The Doorstep Girls

by Valerie Wood

  Lizzie spoke up. ‘I think he’s got a fever. He’s walked for miles, in heat and rain, and he’s just exhausted, poor bairn. His bones are hot too, as if they’re on fire.’

  ‘Then he has the fever,’ Martin said. ‘For I have just recovered from it and that is exactly how I felt.’ He turned to Grace. ‘Do you feel well enough to come with me? My carriage is out in the street and you could explain the situation to the doctor. Would that be permissible, Mrs Sheppard?’ he asked her mother, who nodded but made no answer as her eyes glanced searchingly at him and then at Grace.

  Lizzie closed the door behind them and turned to Ruby, who was standing as if dumbstruck. ‘He knows,’ Ruby whispered. ‘I could tell by ’way he looked at me. Edward must have told him my name.’

  Lizzie put her hand to her chest. ‘Edward? Who is Edward?’

  ‘Edward Newmarch. His brother. He’s the man I’m –’ Her face crumpled and she couldn’t finish.

  ‘His brother! God in heaven, do you think they’re tarred wi’ same brush?’ Lizzie stared in horror at Ruby. ‘We’ve just let our Grace go off wi’ him in his carriage. What’s her da going to say?’

  CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

  ‘It’s not ’same carriage,’ Grace observed, as Martin Newmarch helped her inside the brougham.

  ‘No, it was my father’s.’ He sat opposite her. ‘He always preferred to be driven. He was not a good driver, was never in control of his horse. My father died last week,’ he explained hesitantly. ‘That is one of the reasons why I have not been in contact with you before, er – regarding the tour. That, and because I have been ill myself.’

  ‘I’m so sorry,’ she murmured, and added, ‘Mr Emerson told me of your illness. I wrote –’

  ‘Thank you,’ he smiled. ‘I received your letter. It was kind of you to be concerned.’

  She seemed embarrassed. ‘I’m sorry about what happened back at home.’ She looked over her shoulder towards Middle Court. ‘I don’t know what made me act that way.’

  He couldn’t explain to her the strange sensation he had experienced, catching her flailing hands as she’d battered his chest, but he answered quietly, leaning towards her. ‘You are very sensitive about the problems of others, Grace, but also you are not well. It seems to me that you haven’t been getting enough to eat.’

  ‘I’ve had just ’same as my ma,’ she said defensively. ‘Da has ’most food ’cos he has to work.’ Her expression drooped. ‘But he doesn’t have enough. He’s always very tired when he gets home. Though Ruby’s been bringing in extra food since we’ve been looking after Bessie,’ she added.

  He had to try and suppress a smile as he wondered if Edward knew he was supporting another family as well as Ruby.

  ‘I know about Edward and Ruby,’ he said quietly, determined to tell Grace himself rather than Ruby say that he knew of the affair.

  ‘Oh! But how?’ She looked startled. ‘Your brother, Mr Edward, insisted that Ruby should tell no-one, and she didn’t, only me.’ She gazed steadily at him. ‘Except that someone else found out and all of ’cotton mill knows about them now.’

  It was his turn to be startled. So that was why Edward was so touchy and morose! It wasn’t because of his father’s death at all, but because he had been found out! It would only be a matter of time now before the servants discovered it, if they didn’t know already. Certainly Edward’s manservant had had a knowing look on his face when he’d said that Edward had gone off on business.

  And then it will come to May’s attention. Hints of it will be dropped from her personal maid and then there’ll be the devil to pay. From what little he knew of Edward’s wife, he was convinced of that.

  ‘Edward inadvertently let slip her name,’ he explained. ‘Though I had guessed that there was someone.’

  ‘I’m so sorry,’ Grace said in a hushed voice. ‘I did beg Ruby not to. But she said there was no other option open to her.’ Her mouth trembled, and he felt a protective sensation towards her. He gave a slight shudder. How dreadful if it had been Grace who had chosen that downward path.

  ‘We are not their custodians, Grace,’ he said. ‘Though I cannot say that I approve, my brother and your friend must do what they will with their lives.’

  ‘But we should advise, surely, if we think that way is doomed?’ She paused. ‘Though Ruby is lucky that Mr Newmarch thinks so highly of her. He made her promise that she wouldn’t – she wouldn’t see any other man. And she hasn’t,’ she added fervently. ‘I know that she hasn’t.’

  So Edward really does care for the girl, Martin mused as the carriage drew up outside the doctor’s house. I’m not sure if I don’t find that more disturbing than if he was out wenching every night.

  Dr Ellis listened gravely as Grace told him of Freddie and how in his ramblings they gathered that he had walked from Nottingham. He said that he’d heard there were many young chimney sweeps in Nottingham: the town was considered a good training ground for them, as there were so many narrow chimneys.

  ‘Let’s hope he hasn’t developed scrofula,’ he said. ‘For if he has, then there is nothing I can do for him.’ He looked at Grace from over his spectacles and added, ‘You are very pale, young woman. Are you not well either?’

  ‘A little tired, sir. Nothing more.’

  He made no comment on this and told Martin that he would visit the child in Middle Court immediately.

  Martin handed Grace into the carriage, then said, ‘Excuse me for a moment, I forgot to mention another matter to Dr Ellis,’ and returned swiftly to the doctor’s door before the maid closed it.

  ‘Mr Newmarch,’ she said on his return, ‘you were caught up in a situation which you can’t have expected, but you must have had another reason for your visit today. Was it in regard to the tour?’

  He took a breath. He was concerned. On his return to the doctor he had asked if he would look again at Grace when he visited the house. Dr Ellis agreed that he would, adding that she appeared to be bloodless and in need of good food.

  ‘Yes,’ he said, in answer to her question. ‘Initially I was coming to enquire if you had found employment after your travels, but when I called on Emerson, I heard that a letter had been delivered for you which he had been asked to forward. I offered to bring it as I was about to call on you anyway.’ A smile hovered on his lips as he remembered Emerson’s comments on his tardiness in going forward.

  ‘A letter for me?’ she said in astonishment. ‘Why – who would write to me through Mr Emerson?’

  ‘Miss Mary Morris.’ He studied her face for the slightest hint of colour and noticed also that her hands, which had fluttered to her face, were white and thin. ‘But I have no idea why.’

  She waited. When he didn’t hand over the letter, she clasped her fingers together and raised her eyebrows questioningly, and, with a sudden start, he put his hand into the inside pocket of his coat. ‘I beg your pardon,’ he said, and drew out an envelope.

  The carriage drew up close to the alley leading to Middle Court. ‘Do you mind if I read it now?’ Grace asked. She turned the crisp white envelope over, remembering the shoddy paper and handmade envelope she had used for the letter to Mr Newmarch, and felt ashamed. ‘This is ’first letter I’ve ever received,’ she murmured. ‘And ’first one I’ve ever sent was to you after I heard you were ill.’

  He marvelled at the fact and was delighted, yet tried not to show it. ‘Then I will treasure it always,’ he said softly. ‘And consider it a gift.’

  She shook her head. ‘It was a poor thing, made from old paper.’

  ‘I was thinking of the contents, not the wrapping.’ He gazed steadily at her and saw a blush tinge her cheeks as she busied herself opening the envelope.

  ‘This is ’right place, sir!’ The coachie appeared at the door.

  ‘Yes, thank you, but we will be one moment longer,’ Martin said. He watched Grace’s eyebrows raise higher as she read the letter, and she took a deep breath of astonishment.

  ‘Mr Newmarch!’ s
he said in some consternation. ‘I shall need your advice on a matter. Miss Morris is asking something impossible.’

  The doctor’s black carriage drew up behind them and Grace tucked the letter into her skirt pocket. ‘I must take him in,’ she said hurriedly. ‘He won’t know which house it is.’

  Martin handed her down and she thanked him. ‘You’ve been very kind,’ she said. ‘Sending for ’doctor, I mean. I can’t thank you enough.’

  He nodded and put on his top hat. ‘I have business to attend to but will come back in an hour,’ he said. ‘Perhaps you will tell me what diagnosis the doctor gives for the boy and his mother.’

  She dipped her knee, and joining the doctor led him down the alleyway, where he fastidiously trod amongst the debris, to her house.

  ‘First thing you must do’, he said brusquely as he looked down at Freddie, ‘is remove the mother to another bed. She’s dying, but hanging onto life by taking succour from her son. We can do nothing for her, but we can perhaps save the boy.’

  He looked at Ruby, who was weeping and wringing her hands. ‘What should I do, Grace? My poor ma!’

  ‘She’s had her life,’ Lizzie answered for Grace. ‘And she’s had her wish to see Freddie again. Besides, Bessie wouldn’t want Freddie to die because of her.’ Though he almost did, she muttered to herself.

  The doctor removed the covers from Freddie and looked him over. ‘Wash him all over with cool water,’ he said, ‘and I will give him a small dose of laudanum for his pain and the fever.’

  He heard the gasp of disapproval from Lizzie Sheppard. ‘A measured dose only,’ he said, glancing at her. ‘I will put you in charge of the medication if you disapprove of it, so there is no risk of him becoming addicted.’

  ‘There’ll be no fear of that, Doctor,’ she said grimly. ‘It’s what’s killing his mother.’

  ‘It kills many,’ he said. ‘Or else renders them incapable of rational thought or action, and so they hurt themselves in other ways. But, nevertheless, used properly it has its uses.’ He peered at Bessie. ‘She’s had a fall or injury to her face which must have rendered her insensible.’ He shook his head. ‘She has done well to live to old age.’

  He unpacked his leather bag, taking a small bottle and carefully measuring a few drops of the contents into another, which he topped up with liquid from yet another, then shook vigorously. ‘Move the mother to the other bed.’ He pointed to the mattress in the corner of the room. ‘Then wash the child as instructed, give him plenty of clean cool water to drink and a dose of this medication. Then give him another tomorrow morning. You’ll see an improvement in a day or two.’

  ‘Sir,’ Grace said. ‘Does he have any other disease, like the one you mentioned?’

  ‘I don’t know yet.’ He delved into his bag again. ‘I’ll come back in a day or two and examine him thoroughly when he is over the fever.’

  Ruby drew in a breath. ‘Could you tell me what it will cost, Doctor?’

  ‘It is attended to,’ he said briefly. ‘In some cases, I make no charge. Now, young lady.’ He turned to Grace. ‘You look to me as if you could do with a tonic. The best thing of course is good food. Eggs, milk, chicken and liver, and an occasional glass of red wine, but as I am sure those items are impossible,’ he handed her a bottle of pink liquid, ‘you must take this three times a day and eat as often as you can.’

  He put on his hat and picked up his bag. ‘I wish you good day.’ He turned to Ruby as he went to the door. ‘Take care of the boy. He should recover with good nursing.’

  ‘Mr Newmarch!’ Grace’s mother exclaimed, after the doctor had gone. ‘He must be paying.’ She looked suspiciously at Grace. ‘Why would he do that?’

  Grace stared down at the bottle in her hand. She must look really ill for the doctor to notice, she thought. ‘I don’t know,’ she said softly. Then she looked up. ‘Yes I do. It’s because he’s a kind man. You’ve met him before, Ma. Surely you can tell?’

  Her mother grunted. Glancing at Ruby, she said, ‘Come on then, let’s get your ma moved over onto ’other mattress like ’doctor says.’

  ‘What’s Mr Sheppard going to say?’ Ruby asked fearfully as they lifted her mother out. ‘There’ll be nowhere for him to sleep.’

  Lizzie heaved a big sigh. ‘He’ll sleep wi’ me and Freddie in this bed. We’ll manage, and if your ma was taking energy from Freddie, then Freddie can tek ours by sleeping between us, though God knows I haven’t got much left anyway. You’ll have to sleep in ’chair, Grace. Grace!’ she repeated when there was no response. ‘Where are you, girl?’

  ‘Yes.’ Grace came out of her reverie. ‘Yes, all right. I’ll sleep in Da’s chair. Can you and Ruby manage, Ma? I need to go out for a few minutes.’

  ‘Out where?’ her mother puzzled. ‘Where you off to?’

  ‘I won’t be long.’ She avoided answering the question and hurried out of the door.

  ‘What’s going on?’ her mother asked Ruby. ‘Is she going to meet Mr Newmarch, do you think? Why did he come calling anyway? He didn’t say, did he?’

  ‘No, he didn’t.’ Ruby covered her mother with a blanket and gazed sadly at her still form. She hadn’t so much as flinched as they’d moved her. ‘But you don’t have to worry about him, Aunt Lizzie.’ She looked across at the older woman and reassured her. ‘He’s a proper gentleman and not ’sort to risk his position or standing in society. He wouldn’t tek that risk, not for folk like us. He’s not like his brother Edward. He’s far too sensible.’

  Grace leaned on the wall at the top of the alley whilst she waited for Mr Newmarch’s carriage to appear, and reread the letter from Miss Morris. I don’t understand. Why would she ask this of me?

  She looked up as someone slouched in front of her. It was Jamie. She stared straight at him but didn’t speak, and he, in turn, lowered his eyes and merely nodded in greeting. Perhaps he realizes that we know about him and what we think he did, she mused, but then, would he care?

  The carriage wheels rattled on the cobbles and the driver slowed as he saw her. She stood by the door as it opened. ‘Mr Newmarch,’ she said. ‘I don’t like to bother you, but I think I’m going to need your advice.’

  Martin got out. ‘We can speak here if you wish, or we can take a drive.’

  Grace looked about her. Already people were glancing curiously at the brougham, not the kind of vehicle normally seen in this vicinity, with its leather hood and painted wheels and a liveried driver on top. Broken-down waggons with tired horses were the more usual transport. She saw a glimpse of Jamie as he hid in the alley watching, and she decided. ‘Take a drive, please, if you don’t mind.’

  She handed him the letter as the carriage pulled away. ‘Please read it, Mr Newmarch, and tell me that perhaps I have misunderstood Miss Morris’s offer.’

  He gazed at her quizzically. ‘Why do you think you have misunderstood?’

  ‘Read it, sir,’ she urged. ‘And then you will see. Miss Morris has asked if I would be willing to go and work with her as her assistant in a project she is planning.’

  CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

  Bob Sheppard was later than usual arriving home from work. He was tired and sank down in his chair. The room was lit only by the light of the fire, and Bessie’s occupation of the mattress on the floor went unnoticed. Lizzie handed him a cup of tea.

  ‘I’ve been down to Albert Dock wi’ a waggonload o’ timber,’ he said wearily. ‘That’s why I’m late. There’s a ship just come in. It’s laden wi’ passengers from Scandinavia all sailing to a new life in America.’

  ‘Lucky for them,’ his wife said laconically.

  ‘Aye, and a mass of folks from Hull waiting to go on board. I reckon we might have tekken ’chance had we been younger.’ He took a sip from his cup and then another, and looked down at the steaming brown liquid. ‘Have we come into money or summat?’ he asked. ‘This isn’t usual washed-out brand o’ tea.’

  ‘No, it isn’t,’ she said, busying herself with the pan on the fire, adding
vegetables to it. ‘So enjoy it while you can.’

  He glanced towards the bed. ‘How’s ’lad been today? He was right poorly last night.’ Then, with a start, he asked, ‘Where’s Bessie?’

  Lizzie nodded towards the mattress. ‘We’ve had a time of it today, what wi’ one thing and another. Doctor’s been, courtesy o’ Mr Newmarch. There’s quite a tale to tell, so drink your tea and I’ll give you ’gist of it.’

  She told of Mr Newmarch calling though she didn’t know why, and of Grace having some kind of fit and beating him about the chest. Of him going with Grace to fetch the doctor. ‘Now she’s gone out again on some errand and isn’t back yet. Ruby’s gone back to – wherever it is she goes,’ she said. ‘And in ’meantime a parcel’s been delivered by ’grocer.’ She went across to the table where a large cardboard box was sitting.

  Bob got up from his chair. ‘What’s in it? Who sent it?’

  She shrugged. ‘It must have been Mr Newmarch that sent it. ’Doctor that came said that Grace needed food, that’s why she’s so pale and thin. Milk, eggs, cheese and suchlike and that’s what’s in ’box.’ She opened the lid for him to see.

  ‘It’s charity,’ he said bluntly. ‘We can’t accept that.’

  ‘You’ve just enjoyed that cup o’ tea, haven’t you?’ she asked brusquely. ‘Have another cup and see if it tastes any different now you know I didn’t buy it wi’ our own money!’ She hesitated, and then said, ‘If I’m honest I’ve had my doubts about it, same as you. But our Grace is fading away, I can see it in her eyes. She’s never had much fat on her and she’s got even less now.’ She rubbed her hand across her forehead. ‘If she should get consumption or some disease, I’d never—’

  ‘All right. All right,’ he said hastily. ‘We’ll accept it for Grace’s sake, charity or not. But one box o’ groceries isn’t going to keep us going for ever.’

  ‘No,’ she replied. ‘And that’s why I’m going to ask around for some work. My back’s a deal better than it was.’