I rose to go. “Mrs. Arkwright, what you say won’t go farther than this room. May I ask the same of you?”

“You can that, lass.”

“Then we’ll talk another day.”

I put on my coat.

She touched my arm. “Mrs. Brockman’s your friend. Might you find out about the children?”

“I’ll try.”

“And I won’t rest until Stephen’s let out of that place.” She walked me to the gate. “I made sure all the Bluebell lads washed their necks. Last night I woke from a dream about Stephen. He was in his cell. I lifted his chin, and I heard myself saying, I’m glad to see you’ve a clean neck.”

Chapter 19

Chapter Nineteen

There is no better way of having a person on your side than to promise a flattering portrait. Alec, the railway enthusiast, was sitting on a bench by the stable door, wearing Sunday-best trousers, an old woolly, and a tweed cap.

He had been reading Comic Cuts but now put his comic on the bench.

He stood as I approached. “Oh, I was miles away. Wasn’t listening for a car.”

“Well this is your time off.”

He grinned. “You went to chapel with Milly.”

“I did, and I took her photograph. Now I’d like to take yours.”

He stared. “Me, just me?”

“Yes.”

“I’ve never had a picture on my own, only with the others at the Bluebell.”

Once more, I went into my explanation about an article, and people and places. I could see that he had already heard the story, but listened politely.

I took out my Thornton-Pickard. “Where would you like to have your picture taken?”

“I’d like to stand next to your car.”

“There are bigger cars to choose from. I won’t tell.”

He looked thoughtful. “If the car was too big, I would never pass it off as having once been mine. Besides, I like the Jowetts. There’s an old one for sale in the garage where I work on Thursdays, It’s tip-top.”

“I’m guessing you like most cars. I know you like trains, I’ve been hearing about the little red engine you had.”

His face lit with a brilliant smile. “I hope one of the kids took it with them.” He stood by the car, waiting.

“Go on, get in the driver’s seat.” The sky was a perfect blue, the bright sun sandwiched between a mass of white clouds with dark centres. “Let’s make the most of the light.”

“Should I take my cap off?”

“You’re fine just as you are.” I like to chat as I set up a photograph, to put my subject at ease. This time there was an ulterior motive. “So which comes tops for you, trains or cars?”

“I’ve given up on watching trains.” He hesitated. “Mr. Raynor said best not go any more.”