by Glynis Smy
***
Arthur noticed a difference in his pupil she appeared to be a little distracted. When he arrived he noticed she was not paying him the usual attention she did, when he came to teach. It was very clear who the distraction was, when he was introduced to the young man talking with William. According to Kitty the man, James they called him, had helped rescue her book from a child thief in the market. Kitty was like a little bird, flustered and flitting around the room. She appeared nervous, a side of her he had not seen before.
Why would she be acting so? The man is only a passing stranger.
Not sure why, but Arthur found himself resenting the presence of James, he was an intrusion into his time with Kitty. There was an air of arrogance about him and he made Arthur feel inadequate, ragged around the edges.
He did not like this new side to Kitty; she was not the flighty sort nor was her head easily turned. It also appeared that William was enjoying the company of the stranger. Arthur was not happy, his evening had been altered, and he did not like changes. Any change that took Kitty's attention away from him was not welcome. Kitty was his girl. He had nurtured her, educated her, and fallen in love with her. Arthur was determined no stranger was going to get in the way of his plans.
As the evening wore on, his mood smouldered. He tried not to show he was upset, and laughed in all the right places. He would never be able to explain himself, for his fear of losing connection with Kitty was deep inside. Arthur knew he must make his feelings known as soon as possible. Quite how he was going to do this he was not sure. Maybe a word with Sarah. She had influence over Kitty, and would know how to encourage her friend in the right direction. To approach William at this stage might be too soon, not until Kitty consented to being his wife.
Wife.
This was a new word for him. He had only thought about courting her, marriage was for the future. There was so much to think about, their marriage would be the focus from now on.
He would need to tread carefully, not hound Kitty to consider him as her husband. He had to increase his salary somehow. He could not keep a wife and family on what he earned with the few stories he gathers for The Strand. New angles to stories would be a good way to start. If he found his niche and get himself noticed as a serious journalist, Kitty might be attracted to the proposal. He jotted down a few ideas of a new approach and presentation of the newspaper. The editor might be interested, with so many new newspapers arriving on the market; competition was putting a strain on sales. If Arthur could persuade him to allow him a new column, and a bit more freedom with his articles, it might give him the career boost he needed.
***
Kitty noticed something different about Arthur, he looked miserable. He was not a smiling man at the best of times, but tonight his laugh sounded forced. He spoke in clipped sentences throughout the lesson. She could sense something was wrong, and she was puzzled. She had read well, in fact she knew she had read extremely well. Her written word only needed slight alterations, but he never commented on how she had improved. Arthur always critiqued her work and gave an opinion. Tonight, he grunted responses, but gave no encouragement. He was her friend, she did not like to think he had been upset, or had offended him in anyway. She laid down her pen and reached out to touch his hand.
‘Are you feeling unwell, Arthur?’
When her hand found his, he flinched and pulled it away as if in pain.
Kitty stood and moved beside him.
‘Oh, do you have pain?’ Can I help? Have you injured yourself?’
‘No dear friend. It is all right Kitty; I have a slight headache tonight that is all. Thank you for your concern.’
He gathered his books, he had to leave, and he needed to get air. His mind was in a spin, he could only focus on Kitty. She affected him in ways he did not understand.
‘I am going to leave a little earlier tonight.’
He had turned away from the table and addressed the statement to William. Secretly he hoped Samuel would not offer to join him.
‘Alright son, you take and go. Samuel and I will carry on our chinwag. I will stroll home with him when I leave for work.’
Kitty, handed Arthur a packet.
‘Here's a sandwich for later Arthur. I noticed you did not eat much tonight. If your headache subsides, you might be grateful for it. It is only a bit of cheese, but the bread is freshly baked today.’
‘My thanks Kitty, it is good of you. I am sure I will enjoy it later for my supper. Take care and I will see you soon.’
Arthur was touched by her thoughtfulness. She would definitely make a good wife.
Chapter 8
Impulsive Reactions
Arthur bid farewell to the household and headed for Commercial Street, his mood was low, and decided a drink in a lively tavern was needed. He walked head down and every now and then he kicked out at a stone. He watched them roll ahead of him and fall into the gutter. The action helped the frustrated anger he had towards James Lockwood and his intrusion into his life. The stone represented Lockwood, and as far as Arthur was concerned a kick into the gutter is just what the man deserved.
‘Why if it isn't my old friend Twiggy!’ a dark figure stepped from the shadows.
Startled at first Arthur took a step backwards. When the voice appeared in the light he realised it was Brady still in uniform. Arthur walked towards him with his hand outstretched and the men shook hands.
‘Brady, how the devil are you? I am just heading for a jar, are you on duty or will you join me?’
Arthur wanted to build a stronger friendship with the McKinley family. They were a large part of Kitty's life. Their opinion of Arthur was important and he needed to ensure they were part of his plan to marry her.
‘Well as it happens I might join you, Twiggy me lad, I have a thirst and my shift has just finished. Sarah will not begrudge me a few minutes with you, she's a good sort is my Sarah. Not many of them about like her, I can tell you.’
The pair headed off in the direction of the tavern, shouts of welcome and hello were called out to Brady from all angles as they walked down the street. He was a popular policeman. Fair and just was his reputation. Most of the petty thieves had come across him at one time or another, especially when a crate broke open on the quayside. Brady, would turn a blind eye to the odd one, but would warn them off if it became a regular habit. He was often bribed to take some of the contents, but his job was too precious and he never took up an offer. He took a leaf out of William Harper's book, and earned the same respect.
They entered the noisy beer tavern, the true name being The Crown, but Maggie Parker's personality was larger than the tavern itself, so the place became known as Mrs or Ma Parker's. The place was busy and Arthur wanted to talk to Brady without too many interruptions, so he found a table in a corner of the room. A woman pushed her way through the crowd and slopped two beers onto the table.
‘You off duty then, Brady? These are on me darlin', that bruiser you chucked outta here the other night, never came back, thanks lover.’
The woman grinned at Brady and winked at Arthur.
‘You are welcome Maggie, I am ready for this, cheers. Now, how's yourself? You look rushed off your feet tonight.’
‘I am. I am.’ She said.
Brady laughed as the large, buxom middle-aged woman leaned in towards him. She was a character and always tried to tease him, by thrusting her large bosom in his direction.
‘Since that murder, this place has been heaving with Toms. Scared to bleedin' death some of 'em. They feel safer working from here, but I tell my Bob, I want 'em cleared orf the place, but I know they're still hang around. 'Course that makes the fella's gather up for thrupenny ride, then makes them thirsty if you know what I mean? So I s’pose they’s good for business in some way.’
Maggie walked away laughing. Her laugh was so infectious; Brady and Arthur could not help but join in. Brady knew there was a reputation for the local whores who gathered there, but the force chose to turn a blind
eye. Most of the women had children, their partners and husbands either had died, left, or were out of work. Sometimes they had no choice, but to lie on their backs or lift their skirts in the alleyways. The money earned was often the only income that entered their home, and no man liked to take bread away from a child.
‘How's work then, Arthur?’ Brady lit a cigarette, and coughed. ‘These things will be the death of me. Never take up smoking, Arthur. Now, what was I saying? Newspapers. Are they paying a decent price for your scribbling nowadays?’
‘It is doing well, but I want to spread my wings a bit more, get more stories that will stand out from others, my work is a bit boring to tell you the truth, Brady. I want a bit more excitement in my life. You got anything on that murderer yet?’
He asked the question with a little hope in his voice, he did not want to push his luck, but the policeman could be a good source of information.
‘It is a rum do that one Arthur, we are nowhere near laying the blame. There’s a rumour 'bout who it could be, but it is only gossip. The force has got extra men on the job; it makes you worry about your own. Not that you've got anyone to worry about except yourself, young Twigs.’ Arthur raised his glass as a salute.
Arthur felt a bubble of anger rise from the pit of his stomach. How dare this man laugh at him for that reason? Brady was laughing at him and not with him. Unacceptable behaviour. The beer made him feel bold; he was not prepared to let the matter pass. He raised his voice, and spat out a response loaded with indignation.
‘Well if you must know, I do have a certain someone to worry about. Someone close to both of us, and when I get on my feet a bit more, she will become my wife.’
‘If you mean our Kitty, think again. William will no more take you for a son-in-law than the Queen will take another husband. You need to be careful; if the girl hears you there will be hell to pay. She has another who has caught her eye, of that I am sure. Why she was only chattering onto my Sarah about him this afternoon. Then there’s our Patrick, he’s got a soft spot for her.....now, now Arthur calm down, I would not have said so much had I known you were that serious...ARTHUR PUT THE POT DOWN.’
Brady jumped up from his chair; the beer pot came towards him like a bullet. His uniform was soaked with the remains. Arthur lunged towards him across the table. He knocked the other drink over and Brady cursed. Several drinkers ran forward to watch, bets were being taken as to who would win the fight. Most put their money on the strapping policeman, not many had faith in the sandy haired upstart. Not many liked him; he roamed their patch and stuck his nose in where it was not wanted. The majority of the spectators hoped he got slap or two that would put him in his place.
‘Take it outside boys, and you should know better Brady,’ Maggie had come forward and stood between the two men.
‘Sorry Maggie, I said something to upset him and he cannot hold his liqueur, I will see him out.’
Brady moved from his side of the table, and gestured to Arthur to leave the tavern. The response to his request was a mouthful of abuse, and the red-faced journalist stormed out into the alley.
‘How dare you suggest I cannot hold my liqueur? What do you know about Kitty and me? You keep your nose out of my affairs, bloody copper, leave me alone.’
Arthur pushed his way through the crowd that circled them. He ran off down the alleyway, his temper at its height.
***
Brady watched the angry man run down the alleyway. He shook his head; the whole episode was a puzzle to him. Arthur was a fool if he thought that Kitty would become his wife. He had intimated that he and Kitty were already a couple. The idea was ludicrous. Brady knew that William tolerated the journalist, and respected him as a friend, but was positive that William would not be happy with him as a son-in-law. Arthur was a few years older than Kitty, but much older in his ways. He was hot-tempered and far too serious for such a vibrant, young woman.
Brady turned on his heel, and strolled towards his home in an unsettled mood. He changed his mind when he was half way there; the evening was spoiled for him now. He would take a stroll by the docks, he needed to calm down and unwind before he settled for the night.
The weather was not pleasant for August; it was a shame because the new Mayor was due to have a 'moving in ceremony' as Sarah liked to call it, at the end of the month. Two weeks into the month and the air was damp and miserable.
He put his head down against the elements and headed to the docks. He often took a breather along the walls, it reminded him of his good fortune and the day he met William. That was years ago, but Brady could still remember the nausea, sadness and fear that nearly beat the man out of him. If William had not given them a helping hand, he often wondered what would have happened to him and his family. He thanked God every morning, rain or shine, Brady stopped off to give thanks at the local church.
A wind blasted around a corner as he entered the docklands, he shivered and crossed himself as a blessing. A strange sensation shimmied through his body. One he would describe as if something had walked across his grave, one of Sarah's quotes. He carried on walking, and kept his head down against the wind. Why Arthur thought he could marry Kitty was beyond all reason. Brady was annoyed with himself for not noticing the signs of Arthur’s obsession with her. He would have to talk with Sarah and William. Kitty needed warning. She must be careful with how she treated Arthur; he had proved what a temper he had tonight.
The blow struck home and Brady fell to the ground.
***
Arthur dragged the policeman's body as quickly as he could to the river. He dumped it unceremoniously into the flowing waters and walked briskly away. His deed was done.
Kitty was his. Brady had gone too far with his tormenting. There would be no more of it. One obstacle had been removed.
He slipped in and out of the dank passageways that led into the darkest corners of the London slums. The place was ideal to move about unnoticed. He walked to a boarding house he frequented, well known for prostitutes. Arthur found company for the night.
While he enjoyed the pleasures of the flesh, Brady's body had been spotted by a small cargo boat. The alarm had been raised and word of another murder was passed amongst the Dockers as swiftly as a leaf on the breeze.
Chapter 9
Disbelief and Fear
William sat alone in his watchman's hut. He had many cosy comforts, and on nights such as this one, he sat carving dolly pegs with a small brazier alight in the corner.
He glanced out of the small window and saw the figure of a man running towards his yard. He put down his work, grabbed his coat and a large baton of wood he kept for protection. He rose to his full height and shouted.
‘There is nothing worth taking from this yard. Be on your way.’
The figure ignored him and carried on through the gates.
William, moved into the doorway, he held his baton so the intruder would be aware he was armed.
‘I am warning you not to come any closer.’
The man waved his arms and shouted back to him.
‘Murder's bin done William,’ the man wheezed his message and bent over to catch his breath.
William recognised him as one of the Dockers from the far end of the docks.
‘What you doing down here, Albie?’ William walked quickly towards the man.
He had not heard all of the words and his thoughts immediately went to Kitty.
‘My girl is she ill?’
‘Nay, it ain't your girl William, its Brady-Brady McKinley. Some bastard's done him in. He's dead. He was floating in the river, and gawd only knows what the heck happened. Me mates and me got him out, but we want you to come and see to his boys. You're the best bloke to tell 'em, bein' his mate an’ all.’ Albie stood up and put his arm on William's shoulder, he was a rough bare-knuckled boxer, as broad as he was tall. It was a clumsy gesture. William appreciated it and shook his head in disbelief.
‘Brady? Brady’s dead. You sure it is murder? Oh no- the boys. Yes, we mus
t tell them straight away.’ He knew that once the McKinley lads found out, there would be chaos on the docks. William hoped he would be able to keep them calm. They were fiery fighters and often got into scraps. William locked up his yard, and the two men hurried off towards the holding area where the boys worked.
‘Hello William, you finished for the night? Thought you were on late shift,’ Devlin strode towards them. William shook his hand and asked if his brother's were around.
‘Seamus is on shift with me, but Patrick is walking out with young Mary McKenzie, he's got his hands full with that one.’ Devlin gave a laugh, but stopped when he noticed neither of the two who stood before him, had joined in.
He frowned, and William asked that he fetched Seamus. When he had joined them, William explained what he knew, Albie filled in the gaps.
A roar of noise came from Seamus but Devlin turned white and sat on a pile of sacks. William spoke with the dock foreman who organised for them to be released from their duties. The four walked in silence, not one of them had really taken in the full impact of what had happened.
The scene that greeted them was a solemn one. A few women had gathered but the majority of the crowd were men. There was little sound; it was almost as if the docks had come to a standstill.