Sitting in the parlour of the fine house in Ladywell Walk, Arthur gazed around him at the expensive paintings and porcelain figurines. His mind was adding up how much each item could be worth.
The house was large with six bedrooms, parlour, living room, dining room, kitchen and scullery, plus an indoor lavatory, so he’d been told. It was tastefully decorated and the furniture was comfortable and beautifully upholstered. French windows opened onto expansive lawns with neat flower borders, and Arthur could hear bees buzzing around the arbour. The carpet beneath his feet was of a rich Turkish design and it was as he placed his cup and saucer on a small mahogany table that Ann Bradshaw spoke.
‘I have two tickets for the theatre, Gabriel¸ and I wondered if you would be kind enough to accompany me,’ she said.
‘Alas, I must decline, Ann. You see, my wardrobe is somewhat depleted due to a flood in my home. My clothes were all but completely ruined I’m afraid,’ Arthur lied.
‘You really should replace them,’ Ann smiled sweetly.
‘Of course, I would, but my capital is tied up in various ventures and not easily accessed. I apologise most profoundly as there is nothing I would have liked more.’
‘Then there is only one option open to us. Come, Gabriel, we are going shopping – we must get you kitted out appropriately.’ Ann reached out a hand for Arthur to help her to her feet. She was astonished when Arthur fell to his knees in front of her.
‘Thank you, Ann, please be assured I will recompense you as soon as my funds are released!’
‘Oh, my – Gabriel!’ Ann said as he kissed her hands.
Dragging her to her feet Arthur wrapped his arms around her and gazed into her eyes. ‘Ann, I can wait no longer to tell you of my feelings for you. In the short time we have known each other I have come to love you. Oh, Ann, I think of you night and day! I know you are still in mourning, but I can contain my feelings no longer!’ Arthur gently pressed his lips to hers and felt her respond to his kiss.
Pulling away slightly, Ann stared at the man she’d only known for a matter of weeks. ‘We should respect my period of mourning,’ she said on a breath.
‘In public certainly, but in private…’ Arthur again kissed her gently and smiled inwardly as he felt her arms snake around his neck.
As they parted, he asked, ‘Shopping now, my love?’
Ann nodded, suddenly feeling like a young girl again.
Later that day Arthur hung his tail coat and trousers in the tallboy and stood back to admire them. Despite being off the peg, they fitted him beautifully. New clothes in exchange for a false declaration of love and a couple of kisses – money for old rope! And a visit to the theatre into the bargain. Arthur chuckled; Ann Bradshaw was hooked. Now to cast his line in Sylvia Chilton’s direction. Tomorrow would tell whether or not she would take his bait. Mentally slapping himself on the back, Arthur ran downstairs to contrive a plan to kidnap Dolly Daydream and retrieve that necklace!
Whilst Arthur was wooing Ann Bradshaw, Ezra sat in his office in the brewery staring at the man stood before him and his voice boomed out. ‘For God’s sake, Frederick! Can’t you do anything without fouling it up?!’
‘Sorry, Mr Morton, sir,’ Frederick replied, feeling thoroughly ashamed of himself. ‘Somebody must have told Nellie I was asking after her.’
‘Obviously, how else would she have known?’
Frederick began to shuffle about, clearly uncomfortable beneath his employer’s gaze.
‘What did you find out then?’ Ezra asked.
‘Nothing, boss.’
Ezra sighed audibly. ‘All right – get out!’
Frederick fled the office before Ezra really lost his temper.
Leaning back in his chair, Ezra realised he would have to put someone else on Nellie’s case. He needed information and the sooner the better so he could get Poppy by his side and into his bed. Once that was accomplished, he could concentrate on the ruination of Nellie Larkin.
Frederick was relieved he was still breathing and although not very bright, he was intelligent enough to wonder if it was time to find a new job. It would, of course, mean telling Ezra he was going to leave his employ. He didn’t know which would be worse, leaving or staying. He sat in the outer office and pondered. Nellie had told him she could find him work and shifting barrels would be a lot easier than having to scare people into parting with their money. His conscience would be clear too.
How would Ezra react if he said he was quitting? Would he be angry? Or would he bid Frederick a fond farewell? Shaking his head, he feared it wouldn’t be the latter.
Hearing his name being called, Frederick gulped. If he was going to do this, now would be the perfect time.
Going to Ezra’s office once more he tapped the door and walked in. Standing by the desk he waited, his hands clasped in front of him.
‘Find me somebody to do what you couldn’t!’ Ezra said, without looking up from the papers on his desk.
Frederick didn’t move and remained silent.
‘Did you hear me?’ Ezra said, glancing up.
Frederick nodded.
Ezra sighed, ‘What now?’
‘I’m leaving, Mr Morton,’ Frederick said quickly.
‘Leaving?’
‘Yes, sir, I’m quitting,’ Frederick said.
‘Oh, I see.’ Ezra’s eyebrows shot up. This was something he hadn’t expected. ‘Where will you go and what will you do for work?’
‘I ain’t sure as yet, but I’ve had enough, Mr Morton. I can’t do this any more. It ain’t right taking money from folk who don’t have much anyway.’
‘Frederick, these people borrowed the money in the first place, so they have to pay it back. Surely you understand that?’ Ezra explained as if speaking to a five year old.
‘I do, but frightening them into it is wrong and I ain’t doing it any more,’ Frederick’s hands clenched as he spoke.
‘After all I’ve done for you!’ Ezra boomed out. Seeing the big man wince, he went on. ‘All right, fair enough. But know this, Frederick, you say one word about me or my business and you’ll wake up dead one day.’ Ezra’s voice was quiet now and tinged with menace.
‘I won’t say a word, Mr Morton, I promise.’ Frederick was familiar with the old Black Country saying – it was a thinly veiled threat to his life.
‘Good. Now get out.’ Ezra’s eyes returned to the papers he had been reading through.
Frederick left, rather pleased with himself. It had gone better than he could have hoped, and he felt free for the first time in a long while.
Now what he had to decide was whether or not to go cap in hand to Nellie Larkin. He was sure she would make good on her offer to employ him, but how would Ezra react when he found out, as he surely would? Then again, it was no longer Ezra’s business what Frederick did. Once he realised this, he felt much better about approaching Nellie, and there was no time like the present.
Walking with his head held high, Frederick’s spirits lifted at the thought of good honest work, and by the time he arrived at The Crown Saloon, he sported a wide grin. Stepping inside he elbowed his way to the bar.
Nellie spotted him standing there – it was hard not to, the size of him – and guessed what had happened. Tilting her head, she called him to the end of the bar.
‘Come on through,’ she said as she lifted the end of the counter and swung open the little gate.
In the kitchen he was introduced to Nancy and Dolly.
‘I don’t work for Ezra no more, I jacked it in,’ Frederick said, his eyes lingering on Nancy.
‘Well, there’s a job here shifting barrels and kegs if’n you’ve a mind to do it,’ Nellie replied. ‘Small wage but bed and board in.’
‘Thanks, Nellie, I’ll go and get my stuff and tell my landlady I’m moving out.’ Frederick’s grin showed lovely even teeth and as he turned to leave, he leapt in the air and clicked his heels together, no mean feat for a man of his size.
‘I’ll get his room ready then, shall I?’ Nancy asked dryly.
‘Ta, Nance, I’ve a feeling Fred will be really useful around here. He’s like a big bear ain’t he?’ Nellie said with a laugh.
‘Oh ar, let’s just hope he doesn’t snore too loudly,’ Nancy murmured as she went to clean and air a spare room for their new staff member.
As Nancy ascended the stairs, she wondered if it might be as well to sort out the other spare rooms too. The saloon had eight upstairs rooms, five of which were already taken; now Frederick would be moving in.
Pushing up the sash window and wedging it open with a stick kept especially for the purpose, Nancy dragged the single flock mattress from the iron bedstead. Draping half of it over the window sill she picked up the trefoil shaped wicker paddle and began beating the dust from the flocking. Then, swapping the ends she began again, her apron held over her nose against the dust flying in all directions.
Pulling the mattress back to the bed she then drew a rag from her apron pocket and dusted down the old furniture. A chest of drawers, tallboy and dressing table. Once she had swept the floor she went to a cupboard on the landing and took out fresh bedding and made up the bed.
Happy with her efforts, she then did the same in the other two rooms but left the beds unmade. Another job which had badly needed doing was now complete.
Returning to the kitchen, she made a start on the evening meal. Covering grey maple peas with seasoned water she set them to boil before adding bacon and leaving them to simmer. Taking the groats she had soaked overnight, she added them to stewing beef, onion, salt and pepper. Covering them with water, she put the large pan to boil too. Groaty pudding and grey peas in hand, Nancy made a pot of tea to go with freshly baked scones as a treat for everyone.
Popping her head around the doorway she yelled, ‘Tea up!’
Before she had returned to the table, Jack and Dolly rushed into the kitchen.
‘Scones there, jam and as a treat, some cream. Tea’s in the pot so, Jack, get it poured while I check this on the range.’ Nancy said.
Ensuring the evening meal was not burning, she returned her attention to the two now enjoying their afternoon tea.
Nancy smiled, she loved these kids more than she could say and felt very lucky to be loved in return.
‘Nell,’ she called out, ‘Get yer arse in ’ere and have a cuppa!’
Dolly’s tea shot from her mouth as she laughed. ‘I’m sorry,’ she said as she mopped up the mess with a teacloth.
Nancy grinned, ‘It don’t matter, sweet’eart. Here, have another scone before smelly Nellie comes in.’
Jack and Dolly howled as the woman in question walked in.
‘What’s so funny then?’ she asked.
‘Nuthin’ at all. Jack’s poured you a drink so get it down yer neck.’ Nancy replied.
One by one the staff all enjoyed high tea before returning to their respective jobs.