Always: You'll Never Walk Alone by Keith Whiting Page A

and our bodies warmed we sat back and relaxed.
    “So, Stephen, it’s maybe none of my business but what are you doing going all the way to Cornwall? It’s an expensive trip and I don’t think you have the money just to visit a friend, or did you hold up a couple of toffs?”
    I looked at Jim, and deciding that I could trust him, told him the whole story right from the arrival of Sarah just a few short weeks ago. When I finished he looked at me with a mixture of disbelief and concern. “So you think you can just go down there and rescue her from Lord Beecham?”
    “I don’t know, but I can’t just do nothing.”
    “Well, you’re either very brave or very foolish or possibly both. Since you’ve come this far, I s’pose there’s not much point in trying to change your mind. I know where Lord Beecham’s estate is. When we get to St. Ives, I’ll take you there. It’s not far, but you’ll have to be very careful, he lives in a well-guarded castle and I don’t think he’ll just invite you in. Have you thought what you’re going to do once you get there?”
    I admitted that I hadn’t and he shook his head in disbelief.
    “The things we do for love. Well, it’s getting late and we have an early start, so we better get up to the rooms. Do you have enough money to pay? If not, you can sleep in the stables. You’ll be good and warm with the horses.”
    I told him I had some money, but thought I should save as much as I could so I’d sleep in the stables.
    “Well, I’m a bit too old to be sleeping in stables, so I’ll be going up to my room. I’ll treat you to dinner.”
    I insisted on paying my own way and went to the bar to ask Bob for the bill. I reached inside my shirt to retrieve my money just as Mr. Mortimer and Mr. Chisholm reached the bar next to me. I withdrew the two notes. Just as I offered the pound note to Bob, Mr. Mortimer gripped my hand.
    “This is the thief that stole my money!” he shouted.
    “He was sitting next to me on the coach; he must have picked my pocket. Fetch the police.”
    Before I could object, Jim was at my side. “These are very serious allegations you’re making, do you have any proof?”
    “I don’t need proof. This is just a common criminal, there’s no way he could have got this much money legally. Now call the police at once.”
    “Are you sure it was him?” It was Mr. Chisholm.
    “Of course I’m sure. I had the money when I got on the coach and it was gone when we reached Kingston. Who else could it be?”
    “Well it does seem fairly conclusive. Someone had better fetch a constable.”
    “NO! It’s my money. My parents gave it to me.” I finally found my voice.
    “I’d be surprised if you even know who your parents are,” sneered Mr. Mortimer.
    “You… you know my parents. You saw them at the Fox.”
    “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’ve never been to any Fox.”
    “But… but…”
    “Innkeeper, call the police now, or I’ll have you arrested as well.”
    Bob looked at me and then at Jim before saying, “I’m sorry I’ll have to send for the police. They’ll clear this up I’m sure. Jen go fetch the constable. Mr. Mortimer, take your hands off the boy.”
    Mr. Mortimer glared at him but released my arm.
    Ten minutes later, Jen returned with a policeman, who was immediately accosted by Mr. Mortimer. “Sergeant I want you to arrest this boy. He’s a thief.”
    “Just hold on there now. What’s he s’posed to have stolen?”
    “He stole my money on the coach and now he’s trying to spend it. It’s lucky I caught him when I did or who knows who else he would have robbed.”
    “How much did he steal from you?”
    “I had ten pounds when I got on the coach, when I arrived in Kingston I had nothing.”
    “And how much does the boy have on him?”
    “I have six pounds sir. My parents gave it to me for the trip.”
    “Six pounds eh? It must be a very important trip for them to have given you so much money.”
    “Yes sir,