by Helen Goltz
Anna could not have looked more surprised, and Amos stepped in before she spoke.
‘My client, Mrs Tufton, is seeking a decree of nullity. Should the court grant this, then there is no legal marriage and that should not hinder your proposed career if the court deems the marriage was never legal.’
Tufton thought about this for a moment.
‘On what grounds?’ he finally asked. He was no fool. ‘We have consummated the marriage, we’ve lived together, I have never raised my hand to Anna, and we were compatible in our early years.’
Matilda avoided looking at Anna as the discussion became indiscreet. Instead, she studied Tufton – an imposing figure of restrained anger.
‘Mrs Tufton seeks a decree of nullity for misunderstanding that the marriage would require her to be exhibited and to be the family breadwinner,’ Amos said, and Tufton scoffed. ‘I am not saying it will be an easy case to win on this basis, but it will be a sympathetic case to present to a judge. Failing that, Mrs Tufton will file for divorce.’
‘That doesn’t suit me,’ Tufton said.
Anna’s lips narrowed with frustration and Matilda rose to open the door to let some more fresh air into the caravan than the two small windows afforded.
‘I’ve got a solution and my legal representatives will deliver the papers to you if you are in agreement, Anna,’ he said curtly, addressing her directly. ‘If you are not, then the divorce will take a very long time as I am not consenting to it.’
Anna sat straight and her face flushed, but Amos held up his hand.
‘Mrs Tufton, do not be distressed. Let us first hear what Mr Tufton proposes as it may suit both of you.’
Tufton nodded. ‘I will agree to a mutual deed of separation. You continue as you wish, Anna, and so will I. For the purposes of my career, I have a legal wife and am not divorced.’
Anna turned to Amos. ‘I need to understand what that means for me in the long-term,’ she said. ‘I am not averse to a formal separation, and I don’t wish to harm your future career options, Carl, if you do not wish to interfere with mine,’ she added to her husband.
‘He’ll explain it,’ Tufton said rudely, with a nod to Amos.
Amos addressed Anna. ‘In essence, it states that it is a mutual decision to live separately, but neither party is ready for pursuing divorce proceedings. It entitles you to similar claims as a divorce, such as access to matrimonial assets and you are free to permanently live apart.’
‘And if I want to proceed with a divorce in due course?’ Anna asked Amos.
‘Then you can do so after three years if you both agree, or four years if Mr Tufton does not agree,’ Amos informed her.
‘It doesn’t seem any different to what we are doing now, only I have a four-year wait if you don’t agree to divorce,’ Anna said. ‘Why would that interest me?’
Tufton scowled. ‘It gives you respectability to be married and it is not as if there’ll be a queue waiting to put a ring on your finger.’
Matilda cleared her throat. ‘Would you like us to leave and give you some time to think about it, Anna? No decision needs to be made today does it, brother?’
‘I’d like it over as soon as possible without a public scandal,’ Tufton answered before Anna had a chance to speak.
Matilda wondered how Anna ever fell for this charmless man. He continued, ‘Then we needn’t see each other again unless I choose to remarry and seek a divorce.’
‘If I am fortunate, you might pass away in those three or four years and save us both from the indignity of divorce,’ Anna snapped back.
Matilda inhaled sharply and sat back. It was the first time she had seen Anna in anger or capable of anger. Her thoughts went to the investigation and the deceased, Mr Burnham. Could Anna have harmed him as a way out of this life? Did she think the Freak Show would shut down and she could stop travelling?
Amos held up his hand to stop the warring between the Tuftons. ‘I think the only benefit for Mrs Tufton in agreeing to a mutual deed of separation is if she receives a small payment of alimony. It would be an honourable thing to support your wife, especially as you are still legally married and if you are in office. It would be unfortunate if we made it public that your wife supported you or that you abandoned her to a Freak Show to support herself.’
Matilda gave her brother an admiring glance.
‘Oh, I knew it would get to the money,’ Tufton snarled.
‘No doubt your legal team suggested that,’ Amos said, not fooled by Tufton’s front and bluff. Amos turned to his client, Anna. ‘My recommendation, Mrs Tufton is that if you do not intend to remarry in the near future, you accept the mutual deed of separation so as not to hinder your husband’s career, in exchange for an alimony payment each week.’ Amos suggested a figure he knew would be acceptable to the court, manageable for a working man, and would see Mrs Tufton comfortable. It would allow her to leave the Freak Show and it was high time that Mr Tufton got to work in Amos’s opinion.
Anna looked very pleased and Tufton did not seem surprised at the figure or the discussion outcome.
‘Of course, if that is not suitable, I understand you inherited a farm from your parents. We could file for divorce and halve your marital assets, but as you said, that would not reflect well on your budding career and it would be tied up for some time during the sale and legalities,’ Amos finished.
‘The farm is worthless, it’s costing me more to own and run then it brings in,’ he said.
‘I am aware it is no longer a working farm, but the land will fetch a reasonable price in good time,’ Amos said, and Anna visibly relaxed. He had well and truly done his homework. ‘Did you both want to think about it, and we shall meet again?’ Amos said, unhappy at the thought of returning.
‘I would be prepared to accept that offer,’ Anna said.
Tufton rose. ‘I’ll talk to my lawyers and get the paperwork sent to you.’ He departed without any polite exchange.
The party did not say a word until they believed he was gone from the site and then Anna threw her hands over her face and began to cry. Amos stood up and removed a white handkerchief from his pocket, offering it to her.
‘I am free,’ she said, accepting it with thanks. ‘I could not have achieved that outcome without you, Mr Hayward, thank you. Once that is done, I am free to leave here. I can get a comfortable abode away from the city and see only who I wish to see, run my own home, and be private.’
Matilda reached for Anna’s large hand and squeezed it.
‘I am so happy for you, Anna,’ she said, and turned to her brother. ‘Amos, you were brilliant.’
He gave her an affectionate smile and thanked her modestly.
Anna dried her eyes and smiled. ‘Thank you both, thank you. You will never know how you have changed my life.’
‘I shall wait for the papers and return to get your signature. I must get back to work, but know that I am pleased you are happy with that compromise, Mrs Tufton,’ he said, formally. ‘Matilda, shall I give you a ride?’
‘Please stay and have another tea with me?’ Anna asked. ‘I feel I need to talk and celebrate.’
‘Of course,’ Matilda said, sensing the woman needed someone to share her relief with. But for the first time, she was just a little fearful. Anna Tufton was getting exactly what she wanted… was this how it all started?
Chapter 19
Thomas’s nephew, Edward Ashdown – or rather Teddy Clements as he chose to be identified as the new assistant cook for the remaining seven days that the Freak Show was in town – finished up creating the evening’s meals and left them to be reheated closer to the dinner hour. The rumours he had heard at the butcher shop were true, the artists were eating the fatty leftovers and terrible cuts, but he did his best to make them appealing. He whipped up his Irish Stew recipe using offcuts, then ground and minced what he could to make shepherd’s pie. Teddy missed not having a Sunday roast since he’d been on the road, and he co
uld put money on the fact that a roast never saw the light of day at the exhibition.
A big man who looked like someone who knew his way around a pot and pan peered over Teddy’s shoulder. He dusted the flour off his hands and onto his apron.
‘You’ve done all right, Teddy, or should I call you Blue?’ he asked, attempting to ruffle the new redheaded cook.
‘Yeah, Teddy’ll do, thanks Mr Secker,’ Teddy replied and got a laugh.
‘You can call me Chas,’ he said good-humouredly. ‘A good day’s work indeed. You’ll have Sunday off as we just do cold fare on that day, and I’ll have Mondays off so cook whatever you like with what you can find on hand. Four major dishes and two large desserts tends to feed the lot, and we have a special meal for management but that’s small fare. You can make the desserts early in the day to give yourself plenty of time.’
Teddy nodded. ‘Thanks, Chas. Do any of the crew or—’ he searched for the best word to describe the other residents.
‘Freaks?’ Chas asked. ‘I hear they like to be called artists.’
Teddy nodded. ‘Yeah, do any of them do a bit of hunting? I could cook up some good meals with a bit of game.’
‘Ooh, you’ve got me mouth-watering now,’ Chas said. ‘When I think of my mother’s baked rabbit and Nan’s roo stew…’ he sighed. ‘But you’re right there… that kind of meat will only be got from hunting, lad, because I can tell you right now this lot isn’t spending money on anything that resembles a reasonable cut.’
Teddy gave him a grin. ‘I hear you loud and clear.’ He began cleaning up and decided to work in a little conversation about the recently deceased, Mr Burnham. ‘So, did you like the poor man who met his end, and dare I ask if my cooking’s bad, should I expect the same?’ He wanted to have something to tell his uncle, Detective Ashdown, that night.
Chas chuckled. ‘You’re as safe as me, if that’s any consolation. But, as bosses go, I did like him. Never said a bad word, appreciated every mouthful he ate and told me so. He was a good man, and that’s as much as I hope someone says about me one day,’ Chas said.
‘I guess it is good that the show goes on, for the artists’ sake.’
Chas shook his head. ‘It’s going to get worse from here on in.’ He looked around and lowered his voice for just the two of them in the kitchen. ‘He’s a miserable sod that Wilks and his wife is as tough as nails. I’m telling you that this exhibition won’t be the same this time next year if it still exists at all. Can’t say I’ll be here that long.’
Teddy nodded. He wasn’t one for gossiping or small talk and he didn’t want to come across as too inquisitive, so he continued with his work for a little while saying nothing. Once he had cleaned up, he looked to help Chas.
‘I’m all right here, Teddy. You’ve done enough and a good day’s work, so get going while you can or else I’ll find something else for you to do,’ he joked.
‘It was a great first day, thanks Chas.’ Teddy took off his large coverall and hung it up. ‘I’ll take the rubbish out as I depart and see you in the morning.’
‘Worth your weight in lager,’ Chas said, slapping the young cook on the back as he left Teddy to empty the bins while he started preparing the different menu for the managers’ meals.
*****
It was nearing four o’clock when Matilda stepped from Anna’s caravan feeling relieved and rather proud of herself. From the first moment the giantess had slipped a note into her hand asking for her help, to now with her brother securing an independent income for Anna to live her life with dignity, she could not have foreseen such a positive outcome. Plus, she had made a new friend in Alice Doran – her writing partner. They were due to interview and write Mrs Wilks’ story tomorrow afternoon, and she hoped the spark of interest between Alice and Daniel would ignite.
Matilda made her way through the corridor of caravans and as she turned the corner past the last of the temporary living quarters, she heard fast thumping footsteps on the grass behind her. She turned, feeling a presence close by. Suddenly she was pushed hard against a caravan and before she could scream, two large hands wrapped around her throat, choking her. Inches from her face was Carl Tufton.
Matilda choked and struggled, and he tightened his grip, a leer on his face, his breath upon her.
‘I could snap your neck in a second, you meddling cow. It’s you that’s been putting independent ideas in my stupid wife’s head. She wouldn’t come up with them by herself.’
Matilda struggled to breathe; she thumped her fists against his body, but it did little to deter him. He left one hand in a stranglehold around her throat and moved the other lower, pressing his knuckles into her chest and moving towards the buttons on her blouse.
She gasped, her eyes watered with pain, and the more Matilda struggled, the tighter he gripped. And then he laughed.
‘Hey, what are you doing there?’ a loud male voice asked. A tall redheaded man appeared, dropping a bin of rubbish.
Tufton pushed away from Matilda, glaring at her.
‘Get lost, we’re talking.’
Matilda hurriedly moved away from Tufton, grasping her neck and panting.
Teddy Clements guided Matilda behind him and stood a head taller and wider, looming over Carl Tufton.
‘It doesn’t look like much talking is going on,’ Teddy said. ‘Are you all right, miss?’ he asked, glancing back at Matilda.
‘I am now, thank you,’ she said, staying well behind him, her words soft, pained.
‘Bugger off. This has nothing to do with you,’ Tufton said.
‘I work here and as far as I know, you don’t, do you? So I can call the police, or you can bugger off,’ Teddy suggested, imitating him.
Tufton glared at him, and, deciding he most likely would come off the worse, he grunted, turned, and strode off.
Matilda collapsed against the caravan and choked back tears.
‘You’re safe now, miss, I assure you. Teddy A—’ he stopped himself from nearly revealing the wrong surname, ‘—Clements at your service.’ He gave a small bow, conscious that he smelled like the kitchen and was wearing no hat.
‘Matilda Hayward, Miss, thank you, Mr Clements,’ Matilda said, offering her name while straightening her straw hat, and checking her attire. ‘I’m not sure what might have happened if you hadn’t intervened,’ she said, regaining her strength.
‘Do you have business here, or may I see you somewhere?’ he asked.
‘I had business. I was meeting with Mrs Tufton – the giantess,’ she added, seeing Teddy’s confused expression. ‘But I am heading home if you could see me to a cab or the omnibus.’
‘Of course. Allow me one minute to return the bin and I’ll join you promptly. Please stand here where I can see you should you need me,’ he said and directed her to a more visible spot.
While she waited for Teddy, Matilda straightened the blouse tie around her neck, patted down her skirt and her hair and checked she was still in one piece. Her throat was sore, and her chest ached from the force of Tufton’s knuckles against her skin.
Teddy hurried over to pick up his bin, empty and return it, before wiping his hands and returning with a hat in his hand.
‘Forgive my appearance, I’ve been in a kitchen for hours.’
‘Not at all.’
He offered his arm, which Matilda accepted.
‘You have a friendship with the giantess?’ Teddy asked as they walked.
‘Yes, confidentially, she is conducting business with my brother and seeking separation from her husband. That was the very husband that you chased away. He holds me responsible.’ Matilda saw him study her and added, ‘it’s not true, of course.’
‘Of course,’ he said and grinned.
She couldn’t help smiling in response.
‘Allow me to see you home since you have had a bit of a shock,’ he said.
‘That would be most kind, but I don’t want to take you out of your way.’
>
‘I’m sure we are going in the same direction. Where is your residence?’
Matilda told him.
‘Ah, right near mine,’ he said and the look of disbelief she gave him made Teddy laugh.
‘Well, near enough,’ he assured her.
‘Thank you,’ Matilda said.
‘The pleasure is all mine.’ He gave a tip of his hat and Matilda relaxed in the knowledge she would get safely home despite the ache around her throat and the fear Tufton’s threat instilled in her that he could snap out her life easily, and she was by no means ready to leave this world yet.
Chapter 20
‘This is my home, or rather my father’s,’ Matilda said as they arrived outside the gates of a palatial home on the rise of the Kangaroo Point hill. The autumn evening was closing in and the street was in shadowy darkness now with only the lamps shining from inside the windows of Matilda’s home to guide the way up the path.
‘May I offer you a cup of tea before you depart?’ She hoped her new friend would not accept; she felt raw and emotional and needed to get herself together, but yet manners dictated she issued the invitation.
‘Thank you, but I’m not appropriately dressed for calling. Should you wish to return to the Exhibition, I am there most days except Sunday, so please seek me out if I can be of service,’ Teddy said.
‘I can’t thank you enough, Mr Clements,’ Matilda said.
She entered the gate, closing it behind her, and was relieved to be in the safety of her residence. She was conscious that he was gallantly ensuring she safely reached her front door, so she increased the pace of her walk up the path and took the few stairs to the front door, turned and smiled before disappearing within.
‘Oh good,’ Harriet said, bustling out to assist with taking Matilda’s hat and gloves. The familiar sight of her in a dark grey gown with lace collar, hair neatly back in a bun, caused a wave of emotion in Matilda. ‘It is getting dark, and I like you home well before the evening crowds venture out.’