The Seaside Angel

by Evie Grace

  ‘Look at this. Isn’t he wonderful?’ Ruby said, clasping her hands together.

  When his dance was over, the dog picked up a dish and carried it around the crowd, begging for pennies. Hannah gave Ruby a coin for it.

  ‘Thank you for your generosity, ladies and gentlemen,’ the man said. ‘Mickey’ll be able to buy a marrerbone tonight.’

  Looking at the man’s veiny cheeks and purple nose, Hannah thought it more likely that the money would go on drink than on the dog.

  The dog carried the dish back to its owner and put it down in front of him.

  ‘Mickey, that isn’t goin’ to be enough, is it? You’re goin’ to ’ave to sing for your supper.’ He raised his hand, and the dog sat on its haunches, threw back its head and howled.

  ‘Oh, we must give him another penny,’ Ruby said as the dog picked up the now-empty dish and took it around again.

  ‘That’s how he makes his money, by tugging on our heartstrings,’ Hannah whispered. ‘It’s the same all over Margate – everyone making hay while the sun shines, because the summer season doesn’t last for ever.’

  ‘You would begrudge the poor little dog a bone?’

  ‘All right, but this has to be the last one.’ Giving in, she handed her sister another coin. ‘We mustn’t be distracted from our purpose. I’ll be at work all day tomorrow.’

  ‘I wouldn’t want to have an occupation. You work too hard.’

  ‘There’s no satisfaction to be found in being lazy. Oh dear,’ Hannah grinned. ‘I’m beginning to sound like Matron.’

  ‘One day, I shall get married, have children and live happily ever after with a rich husband, just like Stepmother.’

  ‘Happily ever after?’ Hannah snorted with derision. ‘How can she be happy with someone like our father?’

  ‘She doesn’t have to work, though, not like you.’

  ‘That isn’t the point. She lives under constant threat.’

  ‘Not when he’s away at the office.’

  ‘But she doesn’t know what mood he’ll be in when he gets home. This isn’t about our stepmother. I’m talking about you. What if you end up left on the shelf?’ It seemed unlikely, Hannah had to admit, because Ruby was a beauty. ‘What if your husband falls on hard times? What if he turns out to be a wife-beater? You would be trapped with no means of supporting yourself.’

  ‘Pa’s always said that I’m good for nothing except marriage. There’s nothing I could do.’

  ‘You have an earnest love of children – I’ve seen you with our brothers. You can learn to cope with fatigue and control your temper when a sick child wears you down – I’ve had to.’

  ‘I couldn’t be a nurse. I can’t imagine attending to the bodily functions of the sick without showing my revulsion,’ Ruby said.

  ‘It’s a wonderful profession – the children are such fun and it’s most rewarding to see them get better. Or you could be a teacher – that’s considered to be a respectable profession.’

  ‘Oh, not that. Imagine how dull it would be having to teach the three Rs every day. I’ll do the cooking and cleaning while you’re at the infirmary.’

  ‘There’s always work at the house – as a bathing assistant or maid. I can put in a good word for you. What do you think?’

  ‘Give me a week or two. I’ll need to settle in first.’

  ‘As long as we’ve found somewhere to live,’ Hannah said wryly. ‘We’re wasting time.’

  There were plenty of lodging houses in Margate: in Marine Terrace, Buenos Ayres and Westbrook. They looked at two vacancies, both of which had been advertised on the noticeboard at the infirmary. The first was too expensive as Hannah had feared, and they had to move on to the second: a first-floor apartment a short walk away from the house, with piped water from the Waterworks company, a water closet, bedroom, kitchen and sitting room.

  The landlady appeared respectable enough. Slender, grey-haired and well dressed, Mrs Clovis was well spoken and a widow, her husband having made his fortune from buying property and renting it out. Hannah guessed that she was in her late sixties or thereabouts.

  ‘I can supply references and a deposit,’ she said. ‘I’m a children’s nurse at the infirmary.’

  ‘That’s wonderful to hear. It’s always useful to have a member of the medical profession to call on for one’s little aches and pains.’

  ‘I’m not a physician,’ Hannah said, quickly making it clear, but Mrs Clovis didn’t appear to have heard her.

  ‘My joints are terribly bad on cold damp days.’ She unfastened the tiny silver buttons on her cuffs to reveal her misshapen wrists. ‘My doctor – Doctor Clifton – tells me I should take extract of willow bark every day and continue with my knitting to maintain strength and flexibility.’ She smiled, revealing a set of gold teeth. ‘Are the rooms suitable?’

  ‘Yes, thank you,’ Hannah said, and they agreed terms before she and Ruby went to fetch a deposit from her savings. They returned with their belongings on a trolley they’d borrowed from Mr Mordikai who had seemed rather taken with Ruby, offering to help them later. Hannah had declined his offer.

  ‘I don’t mind too much about not having a sea view,’ Ruby said as they started to unpack.

  ‘There are glimpses from the sitting room,’ Hannah pointed out, as she hung her only picture on the hook: a sketch of the lady with the lamp, walking among the injured soldiers at Scutari. ‘It’s smartly done out.’

  ‘I agree that it’s rather afternoonified,’ Ruby said, apparently giving it her approval, despite there being no separate parlour. ‘I think we’ll be very happy here.’

  Within a few days, they’d settled into their new home and Hannah was getting used to living with her sister again. Sometimes, she felt as though they had never been apart. On other occasions, she felt as though she hardly knew her.

  One morning, she got up at her usual time, waking Ruby to let her know she was going out.

  ‘I’ll leave my purse and a shopping list for you. I’ll be back soon after eight. We can cook together then.’

  ‘What shall I do for the rest of the day?’

  ‘The whole place needs cleaning from top to bottom. There’s dust everywhere.’

  ‘I don’t think it’s anywhere near as bad as you say.’

  ‘It’s the nurse in me,’ Hannah grinned.

  ‘I’ll see if I can get around to it,’ Ruby sighed. ‘I’m very tired.’

  ‘How can you possibly be tired?’ Hannah glanced towards the mantelpiece where Ruby had placed the books she’d borrowed from the library. All she’d done was eat, read and sleep.

  ‘Oh, I don’t know. I’m sad about leaving home – it’s more of a wrench than I thought it would be.’

  ‘You mean you don’t want to be here?’

  ‘I miss Stepmother …’ Ruby’s eyes glazed with tears. ‘And Cook.’

  ‘Oh dear.’ Hannah perched on the edge of the mattress and stroked her sister’s hand. ‘You’ve had a terrible time, but you’ll feel better soon.’

  ‘Let’s go out for the day tomorrow – we can visit the gardens to see the animals there,’ Ruby suggested in a small voice. ‘We don’t have to answer to anyone.’

  ‘You have to answer to me,’ Hannah said lightly. ‘Why not? I’ve been meaning to go and see if the Hall by the Sea is as marvellous as everyone claims.’ She would have gone with Charlotte, but by virtue of working on the same ward, they never had the same day off.

  ‘There are concerts and dances that go on into the evening …’

  ‘We’ll go early to make the most of the day, but I can’t stay out too late.’ Keeping Ruby in the manner to which she was accustomed was turning out to be more expensive than she’d imagined. There was always something she needed or wanted, and Hannah didn’t like to deny her because she wanted her to be happy. ‘I’m not especially well paid – we must remember to cut our cloth accordingly.’

  ‘Thank you. You’re the best sister anyone could have,’ Ruby said, dragging herself up to
give her a hug. ‘I’ll see you later.’

  It was half past six when Hannah reached the infirmary where she had breakfast with Charlotte in the dining hall. At seven, she checked on her patients and met with Sister Trim. The doctors did their rounds, and Mr Anthony confirmed that Alan could be discharged that day, having given Mr Hunter a lecture on his reasons for this decision. When the other doctors had gone, Mr Hunter stayed behind.

  ‘Is there something I can help you with?’ Hannah asked, as he wandered slowly towards the balcony, his hands behind his back. Charlotte was pushing the dressings trolley along the aisle, and he stepped in front of it.

  ‘Mr Hunter, you are in my way,’ she said haughtily.

  ‘I wanted to say something, Nurse Finch,’ he said in a low voice which carried along the ward. ‘I’ve never apologised to you personally for disturbing your sleep that night when my friends and I had partaken of too much ale. I’m truly sorry, and I’d like to reassure you that it will never happen again.’

  ‘I should hope not, but I’m a great believer in the principle that the proof is in the pudding.’

  ‘I see.’ He smiled. ‘You aren’t this stern with your patients.’

  ‘They are children. You are a gentleman – I use that word advisedly – and you should know better.’

  ‘I should like to make amends, if you’ll allow me. There’s a concert at the Hall by the Sea in two weeks’ time. I’d be honoured if you and a chosen friend would accompany me for the evening.’

  ‘I’m very grateful for your invitation. I will give it some consideration,’ Charlotte whispered as Trimmie came marching along the aisle.

  ‘There’s no need for you to be here unless you have business with one of the patients. You’re making my ward look untidy, Mr Hunter.’ She laid the emphasis on the ‘Mr’ to emphasise what she thought of him, that he wasn’t a doctor who commanded her respect, as yet.

  ‘I am just leaving, Sister,’ he said, inclining his head in a small bow. ‘Good day.’

  Noticing how Charlotte turned to hide her blushes as he left, Hannah sidled across on the pretence of asking her for some dressing materials.

  ‘Will you accept?’ she hissed, keeping one eye on Trimmie who was running her finger along the rails of one of the beds, looking for dust.

  ‘I think so. He’s very charming …’ Charlotte handed her gauze and a bandage, before continuing on her way, and Hannah gave her patients their breakfasts, swept and mopped the floors, and emptied the bedpans. Her hard work earned her a pittance, but the money she stowed away in a box under the bed soon added up, and there was enough there for her and Ruby to treat themselves to a day out.

  Matron had a quick word with her when she was returning from the sluice.

  ‘I knew you wouldn’t let a change in circumstance affect your work,’ she said. ‘I’ve heard about your sister. She’s settled in?’

  ‘Yes, thank you.’

  ‘That’s all I wanted to say.’ Matron smiled. ‘You’d better prepare yourself for the onslaught.’

  ‘They are mad as ’ops this mornin’,’ Mrs Merry said, passing them as she returned Charlie to the ward after his daily bath. Hannah knew why – Alan was going home, and the animals were coming to the Lettsom. Not only that, Mr Piper, resident surgeon at St Pancras, was coming to see Doctor Clifton and the patients he’d referred from the poorhouse to check on their progress. It was no ordinary day.

  ‘I should have thought twice about this,’ Matron said. ‘Anyway, I’d better go and meet Mr Allspice in reception. They’ll be here very soon.’

  Hannah returned to the ward, where she saw Charlie looking up at Alan who was bouncing on his bed.

  ‘Once they’re well enough to cause trouble, they’re well enough to go home,’ Sister Trim observed, glaring at him.

  ‘Come on, Alan,’ Charlie entreated. ‘Let’s go and laze around on the balcony, like the dandies on ’oliday. It’s your last day.’

  ‘I know, and I can’t wait to get out of ’ere.’

  Charlie’s face fell.

  ‘I didn’t mean to ’urt your feelin’s. You’ll ’ave to come and see me at the circus when they let you out.’

  Charlie looked more cheerful. ‘I’d like that.’

  ‘Here they come!’ somebody shouted, and Hannah gazed towards the end of the ward where Mr Allspice was leading a small pot-bellied pony, covered in spots. Its toady eyes peered out through its bushy forelock as the boys, who’d been confined to their beds for their safety, gasped in unison.

  ‘Are them spots real?’ Charlie asked out loud.

  ‘Shh,’ Hannah said. ‘You’ll frighten the animals.’

  ‘They’re used to a lot worse,’ Alan said rather wearily, and Hannah had to admit she was relieved he was leaving. He was more than ready to return to the outside world.

  Mr Allspice took the pony to each bedside in turn so the boys could pet its smooth, shiny coat.

  ‘Mind the spots,’ Mr Allspice warned. ‘It ’urts ’em if you touch ’em.’

  Hannah smiled to herself.

  ‘’Ere comes the monkey,’ said Alan as Mrs Allspice approached with a sorrowful grey creature on her shoulder. It had a red leather collar around its neck and a long piece of fine chain attached. She let it down on Charlie’s bed, where it promptly passed water. In the fracas of horror and laughter which ensued, somehow it got away and leapt from the bedrail to the windowsill and across to one of the gasoliers where it dangled by one arm, looking down.

  ‘What are you doing, you silly—’ Mr Allspice exclaimed.

  ‘Ma didn’t mean to let ’im go,’ Alan interrupted. ‘Let me get ’im down.’

  ‘’E won’t come down now – ’e’ll be up there for hours. You know what ’e’s like,’ Mr Allspice said.

  ‘Where are the lions?’ Charlie asked as Alan got out of bed and started to build a platform from a table and chair, while the monkey scratched its hairy belly.

  ‘They aren’t comin’. That lazy dolt of a lion tamer is having a siesta, sitting on his fat ass!’ Mr Allspice said.

  ‘He means “donkey”,’ Sister Trim said, wincing. ‘Please, sir, it’s lovely of you to do this for us, but you must moderate your language.’

  ‘I can’t wait to see the donkey,’ Charlie said.

  ‘There isn’t one,’ Hannah said. ‘Look what’s next.’

  Two birds of paradise were wheeled through in a cage, followed by a young woman in scanty clothing carrying a huge snake across her shoulders.

  ‘Last, but not least,’ Mr Allspice said. ‘Take a look from the balcony.’

  Overcoming their various afflictions, the boys who were able jumped from their beds and stampeded outside.

  ‘Tigers. There are tigers on the beach!’ Charlie shouted as Hannah became aware of Doctor Clifton appearing at her side with another gentleman, a stranger.

  ‘That’s Lord Sanger ’imself,’ Mr Allspice said, dragging the pony out with him. ‘When ’e ’eard what I was plannin’, ’e insisted on joinin’ in. That’s ’im with ’is wife and the tigers from the ’all. What do you think?’

  ‘I think you’ve scared half of Margate away,’ Doctor Clifton said wryly.

  ‘They’re perfectly ’armless,’ Mr Allspice said. ‘They ’ad ’alf a lamb each this mornin’ so they’re no risk to the public.’

  Hannah had to admit that she was impressed by the show the Allspices had conjured up as they moved on to the next ward, taking all but the monkey with them. Alan was still trying to coax it down with apples and sultanas from the kitchens while Sister Trim restored order to the Lettsom, when Doctor Clifton called Hannah over to meet the gentleman who was with him.

  ‘This is Mr Piper.’ He smiled.

  ‘It’s good to meet you.’ Mr Piper was an affable man in his forties, with thinning hair and ears like a bat’s. ‘I’m sorry about Master Herring – I had thought to give him a chance, although the prognosis was poor. However, I hear that Master Swift is showing some improvement.’
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br />   ‘It’s slow but sure,’ Doctor Clifton said. ‘Mr Swift is turning into quite the young gentleman. The governesses say he’s very quick to learn his letters and numbers, and it won’t be long before he can read to the younger boys.’

  Having examined Charlie’s knees, the doctors decided that he could have a ticket for another six weeks. They also persuaded him that time spent at the infirmary would be more beneficial than an early return to his mother. When they headed out to the corridor, Hannah followed them.

  ‘May I venture an idea?’ she asked.

  ‘Of course,’ Doctor Clifton said.

  ‘I’ve noticed that a patient’s recovery often depends on his state of happiness.’

  ‘That’s right,’ Mr Piper agreed.

  ‘Master Swift has suffered a few setbacks during his time here, his condition always worsening on a Sunday when all the other boys receive visitors. He waits in hope, but nobody comes for him because his mother can’t afford to make the journey to Margate. I have a small fund put by, and I’d like Mr Piper to allow me to purchase a ticket for her to visit one day very soon.’

  ‘You think it will make a difference to him?’ Mr Piper said.

  ‘I’m sure it will. That boy has been without his mother for far too long, but if it’s too much of an imposition …’

  ‘No, not at all. It’s a kind gesture, but Mrs Swift – well, you must understand that she isn’t what you’d call a respectable and refined woman,’ Mr Piper explained.

  ‘Does she not wish to visit her son?’

  ‘I’m sure she’d like to see him, but I’m afraid that she’d go and sell any ticket she was given and go out chasing the parrot on the proceeds.’

  ‘I haven’t heard that term before.’ Hannah frowned.

  ‘He means she will use her ill-gotten gains on absinthe,’ Doctor Clifton said.

  ‘Would she really put drink before her son?’

  ‘Nurse Bentley sees only the best in people.’