The Lily-White Boys Read Online Free PDF Page A

dropped her mother at the door and drove round to the mews to garage the car. So much for her attempt at string-pulling, she thought wryly, and with a mental shrug resolved to let the matter take its course.
    Later, however, on the point of sleep, the van driver’s face came into her mind, white under the street lamp and staring straight up at her. Unaccountably she shivered and, pulling the bedclothes more tightly round her, she turned on her side and determinedly settled to sleep.
    Doris Trubshaw stirred, felt the space on the mattress beside her, and heaved herself up on one elbow. Her husband was at the window again, holding the curtain aside and peering into the street below.
    â€˜Come back to bed, love,’ she said gently.
    â€˜I thought I heard the van.’
    â€˜Well, they’ve got their own key.’
    â€˜It wasn’t them, anyway. I can’t think where they’ve got to. They’ve never done this before.’
    Her heart contracted at the sight of his drooping shoulders, the sparse hair ruffled from an uneasy sleep. ‘They’ll come back when they’re good and ready. They can take care of theirselves, them two, don’t you fret.’
    â€˜But we’re responsible for them in a way.’
    â€˜That we’re not!’ Her voice had sharpened. ‘They’ve been up to all sorts of tricks I’ve not bothered you with, but if one has backfired they’ve only themselves to blame.’
    Sid, on the point of climbing back into bed, stopped and stared at her. ‘What are you on about? What tricks?’
    â€˜Least said, soonest mended.’
    â€˜Doris, for pity’s sake! What have they been up to?’
    â€˜A spot of burglary, I’d say. Suspicious packages under their beds – that kind of thing.’
    â€˜But – why didn’t you tell me?’
    â€˜Because I knew you’d worry and it’s not our problem. Can't take on the cares of the world, you know.’
    Carefully he eased himself into the bed beside her, sliding as he always did into the hollow in the middle. She felt his feet, cold from his sojourn at the window, brush against her warm ones. ‘I wish you’d told me,’ he said flatly.
    â€˜And what good would that have done? It’s not as if they’re our own. As long as they keep their room tidy and pay the rent, we can’t interfere. Or would you have gone to the police?’ she added mockingly.
    â€˜No, of course not.’ He sounded shocked, missing the sarcasm in her voice. ‘But I could have warned them, like. Told them it doesn’t pay in the long run.’
    She gave a mirthless laugh. ‘But it probably does. Better than their window-cleaning, anyway. How d’you think they could afford those leather jackets?’
    He gave a little shiver and she leaned over to tuck the blanket more tightly round his shoulders. ‘Go to sleep, love. There might be some news in the morning.’
    But there wasn’t, and at midday Sid could stand it no longer. Miserable and anxious, he made his reluctant way to Carrington Street police station.
    â€˜Yes, sir? Can I help you?’ The desk sergeant hadn’t looked up from his papers.
    Sid cleared his throat. ‘I’d – I d like to report two missing persons.’
    â€˜Two? Don’t do things by halves, do you?’ Fenton looked up quizzically, regretting his flippancy when he saw the man’s drawn face. ‘Right, sir, who are you missing?’
    â€˜Our lodgers. Two lads by the name of White. Brothers. They went out after supper on Monday, and we’ve heard nothing since.’
    â€˜A moonlight flit?’
    â€˜No, their rent’s paid up and everything’s still in their room.’ Even the prized leather jackets.
    â€˜And you are?’
    â€˜Mr Trubshaw, twenty-four Trafalgar Street.’
    Fenton looked up, frowning. The address sounded familiar and almost at once slotted into