To Take Her Pride

by Anne Brear

  “I must be going, Mrs Murphy.” Aurora edged for the doorway, conscious of the time ticking away. “I’ll call in again when I come home this afternoon.”

  “Right you are, lass. Take care now.”

  When Aurora arrived at the eatery, she found Peggy and Nancy already filling the sinks with hot water. “I’m sorry to be late.”

  “Never mind, you’re here now.” Peggy smiled, then her smile froze as she stared at Aurora, who was reaching up to grab a new apron from the top rack. “You have a bump.”

  Aurora blushed, her hand going to her stomach in a tell tale sign. “Yes.”

  “Is that the real reason why you left home?” Peggy asked.

  “Partly.”

  “Why didn’t you tell us?”

  She looked from Peggy to Nancy and back again and felt ashamed. “I was going to. Only, I find it difficult to talk about it.”

  “That’s all right. We understand, don’t we, Nancy?” They both gave her a sympathetic smile.

  “And I didn’t want Mrs Ellerton to find out.”

  “Find out what?” The domineering woman stood on the step leading into the kitchen. “What you hiding?”

  “That she was five minutes late, Mrs Ellerton.” Peggy turned back to the sink and started washing.

  Ellerton peered at Aurora. “Do it again and I’ll dock you wages.”

  Aurora nodded and hurried up to the other end of the kitchen. When Ellerton went back into the kitchen, Aurora glanced over her shoulder at the two girls. “Thank you.”

  “Think nothing of it.” Peggy shrugged. “It’s none of her business. She’d probably think it was Merv’s anyway and get him to get rid of it.”

  A wave of fierce protection came over her towards her unborn child. “No one is touching my baby.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Sophia finished wiping down the front bar and went into the little snug that catered for those wishing for a private area. Rinsing out her cloth in the bucket of hot soapy water, she hummed a jaunty tune. The mundane tasks allowed her mind to wander and she smiled thinking of Aurora. Last night they had taken turns in reading out pages of Charles Dickens” novel, Great Expectations. With each day that passed she was growing to love Aurrie more.

  The thought of love made her think of Noah Middleton. He was a regular at the bar now when he knew she was working. Not that she minded. It was nice to be admired by a good man, one who didn’t demand, who didn’t tell her crude jokes or make suggestive comments. Noah treated her with respect, despite having known her for many years as simply a barmaid and seeing how she had behaved at times with other men. He had asked her to walk out with him, but so far she’d held off, not wanting to alarm Aurora, especially after the incident with Godfrey. Not that Noah was anything like Fred Godfrey. Noah was decent, kind, and if she was honest, worth giving her trust to, but if she accepted his courtship how would Aurrie react? Would she feel neglected? And did she want a relationship now when she still had to became closer to Aurora and gain her trust? Sophia sighed, confused by her thoughts. It was all so difficult to make everyone happy. Although if she married Noah it would be a relief to have someone look after her for a change, someone to share her worries with.

  Dusting the shelf above the small fire in the corner, she paused, hearing Mrs Flannigan’s raised shocked voice, and then a thump. Worried the older woman might have fallen, Sophia dropped her bucket and cleaning tools and ran down the passageway. “Mrs Flannigan?”

  She stopped abruptly in the kitchen. Framed in the doorway leading to the scullery, as though she had conjured him up from her thoughts, stood Fred Godfrey, looking wild with a straggly beard, his eyes glazed and his gaunt body covered with filthy clothes. Her heart smashed against her ribcage in fear. “What do you want, Fred?”

  “Revenge.” His lips curled back in a feral snarl. “And I’m not stopping until I get it.” He lunged forward and she screamed. She turned and bumped straight into Big Eddie, who’d been working in his tiny office under the stairs.

  “What the hell is going on here? Get out of here, Godfrey, you fool.” Big Eddie strode forward as if to swat him like a bothersome fly. Only they weren’t prepared for Fred to flash a knife in his face. Eddie skidded to a stop. “Now, calm down, Fred.”

  “Calm down? After what that bitch did to me?” he sneered, jabbing the knife with each word. “I nearly died because of her. I lost the lot, me job and me home all because of her! I was left for dead, and then done over by some streets turds before I could gather me wits.” He lifted up his shirt to reveal a weeping red wound in his side. “It won’t heal.”

  “I never did that!” Sophia gasped, horrified.

  He grimaced with hatred. “No, but you left me in the alley where some other bugger could though, didn’t you? And for what? Me new boots and a few coppers in me pocket.”

  Sophia took a step back. “I didn’t know! I’m sorry.”

  Big Eddie crossed his arms over his broad chest. “You’ve always had more enemies than friends with your double-dealing. It’s no surprise you were been done over. Now, go home. There’s nowt for you here.”

  “I nearly died.” His voice came out on a harsh whisper. “I wish I had because I lost everythin” and you’re gonna pay, lassie.”

  “Oh no, she isn’t, Godfrey. You brought it upon yourself for attacking her lass. If Soph hadn’t stopped you, you’d have done rape.”

  “Aye, and enjoyed it too!” He spat onto the floor. “Still, I’m not leaving until I’ve done some paying back of me own.”

  “Go while you still can, Godfrey. I want you out of here before you cause any more trouble.” Big Eddie took a step ready to escort him out, but Fred pivoted sideways and plunged the knife into Big Eddie’s chest.

  Sophia screamed wordlessly, unable to believe her eyes as Big Eddie crumpled to his knees, a look of surprise on his face. Godfrey yanked the knife out of Eddie’s chest and the big man fell forwards onto the floor.

  Godfrey slowly lifted his head and stared with a smile at Sophia. “Now to unfinished business.”

  “Fred…no…” Sophia walked backwards out of the kitchen and up the passageway. “Please don’t, Fred. I’ll not tell anyone it was you…”

  “If I’m going to be done for murder, I might as well make it two, or is it three?” He laughed like someone demented.

  “Three?” she squeaked. Had he killed Aurora?

  “The old woman back there.” He shrugged. “Who knows?”

  Oh my God, he’d killed Mrs Flannigan! “We can talk about this, Fred. We’ll work something out.”

  “I’ve no wish to talk. It’s all about actions now, lass. You will pay.” His quiet icy tone sent shivers down her back.

  Sophia turned and ran into the bar room. He caught her at the front doors as she tried desperately to pull down the bolts on the locks. His first blow sent her sideways into a table. Her head rang like bells in a church tower.

  She screamed as his fist came down and smacked her in the face, the force rolling her backwards over a bench seat and onto the floor. Opening her mouth to scream again she found his hands on her throat, cutting off her air. She flayed with her arms, her fingernails reaching and tearing at his face. When he cried with pain, his grip slackened on her throat and she kicked out. He ripped at her blouse, the material coming away easily in his rage. She cried out, but his fist hit her on the side of the head and sent her mind spinning in pain. His next blow struck her stomach, doubling her up in silent agony. She was dimly aware of her skirts being lifted up, of his cold hands on her legs. He punched her repeatedly in the stomach and ribs. She twisted away, frantic to escape the torture, but he was always there, his hands everywhere, hurting her. Another smack to her face sent the world black.

  “Here’s another tray for you.” Ollie, one of the eatery staff, placed a full tray of crockery on the side drainer and hurried back into the madness of the hot kitchen.

  “Why is it so busy today?” Aurora panted, puffing upwards to
shift her hair off her face. If she had a free hand she’d retie it, but to stop even for a moment wasn’t possible.

  “The Ellertons are havin” a private party or summat,” Nancy said, wiping sweat from her face. The heat from the hot August day outside and the busy kitchen seemed to meet and pool in the scullery.

  “Not a good day for Peggy to miss.” Aurrie was desperate for a drink.

  “No. Her Gran is poorly again.”

  “Mrs Ellerton will dock her wages.”

  “Aye, but she’ll still keep her job.”

  “That’s because no one works as hard as Peggy and Mrs Ellerton knows it.” Aurora unloaded the tray, wishing the minutes would go by faster. They still had another four hours to go, and apart from her first week of work, over eight weeks ago, this day was proving the toughest yet. Her feet throbbed and she suspected her ankles had swollen. The cracks in her hands had started to bleed and her back seemed permanently bent. She stifled a cry as the soda seeped into the split skin in her fingers and not for the first time she wished she had listened to Sophia and stayed at home. Tiredness pulled at her bones. How she remained standing she didn’t know.

  “Ah, my girls.” Merv Ellerton sauntered into the scullery, running one finger along his thin moustache. “I’ve come to say how well we appreciate you working so hard on our special day.”

  Aurora turned away and placed the empty tray on a rack hanging on the opposite wall. She caught Nancy’s blush and stiffened. She hoped the silly girl wasn’t falling for Merv’s patter. Thankfully, Merv’s attentions to herself had waned soon after he learned of her condition, which now was clearly evident as the sweat soaked her clothes to her skin. However, every now and then, he still tried to charm her.

  “Aurora, my dear, you should have a rest. Let me escort you outside for some air.” His smile seemed open and friendly but when she looked into his eyes and saw a hidden message there, she knew it was a falsehood.

  “No, thank you. I have much work to do and we are one person short.”

  “No, I insist.” He grabbed her hand and led her from the scullery and down the steps before she could reply. He turned back to Nancy. “Dearest Nancy will cope for a moment won’t you, my pet?”

  Nancy simpered and nodded and Aurora wished Peggy was here, for she didn’t stand any of his nonsense, and neither would Aurora. “Really, Mr Ellerton, I’m—”

  “Now, shush, Aurrie, I’m only thinking of you and your child.” He led her over to a crate and sat her down on it, before hunkering down beside her. “What can I get you? Water? Tea?”

  “I don’t wish for anything, thank you.” She put a protective hand over her stomach, which despite Sophia’s apprehension, had grown nearly double in size to a small neat bump.

  “I adore the way you speak, Aurrie, so soft and gentle. A real lady. We don’t have any of those here.” His took one of her booted feet and rested it on his knee. “You aren’t used to hard work, are you, but you’ve been a real soldier. Never complaining, staying out of trouble.”

  She tried to take her foot off his knee but he held it firm, his fingers sliding over her short boot and up her stocking clad calf. “I wish to return inside please, Mr Ellerton.”

  “In a minute. First tell me about yourself. How did such a lady come to work here?” His hand reached her knee and she froze in horror. “You know, I could make your life better than it is. I could return you to the comfort in which you were brought up.” His smile now matched the hunger in his eyes and he reminded her of a wolf, or a cunning fox.

  “Please…I—”

  “Come, Aurrie, tell me that you don’t wish to be in a beautiful home again? I’m told you want to live in the countryside once more. You come from the country, my dear?” His fingers kneaded her thigh, his gaze holding hers. “I can do that for you. I can give you back all that you have lost. I can give you a house, a pony to ride, dresses and jewels. They can all be yours…” He leaned in closer. “As my mistress, you’d want for nothing, and I’d love you better than any man alive.” He leaned closer still. “I’d love you like you deserve, Aurrie…” His mouth was an inch from hers, his words hypnotizing. He smelt of the cigars he smoked and something else…not beer, but something stronger, brandy or whiskey ... Her father had a whiskey bottle in the cabinet in his study. The thought of her father jerked her out of her exhausted stupor and she blinked.

  “Aurrie, girl, say yes…” Merv’s mouth with that hideous moustache loomed closer and she reared back.

  “Get away from me!” She pushed him hard and crouching as he was, he easily toppled backwards onto the dusty flags. She jumped off the crate and a wave of dizziness washed over her.

  “Aurora, listen,” Merv pleaded, getting to his feet and dusting down his trousers. “Let me explain…I want to take care of you. You’re not the sort who should be working in a scullery. You’re a lady and in trouble.”

  “What I am is of no concern to you!” She marched into the scullery and untied her dirty, wet apron, ignoring Nancy’s open-mouthed stare.

  “I’m sorry, Aurrie,” Nancy muttered, her gaze darting past her to the yard beyond.

  “For what?” Her stomach swirled queasily.

  Nancy squirmed on the spot, her expression guilty.

  Aurora stiffened. “You’ve been talking about me to him?”

  “He was only being kind,” she whined. “He can be nice.”

  “Don’t be silly, Nancy. He’s made a fool out of you.”

  “He can send your baby to a good home, Aurrie, and then you can go back to your home if you want,” Nancy whispered, her hands dripping gray soapy water over the red flagstones. “He’ll look after you. He said so.”

  “Don’t be so blind, Nancy.” She wiped her sweat-soaked hair from her face. “He’s the kind who will only do what benefits him. You know the stories.”

  “But he seemed…” Nancy glanced down, shame-faced.

  “He used you, Nancy, to get at me.” Aurora peered at her. “You didn’t…I mean he didn’t…”

  Nancy’s head jerked up. “No! I wouldn’t do that. Me dad would kill me.”

  Aurora sighed in relief. “Don’t ever give in, Nancy. Get married first. Find a good man who will take care of you.”

  “Mr Ellerton said he’d take care of you. I thought I was doing the right thing.”

  Merv came up the steps and stood in the doorway. “I can help you, Aurora. Surely you need someone to take care of you.”

  Aurora spun to face the monster, the heat of the day was nothing compared to the blaze of her anger. “How dare you go through Nancy to get to me. How low can you be?”

  “Now listen, you’re getting all excited over nothing. I simply wanted to help.”

  “And what do you want in return?” She flung the apron into the corner. “You want me as your mistress.” She laughed, fighting the urge not to be sick. “Does your wife know? Of course she doesn’t.” She was aware of the kitchen staff watching her, but she didn’t care. “Well, I won’t be your mistress, Mr Ellerton. Not you or anyone will take care of me. I can do that myself.” She barged past him, but stopped at the bottom of the steps. “I will send someone for my wages. I will be paid up until the end of the week. If I am not, then I will go to the police about your little system of baby selling.” She hesitated and nodded wisely. “No, bugger my wages. I’ll go to the police anyway. You’re vile and need to be locked up.”

  He grabbed her arm cruelly, all trace of politeness and concern gone. “You go to the authorities, bitch, and I’ll do for you. Understand?”

  She was too furious to be alarmed by his threat, but her mind worked. “Then make sure there is enough money in the envelope to keep me quiet.”

  His eyes widened. “You’re blackmailing me?”

  “No, not at all. Merely advising.”

  Mrs Ellerton barged out of the kitchen, hands on hips, her face ferocious with rage. “You’re not getting a penny, whore!”

  Aurora wrenched her arm out of his hold.
“Then I’ll see you both in court.”

  “Court.” He laughed madly. “You have the money for such a case? Who will be your witnesses? No one will speak against me. I’ve given half the wealthy men in this county a family they couldn’t provide themselves.”

  “We’ll see about all that, won’t we? You forget, I too, have important associations. My father—”

  Mrs Ellerton took a step closer, her top lip thin against her teeth. “Stuck up little bitch. How dare you come here begging for a job and then threaten us. I’ll see you dead in the gutter first and you whole family shamed!”

  Merv laid a hand on his wife’s arm. “Save your breath. I’ll tell the magistrate that the little tart was my mistress, that her baby is mine and I’ve turned her down and she’s doing all this out of spite.”

  Aurora recoiled as though he’d slapped her. “They’ll not believe you.”

  “Do you want to drag your family into court to prove it?” His lips curved into a vicious grin.

  “I hope you rot in Hell.” She marched down the yard, hot irate tears blurring her vision. She felt unclean, tainted. Pure fury got her half way home, but then suddenly the strength went from her legs and she collapsed against a shop window. She rested for a moment, praying she’d find the energy to continue. Her temper had nearly been her undoing. What if Ellerton made a noise about her and it got back to her family? No. She shook her head. He’d stay quiet and not want to draw attention to himself. But what if he didn’t ... Why had she been so stupid to try and blackmail him. Why couldn’t she have just kept her mouth shut?

  “Are you all right, luv?” The shopkeeper came out to help her upright.

  “Fine, thank you.”