‘Good afternoon Mrs Summers.’ I heard the voice but could not see from where it came. ‘Over here.’
‘Oh hello Ms Gibbs, how are you today?’ She was an elderly woman who was more often than not seen with her hair in curlers, a cigarette in hand, and an apron on that was always immaculately clean.
Ms Gibbs was standing in her doorway as she often was. Now living on her own after the passing of her husband she could often be found in her front yard watching out for somebody to speak with. Vincent Square was a large green with many grand terrace houses surrounding it, and Ms Gibbs could tell you the names of each and every occupant.
‘I am well thank you Mrs Summers. How is the young man that lives with you...Tom isn’t it?’ She knew perfectly well his name was Tom.
‘Yes he is doing extremely well thank you. He is working at the docks five days a week. I’m forever telling him he does not need to, but he is adamant about paying me something for taking him in. Such a gentleman in the making.’
‘Indeed. Well he certainly has more manners than some of the boys that live around here,’ Ms Gibbs replied, he eyes gestured towards the house next door to hers. She then turned back into her house, slamming the door behind her.
I continued to the end of the line of houses and made my way off of the square and onto the main street. It was much busier here and the road was filled with hundreds of horse drawn vehicles, trams, bicycles and occasionally one would see one of those new motorised cars. These were becoming much more popular within the higher class, and those driving them would often drive around town simply to show off their wealth. I hadn’t ridden in one yet, but I certainly found myself intrigued to take a ride.
It took a while, but I managed to cross the road and made my way into a narrow modest building that sat squeezed between two towering buildings.
‘Hello Mrs Summers.’ Said the receptionist before I had even closed the door, she was a young woman with short brown hair and a smile that filled almost half of her face. She wasn’t tall, and could barely see over the tall counter. ‘Doctor Highton will be with you in a moment, please take a seat.’ I thanked her and sat alone in the small waiting area. The waiting room couldn’t have been any less welcoming, with the drab walls and tiny window, which had been distorted so nobody could look inside. There was barely any furniture either, just three uncomfortable wooden chairs, a green plant in the corner and a ticking clock on the wall. The receptionist, who was called Mrs Snell was a friendly woman but only spoke to you when she needed to. I preferred this as I had never been very good at small talk.
This was now my third visit to the doctor in less than two weeks, and I was hoping it would be my last, at least for a long time. It had started when I could not stop vomiting. At first we thought it was a stomach bug that might have been passed on at Sunday service, and the doctor came to visit me at home. After a few days I was showing signs of improvement and tried to continue my everyday tasks as normal. Three days ago however, I was sweeping the staircase with a hand brush and before I knew it I came over all faint and found myself in a heap at the bottom of the stairs; thankfully I was already near the bottom. It was dear Tom who found me, and bless him he was a true hero helping me to the sitting room and making me a cup of tea. Albert was furious that I had allowed myself to get in this state and marched me round to the doctor. The doctor decided the best thing to do was to take various tests. He took a blood sample, a urine sample and listened to my heart beat as well as taking my blood pressure. I found the whole thing a waste of time, and told the doctor that I was clearly tired and a simple rest would be sufficient. Nonetheless he was adamant that I was to return in three days’ time to hear his findings.
There was a newspaper on the seat next to me that I noticed was yesterday’s date, it had been left open at a random page in the middle, with an article about the world fair that was being held in Paris. It talked a little about what was happening during the exhibition, but mostly it talked about the Olympic Games that were also being held in Paris. There had been much excitement throughout Europe about the games being outside Greece for the first time ever. I did not read the article in full but glanced at the pictures from both the fair and Olympic stadium. I was far too nervous to read in full, and found my foot began to twitch with apprehension.
The only door leading off the waiting room was that of the doctor’s office, and every time Mrs Snell made any kind of noise I jumped thinking it was the doctor coming in. Eventually, the door opened quite suddenly, he always pulled it open with such force as though it was a struggle to do. Doctor Highton lingered in the doorway and called out my name, despite me being the only patient waiting. His white hair and beard were his most distinguishable features. He had green eyes and a long hooked nose. As I approached, he extended his hand to meet my own, a hand that was always warm and soft to the touch.
‘Mrs Summers.’ He kissed my hand, something he did to all his female patients. ‘Please come on through. Is your husband not with you this time? Such a shame.’
‘No doctor, Albert is at work today, but he said that if I do not fully understand what you tell me then you are to write it down for him. I am terrible when it comes to remembering long complex words.’
‘Well Mrs Summers, I don’t think you will need me to write this down for you, it is very simple.’
‘You mean you know what has been the matter with me?’
I followed him into his small office and sat on the edge of the seat. His response took what seemed like a lifetime to leave his lips, as he returned to the seat behind his desk before addressing me further.
‘Mrs Summers we have gone over your tests and I am pleased to say that what you are going through is nothing to worry about at all, in fact it is quite normal. I am pleased to tell you that you are going to have a baby.’
‘I beg your pardon Doctor Highton?’
‘Mrs Summers I am delighted to tell you that you and your husband are expecting a baby. By my calculations, I would say you are just over three months gone, maybe even close to four, it can be difficult to be exact.’
I stood and Doctor Highton’s happy expression soon diminished upon seeing my own expression not being that of a happy one.
‘Is everything okay Mrs Summers?’
‘Perfectly. I’m just pleased I’m not a sick woman as we had come to believe. Thank you again Doctor, I will see myself out.’
Chapter 3
Tom
As I walked through the front door I was instantly hit with the sound of laughter coming from the kitchen. It was a witch-like cackle that echoed through the house, it could only have come from one person, Miss Baily; the new house keeper. She had been hired by Mr Summers approximately two week ago after Mrs Summers became unwell. She was about forty, and a widow whose children had grown up and left home; she had worked in many households around London over the years, from aristocrats, politicians and even minor royals. She was a tall woman in her forties, with a rounded figure and brown hair so wild it made me think of a lion’s mane. She wore large round glasses which looked as though they weren’t much help as she squinted through them. Her fuller figure and clumsy disposition would often cause her to knock things over unintentionally, I would find it funny as it was never her elbow that knocked things over, but usually her bottom or large chest. Thankfully, she never knocked over anything valuable, but it was funny nonetheless. Despite only being here two weeks she had already settled in well.
The kitchen door thrust open and out came Miss Baily carrying a large brush in one hand.
‘Oh love I didn’t hear you come in,’ she said and started dusting down my filthy trousers with her free hand, squinting through her thick bottle-like spectacles as she spoke. ‘Tom, I believe Mr Summers is upstairs in his office and wishes to speak with you.’
‘Ta Miss, I’ll go straight up now. Is Ms Lowney around?’
‘She’s in the kitchen love, whipping up another delicious dinner for you all.’
Ms Lowney h
ad been hired as the cook; a much shorter woman than Miss Baily, and was reaching sixty with short greying hair. She spoke much softer than Miss Baily and was a lot more reserved, yet together they could cackle the house down. Ms Lowney was also hired by Mr Summers two weeks ago.
‘Good afternoon Master Tom,’ said Ms Lowney as she came through the doorway, ‘I have made a nice crumble for dessert today, I know how much you like them.’ She smiled and ruffled my hair. ‘Now run along upstairs, don’t keep Mr Summers waiting for you. He will know you’re home, he knows everything that man.’ She said the last bit in a whisper to make me laugh.
I turned and dashed up the staircase at full speed, the wooden floorboards creaking with every step. Mr Summers office was the last door on the landing, I knocked and waited.
‘Come in Tom.’ His voice came through the thick wooden door.
‘You wanted to speak with me sir?’
‘Yes Tom, come here.’
I approached his desk; it was always scattered with paperwork, I often wondered how he kept on top of what looked simply to be a mess. Mr Summers didn’t look up as I approached and finished scribbling on a bit of paper. He wore glasses when he worked, which I still found odd to see him wearing, he never wore them around the house. I always thought he looked immaculate in his suit, polished shoes and perfectly slicked hair. Never would he allow himself to be seen looking off-the-cuff or untidy.
‘How’d you know it was me who knocked?’ I asked whilst approaching.
‘Tom you’re the only one in this household who runs up the stairs and along the corridor,’ he said with a smirk, ‘plus those two downstairs speak so loudly the whole square knew you were home.’ I laughed at his comment and perched myself on a small stool at the end of his desk.
‘Anyway Tom, I wished to speak to you because this afternoon I accompanied Lord Salisbury to the Royal Mews; do you know what that is?’ I thought for a moment, before shaking my head. I was sure I did know, but wasn’t confident enough to say I did. ‘The Royal Mews is behind Buckingham Palace, and it is where all the royal horses and carriages are kept.’
‘You mean you visited the Queen’s stables?’ I could hear the excitement in my own voice.
‘Yes Tom, and what’s more I spoke with the stable manager who told me they are looking to hire more help. I know how much you love your horses so I told him you would start on Monday.’ My jaw fell open, a couple of seconds passed before I leaped from the foot stool and threw myself at Mr Summers.
‘Oh Sir, ‘ow can I ever thank ya?’
‘You can thank me, Tom, by doing a good job. I am well respected with these men and I want you to continue to be the young gentleman you always are. I have no qualms about putting my reputation on the line for you as I know you will do me proud. But I do stress that you realise the importance and honour of working within the palace walls.’ I nodded as he spoke. ‘Now run along, I just need to finish off my paperwork before I come down for dinner. Has Victoria arrived home yet?’
‘I haven’t seen her sir, Miss Baily sent me straight up ‘ere to see ya.’
‘Never mind, I thought she would have been home by now, her appointment was quite a while ago.’
I dashed out of the room as quickly as I could, heading back for the kitchen. I took the stairs two at a time and almost knocked Miss Baily flying as she came the other way carrying a pile of laundry.
‘Careful Master Tom,’ she hollered as I passed her at speed. I jumped the final three steps and in mid-air I saw the front door open and Lucy, Mrs Summers' sister, marched through the door just in time for me to crash straight into her.
‘What on earth are you doing?’ she shrieked as she fell against the wall.
‘Sorry Miss, I didn’t see ya come in.’
‘Well be more careful Tom, you could have caused me an injury.’
She hung her hat on the large wall mounted hooks, revealing her golden hair that was pinned up underneath; and leaned her summery umbrella against the wall below. She was a very pretty lady, dressed entirely in black, and had a slender figure with pale skin and minimal make-up. ‘Is my sister home?’ She scowled at me, looking around as though trying to hear if anybody else was home.
‘No Miss, but Mr Summers is up in’t office, he says he’ll be down in a jiffy.’ Lucy pouted and stormed off to the kitchen. The front door again opened, and I was pleased to see it was Mrs Summers.
‘Hello Tom, I wasn’t expecting to see you home quite yet.’ She always greeted me with a warm hug and a kiss on the cheek. She too hung her hat and enquired if anyone else was home, before I could tell her the kitchen door flew open again.
‘Ah, Victoria, thank goodness you are here, the house maid has been singing again and I can’t stand it, and the cook has made yet another crumble for dessert, I do despise them. You really should have a word with them, I’m sure there are much more qualified people for the positions. They are simply incompetent, chimpanzees could do a better job I’m sure of it.’
‘Maybe I can ask her to make a second dessert?’ Mrs Summers spoke much softer than her sister. ‘I know how much she enjoys making cakes and puddings, so maybe you could suggest something for her to make?’
‘I should not have to tell the staff what to make, they should do a better job in the first place.’ She took off upstairs and as soon as she was out of sight Mrs Summers let out an almighty sigh.
‘How was your day Tom? Did you get plenty of work?’ I followed Mrs Summers through into the kitchen, where Ms Lowney was covering a meat filled dish with her freshly made pastry.
‘Pie this evening, Ma’am,’ she said upon seeing Mrs Summers enter. Victoria acknowledged her with a smile and continued listening to me.
‘Mr Summers ‘ad a very important meeting today, and he managed to get me a new job.’ Miss Baily and Ms Lowney both stopped what they were doing to listen to me. ‘I will start on Monday, so I’ll need to tell ‘em down the docks tomorrow I won’t be in after Friday.’
‘What is the job Tom?’ Miss Baily asked with excitement.
‘Oh yeah…I didn’t even tell ya all the best bit. It’s working in’t stables at Royal Mews.’
‘Oh Tom that is superb,’ Mrs Summers said, pulling me in for one of her tight hugs, ‘just think that you will be responsible for the care of her majesties horses.’ Her smile told me that she was genuinely pleased for me. Miss Baily and Ms Lowney both congratulated me too, and the four of us stood and talked for a while as Ms Lowney put the finishing touches to dinner.
‘Just think,’ Miss Baily said, ‘any royal occasions and you will be the one getting the horses prepared.’
‘Like when Queen Victoria dies.’ Said Ms Lowney. Mrs Summers and Miss Baily both scoffed at her comment. I couldn’t help laugh, Ms Lowney’s sense of humour was not like anybody else’s I’d come across.
A couple of minutes later, Mr Summers voice called out to us from the dining room, Mrs Summers and I left the kitchen and joined him at the table. Mr Summers disapproved of Mrs Summers talking to the staff as though they were her friends, although he would never say something in front of them. We didn’t have to wait long before the homemade pie was served in the dining room with an array of vegetables and potatoes. Ms Lowney and Miss Baily would have the same meal but stay in the kitchen out of sight, occasionally popping their heads in to see if we needed anything. Since Lucy had arrived nearly a month ago, dinner time had been mostly taken up by her talking. Some day’s she was in better moods than others, but Mrs Summers kept reminding me that we were to be polite to her sister at all times, especially since she had just become a widow.
‘I think I will return home on Monday,’ Lucy announced over coffee. ‘It is time I got back to normal and going home will allow me to do that.’ There was a slight pause from everyone, I could tell that Mr and Mrs Summers were secretly pleased, but they managed to keep that to themselves rather well.
‘If you think that is for the best Lucy then you have my full support.’ Mrs Summers said t
rying to be supportive of her sister. ‘I suppose there is never going to be an easy time to return to the marital home, but facing it now is better than putting it off forever.’ Said Mrs Summers.
‘Victoria darling I do not want to return to that empty house alone, and I think staying there will make me too sad.’ Lucy wailed, ‘I have decided that I am to move in with Mother for a period of time whilst I find myself a smaller place.’
‘I am sure Mother will be more than happy to take you in for a short time until you find your feet again.’ I smirked at Mrs Summers subtle tone on the word "short".
‘True, and I know she will be more than happy to fuss over me. It is almost like a hobby for her.’ Lucy continued to ramble on and Mr Summers simply let out the occasional murmur in acknowledgement of her conversation, I could tell he wasn’t really listening to her, but Lucy seemed incapable of realising.
Chapter 4
Lucy
I had decided that returning home after the weekend was the best thing to do, my perfect sister and her hospitality was beginning to drain on me. I had spent more than enough time here, hiding from my own pathetic excuse of a life. Victoria had always been the agreeable sister, and I knew that when I asked her to move in for a while she wouldn’t refuse me. She never put herself first and would be pushed around if aloud to.
My month here had passed by quickly, although I hadn’t originally planned to stay this long; though at times days felts long. I could tell now that they wanted the house back to themselves; I had felt the change in their mood for some time now. Of course, they were polite to me still, but the atmosphere in the house had shifted since my first arrival.
D_Revenge Hits London Page 2
