Mother’s Only Child Read Online Free PDF Page B

intent on destruction, and the sooner he got off the boat and got help the better.
    In his haste to turn round, he stumbled. He didn’t fall, but stood for a moment stock-still, wondering if the slight sound he’d made had alerted the men in any way.
    There was no sound of pursuit, however, so Sam went on again. He crossed to a gunboat, which lay against the dockside wall. Thinking it a safer route, he was creeping round the deck of the boat, next to the wall, when his foot slipped and he fell with a thud onto the deck. He lay still for a moment, but he didn’t appear to be hurt anywhere, just winded. He began struggling to his feet.
    There was a sudden thump in the middle of his back and, unbalanced as he was, he couldn’t save himself. He couldn’t prevent the cry that escaped from him. His hands clawed desperately at the air as he tumbled from the boat and hit the water with a splash.
    The shock and cold of it took his breath away at first and then he began to thresh about, trying to find the side of the boat, anything to pull himself up. Suddenly the boat, jostled by its neighbour, moved slightly, crushing Sam against the harbour wall.
    Sam screamed against the agonising pain, but the boat pinned him effectively and what came out was just a groan. He knew he would die, there in the dockside. The pain of leaving Sarah and Maria, and the thought of what they’d do if he wasn’t there to see to them caused him to close his eyes against encroaching death.
    By the time the policeman went off duty, Sam was unconscious and the dockyard as silent as a grave, the only sound that of the lap of water as the boats moved against the swell. He called for Sam—more urgently when he found his bicycle still propped against the wall—but there was no answer. In the end he went into the barracks room and reported that Sam was missing.
    The lieutenant who had spoken to him earlier that evening was more worried than anyone. He led the search for Sam Foley, but in the light of the shaded torches, all that the Government allowed in the blackout, to search for anyone was a miserable and probably pointless task.
    Despite the message sent with one of his colleagues, Conrad’s wife berated him soundly for the time he’d got home, hours after the others. ‘There was a job to finish. I’m second in command,’ he protested. ‘Sam was there too. In fact, I intend going over in an hour or so to see he’s made it back all right.’
    ‘Why shouldn’t he?’
    ‘He was still at the docks when I left.’
    ‘Why?’
    ‘He heard a noise and went to have a closer look.’
    ‘What sort of noise?’
    ‘Any noise would be unusual in a dockyard that is supposed to be deserted.’
    ‘On his own?’
    ‘Aye,’ Con said. ‘The police and military are almost within calling distance and military police patrol the dock every hour or so.’
    ‘Well, then, what harm could come to him? Isn’t he surrounded by people?’
    ‘I know. I’d just like to check.’
    ‘You’ll do no such thing,’ Brenda said. ‘Isn’t Sam a grown man?’
    ‘I know, but—’
    I know, I know…Dear Christ, if Sam suggested you leap in the fire, you’d likely consider it,’ Brendasaid scathingly. She was jealous of the deep regard the two men had for one another and always had been. ‘It’s not Sam Foley you’re married to, a fact you seem to forget at times. I see little enough of you. The only place you’ll go this night is to your bed with me.’
    Con, seeing the set of his wife’s mouth, wondered what would happen if he was just to put on his coat and push past her to still the tug of anxiety he had for Sam. But Brenda’s temper was such that he seldom defied her and he was too weary himself to start a fight, which he knew from experience could go on for hours. So he shrugged.
    ‘As you like,’ he said. ‘But, it’s not unusual to be concerned for a mate.’
    The knot of worry stayed with Con, even after he’d climbed the stairs and into bed, where