WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY passed similarly to Sally’s first day. Routine remained the same and Agnes had seemingly resigned herself to the fact she wasn’t going anywhere. There had been no further altercations and Sally was certain if she continued speaking only when spoken to and kept her head down, things would be fine.
Today was Friday and as Agnes handed her the tattered book, her heart sank. The daily torture was taking its toll. It was ridiculous straining to see when opening the curtains a touch more would solve it. How did sunlight annoy one, anyway? She had to say something. What use would a blind mother be to her son?
‘Mrs Sharp, I know we’ve spoken about this but could I open the curtains just a little more? The light in here is incredibly weak. I’m worried that my eyesight—’
‘You have the candle, do you not?’
‘Well yes, but—’
‘Then cease your whining and read the damn book, girl.’
She breathed deeply. ‘Mrs Sharp, the candle is insufficient. My eyes have become painful since working here. Opening the curtains would help enormously and would make such a difference in here, too.’
Pru’s long hours in the shop, and reluctance to spend time with her cantankerous mother, had resulted in a dreadfully neglected room. Dirt and dust covered every surface. Ancient cobwebs drooped from the ceiling and a musty smell pervaded the air, adding to the morose feel. A good clean and sunlight would cheer it up no end. Maybe the old woman would be happier in less dismal surroundings.
Agnes’s eyes narrowed. ‘Difference?’
‘Well,’ she began hesitantly, ‘perhaps I could do some cleaning. The dust cannot be good for you, surely. It wouldn’t take long. Then there’s the light. Opening the curtains would brighten everything and I could open the window and …’ Her speech died, her enthusiasm with it, as Agnes shook her head. However, when the old woman spoke, she pleasantly surprised her.
‘You’re persistent, girl, I’ll give you that. I suppose you will drone on and on if I refuse?’ Annoyance tinged her guttural voice but a hint of amusement glimmered behind her eyes.
Sally’s lips twitched. ‘I simply believe the change would be most beneficial, as much to you as to me.’ She clasped her hands to her chest. ‘Do I have your permission, Mrs Sharp?’
‘All right, girl. I’m willing to humour your silly whim. But I warn you, if I do not like the changes you decide upon, you will put back everything exactly as it was, however hard you’ve worked. Do I make myself clear?’
Sally had a sneaking suspicion she’d decide this just to be difficult, but had to try. ‘Yes, Mrs Sharp. Do you require anything before I begin?’
A whisper of a smile played across her shrivelled mouth. ‘No, no. You go ahead.’
Beaming, Sally headed straight for the window.
Besides rushing home to feed Jonathan and fulfilling Agnes’s occasional request, she worked nonstop. By late afternoon, her body screamed for rest and she was terribly grubby, but it had been worth it. Hands on hips, she blew her hair from her face and gazed around.
Every piece of furniture she’d pulled out and cleaned thoroughly. She’d swept and scrubbed the floor and skirting boards, and stripped the walls and ceilings of the many cobwebs. Most importantly, the curtains, which she’d taken down, shaken well then rehung, were open wide, as was the gleaming window.
The difference was unbelievable. Sunlight uncovered things the gloom had disguised. Wallpaper, though faded, revealed swirling sprigs of pale-green flowers. The large rug, after she’d shaken out years of muck, showed traces of the vibrant colours it once held. Paintings that had hung limply – from cavalry charging across a battlefield to a countryside complete with rushing stream – were now vivid depictions.
She glanced to the old woman, who was snoring softly. All day, she’d been aware of Agnes watching her. It was unnerving having her every move silently scrutinised and she’d sighed in relief when she’d fallen asleep. Now, however, Sally pondered whether to waken her. The bed was the only thing she hadn’t touched; she itched to give behind it a good clean.
Taking another look around, she smiled proudly. Everywhere sparkled; the smell was gone. Surely Mrs Sharp would like it?
After closing the window and drawing the curtains, she knelt before the cleaned and blackleaded fireplace. Within minutes, flames danced up the chimney. As she rose, the door opened and a smiling Pru appeared.
‘I’ve brought you both a cup— Oh! What an absolutely wonderful job you’ve done!’ She placed the tea tray on the bedside table then traced her fingers over the walls and furniture. ‘I’d forgotten how this room once looked. I cannot believe the difference you have made, dear.’
Sally smiled in delight. Pru had ventured up several times to see how it was progressing but she’d been told she couldn’t see until it was completed. Chuckling, Pru had sidled back downstairs. Sally was glad she’d made her wait; her reaction was proof she’d done well.
‘Has she seen it?’
‘Not yet. I do hope she likes it, Miss Sharp.’
‘I think she just may. I still cannot believe she gave permission. You must think me a dreadful slattern. I … couldn’t … Life is much easier if I keep my distance. She finds my very presence irksome. I don’t know what it is about you but she has accepted you as she never has anyone else.’
‘I believe an unspoken truce was made when I stood up to her.’
Pru’s gaze flicked to the poker propped against the wall. ‘Just remain watchful, dear. Don’t let your guard down for a moment. Promise me, Sally. Promise me you’ll be careful.’
She sensed more behind the whispered warning. ‘This isn’t only about her last employee, is it, Miss Sharp? Has your mother used that blasted poker on you, too?’
‘Of course, dear. Many times. But I don’t want anyone else getting hurt, not again.’
As the shocking admission hung in the air, anger gripped Sally’s chest. How could anyone treat their own child like that – particularly one so sweet and kind? She glared at Agnes in disgust. Why did some people behave this way? What pleasure did they derive from causing others misery?
‘Miss Sharp, I suffered a bully’s hand for years. He beat me into submission for no other reason than that he could. A dear friend helped put a stop to my torment.’ She marched forward and snatched up the poker. ‘Now it’s my turn to help another.’
‘What are you doing?’ hissed Pru.
‘Something which should have been done a long time ago.’ She wrenched the curtain aside, opened the window and threw the poker out. It struck the cobbles with a loud clang and she nodded in grim satisfaction.
‘You’re still here? What time is it?’
Whipping around, Sally found Agnes staring at her, green eyes mere slits. Sally was about to give her a piece of her mind when Pru’s pleading gaze caught her eye.
‘I think you are a mute, girl, after all. I asked you a question. What’s the wretched time?’ Suddenly, peering around, Agnes’s lips twisted in a smirk. ‘Well, well, well. I see you’ve been busy.’
‘Isn’t it wonderful, Mother?’ Ashen-faced, Pru wrung her hands. ‘I brought tea. It is on the table, there.’
Agnes ignored her and turned back to Sally. ‘We had an agreement, did we not? I stated quite clearly that if I did not like it, I wanted it putting back exactly as you found it.’
‘Let me guess. You don’t.’
‘Actually, it is rather pleasant. You’ve done well, girl.’
Sally and Pru glanced at each other in shared surprise and distrust.
‘There is just one question I would like you to answer,’ Agnes murmured, bony fingers gripping the bedclothes. ‘What do you propose we now use for the fire?’
Under the intense stare, Sally felt colour stain her cheeks. But glancing to a terrified-looking Pru, anger lifted her chin. ‘That poker hasn’t been used for what it was intended for, for a long time, Mrs Sharp, and you know it.’
A range of emotions flitted across the lined face. When a scratchy laugh leaked from her mouth, her expression told it was as much a shock to her ears as theirs.
‘You are without doubt the most insolent, hard-faced little bitch I have ever encountered,’ she spluttered. She threw her head back and laughed harder at Sally’s outraged frown. ‘Oh, put your face straight, girl. I mean that as a compliment. If only this useless chit had an ounce of your gumption. She’s brought me nothing but disappointment. What he saw in her, I will never know—’
Pru’s harsh gasp sliced through her words. ‘Don’t you dare talk about that. I have warned you before; never, ever talk about that! I made a mistake, Mother. One mistake. Am I to suffer it the rest of my days?’ A solitary tear slipped down her cheek. ‘Haven’t I suffered enough?’
Sally looked on in confusion. Her perplexity grew when Agnes’s eyes deepened with what she could only interpret as guilt. Pru’s ragged breaths were the only sound until, softer than she’d ever heard, Agnes spoke.
‘Pull yourself together and fetch the poker before some scoundrel pilfers it.’ She nodded once. ‘Go on, Prudence.’
Pru left the room. Moments later, without a word, she returned the poker to its home by the bedside.
‘As for you …’ murmured Agnes to Sally. ‘Ever behave in such a foolhardy manner again and you will be dismissed faster than you can blink. I like spirit but I will break yours if you attempt to push me too far. Remember your place, girl. Now, go on home. Your child will be wanting your milk.’
Too bewildered to argue, she stole a last look at Pru and headed for the door.
‘Girl?’
Her hand stilled on the knob.
‘Thank you.’
Sally glanced around the space she’d worked so hard on then slipped from the room.