Ragged Rose

by Dilly Court

  Eventually, after calling in at all the pubs and coffee houses in Fleet Street, they found Scully in a dark back room in Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, situated in Wine Office Court. He was deep in conversation with a scruffy fellow wearing a battered top hat and a scarlet neckerchief. It was difficult to make out much else in the light of a single flickering candle, but when the man saw Bennett he leaped to his feet and barged past them. Rose had to dodge him or she would have been bowled over in his haste to leave.

  ‘What sort of company are you keeping, Scully?’ Bennett demanded, chuckling.

  ‘The sort what gives out useful information for the price of a jug of ale, guv.’ Scully raised himself from the wooden settle, acknowledging Rose with a nod of his head before sinking back on his seat. ‘It was to do with the case of Roper versus Roper. Luckily I got what I needed out of him before you turned up and scared him off.’ He shot a curious glance at Rose. ‘What can I do for you, miss?’

  Bennett pulled up a chair for Rose. ‘It concerns her brother, Scully. I discovered some useful information when I was in Oxford. We need to find Billy Perkins and bring him home to face trial.’

  ‘But we don’t know where he went, guv. He might have fled the country or he could be hiding out on them godforsaken moors.’ He turned to Rose with an apologetic grin. ‘Begging your pardon, miss.’

  ‘It’s quite all right. I’ve heard much worse.’ She sat down with a sigh of relief. They seemed to have been walking for miles, although they had covered only a short distance. Nothing seemed straightforward when it came to helping Billy. ‘I just want to find my brother so that he can prove his innocence.’

  ‘So what part do I play now?’ Scully looked from one to the other. ‘Am I to go to Cornwall, or to France?’

  Bennett took a seat beside Rose. ‘I think it might be worth going to Portmorna and having another word with Jenifry’s mother. I doubt if the girl would go far without contacting her family to let them know she was safe, although I can’t say the same for the Penneck brothers. Even if he had some information, Gryffyn Penneck wouldn’t let on. I know him of old.’

  ‘But we can’t prove that it was one of his sons who killed Gawain,’ Rose said thoughtfully.

  ‘No matter. If I can persuade the judge and jury that Edric is telling the truth, the court will have to acquit Billy of all charges. I’m not concerned with Day and Pasco. They’ll end up in prison again one way or another, of that I’m certain.’

  Scully drained his tankard. ‘Give me the necessary and I’ll be off, guv.’

  ‘Frostwick will attend to it, Scully.’ Bennett stood up again, holding his hand out to Rose. ‘We’ve done all we can for now.’ He gave her a searching look. ‘We’ll find a cab to take you back to Old Street.’

  ‘I’m not tired, Bennett. I can walk.’

  ‘You look exhausted,’ he said bluntly. ‘I’ll hail a cab and give you the fare.’ He helped her to her feet. ‘And you can pay me back out of your first week’s wages, so don’t look at me like that.’

  She did not choose to argue. Rehearsals were due to start at one o’clock and she needed to be home in time to change into something more suitable. If all went well at the theatre she would be solvent again.

  Bennett stepped outside and hailed a passing cab. ‘I’ll let you know as soon as I hear from Scully,’ he said as he handed her into the waiting vehicle. ‘I might even come to the theatre to watch your show.’

  She settled herself on the seat. ‘Who knows, you might even enjoy yourself.’

  Chapter Twelve

  Rose paid the cabby and was about to mount the steps outside Polly’s house when she heard someone calling her name. She turned to see Fancello lumbering towards her, his face was flushed and his moustache quivered with emotion.

  ‘Rose, wait. I need to speak to you.’

  ‘Whatever is it, signor? You look upset.’

  He came to a halt, holding his side as he struggled to catch his breath. ‘Might I ask for a glass of water? My heart, it is beating so fast that I cannot hear myself think.’

  Rose knocked on the door. ‘Are you ill?’

  He leaned his hand on the jamb. ‘No, not ill. But badly done by, Rose. Very badly done by.’

  Sukey opened the door and her smile froze when she saw Fancello. ‘No gents allowed,’ she muttered. ‘You know that, miss.’

  ‘It’s all right, Sukey. This is Signor Fancello. He is a business associate and it’s quite all right to let him in.’

  Sukey clung to the door, refusing to budge. ‘I dunno. He don’t look right.’

  ‘Let us in, please.’ Rose edged past Sukey. ‘Signor Fancello is a friend. I’ll make it all right with Miss Polly. I’d be obliged if you’d fetch a glass of water.’

  ‘I could ask Cook to make a pot of tea. That’s what Miss Polly wants when she has a visitor, but I dunno about him. Shall I call a copper?’

  Rose slipped her arm around Sukey’s hunched shoulders. ‘A pot of tea would be lovely. If Maisie is in the kitchen you can ask her to bring a tray to the parlour.’

  ‘I can’t carry a tray,’ Sukey said sadly. ‘I can manage a jug or even a pitcher, as long as it ain’t too heavy, and I’m growing stronger every day. You should have seen me when I first come here, miss. I were a sorry sight, and that’s the truth.’

  ‘Well, you’re a picture of health and happiness now, Sukey.’ Rose gave her a gentle push towards the back stairs. ‘Ethel speaks very highly of you and so does Miss Polly.’

  Sukey’s plain face was transformed by a smile that seemed to light her from within. ‘Does she, miss? No one ever thought highly of me afore.’ She hobbled off talking to herself and chuckling.

  ‘The girl is a halfwit,’ Fancello said crossly. ‘I am close to fainting and she is chattering like a lunatic.’

  ‘Come with me.’ Rose crossed the hall to open the parlour door. ‘You need to sit down, signor. I’m not sure if Sukey will remember the instructions I gave her, but in the meantime perhaps a tot of rum or brandy would help calm you.’

  ‘Brandy, if you please. My nerves are shattered.’ Fancello staggered past her and slumped down on the chaise longue, narrowly missing Spartacus. The cat leaped up, arched his back and spat at him before launching himself onto the floor, tail wagging.

  Rose poured the brandy and gave it to Fancello. ‘What has happened to get you in such a state?’

  ‘My wife has married my brother,’ he said, downing the drink in one swallow. He held the glass up for a refill.

  ‘How is that possible? Are the laws in Italy different from those in England?’

  ‘Of course not,’ he said, puffing out his cheeks. ‘We were married in the eyes of God, but I neglected to make it legal. I trusted my brother and this is how he repays me. I trusted him with our finances, too, and he has taken all my money. I am now a poor man.’

  Rose poured more brandy into his glass. ‘I am so sorry. I don’t know what to say.’

  ‘What’s going on?’ Polly burst into the room with Spartacus in her arms. ‘Sukey tells me that a man has forced his way into my house.’ She came to a sudden halt, staring at Fancello. ‘Sandro, is that you?’

  Fancello jumped up, spilling brandy down his crimson velvet waistcoat. ‘Paloma, is it really you?’

  Rose looked from one to the other. ‘I don’t understand. Do you know each other?’

  Bright spots of colour emphasised Polly’s high cheekbones and her eyes sparkled. ‘We were on the same bill many times in the past, Rose.’

  ‘You performed on stage together?’

  ‘No, dear, not together. I was the top of the bill, a soloist in my own right, but Alessandro and Graziella were close behind me.’

  Fancello seized Spartacus and dropped him un-ceremoniously on a pile of cushions. He wrapped his arms around Polly and kissed her on both cheeks. ‘You haven’t changed a bit, Paloma.’

  Polly pushed him away, blushing to the roots of her hair. ‘Stop that, you silly man. We are too old to behave
like this.’

  He folded his hands over his heart. ‘Never, cara mia. We had many good times, you and I, Paloma.’

  ‘Why do you call her that?’ Rose sank down on the window seat, feeling as though she were watching a play.

  ‘Paloma means dove,’ Fancello said dreamily. ‘Your aunt was the most beautiful lady on the London stage. She was my beautiful dove.’

  ‘Where was Graziella in all this?’ Rose looked from one to the other in astonishment.

  ‘Graziella had to stop performing when she was with child,’ Polly said primly. ‘For a while, Sandro and I did a double act, but only until Graziella was well enough to perform again.’ Polly moved to the side table and poured two tots of brandy. She handed one to Fancello. ‘Where is your dear wife, Sandro? I would love to see her again, and your little boy.’

  Fancello clutched the glass in his hand and his eyes filled with tears. ‘Cara mia, I have such a sad tale to tell you.’

  ‘I think I’d better go and find my sister,’ Rose said hastily. ‘We have to be at the theatre at one o’clock.’ She stood up and made for the doorway. ‘Are you coming with us, signor?’

  ‘I think not. Your aunt and I have much to talk about.’

  ‘Yes,’ Rose said pointedly. ‘I’m sure you do, and perhaps you ought to start by explaining why you and Graziella never married.’ She left them staring blankly at each other, and went to look for Cora.

  She found her in the kitchen helping Ethel to cook the midday meal. Flushed and with a dab of flour on the tip of her nose, Cora looked up from making dumplings to add to the mutton stew. ‘Is it that time already, Rose?’

  ‘Your sister ain’t half useful.’ Ethel thumped the lid back on the pan that she had been stirring. ‘I been teaching Maisie to cook but she’s more interested in helping with the babies upstairs. I dunno, I sweat me guts out cooking for them women and not one of them ever comes down to give us a hand.’

  ‘Maybe we should organise a rota,’ Rose suggested tactfully. ‘I’m sure that most of them know how to cook their dinner. That’s if they’re well enough to work.’

  ‘Dunno about well enough,’ Ethel said, curling her lip. ‘They’re lazy bitches, most of ’em. Never done a hard day’s work in their lives.’

  ‘We’ll see about that.’ Rose beckoned to Cora. ‘I’m afraid we have to leave you now, Ethel. We’ve got a rehearsal at the theatre.’

  Ethel brightened visibly. ‘I don’t suppose you could get us a ticket for the show, could you? I ain’t been out nowhere for months. In fact I’ve forgot the last time I went anywhere other than the blooming market, let alone did anything what was enjoyable.’

  ‘I’m sure we can arrange something. Come on, Cora, we don’t want to be late for our first rehearsal.’ She waited until they were out of the kitchen. ‘You won’t believe what I have to tell you.’

  With their dancing shoes slung over their shoulders, Rose and Cora set off for the theatre. ‘I can’t believe it,’ Cora said excitedly. ‘Do you think that Fancello is Aunt Polly’s long-lost love?’

  Rose slowed her pace. ‘I hadn’t thought of that. It all happened so suddenly, but they were definitely very good friends. He calls her his dove.’

  ‘How romantic. I wish Gerard would give me a pet name.’ Cora shot a sideways glance at her sister. ‘He’s taking me out to tea after the rehearsal. You don’t mind, do you?’

  ‘I’m not your mother, Corrie. You don’t have to ask my permission, but, as I keep telling you, don’t get too involved.’

  ‘I know what you’re saying, but I don’t understand why you’re so against Gerard. He might be a gentle-man, but then so is Vere, and he asked you to marry him.’

  ‘And I refused, Corrie. Anyway, Vere hasn’t any living relatives to disapprove of me.’

  ‘Bennett is his cousin. What do you think he would say?’ Cora’s mischievous smile was not lost on Rose.

  ‘Bennett wouldn’t care one way or the other.’

  ‘But you like him, don’t you, Rosie?’

  ‘I can’t think what gave you that idea. My interest in Mr Sharpe is purely business. He’s supposed to be the best lawyer in London, or that’s what Scully told me, and he has no reason to lie. Bennett is a means to save Billy from the hangman’s noose, or have you forgotten the threat that still hangs over him?’

  ‘No, of course not. But Billy ran away, and I don’t see what we can do now.’

  ‘Scully is going to Cornwall to see if he can discover any clues as to Billy’s whereabouts. Bennett thinks that Jenifry’s mother might know something more than she’s been telling us.’

  ‘When did you see Bennett?’

  ‘I went to his chambers first thing this morning. Someone has to do something, Cora. We can’t just sit back and let things happen.’

  Cora opened the stage door and stepped inside. ‘Billy was a fool to run away. I love him – of course I do, he’s my brother – but at this moment I could cheerfully strangle him. He’s the reason that Papa abandoned us and we lost our home.’

  Rose followed her into the theatre. ‘I know it’s hard, Cora, but Billy was caught up in circumstances beyond his control. You must see that.’

  ‘All I know is that because of Billy we’re having to live in a home for fallen women, and we have to work whether we want to or not.’ Cora flounced off in the direction of the dressing rooms. ‘It’s just not fair, Rose. It’s not fair.’

  ‘You’re talking like a spoiled child,’ Rose said angrily. ‘Do you think I wanted any of this?’

  Cora came to a sudden halt. She turned on Rose, her face white with anger. ‘I think you enjoyed the excitement of dashing off to the country. You left me with Papa and you went on a big adventure.’

  ‘Someone had to try to help Billy. You didn’t see him in that terrible prison, but I did. I know he’s innocent and I’m going to prove it.’

  ‘There you go again,’ Cora said sulkily. ‘It’s all about Billy. Never mind poor Cora. It was always the same. I was the youngest and always left out of your games when we were children.’

  ‘Oh, for goodness’ sake stop feeling sorry for yourself.’ Rose marched past her. ‘I’m not continuing this conversation. You do what you want to do, Cora, but remember that we’re the Sunshine Sisters and smile.’ She entered the large dressing room and was almost bowled over by the fug of tobacco smoke, cheap scent and perspiring bodies. In the warm glow of the gaslights it was possible to make out at least six young women, all of whom were in various states of undress.

  ‘Close the door, dearie. You’re causing a draught.’ One of the girls nearest the door reached out and slammed it, narrowly missing Cora, who managed to slip in before it shut in her face.

  The chattering stopped for a moment. ‘You’re the new act.’ The woman who had closed the door struggled into her wrap. ‘I’m Florrie. What’s your moniker, dearie?’

  Rose held out her hand. ‘I’m Rose and this is my sister, Cora. We’ve come to rehearse for the show.’

  ‘Look out, girls, we’ve got a couple of toffs in our midst.’ A plump girl with a mop of alarmingly red hair made a mock curtsey. ‘Please to meet you, your highnesses.’

  ‘Shut up, Nell. Give ’em a chance.’ Florrie plucked a lit cigarillo from a saucer and put it to her lips. She blew a plume of smoke over Rose’s head. ‘What’s your act, love?’

  ‘We’re the Sunshine Sisters. We used to perform at Fancello’s in Cupid’s Court, but it closed down.’

  Sympathetic murmurs rippled round the room.

  ‘We’ve all been there, ain’t we, girls?’ Florrie stubbed the cigarillo out. ‘Cheap tobacco tastes filthy. One day I’m going to make enough money to afford some of them handmade Turkish cigarettes they sell up West.’

  ‘You’ll be too old to enjoy it by then.’ Nell’s remark was met with groans and grunts of assent.

  ‘You don’t have any baccy on you, do you, Rose?’ One of the older girls sidled up to her. ‘I’m Dolly, by the way, dear. I wouldn�
�t ask but I’m broke until pay day.’

  ‘I’m sorry,’ Rose said apologetically. ‘I don’t smoke.’

  ‘What do you do, dearie?’ Nell demanded, tossing her head so that her curls bobbed like watch springs.

  Rose was fast losing patience. ‘We work hard to earn our living, just like you do.’

  ‘Then you’d best put your dancing shoes on and get on with it.’ Florrie shrugged. ‘Watch out for Slippery. That’s the stage manager, in case you don’t know. He’s a misery at the best of times and he has wandering hands.’ She winked and lit another cigarillo. ‘All right, Dolly, don’t look at me like that. You can have a few puffs if you’ll promise to stop nattering.’

  Cora had been hiding behind Rose while she undressed down to the skimpy stage costume. She tugged at Rose’s sleeve. ‘I’m ready.’

  ‘You can leave your duds here,’ Florrie said, grinning. ‘We don’t steal off each other.’

  ‘Unless it’s blokes or baccy,’ Dolly added, chuckling.

  Rose stepped out of her grey gown. ‘It’s all right then, we’ve neither of those.’ She unlaced her boots and put on her dancing shoes. ‘Thank you for warning us about the stage manager.’ She hesitated in the doorway. ‘What’s his real name? I can’t call him Mr Slippery.’

  ‘Slattery,’ Nell said, curling her lip. ‘Jim Slattery. Keep on his right side, but don’t let him get you in a corner.’

  ‘I hope they’re exaggerating,’ Cora whispered as they made their way to the stage. ‘This isn’t like Fancello’s.’

  ‘It’s our chance to prove ourselves,’ Rose said softly. ‘We’ve come this far, Corrie. We can do it. We’ll make Aunt Polly proud.’

  ‘But our parents will never speak to us again. I’m not sure it’s worth all the heartache.’

  They arrived in the wings to find a troupe of acrobats just coming to the end of their act. Rose handed their music to the pianist and they waited for their intro.