HERE THERE AND EVERYWHERE CHAPTER 6 WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS
In the café a waitress took Lucy's order.
"Are you alright, love?" the woman asked, noticing the slight redness around Lucy's eyes.
"I'm fine, thanks," murmured Lucy, feeling anything but. Only yards away her beloved Jude was sitting in a police cell, possibly facing a sentence for assault. And if that happened – how would she explain it to the kids? Air fares were too expensive for them to visit regularly – and it wasn't the way she wanted them to see their Father's native city.
As she sipped her coffee Lucy tried to put her thoughts in order. As if she were writing an article she assembled the facts. Jude was facing an assault charge because Bert had told a pack of lies. Molly had been the only witness but she had confirmed Bert's story. Lucy didn't believe she was being vindictive or jealous but she was obviously too scared to tell the truth. Yet that was the key to vindicating Jude.
So Molly had to be persuaded to tell the truth – and to be convinced that to do so was in everyone's interests, including her own. Lucy couldn't comprehend how she could stay with such a brute – there was no way she herself would. But then she had been lucky that she had never had to make that choice. Jude was always so gentle and loving with her.
There was nothing else for it. Lucy would have to ask Molly – beg her if necessary – to come clean. It wouldn't be easy – Molly was plainly terrified – but she had to try – and she had to succeed. She couldn't let Jude down.
Lucy called over the waitress and ordered another coffee and, forgetting her figure, a slice of chocolate cake. She would need to fortify herself for what lie ahead.
Lucy went back to the house only to get Molly's address. There was no time to waste, the sooner Jude got out the better. As Lucy made her way to the place through the maze of terraced houses it fascinated her how people lived in such places. They did seem a strong feature of British life. Those in America lucky enough to live in houses lived in detached houses with lawns and space. She had been writing an article on Liverpool and she was struck by its unique character and melting pot of influences and its warm-hearted and resilient people. It was like no other city, not only in the world, but also in Britain.
Lucy was now nearing Molly's home and her heart skipped a beat. Molly was walking on opposite side of the road. Lucy had been rehearsing what she was going to say in her mind but it all vanished from her head. She didn't feel quite ready to approach Molly but would she ever be? She had to act now and maybe it was a good thing she didn't have to go to the house if Bert was there. Resolutely she crossed the road.
"Molly," she said as she went up to her. "How are you?"
Molly looked startled as she recognized Lucy. She didn't really want to speak to her so she made to hurry on.
"Molly, please stop," said Lucy, running after her. "I suppose you've heard what happened."
"Yeah," said Molly uncomfortably. "It's bad luck for Jude."
"Molly, I know what really happened." There was no point in beating around the bush. "Bert hit Jude first and Jude was defending himself. And you do too. Molly, Jude could go to jail if you don't change your statement. Please tell the truth, Molly. Why are you shielding that bastard?"
"I don't want to hear this," said Molly.
"Well, you're going to," said Lucy. "Those bruises on your face. I suppose he's been hitting you again. Why are you putting yourself through this, Molly? Just leave him."
"He's got a drink problem," murmured Molly. "He's getting help for it."
"He can't be," exclaimed Lucy. "Believe me, Molly, he's not going to change. He thinks he has a right to hit you but he doesn't. Put him behind bars where he belongs. Nothing can be worse than what he's doing to you."
"Perhaps if you hadn't stolen Jude from me, I wouldn't be like this now," Molly couldn't keep the bitterness out of her voice. She looked at Lucy with what seemed like loathing.
"Molly, I never stole Jude from you," replied Lucy, shocked at such an allegation. "Jude told me you'd split up. There's no way I would have gone with Jude if you were still together. I lost my first boyfriend in the Vietnam War, I know what it's like."
"You lost your boyfriend so you decided to steal mine," said Molly rancorously. "I don't owe you anything – or Jude."
"Maybe not me but do you know why Jude went to your house? To see if you were OK. Do you really want to see him in jail for a crime he didn't commit? Molly, please. You're the only one who can get him off the hook. Don't be afraid. I swear nothing will happen to you. You'll be free of that bastard, isn't that something?"
There was no response from Molly. Lucy felt like she was banging her head off a brick wall. Desperation welled up in her at the prospect of failing in her mission. Her voice broke and tears blurred her eyes.
"Molly, Jude's a Father. It would kill our kids to be separated from him. Don't do this to us, please. You're a Mother. I'm sure you'd do anything to stop your kids being hurt."
"You kids aren't my kids," said Molly coolly. Lucy's distress made her uncomfortable but she didn't want to concede.
"Molly, you're the only one who can end this," said Lucy. "No matter how much you might resent me-,"
"I don't resent you," said Molly unconvincingly. "I just don't want to get involved."
"Molly, all I ask is that you tell what really happened. And please believe me when I say you'll benefit from that more than anyone. You can stop that bastard treating you like shit. Stay with him and you'll regret it. Molly, please, I'm begging you. Don't do this to us – or yourself."
To Lucy's horror she felt the tears begin to roll down her cheeks. As she looked at the pleading eyes of the other woman Molly felt herself vacillating for the first time. There was no denying that Lucy had been kind to her and helped her. She had even defended her against Bert and put her own safety at risk. And not once had she rubbed Molly's face in it over Jude. As for Jude – she hadn't thought about him in years. It was just his sudden re-appearance had awoken old memories at a time when she had been emotionally vulnerable and in her mind Lucy had been the reason for her own predicament. After all Jude would never have bashed her around the place.
Now here was Lucy entreating with her for her and Jude's future. And Molly's own envy loomed before her in stunning clarity. She envied Lucy her beauty, her grace, her obviously superior education – but above all because she had Jude. She had the power to ruin this woman's happiness but could she be that vengeful? Yet she did not want to admit that Lucy's obvious love and devotion for Jude moved her. She was clearly a strong woman – unlike Molly herself who found taking any kind of initiative terrifying – another area where Lucy was superior.
Just then a young man stepped in view. Lucy didn't know that he was a childhood friend of Jude and a cousin of Molly. He looked awkwardly at the two women then said
"She's right, I couldn't help overhearing. She's right, Molly, you've got to tell the Police what really happened and about that bastard. You can't stay with him. Could you live with yourself if Jude went to jail for something he never done?"
"Do it for yourself, Molly," pleaded Lucy. "Get away from him and you can start living again."
"Alright," said Molly in a low voice. "I'll do it."
"Oh, thank you," exclaimed Lucy. She rushed up to Molly and gingerly kissed her bruised cheek. "I won't forget this, Molly. It's for the best, believe me." Molly shirked away, somewhat embarrassed.
"Do you want me to come to the Police station with you?" asked Lucy. She wanted to ensure Molly did go there.
"It's OK. I can go there myself," said Molly. Then seeing Lucy's doubtful expression "Don't worry, love. I will do it."
"Yeh, I'll make sure she will," said Dave. "And we'll make sure that bugger comes clean too."
"How?" asked Lucy, puzzled.
"Oh, we have ways of persuading him." Dave winked at Lucy. "Don't worry, lass, everything is under control." He put his arm around Molly. "Come on, girl, let's go and put that bastard where he belongs." Lucy watched them until they were out of sight then confident that they were going in the right direction she turned and went back to the house.
It was a few hours later. Lucy had been working on her article on Liverpool but she had given up when she found she couldn't concentrate. She tried to read a copy of the Liverpool Echo but again found her mind wandering. She had a horror that Jude's story would appear in it. She didn't know what to do. She felt stir crazy. Maybe she could go out for a walk but there could be news any minute and she didn't want to miss it. She saw the telephone on the sideboard. She could ring the kids but they would wonder why their Dad wasn't ringing too. Lucy turned on the TV which was showing some inane soap opera. Finding that it grated on her nerves Lucy switched it off and turned on the radio.
She couldn't believe it. They were playing Hey Jude. It was too close to home and Lucy went to switch it off. And yet as her hand rested on the dial she found that she couldn't. It was as if the song was speaking to Jude through her, giving him hope – giving them both hope. Was it coincidence – or was fate telling her something?
Lucy listened to every word and she felt comforted. She felt as if everything was going to be alright, despite doubt wrestling with her premature optimism.
Just as the song came to an end Lucy heard a knock at the door. Warily she got up and before opening it she asked "Who's there?"
"It's just some of Jude's old mates," came the reply.
Relieved, Lucy opened the door. "Come in, guys."
They came in, led by Dave.
"This won't take long, love," said Dave. "Just to let you know that we've had a friendly word with that toerag Bert, and he's agreed to drop the charges."
"Just like that," exclaimed Lucy in disbelief. "I hope this isn't a joke, guys, because I'm not in the mood for it."
"Well, he don't like water too much so let's say that after a bath in the canal he agreed to come clean. Not that you could wash the filth off that scum." The man who spoke was Jude's cousin, Bill.
"We tried to persuade him nice, like," said another man whom Lucy recognized as Charlie. "But her weren't having none of it so we had to get tough. We don't take kindly to liars or scumbags who beat up on women."
"So we gave him a personal escort to the Station and made sure that he dropped the charges and told the truth. So I reckon Jude'll be home for his tea this evening," another man said.
"So I'd get down to the Station now if I were you, love," said an older man she knew as Cyril. "The poor lad's gonna want some kind of welcome after being stuck in that place."
Lucy looked at them, her eyes glistening and she smiled warmly. "I can't thank you all enough," she said softly.
"No need for thanks, love," said Dave. "Jude's one of us and he always will be no matter how far away he is. We look out for our own around here – and their own. Just remember that, love."
As she looked at the simple, humble but big-hearted men before her Lucy felt a true affinity with her husband's native city and its resilient and warm people. She hoped it wouldn't be the last time that they visited.
Jude jumped to hear the door unlock. Being stuck in this place with its claustrophobic walls was driving him stir crazy. But what was most frustrating was that he didn't know what the hell was happening. If they were going to convict him he wished that they would do it and get it over with.
The door opened to reveal the young officer who had escorted Lucy back earlier. "Good news, mate," he said. "The charges against you have been dropped. You're free to go."
Jude looked at him in disbelief. "Are you taking the piss, mate?"
"Do I look like I'm joking? Now do you want to go or not?"
Jude needed no further invitation. He leaped up and bounded out of the cell like a greyhound out of its tracks and practically ran out into the reception area. The first person he saw was Lucy and instinctively he knew she had played a part in his freedom. He hauled her into his arms and swung her around.
"I told you I'd get you out," said Lucy as she stood with her arms around his neck. "And I always keep my promises."
"I never doubted you, sweetheart. What did I ever do to deserve you?"
"Well, it wasn't just me, Jude. I had a little help - in fact a lot of help – from some friends."
Jude kissed Lucy passionately, glad of the prospect of being to piss the Sergeant off. However he seemed almost amused at the joyful scene and just said wryly "OK, sign for your stuff, lad, then hop it, the pair of you before I change my mind."
What a joy it was to step outside into the warm Summer air after several hours in that cramped, dingy cell. Jude took a few breaths of air then put his arm around Lucy.
"C'mon, let's go home," he said. I need a bath and a shave."
"I don't doubt that" said Lucy, noticing the stubble.
"And you can tell me how you got that bastard to change his mind," said Jude. "I can't for the life of me how." Then he added gently "I know you're a miracle but you keep on surprising me how much."
"Well, as I've already said, you have a lot more people to thank," said Lucy. "I couldn't have done it on my own."