Now the opportunity had come to explain everything, Alice was frightened to admit to having been engaged to Bert. How could Seb believe that she had never stopped loving him if she had been prepared to marry someone else? She could only say, ‘Emma had no right to tell you my business.’
His mouth tightened. ‘Don’t be stubborn, Alice. I know you think I let you down over your father but I did love you. Now it sounds to me like you need help with Bert.’
‘I know you loved me but…’
‘I got myself involved with Juliana,’ he said grimly, ‘so you think I’ve got no right to question you about Bert.’
‘Yes, and…’
‘What the hell’s going on here?’
Alice spun round at the sound of Mr Waters’ voice. He was standing in the doorway of his bedroom, wearing a paisley silk dressing gown. His plump face was flushed and sweaty.
Neither of them spoke.
‘Right,’ said Mr Waters, breathing heavily. ‘Sebastian, I want you in here, straightaway.’
Seb hesitated. ‘I’ll just place these in Miss Victoria’s bedroom, sir.’
‘Be quick about it.’ He went inside his bedroom.
Seb stood there, frowning. ‘Don’t think this is finished, Alice. I’ve still got plenty to say to you.’ He dumped the parcels in Victoria’s bedroom and went out again.
Alice wondered what Seb wanted to say to her. She was on pins for the rest of the evening but did not get to see Seb. It was not until the following morning that she discovered that Seb had accompanied Mr Waters to Liverpool and there they both stayed for the next fortnight. When Mr Waters returned to Chester, Seb was not with him. Victoria informed Alice that Sebastian had been sent to America again and was likely to be away for several months. Not only was he on a fact finding mission but Juliana’s mother was dying and she was in need of his support.
After being in receipt of that news Alice despaired and gave up all hope of living happily ever after. Fortunately she was kept busy, not only making those narrow hobble skirts which Gabrielle disapproved of, but, also, taking messages back and forth between Victoria and her friends in the Women’s Suffrage Movement.
In August, the news that Emma had gone away with Mrs Black to Devon for a month’s holiday did nothing to lift Alice’s mood. How she envied Emma being able to get away. Instead she had to listen to Victoria read aloud her statements in support of the suffragettes’ new strategy after the Prime Minister had simply brushed aside their peaceful demonstration in Hyde Park. Christabel Pankhurst had declared that peaceful agitation was useless and militant action was the only way forward. It was a relief when Victoria told Alice that she could have Sunday afternoon off as she had arranged to meet a small select group of Liberal ladies for afternoon tea at the Grosvenor Hotel.
* * *
Bert was sitting alone at a table, hoping his mother would be able to join him for tea and cakes, when a group of ladies entered the dining room of the Grosvenor Hotel. They were shown to a table a few feet away. He watched them surreptitiously as they ordered and poured himself a cup of tea.
A string quartet begun to play but the music did little to drown out the sound of a woman’s voice expressing her anger towards the National Anti-Suffrage League. Apparently No Votes for Women was their cry and they were as bad as the Prime Minister, believing women should interest themselves solely in domestic and social affairs.
Hear, hear, thought Bert.
Another woman spoke up, ‘But they have a supporter in a Roman Catholic priest from Colorado in America, where women have already been given the vote, Miss Waters. He says that women having the vote has made no difference to the dirty games they play in American politics.’ Bert stared at them, realising he had not only seen these women here before but he felt certain he had seen Miss Waters’ name in the newspaper.
‘Ha! That’s because men still make up the bulk of those in government, Mrs Stone,’ she cried contemptuously.
Another woman hushed her. ‘Dear Miss Waters, do lower your voice – there’s a man staring.’
Victoria glanced at the neighbouring table and realised she had attracted the attention of one of the most handsome men she had ever seen.
Bert’s eyes met hers and now he remembered he had seen her name in the newspapers; she was the daughter of a cotton merchant. ‘If you’ll forgive me for saying so, Miss Waters,’ he said boldly, ‘what you say is so true. The priest’s remark is typical of a man who has forsworn women.’
Delighted to have a man agree with her, Victoria responded by saying, ‘How right you are, sir! Most likely he’s of that breed who believe all women sinful because of Eve in the Garden of Eden.’
‘How ill-judged of him,’ said Bert, enjoying himself. ‘Women have so much to give to this world.’
Victoria’s eyes sparkled with delight. ‘I see you have some sympathy for our Cause, sir. May I ask your name?’
‘Temple, Miss Waters,’ he said, getting to his feet and offering her his hand. ‘Arthur Temple Esquire. May I say what a pleasure it is to meet the Miss Waters who attended the rally in London.’
Victoria’s colour was high as they shook hands. ‘You saw my picture in the Chester Chronicle?’
‘I did. How much I admire you.’
Victoria was flattered, thinking here was a man really sensitive to her cause. ‘If you are truly interested, Mr Temple, then you might enjoy reading our magazine Votes for Women.’
‘Just tell me where I may get a copy, Miss Waters, and I will buy it.’
‘Give me your address, Mr Temple, and I will send you one.’
‘That is kind of you.’ He took a pencil and a notepad from an inside pocket, wrote down his address, and handed the slip of paper to her. ‘Perhaps we’ll meet again, Miss Waters.’
‘I certainly hope so, Mr Temple, the Cause needs the support of men such as yourself,’ she said, smiling.
Bert thanked her and, as his mother had not made an appearance, he left shortly afterwards. He would write to her, expressing his disappointment at not seeing her, and would leave the message for her at the local post office.
* * *
‘Alice, will you send my latest copy of Votes for Women to the address on the piece of paper on the dressing table,’ said Victoria the next day. ‘Yes, Miss Victoria,’ said Alice through a mouthful of pins as she adjusted the hem of the skirt. She stepped back to judge the length.
‘Did you have an interesting tea party?’
‘I did indeed, Alice. I met a man who agreed with me that women have much to give to this world. He’d read about me in the Chester Chronicle. The magazine is for him. Just imagine, Alice, if there were more like him, then we’d soon see women in parliament. How I dream of a different Britain, ruled by women.’
Alice presumed she meant women of her class and was not convinced that a petticoat parliament could solve all the problems that plagued working class women, spinsters or married. There was so much that needed to be done to improve their lot that sometimes the thought of the struggle ahead was too daunting. However good the intentions of women like Victoria were, they had no real idea how difficult it was for women like Alice to be involved. They had so little time to spare for such things because their lives were such a hard grind. How would Miss Victoria have ever survived if she’d had to go out to work or she’d had to live in a damp house without the benefit of the best food and plenty of warm clothing? If her father hadn’t had the money to pay for the doctor and medicines, servants to fetch and carry she would probably have succumbed to bronchial pneumonia and be dead by now.
‘Wake up, Alice! You seemed to have gone into a trance,’ said Victoria, stamping her foot.
Alice shook her head. ‘I’m sorry, Miss. I was just thinking about the Cause… men and women… sickness and health… and marriage.’ She helped Victoria out of the skirt.
She slipped into her old one. ‘I’m so sorry for you, Alice. Because whether Sebastian marries Juliana or not, Papa’
s talking about him lodging in Liverpool to run the business when he returns from America. I have not mentioned it before but he overheard you and Seb arguing, and for reasons of his own, he thinks it wiser to keep the pair of you apart.’
Alice was astonished. ‘After all this time? He must have noticed we’ve ignored each other most of the time since they returned from America.’
Victoria sighed. ‘I know. But perhaps it’ll be easier for you to get Seb out of your heart the less you see of him. Life is unfair. Just think, if I’d been a boy instead of a girl, I would be running the business.’
Alice had heard this before and thought she was mad to want all the trouble involved. ‘It’s a shame but what would the movement do with out you,’ she said diplomatically.
‘There is that of course.’ Victoria fell silent. ‘Of course, things might be different if I had a husband…’
A startled Alice stared at her. ‘A husband, Miss Victoria? But you’ve always said…‘
‘I know what I said…’ She smiled faintly.
Alice was amazed. Surely she hasn’t changed her mind about marriage just because she’s met a man who agrees with her over the Cause. Well, this was a turn up for the book. She couldn’t wait to mention it to Hannah when next she visited her.
But Alice was to forget about Victoria and Mr Temple when Hannah opened the door to her a couple of days later. ‘We’ve had a letter addressed to you come through the post. It’s in Bert’s handwriting.’
Alice’s hands shook as she took the envelope. ‘Perhaps I should just tear it up,’ she said in a low voice.
‘No,’ said Hannah, placing a comforting arm about her shoulders.’We need to know what he’s up to.’
Alice took a deep breath and then slit the envelope open with a finger and withdrew two sheets of paper.
Hello Alice,
I bet you have been waiting to hear from me. Possibly you’ve been jealous of the letters I’ve sent to my dear sister. No need for you to be because you’re number one in my book. I can’t wait to get my hands on you and when I do… bloody hell, I feel hot all over just thinking of the fun I’m going to have. First I’ll tie you up with a nice big thick rough rope and then I’ll get out my weapon and…
Alice gasped as she read the next few words then read no further, scrunching up the sheet of paper and flinging it on the fire.
Hannah could be patient no longer. ‘What did it say?’
‘Surely you can guess. It was disgusting.’
Hannah sighed. ‘You’re as bad as me. I couldn’t show the police my last one either. What about the second page?’
‘I don’t want to read it. If you want to… here!’ Alice thrust the page at her and walked over to the window and looked out over the backyard. Hannah hesitated and then glanced at the sheet of paper. Bert had written,
I see Tilly’s growing up nicely. I’m keeping a look out for a friend of yours who will lead me to you.
‘You should read this,’ she said, and went over to Alice.
She turned and took the paper from Hannah and read it. The words about Tilly sent a chill down her spine. Her sister had started school and she feared Bert snatching her from outside the gates.
‘There’s no need for you to worry about Tilly,’ said Hannah firmly, plucking the sheet from Alice’s fingers and placing it back in its envelope on the table. ‘He’ll not get the chance of snatching her. If there’s ever a time I can’t pick her up at school, then Joy will do it.’
‘What about your mother?’ Alice’s eyes met Hannah’s across the room.
Hannah sighed. ‘I know what you’re thinking. Mother would enjoy fetching Tilly from school but Kenny’s forbidden it. Although, he doesn’t believe she would ever hurt Tilly intentionally, he doesn’t trust her. You might think this is a daft reason for him believing Bert’s got in touch with her… but she’s stopped wearing black and is obviously happier than she’s been for a while. Joy thinks the same but says she’s never seen him or a letter anywhere near the house.’
‘At least he still doesn’t know where I’m staying. I wonder who this friend is he mentions? It makes my skin crawl just thinking of him creeping around after people.’
Hannah nodded. ‘Do we give that page to the police?’
Alice was silent a moment before saying, ‘Perhaps you should just hide it away for the moment. They don’t seem to be able to do any thing. If only we had a photograph of Bert to show them.’
‘Joy thought of that but says they all seem to have disappeared from the house.’
Alice’s brows puckered. ‘How long since he sent you a letter?’
‘A couple of months. I’d started to believe he’d guessed we’d got in touch with police and had taken fright. I began to dream that I could live a normal married life.’
Alice darted her a glance but only said, ‘I wish I knew who he meant by a friend of mine. I’m friendly with a few girls at church and amongst the servants but I wouldn’t call any of them a close friend.’
‘You don’t think he’s seen you with Miss Victoria and thinks she’s your friend?’
Alice stilled and then said with brutal candour. ‘She’s middle class and I’m not. Bert can surely tell the difference.’
Hannah nodded. ‘You’re probably right. Let’s have a cup of tea. Any news from Seb?’
Alice shook her head. ‘Miss Victoria told me Mr Waters wants him to live in Liverpool and help run the business from there.’
Hannah looked surprised. ‘He seems to be giving Seb a lot of responsibility since his accident.’
Alice agreed and decided it was pointless saying any more. She had to put Seb out of her heart and Bert out of her mind for the moment.
Chapter Nine
October, 1908
‘Good afternoon, Miss Waters! What do you make of the Pankhurst trial? I believe Miss Christabel defended herself nobly.’
Victoria whirled round from the newspaper stand in the General Station and glanced at the handsome man standing a few feet away from her. For a moment she only had a vague recollection of having met him somewhere but then he came closer and removed his hat to reveal a head of slicked down fair hair. She could smell bay rum hair lotion and peppermint and could see that his eyes were blue and he had a cleft chin.
‘Arthur Temple Esquire. You were kind enough to send me a copy of Votes for Women,’ he said.
Now she remembered speaking to him in the Grosvenor Hotel several weeks ago and how he had made her think of marriage and how, with the right man, it could be an honourable state. She smiled. ‘Of course! Did you find it informative?’
‘Indeed, I did.’ Bert had flicked through the magazine and then burnt it. ‘It made me want to find out more. The Pankhurst trial…’
‘Yes,’ interrupted Victoria, her eyes sparkling, ‘the reports have been riveting, her defence speeches alive with her every meaning. They say she held the court captive as she questioned the Chancellor of the Exchequer and Mr Gladstone. How I wish I had been there,’ she added fervently.
‘Yet she and her mother have been sentenced to three months imprisonment for inciting a rush on the House of Commons,’ said Bert, concealing his satisfaction. ‘It’s a scandal.’
She nodded vigorously. ‘That is true. But they are willing martyrs to the Cause.’
He hastily changed the subject. ‘You are alone, Miss Waters?’
‘I’m meeting Papa from the Liverpool train.’
‘Then I’ll leave you. It was nice meeting you again.’ He inclined his head, replaced his hat and made to walk away. She placed a hand on his sleeve. ‘I will send you the latest edition of Votes for Women if you wish, Mr Temple. I’m sure I still have your address somewhere.’
He thanked her and bid her good day, thinking that it was a stroke of luck catching sight of her like that. She was no oil painting but she dressed well and must have a bob or two if her father was a cotton merchant. He made his way across town.
Down by the D
ee the trees were almost denuded of leaves. Bert gazed across the river, thinking about Alice and Agnes’ sister. If she had not turned up when she had then, he’d have taken Alice to the fields along the other side of the river and had his way with her. He imagined her fear and could almost feel her struggling against him. His tongue flicked out and moistened his lips, his heart thudded. He mustn’t think about that now, he needed to keep calm. He wanted to play cat and mouse with her and her friend just a little bit longer. Imagining her reaction to the letter he had sent her, a grin split his face.
To his delight he spotted Agnes’s sister crossing the footbridge. He leaned against a tree until she passed him by, and, after a few minutes, he followed her. It was the kind of game that Bert enjoyed playing. He followed her to Cornwall Street and waited for some time but she did not come out. So he left to catch the train to his digs.
On his way home a brilliant idea struck Bert. It was ambitious, but what was wrong with that? He might have been brought up in the working class area of Newton but he reckoned he could ape the middle classes perfectly. So why shouldn’t he join them. Having listened to the vicar talking after church services and by attending bible classes, he knew exactly how to pitch his voice. Without any doubt his looks were attractive to women and he’d have had to be blind not to notice the effect he’d had on Miss Waters. Victoria and Albert, the two names definitely went together… but he was getting ahead of himself. One step at a time. First he had to worm his way further into her good graces.
But matters did not work out as he planned. Over the next few weeks he visited the Grosvenor Hotel for afternoon tea but without catching sight of Miss Waters once. Then, to his delight, he received the latest issue of Votes For Women; enclosed was a short note saying that she hoped he enjoyed reading it. But most important of all, was that she had written her address at the top of the letter. He read the magazine from cover to cover, so he could talk knowledgeably to Miss Waters about its contents when next they met; which would not be too long if he had anything to do with it. Another magazine arrived and the enclosed letter informed him that she might have to miss sending him the next few magazines as she was going to Harrogate with her papa for him to take the waters, as his health was not too good. Then they would probably be going to the country for Christmas.
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