by Val Wood
‘No, sir. It’s a quiet house. There’s no riotous behaviour from any of our visitors. We do have music; piano playing,’ she added evenly, ‘and some singing, and we offer our guests a glass of wine or beer. But there’s no charge for that.’
She thought she saw Leo’s lips twitch when she mentioned the piano and was rather cheered by that. Perhaps after all he would treat her leniently, even though she expected him to follow the rules.
‘I would have thought, looking at you, that there would be other avenues of employment open to you, without your having to stoop to the level of running such an establishment; even though,’ he consulted his notes again, ‘the police state that it falls into a category between a first and second class house and does not contain any criminal element or employ street walkers.’
Lily’s mind raced. Lizzie, Alice and Betty had all walked the streets, as Mary and Sally still did. ‘The girls don’t go out on ’streets, sir,’ she said. ‘They feel safer inside. One of them had been beaten up; she’s very nervous, but she has no other means of surviving. It’s very hard for young women,’ she said passionately. ‘If they can’t get work in a factory or a mill then they can’t pay rent for a room or buy food.’ She spread out her hands. ‘How are they supposed to live? Workhouse won’t allus tek ’em. They wouldn’t tek me because I was from out of ’district.’ There was a catch in her voice which she couldn’t control. ‘They turned me away and I was in labour.’
There was a silence in which no one spoke or shuffled or rustled a paper as Lily wiped her eyes; then the magistrate said quietly, ‘It seems that you have been badly done by, Mrs Fowler, and I don’t wish to add to your misfortune. I have here a recommendation from Thomas Fulton, who represents a society which aims to improve the laws regarding the legal protection of women and considers that this case should not have been brought to court, and I am inclined to agree with him. However …’
Lily had begun to feel an uplifting of her spirits as he spoke, but now it was checked as Leo went on, ‘It is our duty to stamp out this trade in the town. Women so employed attract criminal elements; in fact many of the establishments are run by unscrupulous men. You have not denied that young women in the house are employed in prostitution and you are to be recommended for your honesty; but as a deterrent to others who might seek to make their living in such a manner, I shall order you to pay a fine of five pounds for a first offence, the charge being that of supplying alcohol without a licence. You may stand down.’
Lily stared across at the bench. Hypocrite, was her first thought, but as she was led out of court she wondered whether, had it been any other magistrate, the fine would have been greater. I suppose he had to make an example of me, but how could he say such things? How could he let those words fall from his lips? It is our duty to stamp out this trade! When he has been enjoying the pleasures of it!
Thomas Fulton was waiting for her at the outer door. He gave a thin smile. ‘You got off quite lightly,’ he said.
‘You think so, do you?’ she answered bitterly. ‘Five pounds is a fortune and I don’t know how I shall find it.’ She gave a disgruntled snort. ‘I suppose I could sell myself to earn it. It’s a vicious circle, Mr Fulton. If women are fined for such offences how else can they afford to pay?’
He nodded. ‘I know,’ he said. ‘I do understand. That’s why the laws have to be changed. And they will be. In time.’
‘But not in time for me,’ she hissed. ‘I have a week to pay.’
‘My society does have a little money with which to help,’ he said. ‘I’ll put it to committee and get in touch with you before then. But believe me when I say that you did get off lightly. Had it been another magistrate you might have gone to prison. This one had some sympathy with your circumstances.’
‘Yes,’ Lily said with some irony. ‘He obviously did!’
They stepped outside the courthouse together and Mr Fulton greeted a man waiting on the footpath. ‘Good day to you, Walker,’ he said, and Lily took a sudden breath as Charles Walker turned round. He lifted his hat. ‘Good day,’ he answered. ‘Good morning, Mrs Maddeson. Or should I call you Mrs Fowler for the time being?’
Thomas Fulton raised his eyebrows enquiringly and she looked from one man to the other. Did Mr Walker know why she was here outside the court? If he didn’t then she would have to tell him before Mr Fulton did.
‘I’m using Fowler for this,’ she said, her voice trembling. ‘I don’t wish to foul my first husband’s name. It’s very dear to me, and I’m in a great deal of trouble due to Billy Fowler.’
‘So I understand,’ he said sympathetically. ‘I belong to the same society as Fulton, and he told me of your difficulties whilst you were before the magistrate.’
‘What about Daisy?’ she whispered. ‘You won’t tell her? Please don’t!’
‘Certainly not,’ he said. ‘I have no intention of telling her, but I would like you to come home with me to talk to my wife.’
‘I’ll be off then,’ Fulton interrupted. ‘Please excuse me, but I’ve some urgent business to attend to.’
Lily was horror-struck. How can I talk to Mrs Walker? She’s sure to dismiss Daisy the instant she hears about me. What’ll I do then? Daisy will have to come to Leadenhall Square and live with me there.
‘You don’t need to worry,’ Charles Walker was saying. ‘You’ll find her well disposed towards you.’
‘I don’t think so,’ she said, as he firmly took her arm and led her towards King Street.
‘Come in, Mrs Maddeson.’ Mrs Walker greeted her at her sitting room door; there was no sign of Daisy or Molly. Mr Walker had taken her through from the shop to the house himself. Oliver was in the shop and he looked up and smiled a greeting.
‘I’m using Fowler now,’ Lily told Mrs Walker.
‘You can use whatever name you want,’ Mrs Walker said abruptly. ‘It doesn’t matter to me.’
She was neatly though dowdily dressed in dark colours, and Lily thought she would be very handsome if she made more of her appearance. I wonder why she doesn’t? She has a very handsome husband and Daisy said she had lovely underwear, so why not outer wear?
‘There’s coffee,’ Mrs Walker said. ‘Would you like some? I’ve sent Daisy out on an errand and I’ve told Molly I’m not to be disturbed.’
Lily frowned. ‘Were you expecting me, Mrs Walker?’
‘Oh, yes.’ Mrs Walker poured the coffee. ‘Whenever there’s a worthwhile case my husband brings them here for me to talk to.’ She handed Lily a cup and then sipped at her own. ‘I’m to show them ’error of their ways.’
‘You don’t need to talk to me about that, Mrs Walker,’ Lily said sharply. ‘I know ’difference between what’s right and what’s wrong. I’m a grown woman, not a vulnerable young girl. All I’m concerned about just now is my daughter and that she doesn’t find out about how I’m living.’
‘I’ll not tell her, you can be sure of that,’ Mrs Walker said calmly. ‘You need have no fears there.’
She drank again from her cup and Lily waited for her to continue.
‘Do you want to know why I kept Daisy on?’ she asked after a pause. ‘Are you curious about that or just relieved that she’s safe?’
‘Well, both,’ Lily admitted. ‘At first it seemed as if you were against her stopping here. It was Mr Walker who said she could.’
‘That’s right, it was,’ Mrs Walker said. ‘I didn’t want her. I felt resentful of her and jealous of you.’
‘Why?’ Lily asked softly. ‘A woman in your position? You have so much more than I have.’
Mrs Walker reached forward as though to ring the servant’s bell, and then abruptly sat back as if remembering that she had asked not to be disturbed. ‘Because,’ she said, ‘if my daughter had lived she would have been about Daisy’s age and I didn’t want her reminding me of what I’d lost.’
She gave a smile which in spite of its wistfulness lit up her wan face. ‘But Daisy could charm ’birds off a tree,’ she said gent
ly, in a voice so unlike the one she usually used that Lily was totally bemused.
‘I’m sorry about your daughter,’ she said. ‘But you have a son and you know where he is. I’ve no idea where my son might be.’
Mrs Walker looked at her. ‘Yes I have, and I’m very proud of him. He’ll do well.’
Lily nodded. ‘Like his father.’
Mrs Walker’s head shot up abruptly and she glared at Lily. ‘What do you mean?’
‘I – I meant that he’ll – I expect he’ll do well at his studies and become an apothecary like his father …’ her voice trailed away as Mrs Walker continued to stare.
‘He’s like me,’ she said fiercely. ‘Through and through.’ She lowered her voice. ‘Shall I tell you something, Mrs Maddeson – Mrs Fowler or whatever you call yourself.’
‘Lily,’ she answered on a breath. ‘Call me Lily, if it’s easier.’
‘Very well, Lily. I’m sick of this farce!’ She licked her lips and her eyes narrowed and Lily became uneasy. The woman had become malicious, unhinged almost.
‘Don’t tell me anything you might regret,’ she told her, ‘though I’m not one to tittle-tattle.’
‘Well, I’ll tell you anyway.’ Mrs Walker heaved a great sigh and leaning back against her chair she closed her eyes for a moment. When she opened them again she looked straight at Lily, who saw how deep a blue the irises were, and how long her lashes. ‘Oliver is not my husband’s son, though neither of them know it.’
‘Why are you telling me?’
‘Because for years I’ve wanted to tell somebody and there’s never been anyone I saw fit to confide in.’ She closed her eyes again, and although Lily felt flattered that she had been the one chosen she also felt uneasy with the knowledge.
‘I was working in Leadenhall Square when I met Mr Walker,’ Mrs Walker said, opening her eyes. ‘In a house such as the one you are in, though I imagine it was in a worse condition. It was fit only for ’dregs – ’scum of humanity.’
Lily said nothing. What was there to say to such a statement? But as the silence drew on, she ventured, ‘So Mr Walker rescued you from there?’
Martha Walker gave a throaty laugh. ‘Rescued me! Ha! He was a client!’
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
‘Surprised are you, Lily? Doesn’t seem ’type, does he? Pillar of society ’n’ all that.’
‘Nothing surprises me any more, Mrs Walker,’ Lily answered. ‘Though I have to say I didn’t expect it – of either of you.’
Martha Walker gave a shrug. ‘He doesn’t frequent those places now – at least I don’t think he does. He doesn’t need to, not since he married me.’ She lifted her chin and observed Lily closely as if gauging her reaction. Then she gave a lopsided smile. ‘He wouldn’t want anyone to know about it, but some do remember him. Jamie’s mother, for instance.’
‘Does she know about Oliver?’
‘No, she doesn’t, and I wouldn’t tell her in case it got back to Jamie. He’s a snake in ’grass as I’m sure you’ve found out. But Mr Walker,’ she went on, ‘although he’s a very professional man, likes to keep in touch with that side of things, hence his involvement with ’society for ’protection of women.’ She gave a caustic grunt. ‘He gets some kind of thrill out of it, I expect, even though he doesn’t touch ’em.’
‘I don’t want to hear any more, Mrs Walker.’ Lily felt sickened. Charles Walker had been so kind to her and she had been about to bring Alice to him for a consultation. Now she couldn’t. Was there not a man anywhere whom she could trust?
‘I haven’t finished.’ Mrs Walker’s eyes were wide, the pupils dark and large. ‘I want to tell you about Oliver and the baby I lost. Sit down,’ she said, for Lily had risen to leave. ‘Please.’
Lily sat again. ‘I can’t stay long,’ she said.
‘I was expecting Oliver when Mr Walker first came to Leadenhall Square.’ It was as if she hadn’t heard Lily. ‘I was lovely then, beautiful even, and I used to wear such pretty clothes.’ She glanced down at her drab gown. ‘I went to Rena’s whenever I could afford it, and I looked after my things, dressed them up, you know. I had some pride. Mr Walker was taken with me right from ’start. Besotted, he was. Told me he wanted to save me from ’life I was living. So I said that I wanted to get out of that pit and make something of myself. I didn’t tell him I was pregnant and you couldn’t tell. I hadn’t put on any weight.’
‘Surely he must have guessed?’ Lily said disbelievingly. ‘He’s an apothecary, for goodness’ sake!’
Martha Walker laughed and shook her head. ‘I told him I’d keep myself pure once I’d left. I knew he was mad for me and it paid off: he applied for us to get married straight away. Oliver was late and he never guessed.’
‘But your little girl, the one who died?’ Lily interrupted. In spite of not wanting to discuss what she considered a private matter, she was anxious to know about the baby who died, and how it tied in with Daisy, for whom she was now very concerned.
‘There were about fifteen months between her and Oliver.’ To Lily’s surprise, Martha Walker’s eyes filled with tears. ‘I wanted—’ There was a catch in her voice. ‘I wanted a child by my husband. I was grateful to him for giving me a new life. It would have made us a proper family and it would’ve proved to him that I was done with ’old ways for ever.’ She licked her lips. ‘We loved her, but she didn’t live long and Charles changed. He blamed me and he treats me like a whore again whenever we’re alone.’ She heaved a breath. ‘But I have to dress in these dreary clothes so that no other man will be attracted to me.’
‘How does Daisy come into it?’ Lily asked. ‘I don’t understand.’
Mrs Walker stared at her. ‘Well, don’t you see? Eventually it will be like having a daughter here. She’ll become part of our family.’
‘But she’s a servant, Mrs Walker.’ Lily was aghast. ‘And besides, she’s my daughter, not yours.’
Mrs Walker gave her a condescending look. ‘But you’d give her up. She’d have a much better life with us, and ’chance of a good marriage. Surely you’d agree to that?’
‘Does Mr Walker know about your plan?’ Lily asked faintly. ‘Has he agreed to this without consulting me?’ She’s crazy, she thought. Unhinged. Why would she think I’d give Daisy up?
‘Why, no! Not yet I haven’t.’ Lily knew then for sure that the woman was unbalanced. ‘I haven’t discussed it. I won’t, not until Daisy is ready.’
Lily walked back towards Leadenhall Square in a daze, then abruptly turned round and went back in the direction of Rena’s. Mrs Walker needed to talk to someone, she had said, and now so do I, she thought. I must try to find something good about this day for otherwise it’ll be the second worst day of my life.
Rena was sitting in an easy chair in her shop. She had her feet up on a footstool but put them down as Lily entered.
‘Please don’t get up,’ Lily said. ‘I haven’t come to buy anything. I’ve come to talk if you can spare me a minute.’
Rena waved a lazy arm towards another chair. ‘Sit down, do. Trade is quiet today. The round-up by ’police has quietened everybody down. All my regulars, I mean.’ She arched her fine eyebrows. ‘I still have my fine ladies’ maids coming in to sell me their mistresses’ old gowns.’
‘How does that work out?’ Lily said curiously. ‘Do they tek a commission for selling them?’
Rena laughed. ‘Bless you, no. A lady gives her maid any old gowns she doesn’t want any more, or which have been made over so often that she’s sick of them. Then, because they’re totally unsuitable for ’kind of life a maid leads, ’maid brings them in to me. I buy them and she keeps ’money.’ She sighed. ‘But then I have to unpick them and turn them into something unrecognizable.’
‘Do you do your own sewing?’ Lily asked.
‘Oh, yes.’ Rena nodded. ‘I’m a good seamstress, and I should be sewing now instead of sitting here being lazy. But sometimes I want to do nothing! What I would like to do is go out of the shop f
or a day and see what’s happening elsewhere. I’m fifty years old and tied to these four walls. You might think I’m lucky to be in such a good position; but I used to be an actress and led a varied and exciting life, and now I get so bored!’
Lily felt a flurry of hope. ‘Would you ever consider taking on an assistant?’
‘Couldn’t afford to pay you, m’dear,’ Rena said patiently. ‘I’ve been asked countless times to take on young girls, but ’shop doesn’t make enough to warrant anybody else’s wages.’
‘Not me!’ Lily said. ‘I don’t understand fashion. But Lizzie,’ she said. ‘She does, and she can sew.’ She gazed pleadingly at Rena. ‘She’s expecting a babby. She can’t stay wi’ us once Jamie finds out and there’s onny ’workhouse for her.’ She swallowed hard. ‘She’d work for nothing. Just her bed ’n’ board. And she’d be an asset. She’s got such style.’
‘But what would we do with a young baby here?’ Rena objected, sitting up straight in her chair. ‘I know ’girl you mean, and yes, she does have a certain style from what I’ve seen of her. Some women do. I had it myself when I was young.’
‘You still do,’ Lily murmured. ‘And Lizzie does too. She trimmed an old hat of Mrs Flitt’s, our cleaning woman; she used a scarf and pigeon feathers and you wouldn’t have known it for ’same hat. Her dream – not that she’s likely to achieve it – is to have her own shop. Selling new clothes,’ she added, though not telling her that Lizzie had dismissed Rena’s own stock as second-hand tat.
‘Ah, well,’ Rena said. ‘I had that dream once, but it didn’t materialize. I didn’t have the money or anyone to help me.’ She pondered awhile and then murmured, ‘I feel sometimes that I haven’t achieved what I’d have liked to. But I know nothing about children,’ she added fervently. ‘I couldn’t cope if it cried.’
Lily waited, her heart pounding, for Rena to say more. She was considering the proposal, Lily could tell. Rena was gazing round her shop as if rearranging it; then she glanced towards the door which led to her private rooms. She looked up towards the ceiling, stroking her long neck as she thought.