The journey to the station was bumpy and Isabella clung to her basket as Felix urged his pony on. With the three of them squashed into the seat and the boxes of flowers piled in the back, it was a laden cart that made its way precariously along the winding lanes, swaying down the steepest hill Isabella had ever seen, before passing by a chapel and a school. There was a camaraderie between the two men that Uncle Frederick was evidently not aware of, Isabella thought, as they joked and sparred off each other. They were both looking dishevelled after their exertions and Felix had a dried leaf clinging to his hair. Supressing the urge to remove it, she stared down at her hands only to discover they were decidedly grubby. Then to her surprise she noticed they were rounding the Sod and turning into the road that led to Starcross. Before she could comment on the way all the lanes seemed to lead into each other, Joseph peered anxiously along the track and let out a sigh.
‘Don’t worry, we’ll make the train,’ Felix assured him.
‘Hope so or Father’ll pickle my plucks. It’s Uncle Bill I’m worried about, though. You know what happened last time he went on a bender. Disappeared for days, he did,’ Joe said. As they rounded the Sod they heard a blast from a whistle and Isabella could just make out the plume of steam in the distance.
‘We’ll do it,’ Felix assured them again, urging his pony along the lane that ran parallel to the railway line. Minutes later they turned into the station yard, and as the men hastily jumped down, two porters came running to assist.
‘Cutting it tight today, Joe,’ one said, as he hefted the boxes onto his trolley.
‘Your father’s flowers are already here,’ the other man chirped. Isabella looked over her shoulder and saw Frederick striding towards them.
‘What you doing with our flowers, Furneaux?’ he growled.
‘When Uncle Bill didn’t return, Felix offered to drive me here so I didn’t miss the train,’ Joseph replied, his voice breathless as he continued unloading. There was a shrill whistle and the screeching of wheels on the track.
‘Best hurry then. I’ll speak to you later, Joseph,’ Frederick muttered. As the men scuttled towards the platform, their laden trollies clattering before them, he turned to Isabella. ‘Get yerself into my cart, yer coming home with me.’ Isabella opened her mouth to protest, then saw the set of his face and promptly closed it again.
Ignoring the shouts from the other drivers, he drove straight out of the yard and onto the road. Seeing the way his hands clenched the reins, Isabella sat back in her seat and stared out at the rolling waves. Yet again, the steely grey reflected her uncle’s mood, she thought.
‘What the hell were you doing with Furneaux?’ he snapped.
‘I went to see Uncle Bill and Felix was there,’ Isabella replied.
‘And why would you be visiting Bill when you should have been in town?’
‘He gave me a lift to the big house this morning.’ Ignoring his surprised look, she continued. ‘We were talking about facing our fears and he seemed upset about something so I wanted to check he was all right,’ she said, giving him an edited version.
‘And what fears would a young girl like you have to face,’ he growled. Realizing she might as well come clean and see if she could get some answers at the same time, she turned to face him.
‘He knew I was scared in case I met Lord Lester again,’ she replied.
‘Again? You mean you’ve already met him?’ he asked, staring at her in amazement. Isabella nodded. ‘When? How?’ he barked. Knowing she had no choice, she explained about her faux pas the previous week. When she got to the part about ringing the front doorbell, she thought she saw his lips twitch, but it was gone so quickly she couldn’t be sure.
‘Let’s get this straight. You mean that bast—er, son of a bitch propositioned you?’ he snarled, yanking hard on the reins. She nodded but kept her gaze averted. As the cart shuddered to a halt, he turned to face her.
‘Why didn’t you tell me this last week?’ he asked. She shrugged, hardly daring to admit she found his forthright ways intimidating. ‘Yet you told Bill? When?’
‘He gave me a lift home from town. Knowing I was worried about today, he met me in the lane,’ she admitted, dreading him asking about her visit to the big house earlier. However, he had other things on his mind.
‘What time was this?’
‘Just after I left the cottage. He was on his way to visit you, I think. Why?’
‘We haven’t seen hide nor hair of him all day,’ Frederick declared.
‘Joseph told me about him losing his wife and how he goes on benders. What’s a bender, Uncle?’
‘Nothing for a nice girl like you to worry about,’ he muttered, jerking on the reins. Isabella was bursting to ask about her mama but they reached the cottage before she summoned the courage, and then her uncle spoke first.
‘You never said what Furneaux was doing at Bill’s place,’ he said, climbing down and giving her a penetrating stare.
‘He and Joe were having their luncheon when I arrived. They kindly invited me to join them,’ she said, trying to be tactful.
‘Eating luncheon?’ he bellowed. ‘What did they talk about?’
‘Soil and potatoes. Then . . . ’ Realizing she might be about to get Joseph into trouble, her voice trailed off.
‘Then?’
‘Yield,’ she admitted. The narrowing of his eyes told her she’d said too much. ‘But Joseph said Uncle Bill assured them there’s plenty of business for everyone,’ she added, staring at him hopefully. He gave a snort.
‘It’s taken a lot of hard work to get where we are. We’re only just turning a profit as it is, and if Bill doesn’t pull his weight, we’re in danger of losing our share of the market,’ he sighed and pushed his old straw hat to the back of his head. ‘Best not tell Mother about meeting Lord Lester, she’s worried about you as it is,’ he told her.
‘Why?’ she frowned.
‘Them fancy clothes for one thing. She’s afraid you might give the wrong impression at the big house. There’s been talk, see. Beside people round here have long memories.’
‘You’re referring to Mama and Lord Lester, aren’t you?’ she asked. He nodded. ‘Why did he refer to Mama as a good-time girl?’
‘Because that’s what she was. Now take these apples indoors,’ he said, handing down her basket. As he turned back to Silver, Isabella saw how weary he was looking, yet needing to know more, she stayed where she was. ‘Look, Isabella, I need to go and find Bill. We’ll talk more about your mother when I return.’
‘You promise, Uncle?’
‘Yes, if not tonight then tomorrow,’ he assured her. Feeling happier to be getting somewhere at last, she nodded and made her way down the path.
‘Coo, look at all them apples,’ Dotty said, coming out of the kitchen door with a tray in her hand. ‘Did you manage to get my note to Alfie?’ she whispered, glancing towards the barn.
‘Mrs Tripe promised to pass it on,’ Isabella told her. Her cousin’s eyes lit up.
‘I can walk properly without me stick now, so hopefully it’ll be me going to the big house next week.’ Isabella felt her spirits soar. She couldn’t bear the thought of bumping into his Lordship again, especially after retaliating this morning. Remembering his indignant look and the threats he’d made, she wondered if there would be any repercussions. Best not mention meeting him, she decided. Then she realized Dotty was waiting for an answer.
‘That is good news. Although, I shall be happy to take more flowers into town tomorrow,’ she said, remembering it was the day the sisters were holding their next seance.
‘You’ve changed your tune,’ Dotty replied, staring at her suspiciously. ‘Did you shift all of them today?’
‘I did. It seems I’ve got into the swing of this selling,’ Isabella shrugged.
‘That’s good ’cos Mother’s relying on the money. Now the weather’s getting colder she’s taken the little ones to get warmer clothes.’
Isabella felt a pang as she recalled the deal she’d done with the woman on the beach and hoped the coins in her basket would be sufficient.
‘Better take Grandmother’s tea in to her before it gets cold. She’s having a better day so why not come with me?’
‘I’d love to,’ Isabella cried. ‘I’ll put my things inside and be right with you.’
Placing the basket on the kitchen table, she shrugged off the turnover and patted her curls into place under her hat. Her hair had grown so much, she really needed to get it cut. She must ask Dotty if she could recommend a good coiffeuse in the town, she thought, hurrying back outside.
‘How did you get on today? Did you remember to knock on the back door this time?’ Dotty asked as they walked through to the adjoining yard.
‘I did, but here’s a thing. When the maid answered, she took one look at me and said I should go around to the front,’ Isabella exclaimed. To her astonishment, Dotty nodded.
‘I’m not surprised. That outfit’s gorgeous but hardly fitting for a flower seller.’
‘Well, I feel more like myself wearing it,’ Isabella retorted.
‘All right, keep your hair on,’ Dotty laughed, unlocking the back door. ‘Cooee, only me,’ she called. To Isabella’s surprise, the woman was in the kitchen, standing by the unlit range. She was wearing a blue woollen dress and smiling.
‘Just going to cook my dinner,’ she told Dotty. Then she saw Isabella and her eyes widened.
‘Ellie, you’ve come home,’ she cried, throwing her arms around Isabella.
‘But I’m not . . . ,’ Isabella began, only to see Dotty shaking her head.
‘Oh, you do look grand,’ she said, eyeing Isabella up and down. ‘Always knew you’d get on.’ She spun round and grinned at Dotty. ‘I said Ellie would come back, didn’t I?
‘You did,’ Dotty replied, humouring the woman.
‘Well, don’t just stand there, come on through and tell me all you’ve been doing since you was last here.’ Trembling with excitement, Isabella allowed herself to be pulled into the living room. ‘Sit down, sit down,’ the woman instructed. Isabella did as she’d been told then watched as the woman tottered over to her own chair. But to her dismay, no sooner had she sunk into the cushions than she closed her eyes. Isabella watched and waited but within moments the room was filled with the sound of gentle snoring.
‘She’s gone again,’ Dotty sighed, drawing the cover over the woman. As Dotty knelt and banked up the fire then carefully replaced the guard, Isabella stared at her grandmother, willing her to wake up.
‘Come on, let’s go and start on the supper. We’re having raw teddy vry, tonight,’ she smiled. Isabella hadn’t a clue what that was and at that moment, she didn’t really care.
‘But she thought I was Mama,’ Isabella cried, following Dotty back to their side of the cottage.
‘I know. She’s been waiting years for her daughter to come home, you see. Apparently, she was about the same age you are now when she left. Mother told her she was dead but . . . sorry,’ she shrugged. ‘Still, that’s the best Grandmother’s been for ages. Perhaps if she sees more of you it will stir her memory again.’
As Dotty took down the skillet and placed it on the range, Isabella sank into a chair and thought about what she’d said. If only she could have a proper conversation with the old woman, ask what Mama had been like as a child.
‘That’s right, sit there like lady muck while Dotty does all the work.’ Isabella looked up to find William glaring at her from the doorway.
‘Oh sorry, I didn’t think,’ she murmured.
‘No, that’s your trouble. Didn’t think about poor Mother having to work in the cold barn without her turnover either, I suppose.’
‘Now then, William,’ Dotty chided. ‘Mother said she would take a look in the market for another one.’
‘She wouldn’t have to if her ladyship wore her own.’
‘But my mantle got torn . . . ,’ Isabella began.
‘And you never thought to take a needle to it, I suppose?’ William asked, his eyes blazing. Besides, you must have more, what with all that luggage you brought with you.’
‘Well, I . . . ,’ she began, wanting to explain that Mary thought her clothes unsuitable for around here, but he was in his stride and didn’t let her finish.
‘And that’s another thing, poor Mother and Father can hardly move without falling over trunks and hat boxes,’ he scoffed.
‘I told Auntie she could move them to the barn but didn’t check it had been done.’
‘I told Auntie she could move them to the barn,’ he parroted. ‘Didn’t think to do it yourself. Mother and Father have enough to do without sorting out your things. They’ve bent over backwards trying to include you into our family life and what have you done in return, apart from swanning around wearing fancy clothes and jewels?’
‘That’s enough, William,’ Dotty insisted. ‘We’re happy to have Izzie here. She’s had a tough time and you should be helping her to settle in, not going on at her. Now, call a truce, you two, and help me get supper on the table. Mother and the nippers will be back soon and starving hungry, like as not.’ As she turned back to the range, Isabella and William eyed each other warily, like two feral animals sizing each other up.
‘Excuse me,’ she said, making for her aunt’s room. With anger lending her strength, she began pulling the nearest trunk towards the door. It was heavy, but William’s words had struck a nerve.
‘Whatever are you doing?’ Mary cried, coming into the room, a brown parcel under each arm.
‘Sorry, Auntie, I hadn’t realized my luggage was still stored in here. I was trying to move it to the barn.’
‘Fiddlesticks. I told you it was all right where it was. Now come along, Dotty’s dishing up, and I for one am thurdlegutted.’ Seeing her aunt’s look, Isabella knew argument would be useless and followed her back to the kitchen where the children were gathered round the table.
‘Me ears is all froze,’ Alice announced.
‘I’m so hungry,’ Thomas cried, sniffing the air appreciatively.
‘Here you are,’ Dotty told them, passing round plates heaped high with a fried onion and potato concoction. Did you get what you needed, Mother?’ she asked.
‘Got the nips a hooded cape each from Tolley’s. Good condition too, but not cheap. Still, it’s a start. This is good, Dotty,’ Mary told her, tucking into her meal. ‘Father not back?’
‘He’s out looking for Uncle Bill,’ William replied.
‘Gone missing again, has he?’ she sighed.
‘What about a turnover for you, Mother?’ William asked.
‘Not this time,’ Mary replied. ‘We’ll just have to sell a few more flowers.’ Isabella stared at her aunt. Surely if her uncle was spending money on his business, they could afford new clothes for everyone? Unless . . . once again her thoughts went back to her papa’s effects. Well, her uncle had promised they would talk, and she would take the opportunity to ask him all that was worrying her.
‘You are welcome to anything in my trunks, Auntie,’ Isabella ventured.
‘That’s very kind, Izzie, but regrettably your flimsy, floaty things are not suited to our kind of life. And please don’t concern yourself about your luggage. I really don’t know what made you think you had to move it, anyhow.’ Isabella stared at William but he busied himself eating and didn’t look up. Dotty shook her head.
‘I’m sorry, Auntie, I had no idea that having lent me your turnover, you were going without. I shall wear my mantle into town tomorrow,’ Isabella told her.
‘That’s all right, dear, ’tis only just turned cold. Now, how did you get on today? And where did those apples come from?’ she said, eyeing Isabella’s basket on the floor. Once again, Isabella found herself relaying an edited version of her day.
‘But Grandmother thought Izzie was Father’s sister come back,’ Dotty cried, taking up the story. Isabella looked at her aunt expectantly, but she looked away.
‘Come on, it’s been a long day,’ she said quickly. ‘The dishes can wait until tomorrow.’
Exhausted, Isabella fell onto her mattress. Although gentle snores soon emanated from her cousins, the events of the day played over and over in her mind. The cook’s comments about her mother had been interesting but she sincerely hoped she’d never have to encounter Lord Lester again. The thought of him trying to kiss her sent shudders down her spine. Her reaction might have been justified but she knew enough about life to know people would think there was no smoke without fire. And Lord Lester wasn’t the kind of man to take kindly to rejection so would there be any repercussions?
William’s outburst had stirred her conscience and she resolved to help her aunt more. It had been good seeing Felix again and getting to know Joseph, too. Poor Uncle Bill, she hoped he was all right and that when Uncle Frederick returned he would keep his word about their discussion. She had so much to ask him. It had been a surprise seeing her grandmother so lucid, albeit for a short time. Hopefully, she would soon have another good day, for although she kept hearing bits about her mama, fitting them together was proving to be more difficult than the most complicated jigsaw puzzle.