The Seaside Angel

by Evie Grace

  ‘Perhaps I will, young man,’ Mrs Clovis said, taking out her purse as Charlie and his mother passed by, holding hands. When she’d made her guess, she turned back to Hannah.

  ‘I wished to say something to you … I was going to wait for a more suitable occasion, but I can’t have it on my conscience to keep it from you any longer. I don’t like telling tales, but I think you should know, as a respectable young lady.’

  Hannah’s heart began to beat faster. Mrs Clovis was an exacting landlady – did she have some fresh complaint about Ruby leaving crumbs out for the mice or letting the doors slam? She drew Mrs Clovis to one side.

  ‘Go on,’ Hannah said.

  ‘It isn’t right that they aren’t married – I won’t have my house used as a … place for illicit connections.’

  ‘I beg your pardon?’

  ‘You heard.’

  ‘Whatever you’re talking about, it can’t possibly have anything to do with me.’

  ‘You need to ask your sister what she gets up to when you’re not at home.’

  Hannah felt her forehead tighten. ‘What are you suggesting?’

  ‘I’m not suggesting anything. I’m telling the truth of it.’ Mrs Clovis was adamant. ‘There have been some considerable comings and goings – the visitor is of the male variety and he’s keeping company with your sister.’

  ‘You must be mistaken. I’ll speak with her, but I’m sure there’s a perfectly reasonable explanation …’

  ‘I’m sure there will be,’ Mrs Clovis said with irony. ‘To my regret, Margate has become a town where anything goes. Men and women don’t care what they do, or who sees them do it. We can’t let this continue or people will go to Brighton for the summer instead. I’m sorry to bother you with it, but I must look after my reputation. Promise me you’ll have a word with her.’

  ‘I will. Thank you,’ Hannah said, relieved when Mrs Clovis left the stall on her way for a tour of the infirmary. She tried to put their landlady’s shaming and outrageous suggestion to the back of her mind – she would tackle Ruby later and reassure herself that Mrs Clovis was suffering an attack of delirium and would be forced to apologise.

  ‘I’ll look after this for a while,’ Charlotte said on her return. ‘You’re white as a sheet. Are you all right?’

  ‘I’ve just received some rather unpleasant news.’

  ‘What is it?’

  Hannah pulled herself together. ‘Oh, it’s probably nothing, a case of mistaken identity or some scurrilous gossip.’

  ‘I’ve just seen your sister – she’s over by the coconut shy.’

  Unsure whether she was relieved or annoyed, Hannah thanked Charlotte and went to find Ruby. When she saw her innocent, smiling face, she found that she couldn’t believe their landlady’s accusations, but she knew she’d have to ask Ruby for her version of events – later, not in front of the infirmary staff and half of Margate.

  ‘You’re feeling better?’ she asked.

  ‘Much better now. The weather was so lovely, I thought I’d come and find you. I’ve done the shopping and the money’s all gone. May I have another shilling – I’d like to try for a coconut.’

  ‘I haven’t any,’ Hannah said, rather more sharply than she intended. ‘I’m sorry. There’s a music recital in the marquee – we can go and listen to that instead.’

  The tent was crowded, but they found seats towards the back. A young woman with blonde hair piled up on top of her head, and adorned with fresh flowers, was sitting on a makeshift platform, her fingers dancing delicately across the strings of a harp. She wore a diaphanous green dress and gold bangles down her arms, her appearance as beautiful as the notes that she played.

  The music raised Hannah’s spirits. If it hadn’t been for Mrs Clovis’s accusations, she would say that she was the happiest she’d ever been, with her sister at her side, the camaraderie of the house, and the prospect of promotion. What’s more, Charlie had got to see his mother, thanks to her instigation. All was well, and she wished she could capture the moment and lock it away in her heart for ever.

  As the performance came to an end with a final pluck of the strings, the lady bowed her head, her cheeks flushed as the crowd burst into applause. Hannah spotted Doctor Clifton standing in the wings with Mrs Knowles and one of the governors.

  ‘Bravo! Bravo!’

  ‘What a treat,’ Ruby whispered as the governor made his way across to join the harpist and held up his hands for quiet.

  ‘I’m very proud of my talented daughter, Miss Osbourne-Cole,’ he smiled. ‘I hope you will dig deep and support our wonderful Sea Bathing Infirmary so that everyone, young and old, can have access to its care and expertise.’ Hannah heard the jangling of coins in a bucket as the harpist got up, smoothed her dress and curtseyed, before Doctor Clifton stepped forward and took her hand to help her down from the stage.

  ‘Well done.’ Hannah could read his lips. ‘That was a magnificent performance, as I knew it would be.’

  ‘I need some air,’ the lady said.

  ‘Allow me.’ Doctor Clifton led her towards the exit. As he passed Hannah, he caught her eye, gave the ghost of a smile and looked away.

  ‘I should get back to the stall.’ She nudged her sister. ‘You will come and help.’ It was an order, not a question. She didn’t want to let Ruby out of her sight.

  Ruby was delighted to join in. Beckett and Charlotte stayed on with them, the latter’s eyes drifting away to where Mr Hunter was standing at the coconut shy, waiting a turn with his friends. His hair was rumpled, and his shirt still wet, clinging rather indecently to his chest.

  ‘Have you forgiven him?’ Hannah murmured, still afraid that he was one of those impossibly handsome and unruly gentlemen whose escapades made them irresistible to certain young ladies.

  ‘I think he’s done very well,’ Charlotte said, grinning as Mr Hunter cast a smile in her direction. ‘He’s showing off, of course, but I don’t mind that. He’s raised plenty of money today, and now he’s promised to win me a coconut. If he succeeds, I’ve agreed to walk out with him – as long as Doctor Clifton and Miss Osbourne-Cole can be persuaded to accompany us.’

  ‘He’s walking out with her?’ Hannah felt sick when Charlotte nodded.

  ‘Letitia, yes. I’m sorry. I didn’t realise … If I’d known, I’d have mentioned it before.’

  ‘It seems I was the last to find out,’ Hannah said sadly. Why hadn’t Doctor Clifton seen fit to mention it to her? Then equally, she reasoned, why should he? He was under no obligation to her – she had rejected him. As far as he was concerned, he was a free man. Taken by surprise by her regret and jealousy, she pulled up one of the folding chairs and sat down.

  Charlotte touched her shoulder. Hannah looked up, squinting into the sunshine.

  ‘It’s a shock, that’s all. I’ll be all right.’ She could hardly wait to return to the ward where she could try to forget Doctor Clifton and Miss Osbourne-Cole, and her irrational sense of betrayal. What had she expected? That he would remain unmarried out of respect for her, when she had put her vocation before love? Despite the laughter and sunshine, it was turning out to be one of the darkest days of her life.

  And here they were coming to rub salt into her wounds, she thought as she saw them walking side by side towards the stall.

  ‘Good day, Doctor Clifton,’ Beckett said. ‘Come and have a go.’

  ‘I think we will,’ he said. ‘We’ve already guessed the weight of the pig and had a turn at hoopla, which I did very badly at.’

  ‘I thought you did very well,’ Miss Osbourne-Cole simpered. ‘It wasn’t your fault that the wind took hold of the rings …’

  ‘There’s bound to be some simple equation which can be applied to working out how many sweets are in the jar.’ Doctor Clifton frowned. ‘Has anyone any idea what the volume of a single humbug is?’

  ‘I haven’t the faintest clue,’ his companion said. ‘We should just count them all from the outside.’

  ‘I’ve done that
,’ Beckett said, ‘and it always comes out different.’

  ‘I’m forgetting my manners.’ Doctor Clifton turned to Miss Osbourne-Cole. ‘You haven’t met Nurse Bentley and Nurse Finch.’

  ‘It’s a pleasure to meet you, and can I say what wonderful work you do?’

  ‘Thank you,’ Charlotte said.

  ‘I was most impressed with your recital,’ Hannah said politely, the words catching in her craw. ‘This is my sister, Miss Ruby Bentley.’

  Miss Osbourne-Cole inclined her head in acknowledgement.

  ‘Delighted,’ Doctor Clifton said, his attention making Ruby blush.

  ‘Have you completed your calculations?’ Hannah went on.

  ‘I think so,’ he said, a quizzical expression on his face.

  ‘You are to write the number down on the slip.’

  ‘And give us a penny for it,’ Beckett reminded them.

  ‘What shall we do next, James?’ Miss Osbourne-Cole said.

  ‘What would please you?’ Hannah hated the way he deferred to his companion. She would walk all over him, if he let her. ‘The tour of the infirmary is very popular. The operating theatre is open for viewing.’

  ‘I’d rather not. I’d find it too upsetting – I have a delicate constitution and sensitive nerves.’

  She wouldn’t make a good doctor’s wife then, Hannah thought bitterly.

  ‘There is an art exhibition – that might suit you better,’ Doctor Clifton suggested.

  ‘I’d like that. I do a little painting myself.’

  As they turned away, Hannah spoke to Beckett.

  ‘It must be time to see who has won our competition. Would you be so kind as to empty the slips out of the hat?’

  ‘May I count the sweets?’ he said.

  ‘There’s no need. When I filled the jar, I wrote the number down and put it inside the lid. Let’s see who’s the winner,’ Hannah said, forcing a smile as she watched the happy couple retreating into the distance. She knew it wasn’t her – she had most definitely lost when it came to love.

  After the fête and having finished her shift, Hannah made her way back to their lodgings, where she found that their rooms were tidy, the floors had been swept and the kitchen table scrubbed. On top of the table stood two bottles of stout, a small ham and a pan containing parsley sauce. She tasted it – it was still warm.

  ‘You see how I’ll make someone a good wife one day.’ Ruby was smiling with pride.

  ‘Thank you.’ Hannah was touched by her gesture. ‘Have I missed something? Is it a special occasion?’

  ‘I thought I’d make up for being a lazy clodpole and show you how much I appreciate your kindness.’

  ‘It isn’t because you’re trying to butter me up?’

  ‘Why would I do that?’

  ‘Only Mrs Clovis had a word with me this morning – she says that you’ve been entertaining a gentleman while I’m out … Ruby, tell me that it isn’t true.’

  ‘I’m not going to lie,’ Ruby said. ‘I should have told you before.’

  ‘Told me what exactly?’

  The story came out in a jumble of words and apology.

  ‘You remember when we went to the Hall by the Sea and saw the cubs?’

  Hannah nodded, dumbstruck. ‘That dreadful man, the lion tamer?’

  ‘My dear Antonio,’ Ruby sighed. ‘I promised him I wouldn’t tell you, but I can’t keep this to myself.’

  ‘How can this be? He has befriended you? How did you let this happen?’

  ‘I dropped my handkerchief and went back for it the next day – he’d found it and kept it for me.’

  ‘You did it deliberately.’ Hannah felt sick at the thought of her sweet and innocent sister flirting with a showman.

  ‘He was kind to me. He treated me like I was special right from when he first set eyes on me in the crowd.’

  ‘Why wouldn’t he? You’re quite a beauty! Ruby, this has to stop – for my sake as well as yours. Nurses are expected to have certain moral standards. I can’t be exposed to any scandal – it could ruin everything.’

  ‘I’m sorry, but—’

  ‘How did he know where to find you?’

  ‘I gave him our address – he asked me so amiably that I couldn’t refuse.’

  ‘How foolish can you be? Mrs Clovis says she’s seen him here on more than one occasion.’

  ‘He dropped by yesterday to give us tickets for the Hall by the Sea. I offered him tea and he stayed for an hour or so, no more. Don’t look at me like that – it’s very dull when you aren’t here, and you don’t need to worry about anything because he was the perfect gentleman.’ Ruby fixed her with a glare. ‘Don’t tell me I have to give them back – they were a gift and we should use them with good grace as he intended.’

  ‘Where are these tickets?’ Hannah felt the ire rising in her breast. ‘Let me see them.’

  ‘They’re on the windowsill over there.’

  Hannah marched over, picked them up and tore them in two.

  ‘What did you do that for?’ Ruby exclaimed, her cheeks growing scarlet with annoyance.

  ‘You mustn’t associate with him any more – you’ll ruin your reputation and your chances of making a good match to a decent and respectable young gentleman. What man will take you on for his wife in future, if he gets wind of rumours of how you’ve encouraged the attentions of others?’ Hannah was more convinced now that there had been some truth in the story of Ruby and her involvement with the butcher’s boy. She was afraid that her sister may well have encouraged it.

  ‘You would have me marry some boring old doctor or engineer? Someone with stiff manners and unable to show affection? Anyway, it’s too late – I will not give him up. He’s the sweetest, most wonderful man, as well as being the most extraordinary lion tamer in the world.’

  ‘Who says so?’

  ‘He does.’

  ‘I rest my case.’

  ‘Hannah, I pity you for your cynicism. Can’t you accept anything at face value?’

  ‘I know enough of human nature to realise that some people present an image that isn’t of their true selves, but of the person they aspire to be. What is he to you?’

  ‘I count him as a friend,’ Ruby said, frowning. ‘I came to Margate friendless. What harm is there in making new acquaintances?’

  ‘You can’t be friends with any man, let alone a travelling showman. Even suggesting that you’re acquainted with him is too much.’ A thought occurred to Hannah. ‘Tell me – did you do things when he was here?’

  ‘A lady doesn’t talk of such matters.’ Ruby gazed down at her skirt and began tracing the pattern of the lace with her forefinger.

  Was this her fault? Had she been too trusting?

  ‘You can’t possibly imagine that this man would make a suitable husband. How would you live? Does he have his own house?’

  ‘He’s settled in Margate for the summer and he has property in one of the Italian states …’

  ‘Why are we having this conversation? He can’t possibly support you. How old is he?’ Ruby remained silent. ‘There has to be at least twenty years between you. It’s no use – you must put all thought of him aside. He hasn’t offered to marry you, God forbid?’

  ‘Not yet, but I have every expectation that—’

  ‘You can have no expectation at all,’ Hannah cut in. Lust had taken hold of her sister’s senses, awkward as it was to think of it. ‘Antonio lacks both charm and charisma. He’s trying to buy you. Don’t you see? He’s trying to prise your innocence away.’

  ‘What gives you the right to judge him?’

  Hannah tried another approach. ‘A woman’s virtue is all she has in the eyes of society.’

  ‘If it will please you, I’ll ask him if he intends to marry me,’ Ruby said more cheerfully.

  ‘You’ll do no such thing!’

  ‘I’ll do as I wish.’

  Hannah thought for a moment. ‘Let’s just say that if he did by some miracle agree to marry you, where would
you live?’

  ‘He shares a caravan, but it isn’t what it sounds like – it’s a proper little house on wheels with a wooden floor and shutters.’

  ‘You’d hate it – you’d feel too restricted.’

  ‘I wouldn’t spend every day stuck indoors. Antonio says that I’m not tiny enough for a freak, but I’m supple enough to train to be a dancer.’

  ‘You mean, he wants you to make a spectacle of yourself to support him?’

  ‘We’d support each other, Hannah. That’s what it means to be in love.’

  ‘You’ll promise me that you won’t seek him out again. As I’ve said, there must be absolutely no further association between the two of you.’

  ‘All you care about is yourself.’ Ruby’s eyes flashed with anger.

  ‘How do you work that one out when I’ve done everything for you, you ungrateful—’

  ‘You would make me unhappy because you can’t stand the thought of telling your friends at the infirmary that your sister is marrying a lion tamer. I’m seventeen, almost eighteen, while you are twenty-one going on ninety. You’re jealous because I have an admirer. In fact, I have many admirers – I turn heads whenever I walk along the street. And you have none. You’ll end up as a shrivelled prune of a spinster while I delight in marriage and children, lots of them.’

  Hannah clenched her fists, furious and staring at Ruby as if she’d just found the maggot in the core of the sweetest apple.

  ‘You know, I think you’re losing your mind – if you’re not careful, I’ll have to lock you up, like Pa did.’

  ‘You wouldn’t!’ Ruby’s complexion paled, and she sank to the floor in a sobbing, trembling heap.

  ‘I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it. It was said in the heat of the moment.’ Hannah knelt beside her and reached out to stroke her hair. Ruby flinched. What had happened to her dear little sister? ‘All I ask is that you promise me that you won’t have any further contact with Mr Milani.’

  ‘You won’t have me put away, will you?’ Ruby cried. ‘I’m not a lunatic, you know.’

  ‘I know,’ Hannah murmured. ‘Look, all I want is to keep you safe from scandal and ruin. Society – whether we like it or not – judges a young woman’s reputation to be irretrievably damaged if she’s found consorting unchaperoned with a member of the male sex. It destroys any chance she has of marriage. If Mr Milani had good intentions and any measure of politeness, he wouldn’t turn up here and invite himself in without speaking to me first and making sure you weren’t left alone with him. Ruby, he’s compromised you. It mustn’t happen again.’