The Wives’ Revenge

by Lindsey Hutchinson

  Potter had swivelled his head in an effort to follow Joshua’s movements and now it bobbed up and down on his neck.

  Joshua went on, ‘When we arrive you will show us where the money is.’ Potter’s head continued its bobbing. ‘Good, then we have reached an agreement.’ Taking hold of Potter’s hand, Joshua shook it, smiling at the gentleman’s agreement Potter had been forced into.

  Potter and the women were packed into the carriage and Jim drove them to Potter’s house; Joshua and Spencer riding beside it. He eyed them all warily on the journey but made no attempt at escape. Sitting so tightly together made the idea impossible anyway.

  Potter faltered as he got out of the carriage, but led them into the house and up the stairs, albeit begrudgingly. Lifting the corner of the mattress, he revealed his money laid out all over the bedstead. Joshua and Spencer then tipped the mattress completely off the bed.

  ‘Hey,’ Potter said as he saw Spencer and Joshua gather up the money, ‘that’s mine!’

  Joshua said, ‘Oh we’re not stealing it.’ He placed the money on the dressing table which stood near the bed.

  Heaving the mattress back in place, Joshua said as he picked up a pillow, ‘I’m sure you are ready for a nice sleep now, eh Potter?’

  ‘I’m all right for now,’ the man returned, fear evident in his eyes as he looked from Joshua to Spencer.

  Giving him a sturdy push, Violet said, ‘I think the man is telling you to lie down.’

  Dragging himself onto the bed, Potter lay down with his arms by his sides and only his head lifted. He did not know which of them to watch now, or indeed whether he should keep an eye on his money stacked on the dressing table.

  ‘Now, Mr Potter,’ Joshua said, standing over the prone man on the bed, pillow in hand, ‘before we let you go… I think you owe Kath Clancy an apology.’

  Violet watched the smile cross Kath’s face at the emphatic use of her name.

  ‘I’m sorry Miss Clancy,’ Potter spluttered, ‘I’m really sorry.’

  Kath leaned down over the man on the bed and as she did so, he pulled away from her. ‘Apology accepted,’ she whispered. Then she moved away.

  Violet picked up the money from the dresser. ‘You have quite a bit saved here, Mr Potter.’ She saw him nod and took twenty pounds, saying, ‘This should cover the cost of the breakages at our shop – thank you.’ She tucked the money down the bodice of her dress, then waving the remainder in his face, added, ‘It’s extremely kind of you to donate this to the poor. We know a lot of families who will be grateful to you, don’t we ladies?’ She saw the women grin.

  Potter began to sit up, a scowl covering his face. ‘You can’t take that – it’s stealing!’ he protested.

  Loud laughter echoed round the room.

  ‘You’ve got balls, Potter, I’ll say that for you.’ Spencer laughed.

  Kath spoke up. ‘You blackmailed that money out of other people, I’m guessing. Besides, you “donated” it so how can it be stealing?’

  Potter groaned. He knew when he was beaten. He nodded.

  ‘Right, we’ll give you a choice, Potter. You can stay here in Birmingham and face the police who will most definitely throw you in jail or…’ Spencer paused.

  ‘Or?’ Potter asked, now very much afraid he was about to meet his maker.

  ‘Or you can get as far away from here as possible and never come back!’

  ‘I’ll go!’ Potter said quickly, then breathed a sigh of relief.

  ‘Good choice,’ Violet said, handing him five pounds of his own money. ‘Your train fare. My husband and his father will escort you to the station. Don’t bother to pack, you’ll be leaving straight away.’

  With the money in his hand, he rose from the bed and stalked from the room and down the stairs, followed closely by Joshua, who threw the pillow on the bed, and Spencer.

  The two men watched Potter climb onto the steam train bound for London. They waved cheerfully as the great iron beast puffed its way out of the station, and laughed at the scowl on Potter’s face showing through the window.

  Jim had driven the women back to Wednesbury where they shared a congratulatory cup of tea.

  The money taken from Potter was distributed to families known to be in dire straits and was accepted so gratefully no questions were asked.

  The ‘Wives’ felt they had scared Potter witless and knew his helping the poor with his ‘donation’ had galled him. Nevertheless, he had taken the choice given to him and left town.

  *

  Word around the marketplace told of a man in Birmingham who had upped and left a good job and a big house. The girl serving in the salon had reported him missing to the police as she hadn’t seen hide nor hair of him for some days. The police visited his property but could find no sign of the man in question. It was a mystery.

  No one appeared to know why the man had gone just like that, and after reading out loud the article in the Herald newspaper to the women now sat before her, Violet said, ‘Good riddance Potter!’

  Fifty

  Work and life in Wednesbury and in the shop in Birmingham went on as usual with profits soaring from the selling of ‘Violet’s Luxuries’. The mystery surrounding the man who had left so suddenly and mysteriously had died down as everyday life had taken over.

  Making her way to Annie’s living room one day, Violet was surprised the door was still closed; Annie’s door was always open. Knocking before she went in, she called out Annie’s name. Receiving no answer, Violet thought she may have been out on the heath gathering wild flowers.

  As she turned to leave she heard a sound from the bedroom. Walking to the bedroom door, Violet knocked before swinging it wide open and saw Annie still in bed. Rushing to her, Violet saw the pale face looking back at her.

  ‘Ain’t well,’ Annie muttered.

  ‘I’ll get the doctor! Does Charlie know?’

  Annie shook her head, ‘I was in bed early last night because I was tired. Charlie went to work before I woke this morning.’

  The stable lad was sent to fetch Dr Shaw and Violet went back to Annie. ‘Dr Shaw is coming, Annie,’ she said. ‘You just rest.’

  Annie closed her eyes and Violet watched her breathe easier. Only now did she realise how much older her friend was, and the others too, including her mother. Why had she not seen this before? How is it she had missed everyone getting older?

  Dr Shaw arrived and examined Annie. After giving her a spoonful of tonic, he came to Violet, sitting in Annie’s living room. ‘Annie’s exhausted, Violet,’ he said, ‘she needs rest and lots of it. She should retire from working…’ Holding up his hands to prevent her speaking, he continued with, ‘I know she’s young yet to retire, but if she doesn’t stop working, this…’ sweeping a hand towards the bedroom where Annie lay, ‘… will keep happening.’

  ‘Thank you Dr Shaw,’ Violet said, ‘but I know Annie and I can’t see her not working. However, if we put her in charge of the other workers, make sure she only supervises the work and rests often, she should stay well for years to come, is that right?’

  ‘Good idea Violet, and yes, she needs to rest much more,’ he replied.

  Leaving the tonic with Violet to administer, the doctor left. Writing a note to the others regarding Annie, she sent the stable boy to deliver it to Gittins Lodge.

  Within the hour they were all gathered in Annie’s living room and Violet told them what Dr Shaw had said. They agreed to the last that Annie would collect no more flowers and herbs; she would make up no more creams or hair washes, she would only supervise the other workers. Her health had to come first.

  Spencer and Violet had decided that Nancy would look after Harry while she worked; the boy was faring well and was always excited to play with the other children at Violet’s Play House.

  Sitting with Annie after the other women had left, Violet thought of everything they had been faced with over the years. It was no wonder her friend was exhausted. The trials and tribulations, as well as the accomplishments
, had taken their toll on them all, but more so on Annie it appeared.

  Watching her sleep, Violet determined that she would take care of Annie and all the other Wives too from now on.

  *

  Good wholesome food along with the tonic the doctor brought saw Annie pick up quite quickly, until one day she said, ‘I fancy a stroll over to see the wenches.’

  Annie and Violet walked slowly down Trouse Lane and over to Joshua’s house where she was greeted with tea and hugs. She watched as work continued around her, then said, ‘I have something to say.’ Work instantly stopped as everyone looked her way. ‘I can’t be working anymore.’ Her statement was simple and held no regret. ‘Dr Shaw says I mustn’t… but it would be all right to supervise the wenches.’ Nodding to the women taken on from Wednesbury to make the hair wash, she went on, ‘Providing they don’t mind having me as their boss.’ Their answer was a round of applause and more hugs.

  Sitting at the table with Annie, Violet addressed the others, ‘If Annie supervises the ladies in their work… and if we took on more women to be trained… then we could all retire eventually!’

  Kath said, ‘Violet wench, that’s a damned good idea!’

  ‘Also…’ Violet added, ‘we could even think about setting up another shop… in Wednesbury.’

  Cheers rang out and when they died down, Kath said, ‘It would mean more work ladies, which would extend our retirement date, but if you’re up for it, we would need to see how the money stands with the accountant first.’ So, an appointment was planned for the following day.

  Fifty-One

  Sitting in his office, Joshua’s thoughts swung to the events of the previous weeks. He had become one of the ‘Wives’, as Spencer had before him. He had married a murderer, as had his son. But he believed Potter had deserved more than being run out of town – taking his wife prisoner the way he had! A cold shiver ran down Joshua’s spine as he thought about what could have happened to Kath, and again he thought, justifiable retribution!

  A knock to the door lightened his mood considerably as Kath and Violet walked into the office.

  ‘Hey up…’ Joshua said, standing to find them each a seat, ‘this is a nice surprise!’

  Greetings, and tea brought in by a worker, over with, the purpose of their visit became evident.

  ‘We just came from the accountant and we are now in such a good financial position we can open another shop!’ Kath said, excitement exuding from every pore.

  ‘That right?’ Joshua asked tentatively.

  ‘Yes,’ Violet took up, ‘but we want to open it here in Wednesbury.’ Her excitement also began to bubble up.

  ‘Ar well…’

  Joshua was cut off by Kath saying, ‘We need your help…’ lowering her voice to a conspiratorial whisper, ‘husband of mine.’

  With smiles all round, he asked, ‘What help can I give to you wenches?’

  ‘We need your expertise on finding a suitable building in a suitable spot, to open our suitable business!’ Kath’s laugh tinkled, and his heart melted. She could ask for the moon and he’d find a way to get it for her.

  ‘Right well,’ Joshua began, ‘I thought you were all “retired” now, but it seems I was wrong in that.’ Smiles passed between the women. ‘I would suggest you go and look at all the empty buildings, but…’ he raised a finger in warning, ‘you all go together!’

  ‘Yes Joshua,’ Kath lowered her head but not her eyes; the twinkle in them gave him a shudder of desire.

  ‘You minx,’ he said. ‘Go on, the pair of you, bugger off and let me work!’

  Laughing, they left and Joshua felt like a teenager again. Kath was as important to him as the air he breathed – he couldn’t live without either.

  *

  Kath told Joshua over dinner that evening they had found a run-down building just off Lower High Street which was very near the marketplace. No one, it appeared, knew who it belonged to. Nobody laid claim to its ownership and she wondered whether they could stake their claim. It was a two-storey building and looked like an old school. With work it could be made into a shop downstairs and the making of the products could be done upstairs, so relieving the kitchen in Gittins Lodge of the women currently inhabiting it. Pressing her point, she said how nice it would be to have the house to themselves at last, save for Joyce who was now housekeeping and had taken over the whole of the servants’ quarters at the top of the house. Joshua had to agree it had a certain appeal.

  Their enquiries at the Town Hall came to nothing, they could find no documentation or information on who did, or had, owned the building, therefore Violet staked their claim with the powers that be and became co-owner of ‘The Gift Shop’.

  It didn’t take the women long to lick the building into shape with Geordie Slater overseeing the renovations. Spencer had kept Geordie and his men busy with odd bits of work here and there and they were now making good headway on the ‘gift shop’.

  Joshua was very aware of how close he had come to losing his wife and with his jaw set he rode towards the ‘bread line’ near the marketplace. It was his intention to hire a handful of watchmen to guard the new building at night. Possibly not warranted in Wednesbury, but he was taking no chances after the last debacle.

  Weeks came and went as spring turned into summer, which eventually gave way to autumn. Now winter was on its way as the cold air nipped noses. Fingers and toes tingled and people hurried along with heads shoved down into shawls and mufflers.

  The nail factories and the shops were doing well and life couldn’t be sweeter for Joshua who revelled in the happiness Kath brought him.

  Fifty-Two

  At three years old, Harry Gittins was growing into a fine lad. Violet was teaching him to read and write his letters and numbers and he was learning quickly. He kept everyone amused with his mischievous antics; they all adored him.

  Violet collected him from nursery one bitterly cold day to be told by Nancy that she was closing down for a couple of weeks. Some of the children had gone down with a cold and she felt it best to shut up shop until they were well again.

  ‘I’m trying to prevent it spreading,’ Nancy said.

  ‘Good idea,’ Violet agreed as she placed a hand on Harry’s forehead. ‘He seems fine, maybe he’s one of the lucky ones.’

  Bundling him into his coat, hat, mittens and scarf, Violet and her son set off for home. They chatted on the walk back and Violet’s concerns dissipated.

  As the evening wore on, Harry’s eyelids drooped so Spencer carried him up to bed.

  ‘Some of the children at the nursery have been taken poorly so Nancy said to stay home for a while,’ she told Spencer as he rejoined her in the living room.

  ‘Sensible thinking,’ he said, ‘but Harry seems fine, he’s just tired out, bless him.’

  Violet nodded and continued to read her book while Spencer took up his newspaper.

  The weather worsened over the following days and large snowflakes drifted silently from the sky. Harry wanted to go and play in the white wonderland forming outside the window, but Violet refused him, saying it was far too cold. Harry grizzled a little then Violet distracted him with a book on animals.

  Looking up through the window, she saw Kath trudging up to the house. ‘Grandma’s here!’ she said and smiled as Harry ran to meet his grandmother while Violet rang for tea.

  ‘Blimey it’s cold out there,’ Kath said, nuzzling her grandson now wriggling in her arms.

  ‘Hot tea is coming,’ Violet laughed at Harry’s giggling. ‘Come and get warm.’

  Sat by the fire, Harry playing happily on the floor, Kath said gravely, ‘Violet, there’s scarlet fever in the town.’

  ‘Oh my God!’ Violet’s eyes shot to her son.

  Kath went on, ‘It doesn’t look as though he has it, gel, so don’t worry too much.’

  ‘What if he has it and it’s not showing yet!’ Violet scooped up the boy, inspecting him for a rash. Harry snivelled, clearly disgruntled at being disturbed from his p
laying.

  Allowing him his freedom once more, Violet said, ‘There’s nothing there, thank goodness. How many are affected?’

  ‘Hard to say,’ Kath answered, ‘but I know Dr Shaw is run ragged, as well as all the other doctors in the town.’

  ‘Oh those poor families,’ Violet’s heart went out to those suffering from the dreadful disease.

  ‘Martha told me one of the canal children caught it in Birmingham and now it’s here.’

  Violet was shocked. ‘So it’s in Birmingham too. I wonder where else people are suffering?’

  ‘It could be everywhere by now,’ Kath sighed. ‘The “cut-rats” travel all over the country so it might be widespread.’

  ‘I do hope not,’ Violet’s eyes strayed once more to her son chatting away happily to himself.

  Both Spencer and Violet watched Harry carefully over the next few days and thankfully he showed no signs of feeling ill.

  Keeping to the house, Violet learned of the deaths of the children in the town on her mother’s visits. It was terribly upsetting for Violet to hear that some of Harry’s playmates had succumbed to the disease raging across Wednesbury. The newspapers were full of it and it appeared Birmingham was faring no better.

  Towards the end of the second week, Violet became worried. Harry had refused his food and he was whiny. Lifting him onto her lap, she felt his forehead. He was hot and was snuffling as she carried him upstairs. Her heart hammered in her chest and fear gripped her throat as she changed him into his pyjamas. He grizzled again as she undressed him. Sucking in a breath, Violet stared at the rash covering his little body.

  Oh dear God, no!

  She settled him down and he fell asleep almost instantly. Rushing downstairs to the kitchen, she sent the cook home. To the maid she said, ‘Please go to Dr Shaw and ask him to come quickly, then go home yourself. You and cook can return when this fever had completely gone from Wednesbury. Now go and hurry, please!’