Part 19 (1/2)

Behind her, through the lattice of the summerhouse wall, I saw the unmistakable figure of Mrs Turner. At her side was the larger, now more menacing figure of John.

*Please,' I begged. *You need to come with me.'

Alice shook her head. Mrs Turner and John were growing closer. I wracked my brains. Why couldn't Alice understand? She wasn't insane by her own admission, but as I looked into her frightened eyes I realised that I had underestimated the impact of spending her entire life in an inst.i.tution. She was as ignorant of the outside world as she was of what was happening to her own body. It struck me now she had not reacted to my announcement that she was having a child. My p.r.o.nouncement had made no sense to her. She was as naive as a child.

I took her hand gently. *Why don't we go and see Dr Frank and let him sort this out?' I said. *You know Dr Frank, don't you?'

Her face lit up. *Oh yes! He's always nice to me. He is going to make me well.'

*Come on then,' I said pulling her to her feet. *Let's go and see him now and he can make everything better. That's what doctors do, isn't it?'

Her hand slid into mine and she smiled happily. All her cares were suddenly vanished. She might not be simple, but her mind clearly worked as trustingly as a child's. No wonder she and the simple Sophy had been friends. But how was I to get her past Mrs Turner and John? I dismissed ideas of playing hide and seek. She might be childlike, but she wasn't a child and she was far from incapable of rational thought. I had to get her away without arousing any more fears or suspicions.

I peered around the edge of the summerhouse door. Mrs Turner was hurrying off up the path away from us. If only I could persuade Alice to walk directly to the entrance to the treatment corridor I was confident I could find my way back to Bertram. I prayed he hadn't gone to find me. Everything depended on reaching his protection as soon as possible.

*Alice, we'll have to go quickly,' I said. *You'll want to be back for when the bell goes to return to your room, won't you?'

*I go to work in the laundry next.'

*Well, the laundry then,' I said trying to stay calm and fighting a rising panic. As I watched John at Mrs Turner's side I wondered if he was the man molesting the women and what he might do to me if he caught me alone out here. Would Mrs Turner help me? How many of the staff were involved in these atrocities? It struck me as likely that the male attendants, who must often be called in to subdue difficult situations, were most likely to be tempted. *We'll have to go directly to Dr Frank. Through that door over there.'

Alice began to tremble. *That's the treatment row. I don't need treatment. I haven't had a fit in weeks. I don't need it. I don't need it!' Her voice rose in panic.

*You won't have any,' I promised desperately. *It's the shortest way to Dr Frank.'

*I don't need treatment,' repeated Alice, wild eyed.

*You won't have any,' I said. *You'll be with me. I'll look after you.'

These last four words had a remarkable effect. Alice stopped shaking and looked directly at me. *You promise?'

*I promise,' I said. *Come on.'

I led her quickly across the garden. I did as I had done before and kept my head up and my eyes forward. I walked as if I had every right to be here and every right to lead Alice from this place. It is true that I felt I had a moral right to do as I did and this lent me courage.

We were almost at the door when I heard John's voice call out. *That's her!' I clenched Alice's hand in a tight grip and plunged through the door. *Run!' I said. *Dr Frank only has a few minutes to see us.'

Alice laughed. *This is fun,' she said.

I pelted along the corridor. Our pa.s.sing caused the inmates of the treatment cells to stir again. There were groans and moans the like of which I hope never to hear again. Alice's laughter was chilling and I wondered if she was as sane as she protested.

We reached the junction. I spun on the spot, twirling Alice round behind me. She thought this was a great game. Our exit was not hard to spot. It was the only panelled corridor. I set off again, dragging Alice, who was now protesting she felt dizzy. Behind us I heard running footsteps and knew I only had moments to reach the office. Was it the third or the fourth door along? I couldn't remember.

I chose at random and burst in on a flabbergasted Bertram and startled Dr Frank, who both shot to their feet. Hard on my heels came Mrs Turner and John. I pulled Alice with me into the centre of the room. I stood there panting, looking round at the unfriendly faces. For a few moments no one said anything. Bertram broke the silence.

*Euphemia, are you feeling better?' he said.

*This woman is pregnant,' I said. *Tell me how that can happen in your asylum, Dr Frank?' I turned to face John. *Or should I ask you? A male attendant in an inst.i.tution full of helpless women! What did you give them? A sleeping draught? What evil!'

*She fainted earlier, Dr Frank,' said Mrs Turner. *Hit her head on the floor. She suffered a bad concussion earlier in the week as well.'

*That might explain much,' said Dr Frank in a professionally calm voice. *Come and sit down, Miss St John. Let me have a look at you.'

*Bertram,' I exclaimed. *Don't you see what is going on here?'

*I'm sure Euphemia has a rational explanation, Dr Frank,' said Bertram.

*This is Alice, Bertram. Sophy's friend. She and Sophy had the same dreams. They were being drugged. Then men came to them. She doesn't understand what happened. She thinks, like Sophy thought, that she is being eaten by something from the inside, but it's a baby.'

*My dear Miss St John, I a.s.sure you that no woman in this inst.i.tution has ever conceived a child,' said Dr Frank.

*Except Mrs Hutchins,' said Mrs Turner, *but she is married and on staff.'

*Of course, you must have seen her in the corridor,' said Dr Frank. *It must have set off this delusion. Do sit down. I a.s.sure you this sort of thing is not uncommon after a blow to the head. It will pa.s.s in time.'

*Perhaps I should fetch something,' said Mrs Turner.

*I think that would be a good idea,' said Dr Frank. *If you could take Alice back to her room, John.'

*Of course, doctor,' said John. *Come with me please, Alice.'

*No, wait!' I cried.

John approached Alice and took her arm. Mrs Turner crossed to a cabinet in the corner and, taking a key from the chain at her waist, unlocked it. *A draught, doctor?'

*Something a little swifter, I think,' said Dr Frank.

Mrs Turner took out a small bottle and began to fill a syringe. Dr Frank came towards me. I backed away and stumbled into a chair. *There,' he said. *Isn't it better to be sitting down?'

Bertram still stood. *Don't let him harm me,' I shouted to him. *We must help Alice and her baby.'

Bertram spread his hands helplessly.

*You can't let them do this to me!'

*I should never have brought you to London,' said Bertram. *It has been too much.'

*You have to believe me!' I cried. John was leading Alice from the room. *Alice,' I begged. *You have to tell them what happened to you! You have to tell Dr Frank.'

*It's all right, Alice,' said Dr Frank. *You're not in any trouble. Our visitor is a little confused. John will take you back to your room. I'll see you later.'

*Alice, tell them about what is inside you!' I pleaded.

*Time to go, Alice,' said John. He began to pull her towards the door. Alice turned back and looked at me. Her face expressed doubt and fear. My attention was all on her and so I didn't see Mrs Turner until she had my arm in a vice-like grip. *Now, stay still, like a good girl,' she said, *and this won't hurt a bit.' The syringe hovered above my skin.

*Tell them what happened to Sophy!' But Alice ignored my pleas and walked placidly towards the door with John. *Don't let her give me treatment!' I shouted. Every muscle in Alice's back went rigid. John pulled on her arm. *Come on, Alice,' he urged, but she was immoveable. I jerked my arm away from Mrs Turner. She was leaning over me, so I couldn't rise.

*I might need a little help, Dr Frank,' she said.

Dr Frank placed a hand on Bertram's shoulder. *I realise this is all very unpleasant, but it is for the best. Miss St John isn't in her right mind. She doesn't know what is best of her.'