PEERING THROUGH A speckled sliver of mirror propped on the mantel, Sally smoothed her hands over her hair. Deep-blue eyes stared back, her apprehension visible.
Soon, she would meet the old woman she was to care for. The old woman whose company she’d be in for most of each day. The old woman who had struck her previous employee around the head with the poker, sending her hurtling into the open fire …
She squared her shoulders. She wouldn’t allow anyone to bully her, not again. Whatever the old woman tried, she’d put her in her place right away. No one would treat her as muck beneath their boot, man or woman. Those days were over.
‘Eeh, I don’t know whether you’re brave or barmy. You’d not get me within ten feet of that vicious owd swine. You should take the dog; he could savage the blighter if she tried owt.’
Sally looked to Shield, stretched beside Peggy’s bed. As though sensing it, he lifted his head and peered at her with one eye, and she smiled. ‘He’s taken a shine to Peggy, hasn’t he?’
‘Aye. He did nowt but whine when you went searching for work yesterday; nowt I said would shut him up. But our Peggy began coughing and no word of a lie, he stopped like that,’ Grace marvelled, clicking her fingers. ‘He lay by her bed and went to sleep. I couldn’t believe it.’
‘He’s a good dog. I’m so glad I brought him along.’
Grace’s smile mirrored hers, but it soon vanished. ‘Are you sure you’ll be all right, lass?’
‘I’ll be fine. I’ll not deny that what you told me hasn’t shocked me, and I can understand why no one applied for the position, but I need this job, Aunt Grace. Miss Sharp seemed amiable; she’ll be there should I require assistance. I simply cannot believe a lady of that age could be so … well, so—’
‘Ruddy wicked? Well do. That owd ’un might be knocking ninety but she ain’t nobody’s fool. Her legs are useless but her mind’s as sharp as her tongue from what I’ve heard. And that’s nowt on t’ slaps she’s not shy of dishing out. Aye, her legs are neither use nor ornament but there’s nowt wrong with her arms. The lass what worked there last would vouch for that, I’m sure.’
‘What do you think became of her?’
‘Lord alone knows. As I said last night, after what that nasty swine did that day, the lass apparently flew from that shop like hell’s hounds were at her heels. If you are sure about this, you be careful. Keep your eyes on her. If she does try owt, you get out of there, and fast.’
Sally heaved a sigh. She’d been so pleased to find work but upon relaying the news to Grace, her happiness had rapidly diminished. All evening, Grace had tried talking her out of it. Even Ed and Stan, when informed, frowned disapprovingly. But she was determined and told them so. Whatever this job entailed, she’d stick at it. If she could endure what she had at Joseph’s hands, she could cope with anything.
At the thought of her uncle and Stan, hope stirred. Ed had rushed in from work the previous evening yelling, ‘Rotten snow, I’m frozzen!’ A smile touched Stan’s lips and, catching his eye, Ed had looked away. Yet as he hurried to the fire, she’d spotted, much to her delight, the hint of a wry smile as he glanced once more at Stan.
It was a good sign, surely? she mused again. He hadn’t conceded but neither did he berate the lad about his ‘I told you so’ smile.
‘Now, you sure you’re sure about this?’
She couldn’t help chuckling. ‘Yes, Aunt Grace, I’m sure.’ She looked from the baby to the deathly pale girl in the bed. ‘Are you sure you’ll be all right managing with Peggy and Jonathan?’
‘Course, lass. And this little lad will be sound; the feed he’s just had will see him through to dinnertime. Anyroad, never mind fretting over us. Just you look after yourself today.’
It was lovely knowing people held concern for her welfare. She’d worried that her aunt’s confession might cause awkwardness, but instead it had strengthened their bond. A woman’s love and guidance were what she’d missed and she was so thankful to have found it in not only Ivy, but her aunt.
Grace and Ivy were much alike. They shared those motherly qualities; one felt cosseted by them. In other ways, they were oceans apart. Her aunt was soft, mild-mannered – the opposite of direct and self-assured Ivy. Yet Sally loved both wholeheartedly, knowing that she couldn’t have chosen two kinder women to look to.
Her mother’s and now Ivy’s absence was gut-wrenching, but bearable thanks to Grace. On impulse, she kissed her cheek.
‘Ay, lass, what were that in aid of?’
‘For being you. I miss my mother and Mrs Morgan terribly but having you makes up for it. Thank you.’
‘Our Rosie …’ Grace had shed enough tears over the weekend to fill the River Irwell. Still, her bottom lip trembled. ‘Eeh, you’ll have me blubbing like a babby in a minute. Now go on, you’d best get going. See you at dinner, lass.’
Sally kissed her fingertips and brushed them down Jonathan’s cheek. Eyes the exact colour as hers stared back from the haven of Grace’s arms and she felt a pang at leaving him. Her touch lingered, then, bidding her aunt goodbye, she set off.
Pru’s welcoming smile was a mixture of astonishment and relief.
‘Sally, how lovely to see you! Come, sit down, dear. Would you like a cup of tea?’
‘Good morning, Miss Sharp. Yes, thank you.’ She removed her shawl and when Pru patted the stool beside hers, joined her behind the counter. ‘How is your mother today?’
‘Fine, dear, fine. I must admit, I didn’t think I would see you today. You have surely heard by now …?’ Pru raised her eyes to the ceiling.
‘Yes, but I need the money,’ she answered honestly. ‘I do so want to get along with your mother. I hope we can become friends.’
‘I feel wretched for her previous employee. And despite what people believe, so does my mother. You are probably wondering what happened. The truth is, I really don’t know. My mother said she suspected the woman of stealing, admitted lashing out but insisted the fall was not caused by her hand, that the poor woman tripped on the rug by the fire. I had no chance to ask or even help; she left in such a hurry and I have neither seen nor heard from her since.
‘My mother gets angry, you see, stuck in her room day and night. She … loses her temper sometimes. However, I’m not defending her actions. No, no, I’m not. What happened was terrible, simply terrible.’ Pru massaged her temples with her fingertips. ‘You may have wondered why the position advertised was not for assistance in the shop; after all, why should one residing with their daughter require a companion?
‘The truth is … It’s difficult, Sally. I’m the only soul she has in the world. She’s my mother and I love her, yet sometimes … sometimes, I cannot stand the sight of her.’ Her eyes widened with guilt. ‘Does that make me wicked?’
‘No, no.’
‘Thank you, truly. It is nice having someone to talk to. I get so very lonely at times. Look, after what you have heard … if you’ve changed your mind, I will understand and—’ A thud from above cut short her speech.
Sally placed her cup on the counter. ‘May I meet her now, Miss Sharp?’
‘Yes, yes, of course. Thank you. You have no idea how grateful I am, dear.’
She followed Pru up the narrow stairs, heart thumping. Should she have bolted when she had the chance? What on earth was she walking into?
Pru paused at a closed door, whispering, ‘You’ll be fine.’
Following, Sally entered the musty-smelling room. Dust motes swirled in splinters of sunlight filtering through partially closed curtains. She glanced through the gloom to the unlit fire then looked away quickly. Yet at the sight of the poker propped by the bedside, her stomach turned. Mrs Sharp must use that to summon her daughter. And as a handy weapon when the mood takes her …
‘Well, well, well. What have we here, Prudence?’
Sally froze, and saw Pru’s back stiffen.
‘Mother, this is Sally. She is here to—’
‘I know why she is here. Oh, yes. I know why she is here, all right.’
‘Mother, Sally is extremely nice. I’m sure once you get to know her—’
‘I will be the judge of that. Go, get downstairs,’ ordered the old woman with a jerk of her head. ‘The shop will not run itself.’
Pru lowered her gaze. ‘I shall leave you to it, Sally. Bang on the floor if you require anything.’
Sally had to fight the urge to grab her arm, beg her not to leave her with this acid-tongued woman. When the door clicked shut and Pru’s footsteps faded, she raised her head.
Swamped in a tawny-coloured nightgown buttoned to the throat, Agnes Sharp sat propped against a mound of pillows. Despite the half-dozen thick blankets, Sally could see she was painfully thin; her small frame barely made an impression beneath. Tufts of snowy hair sprang in all directions and a crimson birthmark stained one side of her forehead, finishing below her temple.
Yet it was the piercing, almond-shaped eyes she couldn’t tear her gaze from. They were the deepest, most vibrant green; so out of place in her face. Her sunken mouth, long thin nose and withered skin seemed to have dried up and died years ago, but those eyes … They burned with vitality.
‘Are you a mute, girl?’
The question threw her. ‘Am I …? No, Mrs Sharp.’
‘Are you dim-witted? A touch simple-minded?’
‘I am not,’ she answered indignantly. ‘Are you?’ The last words were out before she could stop them. ‘Oh! I’m sorry, Mrs Sharp, I don’t know why I said that!’
Agnes’s mouth curled at the corners. ‘Witty, very witty. Tell me, do you make a habit of being an insolent little bitch?’
Her mouth dropped open, anger flooding through her. She’d suffered enough intimidation in the past. She wouldn’t stand for it again. Lifting her chin, she looked the old woman in the eye. ‘No, Mrs Sharp, not always. Only when spoken to the same way, by people who ought to have been around long enough to have learned some manners.’
Agnes arched an eyebrow, mouth curving once more.
After a full minute of silence, Sally’s fight drained away. Grace, and even Pru, had warned her; they’d told her what this horrible woman was like, yet she’d ruined everything by stooping to her level. She’d have to try the mills. She’d learned her lesson today, would keep her mouth closed if fortunate enough to find another position.
Meeting Agnes’s cold stare, she asked flatly, ‘Shall I just go?’
‘Yes, yes, I think you should just go.’
She inclined her head and walked away. At the door, Agnes’s voice stopped her.
‘Go and make me a cup of tea, that is. Make haste, girl. No dawdling.’
Turning in surprise, she swallowed a sigh of relief. ‘Yes, Mrs Sharp.’
Pru appeared before she was halfway downstairs. ‘You’re not leaving already? What has she said? What did she—’
‘Miss Sharp, I’m not leaving. Your mother wants tea.’
‘Oh, thank goodness. Come through, dear.’
‘I’d better hurry. She said no dawdling and I don’t want to annoy her further. We’ve had … words already.’
Pru spun around, teapot in hand. ‘So soon? What has she said?’
‘To be perfectly honest, it’s more what I said. I’m afraid I lost my temper and … said some things I shouldn’t have. I’m sorry, Miss Sharp. It won’t happen again.’
‘I don’t believe … What did you say?’ Pru breathed, hand fluttering to her throat.
‘Well, first I implied she was dim-witted then I accused her of lacking manners.’
‘Good Lord. And she still wants you here? I really don’t … What happened?’
Sally glanced towards the stairs. ‘Could we talk later, Miss Sharp? I’m hanging on by the skin of my teeth. I must get back.’
‘Yes, yes, you’re right. Here’s the tea, you run along. We will have a cup later and you can tell me all about it.’ Her eyes shone with admiration. ‘I’m glad you’re here, Sally. I have a feeling you are going to cope just fine.’
After flashing Pru a less-than-confident smile, she mounted the stairs. Pausing at the old woman’s door, she resolved to treat this entrance as a fresh start. She’d be polite, wouldn’t under any circumstances rise to the bait. She nodded determinedly and entered.
‘You took your time.’
Lowering her gaze, she placed the tea on the bedside table. ‘Do you require anything else, Mrs Sharp?’
‘Yes.’
She waited but when Agnes remained silent, glanced up. She was staring at her intently and Sally had to fight the urge to look away. Those eyes … It was as though they were looking into her soul, as though they could see exactly what she was thinking, feeling.
‘Can you read, girl?’
Heat crept over her face when Agnes fumbled beneath her pillows and produced a small black book. ‘Not very well,’ she admitted. ‘Did you want me to read to you? I’ll try but as I said—’
‘No matter, you’ll learn.’
Sally took the book and crossed to a chair by the window. The weak sun peeping through the thick curtains offered little light. She squinted at the title. ‘May I open the curtains, Mrs Sharp? I cannot see the words properly.’
‘No. Sunlight annoys me. Light the candle if you must.’
For over an hour, she stumbled and stuttered over the hardly visible, strange new words. She was on the brink of screaming in frustration and hurling the book through the window when Agnes held up a hand.
‘That will do. Extinguish that flame, it is giving me a headache.’
She closed the book and blew out the candle. ‘Do you require anything else? Another cup of tea?’
Agnes shifted beneath the mountain of covers. ‘You can bathe me, now. I’m sticky and this nightgown is starting to smell.’
The rest of the morning passed in a blur, with Sally performing her duties in silence. As she’d resolved, she’d kept her head down and only opened her mouth when spoken to. And with a tangible air of irritation, Agnes was tolerating her presence.
She’d bathed and clothed her employer. Then Agnes ordered her to brush her hair. She’d stroked the heavy brush over the rough tufts until her arms ached. Finally, eyes drooping, the old woman had indicated with a flap of her bony hand that she could stop. Those tasks were all she’d asked of her.
Long periods, she’d spent on the hard chair, awaiting the next demand, and her mind filled the inactivity with worrying thoughts of Jonathan and whether Grace was coping.
None the less, before she knew it, Pru’s voice drifted up, informing her she could take her dinner. Hurrying downstairs, Sally smiled proudly. She’d survived the morning at least. What the afternoon held, however, remained to be seen.
Entering the shop, she saw through the window snow falling in earnest. ‘Oh, I didn’t know it had started again. The curtains upstairs are almost drawn.’
‘Yes, I’m afraid so.’ Pru bade a customer goodbye then asked eagerly, ‘How are you getting on, dear?’
‘All right, I think. I’m sorry, Miss Sharp, but I must go. My aunt is minding my child and I promised to call in to give him his feed.’
‘Of course, dear, of course. We shall talk later when work is through.’
Thoughts of Jonathan screaming for her milk and the burning need to see him propelled her through the streets and in no time, she was at Grace’s door.
‘I’ve found you at last. I knew I would eventually.’
Sally whipped around to see a tall figure, almost shrouded from view in the fast-falling snow. She blinked flakes from her lashes and squinted harder, heart hammering.
He stepped closer and she shook her head in astonishment. ‘What are you doing here?’