Riches to Rags

by Beryl Matthews

  ‘You shouldn’t have let me do that, Louise.’ Her husband looked uncomfortable.

  ‘Are you blaming me now?’

  ‘No, my dear, but you know what I’m like. I was unfair to that poor girl, and Matt’s right, we do owe her our support.’

  His wife still looked doubtful. ‘But we might find out things she would be better off not knowing.’

  ‘Then we won’t tell her,’ her husband declared.

  ‘Very well,’ she sighed. ‘I can see you are all set on this. But you must keep everything very confidential, John. The girl has enough trouble in her young life. I would not wish to add to it by meddling in something that is not our affair.’

  ‘We’ll be very discreet, Mother.’ Luke was serious for a change. ‘I’ll start by searching for marriage and birth certificates.’

  ‘And I’ll continue to look for her.’ Matt smiled at his mother. ‘Don’t worry, we’ll be careful not to let word of our interest get back to her family.’

  Louise gave each member of her family a stern look. ‘Not one of you is to act without first consulting me. And if I say that this must stop, then you will cease immediately. Is that understood?’

  Matt recognized his mother’s determination and knew she meant every word, as did the rest of his family. They all nodded obediently.

  ‘Good. Now, Gilbert, you will stay out of this. Luke, you will look for certificates, and that is all! Matt, if you can find her you must come and tell me. I will be the one to speak to her.’

  No one dared argue with Louise when she was in this forceful mood. Matt knew they would all do as she said, and he also knew that she was right to keep a tight rein on them. Their intentions were good, but they really had no right to interfere in this girl’s life, however sorry they might feel for her.

  A week later Luke had found a marriage certificate for Elizabeth Sherrington and Cyrus Douglas Winford; she was listed as British and he as American. He had also found a birth certificate for their daughter, Eugenie Elizabeth Winford.

  ‘So they were married,’ Gilbert said.

  ‘Well, he went through a ceremony here, but I couldn’t say whether it was legal.’ Luke’s eyes glinted with mischief. ‘I could always go to America to find out.’

  ‘You’ll do no such thing, Luke.’ Their mother’s mouth was set in a determined line. ‘I want you all to stop this now!’

  ‘But Mother,’ Luke protested, ‘it’s an intriguing mystery. I was thinking of going with Matt to the Templeton School she attended. Someone there might know where she is.’

  ‘Oh, no, you don’t, my boy.’ His father raised his hands in horror. ‘It wouldn’t be safe to let you roam around a young ladies’ school.’

  Matt chuckled quietly as his brother protested.

  ‘Father, you make me sound like a menace to the female sex. They’re too young anyway.’

  Even John was laughing now. ‘But what about the teachers?’

  ‘Ah, well,’ Luke said, grinning, ‘I’d have had Matt with me, so I couldn’t have got into much trouble, could I?’

  ‘You’d have found a way,’ his father muttered darkly.

  ‘I forbid this visit anyway.’ Louise glared at her two younger sons. ‘Where’s your common sense? If you go asking questions at her former school, how long do you think it will be before her aunt is told that someone is asking questions about her niece?’

  ‘I do see your point,’ Matt admitted. ‘Perhaps it would be unwise.’

  ‘It most certainly would!’

  ‘Your mother’s right, as usual,’ their father said. ‘I believe we should drop this whole thing. We have found out all we can, and if we continue we could cause the girl more trouble. I feel badly about it already.’

  The discussion that followed was lively and heated at times, with Luke and Matt very reluctant to give up, but in the end it was agreed that they could do no more at the moment. Frustrating as it was, they would have to wait and hope that something came to light about Jenny’s whereabouts.

  Their mother was clearly relieved at the joint decision. ‘It is a distressing story and I am not proud of our part in causing her more anguish, but it is done. She has told Edna she is safe. We must accept that.

  Jenny had soon recovered from the shock of last week. It was hard enough adjusting to this life without also feeling that she had to run and hide.

  ‘Pontoon!’ Ma declared.

  Jenny, seeing that the cards in her hand added up to twenty-five, gave the elderly woman a suspicious glance. ‘I’m bust. Are you cheating, Ma?’

  ‘Who, me?’ She was a picture of innocence.

  Jenny looked pointedly around the small room. ‘I don’t see anyone else here.’

  ‘Don’t be a sore loser,’ Ma cackled, shuffling the cards very expertly for someone with rheumatism and then handing them back to Jenny. ‘Your deal. Just one more hand and then I’ll have that bottle of stout you’ve got hidden in the sideboard.’

  ‘You don’t miss a thing, do you?’ Jenny couldn’t help laughing. So much for her surprise treat. ‘You were asleep when I came in with the shopping today.’

  ‘I was just resting my eyes.’ She tapped the table with her cards. ‘Twist me one.’

  After doing that, Jenny looked at her own. Eighteen – she’d better stick.

  ‘Twenty.’ Ma laid her cards face up. ‘Can you beat that?’

  ‘You know I can’t.’

  ‘Hmm.’ Ma winked at her. ‘Remind me some time to teach you how to deal from the bottom of the pack.’

  ‘You were cheating!’ Jenny roared. ‘Good job we weren’t playing for money.’

  Ma stood up, hobbled over to her easy chair and sat down, a deep rumble of amusement coming from her. ‘I enjoyed that,’ she said. ‘Now I’ll have that glass of stout.’

  Jenny poured Ma her drink, made herself a cup of cocoa and then sat down. ‘Do you want me to read to you?’ she asked.

  ‘Not tonight.’ Ma tipped her head to one side and examined Jenny with deliberate care. ‘You shouldn’t be spending all your time with me, much as I like your company. Ain’t you got no friends?’

  With a shake of her head, Jenny looked away from the discerning gaze. She didn’t know how old Ma was, and, although she was frail in body, there was nothing wrong with her mind. She was very shrewd and her sharp eyes didn’t miss a thing.

  ‘You’re lonely, ain’t you? Don’t you know anyone your own age you could go out with and have a bit of fun?’

  ‘There’s only the two girls from No. 20, but they’ve got their own crowd.’ Many times she’d seen them walk by, laughing, and had longed to be invited to join them. ‘I had a friend at the house I worked in. Her name was Edna, and we used to go out whenever we could get time off together.’

  ‘Why don’t you write and ask her to meet you one day? I’m sure she’d like to see you again.’

  Jenny chewed her lip. ‘Oh, I’d love to, but I’m not sure …’

  ‘Jen.’ Ma leant forward. ‘It ain’t right, you shutting yourself away like this. You’re seventeen now and should be out enjoying yourself a bit. So what if your family finds you? You can refuse to go back with them. No one can make you do something you’re set against.’ Ma gave her an encouraging smile. ‘If they drags you to the altar, all you’ve got to do is say “I don’t”, instead of “I do”.’

  Jenny giggled at the thought. She could just imagine what an uproar that would cause. She got up and kissed Ma. ‘You’re a wise old devil, even if you do cheat at cards. You’re probably right about not hiding any more, but I was so frightened, Ma, and still am.’

  ‘I know, ducky, but take an old woman’s advice and get in touch with your friend. You’ve got this whole street on your side. We’ll see you comes to no harm.’

  A lump stuck in Jenny’s throat as Ma’s words made her realize just how fortunate she was to have such stalwart friends. At that moment it felt as if a heavy weight had fallen from her. She would still try to keep out of her scheming
Aunt Gertrude’s way, but perhaps she could make some discreet inquiries about how her mother was. She had never been outgoing and affectionate towards her, but she was, after all, her mother. Edna might be able to help there.

  Her head came up and she gave Ma a gentle smile. ‘I’ll write the letter tonight.’

  ‘That’s the idea, ducky. It’ll do you a power of good to have a gossip with your friend.’

  As soon as Ma was tucked up in bed and snoring contentedly after her glass of stout, Jenny set about the letter. She knew Edna had a couple of hours off on a Wednesday afternoon, so she told her that she would be in Hyde Park next Wednesday at two o’clock, if Edna could make it.

  Then she sealed the envelope and placed it by her bed, ready to post in the morning.

  14

  Would Edna come? Jenny was excited and apprehensive at the same time. She’d left without saying goodbye to her friend and perhaps she might not want to see her again. She’d been tempted to give Edna her address this time, but, for all her brave words to Ma last week, she was still wary of anyone knowing where she was.

  Jenny reached Speakers’ Corner in Hyde Park, where she’d suggested they meet, and gazed around, worry gnawing away at her insides as she paced up and down. Had Edna received the letter in time? Perhaps this hadn’t been such a good idea – she was going to be very disappointed if her friend didn’t come.

  ‘Jen.’

  She turned round at the sound of the voice behind her. She had come!

  ‘Oh, Jen.’ Edna rushed up and hugged her. ‘I’ve been that worried about you.’

  They were both laughing with pleasure at seeing each other again.

  ‘I’m sorry I rushed off without seeing you first, Edna, but I panicked.’

  ‘I understand.’ Her friend stepped back so she could see her better. ‘Oh, my, you’re all skin and bones. What have you been doing to yourself? You look as if you’ve had a rough time.’

  ‘It has been hard,’ Jenny admitted.

  Edna slipped her hand through Jenny’s arm. ‘Let’s find a café and I’ll buy us a pot of tea and some buns.’

  They walked arm in arm to Oxford Street, and Jenny listened avidly as Edna gave her all the news about the other servants. It was wonderful to hear her friend’s bright chatter and laugh again. It was then that she realized how right Ma had been to urge her to get out.

  ‘This will do.’ Edna urged her through the door of the first tea shop they found. ‘I’ve only got a couple of hours and there’s such a lot to tell you.’

  They were soon settled at a corner table with a large pot of tea in front of them and buns, butter and jam. Jenny’s mouth fairly watered at the sight of such luxury.

  ‘Tuck in, Jen.’ Edna frowned as she studied her. ‘You don’t look as if you’ve had a good meal for ages. Can you tell me what you’re doing and where you’re living? I won’t say nothing to no one without your say so.’

  Jenny knew she was going to have to start trusting people again, so she explained about Ma and the work she was doing.

  Edna’s mouth opened in disbelief. ‘Hell, Jen, no wonder you look worn to the bone.’

  ‘It’s not too bad. I’m getting used to it now, and I’m very fond of Ma. These are poor people I’m with, Edna, and I’ve got to do my share. If they hadn’t taken me in, I don’t know what I would have done. I didn’t have anywhere to go.’ She took a gulp of tea.

  Edna put another bun on her plate. ‘Your aunt and Albert Greaves paid the Stannards a visit.’

  Jenny’s cup clattered back into the saucer. ‘Looking for me?’

  Her friend nodded and then explained what had happened.

  ‘They denied knowing me?’ she asked in disbelief.

  ‘Sent them on their way with nothing.’ Edna grinned. ‘And we was all told that if anyone came asking questions about Eugenie Winford, we was to say nothing. Which wouldn’t have been hard, because we don’t know anyone by that name.’ She winked to make her point.

  ‘Well, I’ll be blowed!’ Jenny picked up her knife and spread extra butter on her second bun after that staggering bit of news. ‘But how did my aunt find out I’d been working there?’

  ‘She’d picked up on some servants’ gossip, I expect. They said that they were following up any lead, however unlikely.’

  ‘It’s as well I left when I did, then.’

  ‘The family’s dead worried about you, Jen. Would you mind if I told them I’ve seen you?’

  ‘I’m not sure I want them to know anything. I don’t understand why they are concerned. They accused me of being a thief and turned me out.’ Jenny shook her head. She still viewed this incident with horror. ‘And yet they’ve protected me from my Aunt Gertrude. Their change of attitude is a complete mystery.’

  She looked up at Edna and found her with a wide grin on her face. ‘What have I said?’

  ‘It isn’t what you’ve said,’ Edna chuckled, ‘but the way you said it. What happened to the London accent?’

  ‘Oh, that.’ She joined in the laughter. ‘I don’t need that now. The people I’m with know all about me, and Ma loves me to read to her in my “posh voice”, as she calls it.’

  ‘How did you come to know them?’ Edna asked.

  Jenny told her about Fred and Glad, and her visit to the pawnbroker’s. By the time she’d finished, Edna was almost crying with laughter.

  ‘How I wish I’d been there.’ Edna mopped her eyes. ‘That took some courage.’

  ‘Not really. It was desperation,’ Jenny admitted. ‘Fred and Glad gave me their address and said I could go to them if I needed help any time. They’d met me only once, but I had nowhere else to go. They’ve been very kind, Edna. I was terrified I’d have to go home or spend the night in the open, but they took me in without question. I’m grateful and do all I can for them. Unemployment’s getting bad, and I was lucky even to get a job scrubbing floors.’

  ‘They sound like good old Londoners. Live in Lambeth, do they?’

  Jenny had nodded before she realized that her friend had slipped that crafty question in. ‘Did you ever tell the Stannards I might be in Lambeth?’

  ‘Yes.’ Edna reached across and patted her hand. ‘Do you remember when you first started work at the house and I asked you where you came from?’

  ‘I said the first thing that came into my mind: Lambeth.’

  ‘That’s right. You said you’d been to school in Lambeth.’ Edna grinned again. ‘What a whopper that was, Jen. It was the only place you’d mentioned, and when I saw how worried the mistress was, I told them. I didn’t see no harm in it because I didn’t believe you anyway. Neither did they, but the sons, Luke and Matthew, have been scouring the borough for you.’

  ‘I know.’

  ‘What?’ Edna sat upright, her eyes wide open. ‘Did they find you?’

  ‘Nearly, but everyone in the street told them they didn’t know me. Don’t tell the brothers, though. I don’t want to be found yet.’

  ‘You needn’t be afraid of them,’ Edna said kindly. ‘I’m sure they only want to help. They would probably help you get another place – not as an under housemaid, of course.’

  ‘No!’ She gave a firm shake of her head. ‘I couldn’t leave Ma. She needs me.’

  ‘I understand, but please let me tell them I’ve seen you and you’re all right. I’m sure they’ll be relieved to know that.’

  ‘All right,’ she agreed. ‘But don’t tell them anything else.’

  ‘I promise.’ Edna then poured the last of the tea from the pot, giving them another half a cup each, talking all the time about the things she’d done since they last met.

  The time flew by, and Jenny was sad when it was time for her friend to return to work. It had been really lovely to see Edna again, but it had also made her acutely aware of just how lonely she was. ‘Can I ask you a favour, Edna?’

  ‘Of course, anything.’

  ‘My mother’s living with Aunt Gertrude in Bloomsbury, and, although she didn’t seem to care
what happened to me, I’d like to know how she is getting on. Do you think you could find out how she is?’

  ‘Should be easy,’ Edna told her. ‘I know a girl who works round there and is bound to have heard gossip. You leave it with me; I’ll find out how your mum is.’

  ‘Oh, thanks. It would be a relief to know.’

  ‘You’re a strange one, Jen.’ Edna shook her head. ‘Your mum don’t deserve to have you worry about her after the way she’s treated you. I wouldn’t dream of bothering to find out how my mum is. I left for good reasons, and, as far as I’m concerned, that’s the end of it.’

  ‘I wish I were more like you, Edna, but I can’t just dismiss her like that. She is my mother, and if I knew she was all right, it would put my mind at rest.’

  ‘You leave it with me.’ Edna patted her hand and stood up. ‘I’ve got to get back now.’

  Once outside the tea shop Edna hugged her. ‘Let’s meet again. You write when you’re free. Perhaps we can go to the pictures next time.’

  ‘I’d like that.’ Jenny watched her friend hurrying to catch her bus, then she headed for her own bus stop, already looking forward to their next meeting. She’d have to try to save enough for the pictures.

  ‘Miss Winford?’

  Jenny stopped and spun round to face the man who had called her, cursing herself. She should have kept walking as if she didn’t know the name. Too late now. It was their old footman, Gerry.

  He hurried up, a big smile on his face. ‘You caused a lot of trouble by disappearing like that.’

  ‘Hello, Gerry,’ she said politely. ‘Have you found another job?’

  ‘Only as a footman again, but it’s a nice enough household. What about you? Where are you living?’

  Jenny had to think quickly. He would know about the reward, so it wouldn’t be wise to tell him anything. ‘I’m with friends just around the corner in Great Cumberland Place.’

  ‘I know it. I’ll walk you back, shall I?’

  ‘You don’t have to go to all that trouble.’ Now she was worried about the calculating look in his eyes.

  ‘It’s no trouble.’ Gerry took hold of her arm and steered her in the right direction, talking amiably about his new job.