Her prayer was answered when he said, ‘Why aye, I told him, anything to get out the pit! Seems I’ll be startin’ a new job next week.’
‘Thank God!’ Martha said through her tears, and quietly through the rattle of gathering teacups, ‘thank you an’ all Spencer Gittins.’ At least that was one of the problems solved, now she needed to work out what to do about Colleen.
*
Spencer sat with them all at Kath’s table, Violet he said sent her apologies for not attending as she was still in her confinement. She had no doubt their son would be cooed over by the women workers.
‘Well lad,’ Martha said, ‘first thing is, I want to thank you for taking on Geordie.’
All eyes went to the young man who gave a small smile and curt nod.
In explanation, Martha said, ‘Our Spencer here has given Geordie a foreman’s job on the new building so as to get him out of the pit.’
Spencer smiled again at the applause and stood to take a small bow. ‘Martha, I know your house is tied to the pit.’ Martha nodded only just then realising she would have to pack up and move. But to where? With her head down Martha nodded and Spencer spoke again. ‘Violet asked me to give you this.’ Taking a paper from his pocket, he passed it to Martha. Opening it, she looked at him with her mouth gaping as she passed the paper to the others. It was the deeds to the house. ‘Violet bought it from Ezra Fielding. She wanted you to have it.’
‘Where did she get the money?’ Martha asked.
‘From me, which I got from the bank,’ he said with a grin. The loan he had taken out for this latest project was kept firmly to himself. It would be easily paid off once the nails made by the outworkers had been sold on. ‘She bartered Ezra right down on the price. By the time Violet had finished, the poor man practically gave it away! I couldn’t believe it when she told me.’
Tears flowed as Spencer received hugs and kisses from all the women in the small kitchen.
‘I’ll never be able to thank you both enough,’ Martha sobbed.
The mood changed as the conversation turned to the remaining problem at hand. The tale of Colleen and the dead woman was related to Spencer who listened without interruption, nodding in the appropriate places.
‘What we have to decide now is what to do with the bloody woman!’ Acrimony spilling over, Martha felt her patience wearing thin.
Spencer put in, ‘If she’s already been warned by you ladies and has still carried on, it’s my contention she will continue to do so.’
Nods of agreement confirmed they were thinking the same.
‘Other women could die if she carries on Spencer, and that’s what worries us all.’ Martha said.
Mary muttered quietly, ‘She should be sleeping with the fishes.’
As quiet descended on the room, Mary looked up to see them all watching her.
‘Oh bloody hell,’ she said as they all smiled at her.
*
The evening arrived for Joyce to take her half a crown to Colleen on the pretext of ridding herself of an unwanted baby. She’d related to them about the idea which wouldn’t go away, and they had all agreed to Joyce’s ruse to carry out their plan. The other four women, Kath, Mary, Martha and Annie – Violet was safely at home with Spencer unaware of what was taking place - trudged down the dark streets, each carrying a couple of heavy house bricks tied around their waists with rope hidden by their long shawls.
Mary puffed, ‘One day I’ll learn to keep my mouth shut!’
Titters came from the others as Martha responded, ‘Never in a month of Sundays!’
Hiding on the lea side of the house in the dark shadows, they watched as Joyce tapped quietly on the door. Hearing the Irish woman say, ‘Ah now, it be yourself,’ they saw Joyce step into the house, and just as the door began to close, Martha and Kath pushed their way in, followed closely by Mary and Annie, taking Colleen by surprise.
With the door shut behind them, Colleen was pushed roughly into a chair by Kath.
‘You were warned!’ Martha said vehemently, ‘But you didn’t take heed. Now you will pay for what you’ve done!’ She jabbed a finger towards the woman’s face.
‘I ain’t done nothing,’ wailed Colleen.
‘You call murder doing nothing?’ Martha asked, anger blazing.
‘To be sure, I’ve done no murder!’
‘That woman, Freda Watkins…’ Martha jabbed the finger at her again, ‘she died. You poisoned her with your dirty ways!’
The truth registered and Colleen drew a breath.
‘You’re a dirty witch,’ said Mary savagely, ‘now it’s your time to meet your maker to explain yourself!’
Colleen jumped to her feet and tried to make for the door. Joyce leapt forward and grasped the woman’s red hair, pulling her backwards. Colleen gave a strangled cry as she tottered, trying desperately to keep her footing.
Kath and Mary had been loosening the ropes around their waists that were holding the house bricks. Seeing Colleen attempting to free her hair from Joyce’s grasp, they dropped the bricks to the floor and shot forward to overpower her. Kath gave a swift kick to the back of the woman’s legs and Colleen went down hard, leaving a handful of hair in Joyce’s hand.
Instantly they were on her, pinning her to the floor. Mary pinched the woman’s cheeks together and as Colleen gasped for air, her mouth open, a dirty rag was pushed into it. Arms and legs flailing, Colleen knew she was fighting for her life but against five of them, she stood little chance. They rolled her onto her back and Martha sat hard and heavy on her chest pushing the air from her lungs, almost expelling the improvised gag.
Joyce dashed for the bricks Kath and Mary had dropped and pulled them across to where Colleen lay desperately trying to drag air in through her nose. Tying her feet together with the ropes prevented Colleen from kicking out her legs. Struggling to hold her arms in place, Martha watched as Annie relieved herself of her own bricks.
Kath and Mary each grabbed an arm and pulled Colleen’s wrists together as Martha bound them with the rope she had carried. With the woman now tied hand and foot and the gag firmly in place, Martha then scrambled to her feet. Watching Colleen struggle, she undid the rope around her middle, rubbing where the bricks had bruised her during the altercation. They lifted the Irish woman and set her on her feet before a rope and more bricks were tied round her waist.
Frightened eyes looked at Martha as she spoke, nose to nose, with the terrified Colleen, ‘We warned you!’
Opening the back door, Joyce took a quick look outside and crooked a finger as they dragged the Irish woman weighed down with house bricks out into the night.
In a few steps they were round the side of the cottage and at the edge of the canal.
Colleen’s terrified eyes showed in the light of the moon before it slipped back behind the clouds.
They edged nearer to the black cold water and Colleen’s eyes grew wider still at the prospect of sliding into its depths. Lifting her feet, they tilted the petrified woman towards the still water of the canal. Then abruptly they pulled her back to a prone position; the women carried the Irish woman back into her cottage. Kath pulled the gag from Colleen’s mouth and they all watched as she dragged in great gulps of air. Still bound tightly, she was laid on the floor and it was Kath who spoke.
‘Colleen, I hope this incident shows you we mean business.’ Red hair bobbed as the woman nodded frantically. ‘Now, we may not condone what you are doing but we recognise the necessity of it until women are educated enough in the ways of avoiding pregnancy.’ Again Colleen nodded. ‘So, we have come to this decision – if you seek help from a midwife or doctor in how to aid these women safely… and if you drastically improve the conditions you work in so the women don’t get sick afterwards…’
‘By all the Saints I swear I will!’ Colleen interjected, the underlying threat being quite clear to her.
Kath went on, ‘We understand the predicament of the women who come to you and we know they see you as their saviour, but – if you are to co
ntinue in your business, this place must be clean and sterile. Also, it is imperative you learn to administer to women safely. Do you understand what I’m saying to you?’
‘To be sure, I’ll be seeking that help on the morrow,’ Colleen promised.
‘I suggest you go and see Old Mother Johnson at Banks Farm first of all. She is more accustomed to bringing children into the world, I’m sure she may be able to assist you. Just mention that we sent you.’
Releasing her bonds, the women helped Colleen into a chair. Joyce made her a cup of tea while the others disposed of the ropes and bricks outside the cottage to serve as a reminder. Everyone sighed in relief that they had been able to take action without involving taking a life.
Each shook hands with a trembling Colleen to seal their pact before they left for home. As a parting shot, Kath said, ‘Remember, Colleen, bad news travels fast.’
Thirty-Eight
The bond between Kath Clancy and Joshua Gittins had become stronger since the day he found her crying in the garden. The thread as grandparents was held together with young Harry Gittins being the knot.
Joshua had visited Kath often over the past months and they enjoyed each other’s company over tea, although she had said many times that was not to be misconstrued as them being in a romantic relationship. She had to admit however, that she enjoyed his company. Nevertheless he found himself waiting eagerly for their next meeting and his heart warmed at the thought of Kath.
Sitting in his chair by the fire, Joshua allowed memories of her to flood his mind. Her sparkling eyes, shiny hair and her pleasing fragrance; her tinkling laugh like falling rain, her clear skin and her womanly figure – his mind was full to bursting with her. He had once been determined to solve the mystery that surrounded her, but now he realised this only added to her charm. He had also considered asking again if she would be his sweetheart, but decided against it – he would not jeopardise the friendship they had. If friends was all she offered, he would accept that gladly and live in hope of more.
Joshua’s thoughts shifted to his son and his family. He had not thought the match between Spencer and Violet a good one in the beginning, but that young wench had proved him wrong. Nothing of Violet’s background ever came to light, and in time he had dismissed it from his mind. She had proved her worth time and again in Wednesbury, and along with Spencer had worked wonders in the small town, finding work for so many people, and increasing their wealth in the process. Joshua’s own financial situation had improved considerably too since the demise of Frank Woolley. His young grandson, Harry Gittins, would be a wealthy man indeed one day.
Watching the dancing flames of the fire, Joshua luxuriated in the happiness that surrounded him. His only regret was that he may never have another wife to accompany him into old age.
*
The day eventually arrived for the opening of the new building and it seemed everyone in Wednesbury had turned out to see it. Despite Violet being in full health and active again, Spencer delighted in the knowledge it had managed to remain a secret from her.
With Spencer, Violet and young Harry in one carriage, Kath had accompanied Joshua in his. They drove up the long carriageway that separated what would be, in time, two vast lawns. The new building, although not very big, bore no resemblance to its predecessor and stood proud against the blue sky, being lit only by the sunshine of an early springtime.
Over the door hung a sign, ‘Violet’s Play House.’
As Violet stepped down from the carriage, Joshua saw her gasp with pleasure at the sight before her. Applause and cheers rang out as she walked up to the door. Nancy and her helpers were waiting and pushed open the door to allow her entry. Violet thought, This must be what Queen Victoria feels like!
They all walked around the inside which had been whitewashed; one room had a row of small beds, another a small kitchen, yet another housed the wooden toys, and outside a lavatory. It had everything needed to enable the caring of the children of Wednesbury.
Joshua had gleaned that the message had travelled the town grapevine, which was in fact just gossip that for a nominal sum, mothers could bring their children here, leaving themselves free to find work. The building had been erected in a very short time and he wondered if Spencer had employed every man in the town who had been out of work. He also wondered how his son had afforded it and made a mental reminder to ask him later.
Feeling a touch on his arm, Joshua turned to see Kath beaming. ‘Well Granddad Josh, don’t we have clever children?’
‘Indeed we do, Grandma Kath,’ he laughed, ‘my question now is, what will they do next?’
Shaking her head gently, she walked with him back to his carriage; Joshua enjoyed the feeling when she slipped her arm through his. Was this walking out? Did people think it was? Did she even realise she’d done it? Pushing the thoughts away, he laid his hand on her arm that lay so comfortably along his own.
For all the world they looked like a courting couple and Joshua revelled in the idea.
*
‘Violet’s Play House’ didn’t take long to fill up with the youngsters of the town and every day women came to the factories looking for work. Some were in a position to take on outwork making nails, others were not so fortunate.
Riding across Stone Cross to Spencer’s factory, Joshua wanted to hear any ideas his son may have regarding putting some of the many still unemployed to work.
‘Hello Father!’ Spencer said in greeting. ‘I was about to have tea… join me?’
‘Ar lad, never say no to a good cuppa.’
Spencer asked, ‘What can I do for you Father?’
‘Well lad, I was wondering about this here “bread line”. Every day women come looking for work on the nailing and men are standing by the marketplace waiting for any work that might be had.’
‘Yes,’ said Spencer as he steepled his fingers, ‘I’ve had women here too, but what with the new building, I’m not in a financial position to take on more workers just now.’
‘You are all right for money though, son?’ Joshua asked, his concern evident.
‘Oh yes Father, but I don’t want to stretch what I have any thinner at present. In time maybe I can, but not right now. I need to take care of my own family first.’
‘Good thinking lad, good thinking.’
Spencer smiled saying, ‘I hear you’ve been seeing quite a lot of Kath Clancy lately.’
‘Ar,’ Joshua confirmed, ‘and no, we ain’t a couple, although I wish we were.’
‘Ask Kath, Father.’
‘Ask Kath what?’ Joshua gave his son a wry smile.
‘Ask her about any notions of helping Wednesbury people to find work. She’s a wise woman, she and her friends may have some good ideas. Besides, you lose nothing by asking.’
‘Good idea, lad,’ Joshua said with a smile as he stood to leave, ‘in fact I think I’ll do that right now.’
Spencer watched him go. He smiled, shaking his head, his father hadn’t even stayed long enough for that cup of tea!
*
Kath made Joshua welcome, as usual, with tea and cake. As they settled, he explained his feelings regarding the poor people of Wednesbury.
‘It ain’t right, Kath, these folk are as poor as church mice and every day they stand in that bloody “bread line” without a hope in hell of finding work!’
Laying her hand on his on the table, she said, ‘Now, Joshua, don’t get so het up, let’s discuss this and see what we can come up with.’
‘Maybe those friends of yours might have a few ideas an’ all?’ he asked.
‘The ladies can usually find an answer if they think on the problem long enough,’ she laughed.
Thirty-Nine
Once again the meeting of the ‘Wives’ took place in Kath Clancy’s kitchen, and after tea, cake and the usual oohs and aahs over Harry, they settled down to business. Although Violet had not been involved in the Colleen affair, Kath had told her about it and she’d felt it was justifiable retribution.
Kath explained that Dr Shaw had seen no more ‘sick’ women in the past weeks, which was a blessing in itself. It also meant the message was getting through regarding pregnancy education.
The children filling the new building were faring well and Nancy and her helpers were enjoying their new-found work. This then brought them to the people still out of work and Joshua’s visit.
‘He asked,’ Kath said to the women around her table, ‘if we could think on the quandary, possibly come up with some ideas about getting people into work.’
Martha snorted, ‘It ain’t possible, wench, there is no work to be had. Geordie and Charlie still have a drink with the pit workers and they say there’s nowt doing there.’
‘There must be something, somewhere!’ Violet spoke.
‘No bab, there isn’t,’ Mary added. ‘The pit is taking on no more, in fact there’s talk of it closing down; your old man can’t take on any more either…’
Grins appeared all round as Martha said, ‘It’s all he can do to keep Geordie and Charlie in work as it is, so this needs a deal o’ thinkin’ on.’
*
Before the week’s end, Joshua Gittins was once again sitting in Kath’s kitchen.
‘So Kath,’ he managed, after swallowing his cake, ‘any of your girls have ideas regarding folk seeking work?’
‘Not as yet, Joshua, but we’re thinking about it.’
‘Ar, righto. Erm… Kath, I was wondering…’
Smiling inwardly, she thought, here it comes! ‘Yes?’ she said.
‘Well now, as we seem to be getting on so well lately, I was wondering if maybe…’
‘Joshua,’ Kath interjected, ‘I have told you all along that I may never marry again – I take it this is what you’re alluding to?’
‘Well Ar…’ he said, looking shame-faced.
Kath went on, ‘It would not be fair to start a romance with you, Joshua, knowing full well there would not be the prospect of marriage at the end.’
‘I suppose you are right, Kath, but you know how I feel about you – I bloody love you wench!’
The Wives’ Revenge Page 20