by Diane Allen
‘Well, lad, Crummock is all yours now.’ Archie put his arm around his son’s shoulders and walked into the kitchen. ‘Your mother loves this house and land, so you make sure you farm it right. It’s as good a place as you could hope for, and I’ll always be here to help you, while I’m still alive.’ He looked out of the kitchen window and across towards Eldroth and Butterfield Gap, his first home.
‘I’ll do my best, Father.’ Danny stood beside him.
‘Then your best is all I can ask, lad, and it’s good enough for me.’
Danny and his father wandered around the market place of Settle, past the three-storey building known as the Shambles. It dominated the market place, with cottages on the top floor, followed by a myriad of small businessess behind a row of arches on the second floor, and an array of merchants just below ground level. It was busy with traders, butchers, bakers and chandlers all selling their wares, as the crowds gathered for the spring hiring fare, their voices shouting out above the crowds, tempting people to try and buy their goods. They were making the most of one of the busiest days of the year, and hoping to have a healthy bank balance at the end of the day. Farm lads and Irishmen, looking for employment with those farmers who could afford to pay them over the spring and summer months, mingled in the crowd, waiting to be taken on by a good and honourable farmer. They hoped their billet for the coming months until late autumn would be a good one, but were just glad if they had work.
A gaggle of geese squawked and protested as their drover shooed them through the crowd, to be penned and auctioned after being walked from Skipton. Their feet were covered in tar to keep them from becoming sore on their ten-mile walk. Pens of sheep bleated as their owners haggled the best price for them, and then exchanged coinage for them. The market square was alive with the noise, smells and colours of the spring fair.
‘Bloody hell, it’s busy, lad.’ Archie walked through the crowd next to his son, ignoring the gypsy who was trying to sell him some lucky heather.
‘Aye, just a bit. I think it gets busier every year.’ Danny pushed his way past the crowd that was gathering, watching a dancing bear that was being made to stand on one foot. Its owner was prodding it with a stick and pulling on the chain threaded through its nose. ‘Look at them! Folk are just like ghouls, watching that poor creature being tortured for their enjoyment.’ Danny spat as the crowd cheered in delight while the bear achieved the impossible.
‘Aye, poor thing. It would be better to set it free, but then again it wouldn’t last long before somebody shot it. Arthur and I usually meet our two Irishmen outside The Naked Man. They’ve never let us down yet, so they should be there waiting. At least you can trust them; they’ve always been good workers and have family back in Ireland, so they don’t drink all they earn.’ Archie bobbed and weaved through the gaps in the crowd and then shouted at the two men who were standing with packs of belongings underneath the sign of The Naked Man inn. ‘So, you’ve made it back to us again?’ He shook the hands of each man and patted them on the back.
‘Aye, we’re here again, and we are both glad to see that you are, likewise.’ Declan, the weathered Irishman, smiled. ‘Is Arthur not with you? Have you left him behind with his good wife, Mary?’
‘Nay, he’s left Crummock, only last week. He’s bought my old home and struck out on his own. I’ve Danny with me – he’ll be your new master at Crummock. He’s to be wed in a fortnight, to a right grand lass called Harriet.’
‘Well, would you believe it? Things move on so fast while we are away. Good luck to you, Mr Danny, and may all your problems be little ones.’ Declan smiled at Danny; and Pat, the quiet one, shook his hand. ‘Are you wanting to be away? ’Cause that would suit us fine.’ Declan and Pat both picked up their few belongings and waited for Archie to reply.
‘Well, I’ve done, but perhaps my lad wants to stop a bit longer. Danny, we’ll take the horse and cart, and you can ride Sheba back home. It’ll do you good to have a wander and catch up with folk.’ Archie looked at his son; he’d not get the chance much longer to spend his time as it suited him, not with a farm to run and men to see to.
Danny watched as the three men walked away through the throng, his father talking to the two hired men as if they were his best friends. That was just like his father, he thought; no matter what anyone’s background was, he treated them with the same respect and concern. He was a good man, a father to be proud of.
Danny walked out through the crowd, trying his hand at a game of quoits with some of the local farm lads, then deciding to go for a gill at the Talbot Arms before he made his way home. He walked up Cheapside, past the doctor’s and dentist’s and the many shops that lined the street, and just before he reached the doors of the Talbot Arms, he noticed the unmistakable flash of auburn hair that could only belong to Amy Brown, bobbing above the crowd. He pushed his way past the hawkers and street sellers, towards where she stood. His heart raced, remembering the times he had with Amy, and the love that might have been.
‘Amy!’ He jostled his way to where she was standing and reached for her elbow as he came up behind her, smiling from ear to ear as she turned around. Her face was pale and drawn, and she looked worried as she looked at him.
‘Danny, it’s good to see you.’ She smiled as she realized who it was shouting her name.
‘It’s good to see you, too. How are you keeping?’ Danny looked at her extended stomach underneath her skirts and regarded the woman who could have had his heart, if only she had been faithful.
‘I’m fine, waiting for this one to make himself known. I’ve a few more weeks yet.’ Amy looked down at her stomach and then started to walk away from him. ‘I hear you are to wed shortly.’
‘Aye, next weekend, Easter Saturday.’ Danny pushed his way against the crowd, trying to keep up with Amy as she made her way to the horse and cart that stood waiting for her, tethered outside the Talbot. ‘Wait, Amy, stay and talk. I need to ask you something.’
Amy walked on, not daring to reply.
‘Amy, who are you talking to? My father and I have been waiting for over half an hour for you. We were starting to get worried.’ The dark-haired young man held out his hand to help Amy mount onto the seat next to him.
‘Aye, get your trailing arse back up here with us.’ The wizened-faced old man spat out a mouthful of tobacco and scowled at his daughter-in-law. ‘You shouldn’t be talking to any men, in your state. You should have stopped at home,’ he growled.
‘I’ve only been talking to Mr Atkinson here. His father farms at Austwick.’ Amy pulled her shawl around her and sat quietly between both men.
Her husband looked Danny up and down. ‘This is my wife, sir, and I’ll remind you to bear that in mind, next time you see her. She is no longer available for anybody’s affections other than my own. I ask you to ignore any conversations that she wishes to have with you in the future. Now, I bid you good day.’ Amy’s husband flicked his whip across his team’s flanks and set off down the cobbled street, without even giving a backward glance at Danny, as he watched the three bodies disappearing into the crowds. Amy was now wedged between the two men who meant to control her life, looking fragile, drawn and lacking the spirit that once Danny had loved her for so much.
‘What time did Danny get in this morning? I say “this morning” because I heard the grandfather clock strike twelve, long before I heard his bedroom door go.’ Charlotte buttered her toast and looked across at Archie.
‘Late, that’s all I know. By the sound of him, he was worse for drink. I heard him curse when he lost his boots down the stairs. I suppose he was making the best of his last few days of freedom.’ Archie folded the paper and then placed it down beside him. ‘Has Isabelle gone to Settle already?’
‘Yes, she’s got to put the finishing touches to Harriet’s veil and dress, and to hem her own. I can’t believe the day is nearly upon us.’ Charlotte looked across at Archie and smiled.
‘I’ll just finish this, and then I’ll go and rouse our wayw
ard son. What are you doing today? You never seem to be at home lately.’ Archie knew Charlotte was up to something, but hadn’t quite worked out what. He knew that she had visited High Mill at Skipton and had been disgusted at how dilapidated it had become, but it wasn’t that, as she’d told him she wouldn’t have anything to do with the mill. But something had been keeping her occupied, and she was definitely scheming.
‘I’m going to Skipton – there’s things I need to do.’ She sipped her tea and looked across at Archie and hoped he’d ask no more. She wanted to put things in place a bit more, before announcing her new venture to the family after the wedding.
‘I’ll come with you. I haven’t been into Skipton for a while. I’ll get our lad up, send him to Crummock, and then we can have a day together for once.’ Archie pushed back his chair and watched as Charlotte’s face told him what he wanted to know: she was up to something!
‘You’ll be bored. I’m only having tea with Mrs Rogerson, and you know how she talks.’ Charlotte waffled and blustered, trying to keep Archie at home.
‘Mrs Atkinson, I know you too well. What are you really up to? If I didn’t know you better, I’d think you had another man in your life.’ Archie sat back down quickly.
‘Oh no, Archie, there’s no man involved. You know there’s only ever going to be you in my life. I didn’t want to tell anyone until after the wedding, and not until I had everything in place.’ Charlotte hesitated.
‘Go on, what have you done? I’ve known for weeks you’ve been up to something.’ He grinned.
‘I’ve bought a shop, on the high street in Skipton. It’s newly built and has room for Isabelle and Harriet’s dressmaking, and I’m filling each room with fancy goods and things that every lady wants. Perfume, furs, gloves, hats and shoes. I’ll even rent the upstairs room to James Fox, seeing as Isabelle and he are getting very friendly. My customers can have their photographs taken while they shop. The top room has a large skylight, so it is ideal for him.’ Charlotte sat back in her chair and waited for Archie’s reaction.
‘I knew you were bloody well up to something. Another shop never entered my head. So does anyone else know, or is this just your secret? And I suppose you are funding your venture from the Ferndale Mill money? By, there’s a lot to be said for a man having control of his wife’s money. Bring back the good old days – you’d have had to tell me all this, a few years back, and I’d have said you were bloody mad.’ Archie looked across at the wife he knew he’d never be able to control.
‘Oh, Archie, don’t be mad with me. I couldn’t have sat here doing nothing, you know that. Bert Bannister has been helping me. I’ve taken him on as my warehouse man, and he’s been making sure that the stock I’ve ordered has been taken in; he’s also been busy putting everything together for me. I’m still going to keep on the shop at Settle, until the lease runs out. So I’ve not cut off my nose to spite my face. And, Archie, I really can’t go wrong. The high street at Skipton is so busy. I’ve already got ladies peering through the window, wanting to see what we sell.’
‘Bert bloody Bannister . . . you and he are as thick as thieves. I suppose Sally Oversby is part of the scheme as well. I saw her the other day, knitting like mad next to her cottage window.’ Archie rubbed his head and looked across at the excitement in his wife’s eyes. ‘What if Harriet and Danny decide to have children? She’ll not want to trail to Skipton.’
‘Isabelle is not far behind, in becoming a good seamstress, and anyway I’ve sourced some ready-made dresses. I couldn’t believe it when I came across a firm in Bradford – their dresses are perfectly practical for everyday use. Isabelle and Harriet’s are more special, and I’m thinking of asking them to teach Sally how to use the sewing machine – or should I say machines, because I bought another last week.’
Archie shook his head as he watched his wife planning the new life ahead of her. ‘You’ve already done everything, haven’t you? No matter what the rest of us think.’
‘I’ve done it for all of us. It’s a family business, just like Crummock is. I’m sorry I’ve kept it quiet, but Isabelle and Harriet and Danny have enough on their plates at the moment, without wondering what I was up to.’ Charlotte reached over the table and patted her husband’s hand.
‘Well, I think it’s time I had a look at this new family business, as I’ve lost my wife to it already,’ Archie growled. ‘One day, Charlotte, your pig-headedness will be the undoing of you. You can’t just not tell me things.’
‘You’d only worry, Archie. As it is, most of the work is done now. You can glory in the opening of Atkinson’s of Skipton, once we’ve got over the wedding.’ Charlotte grinned as she kissed him on the cheek. ‘You’d only be bored if you had a sensible, dull wife.’
‘That’ll be the day! I’ve never had a dull day since the day we were married.’ He raised his head and looked across at Danny as he entered the dining room. ‘Bad head?’
Danny nodded and slumped down in his chair, unshaven and with a face like thunder.
‘Aye, I have and all’, Archie agreed. ‘It’s called your mother.’
‘We aren’t open yet for business, unless you are making a delivery.’ Bert Bannister turned the key in the lock and tried to pull back the bolt of the wide doors leading from his new place of employment, wondering who the man outside was who had no patience; he was rattling the shop’s doors violently.
‘Open the bloody doors, Bert. Charlotte here has forgotten her keys.’ Archie stood outside the double-fronted shop, rattling the door handle, with Charlotte by his side.
‘He’s opening up, Archie, calm down.’ Charlotte tried to defuse the situation.
‘About bloody time, man.’ Archie pushed his way past a worried Bert and gazed around the shop floor, stopping quickly in his tracks at the sight that confronted him. ‘Lord above, what have you done? I’ve never seen a shop like it. There’s anything you women could possibly think of needing. And the smell of the perfumes is overwhelming.’
‘This is just the first floor; second floor is haberdashery, Isabelle and Harriet’s millinery, Sally’s bags and gloves; and then on the third floor there is a fitting room and, hopefully, a photograph studio – if Mr Fox is as keen on our Isabelle as he seems, and if he wants to become part of the Atkinson empire.’ Charlotte turned around to reassure a worried Bert, as Archie passed from counter to counter, looking at the shining glass perfume bottles, ladies’ toiletries and beauty aids.
‘I’ve never seen owt like it. You’ve everything that you need under one roof.’ Archie stood back and looked around the long shop floor, then gazed at himself in the full-length mirror, positioned to emphasize the shopper’s finer points.
‘That’s exactly what every woman wants: not to have to wander the high street, in search of two or three different shops. I’m not even concerned if Mr Fox doesn’t show interest in a studio, as I might even try serving tea and coffee, so that women can come and shop and chat with their friends.’ Charlotte winked at Bert. She knew that Archie had seen what she saw in the shop, and that his anger was subsiding.
‘Would you like a drink of tea, Mr Atkinson? I was just making myself a cup when you landed.’ Bert walked past the couple, trying to make his escape.
‘Nay, I’ll just have a look around, see what you’ve both been up to.’
Charlotte watched as Archie walked from counter to counter, looking at all the products she had been busy buying over the last few weeks. Then she followed him up the main stairs to the second floor. He stopped and looked out of one of the big open windows and watched the busy high street, full of people going about their jobs.
‘You’ve taken on something now, lass. “Atkinson’s of Skipton.” If this is a success, it could lead to Atkinson’s of Leeds, or Bradford. I think the world is your oyster.’
‘Now who’s excited? I was so worried you wouldn’t understand, and I didn’t want to spoil Danny and Harriet’s big day.’ Charlotte linked her arm into his.
‘We’ll keep it
quiet until they are wed. One thing at a time. It’ll be the making of this family.’ Archie patted her hand. ‘I should have known you’d not have done things by halves, Mrs Atkinson. This beats sitting at home with that bit of embroidery you’ve struggled with for years – and your cotton mill. Let the Christies make their money at Ferndale. We own Atkinson’s of Skipton. And if first impressions mean owt, it’s going to be one hell of a success.’
25
Betty Armstrong was in a fluster, for her new corset was nipping her too tightly, and she just knew her dress would not meet the expectations of the Atkinsons – let alone her hat, which, now that she had it on her head, looked ridiculous.
‘Mother, you look wonderful – stop flapping.’ Harriet stepped into her underskirts as Isabelle helped her dress for her big day.
‘Yes, you look wonderful, Mrs Armstrong, a real lady. My mother will be so jealous of that fabulous hat. It is so striking, with the peacock feathers adorning it; and Sally Oversby’s little blue-and-green bag finishes your attire just right.’ Isabelle smiled at the nervous woman, trying to reassure her that all was fine, and that she should be worrying about what Harriet looked like, for after all it was her wedding.
‘Well, thank you both. Isabelle, your mother always looks so sophisticated and I never seem to look quite as good. Oh, my heavens, Harriet: just look at you!’
Isabelle pulled on the laces of the wedding dress, tying them tightly, then stood back to admire the sight that had taken Betty’s breath away. ‘You look beautiful, Harriet. Our Danny is the luckiest person I’ve ever known. You look perfect.’
Harriet looked in her wardrobe mirror and smiled at herself, blushing at the sight of herself in her wedding dress. ‘It’s you I’ve to thank for this stunning dress, Isabelle. Anyone could look beautiful in this dress.’