by Helen Goltz
Today, as always, she was dressed in her mourning black, despite Mr Samuel having passed away some fifteen years prior. A wealthy woman and handsome with her white hair piled atop her head and startling blue eyes, she was not without her suitors. Audrey wore black to deter them.
‘At my age, all they want is a nursemaid or a household manager,’ she would respond should anyone encourage or inflict a suitor upon her. She was perfectly happy with her life and the company she sought. However, she was always on the lookout for good household staff and making offers to them was not beneath her.
‘You have the best cook in Brisbane, brother, I don’t know how you manage it,’ she said, admiring the Sunday spread before them. ‘I have tried to poach her several times I am not ashamed to say.’
‘As to have I,’ said Mrs Amos Hayward – Minnie – sitting opposite Audrey. Amos looked at her, shocked. ‘You need not look at me like that, Amos. Your career is important and as your father is kindly putting more business your way, entertaining is paramount to your success.’
‘Absolutely correct,’ Aunt Audrey decreed, making Minnie squirm with pleasure. Audrey’s fortune was worth winning and her good opinion most sought after by Minnie.
‘Sorry Pa,’ Amos muttered under his breath.
‘Not at all,’ Mr Hayward said and grinned. ‘Cook is free to go wherever she pleases but for some reason the dear soul stays here. For that, I am most grateful even though my dull meal requests must leave her frustrated sometimes.’ He did not know that Cook was listening on the other side of the door and was touched by his words and consideration.
‘Probably because you are too generous with her wages and you never check her menus or the hours she keeps,’ Aunt Audrey said.
The twins – Gideon and Elijah – glanced at each other and smiled. Cook was going nowhere; the household was safe for now.
‘And you two need not smirk,’ Aunt Audrey said to them. ‘Soon you will be married and running your own households and you will know what it is like to have an inferior meal. And as for you, Thomas, you are getting way too thin and must mind your diet.’
‘I promise you, Aunt, I shan’t be marrying anytime soon,’ Gideon responded quickly, saving Thomas from making excuses for his lifestyle. Gideon continued, ‘A man must sow his wild oats and enjoy all the city has to offer.’ No one needed that comment elaborated upon.
‘Nor am I rushing to the altar, Aunt,’ Elijah concurred. ‘But should I do so, I’ll be sure to remind you of this conversation and tell you that you were indeed right.’
Mr Hayward gave his son a grateful smile. Elijah, ever the peacemaker and sensible one.
Aunt Audrey patted his hand. He was her second favourite Hayward boy, Amos being the first. She continued, ‘Speaking of which, not married yet, Matilda?’
‘Not since last Sunday, Aunt Audrey.’ Matilda smiled. ‘But how is your annual fair committee coming along with their preparations?’
‘Don’t try and change the subject, young lady. I’m sure your father could arrange something if you can’t find a suitable suitor,’ she said, with a glance to her brother.
Matilda laughed. ‘No doubt he could, Aunt Audrey, but I am not currently seeking a husband.’ She cleared her throat and requested the gravy boat.
‘I know several young men who would be very suitable if you were to give up your writing hobby,’ Minnie offered. ‘Ouch,’ she exclaimed as Amos bumped her and subtly shook his head.
‘Don’t tell me you are still writing for that women’s paper!’ Aunt Audrey exclaimed. ‘No wonder you don’t have any suitors.’
Matilda sighed and her shoulders slumped. ‘I do have—’
Gideon cut her off. ‘Matilda has many suitors. Why, just last week two of our friends from the club, William Datt and George Kille, both asked about her situation and said they would call to visit.’
Matilda grimaced. Across the table, Thomas’s eyes narrowed, and he sat upright.
‘Is that not the George Kille who lost a fortune playing poker recently?’ Thomas asked.
‘Strike him from the list immediately,’ Aunt Audrey said even before Gideon could defend his friend. ‘One does not need a man who gambles away the family’s fortune.’
Matilda glanced to her father for rescue. He gave her a sympathetic look; there was no stopping Audrey, he knew that from experience.
‘What’s this William Datt character like then?’ Aunt Audrey asked haughtily.
‘Respectable. A fellow doctor, new at it like me,’ Elijah said, defending his friend and his twin’s selection. ‘I believe the ladies find him attractive as well.’
Thomas had no recourse and could think of nothing to dislodge this contender.
‘It would be lovely if you found love, Matilda,’ Daniel teased her.
‘Do shut up,’ she said, giving him a warning look.
‘Love? You’re not waiting to fall in love, surely?’ Aunt Audrey continued, sitting back and allowing Harriet to remove her first course. ‘Matilda, love is not necessary.’
A round of laughs, shuffles and sideway glances greeted her comment.
‘Nevertheless, Aunt, I want it,’ Matilda said. ‘I believe it can exist and that couples genuinely have love and affection in their relationship, like Pa and Mother, Amos and Minnie, and yourself and Uncle Samuel.’
‘True,’ Aunt Audrey conceded, ‘but your father and I were both fortunate and unfortunate. To lose our partners early in life means the eternal love continues to bloom without fault or favour,’ she said, and sighed. The reprieve was short-lived for Matilda and Aunt Audrey continued, ‘Find yourself a presentable man with a fortune, get a capable housekeeper, oversee the running of his household and then you are free to do as you please, even if it is writing for that newspaper.’
Minnie, sitting opposite Aunt Audrey, gasped, surprised at the acceptance of Matilda’s occupation.
Aunt Audrey turned her attention to the end of the table, where Thomas had enjoyed his first course of lunch and was congratulating himself on remaining on the periphery of the discussion.
‘What about you, Detective Ashdown? You are quiet today, young man, have you nothing to say about Matilda’s situation? I believe you are a handsome, single man, with a suitable occupation and income,’ Aunt Audrey said. ‘And of marriageable age, if I am not mistaken.’
Thomas heard Daniel chuckle beside him, and the amused looks of the brothers and Mr Hayward turned towards him. Matilda gazed at him with an expectant look on her face and raised eyebrows. Thomas cleared his throat, hoping for someone to intercede. They did not.
‘Well madam,’ he said, constructing his answer, ‘I think it would be a very lucky, brave and ambitious man who would ask for the hand of Miss Hayward.’
The men erupted in laughter and Matilda frowned at Thomas before giving into a smile herself.
Aunt Audrey made a humph sound and turned to Mr Hayward. ‘And that would be your fault, brother, for forgetting she was a girl in those impressionable years.’
‘Ah, I wondered when it would come back to me,’ he said and chuckled. Aunt Audrey smiled at him with good grace. Mr Hayward raised his glass. ‘To our Matilda.’
‘To our Matilda,’ the table guests responded, and raising her glass, Matilda acknowledged the toast with a sip and allowed Thomas to give her the quickest of winks.
Chapter 8
Thomas was long overdue at the club; it had been a few weeks since he had made his way there for a drink with colleagues and to indulge in the offer of female companionship. Even so, his heart was only half in it. He attributed this to the additional time spent in the company of the Hayward family over the past week, and in particular Miss Matilda Hayward.
His walking pace picked up as frustration boiled to the surface and he fumed to himself; she should not have gone out alone in the evening to that Freak Show with the shady characters that were inebriated and wouldn’t hesitate to take advantage should the opportuni
ty arise. On the other hand, he liked to come to her rescue. That’s how he wanted her to see him – dependable, strong, a provider. As for this Dr William Datt – Gideon’s friend – if he knew when and if Dr Datt intended to call, he’d make sure he was there at the time.
She was infuriating. Many women and their mothers had been only too happy to make themselves known to him, keen on a match with a hard-working, well-established young man. As for Matilda, she appeared to think of him as one of her brothers; he wondered if she had ever looked at him with a romantic notion.
He pushed open the door to the club and entered the loud, smoky and comfortingly familiar surroundings.
‘Ashdown, over here,’ he heard a voice yell as he wandered towards the bar.
Familiar faces from the office – other ranks and brother detectives – were well ensconced, lagers in their hands, women draped around them. There were eleven detectives on the payroll across the entire state, and Thomas was one of seven in Brisbane. Three were here tonight and he acknowledged the men as they gave a cheer on seeing one from their ranks.
‘Long time no see; where have you been, Ashdown?’ Burton, a colleague from his training days asked him, cuffing him roughly around the shoulders. ‘Look who’s back from the dead, boys!’
‘I’ve been working, Burton, you should try it sometime,’ Thomas said, giving his mate a good digging.
Burton laughed. ‘You’ll keep. I’ll shout you your first round since you’ve been so dedicated.’
Thomas nodded. ‘Fitting, thanks.’
He wore the jibes from colleagues and settled comfortably amongst them. He’d forgotten how much he needed this, to not think about the dead bodies he’d seen this week or the pressure of solving cases to keep the inspector happy. Daniel might be his best friend, but he’d never understand the headspace that was required for a detective day-in and day-out. Sometimes, he needed to be among his own.
‘So, getting any romantic action lately?’ Burton asked irreverently, placing a decent sized serving of whiskey in front of his friend.
Thomas raised his glass to his friend and took a mouthful. He shook his head. ‘Can’t boast of any victories, but I could do with the distraction.’
‘Plenty of nice ladies here,’ Burton said looking around, ‘except for the blonde near the door. I’m working my magic on her.’ He glanced that way with a look that said ready to pounce.
Thomas checked her out. She was nowhere near as attractive as another blonde that occupied his thoughts.
‘I think I prefer a brunette,’ he said.
‘Sure you do,’ Burton grinned. ‘I hear you’ve got yourself one of those women liberator types, writing for that paper. She’ll keep you in line… we’ll be expecting to see more of you here then.’
Thomas scowled at him, but played along as expected. ‘Don’t start giving me a hard time, I’ve come in here to be free of worry for a while.’
Burton held up his hands in retreat. ‘Wouldn’t dream of it. So keeping yourself for her are you?’
Thomas grinned and shook his head. ‘Shut up.’
‘As I thought.’ Burton laughed. ‘Mary, get yourself over here and meet my friend, Thomas.’
The detective groaned as a scantily dressed brunette smiled at him and sashayed towards him with her assets on display, her face well-powdered and lips stained deep red. There was no doubting she was attractive and the thought of some relief and a brief time off the clock appealed to him given his standard hours of six days a week had been 9am to 9pm with a dinner break.
‘My friend here is suffering from unrequited love,’ Burton said, and Mary gave Thomas a sympathetic look.
‘Poor you,’ she said, and touched his face.
‘And my friend is exaggerating,’ Thomas said, with a sigh and a less appreciate glance in Burton’s direction.
‘How could any girl say no to this handsome face?’ Mary asked, draping herself over Thomas and pressing herself against him.
‘Hard to imagine,’ Burton agreed, and laughed.
‘She hasn’t said no—’ Thomas explained and then stopped. He had no business to be telling his story to these two.
‘So you haven’t even asked her out then!’ Mary exclaimed. ‘Well, how you goin’ to know? If you be asking me out, I promise to say yes. What’s wrong with her then?’
Thomas smiled despite himself. ‘Nothing’s wrong with her but she’s made it quite clear that she’s not interested in being shackled or having her possessions claimed by a man.’
‘Well, la-di-da, how nice it’d be to have some possessions,’ Mary said. ‘Mine are all natural gifts.’
‘And mighty fine they are, Mary,’ Burton assured her and raised his eyebrows in Thomas’s direction. ‘Take the night off from ruffians and ladies out of your reach, Thomas, and enjoy the bounty in front of you.’
Thomas had to agree, Mary was as tempting as the large glass of whiskey in front of him and he was a man who needed a distraction, be it ever so fleeting. He had little else to spend his earnings on.
*****
The sharp rap on his front door woke Thomas before seven the next morning. He rolled on his side and leaned up enough to glance to the hallway at the clock; seeing the hour, he groaned. He was usually up well before now, but too much of everything last night had been his downfall.
The next rap came on his window.
‘Coming,’ he yelled and winced. He raised himself from his bed, ran a hand through his hair and, making sure he was presentable to open the door, made his way down the musty hallway of his timber home. It was coming up to two years since he had bought his modest family home from his father who wanted to retire to the country and intended to sell it. The sale proceeded at a good price, but he had done nothing to the house since the day his father handed him the key.
Thomas opened the door a crack to find his partner, Harry, on the doorstep.
The sight of Harry woke him up quickly. ‘What’s happened?’ he asked, knowing there would be no reason for a social visit.
‘You’d be looking the worse for wear,’ Harry said. ‘There’s been a murder.’
Thomas sighed. ‘Another. A lady of the night?’
‘Not this time, praise the Lord.’
Thomas frowned and stood back to allow Harry in. He closed the door and passed him to lead the way to the kitchen, filling a glass on the sink with tank water. ‘I’d offer you some tea but—’ Thomas waved his hand around to show the barren state of affairs.
‘You’re living here, yes?’ Harry frowned.
Thomas grimaced at him. ‘It’s a roof over my head. I’ve been meaning to do some work on it.’ He glanced around, seeing it from Harry’s eyes. His mother’s feminine touches were long gone except for the faded curtains, and the only sign of his father was the furniture he chose not to take with him to his new abode. At least that included a decent mahogany bureau and a respectable chintz sofa that would improve with new upholstering.
‘My nephew is moving in next week. He lost his job down south – he’s a handy lad. Free board in exchange for doing some work around the place while he’s looking for a job,’ Thomas said, and winced. The sunlight and even talking was causing him pain.
‘Well, that’s the best idea you’ve had for a long while,’ Harry said.
Thomas looked out his kitchen window to his dishevelled garden and the district view beyond as he filled another glass with water. ‘So, who’s dead?’
‘Alfred Burnham.’
He cricked his neck and after gulping the water down, turned to Harry. ‘Who’s Alfred Burnham when he’s at home?’
‘The owner of the Freak Show,’ Harry said.
Thomas’s eyes widened and he slapped the glass down. ‘Why didn’t you say so? Give me a minute.’ He rushed past his partner to get dressed. He wasn’t a man who usually rushed his toileting as he had learned early in his career that appearance matters – dress, shoes, small touches – especially
to the police hierarchy of old school gents. But this morning he hurriedly put on his attire and with a glance to his mirror, conceded he could not be on call and expect to look the part all the time. He splashed some cold water on his face and ran a brush through his hair and light beard. He preferred to be clean-shaven, but it was easier in this job with its late nights and early starts to maintain a beard.
In the meantime, Harry opened a few of the kitchen cupboards and shook his head. He’d have to get his missus to help the detective out. A sorry state of affairs, it was. The man needed a wife, not another young man living with him.
Chapter 9
‘Tell her not to say a thing,’ Amos instructed his sister Matilda. He read the couple of lines again that Mrs Tufton had somehow had delivered to Matilda at her place of work this morning:
Dear Miss Hayward, Mr Burnham has met an untimely end.
I may need your assistance please and that of your brother should he be willing. I assure you I am in a position to pay and above reproach in this matter.
Please visit at your earliest convenience, I have information.
Mrs A. Tufton, c/- Burnham’s Exhibition.
Matilda informed her editor of the contents and with Mrs Lawson’s permission, abruptly left to visit her solicitor brother, Amos, who would know what to do.
Now, he sat across from Matilda and looked very much the part of the young solicitor about town. Since his father’s retirement from the firm that he established decades ago, Amos seemed to have grown into the role quickly, standing on his own two feet.