Stolen Moments

by Rosie Harris

  Now all that was forgotten in the warmth of their welcome. Toasting her toes in front of the glowing fire, sipping the first hot drink she had tasted for ten days, she felt wonderfully content. It was as if she was awakening from a harrowing nightmare to find everything normal again.

  The moment Kate finished her tea, Morag asked Iestyn and Dafydd to take Gelert for a walk. As soon as the door closed behind them, Morag brought in a hip bath and placed it in front of the fire.

  ‘Come on now, you should enjoy this. It will be a treat after so long without the chance to wash properly,’ she smiled as she poured in hot water from the cauldron and saucepans she had been heating up in readiness.

  ‘I’ll take your clothes and see if they’re fit to be washed. For now, you can wear some of mine,’ she added, placing a pile on one of the chairs.

  ‘I’ll be in the scullery, shout if you want anything. Take as long as you like. There will be a hot meal waiting by the time you’ve finished,’ and she left Kate to enjoy the luxury of wallowing in hot water up to her neck.

  As she washed her hair and soaped every inch of her body, Kate felt a sense of well-being permeate her limbs. She lay back, closing her eyes, enjoying the languorous warmth of the water and the heat from the fire. The fragrance of the herbal oils Morag had added to the bath obliterated the malodorous smells that had filled her nostrils for days past.

  As the water began to cool, she stirred from her dreamlike state and stepped out, wrapping herself in one of the white towels Morag had placed within reach.

  By the time Iestyn and Dafydd returned she had dried her hair and was dressed in clean, borrowed clothes.

  The days with the Lewises sped by, days of utter relaxation and enchantment. They were such a close-knit family, so full of love and concern for one another, it was a joy to be with them.

  Morag and Iestyn were both gentle but firm with Dafydd and he responded like a flower opening in the sun. His eagerness to please them was delightful. The sadness in his dark eyes when he was rebuked for wrongdoing touched Kate’s heart.

  Kate found Morag a wonderful confidante. Her eyes would widen and she would draw her breath in sharply as Kate related the more poignant details. She was so sympathetic and understanding that Kate had no hesitation in telling her all about David and their love for each other.

  ‘And after he left Bramwood Hall you missed him so much you came to Wales looking for him?’ breathed Morag, her eyes shining softly.

  Kate nodded, biting her lip for fear of saying too much. She didn’t want to ruin the romantic illusion by mentioning any of the sordid happenings at Machen Mawr, or that she had been on the point of marrying Morgan Edwards.

  The more she remembered that incident the more ashamed she felt that she should even have contemplated marrying him. She blamed it on her inexperience and her fear of being homeless if she didn’t find David. She even felt grateful that things had turned out the way they had done and that she had been saved from making such a colossal mistake.

  ‘So how long have you been in South Wales?’ frowned Morag.

  ‘Several months. I’ve been looking for Fforbrecon and Llywnowen. I worked whenever I could,’ she said vaguely. ‘For a few days I stayed in Coalbrookvale Terrace in Nantyglo but things there were so terrible I moved on again as quickly as possible.’

  ‘Why was that?’

  Morag listened wide-eyed with disbelief as Kate related the harrowing details of the life endured by the orphan children at Mollie Parry’s house in Coalbrookvale Terrace.

  ‘Wouldn’t it be wonderful to do something for the poor little dabs,’ she sighed, wiping away her tears.

  ‘They should be at school, learning to read and write,’ sighed Kate. ‘Now that really is something I would feel was worth fighting for. More important than the right to vote, even.’

  She went on to tell Morag about the heavy drinking that went on in the pubs and ale-houses, and how the agents cheated the men of their money on pay days. She told her about life at the Bull, although she said nothing about Dai Roberts’ offer of marriage.

  By distancing herself from it, that, like everything else that had happened since she’d left Bramwood Hall, took on an air of unreality.

  Morag had been moved by her revelations and was full of sympathy and understanding.

  ‘You must promise me you’ll go to Llwynowen, Kate, and find David,’ urged Morag, her green eyes intense, her face eager. ‘I’m sure he still loves you. His silence is because of the pressure of responsibility, nothing more,’ she said earnestly. Her green eyes sparkled as she added, ‘I’d like it all to be resolved, and for you to be as happy as I am.’

  ‘I can think of nothing I’d like better,’ agreed Kate. ‘My stay in your home has been one of the happiest times of my life.’

  ‘Then promise me you will go to Llwynowen soon and that you will let me know what happens,’ begged Morag.

  They talked at length about how this should be accomplished, Kate drawing strength from her friend’s enthusiasm and good advice.

  ‘Say nothing to Iestyn about all this,’ warned Morag. ‘He might not view the matter in quite the same light as me.’

  Kate agreed readily. The ambience between the three of them was so precious that she was unwilling to risk incurring his displeasure.

  Whenever Iestyn was present, she would talk instead about her hopes of one day becoming a teacher and tell him how her schoolmaster, William Barnes, had encouraged her in this.

  The discussion would become intense and centre on the need for the children in Ebbw Vale and the surrounding valleys to attend school.

  ‘I’m sure if the Chartists ever gain power this will become possible,’ Iestyn affirmed.

  Kate was so happy in her new environment that she would have been content to stay there indefinitely. The only irritation, which deepened with each passing day, was that both Morag and Iestyn insisted she must remain indoors. She would have liked to have accompanied Morag when she went out shopping but whenever she suggested it Morag begged her to stay home and look after Dafydd. Even when she wanted to attend the Ebenezer Chapel with them Iestyn refused to let her.

  ‘So far, no one knows you are staying here and I feel it is better that things remain that way,’ he murmured.

  ‘I don’t understand…’

  ‘We’ll talk about it another time.’ His warning glance indicated that Dafydd was listening with bright-eyed keenness.

  Later that evening, after Dafydd had been tucked up in his feather-mattressed bed, and the three of them were sitting in front of a blazing fire, Iestyn said he had a proposition to put to her.

  Kate felt apprehensive.

  ‘Are you in any haste to return to Blaenafon?’ Iestyn asked. He leaned forward, picked up the iron poker and concentrated on stirring the fire.

  ‘I have a job at the Bull to go back to and my few belongings are still there,’ Kate said cautiously.

  ‘You’ve been away for over three weeks, surely the landlord will have replaced you by now?’

  ‘I doubt it. He managed on his own for several years before I arrived on the scene.’

  Her thoughts focused on Dai Roberts, remembering his proposal, and a shudder ran through her. Having witnessed the pleasure that could be derived from a marriage that was compatible, and based on love, it was impossible to contemplate settling for anything less.

  ‘Why do you ask?’

  ‘Dr Pugh would like you to stay a while longer.’

  Kate looked at him quizzically, wondering what he had in mind. Were they going to agree to her idea of starting a school? She darted a glance towards Morag but she was staring into the fire, her curtain of red hair screening her face so that Kate had no idea what thoughts were going through her mind.

  ‘He needs someone to nurse a man who has been injured.’

  ‘I see. Is it one of the Chartists?’ she asked, disappointment in her voice.

  ‘We don’t know,’ Iestyn said hesitantly. His alert eyes held h
ers as if he was trying to decide how much to reveal.

  ‘This man wasn’t in the Newport uprising,’ he confided, ‘but in some previous fracas. He’s been unconscious ever since!’

  ‘And you need someone to look after him, feed him and tend to his wounds.’

  ‘That’s it. I’ve not seen him, but I’ve been told his injuries are extensive. Elwyn Pugh thinks you have a healing touch and thinks you could help save this man’s life. What do you say?’

  ‘I think you should do it, Kate,’ Morag said earnestly, looking directly at her.

  ‘I need to go to Blaenafon to collect my belongings. I left all my clothes…’ her voice trailed off as Iestyn shook his head.

  ‘It wouldn’t be safe, Kate. The Redcoats are still on the lookout for anyone who was involved in the uprising. If they caught you, then you’d have to stand trial at Monmouth along with the others already in custody.’

  ‘But I had nothing to do with the uprising!’ Kate cried.

  ‘You’d find it hard to convince them. You were in Westgate Square at the height of the disturbance,’ Iestyn reminded her.

  ‘And if they discover that ever since then you’ve been looking after men who were injured when the military fired, you’ll certainly be guilty in their eyes,’ Morag pointed out.

  ‘Then should I be here?’ Kate exclaimed aghast. ‘If I was found under your roof surely you could both be in trouble.’

  ‘We are well aware of that risk,’ Iestyn admitted.

  ‘I had no idea I was putting you in such grave danger,’ Kate muttered contritely. ‘You said nothing…’

  ‘We didn’t want to worry you,’ Morag told her. ‘We’re grateful for the way you helped nurse the injured men and felt you needed time to recover from such an ordeal.’

  ‘That’s why we’ve insisted on carrying on as normal, with Morag doing the shopping, and going on our own to Ebenezer,’ explained Iestyn.

  ‘It seems to have been very successful,’ smiled Morag, ‘no one has said a word.’

  ‘We were concerned in case Dafydd mentioned to anyone that you were staying here but he has been obedient and kept our secret.’

  ‘I must leave at once,’ gasped Kate. ‘I had no idea…’

  ‘There’s no need for unseemly alarm,’ parried Iestyn. ‘If you agree to Dr Pugh’s request then I will take you along to his house tonight after dark.’

  ‘You can trust Elwyn Pugh implicitly, Kate,’ Morag assured her, reaching out and squeezing her hand as Kate looked hesitant.

  ‘He will take you to the secret hideout where this man is,’ continued Iestyn. ‘You’ll be safe there, and we’ll have no further worries.’

  The implications of the terrible danger in which she had placed her friends overwhelmed Kate. She had never thought for one moment that the Redcoats were still interested in her movements. Now, remembering the many occasions when Morag had persuaded her to stay home with Dafydd, making excuses that it was too cold or too wet for him to go out, she realized what a simpleton she’d been. At the time she’d even felt resentful, yet the truth was they’d been trying to protect her.

  ‘Do it, Kate,’ begged Morag. ‘Another few weeks and all the fuss and bother should have died down and it will be quite safe for you to go on your way.’

  ‘Yes, of course,’ agreed Kate.

  Suddenly all her plans had no meaning. If it wasn’t safe for her to walk freely in Newport, then how could she make her way to Llwynowen to look for David?

  ‘Good! Go with Morag and sort out some clothes and anything else you may need,’ urged Iestyn.

  ‘It’s kind of you to lend me your things,’ Kate said gratefully as Morag plied her with skirts and dresses, urging her to take the pick of her wardrobe.

  ‘You are more than welcome to anything that takes your fancy.’

  ‘If this poor man is in a coma then I don’t suppose it matters very much what I wear,’ Kate said ruefully as she selected a skirt and several blouses.

  ‘If you feel smart it will help keep your spirits up,’ smiled Morag, as she insisted on Kate taking another dress.

  ‘A second change of underwear would suit me better,’ grinned Kate.

  ‘Now, is there anything else I can do for you?’ asked Morag when the skirt and blouses were packed into a bundle. ‘Would you like us to try and get a message to the Bull at Blaenafon?’

  ‘No. I don’t think so.’ Kate shook her head. ‘I mightn’t even go back there… at least not right away. Getting to Llwynowen is far more important.’

  ‘I know!’ Morag drew Kate into her arms, hugging her impetuously. ‘Be patient! It would be silly to risk going there just yet. Once the trial at Monmouth is over, and the leaders have been sentenced, those in authority will feel that justice has been done and then they’ll lose interest.’

  ‘But that may not be for months! I can’t wait that long.’

  ‘Try not to worry. I shall pray for you night and morning so have faith, cariad. Something tells me that you are doing the right thing and that everything will work out as you want it in the end.’

  Chapter 33

  It was with great reluctance that Kate prepared to leave the Lewises’ house in Westgate Square.

  It was not just the warmth and comfort, the prettily furnished bedroom or the good food, but also the atmosphere of happiness and contentment that permeated their home that had impressed her.

  She and Morag had enjoyed each other’s company and both women wept as they said farewell.

  ‘I’ll always be your friend, and you’ll always be welcome here, do remember that,’ Morag told her, pushing back her cloud of red hair and wiping the tears from her green eyes with the back of her hand.

  ‘I’ll be back to see you, I promise,’ Kate assured her. ‘I’ll have to return all the clothes you’ve loaned me,’ she added with a conspiratorial smile.

  Iestyn accompanied Kate to Dr Pugh’s surgery. He led the way down a narrow path at the side of the tall, red brick house, to a side door that bore the doctor’s brass plate.

  Without knocking he took her into a small waiting room and then through another door that led into the doctor’s consulting room.

  Kate looked around her with interest. The room was large and sparsely furnished. A cluttered desk, a high-backed leather chair, a shelf containing pickled embryos and other specimens in wide-necked glass bottles, a high brown leather couch, a weighing machine and a table on which were a variety of instruments laid out with great precision on a starched white cloth.

  Dr Pugh joined them almost at once. He greeted Kate affably.

  ‘I’m pleased you’ve agreed to help,’ he said gruffly as he began to fill a large, black leather bag with an assortment of medicines, ointments and bandages. ‘We’ll waste no more time. Are you ready?’

  ‘It’s time for me to say goodbye,’ murmured Iestyn. He took both Kate’s hands in his own, his smile warm as he wished her well.

  ‘We must be leaving,’ Dr Pugh said impatiently, pulling a heavy woollen cape around his shoulders. ‘The trap is already harnessed and waiting for us by the stables. Slip out the way you came, Iestyn, and make sure no one sees you.’

  ‘Good luck, Kate.’ Iestyn suddenly pulled her towards him, hugging her fiercely, kissing her cheek. Then, releasing her abruptly, he was gone.

  Leaving Kate no time for reflection, Dr Pugh picked up his bag, indicating for her to follow him through a door on the other side of the room. It led into a tiled passageway. On the right was a large kitchen with a flagstone floor. A small oil lamp, placed in the centre of the scrubbed pine table that ran down the middle of the room, cast grotesque shadows on the walls but did little to relieve the gloom.

  Gutching her bundle of clothes, Kate followed the doctor, edging her way between the table and the ceiling-high dresser that stood against one wall.

  ‘Hurry!’

  The cobbled yard was slippery underfoot, and she had difficulty in keeping up with him as he strode towards the stables.

>   Within minutes they were bowling along at a spanking rate. Dr Pugh handled the reins competently, with the assurance of a man who knew exactly where his destination lay. Once they were clear of the town he slowed his pace and turned to see if she was all right.

  ‘People always imagine it must be a case of life or death when I turn out at night so they expect me to drive like fury,’ he said with a sharp laugh. ‘If I drove in a leisurely manner they might become curious.’

  ‘Have we far to go?’

  ‘Quite a long way. There is a woollen rug on the seat beside you. Wrap it round your feet and legs if you feel cold.’

  ‘Can you tell me something about this patient and what I am expected to do?’ asked Kate nervously.

  ‘Much the same as what you have been doing for the past two weeks,’ he told her tersely.

  ‘Iestyn said he didn’t think this man was anything to do with the Chartists.’

  Dr Pugh remained silent for so long that Kate began to wonder if he had heard her question, or whether he was deliberately ignoring it. When he did speak it was with obvious reluctance.

  ‘Iestyn hasn’t told you all the facts because he didn’t know them.’

  ‘Oh!’ Kate felt a wave of apprehension.

  ‘This man is in a coma. He needs as much care as a baby.’

  ‘Poor man!’

  ‘You will not only have to feed him and keep him clean but tend his wounds and administer medication.’

  ‘I’ll do all I can for him,’ she promised. ‘I have no nursing experience though…’

  ‘You seemed to manage well enough back in Newport,’ Dr Pugh exclaimed drily.

  ‘I did my best,’ Kate admitted, her cheeks burning.

  ‘That’s all I’m asking you to do now.’

  What had she let herself in for this time, she wondered, as they drove through the dark night. She wished she had stuck to her original plan to go direct to Llwynowen. She was much too easily persuaded by other people to do what they wanted, she thought dolefully.

  ‘We’ll be stopping in about half an hour at a tavern. The landlord’s name is Huw Jenner, he’ll be coming the rest of the way with us,’ announced Dr Pugh, breaking the silence that had become as solid as a wall between them.