A Dream to Share

  Knowing it would be unlikely that she would have any free time for a while, Emma decided she would have to tell her mother about her change in circumstances, saying she would see her alright once she was back with Mrs Black. She knew that news would cheer her mam, espe­cially with Christmas in a few weeks’ time. She presumed that Alice would tell Hannah she was going to work for Mrs Black and remem­bered talking about her when they had cleaned the house. She thought how wonderful it would be if Mrs Black could heal Kenny’s foot… but that would need a miracle and Mrs Black did not deal in those.

  * * *

  ‘Isn’t this cosy, Emma?’ said Eudora.

  Emma, who had just entered the sitting room carrying the tea tray, had to admit that it was. The thick velvet curtains shut out the cold dark November evening and the glow of the fire reflected on polished wood, cut glass and shining brass.

  ‘So tell me everything, Emma,’ said Eudora, taking a fairy cake from the plate.

  ‘So much has happened since you’ve been away, that I’m not sure where to start.’

  ‘Sit down! Have a cup of tea and a cake with me and start with after I left.’

  Emma did just that, eating, drinking, telling Eudora about how she had been taken on by Victoria after she had sacked Gabrielle. ‘I think it would be a good thing for her to come back to help nurse Mrs Waters but I feel Mr Bennett and Alice will be in two minds about that.’

  ‘So what d’you think the Bennetts will do?’

  Emma said, ‘Hanny told me that Alice suggested that Joy Kirk might like the job but her mother said she needed her at home as she’s taken on a couple of lodgers. Now there’s talk of them employing a middle-aged spinster who nursed her mother.’

  ‘That sounds sensible. Alice wouldn’t want Gabrielle back. She’s a very bossy woman and would be bound to try and force Alice to do things her way when the baby’s born. But that’s enough of them. Tell me how Victoria Waters died?’

  So Alice spoke of how upset Victoria had been when she discovered that Seb had been left half of their father’s business and how she had planned never to let him and Alice set foot inside her grandmother’s house again. ‘She’d have been much better off getting in touch and ask­ing them to come home. She’d probably still be alive if she had, because there was no one there to frighten off Bert.’

  ‘My dear Emma, you’re sure it was Bert?’

  ‘I know it was Bert,’ said Emma positively. ‘He must have seen me and Miss Waters together in town. Either that or he’d seen her with Alice at some time and followed her home.’

  ‘So how did you know it was him? How did you recognise him?’ Emma told her the rest of the story up to the moment they had dis­covered Bert had gone to Australia. ‘You’re sure of that?’

  Emma bit into another scone without taking her eyes from her employer’s face. She chewed slowly and swallowed. ‘His mother believes it. She blamed everybody but him for what happened.’

  ‘I see.’ Her eyes narrowed thoughtfully.

  Emma relaxed. ‘Mrs Kirk was in a right state. I don’t think she was putting it on to deceive us.’

  Eudora nodded thoughtfully. ‘So he was definitely responsible for Kenny’s fall but you still don’t have definite proof he killed Victoria Waters. Where did she pass over, exactly?’

  ‘In the old drawing room. The Bennetts use it for a dining room now – Alice couldn’t relax because Miss Waters had died… passed over there.’

  Eudora leaned forward, her eyes shining. ‘Does she feel a presence in the old drawing room?’ Emma almost said Don’t start that! ‘A violent passing,’ continued her employer, ‘it is expected that some impression would remain in the room. Don’t forget that Victoria Waters is a living soul – she might try to make contact. She will want justice.’

  Emma wondered if her vivid reconstructions of what had happened in the drawing room had been due to that impression Mrs Black talked about – or was it all nonsense? As she pondered on Mr Waters’ sudden death, she came to the conclusion that Mrs Black couldn’t have had a hand in it. Surely with her beliefs, she’d have been frightened of his coming back to haunt her? But Mrs Black was definitely not a fright­ened woman, so she must be innocent of that charge.

  ‘It would be interesting to have a séance in that room,’ murmured Eudora, leaning back in her chair and closing her eyes.

  ‘Alice would never allow it,’ said Emma firmly.

  ‘I fear you’re right, dear. I suspect she is aware of a presence but doesn’t want to say too much, probably so as not to frighten the little girl.’

  ‘You know about Tilly then?’

  ‘Yes.’ Eudora moistened her lips. ‘I was told she was Alice’s sister.’ Emma nodded. ‘She lived with Kenny and Hanny, until Alice and Seb returned home. Now they share her.’

  ‘I see.’ Eudora beamed at her. ‘What a lucky child to have so much attention. But let’s get back to what you said earlier about Victoria Waters being angry. That anger could be causing bad vibrations.’

  Emma was astonished. ‘I suppose they could always have the vicar round to exorcise the house if Alice started worrying about the place being haunted.’

  Eudora wagged a finger at her. ‘You’re being provocative. Maybe an exorcism might be needed but it wouldn’t tell us what happened there. If I could only get into that room… It reminds me, Emma, of your sis­ter, Aggie. If you’d only allowed me to try and make contact. If you’d taken me to the spot where your sister was found we could have…‘

  The colour drained from Emma’s face. ‘I don’t want to talk about Aggie right now. Please stop! I feel like I’ve let her down, what with Bert getting away scot-free.’

  Eudora sighed. ‘Just as you wish. Now tell me more about Kenny’s injuries. I’m fond of that young man.’

  Emma was happy to talk about Kenny, hoping Mrs Black could help him. When she finished telling her as much as she knew, the older woman said, ‘Perhaps before Christmas you could visit them and extend an invitation to drop in for sherry and mince pies early evening on Boxing Day. I’d be interested to hear from their own lips how they are getting on since Bert vanished from their lives.’

  ‘Will you want me here?’ asked Emma.

  ‘No, dear. As long as you make the mince pies, you can go off and see that young man of yours and visit your family. Although, I will want you here on Christmas Day, as I’ve invited a few friends around. You won’t lose by it, dear… and you can make enough mince pies to take home with you.’

  Emma thanked her.

  ‘In the meantime, I see there’s an exhibition on at the town hall about Palestine this coming week. Most likely it’s part of the prepara­tions for the festive season. You and that young man of yours might like to see it… give you a taste of the Holy Land… who knows, I might visit there again one day and I’d enjoy company,’ murmured Eudora, smiling.

  ‘I’d like to,’ said Emma, delighted. ‘I’ll slip a note through David’s letterbox and let him know it’s on and he can let me know if he can make it any time.’

  * * *

  ‘Real enough for yer?’ said Emma, twinkling up at David as they walked arm in arm between the mock whitewashed walls painted with doors and window openings. There were also stalls piled high with almonds, figs and dates, earthenware pots, carpets, jewellery and leather goods… and people dressed as Arabs called out their wares.

  ‘This is supposed to be Jerusalem, so I’d like a bit more sun,’ said David, holding his face up and closing his eyes.

  She chuckled. ‘Who wouldn’t when it’s chucking it down outside?

  Our Chris would know if it’s true to life. He’s out there now.’

  David opened his eyes and gazed down at her. ‘Lucky him. Seriously, though, is this a place, lovey, you’d like to go on your honeymoon?’

  Her heart seemed to flip over and she thought keep it light. ‘Chance would be a fine thing. You got the cash?’

  ‘No!’

  ‘Then why ask?’

&nbs
p; ‘Because if we were to get married one day, I’d like to know how much I’ll have to save up. A honeymoon in Llandudno would run much cheaper than Jerusalem.’ His grey eyes creased at the corners. ‘Don’t look like that, lovey! Much as I’d like to marry you tomorrow, I know you’d say no right now.’

  ‘Dad would never give his permission and you know how I’m situ­ated.’

  ‘I know, but my Dad’s marrying the housekeeper and I’ve a feeling they’d like me out of there. You’ve never seen two lovey doves like it.’

  She smiled. ‘Oh, yes I have. Seb and Alice Bennett. Now change the subject.’

  ‘Can I ask you again when you come of age? If you say yes, then I’ll shut up and we’ll go and see the five hundred Biblical objects in the next room.’

  ‘Gosh, yer really know how to get round a girl,’ she said, laughing. ‘OK! Ask me next May when I’m twenty-one.’

  David stole a quick kiss and promised he would keep her to her word and they went off to look at the exhibits.

  It was a fortnight later that Emma made her way to the yard by the canal and, finding the gates open, she walked inside. Male voices and metallic clinking sounds could be heard coming from one of the converted stables but, as neither voice talking about a Daimler’s four cylinder engine belonged to Kenny, she crossed the cobbles towards the house. Before she could knock, the door opened and Hannah reached out and dragged her inside.

  ‘It’s been ages. Why haven’t you been to see me?’ she demanded.

  ‘I haven’t been to see me family for ages, either. Didn’t Alice or Seb tell you I’d left them because Mrs Black came back?’ said Emma, sur­prised by her reaction.

  ‘Aye, but I thought you’d have made time to come and see me. I’ve missed you,’ she said, smiling. ‘And don’t you think it’s strange her coming home after us talking about her last time you were here?’

  ‘No!’ said Emma, freeing herself and wiping her feet on the coconut matting. ‘She has been away a long time and I thought she’d come home sooner or later.’

  Hannah looked deflated. ‘You’re right. Anyhow you’re here now. So tell me all the news. Has she asked about Tilly yet?’ Hannah helped Emma off with her coat.

  A puzzled Emma wrinkled her nose. ‘Should she have?’

  ‘Well, she does know Tilly’s dad and she looks a bit like him, strange as that might seem. For all his wicked ways, he was a good-looking man, except for the red hair.’ Hannah led the way into the kitchen, knocking on a door as she passed and calling to Kenny that Emma was here and she was going to make a cup of tea.

  ‘She already knows she exists but shows more interest in you and Kenny,’ said Emma, sitting down at the well scrubbed table in the kitchen. She watched Hannah remove a bubbling pan from the fire and place it on the hob. ‘I know it’s a few weeks off but she sent me round to invite the pair of you to sherry and mince pies on Boxing Day… about five o’clock.’

  Hannah paused in the act of removing the kettle from the hob and there was an excited gleam in her eyes. ‘Fancy that! We’ll say yes, of course. Never turn down free food and drink. Although, no doubt she’s after something.’

  ‘I told her about Bert and she’s concerned about you both. Simple!’

  Hannah’s face fell. ‘Nothing is ever simple where that woman’s con­cerned and you and I both know it. Now, tell me what else she had to say.’

  ‘She thinks Mrs Waters’ drawing room is haunted.’

  ‘Don’t say that to Alice,’ said Kenny from behind her. ‘She’ll end up seeing ghosts whether they’re there or not.’

  Emma glanced up into his pleasant face and said solemnly, ‘All it takes is a little bit of imagination.’

  He limped over to the chair opposite her and sat down. ‘Am I to take it you’re an unbeliever? What would Mrs Black think?’ There was a twinkle in his eyes.

  ‘Probably that it’s more important I make decent pastry and bring her breakfast in bed every morning, me good man,’ she replied, her lips twitching.

  ‘I can see the truth in that… but don’t you at least have to believe a little bit in what she’s doing to be of use to her?’ asked Kenny curious­ly.

  ‘I believe she wants to help people and she pays well, and that’s good enough for me,’ said Emma, glancing at Hannah as she came to stand at her husband’s shoulder. ‘It means I can stop Mam going up the wall. One of the twins said Dad’s seldom home and money’s short.’

  ‘Well, you have to help your family best you can,’ agreed Kenny.

  Hannah nodded, ‘Mrs Black’s invited us to sherry and mince pies on Boxing Day evening, love. I think we should go.’

  He glanced up at her. ‘OK.’

  Emma smiled at them both. ‘She serves a decent sherry and I’ll make the mince pies. She might tell you about her travels if you ask her.’

  ‘Will you be there?’ asked Kenny.

  She shook her head. ‘I’ve been given the time off. So I’ve decided I’ll go and visit the family and take them a few things.’

  Chapter Nineteen

  December, 1909

  ‘So you’ve arrived at last, have yer!’ said Olive, looking up from her place by the fire. ‘Shut that door before yer let the heat out.’

  ‘Yeah, Mam, and I love you, too. As you can see I haven’t come empty-handed, so how about a decent welcome.’ Emma lifted the two shopping bags in the air and smiled round at the younger members of her family.

  ‘What have yer got in there?’ asked little Johnny, leaving the wood­en railway engine Alf had made him for Christmas and scurrying over. He tugged on her skirt and looked up at her eagerly.

  ‘Food and drink and a few little presents.’ She bent down and kissed his tangled hair. ‘Someone make room on the table and I’ll empty them out.’

  Patsy, the eldest of her younger sisters, hurried to comply, moving the bread, jam tin, teapot and crockery out of the way. Emma placed the bags on the table and children surrounded her as she emptied out the contents.

  ‘A rubber ball for Johnny.’ She held it out to him and he grabbed it and clasped it to his chest, thanking her before backing away and begin­ning to bounce it on the linoleum. ‘Skipping ropes with bells in the han­dles for the girls.’ Her delighted sisters took them and turning to their mother asked could they go out and play in the street.

  Olive nodded, telling them to take Johnny out, too. ‘Where did you get it all?’ She picked up a bottle of sherry from the table and read the label. ‘This is good stuff,’ she said in amazement. ‘I’ve seen the price in the shop window.’

  ‘The Rubber Shop had a grand Xmas Bazaar! But the sherry didn’t come from there. Mrs Black sent that for you. It’s the one she drinks.’ Emma was warmed by her mother’s reaction. ‘I’ve socks for the twins and a couple of pairs of drawers for you. Mrs Black bought new and gave those to me. I thought you’d like them. They’re made of a real good mixture of wool and silk.’

  ‘Thanks, luv!’ There was the sheen of tears in Olive’s eyes.

  Emma was really enjoying herself. ‘She also gave me some leftover ham and allowed me to bake extra mince pies. I bought a pound of mixed sweets, some nuts and oranges,’ she tapped each item as she named it, ‘as well as a couple of bottles of ginger beer.’ She glanced around. ‘Where’s Dad and the twins?’

  ‘Haven’t seen yer dad for days. I’d be thanking God for it, if it weren’t that I needed his money. Alf’s gone to play football with some of the other railway workers. Probably be yack-yacking about pay and conditions. Don’t ask me where Pete is. I hope he’s not getting inter­ested in girls already. I want some real money out of him before he goes courting and getting himself wed at twenty-one.’

  Emma wondered what her mother would think if she knew David was going to ask her to marry him when she was twenty-one, not that she intended mentioning that. She watched as her mother reached for two chipped cups.

  ‘Right now, let’s forget about the whole soddin’ male race,’ said Olive. ‘How about you
and me having a drink of this sherry and mak­ing a toast.’ She rinsed out the cups while Emma opened the bottle. ‘Be generous with it, Em, I really need this,’ said her mother.

  Emma filled the cups almost to the brim and, taking one, Olive said,’To us, Mrs Black and our Chris. May God bring him home soon.’

  Emma echoed her words, adding David’s name silently. He was working today, so she would not be seeing him.

  Olive took a mouthful, letting the taste of the sherry wash over her taste buds before swallowing. ‘Ambrosia!’ she said.

  Emma smiled. ‘Good God, Mam. Where did you learn a word like that?’

  ‘Our Patsy mentioned it… said it was food for the gods. The things they learn yer at school. The quicker she’s working the better.’

  ‘Give her a chance, Mam. Let her have some fun before she has to buckle down. I’ll make sure you don’t end up in the workhouse,’ she said with a sigh.

  Olive smiled. ‘You’re a good girl. Now let’s make another toast. We mustn’t forget those women fighting for better conditions for the rest of us. I did hear they’ve been getting force-fed in prison. They stick tubes up their noses and down into their stomachs. Imagine that, Em, enough to make yer sick, isn’t it?’

  Emma nodded and both of them toasted the suffragettes and took another big swallow of sherry. After several more swallows, Olive said that she was beginning to feel mellow and suggested a couple of slices of ham on bread. Emma agreed – she was starting to feel a little light ­ headed herself, so they’d best have something to eat. She topped up their cups and remembered the last women’s rights meeting she had attended. So much had happened. Poor Victoria Waters! Was it possible that her spirit still haunted her last home as Mrs Black believed? And what about Mrs Stone? Was she still putting up with that weak, selfish fool of a husband? She should have been the doctor, not him, no won­der she was a fighter for the Cause.

  But what was she doing thinking about all this now? It must be the drink going to her head. Best have those ham sandwiches and a chat with her mam before she toddled back to Mrs Black’s. She wondered how Hannah and Kenny were enjoying her hospitality. Was she just being generous or was there an ulterior motive behind her invitation?