A Dream to Share

by A Dream to Share (retail) (epub)

  Hannah cleared her throat noisily. ‘You’ve gone off in a trance. I’ve spoken twice and you haven’t heard me.’

  Emma started guiltily. ‘Sorry. I was thinking of someone who’s fair but grey-eyed and has a dimple in his cheek.’

  Hannah smiled. ‘A boyfriend?’

  Emma shook her head. ‘No! Can’t be thinking of having one of them, not when the family needs my wages. Getting back to Bert, though. I’m determined he’ll pay in some way for what he did to our Aggie.’

  Hannah reached across the table and squeezed her hand. ‘I know what you’re suffering.’

  ‘My brother Chris, he would know what to do to him. I admit I’d like him to vanish from this earth.’

  ‘In the meantime you mustn’t drop your guard. Bert might be keep­ing out of sight since the man in the balaclava hit the headlines but it doesn’t mean he’s given up on getting his revenge on any of us.’ Hannah glanced at the clock on the wall. ‘I’m going to have to go in a few minutes. I know it’s been short but Kenny picks up Tilly from school and they’ll be in for lunch soon.’

  ‘I’ll see you again, though?’

  ‘Of course!’ Hannah smiled. ‘Now we’ve broken the ice, you can drop in and see me the next time you visit your family. Hopefully I’ll have that photograph for you.’ She paused. ‘By the way, Kenny has written to Alice and Seb. He thought he should when he saw Mr Waters’ death in the obituaries.’

  Emma hesitated. ‘You said you wanted to talk about Mrs Black.’

  Hannah nodded. ‘I hadn’t forgotten. You said in your letter that she’d gone abroad. I just wondered if you knew why?’

  Emma sipped her cocoa. ‘Guilty conscience perhaps. Apparently Seb’s mother accused her of murdering Mr Waters and Miss Waters threatened to get the police.’

  ‘You’re joking!’

  Emma could not help smiling. ‘What I find a bit of a farce is that Mrs Black accused Seb’s mother of murdering him.’

  Hannah’s eyes danced. ‘You are serious?’

  Emma crossed her heart. ‘Honest! You could say that Mrs Black taking off into the blue points to her having done it… but I keep asking myself why should she want him dead? He’d been coming to her for healing. Apparently they knew each other from years back. But you’ve met Mrs Black, so you’d know if she was capable of slipping something into his drink or food.’

  Hannah’s expression was thoughtful. ‘Not without a good reason. Was there any mention of Mrs Black in Mr Waters’ will?’

  ‘Miss Waters said not but he did leave Mrs Bennett money.’

  ‘Ahhh! Now she’s the kind who might do… what do they call it in the newspapers?’

  ‘A crime passionelle?’

  ‘That’s it,’ said Hannah. ‘Do we know what he died of?’

  ‘The doctor put an apoplexy on the death certificate. Although, according to Miss Waters, he’d been suffering from stomach upsets for months.’

  There was a short silence before Hannah said, ‘It could be that one of them was putting something in his food but only enough to cause him discomfort. Perhaps syrup of figs to get him running.’

  Emma smiled wryly. ‘Mrs Bennett would have been more likely to do that I should think.’

  ‘Having met her, I agree. Maybe at one time he was carrying on with both of them. You know what it says in the Bible… hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.’ Hannah sat back, cradling her cup between her hands.

  Emma nodded. ‘I reckon Miss Waters only mentioned the police to put the wind up Mrs Black. Now she’s gone abroad, Miss Waters says it proves she was partly responsible for his death. Even so that didn’t stop her getting rid of Mrs Bennett.’

  Hannah started. ‘Good God! I thought she’d be there until she was carried out in a box. I wonder what Seb will say? I suppose Kenny should write another letter and let him know.’

  ‘That would be right and proper. Although, no doubt the solicitor might have done so. Miss Waters has no intentions of writing and telling Seb anything. She’s so upset about it all that she doesn’t want him and Alice back in the house. Mary, the maid, said she’ll live to regret dismissing Mrs Bennett. Would you believe Mr Waters left her a thousand pounds in his will!’

  ‘A thousand pounds! What couldn’t I do with that!’ cried Hannah. ‘Of course she and Mr Waters were lovers. Could still have been until the day he died for all we know. What I do know is that he’s Seb’s father – Alice wrote and told us.‘

  Now it was Emma’s turn to gasp. ‘I didn’t know! It explains a lot.’

  Hannah nodded. ‘I bet he’s been left something in Mr Waters’ will, too. The lucky thing,’ she added with a sigh.

  ‘You can bet your last penny that’s why Miss Waters doesn’t want him and Alice in the house,’ said Emma.

  They were both silent, each thinking of how lovely it would be to be left money and what they would buy with it. Needless to say both planned to spend some of it on their families. Emma was the first to stir and, draining her cocoa cup, looked at the clock.

  ‘I’m going to have be going or Miss Victoria will have a face on her.’

  ‘I should have gone by now,’ said Hannah, reaching for her handbag and smiling. ‘We didn’t have very long but it was lovely meeting you.’

  ‘Same here,’ said Emma, returning her smile and getting to her feet.

  They walked out of the cocoa house together, Emma promising to drop by Hannah’s house as soon as she could, then they went their separate ways.

  As Emma wended her way through the city centre towards the river, she wondered what Victoria Waters would have to say about Hannah’s husband writing to Sebastian with the news of Mr Waters’ death. Surely she would get in touch with him once she told her so. It was obvious to Emma in the short time she had been working for Victoria Waters that she wasn’t fit to cope with running a household and helping with the business.

  When Emma arrived back at the house, she was immediately called into the drawing room, where she found Victoria lying on the chaise longue, wearing a black serge skirt and a white blouse with a black silk tie. She was reading the Chester Chronicle and eating chocolates from a box on the occasional table nearby. ‘So you’re back, Emma. Good! Grandmamma’s been banging on the floor upstairs, Mary’s gone out on a message for me and the new cook refuses to see to her. Go up and see what’s wrong.’

  ‘Yes, Miss,’ said Emma, hesitating before adding, ‘Won’t you spoil your lunch by eating chocolates right now?’

  Victoria stared at her in astonishment. ‘Don’t be impertinent. That decision is entirely mine. Now upstairs with you.’

  A tight-lipped Emma turned on her heel and walked out and upstairs. She went to her own room in the attic first and took off her outdoor things and put on her apron before going to see the old woman. She discovered that she had not only fallen out of bed but also dirtied herself and was in a terrible stinking mess. Exasperated, Emma knew that she really needed another pair of hands to see to her but did the best she could, not wanting to leave her as she’d found her. By the time she had finished, there was a pain in the small of her back and, as she dumped the dirty linen and nightgown in the washroom down­ stairs, she was really angry. Having scrubbed her hands, she knocked on the drawing room door and was told to enter.

  Victoria was still lying on the chaise longue. ‘Oh, it’s you again, Emma. How did you get on with Hannah Moran? Is she well?’

  The question put Emma off her stride. It was as if Victoria had com­pletely forgotten sending her up to see to Mrs Waters, but at least it gave Emma an opening to mention Seb and Alice. ‘We got on very well. She was telling me that her husband had written to Sebastian Bennett and Alice about Mr Waters’ death. Perhaps you could write to them. You could do with their help here.’

  Victoria raised her eyebrows. Her hand shook as she reached for another chocolate. She did not put the sweetmeat straight in her mouth but licked the dark chocolate shell until the soft centre was revealed and only then did she pop
it into her mouth.

  Emma persisted. ‘Perhaps I could write the letter for you. And while I’m at it I could dash off a note to put in the newspaper advertising that there’s a vacancy for a nurse here.’

  Victoria stared at her as if she had taken leave of her senses. ‘A nurse? You mean to take care of Grandmamma? Surely you and Mary can manage between you?’

  Emma did her best to stand up straight, her small head flung back. ‘Mrs Waters needs proper nursing, she’s just fallen out of bed and dirt­ied herself. Fortunately she doesn’t appear to have broken anything but that could be because she took half the bedclothes with her.’

  Victoria’s eyes widened in dismay. ‘Oh no! But surely it was just a one off?’

  ‘If it happens again it’ll prove it’s no accident and that she needs professional help,’ said Emma grimly. ‘Besides, I didn’t come here to be a housemaid or a nurse, Miss Waters. You hired me to take over Alice’s position, helping you to write letters and the like.’

  Victoria licked her lips before saying, ‘That’s true, Emma, but Alice used to make my hats and you must admit that you have a shortcom­ing in that area. As for letter writing, the Cause must wait. I have other matters that require my attention.’

  Emma said bluntly, ‘If you were one of the working class women whose rights you’re so fond of spouting about, you’d just have to get on with things, Miss.’

  Victoria drew in her breath with a hiss. ‘How dare you? Alice would never have spoken to me like that.’

  Emma flushed but met her gaze squarely. ‘Alice isn’t here. Wouldn’t you like her and Mr Bennett to be? They could help with Mrs Waters. Rumour has it that Mr Bennett is related to you and family are the best people to have around when you’re in need,’ she said glibly, instantly thinking that her own weren’t of much help to her.

  Victoria was silent so long that Emma thought she was working her­self up to tell her she was dismissed but instead she said in a subdued weary tone, ‘One shouldn’t listen to rumours, Emma. No doubt you have a point, but I still don’t want them here. I confess I miss Gabrielle. She had a way with macaroons that I loved and her mocha coffee was out of this world… but life is about more than food and drink.’ Her hand reached for another chocolate. ‘In the meantime you and Mary must manage as best you can if you want to keep your jobs here. Without a reference you’d have trouble getting another. It’s not my intention to be awkward or mean but I have to be careful about what I spend. Mr Crane tells me that there isn’t as much money in the bank as I had thought.’

  ‘Yes, Miss,’ said Emma, gazing at the box of chocolates, before turn­ing and walking away. Whether Victoria Waters liked it or not, Seb and Alice would be back in Chester at some point and they would want to know what had been going on here. Mrs Black, too, would be home one day and Emma wanted to be on hand when she did return. In the mean­ time, she had plenty to tell Hannah next time she saw her.

  * * *

  A week later, Hannah was thinking of Emma when Kenny came through the door with Tilly in tow. ‘A postcard! We’ve had a postcard from Mrs Black,’ she cried. ‘She says that she went to see your father before going away. That he’s well and she’s told him about Bert. She’s also sent a postcard for Emma care of this address.’

  Kenny stared at her. ‘Why should she mention Bert to my father?’

  Hannah smiled. ‘Don’t ask me. But she’s in Egypt and the picture’s of a dhow on the Nile. At least it’s different from the one Alice and Seb sent of the pyramids.’

  Kenny shook his head in disbelief. ‘That woman can always surprise. What else does she have to say?’

  ‘Isn’t that enough? But as it is she did write a P.S. It says that one day our ship will come in.’ Hannah pulled a face. ‘How did she know how much we’d love to go there? I must say, her postcard’s cheered me up.’

  Kenny kissed the top of his wife’s head. ‘Well, that’s good. I wonder if one of her reasons for sending it was the hope that it would stir me into visiting him.’

  Hannah shook her head. ‘I don’t think so. She knows what you and your family suffered at his hands. Interesting that she’s told him about Bert.’

  Kenny shrugged. ‘A fat lot of good that’ll do with him in the asylum and Bert on the loose. No other post?’

  ‘If you mean is there a reply to your letter to Alice and Seb or any­thing more from Bert then the answer’s no.’

  Kenny’s expression was grim. ‘Good about there being nothing from Bert but I’m disappointed we haven’t heard from Alice and Seb. They must have reached India by now and the mail boat with my letter can’t be far behind.’ Hannah agreed and, handing him the postcard, went to see to the supper.

  A couple of days later Emma turned up on the doorstep. ‘I was hop­ing I’d see you,’ said Hannah, dragging her inside the house. ‘We’ve had a postcard from Mrs Black and there’s one for you.’

  Emma looked pleased. ‘I’m glad she hasn’t forgotten me. You won’t believe the nerve of her… she sent one to Victoria Waters and suggest­ed that she take a holiday.’ Hannah laughed. ‘What about Seb and Alice, have they sent her one?’

  Emma nodded. ‘They wrote that they wished she could be there with them but that she wouldn’t enjoy the heat. She was spitting mad at getting both cards.’

  ‘I suppose I can understand that,’ murmured Hannah.

  ‘Part of me feels sorry for her but on the other hand, working for her is no doddle.’ Emma grimaced. ‘I’m only sticking it out in the hope that Mrs Black’ll be back in a few months and take me on again. I told her what you said about your husband writing to Seb and Alice but it made no difference. She’s still refusing to get in touch herself. And she’s still determined not to have them living there. I can’t wait to see what happens when they get back.’

  ‘Seb’s not going to take it lying down that she sacked his mother,’ said Hannah decidedly.

  ‘No.’ Emma looked thoughtful but then smiled. ‘Where’s my post­card? I want to see what she has to say. Fancy her sending it here to you. It’s probably because I asked for time off to meet you before she left.’ Hannah handed her the postcard and Emma read it swiftly and then sighed. ‘Did you read it? She says she regrets not taking me with her but is sure I’ll have lots to tell her when we see each other again.’

  Hannah echoed her sigh. ‘What an experience that would have been for you. Anyway, sit down. Have you anything else to tell me about Miss Victoria?’

  Emma placed her postcard in her pocket and sat down near the fire. ‘She’s changed her mind about having no time for the Women’s Suffrage Movement and has decided she’s got to get out of the house. So the pair of us are to attend a meeting at the Newgate Assembly Room next Monday.’

  ‘I read about that meeting. Isn’t it being arranged by the Women’s Freedom League?’

  Emma nodded. ‘I believe they have links with the socialist move­ment and although militant, they’re anti-violence. Alderman Chunton will be chairing it. I can’t remember the speakers’ names offhand.’

  Hannah’s face brightened. ‘Then perhaps I’ll come along. Our Joy might, too, and Kenny. He can write it up for one of the newspapers. He’s been doing bits like that this past year. I’ll ask Granny Popo if she can sit with Tilly.’

  Over a cup of tea, Emma asked Hannah whether she’d had any luck­ getting the photo of Bert. She shook her head. ‘I have mentioned it to our Joy.’

  ‘Did you tell her why I want it?’

  Hannah nodded. ‘You can trust Joy, she never could stand Bert. Hopefully she’ll be able to come to the meeting, so you’ll get to meet her. Now have you time for another cup of tea?’

  Emma shook her head and, glancing out of the window, saw that it had started to rain. ‘I have to go and see Mam. She’ll probably still have a face on her because she’s not pleased about Mrs Black’s departure and the enormous drop in my wages.’ She got to her feet.

  Hannah saw her out and waved as she went down the street.

>   It was as Emma cut through an entry into Cornwall Street that she­ bumped into David. ‘Long time no see,’ she said, her heart skipping a beat.

  ‘Oh, it’s you Emma.’ His voice was cool.

  She frowned. ‘You don’t have to sound so glad to see me.’

  He raised his eyebrows. ‘I thought it was you that didn’t want to see me.’

  ‘What d’you mean by that?’ she said indignantly. ‘Not a word from you despite my being attacked by that swine on the bridge.’

  His expression altered to one of puzzlement. ‘I was in Crewe but I sent a letter to your family address, arranging a date to meet when I got back but you didn’t turn up. I thought it might have got lost in the post, so I gave your dad another letter for you.’

  Scarcely able to believe her ears, she clutched the front of his tweed jacket. ‘I never got either. I asked after you but Dad said he hadn’t seen you.’

  David looked furious. ‘I asked if he had an answer from you for me, he told me that you’d changed your job and were too busy to see me.’

  ‘He’s a liar! It’s true I’ve changed my job and I’m earning buttons compared to when I worked for Mrs Black but…‘ She paused and her expression was wrathful. ‘I bet that’s it! Bloody money! I bet he’s wor­ried in case we get serious and they don’t have my wages helping them out.’

  ‘He should have said that if that’s how he felt instead of lying to us both. So he’ll have taken a cut of a shilling in his wages. All railwaymen have been told they’re getting paid less. Us engine drivers have been told by the owners that it’s our own fault for wanting to work less hours at a stretch, even though it’s for safety’s sake.’

  ‘The mean things.’

  ‘Aye! But never mind that now. It’s your father I feel angry with… he really made me believe you didn’t want to see me.’

  ‘And that really mattered to you?’ said Emma, holding her head on one side like a cocky little sparrow.