It was early May. In the countryside, the hawthorn was covered in white blossom, clumps of cowslips carpeted the drain banks, birds were singing and fledglings were stretching their wings in preparation for their first flight, and pale green corn swayed gently.
In the town of Hull, Lily knew what she was missing, and although she was busy every minute of the day there were times when she caught a scent of the countryside on a breeze, or the briny tang of the sea travelling down the estuary, and pondered on the life she was leading now. Events had moved fast since she had once more knocked on the door of Hope House, asking for shelter and a chance of work.
It was twelve months since she had been abandoned in this town which was no longer strange to her, but on the contrary, now that she was no longer without hope, felt almost like home. Mrs Thompson had agreed to take her and Daisy in for a short time only, for, as she explained, this was a place of refuge for fallen women. ‘And you and Daisy,’ she gently explained, ‘are not in that category.’
Lily had told her that she wanted to help young women in unfortunate circumstances and Mrs Thompson had told her of their efforts to find money for a second house. ‘But there is none at present. Should it ever materialize, then I would certainly recommend that you be offered the position of housekeeper.’
For a month, Lily and Daisy had worked for their keep, hoping that they wouldn’t be turned away when young street women came begging for shelter. ‘Winter is the time when they start arriving in large numbers,’ Mrs Thompson had said. ‘They think they can survive during autumn, but once the cold weather starts they have second thoughts.’
But Lily recalled that it was spring when she, Lizzie and Cherie had found their way to Hope House.
Johnny had written to her care of Rena, whose address he had remembered, telling her of Billy Fowler’s death. His body had been washed up at Spurn Point. We know for sure he’s dead this time, he wrote. John Ward identified him. He told me that Fowler had been caught stealing his eggs. He must have eaten them raw for there was no sign of any fire’s having been lit when they looked at what was left of the barn.
He’d pleaded with her to forgive him and give him the chance to start their lives again. I’ve got us a little house, he wrote. It’s just outside Hollym. It’s not much at the minute. Needs some work on it, but it’s got land and Ted wants to work it and send stuff to market. He’s a grand lad, Lily. You did a good job on bringing him up, but he still needs his ma, and I need you too.
Lily had felt a flood of emotion, for she had often thought that she had spoilt Ted and what he needed was a father’s stronger hand. She had written in return to Johnny, and told him that there were others, more unfortunate than him or Ted, whom she wanted to help if she possibly could. She explained that she wasn’t ready to give him a commitment, even though she was probably now legally married to him and he could take her back by force if he wanted.
He’d immediately sent a terse note, saying that she obviously didn’t know him well enough if she thought he would do that. I love you, Lily, he had added, and I would never again do anything to hurt you.
There was silence then, with no more letters, and she had begun to wonder if she had done the right thing in turning him down. Just when she was on the edge of indecision, on a cold and wintry morning a fortnight before Christmas, Charles Walker and Dr Fulton had called to see Mrs Thompson to tell her that they had at last found funding to buy the house next door.
Lily was called in to the discussion and offered the position of house manager. ‘It will be run by committee,’ Dr Fulton explained. ‘It will be a house of charity, though,’ he hastened to say, ‘our benefactor, who has chosen to remain anonymous, requests that it be called Amber House.’
‘An odd kind of name,’ Mrs Thompson said. ‘But he is entitled to call it whatever he wants. I assume it is a gentleman, and not a lady of means?’
Charles Walker had interceded. ‘A male, certainly, but we are pledged to silence on the matter, Mrs Thompson. Mrs Maddeson.’ He turned to Lily. ‘We would be honoured if you would agree to serve on the committee. As manager you will be in the best position to know what is required.’
In some astonishment she had accepted, and wondered what kind of fate it was that had turned her from a madam in a brothel to a manager in a house of charity.
Amber House was now up and running and the official opening was to be performed by the Chief Magistrate of Hull the following week. One of the first young women to ask for admittance had been Angelina, who had appeared on the doorstep with a cut lip and a black eye. At Lily’s suggestion, after she had recovered from her ordeal, Charles Walker had taken her to see his wife, who had now recovered from her breakdown and was ready to accept Angelina as her maid. They’re well suited, Lily thought. They will understand each other, and now that Oliver is going away Mrs Walker won’t consider her a threat.
Lily had sought out Mrs Flitt at the workhouse and found the old woman at low ebb. ‘I miss all of you,’ she’d said. ‘You’ve been like family.’
‘So would you come and join us at Amber House?’ Lily asked her. ‘I have a job for you and you can have a bed in one of the attic rooms.’
Mrs Flitt didn’t need to be asked twice. ‘I’m ready,’ she said. ‘Nowt to tek.’ She was now in charge of cleaning the steps and windows at both houses, and running errands when needed.
As for Jamie, Lily had occasionally caught a glimpse of him, but whenever he saw her he scuttled out of sight, disappearing round a corner or into a doorway.
Charles Walker had requested a few words with Lily one day regarding Daisy. She was curious and wondered if he was going to suggest that Amber House was an unsuitable home for a girl of tender years. Lily had in fact given some thought to the matter already, but Daisy didn’t mix with the residents and spent much time next door with Mrs Thompson organizing her paperwork or helping in the kitchen.
‘I do hope you will forgive my intrusion on what is after all a personal matter, Mrs Maddeson,’ he said. ‘But I wonder if you have given any thought to furthering Daisy’s education.’
‘Why, no,’ she said, surprised. ‘Daisy did go to school in our village and did very well, but after we moved to Seathorne she didn’t attend very often. It seemed as if she wanted to stay by me.’
‘She’s a very bright child,’ Charles Walker said, ‘and I think you should consider allowing her some private tuition.’
‘Goodness!’ Lily exclaimed. ‘But wouldn’t that cost a good deal of money? And what would she do with extra education? She’s a girl. There aren’t ’same opportunities for a girl as there are for a boy.’
Charles Walker smiled. ‘For some there are. She could be a teacher. She could be a scientist.’
‘A scientist! Surely not!’
‘Opportunities are opening up for women; there are female doctors, female inventors, women in industry. Sadly, many have to hide behind their husbands’ names, but the time will come when they will be completely independent.’
Lily had stared at him. ‘And you think that Daisy …’
He’d nodded. ‘I don’t see why not. I saw her potential when she came to live with us.’
‘I’ll have to write to her da,’ she murmured. ‘See if he’s got any money.’ Though she was getting a salary as house manager, it wasn’t enormous.
Charles Walker had raised his eyebrows at that and Lily frowned. ‘What?’ she said. ‘Oh. You think I should make ’decision?’
He hadn’t answered, only smiled, and she took it as a challenge. Why shouldn’t Daisy be educated ’same as a lad, she’d thought, and I’ll pay for it.
But Johnny had sent her money when she wrote to tell him that Daisy was going to have tutoring. She’s my daughter, he’d written, and I want to provide for her, just as I’m providing for Ted.
She had asked him to come to the opening ceremony, but he hadn’t answered and she wondered if he would come. She wanted to see him, to assess her feelings, for she thought of him often and though her thoughts were confused, they were warm.
Now Lily stood in the doorway of Amber House welcoming the dignitaries and invited guests. Charles Walker and Dr Fulton stood in the hall shaking hands and greeting them. Lily had decided to invite Lizzie, Cherie and Rena to see the house. Lizzie and Rena had come but Cherie had stayed behind to look after Ethan.
Lily could hardly believe the difference in Lizzie. The girl had lost her aggressive defiant air, and had an aura of bright confidence, which couldn’t have been due only to her fashionable appearance, but must have owed something to her future expectations regarding her business partnership with Rena.
Someone else had been invited, but not by Lily. Leo Leighton put in a brief appearance, but on recognizing Lily, had given his flustered apologies that he couldn’t stay owing to pressure of engagements at the court.
Lily smiled sweetly into his reddened countenance and said she could quite understand. ‘So many scoundrels deserving to be locked up,’ she murmured. ‘So many immoral sinners amongst us.’
Johnny hadn’t arrived, and regretfully she was about to close the door and circulate with the guests when on a whim she stepped outside to look along the street. There were a few people about, but none looked as if they were coming towards Amber House. A horse and trap was trotting briskly towards her, but she turned away. If Johnny was coming he would be walking.
She closed the door and moved into the hall, mixing with the guests. None of them know, she reflected. Not one of these guests would guess that I was once an unfortunate woman needing help, just as the young women who will come here will need help and understanding. If it hadn’t been for Charles Walker – and even Mrs Walker, for she had played her part – and Mrs Thompson, where would I be now?
The door bell rang and she jumped, forgetting for a moment where she was. She saw Lizzie smile at her as if she understood. How they had all hated the sound of a ring at the door in Leadenhall Square, although it was crucial to the lifestyle they were leading.
‘I’ll go,’ Charles Walker said. ‘Why don’t you show people round, Mrs Maddeson?’
She nodded, but kept her eyes on the door. She had so wanted Johnny to come; to show him that her visionary notion of working to help other women in jeopardy was not just an impractical theory but a plan that could be developed. Of course, it wouldn’t have happened without a benefactor, she mused, glancing at the assembled company and trying to determine who he was. She took a breath. What if it was Leo! Just suppose he had had a crisis of conscience. She put her hand to her mouth. Who invited him? Was I rude to him? He left in such a hurry!
Then she blinked and took a breath. There was Johnny, and Charles Walker was shaking him vigorously by the hand and drawing Dr Fulton towards him to do the same. What’s going on? Why the welcome? She watched the men talking, Johnny placing his fingers over his mouth as he spoke; and then he laughed. She saw the way his cheeks creased and his eyes crinkled at the corners and was suddenly touched by a feeling of almost overwhelming tenderness. Of course he would come, she thought. He might be late, but it’s a long way from Hollym. He must have been up at daybreak to get here.
He came across to her and kissed her hand. ‘Hello, Lily,’ he said softly. ‘You look nice.’
She felt herself blush. ‘So do you,’ she murmured. ‘Very smart.’
Johnny was wearing a brown tweed jacket and trousers, and held a soft hat in his hand. Not at all the kind of thing the other gentlemen were wearing, but very suitable for a countryman. The kind that a farmer might wear on a trip to town.
He grinned and gave his cuffs a flourish. ‘My other clothes were hanging off my back. I thought that for such a grand occasion I ought to treat myself. Didn’t want you to be ashamed o’ me, Lily.’
‘I’d never be that,’ she said, and swallowed. ‘I always thought it would be ’other way round.’
He took her hand again and squeezed it. ‘Never!’ he whispered, mindful of other people milling about. ‘Never, ever! Lily,’ he said. ‘Would you come? To look at ’house and land? Ted’s got planted up and I’ve started on ’repairs.’
She hesitated. She was curious, she’d admit, as she couldn’t quite place where it was from his description of it. But also she was ready for some time off. The last few months had been tiring in the run-up to getting Amber House ready for occupancy. ‘I don’t know,’ she said reluctantly. ‘I’m needed here.’
‘But surely they can manage for a couple o’ days. You’ve got staff, haven’t you?’
She had, and they were good. There was a housekeeper, several kitchen maids and a cook, as well as Mrs Flitt; the residents were expected to keep their own rooms tidy and do their own washing, to prepare them for life outside Amber House.
‘I suppose … yes, I could.’ She smiled. ‘I’ll have to make arrangements.’
‘Why not come now? Today? We could drive back together.’
‘Drive back? You mean wi’ carrier? It’ll be too late, he’ll have gone.’
Johnny flushed. ‘Erm, no. I’ve got a trap. Hoss is tied up outside.’
She stared at him, a question on her lips, but Charles Walker came up to them. ‘Have you shown your husband the house, Mrs Maddeson? Your wife has done wonders,’ he said to Johnny. ‘Absolutely. She’s worked like a Trojan.’
Johnny nodded. ‘She allus was good at organizing, but I thought she looked a bit tired. I had it in mind to tek her home for a couple o’ days. For some sea air, you know.’
‘Excellent idea!’ Charles Walker rubbed his hands together. ‘Mrs Thompson can direct your housekeeper if required, though everything is working so well it will hardly be necessary. Why not take a week off and come back in time for the board meeting?’
‘Oh!’ Lily was astonished. Am I superfluous? Have I done so well that I’m no longer required? ‘What about Daisy?’
‘She can come home – back with us, I mean,’ Johnny said.
‘Or she can stay with us and help me in the dispensary after her lessons,’ Walker said. ‘It would be a shame to interrupt them. And,’ he added softly, ‘she would be perfectly all right with Mrs Walker. In fact I know my wife would be pleased to see her again. She was genuinely fond of her.’
‘All right,’ Lily said breathlessly, and, although ready to agree with the suggestions, wondered why she felt that she was being manoeuvred.