The Lost Sisters: A gritty saga about friendships, family and finding a place to call home

by Lindsey Hutchinson

  ‘So how was the factory?’ Zachariah asked, ending the silence.

  ‘Oh,’ Orpha said her eyes downcast, ‘Erm… I didn’t go in the end.’

  ‘Why not sweetheart?’ Abel asked.

  ‘Well, it’s a strange story,’ Orpha began, ‘and I will tell you, but you have to hear me out before you comment.’ All nodded their agreement and Orpha related the tale of meeting and talking with her mother. She knew when she finished they would fire questions and accusations at her, but she was never more surprised when everyone sat in silence.

  Abel eventually said, ‘After all she did to you all and now you take pity on the wretched woman! Oh Orpha…!’

  It was then that the questions came and answers were given.

  Abel snapped, ‘Hortense knows I will never forgive her for what she’s done to this family, especially with regard to Mahula…’ He cast a look at his son who nodded. ‘…But you are all grown now, so you make up your own minds. I, for one, will have nothing more to do with the woman!’

  Abel rarely raised his voice and although he was not now shouting, the cadence kept everyone tight lipped on the subject. After a short hiatus, it was baby Ralph who broke the spell with a loud yell – he was hungry.

  *

  Orpha’s first visit the following day was to her mother.

  ‘Mother, I have an idea. I thought to find you a small house somewhere.’ Orpha saw the surprise on Hortense’s face and she added, ‘We could go back to Wolverhampton where the property is cheaper and see what the estate agent has on his books.’

  Orpha then had the shock of her life.

  Hortense walked across to her and put her arms lightly around the girl and patted her back before quickly stepping back saying, ‘Thank you.’

  Orpha’s heart was beating like a drum. All she’d ever wanted growing up was that hug; that small show of affection. Her hatred of the woman in front of her now appeared to melt away as she stared.

  Taking a deep breath, she whispered, ‘Thank you Mother.’ Then turning quickly to hide her tears, she said, ‘Now, come on let’s go.’

  Catching the train back to Wolverhampton, a cabbie drove them to the estate agents. Mr Belcher said he had an end terraced house in Park Street that Hortense could move into straight away, but Orpha wanted something a little more upmarket. There was a house, he said, standing alone behind the allotment gardens and Orpha agreed they should look at it. Orpha winced as she realised it was in Derry Street where she and Peg had once had their cottage.

  *

  Looking around the property, Hortense thought it was nowhere near up to the same standard as Buchanan House had been, but then beggars couldn’t be choosers, and she accepted Orpha’s offer to buy it for her. Hortense stayed to light the fire while Orpha went to organise payment for the estate agent. He was delighted; Orpha put a lot of business his way.

  Once that was done Orpha went shopping for food to fill the larder. She arrived back to a roaring fire and a kettle boiled ready for tea. The two women discussed ideas of how to arrange the rooms when Orpha suddenly said, ‘Oh Mother, is there a bed here?’

  Going upstairs, they found an old iron bedstead with no mattress. They donned their coats and walked into the town.

  With a new bed, linen, towels and blankets ordered, they sat in the tea shop in the warmth of the fire. After tea, they returned to await the delivery of the bed, which Orpha insisted should be sent out that day.

  Orpha said, ‘I have told the family what I am doing and no one has voiced any objections.’

  Hortense nodded. It made no difference to her either way.

  The men arrived with the bed and Orpha left her mother to settle in , saying she would call the next day.

  *

  That evening, Ashley Rochester, dressed in his set of good clothes, tramped through the snow to Buchanan Mansion to see his fiancé. As usual he was made very welcome and the wonderful aroma reached his nose as he sat at the dining table. They were having lamb… and not the scrag end he was more used to either.

  Busy eating as much as he could get down his throat, he listened to the conversations taking place around him.

  ‘You’re hungry this evening, Ashley,’ Orpha said with a twinkle in her eye.

  Wiping his mouth with a napkin, he replied, ‘I am, darling. I had no lunch today and Mrs Jukes’ cooking is so delicious…’ He gave Orpha a wink as everyone agreed with his statement.

  ‘Ashley,’ Orpha reprimanded, ‘you must eat during the day especially in this cold weather!’

  His mouth full, Ashley merely nodded. Chance would be a fine thing! he thought as he swallowed his food.

  The evening wore on with coffee and brandy in the parlour until eventually Ashley stood to leave. Thanking everyone for their hospitality, he kissed Orpha’s cheek gently before stepping out into the snow to make his way home to his hovel in Ettingshall Road.

  Lying in his cold bed, he wondered how he could wangle an overnight stay at the large house… or even a bedroom of his own. With a full belly, Ashley slipped into sleep as easily as a baby.

  *

  While the rest of the family were enjoying their meal, Hortense lay in her new bed in her new house and contemplated her good fortune. She had eaten well before retiring and her larder was full. Orpha had left her enough money to buy more food, coal and clothing. This house was not up to her beloved Buchanan House standard, but then it was better than the derelict property she had hidden away in. She had come very close to either starving to death or putting herself in the workhouse. Shivering at the thought, she turned her mind back to her daughter.

  Orpha had done very well for herself with two shops and two factories and a Royal Warrant to boot. Peg had married and now had a son. Hortense thought about Zachariah, the boy Abel had with Mahula, and her mood turned sour as she lay in the darkness of the bedroom. Try as she might, she couldn’t forgive Abel his indiscretions. She was grateful for all Orpha had done for her these past few days, but there was still a deep-down jealousy that raised its ugly head on occasions. There was also a hatred for the son Abel had fathered. In her heart she knew she would always be resentful of her husband’s affair and that he had put her in the situation in which she now found herself. She was a social pariah. The afternoon meetings with her ‘friends’ had ceased and she knew she had been their topic of conversation and the brunt of their spite after her downfall from society. The old feelings of resentment and hatred began to stir in her once more.

  Her attempts to do Abel’s children out of their inheritance had failed. Trying to kill them all off had failed. Now she had Orpha on side she wondered how that relationship would pan out. The girl was clever, but was Hortense cleverer? Could she find a way to wheedle some more money out of Orpha? Could she eventually climb the social ladder again? Firstly she needed to get herself healthy again so she would accept the handouts Orpha was willing to give and bite her tongue while she did so.

  Once she was strong and healthy again, then she could construct a plan that would see her rich and the Buchanan family dirt poor. Smiling into the dark bedroom, Hortense drifted off to sleep feeling better than she had in a long time.

  *

  Over the following days, Orpha began to feel the strain of stretching her time visiting her shops and factories, her accountant and her mother. Peg wanted nothing to do with the woman who had abandoned her as a baby. Zachariah did not wish to get to know the woman either, after all it was she who had killed his own mother. Abel had made his position perfectly clear both to the family and to Hortense when she had arrived unannounced at his office. He still had no idea where the woman was or else he would have told the police immediately. Therefore it was left to Orpha to take care of the woman who had brought her into the world.

  With her business booming, Orpha struggled with the decision as to whether to open yet another shop. Her finances could cope, she had been informed by Jonathon Peasbody, but on the other hand it would be a further drain on her time. She needed
to put an overall manager in place, which would relieve her of the pressure she was under, and Orpha thought she knew just the person.

  The snow had turned to dirty slush as Orpha walked to Oxford Street and she was glad that spring was just around the corner. Realising how quickly time had passed, she further realised she had her wedding to plan. The summer would be hot on her heels before she knew it.

  Walking into ‘The Choc’s Box’, Orpha stepped into the back room, having made her way through the crowd of customers waiting to be served. The shop staff coped incredibly well, sharing smiles and jokes with the waiting women.

  Lottie Spence followed her employer into the sitting room to give her usual update. Basically, everything was running true to form.

  ‘Lottie,’ Orpha said at last, ‘I have a proposal to make to you.’ Lottie listened carefully. ‘I have need of an overall manager and I wondered if you would be interested in the position?’ Lottie nodded again, allowing Orpha to lay out the proposal in detail. ‘It would mean travelling between the shops and factories, keeping a check on stock… reordering where necessary, ensuring the staff are happy or whether we need to employ more staff to keep up with orders. Naturally, you would have the title of Manager and a salary befitting your status. If you are inclined to take up this position, I will ensure you receive the respect of all workers and you would meet with me once a week to report back.’

  ‘Well,’ Lottie said, ‘this is a surprise and I thank you for thinking of me. It sounds like hard work, but I’m not afraid of that so… I accept the offer!’

  Clinking teacups in salute, the women smiled then Orpha said, ‘I will inform the girls here first… oh and we’ll have to find someone to take your place in the shop… then I will need you to accompany me to the factories and other shop. Everyone needs to get to know their new manager.’

  The girls in the shop were informed and Joan said, ‘My friend Ann is looking for work.’ Orpha agreed to meet with the girl with a view to employing her.

  The following day saw Orpha and Lottie visiting the other premises and explaining that Lottie was to be the new manager. On the journey home on the train, Orpha answered any questions Lottie had regarding her new position in the business.

  Before she went home, Orpha called in on her mother in Derry Street and found Hortense sitting by the fire.

  ‘You should look for work, Mother,’ Orpha said as sad eyes met hers, ‘it would get you out of the house at least.’

  Shock registered on Hortense’s face for a fleeting moment but Orpha had seen it. Maybe she shouldn’t have said that. Hortense had always considered it beneath her to work, but then she’d never had to. Orpha let it lie and went on to tell her mother about Lottie taking up the manager’s position. Hortense listened carefully; all information stored. One never knew when it would come in handy.

  Orpha left the house thinking one day it might be nice for her mother to hug her again, but she could not, in all honesty, ever see it happening in the future, but she remained hopeful.

  Chapter 43

  Ashley Rochester congratulated himself on keeping his secret for so long as he walked to Buchanan Mansion in the early spring sunshine. Orpha had pestered him on occasion to see his house, and he’d had to think on his feet as to why she should not. It was taxing coming up with plausible excuses for not taking her to his home. He smiled inwardly as he recalled some of them; he was going away on business, he was visiting friends in another area – one after another the lies had slipped from his lips. However he had got away with it and in just a few months he would be installed into Buchanan Mansion and wouldn’t have to lie any more.

  The snow had now disappeared, making his journeys far easier, and he whistled a little tune as he strode along the streets. Soon now he would be a very wealthy man. Soon he would be living in the lap of luxury, albeit with a wife he didn’t truly love. Oh he felt affection for Orpha, but could it be called love? He thought not, but then everyone had a cross to bear. Yes, he would marry Orpha, but there was no reason to think he could not continue to enjoy his fun on the side.

  Orpha was making preparations for the wedding and at this thought he did a small jump, clicking his heels together. ‘Thank goodness spring is here at last,’ he called to a woman who laughed at his antics.

  St. George’s Church needed to be booked and invitations were being printed. Orpha would be choosing her flowers shortly and then her wedding gown. Suddenly stopping in his tracks, Ashley realised he would be expected to buy a new suit and boots. Swearing under his breath as he walked on, he wondered how he could get round this particular problem. What would he say when Orpha asked him about it? What would that father of hers say? His bright mood of moments ago darkened as he searched his mind for answers.

  Arriving at the house, Ashley was surprised to see Zachariah and Abel there, he thought they would be at their office. ‘We’re all going to Birmingham to be fitted for our wedding garb,’ Abel said. Ashley’s mood darkened further. ‘You will, of course, come with us,’ Abel added. Ashley scrambled his mind for an excuse to refuse. Abel would have none of it and before he knew what was happening the three piled into the carriage with Jago on the driving seat. He was to drive them to the tailor’s and wait to drive them home again.

  Ashley spent the whole journey in a state of pure dread. How could he get out of buying a new tailor-made suit? He didn’t want the others to think him cheap, but he didn’t have two halfpennies to rub together. The feeling of dread swamped him as they stepped into Beaty Bro’s in Union Street, the most expensive tailors in Birmingham.

  The tailor’s assistant measured Abel, Zachariah and Ashley and wrote down each measurement carefully while the tailor himself spread out different cloths for them to choose from. Abel and Zachariah were regular customers and the tailor, being certain of a good sale, sucked up to them accordingly.

  Ashley sat after being measured and took no interest in the cloth on show. He endeavoured to maintain an air of gentlemanly behaviour on the outside while inside he was in a blind panic. The tailor advanced towards him, the others having chosen their desired material and Ashley sucked in a deep breath.

  ‘Has sir decided yet?’ the tailor asked.

  Shaking his head, Ashley felt all eyes on him. ‘Unfortunately I find myself in rather a tricky situation, you see all my funds are currently tied up in my warehouses…’

  ‘Oh that’s all right, sir,’ the tailor cut in, ‘we will invoice you at the end of the month.’ He looked down his nose at the man sitting before him… a real gentleman would have known this.

  ‘Ah excellent!’ Ashley breathed a sigh of relief as he removed an imaginary speck from his trousers before moving to choose the cloth for his wedding suit.

  Going next to Warwick Place, they entered the Irish Linen Company, the shirt and collar manufacturer, where again they were measured and again the invoice would follow.

  On the journey home Ashley chatted brightly about the forthcoming wedding. In the town he had been treated as a gentleman; he had enjoyed the shopkeepers’ deference and felt he could become accustomed to it very quickly.

  *

  Meanwhile Orpha was in the kitchen at the shop in Oxford Street, having decided to get back to basics now Lottie had taken over as manager. Thinking about a wedding gown, she absent-mindedly popped a chocolate-covered almond in her mouth. As the flavour hit her taste buds, an idea sprang to mind. Dropping a few almonds into a mortar, she ground them with the pestle until they lay in tiny chunks. Sprinkling these into a small amount of chocolate, she spooned it into the little moulds she’d had specially made. When they were set, they would try them; hopefully they would have a new line to introduce.

  Heating coconut oil, Orpha added honey and cocoa powder. Excited about the new nut confection, she realised the chocolate she was making looked darker than usual. Dipping her finger, she was surprised the mixture was slightly bitter. A tray of set chocolates sat waiting to be packed and Orpha took a teaspoon of the bitter mixture
and drizzled a tiny amount over them in a swirly pattern. Leaving them to one side, she wondered how they would taste. With more mixture in the moulds, she sprinkled the remaining nuts over the top and took them to the cold slab to set. She would ask the shop girls to try these new chocolate ideas later and if they thought they would sell, if so she would introduce her new line in both factories.

  She thought about Joan’s friend, Ann, who had been taken on in the shop and was proving an asset to the business, the customers loved how she chattered incessantly to each one and served at the same time. Word had circulated that Orpha Buchanan was the lady to see if one needed work. With two shops and two factories working flat out, more women were being taken on each week and output soared. The implementation of the new line would be discussed with Lottie at their next meeting, and with her inspirational juices flowing, Orpha experimented with yet more ideas. Mint, orange and lemon flavours were added to creamy chocolate and left to set. At the rate she was going she would need another factory! The thought thrilled and excited her and as she worked she pondered where it could be situated.

  *

  Excited voices exchanged news over dinner that evening and Orpha was ecstatic her new lines proved a success with the shop girls. Her happiness was pulled up sharply when Ashley snapped, ‘Don’t you think you have enough on your plate?’ The talking ceased as everyone looked at him. ‘I… I mean… darling, you are run ragged as it is. It’s just that I worry about you!’

  Appeased, Orpha smiled, ‘Be assured it’s fine now that Lottie Spence is my manager.’

  Simmons, who was standing at the side of the dining room waiting to give the maid instructions to clear the table, also heard the exchange. There was something about this young man he didn’t like, other than the fact that he was marrying Orpha. One thing was certain, the butler intended to keep an eye on his mistress’s intended.