“We couldn’t do that,” Bridget replied, eager not to put Mrs. Fleming under pressure. She knew how little the lady had. But Lily’s response amazed her.
“That would be lovely, Mrs. Fleming. Tommy and Mike have a bit of business farther up the street so if we could come inside, that would help us out.”
“My door is always open to young Bridget and her family.” Mrs. Fleming beamed. “Come inside. Don’t mind the mess.”
Bridget followed Lily inside the small room. She watched Lily’s face for her reaction to the hovel, but you would think Lily had walked into a hotel. She sat without cleaning off the seat and produced a parcel from her basket.
“Some cookies with the tea,” Lily explained as she offered them to Mrs. Fleming. “I don't know about you, Mrs. Fleming, but I have an awful sweet tooth. Can’t drink a drop without having something to crunch on.”
Bridget couldn’t believe it. Lily had just offered Mrs. Fleming charity but in a way that it would be impossible for Mrs. Fleming to refuse it without being rude. She glanced at her old neighbor’s face to check for any upset and instead found the woman smiling.
“Kind heart you have, Miss Lily. I’m not one for cookies, but the children will love them. Thank you kindly. Now, before we have our tea, I have some news for you, Bridget, and it’s not good.”
Chapter 8
Bridget’s heart beat so loudly she nearly put her hands over her own ears.
“That devil Oaks has been around a couple of times,” Mrs. Fleming said. “He has people watching out for your return. No doubt word of your visit will reach him soon enough.”
“Oh, Mrs. Fleming, have I put you in danger?”
“Never, Bridget. You don’t worry about me, that little rat knows better than to touch me. My boys would have him for dinner and then some. But you best stay away. Never come here alone, not without Mike and Tommy to keep you safe.”
“What of her brothers, Mrs. Fleming? Have you seen Michael and Shane?” Lily asked.
Bridget knew by the way her old friend turned to concentrate on the tea that the news wasn’t good.
“Tell me,” Bridget said. “Please.”
“They got taken a couple of days after you went away,” Mrs. Fleming said. “Word has it they’re sitting in The Tombs.”
“On what charge?” Lily asked.
“You name it. Assault, theft, and God knows what else.”
Bridget squeezed her eyes shut. She knew they had done some bad things, but they were still her brothers. Lily took her hand in hers.
“That is good news, Bridget,” Lily comforted her.
“How?”
“We know where they are. Pascal Griffin, a policeman, is a good friend of mine. My husband works for a lawyer. Between Charlie and Pascal, we may be able to do something for them. Thank you very much, Mrs. Fleming.”
“Don’t thank me,” Mrs. Fleming said. “I bet you my last cent that Oaks was behind it. Nobody ever touched those lads before. Begging your pardon and all, Miss Lily, but what they were doing wasn’t new around here. It wasn’t like what that devil Oaks has been doing to the women under his father’s employment for years. Nobody’s going to put him in the Tombs though, are they?”
“No, probably not,” Lily said. “But then we can’t change the world, Mrs. Fleming. All we can do is try our best to change one person at a time. Speaking of which, I was wondering if you knew of anyone who might need our help?”
Bridget couldn’t believe her ears. Everyone around these parts could do with better food, jobs, housing. But Lily was asking for actual examples.
“Aye, there are a few,” Mrs. Fleming said. “At that house of pleasure down by Five Points. A couple of young girls turned up there a week or so ago. Real young, Miss Lily. It’s not right what that group are doing.”
“Agreed,” Lily said. “But there is little I can do about them at the moment, aside from provide the police with information. What about families close to you?”
“I’m not sure my neighbors would like me telling their secrets. Begging your pardon, not that I am trying to stop you helping them only…well people got their pride,” Mrs. Fleming said.
“True, and that is how it should be,” Lily answered. Then, as if it hadn’t been her plan all along, Lily suggested, “What about if I got Tommy and Mike to drop off some food and clothes here with you Mrs. Fleming? Then you could give it out to whomever you deem fit.”
“You do that?” Bridget couldn’t stop herself from asking.
“Yes Bridget, we do. It’s too little for so many, but maybe it can help someone from ending up in the Tombs or worse. All we ask is that the people we help, help someone else along the way. Not now, but in the future when their circumstances improve.”
Bridget could only stare at Lily. She wished she had known of the lady before the incident with Mr. Oaks but wishing wasn’t going to change anything.
“I can do that, Miss Lily,” Mrs. Fleming agreed.
“I will pay you for your time, Mrs. Fleming. I insist.”
“Thank you, Miss Lily. I am lucky, my old man is still in work and he doesn’t live in the tavern like many of his friends. But it can be hard to make ends meet. Now, will you have your tea?”
Lily took the glass jar of tea and drank just as if it were a china cup. Bridget did the same. Soon Mike and Tommy were back.
“Thank you, Mrs. Fleming. For everything.” Bridget gave the lady a hug.
“Thank you, Miss Lily, for bringing Bridget back to see us. We are all ever so fond of her, Kathleen, and the little ones. They were a sight for sore eyes on a bad day.”
“You should see Kathleen, Mrs. Fleming,” Bridget said. “She can sew rings around everyone. Mrs. Wilson, she’s in charge of the sewing department, she says Kathleen is good enough to work in one of those stores who dress the rich folks.”
“That doesn’t surprise me, Bridget. Young Kathleen has always been talented with her needle. Though you, Bridget, have the heart of the whole family. You keep yourself safe, you hear me?”
“Yes, Mrs. Fleming.”
“If you ever have need of me, you send a message. I don’t care if it’s next week or ten years from now. You will always be my friend.”
When Lily and the others had gone out the door ahead of her, Bridget found herself wrapped in Mrs. Fleming’s arms once more. “Get yourself out of New York, young Bridget. Miss Lily means well but trust your instinct. It’s never let you down”
Bridget hugged her friend back, too choked up to reply. Mrs. Fleming came outside to arrange a time for Lily’s friends to drop off the items.
Then they all headed back to the Sanctuary. Tommy made a comment but was greeted with silence so didn’t try again. Bridget saw Mini Mike say something to Lily, but she told him to be quiet. She said goodnight to Bridget when they reached the sanctuary and then the group continued to Lily’s home. None the wiser as to what Mike had said to Lily, Bridget could only guess it was more bad news.
Chapter 9
A week passed by but there was no word of her brothers. After a restless night’s sleep, Bridget had another argument with Maura. Her elder sister was moaning about having to help look after the children who came to the sanctuary during the day while their mothers were working in the sewing rooms. Bridget told Maura she should consider herself lucky to have a job and a roof over her head, which didn’t sit well with her elder sister. She had walked off before Maura could reply.
She skipped breakfast and went straight to the sewing room. It was empty save for Bella, the girl who’d been the least friendly of them all.
“Morning, I thought you would still be at breakfast,” Bella said as she shoved something into the folds of her dress.
Was Bella stealing? It was none of her business, so Bridget pretended not to see. She sat at her machine, but instead of sewing her fabric she almost sewed her finger. Hissing, she bit her lip as the tears fell along with the blood. Bella came over to hand her a clean cloth.
“Y
ou want to talk?” Bella asked.
“No, thank you.”
“Up to you.” Bella went back to her seat leaving Bridget feeling bad.
“Sorry Bella. I didn’t mean to be rude. I just…things are getting on top of me. I had another argument with my sister this morning and it’s left me in bad temper.”
“You’re lucky,” Bella said.
“Me? Why?” Bridget asked.
“Because you have a sister. I ain’t got nobody.”
Shame filled Bridget as she looked at the other girl more closely. She was about the same age as Kathleen.
“You’re right. I shouldn’t be moaning, I’m sorry.”
“Kathleen is lovely. So pretty and so kind,” Bella said.
“Yes, she is,” Bridget said. “It wasn’t her I was arguing with. It was Maura. She isn’t as sweet as Kathleen, but I guess I’m not either.”
Bella smiled but didn’t respond.
“How long have you been at the sanctuary, Bella? If you don’t mind me asking.”
“A while. I think it’s about eight months now.”
“Do you think you will stay here?” Bridget asked.
“There’s not much option. Can’t think that any man would want me for their bride. Not with how I look.”
“You have a lovely face,” Bridget said. “And when you smile, your eyes light up.”
“It’s not my face that worries me,” Bella said. “I best get back to work.”
Bridget wanted to probe more but the closed look on Bella’s face told her not to. Her finger had stopped bleeding, but she wrapped a fragment of cloth around it just in case. She didn’t want to damage her work with blood stains. She put the correct material under the needle and started her work for the day. Hopefully she would soon be too distracted to think about her problems.
“Bridget, could you come to my office please?”
Bridget exchanged a quick look with Kathleen. She gave her sister’s hand an encouraging squeeze before following Lily.
“Yes, Lily.”
“Kathleen do not be alarmed, your sister will be back in a little while.”
Bridget warmed even more to Lily. She really cared about the people in her care and had noticed Kathleen was concerned.
But she wondered why Lily wanted to speak to her. She brushed her hands down the side of her skirt.
“Come inside and sit down,” Lily said.
Bridget had been hovering at the doorway of the beautiful office. The fireplace was set but not lit, given the heat in the day. The wooden desk and chairs shone with lemon polish, the scent mingling with the smell of the various plants dotted around the room. It was cozy and professional at the same time. Lily took a seat on the couch and patted the cushion next to her.
“Cook will bring in some tea in a few minutes as Father Nelson will be joining us. But before he does, I thought we could get to know one another a little. I know we went on a walk the other night, but I didn’t get a chance to speak with you. Not properly.”
Bridget nodded, her mouth so dry, her tongue stuck to the roof.
“Don’t look so worried, Bridget. Nothing you say to me will go outside this office. Why don’t I tell you a little bit about me first?”
Bridget listened in wonder as Lily described her life to date. She couldn’t believe this well-dressed woman had been so badly abused.
“I am so sorry you had to endure all of that, Lily,” Bridget said.
“I didn’t tell you my story to ask for pity, but to show you what is possible when you have help from the right people. Father Nelson is very like Father Molloy back in Clover Springs. They are both true Christians who care about their flock. I would love to be able to send you to Clover Springs, but unfortunately, they are currently overwhelmed with new arrivals. The orphanage is overflowing, and new mail order brides have arrived in such numbers, we may have to start sending out mail order husbands.” Lily smiled but Bridget couldn’t return her smile. “I can tell by the expression on your face, you hadn’t given much thought to leaving New York, but I think it may be for the best.”
“But why? I thought you said I was safe here.” Even as she asked, Bridget remembered Mrs. Fleming had given her the same advice.
“You would be for a while. But we cannot guarantee your safety outside the walls of this building. As you know, Mike said something to me the night of our trip to see Mrs. Fleming. I didn’t want to worry you, so I decided to seek my husband’s counsel first. I also wanted to speak to him about your brothers. We will wait for Father Nelson to arrive to discuss that further. But with regard to you, Mike heard that not only had Mr. Oaks come looking for you, but he had offered a large reward for you. He wants you returned to his factory.”
Bridget gripped the side of the chair tightly.
“We can keep you safe inside of this building, but you are too lovely to spend your time in a prison no matter how it looks on the inside. I want you to listen to what Father Nelson suggests with an open mind. Can you do that?”
Bridget didn’t know what else she could do. Lily had presented her with a dilemma. Bridget was sure that spending the rest of her life in the sanctuary wouldn’t be that bad at all, but her presence could put the whole project in danger. Not that Lily had said that, but if she couldn’t walk outside then Oaks must know where she was. Her family weren’t safe either.
“Dearest Bridget, please do not look so frightened.” Lily smiled at her reassuringly. “You are among friends here.”
The door opened to admit Father Nelson. He was such a big man he immediately made the room feel smaller. Cook followed with a tray of tea and some freshly baked cookies if the smell was anything to go by.
“Good morning Lily. Nice to see you again, Bridget. Isn’t it a fine day?”
Bridget couldn’t think about the weather. She stared at the priest as if looking at him could tell her his intentions.
Chapter 10
Bridget waited while Lily and the priest exchanged pleasantries while Lily poured the tea. She took the offered cup, but her hands were shaking so much, Lily took the cup back and placed it on the table beside her. Lily took her hands in hers.
“Bridget, we are your friends,” Lily said. “We will not desert you.”
Bridget tried to smile but failed miserably.
“Bridget, I can see Lily has already mentioned our concerns about Mr. Oaks. Seems his family is as powerful as you feared. I have spoken to our police friends, but they have discretely suggested it may be safer for everyone if you were to leave New York,” Father Nelson said.
“But I have nowhere to go,” Bridget said.
“As it happens, you do. But only if you are agreeable.”
Bridget listened as Father Nelson spoke of a town called Riverside Springs in Wyoming State. It was in desperate need of good women who would help settle the new State. He suggested she and Maura go as mail order brides.
“You mean I’d have to marry someone I’ve never met?” Bridget asked.
“Yes, but it’s not as bad as it seems,” Father Nelson said. “Rather than place an advert in one of the many periodicals and marry a stranger, as most do, our way is better. We have a good friend living in the town.”
“Reverend Franklin wouldn’t let you marry a man who isn’t kind and decent,” Lily interrupted.
“A God-fearing man,” Father Nelson said. “We’re not encouraging you to go all that way to marry a man who spends his nights in the saloon.”
“But what of my family? Maura, Kathleen, the young ones?” Bridget asked.
“The police feel Oaks is only interested in you, so the rest of your family should be safe. The older girls can work here in the sanctuary or make a similar decision to the one you have been offered. The younger ones, well, that is another subject. Should we ask Maura to join us? She is your elder sister, isn’t she? And, therefore, responsible for the family?” Lily asked.
“Yes, she is, but given her recent tragedy, Maura is not herself.” Maura had alway
s been self-centered, but Bridget wasn’t about to admit that.
“Forgive my bluntness, Bridget, but you have all suffered. Let Maura share the burden of your siblings. We do not have sufficient space or resources at the sanctuary to house young children for a long period of time. There are places in New York for orphans, but we feel they may not provide the best solution,” Lily said firmly before she rang a bell and cook appeared. “Can you ask Maura to join us please.”
“Yes ma’am.”
Maura soon arrived and, Bridget could see by her white face, her sister wasn’t in her right mind. She sat beside Bridget, grabbing her hand as if she would never let go.
“Maura, I have just been discussing your younger siblings with Bridget. It is our suggestion that you allow the children to be adopted. Father Nelson is very involved with the Outplacement Society, a charity that helps place children in homes around the country.
“You mean to put them on the orphan train?” Maura asked.
“Well, yes, that is the name the papers have given to the arrangement. The children would be placed in loving homes and given the best start possible in life,” Lily said.
“But that means we would never see them again,” Maura wailed. “How can you do that? Haven’t we lost enough?”
“Maura, calm yourself,” Bridget said. “Lily and Father Nelson are trying to help. How can we keep the children? They can’t continue living here. You don’t have a job, and I can’t live in New York. We have no other option.”
“But, Bridget, we promised Mam.”
“I know, but Mam would understand. Living on the streets wondering where the next penny is coming from isn’t the life Mam wanted for her family. She didn’t want us to be subjected to these types of abuse and corruption. Look at the state of Michael and Shane. They are in the Tombs for goodness sake. They are already doing things Mam would have given them …” Bridget stopped herself just in time. The twinkle in Father Nelson’s eyes suggested he knew what she had been about to say.
Orphan Train Escape Page 4
