‘Oh, I’ve just had a thought,’ Nessie said the next morning as she divided porridge into three dishes. They’d been practically living on the damn stuff for days to try and eke out the rest of their food. ‘How are we going to get word to Marcie that we’re moving? When she gets her first day off and comes home we shall be gone.’
As usual at the mention of his youngest sister, Reuben’s face darkened. ‘I dare say we’ll just have to get Mrs Hewitt to look out for her and tell her where we’ve gone,’ he answered. Despite his words he did care about Marcie deep down and Nessie knew it.
Nessie chewed on her fingernail as she stared towards the window, perplexed. ‘But that seems a bit heartless, doesn’t it? I could write her a letter, but maybe it’s better if I go to the house and leave word for her at the kitchen door.’
Reuben shrugged. He was coming to terms with the fact that he would soon be living and working at an undertaker’s but he still wasn’t completely happy about it and knew he’d miss working outdoors on the railways with his mates. Still, he supposed he should be grateful that he had a job, any sort of job, at least.
‘You could try I dare say.’
Nessie scowled at him as she helped Joseph to eat his porridge. If she left him to feed himself she knew that half of it would go down his shirt front. He ate the food complacently, opening his mouth like a little bird each time she offered him the spoon. ‘Reuben, do you think Joseph’s head looks a little too large for his body?’ she asked suddenly and Reuben looked at the child closely.
‘I suppose it does look a bit out of proportion,’ he admitted after a while. ‘But don’t get reading anything in to it. No doubt it will level out as he grows.’
‘What do you mean – level out!’ Nessie snorted in disgust. Joseph didn’t even smile as often as he had anymore and with every day that passed she became more and more concerned about him; he was so little and vulnerable. When we’ve got some money saved after we’ve started our new jobs I’m going to take him to see a good doctor, she silently vowed to herself, as she gave the child a loving smile and carefully wiped the dribbles from his chin. Joseph simply stared vacantly ahead.
Later that day Nessie set off for Haunchwood House, keen to share her good news with her sister. Much as Marcie had been, at her first glimpse of the place she was a little overawed at the size of it. Standing in thirty-six acres of ground it was a grand setting and her eyes were fixed on the house as she marched purposefully down the drive. She had almost reached it when a man on horseback came cantering towards her. As he drew closer Nessie saw that it was the young doctor she had met with Dr Peek. Her heart began to pound. Would he accuse her of trespassing? But she needn’t have worried because as he drew closer his face broke into a smile and he reined his black stallion to a halt, looking down at her. The magnificent animal pawed at the ground, impatient to be off again.
‘Why, it’s Miss Carson, isn’t it?’ He could never forget those beautiful tawny eyes. ‘What brings you here?’
Suddenly Nessie’s lips were dry and she found that she couldn’t take her eyes off him. ‘Actually, my sister recently started work here,’ Nessie explained awkwardly, her heart pounding. ‘And as my brother and I secured the post at the undertaker’s with Dr Peek’s help I wanted to let her know that we would be moving. I hope that’s all right, sir?’
‘That’s wonderful.’ He looked truly happy for her. ‘And of course, you must share the good news with her. Just follow the path around to the back of the house and you’ll see the kitchen then I’m sure someone will find her for you. Good day, Miss Carson.’
He dug his heels into the sides of the horse and it was off like the wind. Nessie stood and watched them go for a second, impressed at how in tune man and beast seemed to be, then she went on her way with a funny little fluttery feeling in her stomach.
Fortunately, the kitchen door was opened by Marcie herself and her mouth gaped wide when she saw Nessie standing there.
‘What are you doing here?’ she greeted her and Nessie grinned.
That was so typical of Marcie. However, she had no time to answer before a voice behind Marcie shouted, ‘Who is it at the door?’
Marcie flushed as she shuffled from foot to foot, sure that she was going to be in trouble. ‘Er … it’s me sister, Cook.’
‘Then ask her in out o’ the cold, girl,’ the cook ordered. ‘Ain’t yer got any manners?’
Marcie reluctantly stood to one side as Nessie stepped past her and instantly addressed the woman she assumed was the cook, saying, ‘I’m so sorry to disturb your work. But the family will be moving house shortly and I didn’t want Marcie to come home on her first Sunday off and find us not there.’
‘Going somewhere nice are yer?’ the cook asked pleasantly as she paused from kneading the dough in front of her.
‘My brother and I are going to work for Chevalier’s Undertaker in the town.’
The cook frowned. ‘Oh yes, he’s French, ain’t he? I’ve heard as he don’t mix much. Happen that’s why most o’ the locals favour Smith’s. But anyway, that’s by the by. I wish yer well. An’, Marcie, pour yer sister a cup o’ tea. You can have a quick tea break with her if yer like.’ She went on with what she had been doing as Marcie led Nessie to a chair at the side of the fire and hurried away to get them a drink.
‘She seems nice,’ Nessie whispered once she was holding a cup of hot, sweet tea. She had almost forgotten what sweetened tea tasted like so it was a treat.
‘Huh! She’s a bloody old slave-driver, I knows that much,’ Marcie grumbled as she sipped at her own drink. ‘Sometimes me feet hardly touch the floor from the minute I get up till the second I tumble into bed of a night. An’ look at me poor hands.’ She held one out expecting sympathy. ‘They’re in an’ out o’ water all day long.’
Nessie grinned and wondered how long Marcie would stick it. She’d never been one for hard work. She hurriedly told her about the new job she and Reuben were going to then and when she’d finished, Marcie grimaced.
‘Ugh, I reckon I’d rather do what I’m doin’ than have dead bodies all round me.’ She shuddered at the thought of it. ‘Couldn’t you have found something better than that?’
Nessie raised an eyebrow. ‘You should know how hard it is to find a job,’ she scolded gently. ‘And we’ll be fine. We actually have our own rooms to live in at the back of Mr Chevalier’s and they’re a lot nicer than the ones we live in now. At least they will be when I’ve given them a good clean and we’ve got our own things in them. Mr Chevalier has been really helpful. He’s going to send a cart so that Reuben doesn’t have to do too much heavy lifting till his ankle has healed a bit more. He’s getting better by the day now and Joseph is fine too,’ she ended, painfully aware that Marcie hadn’t asked about either of them.
‘Oh, er … that’s good.’ Marcie had the good grace to look slightly embarrassed but then, as always, her thoughts turned to herself again. ‘So will I still be able to come an’ see you on me days off?’
‘Of course you will,’ Nessie assured her. Then quickly draining her cup she handed it back to Marcie. She didn’t want to take advantage of the cook’s good nature. ‘I’d best be going then.’ She thanked the cook for her hospitality as she passed her and Marcie saw her to the door.
‘See you soon then, be good.’ And with that she hurried back the way she had come, half hoping for another glimpse of the young Dr Dorsey. He wasn’t at all what she had expected. He had spoken to her on a level and he was very good-looking. She blushed at the thought. She’d never looked at a young man in that way before and was confused why he should be any different. Don’t be daft, she scolded herself. He’s miles away from me in class and he’d never look at me even if I wanted him to, which I don’t, of course!
Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of horse’s hooves again and she saw yet another horse pounding down the drive towards her. But to her disappointment it wasn’t the young doctor. It was a young woman this time and Nessie rightly guessed that this must be the daughter of the house. The horse she was riding was quite magnificent, pure white with a long, flowing mane. But as it drew closer she saw that the poor thing was foaming at the bit and its rump was crossed with weals from the girl’s riding whip.
The girl reined him to an abrupt halt and glaring at Nessie, her fine eyes flashing, she demanded, ‘Who are you? Are you aware that this is private property and that you are trespassing?’
She was staring down at Nessie as if she was rubbish and Nessie instantly drew herself up to her full height and stuck her chin in the air.
‘Actually, I have just been to visit my sister who is one of your employees,’ she told her haughtily.
‘Well, if you’ve seen her then I suggest you get off our land now,’ the girl snapped and with that she brought the whip down on the horse’s flank and disappeared in a cloud of dust. She wasn’t used to be being spoken to by the working class in such a way and she’d speak to her mother about making sure the servants were not allowed to have visitors in the future!
Nessie was equally riled as she marched through the gates and onto the main road. That girl needs bringing down a peg or two, she thought. She was so angry that she didn’t notice someone walking towards her until they were almost level.
‘Well, well, if it isn’t pretty little Miss Carson!’
Nessie started and when she raised her eyes to find herself face to face with Seth Grimshaw, her heart sank. That was all she needed after the confrontation she’d just had with the stuck-up little madam!
‘Good day, Mr Grimshaw.’ She forced herself to remain calm and polite although she wanted to lift her skirts and run away as fast as she was able to. She would have carried on but he had positioned himself in such a way that she couldn’t unless she made a point of stepping past him.
‘And what brings you into this neck of the woods then, little lady?’
He had that look on his face again, as if he could see right through her clothes, but she managed a weak smile. What could he do to her here in broad daylight after all? And she was going to have to give him notice sooner or later so she may as well get it over with.
‘Actually, I’ve just been to see Marcie …’ She faltered for a moment. ‘To tell her that we’re leaving the cottage. I was going to give you notice when you came for the rent. The problem is, I don’t have it, but I do have a new job so as soon as I’m paid I shall make sure you have anything we owe you immediately.’
The smile slid from his face. ‘Leaving the cottage? To go where?’
Nessie didn’t really think it was any of his business but she supposed he would find out where they had gone eventually. Word spread quickly in small communities.
‘We’re both … that is Reuben and me, are going to work for Mr Chevalier in the town and it’s a live-in position so we shall be moving within the next few days.’
‘The undertaker?’
She nodded, expecting him to get angry but to her surprise he simpered. ‘And you say you can’t give me the rent before you leave?’ When she shook her head, he let out a long, drawn-out sigh.
‘Now that isn’t good, is it? Most landlords would tell you to get out straight away if you can’t pay your way. But I like to think I’m a fair man so …’ He reached out to touch her cheek. Her skin looked as soft as satin and he could feel himself hardening. He was having sleepless nights thinking about this young lady. The way her hair glinted in the sun, those deep, tawny eyes, the pert breasts straining against the coarse material of her work blouse. She was turning into a very attractive young lady and he knew he wouldn’t rest until he’d bedded her.
Nessie slapped his hand away and stepped back from him, her eyes hard. It’s funny, he thought, how they seemed to change colour depending on her mood. When she was smiling they reminded him of an amber brooch he had once seen in a jeweller’s shop window, but now they were as dark as treacle.
‘I’ve just told you we’ll make sure you get your money and I always keep my word. But if it’s a problem I’m sure Mrs Hewitt would let us stay with her until we take up our new posts.’
‘No, no, my dear, I’m sure there’ll be no need for that.’ He licked his fat lips. She was like an untrained filly; she needed to be treated gently. ‘I trust you. Just bring the money you owe to my house when you have it. You do know where I live?’
She nodded and to her surprise, he gave a courteous little bow and went on his way. She sighed. He was a strange one but at least she’d told him now and it was a weight off her shoulders. Feeling slightly better she moved on.
Mr Grimshaw, meanwhile, was feeling very pleased with himself. I handled that well, he thought. And when she does turn up with the money she owes I shall demand a little bonus!