knows. When I went round to her house, she wanted to know why I was looking for Fred, so I told her.’
‘Straight out?’
‘Yes. She wouldn’t believe me, so I gave her chapter and verse. You should have seen her face.’ She chuckled at the memory. ‘But she had the last laugh. I was stuck. I had a baby out of wedlock, I couldn’t get a job, people shut their doors in my face. So I thought, what the hell, I might as well be hanged for a sheep as a lamb and enjoy myself.’
Rita knew her mother’s reputation, few in Melsham didn’t, but was it to be wondered at? What before had been an affectionate tolerance, because she was her mother who was funny and loving and generous, turned to respect. If being common and easy-going allowed you to keep your sanity and pride, then who had any right to blame her? ‘So, I’m a Kennett,’ she murmured. ‘How should I feel about that?’
‘I dunno. How do you feel?’
She considered the question for a minute. ‘Nothing at all. I don’t like George Kennett. Is he like his father?’
‘To look at, yes, but whether he’s like him in other ways, I’ve no idea. I’ve always steered clear of him.’
‘And you’ve kept quiet about it all these years?’
‘Didn’t see any point in broadcasting it. There was nothing to be gained except a lot of upset. I was protecting you as much as anyone. But if that reporter unearths the truth, heaven knows what she’ll make of it. I wish there was some way we could stop her.’
‘I’ll have to talk to Colin.’
She got up from the table and busied herself clearing the table and washing up in the yellow stone sink. Her mother seemed to have talked herself out, because she leant back in her chair and dropped off to sleep. She had had her say and now the burden of her troubles had landed squarely on her daughter’s shoulders, and Rita’s mind was in a whirl. One thing she was determined on and that was to protect her mother and Zita. And Barbara, if she could.
Colin was sprawled in an armchair listening to jazz on the radio when she arrived home after work that evening. He had a tankard of beer in his hand. Beside him on a low table was a knife and fork on a dirty plate. Without thinking, she picked them up and took them out to the kitchen where she added them to the pile in the sink, then went back to him. ‘Turn that racket off. I can’t talk above it. Unless you want me to shout. The neighbours might find what I’ve got to say very interesting.’
Reluctantly he switched off. ‘So? Spit it out.’
‘It’s about this.’ She tapped the newspaper she had brought with her. ‘I suppose you’ve read it?’
‘Course.’ He grinned. ‘I bet it’s made Kennett squirm.’
She sank into a chair and stared at him. ‘It was you…’
‘Yup.’
‘But why? What on earth did you have to gain?’
‘Why should I take the rap for everything that bugger does? I served time for him and he pulled the rug from under me. And the reporter’s promised two hundred pounds if I find out more. We could make a new start with that.’
‘Two hundred?’ she queried, shocked.
‘I thought that would make you sit up and take notice. She wants the low-down on Melsham Construction. Seems our friend George has been a naughty boy. Donald Browning is being used, just like I was. Melsham Construction belongs to George Kennett, Donald’s only the front man. The paper is prepared to pay big money for proof.’
‘You’re not going to give it to them, are you?’
‘If I can get it. Zita could help.’
‘Our Zita?’
‘Yes.’ He laughed. ‘Did you know Kennett is screwing her?’
‘What?’ she shrieked. ‘George Kennett and Zita?’
‘Yes.’
‘Who told you?’
‘The reporter, but Zita confirmed it, when I asked her. She was laughing about it, said she was only in it for what she could get out of it.’
‘Oh, my God! Colin, we’ve got to put a stop to it. Tell the reporter you made it up.’
‘Why should I? What do you want to save that bastard’s skin for?’
‘It’s not his skin I’m thinking of, it’s Mum’s and Zita’s. Us, Colin.’ She took a deep breath. ‘George Kennett is my half-brother. My father was Fred Kennett. Ma only told me today.’
He laughed. ‘You’re having me on.’
‘I wish to God I were. Shut up while I tell you.’
For once in his life