – it proved she wasn’t “making a mountain out of a molehill” as Ian doubtless would claim. There was a knock on the bathroom door. Scarlet opened it slightly to see Enid’s concerned face. “May I bring up a bit of food after your bath?” she asked. “We could have dinner together.” “Dinner? Isn’t it after nine?” “Miss Bottomley went to bed before dinner, she was so exhausted. She says she and Bob Thomas created four trusts!” “Good heavens,” laughed Scarlet – “I’m tired just HEARING about it. What happened with the publishing?” “She’ll be majority owner! It means once again she’ll own Miss Clew!” “That’s good news anyway.” “I missed you both so much it really took the fun out of dinner. I ate cheese and crackers and put my nice hot pot aside. But here I am hungry again, and as you know, hot pot only gets better!” “Well,” sighed Scarlet – “I don’t want you to take trouble –“ “Scarlet, there’s a dumbwaiter! As you very well know!” “Then it would be lovely,” said Scarlet. And it was.
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