When she finally opened her eyes, the light felt painfully bright. After a few moments of adjusting, she was able to determine that she was in a bedroom. The gas lights had been turned up high so that Maurice could get a good look at her. Florrie was now naked on a bed, her body was limp and lifeless. Her head was swimming from the effects of the chloroform.
Then, she could hear people murmuring on the other side of the door. She quickly fell back and closed her eyes, hoping that they’d leave her alone once they saw that she was still asleep.
The hinges creaked as the door opened, then she heard heavy footsteps as a man approached the bed. She felt the touch of his hand on her tummy, she didn’t flinch or call out. He stroked her hair and the angle of her jaw, then his hands traced down the curves of her body, lightly touching her. In the blur of the moment she noticed he had piercing blue eyes, she would never forget them. She felt the mattress dip as he sat on the bed beside her. He reached over to touch her intimately and she closed her eyes tightly. The effects of the drug were beginning to wear off but Florrie was too scared to move.
Suddenly, his touch was withdrawn and the bed creaked as he got up again. She dared to open her eyes, his upper body was naked. His body was broad and powerful. He took off his trousers and underwear.
As he approached the bed, she closed her eyes again. He lay beside her and began touching her again. Then, he rolled on top of her, his weight was overwhelming, forcing the breath from her lungs. She was completely trapped and immobilised.
At that moment she could hear the front door being kicked, then shouting, the Hales had left it slightly open. Florrie recognised Jim’s voice but it sounded distant and distorted.
The man trying to rape her flinched and hesitated, clearly unnerved by the commotion. Florrie was becoming fully awake, her throat was dry and sore, her head was banging.
The noise of an altercation downstairs reached a crescendo. There was the sound of breaking glass and the shouts of another girl. She then heard the loud voices of another man and a woman. She became aware of someone running upstairs calling her name.
The man attacking her swore loudly and jumped off the bed. Grabbing his clothes, he began to dress.
Florrie looked down at her nakedness, then saw her clothes across the arm of a chair. The metallic taste left in her mouth made her feel sick.
The man quickly wrenched open the door to escape just as Sophie was about to open it. He pushed her out of the way but not before she had an opportunity to recognise him. He was the man who had touched her in the fairground.
Later she was to identify him, with an even greater degree of certainty. He was younger but he was most definitely her Uncle Maurice.
There was no doubt in her mind, it was him.
Chapter 15
A Lucky Escape
As Sophie began to guide Florrie down the stairs, Freddie was still grappling with Jim in an attempt to throw him out of the house.
Sophie shouted to Jim, ‘Hold him Jim. I’ll take Florrie outside and shout for help.’
Betsy appeared at the parlour door, apparently stuffing money into a handbag. Just the mention of the police was enough to frighten her.
‘Break free from him Freddie! Let’s make ourselves scarce, we’ll go the back way.’
The sound of a police whistle and loud voices outside made Freddie find the strength to free himself from Jim.
‘Run like fuck!’ Said Freddie as he dragged Betsy by the arm. Her slight frame almost lifted from the floor as he swept her away. They ran in no particular direction, they just wanted to be as far from the house as they could get. Betsy was soon out of breath and began to cough, they were relieved to see the Vines Public House.
‘Keep going you old crow. We will hide out in the Vines.’ Encouraged Freddie.
‘Hide out and have a last drink before we’re carried off in irons you soft bastard.’ Gasped Betsy.
They finally made it and she took a seat in the corner. Betsy gave Freddie some money from her purse, he then went to the bar. She sat staring wildly into space, her eyes were glazed. Freddie came over with two glasses of brandy. She pushed her glass away, unusually, she didn’t want any.
‘I’m poorly Freddie.’ Said Betsy in a subdued tone, her breathing was still laboured after running.
‘This is no time for you to be ill, you selfish old cow, what’s the matter with you now?’
‘Feels like I’ve got cauliflowers under my arms, in me neck, down below and the headaches.’ She pulled off her lace, fingerless gloves. ‘And look at this here rash.’ She was pointing to the small round spots on the palms of her hands.
‘Cauliflowers in your head more like, now drink it.’ He lifted the glass of brandy and handed it to her.
She took a sip. ‘That’s better.’ But she didn’t feel better at all, she only said it because it was what he wanted to hear.
Life was usually better after a drop of brandy, but this time, it didn’t work. Betsy was worried about her health, this fiasco with Maurice and the girl had made her feel worse.
Maurice had left in haste, now hidden in the shadows of the city night. He had pushed his way passed Jim and Freddie whilst still fastening his buttons. Jim had tried to hold him but couldn’t contain both men.
Maurice ran up the street in a blind panic, as he frantically flagged down a cab. The driver was familiar with the Hale’s establishment, he had picked up many a gentleman from there before.
‘Gentlemen?’ He thought cynically. ‘Look at the state of this one, he hasn’t even combed his hair.’ It struck the coachman as unusual for a gentleman to be out without wearing his top hat. Maurice had been in a blind panic to get away and had dropped it in the street.
‘You look as though you have left somewhere in a hurry sir!’ Maurice was now in a cold sweat.
‘Mind your own bloody business man and take me to Princes Park!’ Bawled Maurice. The coachman smirked then took off in the direction of South Liverpool. He sat grim faced for the entire journey back to his home. He was feeling sore at parting with a hundred quid for a pleasure he hadn’t had. He was furious with the Hales. ‘How could they let that happen? Scoundrels!’ He thought.
‘Had he been swindled?’ His mind was racing, he thought that it was a trick to extort money for the same girl over and over.
‘The little slum dwelling brat is more than likely in on it too. I wouldn’t put it passed her mother to be behind it, it was a trick, like mother like daughter.’ Thought Maurice gloomily.
When he had heard the police whistle back at Betsy’s house it had filled him full of dread and fear, he was afraid of the law. He would high tail it to Cheshire for a few weeks and keep a low profile. As soon as he arrived home, he instructed Bowers to pack his case, he announced that he was going on an unexpected trip
‘Your top hat sir?’
‘I left it behind in the cab, so fetch one of my other hats, as far as any callers are concerned, I have gone to America.’ He snapped.
‘There is no passage until next week.’ Said Bowers snootily.
‘Lie then lie, lie lie!’ Roared Maurice in a tear.
His butler nodded, guessing that Maurice was in trouble, again. Bowers could see that he was flustered and sweaty prompting him to set about the task of running a bath.
After a quick bath and a sandwich he was ready to go. He was relieved to arrive at Lime Street Station. He would deny the whole incident if there were any repercussions. Pulling his hat over his eyes, he hid himself in the dark corner of the First Class compartment of the train. He turned his face to the window. Maurice was planning to make an appearance at The Black Swan Inn, Lower Withington. As soon as he arrived he ordered an expensive meal and a bottle of fine red wine to make sure that he would be remembered. If questioned he would swear he had been there all day and his alibi would be collaborated by his toadying cronies who would do almost anything for free ale. ‘House, House, drinks all round on the House!’ Bellowed Maurice.
After the Hales had fled,
Sophie went into the kitchen to get a glass of water for Florrie. She was sitting in the parlour with Jim, she needed time to recover from her ordeal.
She sipped a glass of water and could slowly feel the effects of the drug leaving her. She could see Sophie more clearly, Florrie held onto Jim’s hand.
Both were now looking at Sophie. ‘Who are you?’ Florrie asked.
Sophie didn’t answer, she was distracted by the sound of curious people who were gathering outside, they had heard the police whistle.
Jim got up, he wanted to explain to the crowd but Sophie stopped him. ‘Let me speak to them, I will calm the situation, we do not want the police here. They will not do any good at this time.’
Jim nodded, there were many questions yet to be answered. Sophie went to the door. To her dismay, she saw that there was a policeman already on the doorstep. She looked at him full in the face and told him that her friend had suffered a bad turn.
‘Has she been drinking too much brandy then?’ Asked the policeman.
‘Certainly not but she is feeling a little better now, I can assure you constable that everything is fine, I am very sorry for the misunderstanding.’
The crowd started to dissolve but the policeman looked sceptical.
‘Are you sure you are telling me the truth Miss? Someone said that they had heard a young woman shouting for the police? Furthermore, this house has come to our attention before.’ Sophie told him that they were mistaken and assured him that all was well. Reluctantly, the policeman walked off to continue his beat.
Now back in the house Sophie could answer Florrie.
‘Do you remember me Jim? I came to rescue Rachel and Ruby from Circus Street, you were there with them on the doorstep but you wouldn’t come with me. Larry sent me to rescue your sisters. He also sent me to help you and Florrie today. I also think that there is another, deeper, reason for me being here. I am now sure that I recognise the man who attacked Florrie.
At the mention of Larry’s name and searching his memory, Jim began to understand. He did, vaguely, remember Sophie.
‘Jim was there for you Florrie and I came to save you too. You won’t understand, either of you. I was brought here by the wizard for reasons that I don’t yet fully understand. But I am beginning to fathom it out. I hate the men who do bad things to young girls. That is why I came.’
Sophie could hear Larry calling her.
‘Jim will take care of you now Florrie, I must go but you should leave this place quickly.’ She left the house, Jim and Florrie were alone.
As Sophie began her journey back to the safety of Larry’s presence she had time to reflect. She had recognised the man who had tried to violate Florrie, a girl the same age as herself. That was shocking enough but she recognised that this man was her father’s brother, Uncle Maurice. It was him, without a shadow of a doubt.
She now realised that it was a slightly older Uncle Maurice who had put his hand up her dress when she had arrived in 1900. At this time he was only about forty, the uncle she knew was seventy. He hadn’t aged much apart from a few lines on his face, he also had a lot of grey hair. His features were unmistakable as were his piercing blue eyes. He wasn’t unlike her father to look at. This awful man was, without doubt, her father’s brother.
This was the uncle who had touched her at a family wedding. When she told her parents they didn’t believe her.
Sophie had never liked him. She dreaded him coming to the house. There had been other occasions when he had made unwelcome advances towards her. She could remember one evening when he lifted up her nightdress and sat her on his knee. She felt uncomfortable when he put his hands under her clothes. He had offered her sweets, saying creepily, ‘Remember. Don’t tell anyone.’ Sophie’s recollection of him made her shudder, she knew it was wrong.
Now Sophie was beginning to understand why Larry had brought her here.
Florrie was gradually coming round from the effects of the chloroform, but was still traumatised by the assault. It was time to leave. They didn’t want to spend another second in this evil house. Jim had bad feelings of its terrible history. He had an idea that his sister Alice had been there. ‘What terrible fate did she suffer under this roof?’ He wondered. But now wasn’t the time to think of anything other than getting Florrie safely home.
There was an unpleasant smell in the house. The atmosphere was still heavy with a sour smell of essence of limes, the toilet water worn by the man. Jim felt nauseous at the thought of what nearly happened to Florrie. He would never let anything like this this happen to her again. He wanted to protect her, always. Jim realised that he was in love with Florrie.
‘Florrie we must leave this evil house. I am going to take you home to your mother and I will tell her what has happened. He had vaguely heard of the Hales in the neighbourhood, although his father had never spoken about them. Jim knew it was their house and they had to get out quick. He had an idea that they were bad.
‘Florrie, hurry, we must run out the back way. Stand up! Do your legs feel strong enough to take your weight? Florrie nodded then stood up slowly. ‘Can you run?’
‘Yes, I think so.’
They both ran out of the back door and made their way to the tram in London Road. As they waited in the damp miserable evening air, Florrie asked, again, ‘Who was that girl?’
‘I don’t really know, she was a passerby who wanted to help, there are some good Samaritans you know.’
‘You mean like the lady who brought you up, old Sally and your Aunty Margaret who took your Jessie in?’
‘Yes, I believe she’s a good person, just like them. Some people are genuinely kind.’
He knew that he couldn’t possibly tell her about Larry. It would be too much for her to take in and would perhaps, be unbelievable. In fact, he didn’t really understand it himself, he just knew that he was good.
After what seemed like an eternity they were glad to see the tram coming towards them. They were soon heading in the direction of West Derby Road towards Everton, they would be home in fifteen minutes. It was another short walk through Village Street before they arrived in Greenside.
Florrie’s mother was becoming impatient after waiting for more than an hour in the tea rooms, but Minnie wasn’t unduly concerned for her daughter. She assumed that Florrie had been distracted by her friend and had simply lost track of time. She had noticed, of late, that Florrie had been spending a lot more time with Jim, however, Minnie had her own life to live.
As she looked at the clock on the wall, she caught the eye of a man whom she recognised. He was a customer in the chemist shop, their chance meeting had led to a clandestine meeting in the secrecy of his closed office.
Minnie watched him pay his bill, he deliberately walked past her table as he made for the door. As their eyes met he gave a slight inclination of his head. He was, discreetly, inviting Minnie to follow him. He wanted her to follow him to his place of work. It was just after five o’clock and by now all the staff had long gone home, his office was closed.
Minnie was excited as she headed off towards the office on the corner of North John Street. Her face was flushed in anticipation of her illicit meeting. She enjoyed the idea that no one knew about her secret life, the spoils of which were a godsend when she needed a few bob. The man she was following was a surveyor and valuer. His speciality was probate valuations, he was doing rather well for himself. Minnie knew he would be generous. When she arrived at the offices, he had left the door unlocked.
He was already seated, patiently waiting for her, he had a bottle of whisky and two glasses. He poured a measure for each of them and raised his glass to her as she took off her coat. Minnie added water to her drink and sipped from the glass.
He opened his wallet and handed her a note. She leant forward initiating a hungry kiss then began to undo the buttons of her blouse. The only source of light streamed in from the street gas lights bathing her bare breasts in a soft ambient glow. He began to run his fingers through her hair as she
knelt on the carpet in front of him. It excited him to be enjoying the sins of the flesh in the silent, dimly lit office.
It gave him a thrill in the morning seeing the workers go about their business, oblivious to the sordid action that had occurred the night before.
Jim and Florrie found the house in darkness. ‘Me Ma’s not in, there’s no gases on, the house is in darkness. I wonder where she is, I had arranged to meet her in the tea rooms in Bold Street.’ Said Florrie with slight panic in her voice.
She was eager to tell her mother about her ordeal. For a moment, she couldn’t think straight, she was tired and traumatised, her head was aching.
‘Have you got a key?’ Asked Jim.
Florrie’s hand grabbed at her chest, she was relieved to feel the key. It was on a piece of string around her neck. She quickly pulled out the key from under her blouse.
‘Let’s go in and put some gases on, make us a nice cuppa tea, I’ll stay with you ‘til she comes back Florrie.’
Florrie’s Ma had stayed out late many times before so she wasn’t unduly concerned about her but she was intrigued as to where she might be. Her Ma kept herself to herself and didn’t seem to have any friends. In fact, she had never known her to have one single woman friend, she had never received a neighbour as a visitor.
The evening’s events started to give Florrie cause to worry about her mother. ‘Ma should have been here for me.’ She thought.
Jim lit the fire and soon the kitchen was warm. They had some tea and warmed pies in the oven. Now settled on the armchairs in front of the range, they sat and talked about inconsequential things. Jim mentioned New Brighton to try and cheer her up. In the summer, they had planned to go The Flower Show. There was a fine pavilion at the promenade pier. He promised to take her to concerts and bazaars. The elegant refreshment rooms offered views for miles across the river and out to sea. ‘We can go straight there on the steamer Florrie, we have all that to look forward to.’ He could tell by her face that her mood was beginning to lighten up a little.
They sat in silence, each locked in their own thoughts about the evening. Eventually, Minnie arrived home. She seemed in a good frame of mind and greeted them both with a smile.
A Wanton Tale Page 19