by Linda Finlay
‘Er, yes, to be sure …’
But Miss Sullivan, bursting to share her news, carried on oblivious.
‘The sewing machine could make all the difference. As you know, Red Cliffs is still under scrutiny for the state of the building. Now the roof has been repaired – I’m hoping successfully, although we’ve had no real rain to test it – my remaining concern is the state of the children’s bedding. I’m sure you will have noticed it is all way past its best.’
Sheena nodded. ‘I have, Miss Sullivan, but …’
However, Sarah, still in full flood, didn’t hear.
‘Well, Mrs Knight, the dear lady who left us these things, has also bequeathed a large quantity of cotton material. Now in order to bring their dormitories up to the required standard, I thought you could set the girls to work on sewing new sheets and coverlets. What do you think, Miss O’Reilly?’
‘It’s a sound idea, but …’
‘I know what you are going to say and I agree: you will be up against it again timewise with the inspection due at the end of next month. However, you have proven to be most capable and the girls respond well to the way you teach. So, Miss O’Reilly, do you think you could help us pass the next inspection?’ As Sarah finally paused for breath and sat staring hopefully, Sheena gulped. How could she possibly let the children down, she thought, her new-found resolve disappearing fast.
‘There are three dormitories, are there not?’ she asked, recalling the layout of upstairs.
‘Yes, and I do realize it’s a tall order. However, I will, of course, do my bit when I take the girls on a Saturday afternoon, although I do have a couple of meetings coming up.’ Sarah paused and frowned. ‘Still, between us, I’m sure we will have the job done in time and imagine how wonderful the rooms will look.’ It was then that Sheena realized the other woman had assumed she’d agreed to the project.
‘Well, you’d better show me this sewing machine,’ she said, forcing a cheerfulness she didn’t feel.
As they made their way towards the classroom, the children, having finished their meal and lunchtime chores, were playing outside in the sunshine. Harry Higgins was supervising and his face broke into a smile at their approach. Despite herself, Sheena felt her insides tilting.
‘Ah, Master Higgins, I’ve just been telling Miss O’Reilly about our good fortune.’
‘A wonderful gesture from a very kind-hearted lady,’ he said gravely. ‘And I understand it is to be put to good use straight away, Miss O’Reilly,’ he added, turning his gaze on Sheena.
‘So it would appear, Master Higgins,’ Sheena agreed. ‘I understand I have less than two months to complete everything, so if you’ll excuse me I’d better make a start.’
‘Before you go, there is something I’d like to ask. After Easter, we always recommence the children’s outdoor fitness regime. Principally this involves sea bathing and, as Miss Sullivan has declined to join us, I wondered if I could seek your assistance?’
‘Mine?’ Sheena frowned.
‘You do swim?’ he persisted.
‘Of course. There is no better exercise.’
‘That’s debatable,’ Sarah murmured. ‘Well, if you’re sure, Miss O’Reilly, I’ll leave you to discuss the arrangements with Master Higgins after classes. I’m off to a meeting of the NUWSS and am already running late. Nevertheless, I would like to show you the sewing machine before I go.’
Sheena stared helplessly from the master to the principal and knew just how a caged bird felt.
However, when Sarah uncovered the black and gold machine with its needle already threaded, Sheena couldn’t help but reach out and stroke its glossy surface.
‘I can see you’re as thrilled as I am,’ Sarah smiled. ‘Now the girls are heading this way, so I’ll leave you to introduce them to the wonders of machine sewing. I’m sure they’ll be excited. In fact, you’ll probably have a fight on your hands as to who can have first go.’
Sheena smiled politely then watched as the woman strode from the room to be replaced by the gaggle of giggling girls.
‘Good afternoon, my angels. This afternoon you are in for a treat for do I not have something wonderful here to show you?’ she said, gesturing to the machine. ‘With the help of this wonderful sewing appliance, we are going to turn these lovely crisp piles of material into new bedding for the dormitories. Now won’t that be grand?’ To her surprise, this announcement was met with looks of dismay.
‘But we wanted to make a flowery thing like Sally’s to go on our dresses,’ Ellen cried.
‘Yeth, one of them corsets,’ June lisped.
‘The word is corsage, June,’ Sheena corrected. She stared at their long faces and felt a growing sympathy. Bedding, whilst essential, must seem very boring to them compared with fancy furbelows. ‘All right, my lovelies, this is what we’ll do. First of all, I’ll demonstrate how to run up a seam using the machine. Then, once you’ve got the idea, you can each choose some material from the donations box to make a corsage.’
‘Yeth!’ June cried, jumping up and down in excitement.
‘Me wants one just like April,’ Monday said, gazing adoringly at the girl.
‘Steady on, I ain’t chosen my material yet,’ April grinned. ‘But it would be lovely if it matched this ribbon Edith made for my anniversary present,’ she said, pulling out a length of green velvet that had been edged and neatly stitched.
‘Why, that’s lovely, April, and I’m sure we can find something similar later. Remind me at the end of the lesson that I, too, have something for you.’ As April beamed, she hastily added, ‘First, though, let’s discover the wonders of this lovely machine that Mr Singer designed. Now has anyone used one before?’
‘Nah,’ Edith cried. ‘Them costs a lot of money, them does.’
‘Indeed they do, and this is a wonderful opportunity for you to learn how to use one, is it not? Now, you can see the cotton on the reel runs here and through the eye of the needle. Under this little flap is the bobbin, which is also threaded.’
‘Why?’ Edith asked.
‘When it’s your turn to have a go I will take you through the whys and wherefores, but if you want to have time to make your corsages, you’d better watch me demonstrate for now.’ Taking up an old sheet, she carefully folded it in half and positioned it under the foot then carefully she put her feet on the treadle.
‘Sounds like a train,’ Maggie said. ‘Only very slow.’
‘To be sure, it’s all modern machinery, Maggie,’ Sheena replied. ‘Using your feet to work the machine thus, your hands are free to carefully guide the material.’
After the initial interest, Sheena could feel the attention of the younger ones wandering. When their gazes fixed longingly on the donations box, she knew it was time to let them have their way. Hoping they’d at least grasped the mechanics of her lesson, she began covering the machine. Taking this as their signal, the girls jumped to their feet, eager to be first to choose their fabric.
‘Can I have a go, miss?’ Edith asked, while the others rummaged in the box for their material. Seeing the girl’s hopeful look, Sheena agreed.
‘Sit down here then and I’ll take you through it again.’ However, to Sheena’s surprise, Edith had remembered most of what she’d seen and hardly needed any guidance. They became so engrossed with the machine that the chiming of the clock took her by surprise.
‘Now, my angels,’ Sheena said, ‘have you all made your selection?’
‘Yes,’ they chorused, staring at her expectantly.
‘Well, that’s good. However, I’m afraid time has beaten us today.’ As a groan went around the room, she held up her hand. ‘Next lesson, though, we’ll be sure to start on your flowers.’ Somewhat mollified, they packed away and filed from the room.
‘Now, April, did you have a lovely party?’ she asked, turning to the waiting girl.
‘Oh, I did, thank you, miss. Mrs Daws made me a cake of me very own. There was a big one to share with everyone and a little one for m
e. She’s that clever. Miss Sullivan and Master Higgins gave me a silver mirror with a handle so I can see to put my powder on. It’s not brand-new, of course, but I love it.’
‘Well, that is grand, April, and may I say how well you are now applying it, for the powder is barely visible.’
‘Now I know you’re not meant to see it, I uses less. Pip said he only knows I’ve got it on ’cos me scar ain’t so noticeable.’
Sheena smiled. ‘To be sure, that’s brilliant, April, for you are the prettiest girl, are you not?’ At her words, April flushed with pleasure. ‘Right now, shall we see what I can find for you?’ Sheena said, digging into her bag and pulling out a beribboned parcel.
‘Oh, miss, it’s gorgeous,’ she cried, staring down at the turquoise satin chemise Sheena had made for her.
‘Well, you’re a lovely young lady and beautiful women need pretty things to wear,’ Sheena told her, taking something out of her pocket. ‘Oh, and Nanna has sent you another pot of her powder.’
‘That’s so kind of her,’ April gulped. ‘I’ve never ’ad so many nice things before.’ A knock on the door made them both jump. As the master came striding into the room, April went bright red. Hastily bundling her chemise back in the paper, she fled.
‘Nice to know the effect I have on you females,’ Harry quipped. ‘How did you get on?’ he asked, jerking his head towards the machine.
‘I can’t deny it will speed up the sewing although the girls weren’t exactly enthusiastic at the prospect of making bedding,’ Sheena admitted.
‘Ah, but what a worthwhile project that will be, especially if it satisfies the inspectors. Now, about that exercise regime. When the sea has had a chance to warm up I usually take them swimming first thing in the morning. However, the water is still too cold at the moment and, being the kind-hearted man I am, I shall settle for taking them for a nice brisk walk along the front. As we are still unable to visit the farm, I thought I’d start this Saturday afternoon. Miss Sullivan has another one of her meetings, apparently, so I wondered if you’d take pity on a poor fellow and escort the girls?’
‘Oh, but …’
‘I realize it is not within your remit or working hours and understand if you are unable to. It would be a shame for the girls to miss out, though,’ he added, letting out a long sigh.
‘Master Higgins, that is blackmail,’ she protested, laughing despite herself.
‘Corruption, extortion, call it what you will, I’ll plead guilty to them all, as long as you agree.’ As he stood staring at her, looking for all the world like one of the schoolboys himself, she shook her head.
‘All right then, but purely for the sake of the girls’ wellbeing,’ she replied, ignoring the way the butterflies were skittering around her stomach at the prospect.
So much for your resolve, Sheena O’Reilly, she chided herself.
‘I thought you weren’t coming,’ Josephine greeted Sarah, as she hastily slid into the seat opposite her friend in the little café.
‘Sorry, I was delayed getting away,’ she replied, taking a surreptitious look around.
‘It’s all right, he’s sitting two tables to your right,’ Josephine laughed.
‘Who?’ Sarah asked, feigning innocence as she picked up the menu.
‘Bertram J. Brightling, of course, and don’t pretend to be reading that when you’re scanning the room over the top of it,’ her friend laughed, taking the menu from her. Just then the waitress came over, pad and pencil poised, to take their order. ‘We’ll have our usual pot of tea with a Devon Chudleigh each,’ Josephine told her, emphasizing the word ‘usual’.
‘After our last meeting on the founding of Parish and District Councils, I decided to look into the 1894 Act,’ Sarah began.
‘Makes a change from looking at that handsome fellow, who, by the way, has spent the last five minutes staring at you and is now avidly scribbling in that notebook of his. I wonder what he is writing. A sonnet, perhaps? Just imagine, “An Ode to Sarah Sullivan”,’ Josephine grinned and waggled her brows outrageously.
‘Josephine Harmon, you have the most fertile imagination,’ Sarah cried. Her reply came out louder than she’d intended, and the ladies at the next table looked at her curiously. Josephine giggled delightedly at her discomfort.
‘And the man doth affect you somewhat, me thinks.’
Thankfully, however, the waitress arrived and as she began setting their cups and plates on the table, Sarah took the opportunity to look around. Just as her friend had said, Bertram J. Brightling was sitting at a table close by, writing rapidly in his book. Today he was wearing a tweed jacket in muted mauves that reminded Sarah of heather on the moors. Then, as if sensing her gaze, he looked up and smiled. Boldly she nodded back before turning her attention to her refreshments.
Josephine looked at her knowingly but didn’t comment, and for the next twenty minutes or so they set to debating how, as suffragists, they could help spread the word about the movement and its aim to achieve the rights for women they both strongly believed in. Both had taken to heart the words of Mrs Thomas Taylor, who’d publicly announced: ‘There are hundreds and thousands of women who do care for the suffrage; but there are millions who not only do not care, but who have, many of them, never heard of it, and certainly do not realize what it means.’
‘It’s a tall order but we now know exactly what our mission is, don’t we?’ Josephine said.
‘Indeed. It is a changing world and men need to understand the days of snapping their fingers and women jumping are over,’ Sarah told her friend, who instead of agreeing as usual, was grinning like the proverbial Cheshire cat. Sarah jumped as a folded piece of paper was placed on the table in front of her.
‘Oh,’ she gasped, looking up into clear blue eyes. But Bertram merely doffed his deerstalker politely and sauntered out of the café.
‘Well, aren’t you going to see what it says?’ Josephine asked.
Sarah unfolded the note and scanned the contents.
‘Good grief, he’s invited me for afternoon tea at the Grand,’ she gasped.
27
It was Saturday afternoon and Sheena was helping Master Higgins escort the children along the seafront for their constitutional. They were all excited by the outing, especially the girls, who’d been given permission to wear their new outfits complete with the corsages they’d finished making the previous day.
Although Sheena had been apprehensive at the thought of being in Harry’s company, he was proving to be an entertaining companion.
‘Inhale deeply of the ozone, Miss O’Reilly,’ Master Higgins ordered.
Sheena nodded and did as he suggested.
‘It is good to see them happy and healthy, is it not, Master Higgins?’ she smiled, watching the youngsters chasing each other over the golden sands. ‘Even young Solomon seems revitalized.’
‘Well, Torquay is renowned for being a place of recovery,’ he replied. ‘In fact the motto on its Royal Charter – which, in case you’re interested, was granted in 1892 – is Salus et Felicitas, which means Health and Happiness. Right, come along, you lot,’ he called. ‘Time to head back.’
While they waited for the reluctant children to join them back on the promenade, Sheena studied the large white properties hugging the cliffs.
‘Isn’t it funny that all those houses overlook the water, yet only some have windows to see the view?’
‘Not really, Miss O’Reilly. They were built at a time when the original owners, and more recently visiting invalids, preferred residences that offered shelter from the withering south-easterly gales,’ Harry explained.
‘Most of the cottages where I come from have solid gables facing towards the south-west winds for the same reason,’ Sheena replied.
‘It’s only been latterly that views have become a priority for the tourist. Of course, now you can see that the new properties popping up like mushrooms all over the place take advantage of the vista.’
‘That is good, isn’t it?’ sh
e asked.
He shrugged. ‘For the rich, yes. However, as the demand for a sea views grows, rental prices are increasing as well. Some landladies have been known to push their poorer tenants out of their homes so that they can let the rooms to more affluent tourists.’
‘But that’s disgraceful,’ Sheena cried. ‘Where do they go?’
‘Economics force them into cheaper housing, further out of town. Now, that’s enough depressing talk for a sunny afternoon,’ he said, seeing her look of dismay. ‘To give the children fair exercise, I usually head back the long way via the Bath Saloons, then on through Rock Walk. Not that you should walk through there by night, Miss O’Reilly, for it’s frequented by those ladies of ill repute,’ Harry warned.
Sheena saw the colour rising above his collar and smiled to herself. So, Master Higgins was not really a man of the world, then.
‘That was where Miss Sullivan found Kitty sheltering Luke,’ he added.
‘Oh, the poor wee angels,’ Sheena cried. She was about to ask him about the circumstances leading up to that but the schoolmaster was already gesturing to the children to lead the way.
‘Do you ever take them bathing at the Saloon?’ Sheena asked, remembering his comment about the sea being too cold at this time of year.
He gave a snort. ‘Our dear neighbours would have something to say about that, Miss O’Reilly.’
‘Then perhaps it’s time to show those charming people a thing or two,’ she replied. Seeing his frown and not wishing to spoil their excursion, she went on quickly, making a sweep of the bay with her hand, ‘It’s great to be outside enjoying all this scenery.’
‘I have to confess to be rather enjoying that myself, Miss O’Reilly. In fact, I would say the scenery appears even prettier than usual today,’ he added, staring at Sheena meaningfully. She turned away and pointed to where the crocodile of children had come to a halt outside the Saloon.
‘To be sure, with their hair having grown a little bit, the girls are looking quite angelic,’ she said.
‘Yet looks can be deceptive, can they not, Miss O’Reilly?’ he replied, just as Brown and Black came running over.