Secrets of the Past

by Wendy Backshall

  Then he added.

  “I bought it off him with a few others, you never know, we may be able to do something with it.

  I will get our framer to have a look at it and perhaps get it cleaned.”

  I sat staring at the locket, when David whispered.

  “Amy, what is wrong, I can see tears in your eyes, are you alright, has someone upset you.”

  I wiped a tear from my cheek.

  “David, I have something I have to tell you it’s very important, can we meet somewhere else.”

  David answered.

  “There is nothing to do here. That lot will wait. Come home with me, and you can tell me what has happened.”

  I agreed and grabbed my coat and bag.

  He lived in a house in Borstal, it overlooked the River Medway, but I had never been there before, but new of the area. Such a gentle man as always, he held my hand as we arrived at his car and opened the door for me.

  On the way, I started to tell him about Zoë.

  He stopped me.

  “No more, wait till we get home and we can discuss it over dinner, I will cook us a lovely meal, do you like Chinese, I am very good at it you know”.

  We arrived at his house, it was stunning, not how I imagined very modern but with old bits here and there, very unusual. He ushered me into the door and said, “Right take a seat in the conservatory, and I will get cooking, would you like a drink”.

  I answered.

  “Just a coffee for me”, as I knew David was tea total, so did not want to embarrass myself, by drinking alcohol.

  I wanted to relish these moments, it had been a long time coming.

  I gazed over the river beyond the gardens, the boats looked so tiny from here, but what a view, he must enjoy living here so much. It was fantastic.

  Before I knew, about twenty minutes had flown by and he entered the room, with two plates.

  “Sorry forgot your coffee, I will fetch it.

  We sat at a large glass table enjoying the lovely meal he had conjured up. It was delicious.

  We moved to the sofa. He told me he had lived there since his father had passed on, and he had no family to speak.

  Then he said.

  “Sorry, how rude of me, please tell me what was wrong earlier”.

  Therefore, my story began.

  I told him everything but hesitated about the going back in time, would he think me mad as a hatter?

  Never less, I decided to tell him all.

  I had held this secret for so long, it was time to share it, and who better than him.

  He sat not uttering a word, listening intently, I could feel myself getting warm with embarrassment, but jabbered on, talking fast, and so he never got a word in anyway.

  Every detail and I just could not stop.

  I neared the end of my story.

  David laid his hand upon mine, and said.

  “Why, did you not go to the police?

  I replied.

  “Because I did not think they would believe me and I had never spoken to the police, till the day I saw the body, and I was afraid, they would think I was a little mad, I have always been a little afraid of them.

  We sat discussing all I had told him, I could tell he cared, wondered why, as I did not think he was that interested in me, so why would he want to hear a tale like this?

  He spoke of the painting, as he knew it had been in a fire, so could that have been when it happened when I was there witnessing the whole episode.

  We sat a while not speaking, I was thinking, he doesn’t believe me, just keeping me sweet, then he is going to get rid of me as fast as he was able.

  CHAPTER NINE

  He then spoke.

  “Do you still have the locket?”

  I replied.

  “Yes I do, I hid in under my fireplace, and I put it there weeks ago and forgot about it”.

  David suggested he look at it, perhaps later when I take you home, if you trust me.

  “Of course I trust you David”.

  It was dark so I suggested we make a move, we arrived home, and I invited him in, he immediately said

  “Wow Amy, been keeping this quite, you have some lovely art here, where did you get it all from?

  I told him where it all came from. I could see he was impressed with my collection of art.

  I made us both, tea as he pottered about moving around the room slowly, taking in the art, looking at the bottom of a small sculpture I had of a dancer.

  Then we sat and I got the locket from the place I had hidden it.

  He gazed at it for ages he turned it, holding it gently in his hand, and then he said.

  “Do you mind if I open it? I said.

  “Of course go ahead”

  He then said she is beautiful, it is she, the woman in the painting.

  Now I was confused, the locket when he opened it, nothing happened, does it only go back with me?

  He passed it back to me, so I opened it.

  As I did the room started to dim, I moved closer to him placing my hand on his knee, we both looked up, there was no one else in the room, David could see what I could see, he sat gasping with amazement, frozen, then he whispered,

  “Is this real Amy, can you see it?

  “Yes I can, I told you, and it was true.”

  David looked at me and slipped his hand in mine, holding my hand tightly, just looking around, then we heard a noise it was horses hoofs, outside in the street, quickly we both went to the window, and looked upon the street.

  It was 1800s, horses, carts, cobbled streets, an old man lighting the street lights, little urchin kids sitting at the kerbed edge, holding out there hands begging.

  Ladies, wearing, long skirts. The Gentlemen wore top hats, but I had seen all this. Everything grey looking. Just like the old pictures, we see.

  This was the most exciting moment of my life as I was sharing this moment with someone I think I loved.

  He then spoke.

  “Come let’s go back now”,

  I agreed so I closed the locket, almost immediately we were back at my place.

  He released my hand,

  “Amy, do you know how valuable this is?

  It is probably the most sought after object in the world today, can you imagine what you could do with the money this is worth.

  You would be the richest person in the world.”

  He added.

  “No one in history has ever been able to go back in time, but would like to, some to change the future, which we cannot allow.

  What are you going to do with it?

  I answered.

  “I don’t know, what I shall do with it, you tell me?

  We sat for a while discussing the situation, I also added some more stuff that I had missed out earlier, bits I had forgotten, so I told all.

  We sat and tried to forget what just happened.

  On my cupboard stood an album, pictures of my family, so we went through them, David was so interesting; he asked so many questions, about my mum and dad.

  He wanted to know all about Tom and his family.

  He then told me bits about his life. It was the first time; we had connected in this way.

  We sat watching TV a while.

  David opened the locket again but only partially, so he could look at the photographs inside, agreed the picture in the gallery were the same, as he done earlier.

  I also showed him the love note I found.

  He said.

  “Shall we go down to the street, just to see what it’s like?

  “I’ve told you the story David, I have been there many times, and I am scared to go again.”

  I then added. “Ok, but just this once.”

  Apprehensive, but excited at the same time and I felt safe with David, so I followed him to the door, I then opened the locket again.

  I looked at him, laughed, and said.

  “Have you looked at your clothing?

  He had short trousers, bit like jockeys, an
d a waistcoat, and a cap, he looked so funny, and he smiled, he looked a bit like Oliver Twist, but older.

  “Me, look at you, stunner.” He said.

  We opened the door and stepped into the street, just looking and taking in the smell, which was not that good I must say. Think the drains needed sorting.

  The street lighter was walking past with a large rod hanging over his shoulder. Three little kids were playing a game, rolling stones, to see who could get nearest the large stone, they wore scruffy clothes, the girl had a skirt that touched the ground, the boys trousers stopped at their shins, and they were all giggling happily.

  A woman passed, her long dress flowing as she walked. We gradually edged our way into the street and began slowly walking; David then said.

  “I will keep hold of the locket in case we run into trouble, so we can go back.”

  I agreed that was best.

  As we walked we came by a café at the side, which is my coffee shop now, it was full, to the door, tables spewed out onto the street, unlike my shop now.

  As we turned the corner a scruffy man about twenty, came running passed, between us knocking David to the ground.

  The shop window stopped my fall, as I fell against it.

  I turned to see if David was ok, the bloke had pulled the locket from David’s hand; he tried to hang on to it but was unable to.

  The man was gone in the crowd.

  David rose to his feet and starting racing after him, he left me standing there, so I followed.

  Then he soon came to a stop, his arm leaning against a wall, he was all puffed out. As I reached him, he was ‘Begging my forgiveness’

  He was panicky by this time, I told him to calm down. I then said.

  “Look we will follow the route the man made and maybe we would see him.”

  We started to walk along the pathway, and then as we turned Anastasia was standing in front of me

  “Anna, what on earth are you doing out on the street with this man?

  I was lost for words and stood open mouthed; she then took my hand and dragged me towards the flat.

  David shouted after me.

  “Don’t worry Amy, I will find it and I will be back for you”

  He blew me a kiss.

  I then followed Anastasia to the door, and he was gone.

  She obviously never heard him.

  As we reached the top of the stairs, she gave me a disapproving look that I will never forget, and ushered me into the bedroom. She told me to stay there, if I knew what was good for me.

  I looked around, it was so dark, so I went to a lamp, it was old, an oil lamp, I turned it up and the light beamed across the room brightly.

  There was an old bed in the corner, then, I noticed the window, and I rushed to it and realized as I had forgotten it was at the back of the house.

  I could not see a thing, anyway. Only the blackness of the dark night.

  As I turned, she came back in the room, gave me the look again.

  “Well explain yourself Anna, I want an explanation.”

  She said in a stern voice.

  I spluttered out.

  “That I was bored and had wandered out on the street, and had helped the gentleman up as he had been knocked down”.

  She said.

  “Oh Anna please do not ever go against my wishes again, you are a young lady of good standing and you must never ever go out alone.”

  “Do you realize how angry your father would be if he had seen you, if you promise never to do it again I will not tell him this time.”

  I promised her, and she left, saying

  ‘I will bring your supper to your room’

  “Now get ready for bed.”

  I did not want to upset her more so I thought better do as she asked, I found a nightgown in the drawer, made of lace, it was thick, hung to the floor, unlike my sexy pajamas’ I have at home.

  David would come for me as soon as he could.

  A while later she came back with a tray, some milk and a biscuit.

  She then said.

  “I am sorry Anna for shouting, but I really worry about you. You are a young woman and should not go out alone; please promise me it will never happen again.”

  She took my hand brushing it softly, repeatedly.

  “Your father is so proud of you; he talks of you all the time.”

  I replied.

  “So why do we hideaway mother, why can we not live with father, he is away all the time, and what does he do mother.”

  She replied.

  “Your father is a writer, he travels extensively, he writes about the world around us, the past, and the future.”

  “He is a man of the people, he writes stories about the old, the poor, the rich, and he is the most intelligent man I have ever come across”.

  “When I met him, we fell in love immediately, we do not see him regularly as he has another life which he cannot ever leave, but wants to.

  She then added.

  “Now get some sleep you have a big day in front of you tomorrow, starting at the school for young ladies; it is a very important time of your life.”

  She then left, my mind was now racing thinking of David, I then realized I had called her mother, it had come naturally to me, it was a though I was always here, but in the future as well. My mind so muddled.

  Where had David gone?

  Had he caught up with the man, where could he be?

  I then started to think of tomorrow, what is this school all about I am not going anywhere. I will find David we cannot stay in this place. This is not our lives. I tasted the milk it was sweet like honey, and then laid back my head on the pillow.

  I must have fallen asleep, because the next thing I knew I could hear birds singing, and shouting in the distance, I opened my eyes, it was bright, rays of sunshine were radiating across the room, and I lay thinking of my dilemma.

  Then I heard mother coming so pretended to be asleep, I heard the latch on the door opening, it was she, and I felt her nearing me as she whispered

  “Anna, Anna, wake up its time to get ready”

  I opened my eyes and looked at her, she looked different her hair was down, long, very long.

  She had a thick dressing gown on, which did not do her beauty justice.

  “Come Anna get washed and put on your clothing, what we chose the other day.”

  I replied. “All right mother.”

  She left the room and I rose from the bed I then grabbed a gown and made my way to the bathroom, where I quickly washed and returned to my room.

  I assumed the clothing that lay out on the chair, must be the clothing I was to wear, so with a bit of trouble I managed to put them on, I did try the corset, but squeezed it back into the drawer.

  The boots being the worst, they had laces right up the leg. They were quite nice a bit like the ones we wear nowadays.

  I then sat and thought of David out there alone, but then mother shouted for me to go to the kitchen, so I made my way there as I entered she said.

  “Oh you look lovely Anna, did they all fit fine.”

  I replied. “Yes mother they are fine.”

  She then beckoned me to sit and eat breakfast; I was hungry so tucked in. On my plate were scrambled eggs, and slice of thick bread, she then said.

  “Anna I have to go to the bakers, I will be back immediately, just enjoy your breakfast, and stop worrying, the school is lovely, your father told me”

  Without another word, she collected her shawl and left.

  CHAPTER TEN

  I sat for a moment thinking what I should do next, and then realized this is my chance to find David. Therefore, I collected a chunk of bread and some cheese, and placed them inside a cloth, then went to my room grabbed a shawl and ran for the stairs.

  I peeped my head into the street, a little girl with a dirty face looked up at me.

  “Have you got some bread to spare mistress?

  She said.

  I replied.

  �
�No I haven’t, if you come back later my mother may have some food to spare.”

  A tiny lad joined her, took hold of her hand, tugging at her, she turned to him and said

  “Joseph, I told you too wait down the alley.”

  He looked so sad, hungry I expect.

  “Poor love I thought.”

  I asked where she lived, she told me she lived in a little flat with her family around the corner, but she could not go home until she found some food, or her mother would be angry, so they had to walk the streets to find whatever they could. They both looked so thin.

  I was not sure what to do, as Anastasia would be back at any minute. I then remembered the bread and cheese I had in my hand, so passed it to her.

  Her smile lit her face, her brother, asking what it was, tugging at her hand. She bowed to me saying.

  “Ah Thanks Miss.”

  In addition, flew off dragging her brother along the street, they were both giggling as they ran.

  I crossed over the street; I would hide if I saw Anastasia, I had to look for David, so I stood inside a shop doorway.

  I noticed many kids playing, no toys; they just had stones, which they rolled. One had a little ball.

  If Anastasia caught me, she would be so mad, I heard a voice it was David, I ran to him and he embraced me.

  I then said

  “Quickly the woman Anastasia would be coming back any minute”.

  We set off up the street, passing a few people, who were out early. Then gradually slowed down, we were not far from the vines, a local little walkway.

  David said.

  “Thank god I have found you.”

  I replied.

  “I have been so worried, she was going to take me to a school today, and she thinks I am her daughter.”

  I then said.

  “Did you get the locket back David”

  He replied.

  “No I didn’t, but I know where it is, it’s in the window of a shop, I lost the guy last night and walked around and around searching for him then rested by a shop and saw it in the window.”

  I then offered him some food, which he appreciated, as he was very hungry. We rested for a while and decided to walk to the castle, which was not far away. There we could sit a while and decide what to do next.