The Lost Sisters

by Lindsey Hutchinson

  ‘We bring them here! Everyone… family and staff! There’s more than enough room. We could also give Edna a room too if she felt in need of a break from the waterways. We could pay Father back in instalments. It would make far more sense for us all to be under one roof as a… proper family!’

  It was that last sentence that clinched it for Peg and the girls made their way back to Belcher & Son to look at the paperwork and to brace themselves for the shock of being told the asking price.

  *

  The butler, Simmons, sat in the kitchen of Buchanan House and reflected. On their return from the wedding they had found the front door ajar. They had also spotted the broken window. Having had the glazier replace the pane, Simmons paid him from the household accounts. The study was cleaned and tidied by Alice and sitting in the kitchen over their evening meal they had all felt they knew the identity of the culprit who had broken in.

  ‘This woman is becoming a menace,’ Simmons had muttered over his teacup.

  ‘Trouble is…’ Beulah added, ‘nobody knows where she is!’

  ‘We ain’t safe here!’ Alice had wailed much to the amusement of the stable boys Jago and Seth.

  He smiled inwardly as he recalled Beulah shooting the boys a desultory look before reprimanding the girl. ‘Don’t be so silly Alice! Of course we’re safe. We have the boys here and Mr Simmons.’

  He had tipped her a haughty nod of thanks, and heard the lads giggle again.

  ‘Besides,’ Beulah had gone on, ‘Mr Abel and Mr Zachariah are here at night too.’

  On his return to the house, Mr Abel had gone immediately to the police station to report the break-in.

  Just then Simmons’ attention was snapped back to the present as he heard footsteps on the stairs into the kitchen and father and son joined the gathering around the table.

  ‘I need to talk to you all,’ Abel said, accepting tea from Beulah. ‘I believe none of you have family here in Wednesbury?’ He watched each shake their head before continuing. ‘So there is nothing tying you to this town?’ More head shakes. ‘Good. Now I have spoken with Orpha and she has suggested I sell Buchanan House.’ Holding up his hands at the gasps from the staff, Abel continued. ‘Hear me out, then I will ask for your opinions. It seems Orpha has found a bloody great house in Wolverhampton but can’t afford to buy it…’ Smiles turned to frowns as they listened to Abel’s next words. ‘So, she suggested I sell this place and loan her the money to buy the house. I’m telling you all this as it directly affects every one of us. Orpha also suggested we all move, and that includes all of you, to this new house, which she intends to name Buchanan Mansion. Now, how do you feel about the proposal to move?’

  Everyone spoke at once and excited chatter filled the kitchen. Then a few bottles of sherry were brought out in celebration of the impending move. There would be a lot of sore heads the following day.

  *

  Mr Belcher was instructed to oversee the sale of Buchanan House and Orpha and Abel, having reached an agreement, signed as the new co-owners of Buchanan Mansion. This would help protect Abel from Hortense.

  Each servant packed their own personal effects and Beulah and Alice, with help from the stable boys, packed up the kitchen utensils the cook refused to leave behind. Zachariah and Abel collected their business papers together and, along with their personal things, everything was loaded onto carts. Abel had hired six carters for a couple of days to transport it all to Wolverhampton, along with their horses. Everything else was to be sold along with the house. Nothing would be kept that reminded them of Hortense.

  Abel had paid Mr Belcher for the new house and the money from the sale of Buchanan House would be sent to his bank as and when it sold.

  Boarding the train to Wolverhampton, Abel and Zachariah watched the excited staff chatter amongst themselves. Beulah and Alice had never been on the train and marvelled at the railway station with its high glass roof. The platform stretched out and before long they heard the engine puff its way into the station. Beulah gasped as the iron giant pulled up with a screech of its brakes. Not at all sure it was safe, she reluctantly climbed aboard. Abel had secured first-class tickets; the ladies’ first train ride was to be in style!

  Chapter 36

  Ezzie and Edna Lucas were on hand at the new property along with Peg and Orpha to help unload everyone’s belongings and carry them to their allotted bedrooms.

  The overawed staff wandered around the mansion familiarising themselves with it while they awaited the carts carrying their belongings. Beulah cried buckets when she saw her new kitchen and instructed Alice to fire up the range straight away. Orpha had bought in a few food supplies which she’d left on the huge wooden table. A nod from the cook to Orpha showed her pleasure at the girl’s forethought and deference to the woman who now stood in her holy of holies.

  The carts arrived mid-afternoon and the unloading began.

  The carters were paid, given a big tip and a box of chocolates each for their wives before they happily left on their homeward journey. They had only been needed for one day but had been paid for two, as per the agreement.

  The next few days would see a hive of activity as everyone settled into their new home. New furniture was in situ before they had arrived and Beulah was in her element giving out orders like an army general. Amid the flurry of excitement and the bustle at the new house, no one noticed the furious woman watching from the canal towpath which lay to the west of the property.

  *

  With the staff downstairs in the kitchen, the others sat in the parlour and listened as Orpha voiced her concerns about lack of space and staff at the shop.

  Peg argued, ‘What with still paying the mortgage on the shop and now being in debt to Father for the loan to buy the mansion, we can’t possibly afford to expand the business further!’

  Abel watched the spark die in Orpha’s eye and his heart ached to see her so unhappy when just hours before she had revelled in everyone’s delight at their new home. The girl only ever thought of others, never herself.

  ‘I may have the answer if my three children are in agreement,’ Abel said. ‘As you know, I have a fortune in emeralds in the bank. I am not boasting my wealth… I’ve told you already how I got those stones. They are your inheritance when I die. However, when I’m gone I won’t see the pleasure on your faces, so what I propose is this. I will give each of you one emerald to do with whatever you wish.’

  ‘Father!’ Orpha gasped. ‘We can’t…! They belong to you!’

  ‘No child, they belong to you, all of you. I’m just holding them in safekeeping for you.’ He smiled at his youngest daughter. ‘I can either give you the gem itself or I can sell it on your behalf and give you the money. They are worth a great deal and how you spend that money is up to you.’

  ‘Well, I’ll have the money please, Daddy!’ Peg said in a little girl voice. Everyone fell about laughing and the tension was broken. It was agreed Abel would sell three of his emeralds; the money given to each of his children.

  Zachariah and Peg planned to bank their money while Orpha decided to see if she could open another shop.

  Peg spoke up and stunned everyone. ‘Orpha, I want you to take my name off the sign at the shop. It belongs to you. I still intend to work alongside you, but I want you to put me on a wage.’

  ‘No!’ Orpha cried, rushing to her sister. ‘I can’t! Peg you’ve worked so hard for this… it isn’t right!’

  ‘It is right,’ Peg said softly, ‘this was your dream and I’m so happy to be living it with you but… there will come a time when you will have to do without me.’

  ‘Why?’ Orpha asked, tears streaming down her face.

  ‘Because I’m going to have a baby!’ Peg said quietly as she shared a beaming smile with Ezzie.

  Excitement abounded in the parlour as everyone congratulated Ezzie and Peg on their happy announcement. Edna cried into her shawl and even Orpha, who would be the most affected, was jubilant. Abel clapped his hands for silence.

/>   ‘I will be putting some money into a trust fund at the bank for my grandchild! Now, let’s all have a drink to celebrate!’

  Orpha ran down to the kitchen rather than pull the bell rope. ‘Everyone! Come upstairs… oh and glasses for yourselves as well as us please, Mrs Jukes! Simmons, we need wine please and lots of it!’

  ‘Certainly, ma’am,’ the butler replied, giving her a beaming smile.

  Orpha realised as she made her way back to the parlour that her heart was beating fast, and it wasn’t from running to the kitchen – it was from the smile Simmons had sent her way.

  Looks of puzzlement passed between the staff members as Beulah and Alice busily loaded trays with glasses which they found in a cupboard, and Simmons unpacked the wine bottles.

  Upstairs, Abel poured wine for everyone then made a toast. ‘Raise your glasses please to Orpha getting her new shop.’ All toasted as Abel spoke again, ‘Raise again please to Peg and Ezzie and the next addition to our family… Baby Lucas!’ Edna’s tears ran free once more.

  Mrs Jukes choked on her wine and Alice banged her on the shoulders. ‘Enough!’ Beulah shouted, getting her breath back. ‘I want to be alive when the new baby arrives!’

  The wine flowed and all but Peg retired to bed a little worse for wear. She was happy enough without the wine and settled for the night wondering if she would have a boy or girl. Either way, she determined she would certainly be a better mother than Hortense and would strive to be as good a mother as Rufina had been to her.

  *

  The light began to fade as Hortense Buchanan stared through her opera glasses. Even from the towpath, with this aid, she could see directly into the parlour. Wine… were they celebrating? Seeing the staff there too, glasses in hand, she deduced they were indeed celebrating something. What was it? The new house maybe?

  Hortense snorted as she shoved the opera glasses into her bag, and with one last disdainful look at the mansion, she strode off.

  As she made her way back to the hotel, her thoughts whirled. Bloody family! Here I am having to live in a fleapit of a hotel because my money is dwindling and they are kicking up their heels in a mansion! And… fraternising with the staff no less! The injustice of it all caused her to stamp her feet as she walked, taking out her temper on the cobbles.

  Trying to settle in her uncomfortable single bed later that night, Hortense determined to discover the reason behind the family’s celebrations. Turning on her side, she harrumphed into the darkness.

  Up bright and early, Hortense watched again from the towpath as Abel rode away from the mansion. Now where was he off to? Couldn’t the damn family stay in one place? I’m spending my life following the buggers around! Hortense sighed as she debated what to do now. What I need is a horse! Striding away, she made for the smithy where Steelhouse Lane and Portland Place intersected with Bilston Street. Despite running out of money Hortense hired a horse and saddle. She had to know which way Abel had gone. Back to Buchanan House in Wednesbury or off to Birmingham? Walking the horse through the streets, she surmised he may have gone to the latter… which meant the bank!

  After all, that was all that was left to him in the city. Quite suddenly she realised what she had seen in the house the previous night. The staff… the staff from Buchanan House! Why had Abel moved them here? Had he sold her lovely house? Temper flaring at the thought, she urged the horse on. If he had sold the house, this time there would be no mistakes… she would kill him!

  *

  Abel withdrew his three emeralds from the bank. He could either catch a train to London to sell them or he could check their worth with the Abyssinian Gold Jewellery Company in Corporation Street. He decided on the latter. Paying a young lad to hold his horse, with the promise of more money later, Abel stepped into the massive shop. The owner strode towards him hand extended in greeting. Abel explained the reason for his visit.

  ‘Emeralds you say?’ the man queried. Abel nodded. ‘How very strange. I don’t often see them in here, but a lady sold me one a while back, then she brought in some more some time later.’

  Abel’s ears pricked up. ‘Can you remember what she looked like?’

  ‘Yes sir, an older woman with brown hair and a scowl that could sour milk!’

  ‘How much did you pay her for them?’ Abel asked sure now that it must be Hortense who had sold the man the gems.

  ‘I can indeed! Five hundred pounds each and very pleased to do so,’ the man grinned.

  ‘Well I have three emeralds, and don’t even think to offer me the same price, my London dealer will pay a lot higher for them.’

  ‘Sir!’ The man looked at Abel aghast. ‘We are businessmen… let me take a look at what you have and we can discuss the matter.’

  Dropping the emeralds onto the counter, the man gasped as he picked up his magnifying glass. Studying each stone carefully, he weighed each one. Giving the usual patter about colour, clarity, cut and inclusions, which Abel had heard before, the man sighed. Looking at Abel, he said, ‘Sir, I will not bandy words with you, I want these stones! I am prepared to offer you… four thousand pounds each.’

  ‘Is that your best offer?’ Abel said, picking up the emeralds and dropping them back into their velvet bag.

  ‘Erm…’ Imagining the gems leaving with the man who stood before him, the owner of the shop quickly rethought his offer. ‘I can stretch to five thousand each, but not a penny more!’

  Abel looked at the small bag in his hand as if considering the offer before looking back to the man. It was a much better price than he’d expected. Holding out his hand, he said, ‘Done deal.’

  They shook and the owner quickly telephoned the bank for them to supply the money from the shop’s account to Mr Buchanan, saying he would be bringing along a signed authorisation.

  Abel gave the lad outside sixpence for holding his horse and trotted round to the bank, laughing as he went. Out of Hortense, the owner and himself, he had had the better deal!

  *

  Hortense watched as Abel came out of the shop she had visited to sell her emeralds. So that was what he was up to! He was selling off his gems! Was he spending too much and topping up with finances from the sales? Hortense grinned, his children were bleeding him dry! Her grin turned to a scowl as she realised it would be less for her to get her hands on. It was definitely time to free herself from the Buchanans, but how?

  Sitting in the tea shop with its pretty tablecloths and china, Hortense recalled her past efforts. She had tried to poison Abel with the death cap mushrooms… and failed. She had burned down his house in Birmingham, but he and his son were not there at the time… another failure. She had razed the cottage to the ground hoping Abel’s daughters were inside… a further failure. She had tried to kidnap Orpha in exchange for the emeralds… the final failure. Her one success was getting rid of her husband’s mistress, albeit by accident. It had all seemed so easy in the beginning but Abel had turned her world upside down when he threw her out. Now greed had her by the throat and would not let go. She had to find a way of getting those other emeralds! With a loud sigh, she knew she was running out of options. Although fire was her preferred method, setting the mansion alight was too risky; there were far too many eyes watching.

  She could try going to the bank – she could walk in bold as brass and tell them she wanted to take out the emeralds on Abel’s behalf. It was worth a try, the least they could do would be to refuse her. Knowing Abel had visited the bank that very morning, she knew she would have to wait a while longer. In a few days she would see the bank manager… in a few days she hoped to be richer than she ever thought possible.

  Chapter 37

  Mr Belcher explained, ‘The Toyes are selling their shop in Upper Priory in Birmingham. Unfortunately they have had no takers in the time it has been on the market. Maybe, if you visit, you could reach a reasonable agreement concerning the asking price.’ He gave Orpha a mischievous wink.

  Returning his smile, she said, ‘I will indeed visit, it’s unbelieva
ble that shop has not been snapped up. I learned of its being on the market some considerable time ago but was unable to make an offer then.’

  Thanking him, she left the office and headed for the railway station. On her train journey, her excitement mounted at the prospect of possibly owning another shop. Not least the very shop where this had all begun and helping her friends the Toyes out in the same instance.

  Arriving at New Street Station, Orpha pushed her way through the throng of people and walked briskly to Upper Priory.

  ‘Orpha! It’s so nice to see you, wench!’ Hetty Toye raced around the counter to wrap her arms around the girl. ‘My, look at you! You are a sight for sore eyes and no mistake!’

  Sitting with tea in the living room, Orpha put her suggestion forward. ‘I need to buy another premises now. The Royal Warrant has seen the business prosper at an unbelievable rate!’

  Henry Toye patted her hand and whispered, ‘We are so proud of you, girl.’

  Orpha smiled and continued with, ‘Thank you. None of this would have been possible without you two. Now, I know you both wish to retire and move to live by the sea.’ She watched them nod in unison. ‘So, my proposal is to buy your shop. This will mean you can have your new home and I can expand my business into Birmingham… What do you think?’

  Hetty’s tears of joy soaked the corner of her apron, and with fresh tea to celebrate, the deal was completed between them. Orpha gave them a good price in an effort to repay their generosity and kindness. She spent the rest of the morning listening to the Toyes’ excited plans of achieving their life-long dream of retiring to the seaside. Orpha left the excited couple with a promise to visit them for a holiday once they were settled in.

  Visiting the Servants’ Registry Office in Scotland Passage, Orpha hired a cook to make the chocolate, two serving girls and four more to work under the cook’s instructions in the new shop.