Free I SHALL FIND YOU by Ony Bond

Godfree.”
    “That black refugee?” he thundered.
    “Yes, Dad.”
    His hands clenched as his face turned red. “You bought him food?”
    “You should have heard the names Joel called me. I needed this guy.”
    “Who’s Godfree?” Mrs Clarke asked.
    “A refugee at the factory,” Frank fumed. “Remember your sister. That cheat isn’t a hero. Can’t you see he followed you, planned with Joel to appear the hero and win your favours? He’s a trickster. Such a person lured your sister. They’re experts at it. You must stop talking to him.”
    “He came to buy tools for his allotment.”
    “Enough! You want to suffer the same fate as Loyce?”
    “It’s absurd to think he wanted to hurt me!” Her voice raised. “Thought you’d appreciate he stood for your daughter against a rude bully. You don’t care he called me a prostitute and more? My sister had that horrible experience, but Godfree’s not a rapist and never knew that bully. I really thought you’d appreciate what he did, even thank him on Monday at the factory.”
    “I will not! He planned it, tricked you, hasn’t he? Made you think he’s a saint. I know these tricksters.”
    “You’re acting like a bigot, Dad.”
    “For trying to protect my daughter?”
    Mrs Clarke spoke. “Hold it everyone! No need for this. Frank, that guy helped our girl. Wasn’t it decent of him?”
    He stood, his breathing rugged. “I’m knackered with these refugees lying their way past out borders, thinking they can get everything free.”
    “He did help your daughter.”
    “It’s fabricated. Joel and him are friends.”
    “Dad, Godfree doesn’t even know him,” Rose said.
    “You’re just too naive to see he wants you. Don’t talk to him again.”
    “Free hasn’t violated any girls.”
    “I suppose he also bared his back, showed you his scars and talked of the torture he suffered, huh? He did that with James so he’d tell us. He doesn’t fool me at all. You fell for it.”
    “That’s insulting, Dad. He came to the boot-fare to buy stuff. Your world has shrunk to one of suspicion and xenophobia. Godfree isn’t what you think.”
    “Anything else I should know? Did you sit in the car and hold hands?”
    “Can’t I choose my friends? I am over twenty-one.”
    Frank sneered. “Don’t tell me you are friends now? I forbid it. It’s true that rat’s after you.”
    “He isn’t a rat!” Rose jumped to her feet.
    Mrs Clarke got between them. “Frank, there’s no need for such language. I don’t think that boy deserves that after what he did for Rose.”
    He shook his head. “You can’t see it either. He’s fooled both of you. What’s next? Inviting him for tea?”
    He walked up the stairs to his bedroom and banged the door.
    “What’s just the matter with him?” Rose asked.
    She explained dad and her had been nasty to Godfree at work. Now she was realizing after talking to Godfree some of these refugees couldn’t help being here. They had been caught in political turmoil and had to leave. The rapist in Loyce’s case was imprisoned, and deported to his country of origin. That did not reverse her sister’s horror. But should Godfree be blamed for that? Failing to appreciate what he had done was not the answer. Had her parents not taught their children to be civil?
    “I agree, Rose.” She held her hand. “Let’s go for a drive.”
    Mrs Clarke found a spot and parked.
    “You got to understand your dad’s still upset, Rose. Loyce’s incident shook him.”
    “Mom, he’s using it to hate every refugee.”
    Mrs Clarke exhaled, glanced at her feet. “Rose… there’s something you should know. I don’t know how to say this.”
    “What’s wrong, mom?”
    “Your sister lied about being violated.”
    “What?”
    Betsy confided Loyce had lied in court. She had a secret affair with Charlie, who was in love with her, and proposed marriage. But she was afraid of her family. Loyce went to a pub, got drunk and cheated on Charlie, who caught