‘So, is his lordship’s visitor here yet?’ Reuben asked sarcastically when he came into the kitchen for his meal at lunchtime the following day.
Nessie nodded as she cut a large wedge of bread and cheese for him. ‘Yes, but I didn’t see him. Andre took him straight through to his own quarters and up to the room I prepared for him. Dr Dorsey is up there with them now.’
The words had barely left her lips when the doctor himself appeared in the doorway and instantly, much to her confusion, she was all of a fluster.
‘Hello, Miss Carson. I thought while I was here I might look in on Joseph and drop this off to you.’
Trying to hide her nerves, she nodded. Why does he have this effect on me? she wondered.
He held out a small glass bottle and at a glance she saw that it was laudanum. ‘Just put a few drops into his drink if he appears to be in any discomfort. It will calm him.’
‘I will … thank you.’ Nessie watched as the doctor crossed to Joseph who was lying motionless on the sofa. It was all he ever seemed able to do now. It was an effort for him to even sit at the table with them any longer and it broke her heart as she thought of what lay ahead. The doctor meanwhile was gently examining the child, listening to his heart and talking soothingly to him all the time, even though the little boy didn’t appear to be aware that he was even there. When he had finished he gently patted Joseph’s arm and snapped his black bag shut as he asked, ‘How has he been?’
‘No different.’
‘I see. Just continue to keep him warm and don’t be afraid to use that if the need arises.’
She nodded, then asked, ‘And how is Mr Chevalier’s friend?’
He lowered his eyes. Patient confidentiality ensured that he wasn’t able to tell her much so he just answered, ‘As well as can be expected.’
She wished then that she hadn’t asked. He clearly wasn’t comfortable speaking about the man and she surprised herself when she suddenly blurted out, ‘Would you like a cup of tea? I’ve just made a fresh pot.’
After glancing at the gold hunter watch that was fastened by a thick gold chain to his waistcoat, he smiled. ‘That would be very nice … Thank you.’
Nessie flushed as she whirled about and began to prepare two cups and saucers. Why did I do that? She silently questioned herself as she placed the cups on a small wooden tray, all fingers and thumbs. Minutes later he was helping himself to sugar from the pressed glass bowl in the middle of the table and adding milk.
‘My sister was saying that your family are going to London for Christmas,’ she said for want of something to say.
He nodded. ‘Yes, they are, although I won’t be going, of course. I can’t leave old Dr Peek in the lurch. Between you and me my father isn’t all that keen on going either. I’m afraid he hates leaving his work. But my mother and my sister are really looking forward to it. So is my younger brother. I wouldn’t be surprised if George didn’t become engaged to Belinda, the Lewises’ daughter while they’re there. The two families have known each other for years and it’s always been expected that she and George would make a match.’ He laughed then and confided, ‘My father would certainly be happy about it. The Lewises are one of the richest families in Knightsbridge.’
Nessie smiled and began to relax. He was so easy to talk to that sometimes she forgot that they were miles apart in class. She’d almost forgotten that Reuben was still in the room until he passed them saying, ‘I’d best get back to work then. It wouldn’t do fer us all to sit about gossipin’.’
Hot colour flamed into Nessie’s cheeks and she sloshed some tea into her saucer as she stammered, ‘I’m s-so sorry about that. I’m afraid Reuben is finding this new way of life rather hard to adjust to. He likes working outside, you see.’
He nodded sympathetically and his eyes momentarily locked with hers. ‘I can understand that, it must be hard for him.’ Then quickly dragging his gaze away from hers and hoping to change the subject he hurried on, ‘I called in to see Mrs Liggins earlier this morning. You know, Molly Liggins? The lady from the courts who recently lost her baby. She was telling me that you took a dish of stew round to the family. That was very kind of you.’
Nessie shook her head. ‘Not really. It’s nothing in the greater scheme of things, is it? And that would only have provided her family with one good meal. The poor things. I never knew such poverty existed until I moved into the town and I just wish there was more I could do for these people.’
‘I know exactly what you mean.’ He smiled ruefully. The more he got to see of this young woman the more he felt drawn to her. ‘I’m afraid Dr Peek has told me off more than once for not charging a fee from some of these poor souls that I go to visit, but they hardly have two ha’pennies to rub together. I know that if I charge them they won’t eat that day, so what am I to do?’ He shook his head and went on, ‘Mrs Liggins also told me that you gave her baby a proper burial, even though she couldn’t pay for the cost of the funeral up front. What a marvellous idea. When word spreads I’ve no doubt you’ll be kept busy once the really bad weather sets in. It’s always the worst time of year for the very young and the very old.’ He placed his cup and saucer on the table then and, rising from his seat, he smiled at her. ‘Thanks for the tea and the chat but I really should be getting on now. Good day, Miss Carson.’
‘Oh please … call me Nessie,’ she said, then flushed with embarrassment again.
‘Very well, I’d like that but only if you agree to call me Oliver.’ He held his hand out and as she placed her smaller one in his she felt the heat from his palm and butterflies fluttered to life in her stomach once again. He, meanwhile, was thinking what a truly lovely person she was. The light from the lamp in the centre of the table was turning her hair to burnished copper, and those eyes … They really were extraordinarily beautiful. As they said their goodbyes, their eyes again locked in mutual appreciation.
Over the next week Nessie was almost rushed off her feet, just as Dr Dorsey had predicted. Andre was spending most of his time upstairs nursing his sick friend so the running of the shop fell mainly to her; not that she was complaining. She was just grateful that she and the family had a roof over their heads, warm beds to retire to and a regular wage coming in. Andre’s friend remained faceless, although Nessie made sure that she supplied him with nourishing meals that Andre took up to him. And then, out of the blue one morning, Andre told her, ‘My friend is much recovered so I will be accompanying him back to his own home this morning.’
‘Oh!’ Nessie looked a little worried. ‘But we have a funeral booked at St Nicholas’s Church for three this afternoon.’
Andre waved aside her concerns, assuring her that he would be back in time to ensure that everything was done. A short time later, a horse-drawn cab drew up outside and Andre ushered his friend into it.
Soon after Reuben came in for his morning break. ‘Phew!’ He looked harassed. ‘I can’t keep up wi’ the amount o’ coffins that need making. At this rate Chevalier is goin’ to have to hire me someone to help. We’re running low on wood an’ all. He needs to get some ordered else we’ll run out.’
‘I’m sure he will now that he doesn’t have to look after his friend,’ she assured him. In truth, she had been finding it hard too, what with running the parlour, cleaning, washing, ironing and caring for Joseph, not to mention cooking for them all.
As promised, Andre was back in plenty of time for the service and when he and Reuben left with the glass-sided hearse, the horses looking elegant in their plumed headgear, she began to tackle the never-ending pile of paperwork.
It was dark by the time the men returned and while Reuben rubbed down the horses in the stable Andre came and handed her a substantial sum of money from the deceased’s relatives. ‘They insisted on paying for our services today,’ he told her as he removed his shiny black top hat and frock coat. ‘Could you put it in the safe for me, please?’
‘Certainly.’ Nessie hurried off to do as she was told. When she returned he eyed her for a moment before commenting, ‘You look a little tired. Are you feeling unwell?’
‘Not at all,’ she assured him, although she was indeed very tired. Her days began very early in the morning and it was usually very late at night before she managed to tumble into bed, exhausted after she’d done all the jobs that needed doing.
‘Hmm, well I’ve been thinking. Now that you’ve taken over the running of the parlour and now that the business is doing so much better we could afford to bring in someone to do the cleaning. What do you think of the idea?’
Nessie paused before answering. In truth it would make her life a lot easier if at least one job was taken off her shoulders, but she was afraid that he might think she couldn’t cope.
‘I am managing,’ she answered hesitantly.
‘Oh, I wasn’t for a moment suggesting that you weren’t.’ Andre looked embarrassed. ‘I was just trying to make all of our lives a little easier. Business is brisk now, thanks to you, so we could afford it. I thought I might employ someone to help Reuben too; he can hardly keep up with the sudden need for coffins.’
‘Then if you’re quite sure, I might know just the people who may be able to help you.’ Nessie was smiling now. ‘I was thinking of Mrs Liggins, the poor woman who lost her baby recently. I’m sure she would jump at the chance of earning some money and her husband has been laid off work so he might be able to help Reuben?’
She stared at him hopefully as he thought on her words then eventually he nodded. ‘Very well, if you think they may be suitable. I will work out what I can afford to pay them and what hours I would wish them to work then perhaps you could put it to them? As you know, I am no good at this sort of thing. You are far better than me at dealing with the public.’
Nessie nodded enthusiastically as she thought of the cold, damp cottage the Liggins family were forced to live in. This would be a godsend to them, she was sure.
She told Reuben about Andre’s idea that evening over dinner and he nodded his approval. ‘Sounds good to me an’ I’ve no doubt Mrs Liggins’ll jump at the chance to earn a few bob. As fer her old man, I’m sure I can find him enough to do to keep him busy. I’m run off me feet at present.’
But not enough to keep you in at night, Nessie thought as she cut into the pork chop on her plate. Reuben was out most evenings now and since seeing him with Snowy White she was very worried about what he might be up to.
Sure enough, after finishing his meal, Reuben got washed and changed and went out into the freezing night as Nessie chewed on her lip with concern. Where could he be going? Nessie settled Joseph down then went through to Andre’s living quarters to collect his dirty pots. She was dismayed to see that once again he had barely touched his meal and she asked worriedly, ‘Are you feeling all right, Andre? You haven’t eaten much again.’ She’d noticed that he’d been taking his pills more often over the last couple of days when he thought she wasn’t watching, and he certainly didn’t look very grand. His face was the colour of candle wax and once more there was a bluish tinge to his lips.
‘I am fine, thank you. But it is good of you to show concern.’ Andre was always the perfect gentleman and she sighed. There was clearly something wrong with him but it appeared that he wasn’t about to confide what it was yet. Until he did she wasn’t sure how she could help him. Lifting the pots, she was about to leave the room when she suddenly remembered the envelope in her pocket. ‘I’m so sorry. The postman delivered this for you earlier today. I was dealing with a customer at the time and stuffed it in my pocket then forgot all about it, but I noticed that the postmark is French.’
‘Ah.’ He took the letter. ‘It will probably be from my maman. Thank you.’ Then much to her disappointment he placed it down, clearly with no intention of reading it while she was still there.
‘I’ll bid you good evening then.’ With curiosity eating away at her, Nessie lifted the tray again and headed back to her own quarters. It was the first time Andre had received a letter from France while she had been working there and she wondered why. She knew that it was absolutely none of her business of course but it didn’t stop her feeling curious.
By the time she retired there was still no sign of her brother and she lay awake worrying until eventually she fell into a fitful sleep.
The sound of Reuben pottering about in the kitchen woke her the next morning. Beside her Joseph was still sleeping so she inched to the edge of the bed and thrust her feet into her boots. She hadn’t been able to afford a pair of house slippers as yet but she hoped to be able to very soon now. Shivering in the chilly bedroom, she wrapped a shawl about her shoulders and hurried downstairs to find the kettle singing on the hob and the fire blazing merrily up the chimney.
‘You’re an early bird,’ she commented as she placed a slice of bread onto the toasting fork and held it out towards the flames. A slice of buttered toast would go down nicely with a cup of tea on such a cold morning.
Reuben shrugged. ‘I was awake so I thought I may as well make meself useful.’
‘Oh, I’m not complaining,’ Nessie assured him. ‘You’re quite welcome to do this every morning if you’ve a mind to. It’s nice to come down to a warm room and the kettle boiling.’
Minutes later they sat together buttering their toast at the table in a companionable silence until Nessie said, ‘I’ll be going to see the Ligginses this morning once Andre has told me what hours and what wages to offer them. If Mr Liggins agrees to the terms when would you like him to start?’
‘Well, we’ve got a funeral this morning and another one tomorrow afternoon so as soon as he likes. As well as helping me in the workshop, he can double as a pall-bearer an’ all. That’ll save Chevalier havin’ to pay someone else to do it.’
She nodded, wondering how she might broach the subject of where he was disappearing off to each night but then, deciding that it would only cause an argument, she held her tongue and soon after they went their separate ways to get dressed and prepare for yet another busy day ahead.