The Lady of Pelham Street

by Deborah Carr

  ‘It was my pleasure,’ Lily said, taking the large leather bag over to where Jesse sat and placing it on the table in front of him. ‘When Florence asked me to visit, I said yes immediately. I’d never turn down an invitation to tea at St Heliers,’ she said with a laugh.

  ‘Well, it’s very kind of you anyway.’ Jesse caught Florence’s eye and grinned at her. ‘I think my wife will be delighted that you’ve brought me something to stop me from bemoaning my situation for a few hours.’

  ‘And you’d be right to think that, Jesse.’ Florence sighed and shook her head. Now that he was happy once again, his charm shone through and she immediately forgot her annoyance with him. She linked arms with Lily. ‘Come, let’s go and take tea in the conservatory and leave Jesse here to lose himself in his work. It’s the happiest I’ve seen him for the past few days.’

  They left the room and walked down the hall to the conservatory. Once inside, Lily breathed in deeply.

  Florence watched, amused. It was something Lily always did when she entered this room.

  ‘I don’t know if it’s the sunshine pouring into this room, or the blissful scents of the …’ Lily hesitated and then said, ‘You said it’s a Stephanotis Floribunda?’

  ‘Yes, that’s right,’ Florence grinned, not surprised that Lily remembered the name. ‘Also known as the Madagascar Jasmine. Isn’t it heavenly?’

  ‘I love the smell of this plant. It makes me feel like I’m on a tropical island.’ Lily beamed. ‘Not that I’d have any idea what that might smell like.’

  Florence motioned for Lily to sit next to her at the rattan table. ‘It was very good of you to bring all that paperwork for Jesse. It looked heavy. You should have told me and I’d have sent the car to collect you.’

  ‘No need,’ Lily said. ‘I enjoyed the walk.’ She unpinned her hat and, pushing the hat pin back into the straw crown, placed it on the spare chair next to her. ‘I said I was happy to help you with anything you need.’ She gazed at Florence thoughtfully. ‘How is Jesse getting along? I thought I noticed a bit of tension between the two of you when I arrived. Is he doing as the doctor ordered and taking things easy, or is he finding it all very difficult?’

  Florence rolled her eyes heavenward. ‘He tries his best to do as little as possible, but you know Jesse. We’ve had various managers coming to the house to meet with him, or I’m delivering notes to them with instructions on what he wants doing at various stores. He always has to be in control and I’m sure it’s because he’s scared that everything will collapse if he doesn’t keep an eye on it at all times.’

  ‘I suppose it’s only natural when you’ve spent so many years working hard to build up a business.’

  Florence agreed, but still wished he would learn to trust people and allow them to prove they had enough experience to carry on without him, at least for short periods of time. She was about to answer Lily, but Meadows entered the room followed by Violet.

  Violet placed her tray down on the side of the table and took from it the crockery, cutlery, napkins, and a cake stand with neat cucumber and egg sandwiches, several scones, slices of lemon cake, and little pots of cream and fresh strawberry jam. Then she picked up her tray and Meadows put the silver teapot, strainer, hot water pot, and milk jug in its place.

  ‘Thank you both,’ Florence said. ‘Please tell Mrs Rudge that this all looks delicious.’

  She waited for them to leave the room before continuing with what she had been about to say. ‘You’re right, Lily. I understand Jesse’s concerns.’ She went to pour the tea, but stopped. ‘I don’t know what I’d have done without you as a confidante these past few months. You’re the only person who knew me before I married Jesse that I feel able to speak to openly. I couldn’t speak to Amy, or my mother, because for some reason I worry that they might think Jesse and I are at odds.’ She shrugged. ‘Which of course we are, but not in a way that’s detrimental to our marriage. You don’t make judgements; I think that’s what I’m trying to say.’

  ‘I’d never do such a thing,’ Lily said. ‘We all need to speak to someone.’ Lily hesitated before continuing. ‘I think sometimes all we need is to share our worries with a trusted person. It always helps to hear ourselves voicing what’s worrying us out loud. When I do that I can usually work out a solution for myself.’

  Florence thought about what her friend was saying and agreed. It made sense. ‘Still, I do appreciate your discretion. Thank you.’ She indicated the cake stand. ‘Please, help yourself.’

  ‘Thank you, this really does look almost too good to eat.’ Lily giggled. ‘Not that I intend to let that hold me back.’ Lily took a cucumber sandwich then an egg sandwich and placed them on her plate. ‘You’ve always been a friend, Florence. It’s the very least I can do to be a friend to you when you need me.’

  ‘I appreciate it, Lily. I really do.’

  They ate and drank in silence for a while, each lost in their own thoughts.

  Lily eventually wiped her mouth with her napkin and draped it back onto her lap. ‘How’s the situation with John and his schooling? Any changes there as far as Jesse is concerned?’

  ‘No,’ Florence said, sipping at her tea before replacing the cup on its saucer. ‘I’d hoped Jesse’s illness might have made him rethink his decision and allow me to keep John at home.’ She sighed miserably. ‘It frustrates me to have to fight for what I believe is right for my own son.’

  ‘His son, too, though,’ Lily reminded her quietly. ‘I can only imagine how hard that must be for you.’

  ‘It’s incredibly difficult for me to deal with.’ Florence couldn’t believe they still hadn’t found a way to come to some sort of compromise. Usually she was able to persuade Jesse, or didn’t mind too much about him getting his own way, but this was different. ‘We haven’t spoken about it much since Jesse’s return home. I’m frightened he’ll have a relapse if I push him too far, so I’m careful not to antagonise him. He has mentioned that he’ll soon need to enrol John at the school if he is to go. There’s always a determination in his voice when he refers to it. I can tell that he’s still as set on sending him there as he was before he fell ill.’

  Lily rested her hands on her lap. Florence could see she was preparing to say something. She always asked Lily to be honest with her and knew that whatever Lily was preparing to say would be something she considered to be in Florence’s best interests.

  ‘Florence, I’ve been thinking.’

  ‘Go on,’ Florence said, giving her an encouraging smile.

  ‘Are you one hundred per cent certain that you’re right and Jesse is wrong about sending John away?’

  ‘Yes, I am,’ she said, surprised that Lily might think her wrong to insist John didn’t go.

  ‘I know you want the best for John, but so does Jesse.’ She looked at Florence silently for a moment before continuing. ‘I suppose I’m trying to say that Jesse has been so unwell, do you really think it’s worth continuing to fight with him over this? If John doesn’t like it, then at least he gave it a try. Jesse’s still rather frail and needs all his strength to focus on getting well again. He shouldn’t be using valuable energy fighting about this, however important it is to both of you.’

  Florence couldn’t deny Lily was making sense, even if she didn’t want to agree to what she was saying.

  Lily smiled. ‘Surely you have more chance of him relenting if he sees that John doesn’t take to being at boarding school. Don’t you think? Nothing will be lost, apart from maybe a term away from home. Who knows, maybe John will enjoy being there?’

  Florence listened to her friend’s wise words. She hated rowing with Jesse, especially when he was still unwell. Lily was right. He needed to reserve all his strength.

  ‘I hope you don’t mind me being so blunt?’ Lily asked, frowning. ‘I mean only to try and help.’

  Florence poured them both a fresh cup of tea. ‘And I am grateful for your honesty. You make a valid point,’ she said thoughtfully. ‘I’ll speak to Jesse on
e more time about it and if he’s still adamant that he’s right, which he will be, then I’ll agree to defer to him over this. If he was well, though, I wouldn’t be so eager to give in to him.’

  Lily laughed and instantly covered her mouth. ‘Sorry, but you are funny sometimes.’

  Florence was confused by Lily’s unexpected reaction. ‘Why?’

  ‘You, talking about being eager to give in.’ She gave Florence a sweet smile. ‘You’ve been standing your ground for over two months over this. I’d hardly call that eager.’

  She was right, Florence thought, seeing the funny side. ‘Lily Buttons, drink your tea, that’s enough cheek from you.’

  Florence spent another hour chatting and laughing with Lily. It was good to be able to speak honestly without worrying about anyone overhearing. When Lily had gone, Florence sat and thought about what she had said. She didn’t want to relent and give in about John’s schooling, but neither did she feel able to continue to push the matter any further with Jesse. The last thing she needed was for him to have a relapse. The thought of having such a thing on her conscience terrified her.

  She went upstairs to see him.

  ‘Jesse,’ she said when he was sitting in his dressing gown at the table. ‘I hate to argue with you when you’re still not fully recovered, but I still don’t like the idea of sending John away.’

  Jesse gave her a weary glance and lay back against the chair rest. If he was trying to make her feel guilty, he was succeeding. ‘I’m sorry, Florence. As I’ve said many, many times, I believe I’m right about this. Please, trust me on this. I know I’m right.’

  ‘I know you think you are.’

  Jesse might have been the one struck down physically, she mused, but mentally she was exhausted from weeks of overwork and concern about his health. He might have improved enough to be allowed back home, but it was obvious to both of them, and certainly to his doctors, that his collapse had taken a drastic toll on his body.

  ‘If I wasn’t certain that this was the best way forward for John, then I am now.’

  ‘What do you mean?’ She couldn’t imagine what could have made him more determined than he had been before.

  ‘I’ve had many weeks lying and thinking about my health,’ Jesse said, almost to himself. ‘I’d like to think that I’ll go on for ever, but this breakdown has shown me that I must be realistic.’ Florence went to argue with him, but Jesse shook his head. ‘No. Please hear me out. Whether you like it or not, I’m going to need John to step up and take over from me at some point.’

  ‘You’re saying that I’m not capable?’ She didn’t even try to hide her hurt at his words. ‘Have I not proved myself already? Is my work not valuable to you?’

  Jesse closed his eyes. She wondered for a moment if he had fallen asleep, but then he opened them again and gazed at her. ‘Your continued support, both as my wife and at work, is invaluable to me. You know it is.’

  He had a strange way of showing it, Florence thought miserably. ‘Then why insist that John be sent away, if I’m strong enough to run the business, should the need ever arise?’

  Jesse’s expression hardened. ‘For pity’s sake, Florence. Will you never simply accept a decision? Do you always have to quarrel with me?’

  ‘That’s unfair, Jesse. There are many times when I keep my thoughts to myself and let you carry on as if you have my full support. This is not one of those times. I don’t wish my son to be sent away. That’s the end of it,’ she added with as much determination in her voice as she could muster.

  Jesse shook his head. ‘I’m sorry, but I refuse to give in on this issue.’ He took a deep breath. ‘Please, Florence. I’m asking you to defer to my judgement. Let us move on from this impasse.’ He reached out his hand, now showing the effects of the rheumatoid arthritis that was manifesting itself so visibly. Florence took his hand in hers.

  What choice did she truly have? She had tried her best and exhausted them both. How could she keep arguing with such a sick man? A sick, stubborn, and infuriating man, and one she loved deeply.

  Florence sighed, her heart heavy with disappointment and the sense that by giving in to Jesse she had let her son down. She desperately hoped that would prove not to be the case. She had to trust that John would be as happy at this new school as Jesse felt certain he would be. If he was wrong and John was unable to find a way to settle in at The Leys, then she would never forgive herself for letting him go.

  Chapter 19

  July 1901

  ‘Mrs Boot will see you now,’ Florence heard the manageress, Miss Barton, say to one of the women outside the office where she was seated behind a tidy oak desk. Florence smoothed down her skirt and waited for the woman to follow Miss Barton in to join them.

  ‘This is Iris Smith,’ Miss Barton said, not taking her eyes off the sullen girl now standing in front of Florence, her hands clasped together in front of her skirt. Florence saw that her left eye was slightly swollen. ‘I thought you should speak with her first because the gentleman in question –’ Miss Barton hesitated briefly ‘– is Miss Smith’s apparent intended.’

  Florence wished there wasn’t a need for her to become involved in such a personal situation and although she had been told the bare bones of the situation by Miss Barton earlier, she focused her attention back on Iris.

  ‘Miss Smith.’

  ‘Please, madam,’ Iris said, her face reddening. ‘Me mam is goin’ ter kill me if I lose me job.’

  ‘Hush,’ Miss Barton hissed. ‘You wait until Mrs Boot asks you to speak.’

  ‘Sorry, Mrs Boot, Miss Barton.’ She looked from Miss Barton to Florence. ‘You can call me Iris, Mrs Boot.’

  ‘I told you to wait until you’re spoken to,’ Miss Barton snapped. ‘Now be quiet.’

  Florence glanced at Miss Barton and hoped that her eyes conveyed her wish for the woman not to be too harsh on the girl. ‘Iris, Miss Barton has explained to me some of what happened, but I’d be grateful if you could let me have your version of events.’

  Iris stared at the floor for a moment. Then, looking across at Florence, she said, ‘We was friends, me and Aggie Flack, since school. We’ve ’ad our ups an’ downs, but nothin’ like this.’ She stopped speaking and stared blankly at Florence.

  For a moment Florence wasn’t sure why she just stood there, but thinking it might be because Iris didn’t know how much to say, she nodded. ‘Go on, please.’

  Iris picked at the skin on the side of her right thumb. ‘We was goin’ ter get married until she set ’er sights on him,’ she said, her voice breaking with emotion.

  Florence’s heart ached for the poor woman. She didn’t like to ask about their living arrangements, or whether they had children, which she gathered was something that happened occasionally. ‘Would you like to take a seat, Iris?’ Iris shook her head. ‘Your relationship with the gentleman concerned, is there any chance of it continuing?’

  Iris shook her head. ‘He was a wrong ’un, I knew that really. Aggie, she’d told me many times not to take on with ’im.’

  ‘It seems that she was right,’ Miss Barton said quietly, her eyes widening as soon as she’d spoken the words as if she hadn’t meant for them to be said out loud. ‘That is to say …’

  ‘How are you and Miss Flack now?’ Florence asked, hoping this matter was somehow resolvable. ‘Do you think you can work together after this incident?’

  ‘I dunno, Mrs Boot.’

  Florence wished Iris had assured her otherwise. Not being able to find a way for the women to work together would mean she would have to move one or both of them off the factory floor to work elsewhere. She was aware that neither had the skills to work in the shop, nor were there any vacancies for them at the current time. The last thing she wanted to do was dismiss either one of them.

  ‘Thank you, Iris. If you’ll wait outside for a moment while I have a word with Miss Flack, please.’

  She watched Miss Barton follow Iris out of the office and poured some water from the gl
ass jug into the small tumbler that Miss Barton had placed on the desk for her before her arrival. The cool drink helped clear her head a little.

  ‘Miss Flack?’ she asked the younger woman as she walked over and stood in front of her where Iris had been moments before.

  The girl nodded. ‘That’s me, miss.’

  ‘Mrs Boot,’ Miss Barton corrected, glaring at her. ‘I’ll thank you to respect your betters when you’re in here.’

  ‘Sorry, Mrs Boot,’ Aggie said, her shoulders slumping slightly.

  Of the two women, this one was the prettier, Florence decided as she placed her glass back on the desk. She also looked much tougher than Iris for some reason, her wide blue eyes staring confidently back at Florence despite her telling off.

  ‘Do you want to tell me what happened, Miss Flack?’ Florence noticed the parallel scratch marks on Aggie’s neck.

  ‘She, Iris that is, caught me kissin’ Bert this morning outside my ’ouse, just like I meant her to.’

  Florence shook her head. ‘You wanted her to see you with him? Why?’ She was intrigued. Surely if the girl was having a secret liaison with Iris’s intended the last thing she would do is kiss him where she knew her friend would catch them.

  ‘That’s right. I like Iris, really I do. Well, I did until she attacked me this mornin’.’ Her hand went to the marks on her neck as if recalling the pain of Iris’s fingernails as they cut into her skin. ‘I’ve told her ever since she got with ’im that ’e’s bad news.’ She leant forward, her eyes glistening. ‘And ’e really is. She wouldn’t believe me though. No matter what I said. I decided I needed to show ’er just how rotten Bert was. I flirted with him a bit, for a few days, like. Then I got my little brother to take a note to Bert tellin’ ’im there was somethin’ I needed to tell ’im and to meet me at a time I knew Iris would be callin’ on me to walk with me to work.’

  ‘So you planned all this?’ Florence was shocked at the lengths Aggie had gone to simply to prove a point to her friend. ‘What did Miss Smith do?’