Two days later, Elizabeth again followed Arthur discreetly as he left her mother’s house in Bishop Street. Feeling the first spots of cold rain, she opened her umbrella and tilted it slightly to hide her face. The sky began to darken and the raindrops pattered on the cobblestones. In the far distance a faint rumble of thunder heralded the forthcoming storm. Elizabeth ignored the inclement weather and pushed on through the streets after the man she knew as Gabriel Short. Where was he going now? Would he be returning home – maybe to a wife?
The town was busy with people hurrying to avoid the downpour, grumbling as they went. Elizabeth was jostled as she wove her way down one road and along the tramway. Turning into a side street, she halted at the corner then took a few steps, fearing she might lose sight of him. She stopped abruptly as she saw Gabriel knock on the door of a property a little way ahead. She watched as an older lady welcomed him and he kissed her cheek as he stepped inside.
I have you now! Elizabeth thought as she crossed over and, shaking the water from her umbrella, she entered a shop. Her mind was in turmoil as she slowly browsed the nick-nacks. Who was the woman who had welcomed Gabriel so warmly? Could it be the man had a sister? Or was he canoodling with another woman? What was he up to? Was it all to do with money as she believed it to be?
Keeping an eye on the building through the window, Elizabeth inspected every item on the tables, chairs and in the cabinets. She had no idea how long Gabriel might be in that house, or if he would emerge at all.
Feeling the saleswoman’s eyes on her, Elizabeth gushed, ‘So many pretty things to choose from!’
The woman nodded and smiled as her eyes followed the customer around her shop.
Knowing she would have to buy something to avert suspicion, Elizabeth picked up a small bowl garishly painted with bright colours. ‘Oh, how lovely – I’ll take it,’ she said, passing it over to be wrapped. Then she continued to scan more objects.
Over the next half an hour Elizabeth bought a basket and filled it with bric-a-brac, all of which would be confined to the midden on her return home. She was paying for her purchases, thinking it was time to leave, when she caught a glimpse of movement through the window. Gabriel Short was on the move again.
Waiting to be given her change, Elizabeth watched Gabriel pocket what she surmised was money before he stole a kiss, one that would most certainly not be given to a sister.
Thanking the saleswoman, Elizabeth picked up her basket and left the shop, again opening her umbrella for shelter from the rain as well as from being seen.
Right, Mr Short, where to next?
Eventually Elizabeth saw the man she’d followed most of the day enter a small house in Rea Terrace. So that’s where you live is it?! Instinctively Elizabeth knew this was the home of Gabriel. A two up, two down property in an area badly in need of renovation. Cold and soaking wet, Elizabeth trundled away in search of a cabbie looking for a fare.
With her umbrella down now against the rising wind, Elizabeth heard the voice before she saw the person.
‘Watch where you’m going with that bloody thing!’
Moving the rain protector to the side Elizabeth saw the woman who spoke. ‘I’m so very sorry,’ she said.
‘Ar well, this bleedin’ weather is making everybody run for cover,’ the woman returned.
With a glance at the basket Elizabeth said, ‘I was about to dispose of these little things and I didn’t see you.’ She manoeuvred the umbrella to shield them both.
‘Oh, don’t you want ’em then?’ the woman asked, peering into the carrier.
‘No. Would you like them? I don’t want anything for them,’ Elizabeth said, hoping the woman would take her up on the offer just so she could be rid of them.
‘Ooh, ta! That’s nice of yer.’ The woman grabbed the basket held out to her. ‘Thanks very much,’ she said as she hurried away in case the benefactor changed her mind.
Elizabeth smiled and turned to go on her way. At the end of the street she looked around for a cab and sure enough one came towards her.
‘Cab, missus?’ the driver called out.
‘Yes, please,’ Elizabeth said. Not waiting for the driver to jump down and open the door for her, she scrambled inside herself.
Calling out the address of her destination she settled down, her mind dwelling on Mr Short and his dubious visit.
Early the following morning, Elizabeth called on her mother yet again.
Sylvia couldn’t help but wonder why her daughter had arrived at such an early hour as she made tea for them both.
Sat in the parlour now it was Sylvia who spoke first. ‘Whatever it is, it must be important for you to be here at this time in the morning.’
‘It is, Mother. I’ve been doing some investigating and on two occasions now, I have followed Gabriel Short and—’
‘You did what?!’ Sylvia was shocked by the revelation.
‘Calm down, Mother, please, and listen to what I have to say,’ Elizabeth said. ‘He’s a thief and a liar. I watched him steal from people in the market, Mother. I saw him visit another woman who he kissed as they stood on the doorstep. Before you say anything – it was not a kiss one would give a relative. I’m sorry, Mother, really I am.’
‘I bet you are! I imagine you gloated, thinking me a silly old woman!’ Sylvia was furious, both with her daughter for meddling and herself for falling for Gabriel’s charms.
‘Mother! How could you think such a thing? I was only trying to protect you.’
‘I see, but what have you gained by all this cloak and dagger behaviour? Nothing! Save hurting me, that is.’
‘I never meant for you to be hurt, besides it’s that man who has caused all this,’ Elizabeth said, feeling dreadful.
‘Are you quite sure about what you’ve told me?’ Sylvia asked.
‘Yes, I’m sorry to say I am,’ Elizabeth answered quietly.
Mother and daughter stared at each other, then at length Sylvia dropped her chin onto her chest and nodded. ‘I am too. I’m afraid I rather fell for Gabriel like a silly schoolgirl.’
‘He was very charming to you, but he disliked me from the off. He knew I could see right through him and that made him wary of me and me wary of him,’ Elizabeth said gently, not wanting to make matters any worse than they already were.
‘Why though? What was his intention?’ Sylvia asked, but in her heart she knew the answer.
‘Money, Mother – yours to be precise.’
‘Oh, Elizabeth, I feel like such a fool!’ Sylvia said on a sob.
‘Mother, you clearly are not the only one to be taken in by his lies; the lady he visited is another. My question is, are there any more?’ Elizabeth watched as Sylvia’s eyes filled with tears.
‘Whatever shall I do?’ Sylvia sniffed. A melange of feelings raged in her mind. She was angry with Gabriel for what he had done and was hurt by him seeing another woman whilst promising Sylvia she was the only one for him. She felt foolish for believing him over her daughter, and ashamed for treating Elizabeth so badly throughout the whole debacle.
‘First of all, you mustn’t let that man into the house again. If he gets wind that we’re on to him, goodness knows what he might do. Then I suggest you and I visit this other friend of his to see how the land lies with her.’ Elizabeth waited whilst Sylvia brought her emotions under control.
‘What if she is a relative or a dear friend? We could have this all wrong, Elizabeth,’ Sylvia said, twisting her handkerchief in her fingers.
‘I don’t think we have, Mother, but either way we need to find out.’
Sylvia nodded. ‘Can you remember where she lives?’
‘Yes, I made a note of the address. Come on, let’s go now and get it over and done with.’
With a sigh, Sylvia got to her feet. Grabbing her coat and umbrella, the two left the house.
The cabbie who had transported Elizabeth from home was waiting patiently. He helped the ladies into the carriage and tipped his hat when Elizabeth gave the address to be visited.
As the cab pulled forward Sylvia muttered, ‘I hope we’re doing the right thing.’
‘We are, Mother, trust me,’ Elizabeth said.
I may not be able to call a halt to your nefarious lifestyle, Mr Short, but I can put a spoke in your wheel regarding my mother and your other lady friend!
Arthur had had no idea he was being tailed by Elizabeth Murray when he called on Ann Bradshaw. It was a spur of the moment decision and he was pleased to have been welcomed so warmly.
A quick cup of tea, a few words of his undying love for her and Ann had handed over some much needed cash.
She had begged him to stay a while longer but he’d told her he had business to conduct. He had promised to visit again before the week was out saying he was finding it impossible to stay away from her.
He smiled as he sat at his kitchen table enjoying a leisurely breakfast. His best clothes were hanging on an airer to dry out after being caught in the deluge yesterday. It was of no importance, he hadn’t planned to venture out today anyway. He banked up the fire in the living room and slouched in the easy chair watching tiny orange flames lick around the black coal nuggets. The crackling fire was mesmerising and before long he began to doze. With a full belly and the heat in the small room, he fell into a deep sleep.
But a few hours later Arthur was rudely woken by a banging on the back door. Rubbing the sleep from his eyes he grumbled his discontent as he pushed to his feet.
‘All right, all right! I’m coming – hold your bloody horses!’
Opening the door Arthur gasped at the three women stood facing him.
‘Oh, bugger!’ he muttered.
‘Indeed!’ Elizabeth Murray replied.