A Dream to Share

by A Dream to Share (retail) (epub)

  He stood up with her in his arms. ‘I know what I’d like to do.’

  ‘Then let’s do it,’ she whispered.

  Chapter Eleven

  January, 1909

  ‘You alright, luv?’ Kenny’s fingers slid gently down Hannah’s cheek.

  ‘Are you alright? I know how you must feel getting that letter from Alice and Seb.’ His face was in shadow so she leaned towards him the better to see his expression and thought he looked sad. She added soft­ly, ‘It shook me up, too. Yet I had a feeling about Mr Waters because Seb’s father was such a mystery figure. But them going away, it made me wish…’

  ‘That it was us going on a liner heading towards the sun,’ interrupt­ed Kenny. ‘I’d love us to see the pyramids and the ancient temples in Egypt, but there’s little chance of it ever happening.’ Hanny nodded. Just like him, she didn’t hold out much hope of their ship ever coming in. ‘Are you going to visit Mrs Black and speak to Agnes’ sister?’ he asked, caressing her neck.

  ‘I’ve thought about it. Although, I question what difference it can make to talk about Bert and Agnes.’

  ‘I think she needs to talk about them,’ said Kenny firmly. ‘He attacked her, too, and for that reason alone I think you should see her. From what Alice wrote, the girl’s got guts.’

  ‘You admire people with guts, don’t you?’

  ‘That’s because I know what it takes to overcome fear and do something even if you’re scared out of your wits,’ he murmured.

  Hannah wondered if he was getting at her but then rejected that idea. ‘You’re right. I’ll dash off a letter in the morning and arrange to meet her.’

  ‘That’s my girl. Goodnight, luv. I’ll let you get some sleep now.’ He kissed her and rolled away onto his side.

  She blinked sudden tears away, placed her arm around him and kissed the nape of his neck. ‘God bless, love,’ she said in a throaty whis­per. ‘Sleep tight.’

  * * *

  ‘There’s a letter for you here, Emma.’

  Wondering if it was from Alice or even David, whom she had not seen for a while, Emma placed the shopping bag on the table and took the enve­lope from Mrs Black. It was postmarked Chester… so not from Alice then. The news that she and Sebastian Bennett had married in Liverpool by special licence and left for India had come as a shock, not only to the Waters’ household, but to everyone in Victoria Crescent; it was still being discussed by the servants when they met outside in the road.

  There were plenty who envied the newlyweds. Who wouldn’t want to desert England in January for that far flung jewel of the British Empire? Of course some had questioned the reasons behind such a rushed marriage. Perhaps Alice had caught him on the rebound and he had got her pregnant. But Emma guessed that the pair of them had come to their senses at last and had not wasted any time in tying the knot.

  ‘Aren’t you going to open it?’ asked Mrs Black, unable to conceal her curiosity.

  Emma gazed at the handwriting again. She definitely didn’t recog­nise it but, whoever it was from, she would rather read what they had to say in private so she placed it in the pocket of her coat. ‘I’ll unpack the shopping first and put it away,’ she said far more calmly than she felt.

  But as soon as Emma slit open the envelope and read the signature at the bottom of the page she knew it was not from David. Suppressing a vague sense of disappointment that he had not shown any concern about her having been attacked on the bridge, a report of which had been in the local newspaper, she told herself that at least she should be pleased to receive a letter from Hannah. She sat on the bed and as she did so, heard the door knocker go below. She half-rose but then decid­ed to let someone else answer it and began to read.

  Dear Emma,

  I hope you don’t mind my calling you Emma? But Alice has writ­ten to me, asking that I get in touch with you. I’m Hannah Moran and am married to Alice’s half-brother, Kenny. Just in case you haven’t heard, she and Seb Bennett are married now and on their way to India. She told me that you have been looking for me, knowing that I worked with your sister, Agnes, at Bannister’s Bakery. I do so miss her. She was so lively and full of fun. The times I’ve wished that Bert had not entered the shop that day and met her. He can be such a charmer and she was completely bowled over by him. I warned her about him but, sadly, she did not believe me.

  How I wish she had come to me when she discovered Bert had got her into trouble. I know for a fact that he was responsible because he sneered about it. How I hated him for that. So, I do so understand your feelings towards him… even without taking into consideration his recent attack on you. I admire your bravery in defending yourself against him. I would so like to meet you. If you can get away, maybe we could meet in the cocoa house on Brook Street next Tuesday at ten thirty. If not perhaps you could write to me at the above address, sug­gesting another date.

  Yours very sincerely,

  Hanny.

  Immediately Emma went downstairs with the letter to Mrs Black, hop­ing her employer would give her the time off but she appeared distract­ed. Only when Emma repeated her name loudly a couple more times did Mrs Black glance up. ‘What is it, Emma?’

  ‘Are you alright, madam?’

  ‘No, I’m not,’ she said bluntly. ‘I’ve just received some shocking news from our next door neighbour. Mr Waters is dead.’

  Emma gaped. ‘Bloody hell!’

  ‘Exactly, Emma.’ Eudora moistened her lips. ‘It’s terrible but he was already on the downward path when he came to see me. Overweight, breathless, he smoked, and, of course, that hip of his was giving him a lot of pain. Then there was his stomach trouble. God only knows what that woman fed him on.’

  ‘What did he die of?’

  ‘The doctor was still there when·our neighbour popped round to tell me that Gabrielle was having hysterics and making accusations against me.’ Eudora shook her head as if more in sorrow than in anger. ‘She’s always been a jealous person. Apparently she found him dead in the lavatory first thing this morning. I really do wonder about that woman.’

  ‘Miss Victoria’s going to be upset.’

  ‘No doubt about it. I’m upset. Look… my hands are shaking.’ She held them out and Emma saw that indeed they were.

  ‘Should I pour you some brandy?’

  ‘Yes! Pour us both some brandy as I’m sure you’re as shocked as I am. Then perhaps I will visit the Waters in an hour or so and offer my condolences and any help I can. With the grandmother going senile, and only the maids to help her, Miss Waters is going to have her work cut out coping with everything.’

  Emma nodded, thinking that now was not the right time to mention having time off to meet Hannah. She wondered whether now was the time for her employer to go barging into a house where there had just been a death in the family… even if it was to offer help.

  * * *

  ‘She – she is responsible. That woman!’ said Gabrielle, raising the hand­kerchief to her tearstained face and blowing her nose. ‘Believe me, Miss Victoria, I know what I am talking about. Ask your grandmother.’

  Victoria looked at her grandmother sitting beside her on the sofa and clutched her hand. Mrs Waters looked totally bewildered, and Victoria knew it would be a waste of time asking her any questions. Oh why had Sebastian and Alice had to marry and go off to India the way they had? She needed them. The doctor had prescribed sedatives for her grandmother and herself and Victoria intended taking one and lying on her bed for an hour or so as soon as Gabrielle left them alone. ‘Grandmamma is incapable of understanding what you are saying. So explain it to me, Gabrielle.’

  She stared at her sullenly. ‘You will not believe me, so I will tell the police. They will listen to me.’

  ‘The police! What have they to do with this?’ Victoria was losing patience with her… was too exhausted and upset to want to listen to suspiscious nonsense from their housekeeper. ‘The doctor had been worried about Papa’s health for some time. That is why we went to Harrogate. He hasn’
t been cursed by the woman you regard as the local witch.’

  Gabrielle sniffed. ‘You might mock, Miss Victoria, but if you cared about your papa then you would send for the police.’

  ‘I’ll do nothing of the sort,’ said Victoria enraged by her words. ‘I loved Papa and I forbid you to have anything to do with the police. I don’t want them coming here asking questions. I’ve enough on my hands with a funeral to arrange and Grandmamma to look after with­out having to deal with them. Now, ask Mary to put hot water bottles in both beds and then you can help Grandmamma to bed whilst I rest.’

  Gabrielle looked as if ready to explode. The doorbell jangled and she rushed out of the room but Mary was already on her way to attend to the caller, so Gabrielle hurried to the kitchen. There she put on a pan to make coffee before sinking on to a chair. Her heart felt as heavy as lead and her temples throbbed. When Thomas had told her he had been con­sulting Eudora Black, she was enraged every time she thought of that woman and what she had told him to do. Gabrielle held her responsible for her son’s anger and subsequent departure and marriage to Alice in a Protestant church. How could he have married outside his own church? No wonder he had not wanted her there. And now her lover was dead and Miss Victoria was angry with her. She could not bear it and determined to have her revenge.

  ‘Miss Waters – I won’t stay long. I just came to offer my condolences and to ask if there is anything I can do to help you at this sad time,’ said Eudora in a soft voice.

  ‘It’s very kind of you, Mrs Black, we’re still in a state of shock,’ replied Victoria, holding herself erect. ‘Tomorrow I will have to write to my uncle. Today I can’t think straight.’

  ‘I understand. But I would advise you to speak to your father’s solicitor and ask to see Mr Waters’ will. It’s possible he has left money to your half-brother,’ continued Eudora in that soft gentle voice that always relaxed her clients.

  Victoria thought she had misheard her. ‘I beg your pardon?’

  ‘Oh dear. I see your father didn’t tell you. Too embarrassed, no doubt.’ Eudora sighed.

  Victoria cleared her throat. ‘What is this about?’

  Eudora smoothed the fingers of her black leather gloves. ‘I would­n’t tell you this if I didn’t consider that, in your state of health, you need someone at your side to protect you from your enemies.’

  ‘Please,’ said Victoria, a hand fluttering to her breast. ‘Can you speak plainly? What enemies?’

  Eudora inclined her head graciously. ‘Mr Sebastian Bennett is your half-brother. I only learnt of that recently,’ she lied. ‘Thomas divulged the truth to me when he came to me seeking healing.’

  Clutching the arm of the sofa Victoria was unable to speak. Eudora took a hipflask from her handbag, unscrewed it and, rising from her chair, went over to Victoria and handed the flask to her. ‘I’m sorry to give you such a shock but I really thought he would have told you before that young man left for India.’

  Victoria gulped the brandy down and feeling a little calmer, replied, ‘I had no idea Papa had consulted you.’

  ‘Oh yes!’ Eudora smiled. ‘We’re old friends. He came to see me years ago in my role as a medium after your mother’s death. Guilt was tearing him apart and he needed to find peace.’

  Victoria had difficulty believing this conversation was taking place. Why had nobody ever told her this? Her grandmother must have known if it was true. No! It was impossible! Her father wouldn’t have behaved in such a way… besides surely he didn’t believe in such things. He would never have tried to get in touch with her dead mother. He didn’t even attend church. ‘No!’ she cried. ‘It can’t be true.’

  Eudora sat beside her and placed an arm round her. ‘I’m so sorry, my dear. You were only a little girl at the time. He was so laden with guilt, he needed your mother’s forgiveness. Gabrielle was his mistress, you see, and became pregnant. Her faith was her reason for refusing to get rid of the child. Gabrielle isn’t even her real name but was her stage name when she met your father. They kept up with the liaison until his death.’

  ‘Grandmamma!’ screamed Victoria, unable to take her eyes from Mrs Black’s face.

  Eudora gave the woman a swift glance. ‘She won’t tell you any­ thing… but it’s true, my dear.’ Her voice was mournful. ‘Such a passion­ate and jealous nature Gertie has. Although at first she did not recog­nise me when I moved here. Eighteen years is a long time and I was no longer the girl she knew as Edna Rowland. Even your father did not recognise me immediately when he moved here from Liverpool. As soon as Gertie realised who I was she determined to smear my good name. She tells lies, you know.’

  ‘I feel peculiar,’ whispered Victoria. ‘Dizzy.’

  Mrs Black rose to her feet and fixed her with a stare. ‘Oh, my dear. I’ve shocked you. What a selfish woman I am. Burdening you with all this at such a time, but I tell you it only for your own good. Can you trust that woman now you’re alone with her? Dear Thomas hasn’t been feeling well for a while. Stomach trouble he told me. It makes one won­der what she’s been feeding him on.’

  ‘I think I need to lie down,’ said Victoria, her eyelids drooping.

  ‘Yes, my dear. I’ll ring for the maid, shall I? But you won’t forget what I’ve told you, will you?’

  ‘No,’ replied Victoria in a voice barely above a whisper.

  Eudora pressed her lips against Victoria’s cheek and then rang the bell to summon the maid. ‘I’ll see myself out. Do take care of yourself, my dear, and don’t trust that woman. She’ll do anything for that son of hers.’

  * * *

  Gabrielle pushed the door open with her foot and entered the bedroom, carrying a breakfast tray. Victoria’s eyelids fluttered open and she gazed up at the housekeeper. ‘You slept well? You ate no dinner so you must eat breakfast to keep your strength up.’ Gabrielle’s eyes were anxious, having learned of Mrs Black’s visit from Mary.

  ‘Take it away. I’m not hungry.’ That would have been true even if Victoria had not had that conversation with Mrs Black yesterday. She was still finding it difficult to believe all that the medium had said. Yet why should she lie? The straightforward thing to do would be to tell Gabrielle about the accusations that had been levelled against her but Victoria knew she could not cope with any more histrionics and decid ed to let things lie until she had informed her father’s solicitor of his death. Surely he could tell her if Sebastian was named as his son in his will? If he was, then that would prove Mrs Black was telling the truth. ‘But – But you must eat,’ stammered Gabrielle. ‘I will leave the tray here on the bedside table so you can help yourself.’

  ‘No! Take it away,’ ordered Victoria angrily. ‘I must get up. I’ve lots to do. Tell Mary to run my bath.’

  ‘Yes, Miss Victoria.’ Gabrielle’s voice was subdued and her shoulders sagged as she carried the tray out of the room.

  * * *

  Emma closed the door behind her and wrapped a scarf about her neck as she hurried down the path to the front gate. She was about to turn in the direction of the footbridge when she heard her name being called and turned to see Victoria Waters seated in the motorcar whilst Mary struggled to crank the engine. ‘Come here, Emma, if you please!’ Victoria beckoned her with a black gloved hand.

  Emma hesitated before slowly walking towards the motorcar. ‘I’m sorry to hear about your father, Miss Waters.’

  A muscle moved in Victoria’s throat and her voice was husky when she said, ‘Thank you, Emma. Are you going into town? If you are, per­haps you would like a lift? I’d like to talk to you.’

  Servants were not generally offered lifts in motorcars, so Emma accepted with alacrity. ‘Thank you, Miss. It’ll save my legs.’

  ‘I’d like to talk to you about my father’s visits to Mrs Black,’ said Victoria.

  Emma thought for a moment as to whether her employer would want her discussing Mr Waters with his daughter, but then decided since she hadn’t actively forbidden it there must be no harm in doing so. �
��Alright, Miss.’

  Victoria indicated that she should sit in the seat beside her and Emma climbed into the car and placed the shopping bag on her lap. Victoria ordered Mary to step aside and they were off.

  ‘Mrs Black told me that Papa has been visiting her in her capacity as a healer. I found that so hard to believe that I have to ask you if it is true?’

  ‘Yes, Miss. Twice weekly he came.’

  ‘Twice a week! D’you know what kind of treatment she gave him and how much it cost?’

  Emma shrugged. ‘I can’t really say. That information is confidential. Although, it is possible she only laid hands on him. There’s lots of peo­ple believe she has the magic touch.’

  Victoria said swiftly. ‘Do you believe that?’

  Emma did not need to give much thought to her answer. ‘A lot of her clients leave satisfied … although she doesn’t claim to be a miracle worker. And there are those who give up if there’s no improvement in their condition after a couple of sessions. But Mr Waters knew Mrs Black from way back and I suppose that was one reason why he kept coming despite his hip still giving him gyp.’

  Victoria stiffened. ‘You know for a fact they’ve known each other a long time?’

  ‘I heard Mr Waters mention it the first time he visited her.’ Victoria was silent so long that Emma asked if she was alright.

  The muscles of Victoria’s face relaxed. ‘It came as a great shock to me that he had consulted her in her role as a medium after my mother died.’

  ‘Unfinished business,’ murmured Emma. ‘A loved one has died and the two have quarrelled… or there’s something they meant to say but never got round to it.’

  Victoria’s expression was bleak. ‘She told me that my father was – was unfaithful to Mama.’

  ‘And did you believe her, Miss?’

  Victoria hesitated and then drew back her shoulder. ‘I’ll answer that after I’ve seen Papa’s solicitor. But tell me, Emma, how do you find Mrs Black?’