A Mother's Trust

by Dilly Court

  Annie had kept to her room after her ill-judged outing and her attack on Snape. Despite Phoebe’s continued reassurance, she was convinced that she had committed a murder or at least done him irreparable damage. She lived in constant fear of the police and each time she heard a knock on the door she would hide beneath the bedclothes. Phoebe was certain that Snape would not have reported the assault to the authorities, and she was prepared to deny that her mother had ever left the premises should he arrive and demand compensation for a cracked skull. It was not until the day after the family departed that Snape finally made an appearance in Saffron Hill. Phoebe answered the door and was barely surprised to see him standing on the pavement outside.

  ‘What can I do for you, Mr Snape?’

  ‘You can stop acting the innocent, missy. You know very well why I’m here. I want to see Annie.’

  ‘She’s unwell. She can’t see anyone.’

  ‘Another attack of the smallpox, I suppose.’

  Phoebe clenched her fists behind her back. Snape could only have heard that tale from Ned Paxman. What if he had boasted of seducing Annie in Ned’s presence? The very thought of it made her blood run cold. She forced herself to appear calm. ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about.’

  He put his foot over the threshold. ‘I want to see Annie.’ He took off his top hat and rubbed the back of his head. ‘She crowned me with a bottle, the little harlot. But as I’ve always said, I like a woman with spirit.’ He pushed past Phoebe and there was nothing she could do to stop him as he headed for the parlour.

  With the male members of the family on their way to Italy there was no one left to protect them. She hurried after him. ‘I’m not doing any fortune telling or séances this morning, Mr Snape.’ Catching sight of Dolly peering out of the kitchen, Phoebe placed her finger on her lips, but she need not have worried. Dolly had seen Snape and she was obviously scared out of her wits. She dodged back into the room and shut the door. Breathing a sigh of relief, Phoebe followed him into the parlour. ‘What do you want?’

  ‘All right, missy. I’m a direct man. I’ll come straight to the point. I want to know if your trull of a mother is going to name me as the father of her bastard.’

  This was the last thing she had expected. Phoebe stared at him in astonishment. ‘I don’t understand.’

  ‘I know a full belly when I feel one, so don’t try to pretend that it ain’t so. I got a position to keep up at work and I don’t want a cheap little moll like Annie Giamatti making trouble for me.’

  ‘You’re mistaken, mister.’

  ‘Then it’s Paxman’s,’ Snape said with a smug grin. ‘I thought as much. Now get your crystal ball out, love. Tell me how much it’s worth to keep my mouth shut.’

  She was trembling and her palms were damp with perspiration, but she was not going to let him see that she was afraid. ‘Get out of my house.’

  Snape struck a pose. ‘You can’t make me do anything, Phoebe, my love. I got the upper hand and I want recompense for a sore head and a bottle of good spirit. I could have given the slut blue ruin but I gave her the real thing.’

  ‘And I expect you filched that from the distillery,’ Phoebe said angrily. ‘Don’t come here making threats, mister. I’ve got friends who will sort you out if you don’t leave us alone.’

  ‘All the Eyeties who stayed behind are out asphalting the roads now the season’s over. Amos Snape don’t scare so easily, miss. So do I go to Paxman and tell him that Annie Giamatti is carrying his little mistake, or do I get what I want?’

  ‘What is it you want?’

  ‘I want Dolly Fowler. She’s bought and paid for. Give me the simpleton and we’ll say no more about any of this. I can be as silent as the grave if it’s worth my while.’

  ‘Get out of my house.’ Phoebe’s voice rose to a scream. ‘You disgusting man. Go away before I call the police.’

  Snape curled his lip. ‘Go on then, love. Call the cops and I’ll report your ma for common assault and attempted murder.’ He touched the back of his head as if to demonstrate a point.

  ‘You can’t see Dolly,’ Phoebe said in desperation. ‘She’s not here. She went to Italy with my grandparents.’

  Snape’s expression froze into one of disbelief. ‘You’re lying.’

  ‘I wouldn’t be so stupid. You’d find me out sooner or later.’

  His hand shot out and he caught her by the wrist. ‘That’s right. I would, and if you’re telling lies it’ll be the worse for you and that mother of yours.’

  ‘Search the house then if you don’t believe me.’ Phoebe knew she was taking a chance by inviting him to see for himself, but she judged it worth the risk if it bought her some time. She met his suspicious gaze with what she hoped was an air of innocence.

  He released her with a grunt of disgust. ‘I’ve got to get back to work, but if I find out you’ve tricked me …’ He stormed out of the room, leaving the sentence hanging like a threat over Phoebe’s head.

  She sank down on the nearest chair as her knees buckled beneath her. She knew that this was not the end of the story as far as Snape was concerned. He was capable of anything when it came to satisfying his perverted lust for a helpless creature like Dolly, whose own mother had been prepared to sell her into sexual slavery. She jumped as she heard the front door slam behind him. At least they were safe for the time being, but for how long? As the strength returned to her lower limbs, she stood up and paced the floor. The crystal ball set in the middle of the table was catching the light as the sun filtered through the window. If she had a genuine ability to foretell future events she might know what to do next, but it was all trickery and pantomime. She turned at the sound of footsteps and met Dolly’s anxious gaze.

  ‘It was me he wanted, wasn’t it?’ Dolly’s face was pale as milk and her blue eyes were magnified by tears. ‘You won’t let him take me, will you?’

  Phoebe hurried to her side, taking her cold hands in a firm clasp. ‘Never. You’re part of our family now. I’ll keep you safe, so you mustn’t worry.’

  ‘But he might come back. Ma sold me to Mr Snape. I belongs to him.’

  ‘No. You don’t and you mustn’t think like that. You’re a free person, Dolly. No one can sell you and no one can buy you. It’s as simple as that.’

  Dolly’s lips trembled. ‘But he thinks it’s so. He’ll lie in wait for me like a cat catching a bird and he’ll pounce.’

  Phoebe squeezed her hands gently. ‘We’ve got to get away from here. I don’t know where we’ll go, but I’ll think of something.’

  ‘You’re clever, miss,’ Dolly whispered. ‘You’ll save me from the cat-man.’

  ‘I will, I promise. But you must stay indoors today. Keep out of sight. We must make Snape think that you’ve gone to Italy with my family.’

  ‘I’m good at hiding,’ Dolly said, brightening visibly. ‘I used to hide from Ma when she was on the rampage. She beat me with Pa’s wooden leg. That’s how she hurt me head.’

  ‘I know, dear. But that’s all in the past.’ Phoebe gave her a reassuring hug. ‘Now I want you to go back to the kitchen and make us all a lovely cup of tea. I’m going upstairs to talk to Ma.’

  ‘I can make tea.’

  ‘Of course you can. I’ll only be gone for a few minutes, so don’t open the door to anyone. Remember you’re hiding.’

  Dolly nodded emphatically and hurried from the room repeating over and over again, ‘I mustn’t open the door to anyone.’

  Phoebe hesitated for a moment, staring at the crystal ball for inspiration. Matters had come to a head now and she must make the right decision. They could not stay in Saffron Hill; that was becoming increasingly clear. They must leave soon and preferably under the cover of darkness. She must get Ma and Dolly to a place of safety. She stroked the cold glass with the tips of her fingers, closing her eyes and hoping for an answer. She could hear the waves lapping on the shingle as if she were standing on Bridewell Wharf watching the incoming tide. She opened her eyes and the
sound faded away. Perhaps she had imagined the fresh saltiness carried on the breeze that had momentarily fanned her cheeks. It was all in her mind, she decided, moving towards the doorway. She did not believe in the power of the crystal ball. It was all a sham. She hurried from the room and made her way upstairs.

  She found her mother huddled up beneath the coverlet staring blankly at the wall. Suddenly her patience snapped. ‘Ma, this is ridiculous. You must get up.’

  Slowly, Annie turned her head to stare at her daughter. ‘Why? Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t just lie here and die.’

  ‘Because we’re in terrible trouble, Ma. I need you to help me.’

  Annie shook her head. ‘I can’t help anyone, ducks. Snape will have me arrested and I’ll probably die in prison with my unborn babe.’

  With a swift movement, Phoebe snatched the covers off the bed. ‘Stop it, Ma. Get up this instant and stop feeling sorry for yourself.’

  Annie stared at her in amazement. ‘Don’t speak to me like that, Phoebe. I’m still your mother.’

  ‘Then start acting like it. You’ve got the baby to think of now and if we don’t get away from here Snape has threatened to tell Ned Paxman that it’s his.’

  Annie snapped upright, clutching her nightgown to her swollen breasts. ‘Snape doesn’t know about the child.’

  ‘He’s not stupid, Ma. He saw the state you’re in and he guessed the rest. Now he’s after Dolly as he can’t get what he wants from you. What have you to say to that?’

  Tears spilled from Annie’s eyes and she buried her face in her hands. ‘Don’t speak to me in that tone of voice, Phoebe. It’s not my fault.’

  ‘Then I don’t know whose fault it is, Ma. I’ve been patient with you all this time and I’ve told lies to protect you, but we can’t go on this way. Can you imagine what will happen if Paxman wants to acknowledge the baby as his? The family would disown you at the very best, or it could start a war between the gangs and the Camorra. The Thames would run with blood because of you.’

  ‘No. It’s not true. You’re just saying these things to frighten me.’

  ‘I’m saying them because they’re true. We’ve got to leave this place tonight or first thing in the morning at the very latest. God knows where we’ll go or how we’ll live, but if we stay here we might all die. Do you understand me now, Ma?’ She hesitated, looking over her shoulder as someone tapped on the door, and Dolly peered nervously into the room. ‘Come in, love. It’s going to be all right. Don’t look so scared.’

  ‘You was shouting and it’s my fault.’ Dolly entered, carrying a tray of tea which she thrust into Phoebe’s hands. ‘I should go back to Ma. I’m causing you nothing but grief.’

  Phoebe placed the tray on the washstand, shaking her head. ‘You’re not to blame, Dolly. And we’re going to go somewhere nice.’ She paused, closing her eyes as once again the scent of brine and fresh air filled her nostrils. ‘We’re going to the seaside.’

  ‘Have you lost your mind, Phoebe?’ Annie stared at her in horror. ‘To the seaside?’

  Phoebe smiled. ‘I know it’s a lot of nonsense, but the crystal ball showed me the way.’

  Dolly picked up a cup of tea and handed it to Annie. ‘I never seen the sea, but I heard people talk about it.’

  ‘I did have an elderly aunt and her spinster daughter, who lived in Brighton,’ Annie said, sipping her tea thoughtfully. ‘My cousin Judy and me kept in touch for a while, but the old lady could by dead for all I know. All my family die young.’

  ‘Brighton it is then.’ With more certainty than she was feeling, Phoebe lifted a cup of tea to her lips. ‘Best pack what you need for the journey. We’re leaving in the morning before the rest of the street wakes up.’

  They caught the first train from Victoria next morning. Their escape from Saffron Hill had gone unnoticed in the dark and they had caught a horse-drawn omnibus which took them directly to the station. Dolly had been subdued when they left the house but once settled on the hard wooden seats in the third class compartment of the train she became as excited as a small child on Christmas Eve. Annie was less enthusiastic and although she said little, Phoebe knew that her mother still believed that Ned would have married her had he known about the child. It had taken all her powers of persuasion to get her this far. Until they were safely on the train Phoebe had been afraid that her mother might suddenly make a bolt for it and return to Saffron Hill and the man she loved, but at least now she could relax a little and pray that Aunt Egeria still lived in the house on West Parade that Annie remembered as a child.

  The house was at the end of a Georgian terrace. It had seen better days. Phoebe stood on the pavement, staring up at the crumbling white stucco and the rusty wrought-iron balconies. The end wall bulged slightly as though it was about to dive into the sea taking the whole terrace for a morning dip. The smell of boiling cabbage wafted up from the basement next door, mingled with a hint of fish that was not at its freshest. Annie dropped her carpet bag on the ground with a stifled groan. ‘It wasn’t like this when I last came here. I remember it as being all white and lovely, like a rich person’s house. Inside there was red carpet and a statue of a blackamoor standing at the foot of the staircase holding up a lamp. Aunt Egeria wore lavender silk gowns in the afternoon and her maid brought us tea in dainty cups with primroses and bluebells painted on them.’

  ‘I expect she’s dead,’ Dolly said in a sombre tone. ‘Old people die. Kittens die too. I had one once but it died when I cuddled it, and it was all floppy.’

  Phoebe gave her hand a sympathetic squeeze. ‘Never mind, dear. I’m sure it went straight to heaven.’

  ‘And the dog I used to give scraps to died as well,’ Dolly continued soulfully. ‘And I once found a dead pigeon in the privy.’

  ‘If you don’t shut up I’ll scream,’ Annie said with feeling. ‘We’ve come all this way on a wild goose chase and all because Phoebe took it into her head that she can foretell the future. That’s my talent, not yours, my girl. I wish you’d mind your own business sometimes. I’ve left everything I care about in London to come to this.’ She gesticulated dramatically and burst into tears.

  Phoebe released Dolly’s hand to pat her mother gently on the shoulder. ‘You’re tired, Ma. There’s only one way to find out if your aunt is still alive. I’ll knock on the door and ask.’ She left them standing disconsolately on the pavement while she climbed the stone steps leading up to the front door which was in sad need of a lick of paint. The lion’s head doorknocker might well be made of brass but it was green with verdigris and blackened by exposure to the elements. She raised it twice and let it fall, cocking her head on one side and listening to the echo. She waited for a while and then knocked again. This time she could hear shuffling footsteps coming towards the front door. It opened with a grinding sound and she found herself looking into the face of a tired-looking woman who could have been any age between thirty and fifty.

  ‘We’re full. Can’t you read the sign?’ The woman pointed to a piece of cardboard stuck in the front window bearing the legend No Vacancies. She was about to close the door when Phoebe put her foot over the threshold.

  ‘Does Mrs Egeria Edwards still live here?’

  ‘She’s dead. Died ten year ago. Now push off.’

  ‘She was my mother’s aunt,’ Phoebe said hastily. ‘Did you know her?’

  ‘I should know the old battleaxe. I’m Judy Edwards, her daughter, and we’re still full. No rooms to let, especially for poor relations.’

  Before Phoebe had a chance to speak Annie had her foot on the bottom step. ‘Here, you. I heard that and we ain’t poor. We’ve got money to pay for bed and board. You was always a stuck-up, spiteful little cow. Moody Judy I used to call you when we was younger and I see you ain’t changed much.’

  ‘And neither have you.’ Judy gave her a speculative glance. ‘Any fool can see that you’re in the family way, and no wedding ring, I’ll bet.’

  ‘I’m a respectable widow woman for yo
ur information, Judy Edwards,’ Annie said, holding up her left hand to demonstrate the narrow gold band. ‘I don’t see no wedding ring on your finger. Obviously no one wanted to marry a sour-faced old maid like you.’

  Phoebe sent a warning glance to her mother. ‘Please don’t fight. This isn’t getting us anywhere.’

  ‘She started it,’ Annie said darkly. ‘She always did, and I’d get into trouble from Aunt Egeria. She never liked me.’

  Judy stood with arms akimbo, eyeing her cousin with obvious distaste. ‘Then you must be desperate to come looking for her now. You never showed much interest in Ma while she was alive. You never come to the door with calves’ foot jelly nor a bunch of grapes when she was struck down by illness. The last time you put pen to paper you was living the high life in London with the Eyeties, and travelling to Italy for the winter while we froze to death down here on the coast.’

  ‘We’d best leave, Ma.’ Phoebe could see that Dolly was distressed by this spirited encounter and she was feeling far from happy herself. ‘We won’t trouble you any longer, Miss Edwards. I’m sorry that your ma passed away, it must be hard for a woman on her own.’ To her intense surprise, Judy’s dark eyes filled with tears.

  ‘You ain’t like your ma and that’s for certain.’ She blew her nose on a scrap of tattered cotton that she took from her apron pocket. ‘Looks like rain. You’d best come inside. You can have a cup of tea and a bite to eat. Never let it be said that Judy Edwards is a mean woman or that she bears a grudge.’

  ‘Not much,’ Annie muttered.

  Hoping that Judy had not heard this last remark, Phoebe managed a smile. ‘That’s very kind of you. We’ve been travelling since before dawn and I’m sure that Ma and Dolly could do with a sit down. We’ll move on as soon as they’re rested and perhaps you could direct us to a cheap lodging house.’

  ‘Never mind that now,’ Judy said, stepping aside and ushering them in. ‘Straight along the corridor and downstairs to the kitchen. Leave your bags in the hall.’