Miss Matilda Hayward and the Freak Show (Miss Matilda Hayward series Book 1)

by Helen Goltz

  ‘Not surprising, that,’ Thomas said.

  Teddy continued. ‘The fellow at the hair-cutter and dresser store was having a smoke outside, so I stopped to talk to him. He said he was told by a crew member who put the tent up, that the crew and the freaks were supposed to get their board as part of their rate, but the rent for their board kept getting hiked up and no one is happy.’

  Thomas considered his nephew’s comments and thought about them for a few moments. ‘Anything else?’

  ‘The lady who worked behind the counter at the bakery said she’d sent some biscuits to the huge lady and some other goodies to the owners, and was told not to expect anything in return. That was rude – certainly doesn’t make for goodwill in the town you’re visiting.’

  ‘Yeah, it was rude and stupid,’ Thomas agreed. He finished his bowl and pushed it away. ‘Good job, I should put you on commission; you got around a bit today.’

  ‘Yeah, well, I told them all I was looking for work and would do anything. I’ll show my face every few days, so they remember. People love to talk, don’t they?’ He shook his head and smiled, adding, ‘even to a stranger.’

  ‘Thank God they do,’ Thomas agreed. ‘But you have a charm about you, Teddy. They don’t naturally talk to me.’

  ‘That’s because you look like a gruff bastard.’ Teddy nudged his uncle and laughed.

  ‘It comes with the job. That dinner was great, thanks, stay as long as you want,’ Thomas joked. ‘But now you’ve got me thinking…’

  ‘The stew did? Gee, didn’t see that coming,’ Teddy said, and Thomas chuckled.

  ‘Yeah, you take after my brother, smart-aleck,’ he said with a grin, thinking of Teddy’s father, Sewell. ‘I’m wondering if there might be a temporary job going as a cook or assistant cook or handyman with the Freak Show while it is in town.’

  Teddy’s eyes widened. ‘That’d be great. I could spy for you and earn a crust, so to speak.’

  ‘You’d have to be careful, there’s a murderer on the loose,’ Thomas said, and Teddy just shrugged.

  ‘Yeah, I don’t believe that either,’ Thomas added. ‘I think it was a crime of passion, but someone knows something and if anyone wanted to talk with you, well that’d be welcome.’

  ‘It’d be great, meeting those people and getting to hear their stories. That’d be something,’ Teddy said and shook his head.

  ‘Yeah, well let me see what’s going on with staff and who hires them. I don’t know who to ask or trust just yet.’

  ‘It might be better if I just wander in and seek a job,’ Teddy suggested.

  ‘You might be right. But no one can know who you are for your safety, and so that you can earn trust. You can’t be an Ashdown,’ Thomas said.

  ‘I can use Mum’s maiden name – Clements,’ Teddy suggested.

  ‘That might just work. Don’t tell your parents though, they’d kill me.’

  ‘Maybe I’d make a good copper!’

  ‘Long hours, dealing with criminals and ne’er-do-wells… cooking sounds better. Regardless, the Freak Show’s only got another week left in town, so if it is going to happen, it’ll have to happen fast.’ Thomas sighed. ‘Just when I get a decent meal, I give away the cook!’

  Chapter 16

  ‘I confess, I’m nervous,’ Alice said, placing her hand on Matilda’s arm to halt their progress, her bravado barely covering her trepidation. She took a deep breath.

  ‘As am I,’ Matilda assured her. ‘This is my fourth time here and I’m always so uncomfortable. I feel I am…’ she searched for words, ‘exploiting their misery.’

  ‘Yes!’ Alice agreed, ‘as do I. But we are not coming here to stare or to shame them. We want to present them as real women, to give them a voice as Mrs Lawson always says.’

  Matilda nodded. ‘It’s our duty.’

  They smiled, rejoicing in the bond of a new and soon to be firm friendship, and continued towards the tent. They were, without doubt, the most stylish of guests that morning in their fashionably fitted skirts, crisp dress blouses, hats and gloves. They both held their skirts a little higher off the ground as they avoided puddles and muddy ground on their walk across the green. The ropes were gone, and the exhibition was open for business again, so soon after Mr Burnham’s demise. Even mid-morning there was a decent crowd willing to pay their money to enter the odd exhibition.

  Matilda recognised the manager, Mr Wilks, wandering around the exterior of the tent and, catching his attention, she gave him a small wave.

  He hastened towards them.

  ‘Ah, the ladies from The Women’s Journal, I presume? Welcome to you both,’ he said, lifting his hat.

  ‘Mr Wilks,’ Matilda returned his greeting. ‘We weren’t formally introduced before. I am Matilda Hayward and may I introduce Miss Alice Doran.’

  ‘The two most beautiful ladies I have set eyes on in a long time,’ Mr Wilks said in an attempt to flatter. Sadly, his stature, age, and not to mention his married state, did little to make him appealing to the ladies. His gift of shrewdness ascertained that right away and he got down to business. ‘My wife tells me you are keen to write a feature on the lives and adventures of our female artists and of Mrs Wilks herself.’

  ‘Indeed we are, sir,’ Alice said in her British accent, which some might describe as posh. ‘I imagine you all work so hard to bring entertainment to the towns you visit, so I’m sure there’s a tale or two to tell from such an unconventional life.’

  Alice had won him over; Mr Wilks had quite forgotten himself as he studied her pale skin, blue eyes, and charming smile.

  Matilda refrained from giggling at her friend’s performance; Alice was quite captivating.

  ‘It is a life out of the ordinary,’ Mr Wilks agreed. ‘Please allow me to show you to the sitting area. Who were you hoping to speak with first?’

  ‘The conjoined ladies, if that is suitable please, Mr Wilks?’ Matilda asked.

  ‘Ah, yes, our two-headed woman – Ella and Elvira. Come this way, and I’ll fetch them or her…’ He chuckled at his own joke.

  Matilda and Alice followed and once seated, set themselves up with their notepads and pencils ready to undertake the interview. They agreed to ask a question apiece, so they had time to make notes after each answer while the other pursued their next question.

  Matilda straightened her red skirt and glanced at Alice. ‘How are you feeling?’

  Alice nodded. ‘I’m fine. I suspect the ladies are more nervous than us.’

  Matilda nodded. ‘That might be a good way to start the interview,’ she said, but before she could explain, the ladies entered. They moved at ease despite being joined from the shoulder and down their torso.

  Ella and Elvira were not identical in appearance, and Ella seemed more comfortable, her head at a better angle, her body less strained.

  Matilda and Alice stood to greet them and once they were all seated, there was an awkward pause.

  Matilda cleared her throat. ‘Before you entered, we were saying how nervous we were.’

  The ladies laughed and Ella on the left of the body answered, her voice soft and husky. ‘We were saying the same thing.’

  Elvira smiled and gave a small nod, as much as her head and neck might allow. ‘We’re used to performing,’ Elvira said, her voice stronger than her sister’s, ‘but being interviewed is more personal.’

  ‘Of course,’ Alice said, ‘and we don’t want to ask anything that may offend you, or to reveal in our article anything that you don’t wish us to write.’

  The two ladies visibly relaxed. ‘Thank you,’ Ella said.

  Matilda began. ‘So do you like the same things?’

  The twins laughed. ‘We’re fortunate that we do most of the time because it would be hard to escape each other if we didn’t,’ Elvira said, ‘but I have to put up with some things.’

  Ella’s eyes widened and she laughed. ‘Do tell, sister?’

  ‘I’m a better singer
than Ella but I have no choice but to listen to her,’ she teased her sister.

  The interview continued comfortably, and Matilda and Alice soon found themselves having fun. The ladies were so different – Ella was sweet and quiet; Elvira was funny and sharp.

  ‘Thank you. It has been so much fun meeting you both,’ Alice said, at the end of the interview.

  ‘May I ask one more question that isn’t for the interview and won’t be published?’ Matilda asked. She saw the curious look Alice gave her and the twins’ eyes widened. ‘It’s not of a personal nature,’ Matilda assured them, ‘and if you prefer not to answer, I’ll understand.’

  ‘Go ahead, please,’ Elvira invited her.

  Matilda swallowed; she had planned her question so that it was not intrusive but might glean her some answers. ‘I’ve been talking with Mrs Tufton – Anna, the giantess – and she was one of the last people to see Mr Burnham alive. I know you’ve spoken with the police, but are you frightened?’

  ‘You talk, sister,’ Ella said, inviting her twin to answer.

  ‘I’m not frightened, though Ella is a little. We are no strangers to violence; we spent some time in an asylum because of our oddity and before joining with Mr Burnham. But we don’t know why someone would do that to him. We all relied on him, and he was a good person.’ Elvira lowered her voice and awkwardly looked over her shoulder.

  ‘We’re alone,’ Alice ensured her.

  ‘I’d understand if it was Mr Wilks who was killed.’

  ‘Elvira!’ her sister hissed.

  ‘Well, it’s true, sister,’ she continued in a whisper. ‘Since he joined the Exhibition as the manager everything has changed. We earn less profit, the food is terrible, and the hours are longer.’

  ‘Mr Burnham was so lovely and kind,’ Ella whispered and blinked away tears.

  ‘He was our friend,’ Elvira agreed.

  ‘I am so sorry,’ Matilda said.

  ‘Did Mr Burnham not know what was going on, what Mr Wilks was doing?’ Alice asked.

  ‘I don’t know. We didn’t tell him, it’s not our place to do so,’ Elvira said. ‘I can’t say if any of the other artists did, but we’re not in a position of power and Mr Wilks can get quite angry.’

  ‘Perhaps he never knew,’ Ella said, thinking of Mr Burnham. ‘Mr Wilks seemed to be very nice to Mr Burnham whenever they were together, so he might have thought Mr Wilks was like that with everyone.’

  ‘May I share this information in confidence with my friend, Detective Ashdown?’ Matilda asked. ‘He will be discreet, I promise you, and it will help the investigation for him to know that Mr Burnham was genuinely respected by his artists, I’m sure. Unless you told the police that already?’

  The ladies thought about it, then Ella gave a subtle nod and Elvira agreed. ‘You may share. We didn’t say a great deal in our police interviews. Mrs Wilks was there, and we were still feeling shocked by the news. So, yes, if it will help do tell him.’

  ‘It’s exciting what you do,’ Ella said shyly, glancing from Matilda to Alice. ‘Writing for a newspaper.’

  ‘Our editor is amazing,’ Alice gushed, ‘so brave, and her goal is to inform and help women. I hope to be as strong and useful as she is in due course.’

  ‘I’ve no doubt you will,’ Matilda assured Alice, and then turned to the twins. ‘I’m so glad we met you both, thank you. Please stay safe.’

  Ella flushed slightly and Elvira smiled. ‘We have our own protector,’ Elvira said, and Ella gave a girlish giggle.

  Ella explained. ‘We never thought love was possible for us. Our parents never thought so when they left us in the asylum. But it seems it may be. Two men who work with our exhibition as part of the assembly team, well, we have all become close.’

  ‘I think you are both very loveable!’ Alice blurted out, and the ladies laughed.

  ‘If only we were all so lucky,’ Matilda said. ‘I’d love to have a protector.’

  ‘From what I heard, you have a gentleman keen to be so.’ Alice nudged Matilda and Ella’s eyes widened – she was the romantic out of the two.

  Matilda flushed and Elvira teased her like an old friend.

  ‘That is the blush of a woman in love.’

  ‘I have much to do before I want to be shackled to a man,’ Matilda said, ‘as handsome as that man might be.’

  ‘Then you need a man who will let you do your work and be married,’ Alice said. ‘Here’s to finding a progressive man.’

  They all turned as a person rushed into their seating area.

  ‘Was someone looking for a man?’ Daniel asked upon overhearing the last of the conversation. ‘I’m so sorry I’m late, Matilda. There are a few excuses but none of them is good.’

  Ella giggled, Alice’s eyes widened in appreciation of the new guest, and Elvira studied him with suspicion. Daniel seemed unfazed by the conjoined ladies; he had seen them now a few times. He sat beside his sister so as to not appear too imposing.

  ‘Oh, Daniel,’ Matilda sighed at her handsome and ruffled brother. ‘This is my brother, Daniel Hayward, the perpetually late,’ she began as a way of formal introduction. ‘He was to do an illustration for our story today, if there were no objections? Daniel, may I introduce Miss Ella Hove, Miss Elvira Hove and Miss Alice Doran.’

  Daniel stood again and bowed to each, ‘Misses Hove, Miss Doran.’

  He had charmed them. When his eyes locked with Alice, Daniel temporarily forgot time. Matilda pulled at his jacket, and he sat back down beside her and cleared his throat.

  ‘Forgive my tardiness,’ he said again. ‘Would you be comfortable with me doing a quick sketch of you both, Miss Ella, Miss Elvira, for the article? I can return another time to show you my finished result, or to fill in detail if time is limited?’

  Ella waited for Elvira to respond as seemed her practice.

  ‘Will you make us look like freaks or attractive young ladies bonded for life?’ Elvira asked, her voice more curious than cold.

  ‘It would be impossible not to draw you as attractive young ladies, even for an artist of my calibre,’ he said to Elvira and gave her a wink.

  She laughed. ‘Well, best to it then,’ she agreed, and Matilda relaxed beside Daniel. The small party bantered during the sketching and Daniel, with his frankness, shocked Matilda but had quite the opposite effect on the twins.

  ‘We have twins in our family, did Matilda tell you?’ Daniel asked. ‘They arrived twelve minutes apart. I suspect you two didn’t have that problem.’

  ‘Daniel!’ Matilda declared, but the twins just laughed.

  ‘Perhaps that is why we are joined,’ Ella told him. ‘We were both trying to rush out at the same time.’

  ‘Bravo you, Ella,’ Alice laughed, ‘what a clever comeback. That will be hard to beat,’ she said with a glance at Daniel. She had been studying him subtly since he arrived, but now had permission to glance at him with her challenge.

  He looked away from his drawing momentarily to smile at her, and then returned to his work again.

  ‘I know when I’m beaten,’ he said and smiled at Ella. ‘Do you eat for one or two?’

  ‘Oh, that’s a good question. I wish I had asked that,’ Matilda said with a sigh and Alice grinned.

  ‘We’re learning,’ she said, making excuses for them both.

  Elvira answered. ‘You are quite different, Daniel Hayward, refreshing.’

  He gave her a smile and a nod of thanks as he continued drawing as fast as he could get the strokes down.

  ‘To answer your question, we both have our favourite foods,’ she continued, ‘but we need very little to fill us, so I guess we eat the same as Matilda or Alice in quantity.’

  ‘Are they alike, your twin brothers?’ Ella asked Matilda.

  ‘They look alike, but Elijah is sensible, and Gideon is a rascal, well that’s what Harriet our housekeeper calls him, and he’s never grown out of it.’

  ‘Neither of them is as c
lever or good looking as Matilda and me,’ Daniel jested, as his hand continued to move freely, capturing their likeness on his notepad. ‘At least if no one will have them, they have each other I guess.’

  ‘Exactly so,’ Ella said. ‘Elvira and I will never be lonely.’

  ‘So true, sister,’ Elvira agreed and lowered her eyes.

  Matilda saw Elvira blink away tears, she was not all bravado after all.

  ‘That is very good,’ Alice said, glancing over at Daniel’s drawing.

  ‘It will suffice for now and I will continue on it in my own time,’ he said, just as Mrs Wilks came in. ‘Thank you, Miss Ella, Miss Elvira.’

  ‘The ladies need to get back to work. Have you all you need?’ Mrs Wilks asked, and with that, she hustled the sisters from the room and Matilda, Alice and Daniel were alone.

  Matilda rose. ‘Thank you, Daniel. We are seeing Mrs Wilks in two days at 2pm if that suits you to illustrate? But now I must go to see Mrs Tufton and then Thomas with some information. I am sorry to leave you, Alice. Daniel, perhaps you could escort Miss Doran out?’

  ‘Ah that won’t be necessary. I am quite capable of walking, but thank you,’ Alice said, ever independent but not averse to having Daniel walk beside her.

  ‘I felt the same just recently when Thomas berated me for being here alone,’ Matilda said, ‘but there are some rough sorts around here, especially with the alcoholic beverages served nearby.’

  ‘Allow me to offer this small service,’ Daniel said to Alice. ‘Or failing that, you can protect me.’

  Alice laughed. ‘All right then, since you put it like that, we shall look out for each other.’

  As Matilda watched them leave, secretly satisfied with her matchmaking effort that fooled no one, she was left wondering how Ella and Elvira’s lives would be now with their new manager and their dear friend gone. At least they had love, she thought.