by Emma Hornby
It was mid-afternoon and the two women were making their way homewards after another successful day on the stall.
‘Fret not, love. I’ve sorted it,’ Lizzie announced, and Laura turned to her with a smile of surprise.
‘You have? How?’
‘Frank said he’d help us.’
Of course. She might have guessed. ‘Oh?’
‘He’ll call at the court for the cakes each morning and take them to the market for us. It’ll have to be early, mind you, so he’s time to set up his own stall after.’
‘You sure he don’t mind, Lizzie?’
‘Nay. It were his idea. Kindness itself, he is.’
Nodding, Laura studied her friend discreetly. Lizzie had a look about her lately that she’d never seen before. A sort of … quiet confidence was all she could describe it as. Though she had her suspicions as to what – or who – was causing it, she didn’t feel it her place to ask outright. It really was none of her business, after all. Still, she couldn’t help but feel there were troubled times ahead.
‘Will tha come in for a sup of tea, love?’ Lizzie asked now as they reached her door, but Laura shook her head.
‘I’ll not, ta. I’ve Mr Howarth coming round shortly.’
‘The coal merchant?’
‘That’s right. He’s been so helpful and understanding with Kenneth, I thought it only right to offer to cook him summat to show my thanks.’
Lizzie wagged a finger – and knowing what was coming, Laura rolled her eyes with a chuckle.
‘Don’t you be overdoing it, love—’
‘I know, I know, I’ll not,’ Laura reassured her, touched by her concern. Lizzie had squealed with delight upon hearing about the baby and had insisted since that Laura do as little as possible on the stall. Naturally, Frank Higson had backed her up. However, though she was grateful to have folk around her who cared, it sometimes irked somewhat to be treated like fragile china. ‘I’ll be fine. It’s but a bit of grub, after all.’
‘Aye, well. Just you make sure you rest well after, all right?’
‘All right.’
‘I’ll see thee the morrow, then, love.’
After waving her friend goodbye, Laura hurried indoors to begin preparing the meal. Mr Howarth – or Edwin, as he’d insisted she call him – had accepted her invite as he’d walked her back last night with a surprised smile. She’d decided on her father’s favourite of back bacon, had bought potatoes to go with it on the way home, and now set to peeling the vegetables. Edwin would be glad of the hot meal after toiling all day at the yard in the cold.
She’d laid the table, the food was warming by the fire awaiting his arrival, and she’d just decided to make a pot of tea when she noticed the kettle was empty. Clicking her tongue, she headed outside to fill it.
She was queuing at the pump when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned with a welcoming smile, but it wasn’t Edwin she saw behind her but Daniel. ‘Oh, it’s thee.’
He laughed. ‘Why? You expecting someone else?’
‘As a matter of fact, aye.’
‘Oh?’
She talked as she cranked the pump’s handle and had just finished explaining when Edwin appeared through the archway. She waved, he returned it, and she turned back to Daniel. ‘Here he is. Well, I’ll be seeing thee, lad.’
‘Evening.’ Edwin touched his cap to Laura. Then he nodded to Daniel, who returned it curtly. ‘Not kept thee waiting, have I, lass?’ he asked her with a smile.
‘Nay, nay. Come on in.’
‘Ta, thanks. By, summat smells good.’
Before closing the door Laura looked across the yard to see Daniel still standing where she’d left him, staring at her house. Frowning, she asked if he was all right. He answered that he was and, inclining her head in farewell, she closed the door.
The evening was an enjoyable one. Edwin was a good conversationalist and she found she very much liked his company. He told her of his life and long-departed family, and he discussed his work with such passion she found herself warming to him further. Coal was a topic she was comfortable with, one she’d grown up hearing about and had missed since Amos’s passing – in fact, Edwin much reminded her of her father. And when, later, he rose to take his leave, she was sorry to see him go.
‘I’ve had a gradely evening, lass,’ he told her, pulling on his hat.
‘Me, an’ all.’
He hesitated then reached for her hand and squeezed. ‘Well. Goodnight, God bless.’
‘Goodnight, God bless, Edwin.’
‘Laura?’
She’d begun closing the door – at his call, she popped her head back outside. ‘Aye?’
‘Would tha let me return the compliment?’
‘Return …?’
‘Allow me to thank thee for tonight by coming to mine for dinner.’
‘Aye.’ She nodded in pleasure. ‘I’d like that.’
‘Eeh, I’m glad. Say … the morrow?’
‘I’ll meet thee at the coal yard, shall I?’
‘Aye. See thee, then.’
‘I look forward to it.’
Edwin walked away whistling, and she returned indoors with a smile.
Early next morning, as she and Lizzie waited out in the court for Frank, they met Daniel leaving home for work.
‘Morning, Lizzie, Laura.’
‘Morning,’ they said in unison, though Lizzie’s gaze barely flicked in his direction before returning once more to the entranceway.
‘I were wondering, today being Saturday and half-day at t’ mill, whether you’d fancy a walk to Alexandra Park,’ he asked his intended.
Her head snapped round to face him and, now, she gave him her full attention. A sunny smile slowly lit her face. ‘Aye, Daniel. I’d like that.’
‘Good, good.’ Then his stare moved to Laura. ‘How about thee, lass?’
The small sigh that Lizzie exhaled didn’t go unnoticed on her. Her friend was now looking out for Frank’s arrival once more – Laura could have kicked Daniel for his insensitivity. ‘I can’t,’ she told him, trying to convey with her eyes that he’d upset Lizzie by asking her along on what the girl had clearly hoped to be a private rendezvous between the couple, and to try to make it up with her.
However, he appeared not to grasp the message, pressing Laura instead, ‘Oh? Why’s that, then?’
‘Because I’m having dinner with Edwin at his house.’
‘Who?’
‘Mr Howarth? The coal merchant?’
‘Oh, right.’
‘So you see, I can’t, but thanks anyway—’
‘Edwin, now, is it? I didn’t realise youse two were that familiar.’
Daniel had delivered his interruption in such a scathing tone that, for a moment, Laura was too surprised to react. Finally, her lips drew together in a tight line. ‘And what’s that meant to mean?’ she asked quietly.
‘Nowt. It means nowt. Well, then.’ He nodded to them both and strode away.
‘He’s in a queer mood this morning,’ Laura said mildly when he’d gone, trying to lift the atmosphere but failing miserably.
‘Hmm,’ was all the other woman offered in way of a response.
At that moment, to the relief of both of them it seemed, Frank appeared. His cheeky grin and attentiveness brought the light back to Lizzie’s eyes immediately – and Laura couldn’t blame her for it.
The obvious attention with which this new man showered Lizzie was what she lacked, and always had, from Daniel. She’d begun to notice it and, it was evident, was less willing to put up with it than she’d been in the past. It was no wonder she was being drawn instead towards someone who took pains to show her she was special. Laura knew if Daniel wasn’t careful, it was possible she’d drift too far and he’d lose her lovely friend for good.
Within minutes of them setting up at the market the rush began, as it always did, and the women were kept busy for the next hour or so. Laura’s feet soon ached from standing in one spot for so long and at the first sign
of a lull, seeing an opportunity to stretch her legs, she offered to quickly fetch them some pigs’ trotters from a nearby stall.
Clutching the hot snack wrapped in brown paper, Laura was heading back to Lizzie through the crush of customers when she suddenly came face to face with Bridget, out making purchases. They laughed in delight.
‘Hello there, colleen!’ The Irishwoman drew her into a hug. ‘Sure, it’s grand to see ye.’
‘And thee. How are you, Bridget?’ she asked, guiding her through the bustle in the direction of the cake stall.
‘Well, aye.’
‘That’s good. I’m sorry I ain’t been to see thee, only I’ve been that busy …’ Smiling, Laura indicated the stall with a flourish.
‘Yours?’
‘Mine and Lizzie’s, aye.’
‘Sure, I wish ye every success!’ the Irishwoman trilled.
‘There’s summat else.’ She smoothed her hands across her still-flat stomach then laughed when Bridget, gasping, pulled her into her arms again.
‘Oh, colleen! Oh, what a time of joy, to be sure!’ Then her eyes slowly creased in sympathy and she took Laura’s hand. ‘I was so very sorry to learn of Nathan’s passing.’
‘Who told you?’
‘Your uncle. He heard the terrible news from Nathan’s old friends at the yard. A mighty tragedy, that’s what it is. Did they ever catch anyone for the crime …?’
Laura shook her head.
‘Sure, the blackguards want stringing up! How are ye coping?’
‘Some days are easier than others, you know?’
‘Ey, colleen. I’d have called in to see you at the court, only I … what with one thing and another …’
Ambrose. That’s what the maid meant. He’d ordered Bridget to keep away from her; it was written all over her face. He’d no doubt relished the news of her husband’s demise. Low-down demon that he was.
‘It’s glad I am that you’re back,’ Bridget added, pressing her hand again.
‘I realised Manchester is my home after all.’
‘Aye.’
An awkward pause grew between them. That both were hiding information from one another was plain. Of course, Bridget wasn’t aware Laura had guessed she shouldn’t be talking to her. Neither did she know that Laura had heard all about her uncle’s crippling financial problems. Just what would happen to Bridget when the creditors took everything of his? Laura worried again now, as she had frequently since learning the truth from Daniel. She’d surely be out of a job and home, and Laura couldn’t see her destitute. She’d have to keep her ear open to developments, put Bridget up, if need be. Her uncle, of course, was another matter. He could finish his days in the gutter, for all she cared.
The Irishwoman’s eyes were flicking about nervously, as though she was afraid Ambrose might somehow emerge from the crowd of customers at any moment and discover her disobedience. ‘Well, I’d best be getting home, colleen,’ she announced, backing away. ‘My niece will wonder where I’ve got to.’
‘Your niece?’
‘Aye. She’s dwelling with me.’
Sickly dread knotted Laura’s insides. She was immediately suspicious. ‘At my uncle’s house?’
She lowered her eyes from the recrimination screaming in Laura’s. She nodded.
‘Bridget, why? You know what he did … How could you risk your own flesh and blood?’
‘It was her decision; she nigh on begged me to let her stay on. She had your uncle’s backing – what could I do?’
‘But how did this even come about? What was she doing there in the first place? Bridget, wait, please,’ Laura pleaded as the Irishwoman made to turn and leave. ‘Please, we must talk about this—’
‘I’m sorry, I must go. It was nice seeing ye, colleen.’
‘I don’t like the sound of that, love,’ said Lizzie, frowning, when she’d scuttled away.
Laura tugged at her lips in apprehension. ‘Nay, nor me. Summat’s definitely afoot there.’
And she was determined to find out what.
Bridget and her young niece were still on Laura’s mind later, as she made her way to Edwin’s yard.
Ambrose was most certainly up to his depraved tricks again, had to be, to offer for his maid’s kin to dwell in his home – he did nothing through the sheer, innocent goodness of his heart. Thoughts of him violating another vulnerable girl, of someone else suffering the hell he’d put her through, made her jaw clench in fury. That Bridget, knowing full well what he was capable of with his own niece – he’d have no qualms whatsoever with hers! – was allowing it to happen right under her nose made her angrier still.
For the poor lass’s sake, she had to try to put a stop to this. No one else was willing to, it seemed. She couldn’t live with herself knowing she’d sat back and done nothing whilst he went on to ruin another with his abuse. She couldn’t.
‘Afternoon, lass!’
One look at the coal merchant’s smiling, bewhiskered face, and now Laura’s worries tucked themselves away in the back of her mind. He really was a tonic. Even without saying anything in way of comfort or advice, his presence alone was enough to put her troubles to bed. Just like her father, she thought with warmness. He, too, had had that rare quality.
They headed the short distance to his modest but scrupulously clean home on Rochdale Road. He showed her into what he called the parlour: the ‘best room’ at the front of the house, stuffed with dark furniture, gaudy ornaments and faded paintings, which folk fortunate enough to have one used mainly on high days and holidays – though Laura would have been perfectly happy in the kitchen, as she was accustomed to. Then he disappeared to make a pot of tea.
‘Grub’ll not be long,’ he told her upon his return, settling on the horsehair sofa beside her. ‘I prepared it this morning – it needs but a warm through.’
‘You cooked it yourself?’ At his nod, she gazed at him amazed. ‘I assumed tha had a woman who came in daily to do that for thee.’
‘To see to the cleaning I do, aye. The cooking I see to myself.’ He shrugged. ‘I enjoys it.’
She’d never heard the like before in her life. Most men would sooner starve than be seen to so much as look in the direction of a pan. Laura was suitably impressed.
The pea soup and crusty loaf they ate in the kitchen. Afterwards, Edwin made a fresh pot and they retired once more to the parlour.
‘That were delicious, Edwin.’ And Laura meant it. The food had been cooked to perfection. ‘Thanks for inviting me the day.’
‘It’s me what’s thankful that tha accepted. I … I enjoy your company, lass.’
She smiled. ‘I enjoy yours, an’ all.’
‘Aye?’
‘Aye.’
He cleared his throat. ‘I know this will come across as sudden, but here goes it. You’re lonely, lass, as am I. On top of that, you’ve a babby on t’ way and will need support. I could help with both them things if you’d let me. A home, enough brass to live comfortably … I could even offer love. Aye, that’s right. For I think I’m falling for thee, Laura. And aye, I’m fifty-eight, and you’re … well, a lot younger; but must age decide happiness? I’d be a fair husband to thee, you’ve my word on it. And I’d raise the child with as much care as any father could. What d’you say?’
Her mouth hung loose in complete astonishment. His speech had seemingly come from nowhere and she was at a loss how to respond. She simply gazed back in silence.
‘You need time to mull it over. I understand, lass.’
‘Aye. Aye, I … I have to go.’ She rose unsteadily to her feet, her mind awhirl.
Edwin followed her to the door then stood gazing at her from the step, wringing his hands. ‘I’ll see thee soon?’
She nodded. Then she turned and hurried down the street for home.
‘Laura?’
At the voice, she stopped and glanced around and was surprised to see she was in Ebenezer Court. She couldn’t even recall getting here.
‘You all right?’ Dani
el pressed, pushing himself away from where he stood in his doorway and crossing the space between them. ‘Lass, speak to me. What—’
‘Not here. Come inside.’
Frowning, he followed her indoors.
‘Edwin – Mr Howarth – has asked me to marry him,’ she blurted the moment he closed the door.
‘He’s what?’
Nodding, she began pacing the room.
‘How did he take it when you refused him?’
‘I didn’t, didn’t know what to say—’
‘No – that’s bloody what!’
‘Daniel—’
‘Are you actually considering this?’ He took her shoulders, forcing her to a halt. ‘Laura?’
‘Nay, I … don’t know, I …’
‘Christ’s sake!’
Yanking free, she glared at him, eyes blazing. ‘What’s it to thee, anyroad? You don’t own me, you know. You don’t get to tell me what I must and mustn’t do. Just because I’m carrying your brother’s child—’
‘That’s not the reason and you know it.’
‘Oh, I see. Now we’re getting to the truth of it. You’re jealous, is that it? Answer me, goddamn it,’ she cried, grasping his jacket when he turned away.
‘You know I am. You know I love thee. And you feel the same; go on, deny it.’
‘Keep your voice down,’ she hissed, jerking her chin to the wall adjoining the O’Briens’ abode. ‘Lizzie might hear.’
Daniel stormed across the room and dropped into a chair at the table, resting his head in his hands. ‘Don’t do it,’ he rasped. ‘Don’t wed him. Please.’
‘You knew, didn’t you? You knew he were set to propose; that’s why you were distant when he came here for dinner last night and short with me this morning when I told thee he’d invited me to his.’
‘’Course I bloody knew. He’d have been a fool not to have tried his luck. What man wouldn’t with thee?’
‘I didn’t anticipate it at all. I didn’t. I enjoy his company, like him as a friend, nowt more than that. But then again, in time … why not?’ she added after a pause. ‘We have companionship to offer one another. He’d take care of me. I do like him—’
‘Not in the way it matters. You don’t love him. It’d be cruel, Laura, cruel—’
‘That’s rich coming from thee. You’re a fine one to talk about wedding for love, ain’t yer, Daniel? Why did you do it, eh? Why ask for Lizzie’s hand if you don’t love her?’