If She Doesn't Scare You

Chapter 5- 1953- The Housekeeper

She was terrified. She knew she had to get up and do something. Check the house, phone the police- anything that might save her, but she simply couldn't move. She had been so sure that her death was coming it almost hadn't been a relief when they'd spared her. She had no concept of time anymore so for all she knew, they'd only left 5 minutes ago. She was surprised that no neighbours had come knocking after all the noise. Then again, it was sometimes normal for boisterous noises to occur. Mr Peterson from over the road had a shotgun and was always practicing in his spacious back garden. Maybe neighbours had thought that was the noise. She took several very deep breaths and lifted her head.

The window she'd heard fired at was the one looking over the outside of the street. It hadn't been blown to pieces but there were shards all over the window ledge and carpet. A few had even scattered over to the fireplace. Nothing else seemed to be amiss- except of course for the two missing dogs. The thought hadn't fully registered with her yet, but when it had, she sat on her heels and cried. Pongo and Perdita were gone, and it had been her responsibility to look after them. Couldn't she do anything right? No wonder Rodger wanted her gone so badly- she'd heard him tell Anita enough times. She got up steadily, checking herself for any injuries and crept between all the rooms in the house. She was conscious that something could spring out at her any second, so she hummed to herself- trying to make herself less afraid. Once she was sure there was no one around she went back into the living room and tried to gather her thoughts. She couldn't phone anyone- not yet, her voice was still failing her. Her thoughts kept coming back to those two men and the dogs. Whatever had they wanted with dogs? People broke in and stole things yes. China, silverware, jewellery too, but never had she heard of a break in for the family pets.

She closed her eyes, trying not to let the tears fall. It was her own fault; she kept thinking. No use crying over that. She looked up at the mantle clock and tried to piece together a timeframe. She knew Anita and Rodger had left at 5, and the robbers had broken in less than half an hour later. That meant- oh god- she'd done nothing at all for an hour and 40 minutes! She had no idea it had been that long! Anything could've happened by now and Anita and Rodger would be back any second. Her head spun and she had to breathe deeply to control herself. She wasn't sure whether to wait for them to return or call the police. Luckily for her, that decision was soon made for her, as she heard the key turning in the lock and the sound of raised voices.

"And you didn't phone the police why?" Rodger was saying. It had taken a while for her to piece the story together, stopping every other word to cry or apologise. Anita kept telling her not to, that it wasn't her fault, but it was hard not to feel guilty when there were tears coursing down her face too. Rodger had heard 2 words of her story and then held his hand up to silence her. He'd told her to check the puppies with Anita and then gone to phone the police himself. They were told a Constable and Detective were about to be put on duty so said they'd send them as soon as they could. That had been 20 minutes ago. Nanny hoped they would come soon. Then Rodger had wanted to know more.

"I...I just couldn't Rodger" she was saying, through clouds of tears. "I didn't even realise how late it had become until I saw the mantle clock. I...I suppose I was in shock."

"In shock!" he didn't say anything after that. He sat down in the armchair, although he must've been cold from the draught coming through the broken window. He was breathing heavily, clearly working himself up into a rage. He didn't say anything though, just looked at Nanny with his cold, brown eyes as though he could get his message through by telepathy. Anita was still quietly sobbing but he made no move to try and comfort her. Nanny didn't dare- not with Rodger in this temper. She willed the doorbell to ring. Begging for this silence to be over before Rodger hit out at her...or worse. The loud, shrill tone of the bell made them all jump. Rodger snapped out of his stupor and made for the door, glancing at Anita as he went past. It was only when he was out of the room did Nanny dare to move. She didn't say anything, just placed her hand over Anita's to try and sooth her. She looked up gratefully, smiling as best she could through the tears. You did this, Nanny thought to herself, I hope you understand that.