The Walters Boys

By Paul 'Pops' Westlake

All Harvey Walters wanted was a simple life of marriage, family and peace. He had the marriage and a son, John that he was devoted to, but he couldn't find peace thanks to his cruel and controlling wife Edith, a woman who has never taken to Harvey's family.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Paul Westlake
• Release date: May 16, 2022
• ISBN: 9781802275339

Book preview

THE WALTERS

BOYS

HARVEY

Paul ‘Pops’ Westlake

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Copyright © 2022 Paul Westlake

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or used in any manner without written permission of the copyright owner except for the use of quotations in a book review.

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First paperback edition

Book design by Publishing Push

ISBNs:

978-1-80227-532-2 (paperback)

978-1-80227-533-9 (ebook)

SYNOPSIS

The question now for Harvey Walters was this, where was the bigger conflict? The war that was developing rapidly all over Europe, or his marriage and home life? For as Hitler`s Third Reich begins taking over Europe, Harvey strongly suspects that Edith, his wife, has murdered his own father. But with no proof, and along with her controlling influence over him, he says nothing, not even to other members of his family. He is soon called to serve his country, but his main purpose will always remain not to serve the King, but to survive the war and get home to be a protector and father to his beloved son John.

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

1

Well, it had to be true didn`t it? I mean even Churchill himself said so, so it must be true. The war, is now finally over, and Hitler and the Third Reich had been defeated so now all those thousands of people who had now gathered along the Promenade of Plymouth Hoe were fully entitled to celebrate, which was what they had every intention of doing.

Everyone danced merrily; everyone drunk merrily, everyone even kissed merrily as no matter whether they were Soldier, Sailor, Marine or Airman, everyone one of them was assured of some sort of female company no matter what shape or form that came in as they all wanted to say thank you for risking their own lives not just for the sake of their country but for the sake of their freedom.

Churchill then declared that there now would be a two-day National Holiday which even more smiles that could be seen for miles as all the tears of the almost six previous years were now replaced with tears of joy and hope for a brighter future. But somewhat surprisingly amongst all this jubilation, there appeared to be just a subtle hint of not only loneliness, but also sadness, which appeared in the form of one solitary man.

While others boogied and jived, there was now a line of servicemen and women who, along with all the good people of Plymouth, who had all linked arms as they belted out a chorus of `Well Meet Again` one woman then offered her arm to this man as a clear and open invitation to join in the festivities. The man was taken completely by surprise by this as he looked back at her, somewhat a touch frightened by her invitation as she then says. Sorry my love, didn`t mean to give to you a fright.

The man didn`t say anything, he just forced himself to smile a polite smile as if to say, `that`s okay` as he just turned and walked away. The woman though, wasn`t entirely convinced that he was okay, but it did appear that, for some strange reason, he wanted to be alone so who was she to argue about it as she turns back to the sailor who she had linked arms with and planted a kiss on his cheek to which he answered with a kiss on her lips.

Hour after hour everyone just continued to celebrate. Whether it be street parties for all the families and kids; to all the pubs and bars for all the servicemen and girls to drink and dance throughout the night and yet through all the joy, there was still this sad and lonely figure just wondering around very quietly and always politely refusing any invitation to join in any of the festivities that he was asked to join in with which at one point, as he wandered aimlessly past one particular pub, did slightly offend one soldier. Oi, what`s wrong with you mate huh? Just offered to buy you a drink to celebrate beating that bloody Hitler come on in, what`s wrong with you?

The man just politely smiled and just carried on walking. What, my money ain`t good enough for you or something? The soldier asks becoming a touch irate but before anything did get out-of-hand, the girl who he was dancing with pulls him back by telling him Look, leave him be. If he doesn`t want to drink, then he doesn`t want to drink alright let him go.

The soldier then just agreed with her and as they entered the pub again, he ordered a round of drinks for everyone as the man just continued to wander aimlessly through the streets with a clear and distinct appearance of someone who had no real idea about where he was going but it also seemed that was exactly the way that he wanted it.

And on the morning of the third day when the party was finally over, and all the streets were just littered from end-to-end as all the revellers were now finally sleeping it all off, the man was still wandering the streets all by himself. Still looking like, he had no real idea about where he was going or where he had exactly wandered to these past couple of days as he then found himself making his way back towards the Promenade where he then finds himself a bench to sit on and just sits and stares, aimlessly out to sea.

He just continues to stare and stare until he began to look all around in the hope that there just might be someone around for him to talk to. But there was no one. No one at all. There was just a chilly early morning breeze for company. Some tears then begin to roll down his cheek and as he wipes them away, he then stands up with an apparent purpose, as it suddenly appeared that he knew exactly know what had to be done.

On the other hand, hectic just wasn`t the word for it as Sgt Phelps, had clearly had enough for one day, and it wasn`t even midday yet. Exhausted and fed up, he just wanted to go home and with his constable`s assistance, he finally managed to get rid of one unruly and drunken sailor who was complaining about his lost wallet, he managed to catch his breath for a minute and moan to himself. It`s all very well Churchill declaring a Public Holiday, but it`s not him that has to do the clearing up after, is it? Any hope of him catching even just a five-minute break, were soon dashed as a woman, was literally dragging her young son by the scruff-of-his-neck, marches straight up to the counter.

Well, it`s about time, I`ve been sat here ages waiting to be seen right, now I`ve finally got someone`s attention this is my youngest Harold and over the past few weeks he`s been nothing but trouble. He`s been smashing people`s windows, getting into fights and he even thought it was funny to let the tyres down on Dr Wilson`s car the other day when he was calling on old Mrs Jessop about her bad legs didn`t you little swine? And I`ve had enough now! So, I want you to tell him that if there`s any more trouble from him all I have to do is bring him back down here and you`ll stick him in one of your cells with no food or anything like that because he needs sorting don`t you huh, you little swine.

Sgt Phelps then peered over his counter and looked down at Harold and could clearly see that from his frightened eyes that just the fact that his mother wasn`t making empty threats when she said about getting the Police to sort him out seemed to be doing the trick, but he thought that just a final quick word from himself would seal it.

Right Harold, let me tell you that what your mother says is absolutely true. We do have cells just in the back which are especially for little boys and girls of about your age who cannot behave themselves. Cells that are always cold and at night become very, very dark. And the best part of it is, is that we can keep you there for as long as we want to. Imagine that eh. Being stuck in a cold and dark cell where no one can come and see you, ever. Not on your birthday or even at Christmas time. Now you wouldn`t want that would you Harold?

The manner of which Sgt Phelps said what he just did could have possibly persuaded most adults to stay out of trouble, so, he had no difficultly in persuading a young boy like Harold who then promised not only him, but his mother as well that he would now be behaving himself.  There`s a good lad Sgt Phelps says before his mother then says.

I hope so I really do because I`m at my wits end with him I really am.

So, where`s his father? Sgt Phelps asks.

His father! Don`t talk to me about him. Useless thing that he is. No doubt propping up some bar somewhere desperately trying to tell anyone that will be stupid enough to listen to him about how he done his bit in Europe. Hah! What a joke that is. He couldn`t even get into any of the forces as he had dodgy blood or something like that so all he could do was get into the Home Guard and according to his platoon captain he couldn`t even fire his rifle properly. Couldn`t hit a-barn-door-less-than-fifty-feet away he said. So, we had no chance with him defending us if Hitler ever did get this far. Bloody useless he is. Right then my lad, hope that you`ve learnt your lesson because I promise you, just one more thing from you and you heard what the sergeant just said, there is a cell just waiting for you got it. Then, without any further ado, she grabs an even tighter hold of Harold`s neck and before he could even think of answering he was marched straight out of station and home.

No, that`s alright, it was my pleasure to help please do come again as we`re only too happy to help because it`s not as if we`ve got anything better to do Sgt Phelps calls out after somewhat sarcastically just as she then slams the door behind her and Harold.

Ungrateful cow, next time, why just you don`t stay at home and sort out your own problems he mutters to himself as he then takes a quick look around his station and at first glance it did finally appear to be empty as he decides.

I need a brew.

As he notices the constable who had escorted the drunken sailor of the premises who now didn`t appear to be doing any much. "Oi! you, if you`re just stood around doing nothing you can get that kettle on come on, you know how I like it.

Yes sarge, the constable answered as then without question, heads back to behind the counter and as he was just about to go into the back kitchen when Sgt Phelps asks him. Who`s that?

The young constable looks to where Sgt Phelps is now pointing. I`m not sure. He walked past me when I was getting rid of that sailor. Didn`t even realised that he had sat down, thought he had walked out again. They both then just look at the man who had tucked himself away in the corner and was now sat ever so quietly. Judging by his face you`d had thought that we`d lost the war the miserable sod Sgt Phelps began before he says. He just walked in and didn`t say anything you say.

Yes that`s right, not a word. Like I said I`d thought that he`d gone the constable tells him before Sgt Phelps shouts out.

Excuse me sir, can I help you?

The man, slowly turned and looked around, wondering who it was that was now appearing to be talking to him. Hello, yes over here the Sgt says as the man then realises who it was that was talking to him.

Are you in charge here? the man asks very softly.

Well, I am the Desk Sergeant so yes, that makes me in charge. So, can I help you? Sgt Phelps asks. The man deliberated for a minute and thought hard about what or how he was going to say as he then eventually says.

Yes, I would like to report a crime that has been committed.

Very well then sir, if you would like to come up to the counter, you can tell me all about this crime that you wish to report, and I can start taking a few details if you don`t mind Sgt Phelps says as he takes hold of his pencil in anticipation.

The man just nods his head as he then slowly stands up and begins making his way towards the counter. He wasn`t being deliberately slow in getting there as Sgt Phelps and the young constable were undoubtedly thinking, but the past two or so days of just wondering around the streets with virtually no sleep had clearly taken its toll on him but he did finally reach the counter as Sgt Phelps asked his first question. Right then sir, can I have your name please?

Yes, it`s Harvey, Harvey Walters Harvey answered still in a softly spoken manner. Right then Mr Walters, and what is the crime that you wish to report? was Sgt Phelps second question as he looked at the man`s appearance as he then must have been thinking to himself that with all his years of experience as a policeman that he knew a mugging when he saw one or just like the drunken sailor maybe he had just lost his wallet or he`d done something completely stupid. He certainly was not expecting the answer that he then got.

A murder. I would like to report a murder please.

It wasn`t just the crime itself that caught Sgt Phelps and the young constable completely of their guard, it was more the calmness of Harvey`s voice when he said it. Especially when he said please at the end.

Right sir, I just want to make sure that I heard you correctly. Now you did say that you wanted to report a murder. Is that correct? Sgt Phelps asks slowly and deliberately just so there was no misunderstanding.

Yes, that`s correct Harvey answered still with an unusual calmness in his voice which did begin to concern both Sgt Phelps and the young constable as Sgt Phelps then took a moment before he asks.

Very well Mr Walters, do you know who it is who`s actually been murdered? Harvey nodded as he then answered.

Yes, it`s my wife that has been murdered and please before you ask any more questions, I would like to tell you now that it was me that done it, so I was wondering what happens to me now exactly.

No sooner had he finished speaking; Harvey`s face then said it all, as it was like a burden that been slowly but surely been choking him and finally let go of its grip on him and he could now finally breath again as he began to finally relax and he stood now stands there quite content to accept any punishment that was now almost certainly coming his way as Sgt Phelps and the young constable still both didn`t know what to think or say about this in the slightest as this was something far from  the usual drunken behaviour or lost dog that they were accustomed to as Sgt Phelps then just had to ask again. You want to report a murder?

Yes.

What, a real one?

Which Harvey thought was an odd question which was why he answered with, Is there any other kind?

To which, after a moment`s thought as he then looked towards his young constable to see if he could offer any assistance in answering this question, alas he couldn`t as he just shrugged his shoulders, Sgt Phelps could then only answer. Suppose not really as he then, thinking now that this clearly was not a hoax of any kind, set about doing his job.

Very well sir, but before I go on, I hope that you are aware of the seriousness of what you are saying to me. To which Harvey understood fully which clearly suggested by his nodding in acknowledgement. Sgt Phelps proceeds to ask. Very well, firstly, could I have your full name?

Yes, it’s Harvey, Harvey Walters Harvey answered very politely before Sgt Phelps goes on to ask where he lived and after Harvey had once again politely and willingly told him that he lived at 56 Albert Road in the Devonport area of Plymouth as Sgt Phelps then went on to ask. Well thank you for that Mr Walters now, you say that you`ve committed a murder….

Yes that`s right I have.

Okay then, and you say that it`s your wife that you have killed? Harvey again politely and more to the point willingly then answered.

Yes, that`s correct. Edith.

Now confessing to a murder is quite clearly one thing. Confessing to murdering your own wife especially in such a polite and willing manner which Harvey is quite clearly doing at this point is something else entirely which was why Sgt Phelps then lost all grip of his pencil which then bounced twice on the counter before falling onto the floor as he and the young constable just gawped at Harvey scarcely believing that what appeared to be a meek and mild-mannered man that was stood in front of them hardly seemed capable of stealing someone`s milk of their doorstep let alone actually taking another human life.

Edith?

Sgt Phelps asked once he pulled himself together and retrieved his pencil from up of the floor. Yes, that`s right Harvey answered still-remaining very calm about the whole thing as Sgt Phelps then decides not to waste any more time in ordering the young constable to then escort Harvey Walters into the nearest interview room which was done without any fuss or commotion as Harvey remained more than happy to co-operate.

Now no matter how grim looking the interview room was, and to most people grim would certainly be the first word that came to mind if they entered it themselves Harvey though, seemed quite content with the surroundings as he sat there quietly and very politely refusing any offers of tea that the young constable was happy to make for him as then, after a short time, Sgt Phelps then entered along with Detective Inspector Harris who, as soon as he looked at Harvey, had the same thoughts as Sgt Phelps that this surely was not a man capable of murder as he turns to Sgt Phelps and asked him quietly. Are you sure that we`re in the right room? Sgt Phelps just nodded in reply before he asks, still quietly.

56 Albert Road Devonport you say that address sounds very familiar, and can`t think why right now, go check it out, will you? Sgt Phelps discreetly nods as he quietly makes his way out of the room. 

Right then D.I. Harris mumbles to himself before taking a seat at the table opposite Harvey and begins. Mr Walters, I believe. I`m Detective Inspector Harris and I understand that you came in this morning to report a murder?

Yes that`s right, it`s my wife Edith that has been murdered and as I explained to the good Sergeant it was me that done it and I would like to tell you now Detective Inspector Harris that I will co-operate in any way that you want me to which yet again was said in a calm and collected manner that D.I. Harris who, just like Sgt Phelps had been on the force for many years, found this difficult to comprehend.

Right, very well then, thank you Mr Walters for offering to be so co-operative….

That`s okay I came in here today wanting to co-operate and you can call me Harvey Harvey says with a gentle smile.

Alright then, Harvey, would you like to tell me exactly what has happened? D.I. Harris asks very curious indeed about what Harvey had to say.

"Why yes indeed Detective Inspector, but before I do, I just would just like to