Lizzie's Secret

by Rosie Clarke

‘Oh, I did enjoy that film,’ Lizzie said as she and Beth joined the bus queue. ‘Cary Grant was lovely, and I liked the actress too… What was her name?’

  ‘Katharine Hepburn,’ Beth said. ‘Bringing up Baby! I never realised it meant a leopard cub, did you?’

  ‘No, I hadn’t seen anything about it, didn’t even know it was on until you said. It was such fun tonight, Beth. I really enjoyed myself.’

  ‘Me too.’ Beth hugged her arm. ‘We shall have to see if we can get you to a dance next Saturday…’

  ‘I don’t think my aunt would agree…’ Lizzie was doubtful. ‘You should have heard the lecture I got this morning, telling me to behave tonight…’

  ‘Why does she treat you as if you’re about twelve? I shouldn’t put up with it if I were you.’

  ‘I’ve thought of telling her I’m old enough to please myself, but she did bring me up when my parents died. Anyway, I don’t want to upset her at the moment. Uncle Jack isn’t too well and I don’t want to make things uncomfortable for him.’

  ‘Up to you, of course. Here’s our bus…’ She exclaimed in disbelief as the bus swept on past them without stopping. ‘That’s the last bus home…’

  ‘I think it was full up,’ Lizzie said. ‘They might have let us get on, even if we had to stand…’

  Beth was silent for a moment, then, ‘We could walk to the tram stop. It’s in the next street and I think it runs a bit later than the bus…’

  ‘We’ll have to try or we’ll be walking all the way home.’ Lizzie tucked her arm through Beth’s. ‘Good thing I’m not going home…’

  ‘Mum may worry but she’ll understand. We didn’t miss the bus because we messed about; it just went straight by as if we weren’t there…’

  Lizzie would’ve felt nervous if she’d been alone, and she dreaded to think what her aunt would say if she could see them walking through the streets at this time of night.

  They had to turn off the busy street into a narrow lane to reach the tram stop in the street further up and it was dark. A shiver of apprehension went down Lizzie’s back, and then she heard the heavy footsteps behind them. Her heart began to pound as the steps came nearer and nearer and she longed to turn round to see if they were being followed but resisted.

  They’d almost got to the tram stop when a large dark-coloured car drew into the kerb just ahead of them. A man jumped out and walked back to them and Lizzie’s stomach cramped with sudden fear; this was what her aunt was always going on about, strange men accosting her at night.

  ‘Ah, I thought I was right – Miss Larch, isn’t it?’ Sebastian Winters tipped his hat to them. ‘I don’t like to see two young ladies walking alone at this hour, especially around here. May I give you a lift in my car? My driver won’t mind if I sit up front with him for once…’

  Lizzie caught the smell of wine on his breath. ‘It’s kind of you, Mr Winters, but I’m not sure…’ she began, but Beth cut in swiftly.

  ‘You’re the customer Lizzie served with those hats,’ she said and smiled up at him. ‘We’d love a lift. Our bus just went straight past the stop – so if you don’t mind, thank you for the offer. Lizzie is staying with me and I live in the East India Docks area. I’ll give you instructions on the way…’

  Sebastian Winters’ driver had got out and opened the back door for her and she slid inside on the back seat. Lizzie had no option but to follow. She wasn’t sure why she was so nervous; she hadn’t been in the least nervous of Mr Winters in the showroom, but it might have been something to do with the dark street and the absence of other people – and those heavy footsteps. Something had made the back of her neck tingle, something that hovered just beyond that curtain in her mind. Glancing out of the window as she slid onto the back seat, she saw the dark shape of a man staring after them – a man wearing a long trench coat such as soldiers had worn in the last war…

  ‘I don’t bite, Lizzie Larch,’ Sebastian Winters said and smiled at her, over his shoulder. ‘Your friend trusts me – surely you can?’

  ‘Yes, of course. It’s just…’ Lizzie felt coldness at her nape. There was something about this lane – something that made her nervous. She was suddenly glad to be inside the luxurious car, her fear gone as swiftly as it had come. ‘Thank you, it’s very kind of you to stop for us.’

  ‘The least I could do,’ Mr Winters assured her. ‘I’ve been thinking about you, Lizzie Larch. Perhaps we could meet for a coffee or a drink one evening…’

  ‘Perhaps,’ Lizzie agreed, because she couldn’t confess to this man that her aunt expected her home at the same time every night.

  *

  Lizzie took her place beside Ed at his workbench the next morning. She was feeling happy. Beth’s parents had welcomed her the previous night as if she was one of them and she’d enjoyed sharing a room with her friend and talking about their visit to the pictures. After Beth had fallen asleep, Lizzie had lain wakeful for a while, remembering the irrational fear she’d had in that dark lane before Mr Winters had stopped for them. If he hadn’t come along when he did, would that man in the trench coat have attacked them? Something about his manner as she’d looked back at him had been menacing.

  Lost in her thoughts, she wasn’t immediately aware that Ed was very silent, working away at cutting some silk grosgrain and the stiffening needed to make it hold its shape, but then she noticed his frown.

  ‘Is something wrong, Ed?’ she asked, and he nodded once, but still didn’t speak. ‘I haven’t upset you?’

  ‘Lord no, Lizzie. It’s my wife. Yesterday evening, she was in a lot of pain. I didn’t want to leave her but we’ve got some big orders to fulfil and if I’m not here…’

  ‘Surely Mr Oliver would understand if you needed an extra hour or so off?’

  ‘He says margins are tight and he needs us all to put in maximum effort,’ Ed told her. ‘I’m sorry, Lizzie, I should have explained that this brim needs to be cut on the bias like this…’

  ‘Yes, I saw what you were doing,’ Lizzie said. ‘Is that so that you can get the floppy look?’

  ‘Yes, clever girl,’ Ed said approvingly. ‘Look, I’ve got all the hats I need from this roll and there’s only enough for one small cloche left… why don’t you try cutting out the shape?’

  *

  Lizzie stretched her shoulders at the end of what had seemed a long but exciting day. Ed had shown her exactly what to do and she’d seen her first cloche take shape. Using the steamer and the clamps and the moulds was frightening at first, but she’d soon got the hang of it and Ed had placed her finished hat with his to be trimmed by Tilly.

  ‘Ed, is there anything I can do to help you?’ she said as he began to put away his tools for the night. ‘If you needed any help at home…’

  ‘Well…’ he hesitated, then inclined his head. ‘I wouldn’t have asked, Lizzie, but there’s a pile of ironing waiting for me this evening, and I was going to cook a shepherd’s pie with the rest of the mince we had yesterday. If you could do the cooking, I’ll catch up on my chores. With Madge so ill these last couple of days…’

  ‘Don’t say any more,’ Lizzie smiled at him. ‘I’d love to help out, Ed, truly I would. You’ve been so kind to me, teaching me so much.’

  ‘You’re the one that’s helping me,’ Ed said with his sad, gentle smile. ‘Don’t you realise how much more work I can get through now, Lizzie? If I made six or seven good hats in a morning and a half dozen of the basic shapes, I considered I’d done well – but with you here we’re making at least two dozen basics and a dozen of the specials a day. I know that’s far more than Vera makes, and she doesn’t cut.’

  ‘You work so hard, Ed,’ Lizzie said. ‘It must be tiring and then you have all the work to do when you get home…’

  ‘All I care about is that I keep this job and my Madge gets better. With my skills I could get a job anywhere, but this place suits me… but if you could help me, Lizzie, I’d be grateful.’

  Lizzie said goodnight to Beth and the others and then we
nt off with Ed. His house was only just round the corner, an end of terrace with two up and two down, and a lean-to with a small yard at the back, leading straight into the kitchen. The kitchen was untidy, with washing on lines at one end and a basket piled with clean clothes that needed ironing and the furniture was old, dark oak and dull from lack of polish. Everywhere smelled slightly of sickness, despite the bowl of dried rose petals in the hall..

  Ed took Lizzie into the sitting room because his wife’s bed had been put in there so that she was close to the kitchen and did not have to be helped up and down the stairs. Ed had told Lizzie that the toilet was in the backyard, but his wife had a commode next to her bed and Lizzie’s nose told her that it had been used recently, but she resolutely ignored it, because it must be embarrassing for Madge to have a stranger in her home at such a time.

  ‘Madge, my love,’ Ed said and bent to kiss her pale cheek, ‘Lizzie offered to come and cook our tea for us while I get on with some other jobs… you remember she made us those jam tarts.’

  ‘They were so lovely,’ Madge said and held her hands out, clasping Lizzie’s hands in a moist grip that told of her slight fever. ‘You’re such a kind girl. My Ed told me you were lovely and you help him ever so much at work.’

  ‘Your husband is teaching me to make hats,’ Lizzie said and bent to kiss her pale cheek. ‘I’m so sorry you’re unwell again, Mrs Biggles—’

  ‘Oh no, you must call me Madge,’ she cried before Lizzie could finish. ‘You’re a friend, Lizzie. My Ed says he couldn’t have managed recently with all the extra work if you hadn’t been there…’

  ‘How kind,’ Lizzie said. ‘Is there anything I can do for you before I start cooking?’

  ‘Oh no, Ed will do all that,’ Madge said, looking shy. ‘Cooking will help him with the rest of it…’

  ‘I’ll show you the kitchen and where the food is,’ Ed said and led the way. One look told Lizzie that he hadn’t had time to wash the dishes from his lunch and she made up her mind that as soon as she had the pie in the oven and the vegetables ready, she would do as much as she could before she went home. Rolling up her long sleeves, she set to with a will as Ed returned to his wife.

  She’d finished most of her chores by the time Ed brought his wife’s chair through. He saw what she was doing and shook his head.

  ‘You’ve done enough, Lizzie. I can manage now.’

  ‘Would you like me to give the bedroom a little polish before I go, Madge?,’ Lizzie asked.

  ‘I’d be very grateful,’ Madge said. ‘Ed has far too much to do and that polish smells lovely.’

  ‘I’ll come again another time,’ Lizzie promised and went into the downstairs bedroom. She would do this one last job before she went home, because the time had fled and her aunt was going to wonder where she was…

  *

  ‘Where on earth have you been?’ her aunt started as soon as she entered the kitchen. ‘We’ve been going frantic. Your uncle was about to go to the police…’

  ‘I’m sorry if you worried about me.’ Lizzie apologised. ‘I went to Ed’s house and helped his wife, because she’s ill. He has so much to do and so I cooked their supper…’

  ‘You selfish, careless girl!’ Aunt Jane said and slapped her face.

  Lizzie recoiled, putting her hand to her cheek. ‘I was just doing a good turn for a friend…’

  ‘Jane, that wasn’t necessary. Lizzie has explained why she’s late. She didn’t do anything wrong. It was good of her to help a friend who needed her,’ her uncle exclaimed.

  ‘If she has time to clean for someone else she can do more here…’

  ‘Lizzie does her share. Besides, I fetched a pie and chips for us so we didn’t starve. I didn’t bring any for you, Lizzie, because I thought you might have eaten out.’

  ‘No, but a piece of toast will do for me,’ Lizzie said. ‘If we’ve got some cheese or jam that will be fine’

  Aunt Jane sighed with exasperation and went off into the sitting room, where her sewing machine was kept, and they heard the treadle going as she started work. Uncle Jack sighed and looked at her sadly.

  ‘She works too hard and it makes her tired, Lizzie. I’m sorry she hit you…’

  ‘It’s all right. I didn’t mean to worry you, but Ed is good to me and he needed some help,’ Lizzie said.

  No need to apologise to me. ‘

  ‘Shall I make you a cup of tea, Uncle Jack?’

  ‘Get your supper first, love. You’ll be worn out…’

  He sat back in his rocking chair by the fire, eyes closed. Lizzie felt a pang of fear as she looked at his face. His skin looked a putty colour and he looked so tired. She wondered what the doctors had told him, whether he’d had the results of his tests yet, but didn’t want to ask, because he would tell her if he wanted her to know.

  ‘I’ll make us a cup of tea first,’ Lizzie said. ‘I can sit and eat my bread and jam with you – and then I’ll make apple turnovers for tomorrow…’

  Her uncle had his eyes closed. He looked exhausted and she knew the small argument had upset him. Had her aunt not noticed how tired he looked or didn’t she care? Tears stung behind her eyes, but she mustn’t let him know it upset her to see him this way. He needed her to be strong for him and she would for as long as he needed her.

  Ed and his wife had their troubles and Lizzie would help them all she could, but in future she would make sure her aunt knew she would be late. She didn’t want Uncle Jack being upset for no good reason… because she was afraid that his heart wouldn’t stand the strain, and if she lost him – Lizzie couldn’t even think about that…

  She touched his shoulder, handing him his cup of tea and he smiled up at her.

  ‘You know I love you, Lizzie,’ he said. ‘My life would’ve been hell without you, love. When I go, there will be something for you.’

  ‘Please don’t,’ she said. ‘I want you to stay here with me…’

  ‘I shall for as long as I can,’ he said. ‘I’m sorry, Lizzie. It won’t be much longer. When I’m gone, you should leave this house – make a new life for yourself elsewhere. I should have liked to see you wed, but I suppose…’ He shook his head and sipped his tea.

  ‘Perhaps I might get wed if I could go out with friends,’ Lizzie said. ‘There’s a man where I work – Mr Oliver’s nephew – Harry has asked me to the flicks twice but I had to say no. He seems to like me. And Beth wants me to go to a dance with her and her boyfriend If I went I might find someone…but Aunt Jane makes it so difficult.’

  ‘It isn’t fair to you. I know Jane must seem unreasonable, but she believes she is protecting you,’ he sighed. ‘Why don’t you just tell her you’re going to dinner at Beth’s house and want to stay the night so that you can spend the evening with your friend?’

  ‘It would be lying…’

  ‘Only a little white lie,’ her uncle patted her hand. ‘If it keeps the peace why not tell a few white lies, my love? I should be happier if I knew you were secure before I go…’

  ‘I’ll just tell her I’m going to Beth’s on Saturday then…’

  Chapter 7

  The narrow alley seemed endless and it was so dark. She ran as fast as she could, the sound of her footsteps echoing in her ears as her breath came in short pants and her chest hurt. She couldn’t run any faster and she knew he would catch her. The fear was almost suffocating and she could hardly breathe. He was just behind her now. Glancing back, she saw the dark outline of a man – a man in a long trench coat – but it was too dark to see his face. Fear swept through her and she renewed her efforts to escape, but it was no good; he was catching her. She could hear the ragged sound of his breathing and then she felt his strong hands on her shoulders, dragging her down…

  Lizzie woke with a start, sitting bolt upright in bed. She was cold, covered in a fine sweat, and shaking. Her head was filled with such vivid pictures of herself running down a dark alley. The fog was curling in from the river, filling the streets, filling her lungs with its foul t
aste. She could still hear those footsteps pounding after her and in the distance the hoot of a ship’s horn and a tram rattling by. The fear was still with her as she struggled to shake off the awful dream.

  It was the first time she’d looked back in her dream; the first time she’d seen him… a man in a long trench coat similar to those worn in the Great War. Was her dream a memory or was it just a nightmare? Everyone said that she’d had an accident when she was fourteen, but what had caused it?

  It was just because of that man she’d seen following her the night that Sebastian Winters picked her and Beth up in his car. Just a silly dream! She wouldn’t think about it any more.

  It was six o’clock. Lizzie’s little alarm clock beside her bed was set to go off at half past, but she moved the lever so that it wouldn’t ring. Pulling on her dressing gown, she went down the hall to the toilet, thinking how much luckier they were than most people who still had to go out to the backyard or use a chamber pot under the bed.

  She had a strip wash in the basin; because Aunt Jane said a bath more than twice a week was a luxury they couldn’t afford, shivering a little in the cool air. It was June now but still not really warm enough to be called summer. Or was it just that the house always seemed cold? Aunt Jane kept the range going in the kitchen, but she seldom lit a fire elsewhere, except in the worst of the winter.

  Lizzie went downstairs to finish the ironing she hadn’t got done the previous night because she didn’t want Aunt Jane nagging her today. She worked from eight until twelve on Saturday mornings, and then she was going home with Ed to help him with a few chores. She’d made up her mind to wash the kitchen floor and then go upstairs and clean the bedrooms.

  Ed had told her that he was using the single bed in the back room because Madge had been too ill for him to share their double bed. Lizzie knew that the large front bedroom did not have a bed, but she would sweep and perhaps clean the floors, polish the furniture and, if Ed wanted, change the sheets on his bed.

  As they worked at their bench that morning, Ed told her that Madge was looking forward to having a chat to her, and the hours went so quickly that it seemed hardly any time at all before they were getting ready to leave. It was just as they were tidying up the bench that Mr Oliver came up to them. Lizzie got a little shock as she saw he was carrying the sketchbook she’d given him days ago when he’d asked for examples of her designs.