Bet did not believe that such a ‘lady’ as Ellie was meant to look after herself and enjoyed playing the ‘mother’.
Ellie allowed Bet to carry on this way because despite her, still unkempt, appearance, she was very fond of the woman.
Several weeks ago, Aunt Dora and the boys had been to look at the house, and although her aunt was horrified, about the state of the street, she had to admit that the house was cleaner than her own.
‘Eh! Ellie, you’re like you mother, that’s for sure. She would have been proud of you, looking at this place. You should be all right here, love’. Then she added, ‘that is until you get on a bit and move to somewhere more suitable’.
Even Aunt Dora was a snob in her own way.
Sam and Harry were overjoyed to see her and, over a cup of cocoa, told of their school and their play. It seemed to Ellie that the boys were happier than they had ever been. They had more time to play, living with Aunt Dora, than they had in previous years.
‘You’re doing a good job with the boys, Aunt Dora. I can see that they are well cared for. Do they always smile as much as this?’
Dora ruffled Harry’s hair, ‘aye, they do lass. Sometimes they drive me ‘potty’, and that’s a fact’.
She laughed as she continued, ‘I can’t remember what it was like to have a bit of peace and quiet’.
Sam chipped in with, ‘awe, Aunt Dora, you know you have a snooze on a Saturday afternoon, when we go to play football’.
Dora laughed, then said, quietly to Ellie, ‘I’ll tell you something Ellie. I’ve never been happier. Them kids are like me own that I never had’.
Ellie thought Aunt Dora looked younger, somehow, and she was glad the boys were with her.
They stayed chatting with Ellie most of the afternoon and it almost seemed like old times. The only person missing was Maggie, and the jug of stout. The void was only filled by the chatter of the younger boys.
Thomas, although not as demonstrative as his brothers, was relieved to see that his sister was all right. He had worried about her when she had been up to see them at Aunt Dora’s, and told them about the baby.
At first he had been angry with her for getting herself in that condition, but after thinking it through, had decided, no matter what she had done, she was still his sister and he wanted to look after her.
He was fifteen years old now, and still earned very little at the mill, most of which he gave to his aunt to help out. But before he left Ellie, Thomas handed her five shillings and said, ‘it’s not much Ellie but it will help’.
Ellie was moved to tears, ‘oh Thomas. I’m earning a little money and I have enough to manage. I don’t want to take what little you have’.
Her brother pressed the money into her hand, saying, ‘I want you to have it, honest. I’ve never had anything to give you before’.
‘Take the lad’s money, Ellie’, said Aunt Dora, ‘it’s his to give’, and her heart almost burst with pride. Eh!, she loved these kids!
Ellie took the money with thanks and hugged the boy to her. Thomas, his face the colour of beetroot, said, ‘awe Ellie’, but she noticed that he did not pull away from her.
As they made to go, Ellie said, ‘I don’t work on Sundays so if you like I can visit you. Or you can come here. You’re all the family I have and I want to see as much of you, as I did, before all this happened.
Aunt Dora replied, ‘we’ll come to see you love, but you uncle Albert ... you uncle Albert, ... ere ... you know? You being as you are. You understand, don’t you love?’
She didn’t understand, not really, but she was glad to know that Aunt Dora and the boys would be regular visitors.
Kate had been to see her, on her days off, and Missus Blunt had made one or two appearances, with baskets of bits and pieces. ‘Seeing as you are eating for two’, she said.
She also made sure that Kate brought a parcel of ‘goodies’ whenever she visited. Ellie often shared the food with Bet and her family, for which they were always grateful.
On one occasion, William called to see her and Ellie was touched by this, as it was well known, that the Butler never visited anyone, nor for that matter, did he ever leave the house unless on business for the Master.
She had sworn them all to secrecy, about her whereabouts, not because she thought that anyone wanted to see her, but she did not want them to know how poor she had become.
Her morning sickness was not so bad now, and she was as healthy as she had ever been. Sitting here now, she let her hand move across the small bulge under her full-skirted dress. Her child!
Even now she could hardly believe it. She would have had ‘the devil to pay’, for her wrong doing, if her mother was still alive.
She had noticed tonight, that Albert was looking at her in a strange way, averting his eyes when she glanced back at him. She had done her best to hide her condition, but she knew she could not keep her secret for much longer. Then, God knows what she would do.
‘Oh little one’, she said, ‘if only you had a father’. Then she added, talking to her middle region, ‘as it happens, you do have one. His name is Master Richard Courtney, and he is a handsome man, of some means. I loved him when we made you and I love him still, so you were conceived of love, my little one. I will never regret having known him, as long as I live. I am telling you now, my sweet, just this once, for I will never mention him again, until you are old enough to understand’.
Ellie felt strange, having spoken of her love, even though it was only to her unborn child. Ellie went up the stairs, to bed, where she fell asleep with the tears still wet on her cheeks.
Some days later, the landlord of the ale house took Ellie to one side. ‘Look Ellie, you can tell me to mind my own business, but I know about your condition’.
Ellie almost panicked, she could not bear to lose her job, not just now. She searched his face for signs of animosity. She found none, so replied, quietly, ‘I do have a ‘condition’ Albert. Are you about to ask me to leave?’ Silently, she prayed.
‘Well, no Ellie. I just need to know that’s all, and you should have told me’.
‘I was afraid to Albert. I need the work’.
‘If I had known, I wouldn’t have had you humping the kegs around, all this time. But that’s not what I wanted to say really. There’s something else’.
Ellie waited, wondering what was coming next. When Albert spoke again, his voice was soft and gently and his face a little flushed, with embarrassment.
‘I know how bad folks can be, an unmarried lass, an all. Well, I don’t want that for you’.
He held out his hand and in it was a gold wedding band. He handed it to her.
‘It was my wife’s and she would want me to give it to you’.
‘But, Albert...?’
‘No Ellie, hear me out. You can have this, as a kind of a protection, while you work for me. When you leave, to have the child, you can return it. I just don’t want the men here to hurt your feelings. I think you must have been hurt enough’.
Ellie took the plain gold band and placed it on her finger. It would normally, have been a little large for her, but her fingers were swollen, so it fit well enough.
‘All I can say is ‘thank you’; it’s very kind of you. I am so grateful for the job and I really do need to work for some time to come. I’ll never be able to thank you enough, Albert’. She planted a kiss on his face and watched it turn even pinker.
‘I don’t want thanks lass. I want you to promise me that if, after the baby is born, you still need a job, you will come back here. Will you do that Ellie?’
‘Oh, I will Albert, I will’.
With a smile that lit up her lovely face, Ellie went back to the rowdy bar, swept her hair back from her face and called, loudly, ‘who’s next then before the ale gets warm?’.
Chapter Twenty Three
The week before Christmas, Louise, sitting with Edward in the Morning room, listened to the ‘Carol Singers’, who had congregated in the Avenue.
/> ‘Away in a ... manger. No crib for a ... bed. The ... little. Lord Jesus lay down his.... sweet ..........head...’
The lilting sound of sweet young voices drifted up to where she was sitting.
‘I wonder, Edward?’ she said, not taking her eyes from the scene outside, ‘I wonder if Ellie’s baby has a crib, to rest his head?’
‘My God woman, what on earth's got into you? I have put all that business out of my mind, a long time ago’. Then, putting down his newspaper and speaking more softly, he said, ‘now why can’t you Dear? It’s over and done with’.
‘Not for Ellie it’s not, Edward’, said Louise. ‘She must be near her time now’, and she could not help but feel the sadness of it all.
Edward looked, with fondness, at his wife. She was still a lovely woman. Her figure was as slim and attractive as ever it was. Her hair, although faded into less of a fiery hue, was still a lovely shade of red. His love for her was the only constant thing in his life.
They had married when Louise had been, barely seventeen, and had been together for thirty-four years. He considered he had made an excellent choice and, although he had, in his earlier years, had one or two casual affairs, he felt comfortable only with Louise.
‘Is there something specific you want to say, Louise?’
‘Well yes dear’, she said, now looking directly into his eyes. ‘You know how worried I am about this situation with Richard and James? Well, I wonder dear, if there is more to this than meets the eye?’
Edward was genuinely puzzled by his wife’s comments. ‘What exactly do you mean Louise?’
‘I just thought, what if Richard should find her? And, by the way, he hasn’t stopped looking yet, you know, and it’s been a long time’, she said, ‘do you think he intends to ask her to marry him?’
‘I wouldn’t think so for a minute. Not Richard! Why should he do such a thing when the girl is to have his brother’s child? If indeed it is his child. No Louise, it’s quite unthinkable’.
‘Then you think that he just wants to make sure that she is cared for, because of James?’
‘Well that’s a more likely explanation, yes’.
‘Then I think that James should live here, permanently, so he can see that the child’s welfare is taken care of, in a proper manner’.
Edward replied, ‘James loves the farm, Louise. He won’t take kindly to working in the mill, after all this time?’
‘He would get used to it, I’m sure, Edward’.
‘Richard may never find her. She may be gone from this city. So the question of care, may never be an issue’. Then lifting his hand, he tenderly touched Louise’s cheek, and murmured softly, ‘now do stop worrying, dear’.
Louise laid back her head. The strains of ‘Silent Night’ were, softly lulling her thoughts.
‘Edward? She murmured, softly, ‘would it be so wrong of us to help Richard find her?’
‘Louise’ he said, in despair, ‘why are you distressing yourself so?’
He did not like to see his wife so disturbed; she had in the past, been quite unaware of the servant’s problems. He could not understand it.
‘Well, whatever you may think about the girl, she is carrying our grandchild. Have you thought about that Edward? I would always wonder what the child was like. I don’t think I could bear the thought of a child, of our family, being brought up in the workhouse, or the rat infested slums, which is where the poor thing will start its existence. What on earth will become of it?’ She began to weep.
Edward gave in. ‘Louise, if it makes you feel better, I will agree to this. If Richard finds the girl, then we will see to the child’s welfare. Now dry your tears’. He handed Louise his handkerchief.
‘And what of Ellie, Edward?’ She dabbed at her eyes, and began to feel better.
‘Yes the girl too, dear. We will work something out, now stop worrying, there’s a good girl’.
As his lovely Louise gazed lovingly, into his eyes, he suddenly felt good about himself and was glad he had pleased her.
Louise sniffed, and thought how long ago it was, since her husband had referred to her as a ‘good girl’, and it was so nice to hear it.
The Carol Singers were moving away now, singing out as they went, ‘ ... bearing gifts, we travel so far .........’ and Louise, at last felt, at peace with herself.
That same morning, Missus Blunt, overworked, and trying to finish her preparations for the luncheon, was shocked to see the Mistress, walking down the stairs into the kitchen.
‘Oh, Good morning Ma-am’, she said, wiping her hands on her apron and holding a chair out for her visitor.
‘What can I do for you, Missus Courtney?’
Louise seated herself on the proffered chair, after flicking at the seat with her handkerchief, and smiled at Missus Blunt, warmly.
‘Please cook, don’t let me interrupt you at your work. I thought it was about time I looked in on you. Are you and your good husband keeping well?’
And without waiting for an answer, went on, ‘of course, I see William every day, but one doesn’t like to ask the men these things, does one?’
‘Ere! No ma-am’, said cook, wondering what the mistress really wanted.
‘I was wondering, dear Missus Blunt’, said the Mistress, examining her white lace gloves.
Here it comes’ thought cook.
‘Do you ever hear from Ellie? You remember her, of course? Pretty little thing; had to leave our employ sometime around early summer’.
‘Well, of course I remember her, there’s none of us, down here, who could forget her, she was such a lovely girl. A good worker, she was. I believe Missus Barnstable was sorry to lose her?’ said cook, risking her Mistress’s displeasure.
Still smiling, Missus Courtney continued, ‘yes, indeed. Well Missus Blunt? Do you ever hear from her? Or know of her whereabouts?’
‘Well Ma-am, we did hear that she was all right, as she wrote to say so, but as for where she’s living? No, I have no idea. She didn’t put an address on the letter’, lied cook, ‘so I’m sorry, ma-am, I can’t help you’.
‘No matter’! Louise stood up and with a quick look around the kitchen, ‘good day to you all’, she said as she picked up the hem of her blue silk dress and walked back up the stairs.
‘I knew she was after something’, she said to Molly when the Mistress was out of sight. I wonder what she wants with Ellie.’
Molly scratched her head, under her cap, ‘well, if you don’t know where she is, then you can’t tell her, can you?’
‘No Molly, I can’t, but I’d still like to know what she would want with her'.
Molly shrugged her shoulders and took the bowl she was holding, over to the sink, ‘here you are Kate, another little job for you’.
‘Thank you, I must say’, said Kate, pulling a face at Molly, ‘you really know how to keep me happy, don’t you Molly?’
‘Aye, you right, there’, and she laughed, then asked, ‘you were very friendly with Ellie, weren’t you? Do you know where she’s living?
‘Why, who wants to know?’
‘Well, the Mistress does, that’s what she was down her for. to ask if anyone knew her address’.
‘Oh’, said Kate, ‘well, I don’t know. She never said’.
She glanced over at cook who was, in turn, looking at her and shaking her head. However, Kate did not need to be warned. She was on her guard, at once, if anyone should mention her friend.
Later, after luncheon had been taken upstairs, the staff was seated at the long table, eating their meal. Kate, who had purposely sat next to Missus Blunt, something she would not normally do, spoke in quiet tones.
‘You know it’s my Sunday off this week, cook? Well I’m going to see Ellie’.
Cook quickly glanced around the table, afraid that their conversation may be overheard. Everyone was chatting amongst themselves so she indicated, with a nod of her head, for Kate to continue.
‘As I was saying, I’m to see Ellie on Sunday. Shoul
d I say that the Mistress has been asking about her? Or do you think it would worry her?’
‘I don’t rightly know, Kate. If only I knew why she was asking after her but I don’t think we should risk it, Ellie has enough on her plate, without worrying about such things?’
‘You don’t think I should mention it, then?’
‘No dear. I think it’s better left alone’.
So Kate decided to say nothing of the incident when she visited Ellie on Sunday morning.
Ellie was awkward and cumbersome, having only a short time left of her waiting. She eased herself out of the chair, feeling the strain in her lower back.
‘Oh Kate. I feel I am the size of a house. I will be relieved when it’s over and done with’.
‘I’m sure you will, Ellie. One thing though, it puts paid to the idea of the ‘gooseberry bush’, eh!?’ laughed Kate, hoping to take Ellie’s mind off her immediate discomfort.
Ellie smiled, ‘I always liked the story of the gooseberry bush too. Do you think I could change methods at this late date?’
‘I doubt it, somehow, Ellie. But seriously, how do you feel, since giving up your job at ‘The Travellers?’
‘I was better when I was still working Kate. It helped to pass the time, but in all honesty, I know that I couldn’t go on. Albert was very good about it, but my ‘great lump’ kept getting in the way, and the men caused a few problems, with their rude remarks’.
‘They’re just uncouth louts, Ellie. They don’t know any better’.
‘Oh they didn’t bother me, as much as Albert. He lost his temper and almost threw one man out. And, after all, I had to leave sometime’.
She filled up the kettle and placed it on the hob. No sooner had she sat down, when there was a knock on the door, which immediately opened, and in walked Bet.
‘Just come to see if you still ‘with us’?’, she said, looking down at her hands. Her hair had been combed, into a knot at the back of her head, and her face had been thoroughly washed, which made her look quite different.
‘Why Bet? You look very elegant this morning. What is the occasion?’ said Ellie, whilst noticing Bet’s old boots, which had never been buttoned all the time Ellie had known her, and were still flopping around her ankles.
The Windsor Girl Page 20