Salem Street

by Anna Jacobs

  “Well, now, Mrs Ashworth, how can I help you?”

  Annie waited for Miss Collett to speak for her, but she didn’t “Oh, I – I …” She paused for a moment to gather her wits. They would think her a real simpleton if she stuttered like this. “My husband and I have some money saved. Miss Collett suggested that we invest it in some property and kindly brought me along to see you about it.” She sat back, trying to look relaxed and confident.

  “Well, yes, we do occasionally help clients in that way,” he admitted. “Er – how much money is involved?”

  “Over two hundred pounds.” She gestured towards the tin box on her lap. “I brought it with me. Miss Collett said – she suggested that it might be safer to leave it with you rather than keep it in this box.”

  Miss Collett smiled at the way he shuddered and said emphatically, “Indeed, yes!”

  “Give it to one of your clerks to count, Jonas, then look after the money till we need it.”

  Mr Pennybody looked at Pauline, whom he’d known all her life. She had one of the sharpest business brains in Bilsden, in spite of being a woman. What on earth was she doing bringing this girl and her paltry life savings to him? One of the clerks could have seen to such a minor piece of business. Oh, well, he had some time to spare and Pauline never did anything without a good reason.

  “Had you anything special in mind, Mrs Ashworth?”

  Pauline judged it time to join in. “No, we’re relying on you for that, Jonas. Do you know of anything suitable for sale, a nice pair of cottages, perhaps?”

  “Well, as it happens, there are one or two places on the market that might be worth consideration. Perhaps Mr Ashworth would like to come and look at them?” He glanced enquiringly at Annie.

  “My husband is – is too busy at the moment. He said he would rely on me,” faltered Annie, inwardly quaking at the thought of how Mr Pennybody would react to Charlie, or vice versa.

  Again, Pauline saved her. “I have agreed to help Annie instead. I can take her round in my carriage if you will send your clerk to show us what’s available.” Pauline was deriving a great deal of entertainment from her altruism. Really, life had become so much more interesting since she had got engaged!

  A dazed Annie was presently dismissed to walk home clutching the receipt for the two hundred and forty-seven pounds ten shillings and sixpence that the box had contained. She had arranged to meet Miss Collett the next day to look at some properties. She was also clutching the empty box, wrapped up in paper. It felt awful not to hear it chink. She must start filling it up again as soon as possible.

  When she had gone, Jonas Pennybody cocked an eye at Pauline. “Now, what about that tea? You’re not leaving here till you’ve told me a bit more about your protégée!”

  “I’d love some tea.”

  He rang for his clerk, ordered a pot of tea, then asked her bluntly, “What’s all this about, then? You know I don’t usually concern myself with small fry.”

  She leaned back in the comfortable armchair and smiled provocatively at him. “What do you think Annie’s background is?”

  “What?”

  “Go on, guess! What do you think her background is?”

  “How should I know? Shopkeepers, clerks, something like that.”

  Pauline smiled again, like a pale cat contemplating a juicy fish “Do you know Salem Street?”

  “Yes. It’s in the Rows …” He broke off. “Do you mean to tell me she comes from Salem Street? I can’t believe it!” He broke off again. “Ashworth. Charlie Ashworth lives in Salem Street. Not that Charlie Ashworth? That lovely young girl and that old wreck?”

  “Mmm. Annie married him a while ago.”

  “But – he’s not right in the head! He had an accident, a bad one. I remember the case clearly.” He looked at her sideways and said, “In strictest confidence …”

  “You know I never break confidences, Jonas.”

  “Well, we handled the matter for old Tom Hallam. Gross negligence by the overseer. Shocking injuries Ashworth had. They didn’t think he would recover. Tom was furious, because the negligence cost him a lot of money, but also because he knew Ashworth and had a soft spot for the family. I think he knew this man’s father, or something of the sort. So Tom arranged for the free house and for weekly payments for as long as Ashworth lived. He chose to be amused when Charlie got better – as better as he’ll ever be. He even put a clause in his will that the house and payments were to continue for as long as Ashworth lived. Laughed himself silly about it, actually. Said his son would be furious. And he was. Still, Frederick Hallam won’t miss a few shillings a week. He’s twice the businessman his father ever was.”

  “And twice the womaniser, from all I hear.”

  “Yes, well, that’s not our concern, is it? So your protégée married old Charlie Ashworth, eh? Goodness me! You’d think she could have done better than that for herself.”

  “Not in the circumstances. She was raped and left pregnant. She had a young man, but he wasn’t prepared to marry her afterwards.”

  “Another of your charity cases?”

  “No!”

  “What then?”

  Pauline shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know exactly. She was a charity case until she arranged to get married. I knew then that she had more to her than most of the people I help. I’m just – taking an interest.”

  He cocked an eyebrow at her. “Amusing yourself, Pauline?”

  “If you like. It’s nice to see another woman with the sense to make something of her life. I think Annie will go far. She’s turning into quite a shrewd businesswoman. You men have things too much your own way, you know.”

  The following day a nervous Annie joined Miss Collett and one of Mr Pennybody’s clerks in a tour of inspection of some properties that were for sale. She had told Charlie what she had done and asked whether he wanted to come too, knowing he’d shrink from the idea, but feeling that he ought to have a say in how his money was spent.

  “You’re sure it’s what you want, Charlie? It is your money, after all. If you’d rather I didn’t …”

  “No! No! You take it! You look after it!” he insisted. “Buy a house. A nice house, with a garden. I like gardens.”

  “I will, then. But don’t tell Tom about this.”

  He frowned at that. “I like Tom. He’s my friend.”

  “Yes, I know. Tom’s all right. But this is our secret. Just you and me. Don’t tell anyone till I say it’s all right, and then you can tell Tom.”

  She didn’t really suppose it’d hurt if Tom knew, but better safe than sorry. What people didn’t know about, they couldn’t spoil.

  Annie sat quietly in the carriage and let Miss Collett do the talking. She went round three pairs of cottages in the older part of town, taking everything in, missing nothing, but saying little. She listened when the clerk pointed out their advantages and disadvantages, and mentally added a few items of her own to the list.

  “Well?” asked Miss Collett, after they’d left the last house. “What do you think, Annie?”

  “I’m not sure, but …” Annie hesitated.

  “Go on.”

  She took a deep breath. “The second pair,” she ventured.

  “Why?”

  “They were – better.”

  “In what way?” Miss Collett was giving her no help.

  The clerk looked supercilious. Annie scowled at him. How dared he look down his nose at her! “They looked better from the outside, for one thing. They were prettier than the others. People who have the money would prefer to live in pretty houses, I think. And – they were in a better position, higher up the hill.”

  Pauline raised her eyebrows. “Is that all?”

  “Well, they were nicer inside, too. The kitchens were good. You could work properly in them. And three bedrooms are better than two.” She stopped, wondering if she’d made a fool of herself. Miss Collett’s expression had not changed while she was speaking. Then, slowly, the thin lips relaxed and
a smile appeared.

  “Not bad, Annie. I would also have told you to look at the other houses in the street. You don’t want to be near something that would reduce the value of your property.” She turned to the clerk. “I’m surprised we had a choice. Why are there so many places for sale?”

  The clerk did not dare look superciliously at her, but he felt resentful that he had had to spend the whole morning at the beck and call of two females. In his opinion, females should leave business matters to their husbands or fathers, and tend to their houses and families. “There used to be a shortage, miss, so all the mill-owners built houses for their workers. Now there are plenty of places, so there are always one or two of the older properties on the market, especially the larger ones.”

  When they had returned to Mr Pennybody’s rooms and were getting out of the carriage, Annie turned to Miss Collett in a panic. “I don’t know anything about prices,” she whispered.

  Pauline patted her arm reassuringly. “Enough new experiences for the time being, eh? Shall I do the bargaining for you?”

  “Please.”

  Annie listened in amazement as Miss Collett and Mr Pennybody bargained briskly over the price of the cottages. This was like no haggling she’d ever heard. The two protagonists didn’t raise their voices, but somehow the price was reduced and she got the cottages, on her husband’s behalf, for two hundred and twenty pounds the pair. Mr Pennybody congratulated her on her bargain and offered her the services of his firm to manage them and collect the rents. He assured her, with a twinkle in his eye, that Miss Collett would be able to vouch for his firm’s efficiency and honesty, and all for a mere five per cent of the rentals.

  Annie was tempted to accept his offer. Firstly, she did not want it known that she and Charlie were property owners. Secondly, the thought of collecting the rents terrified her. How would she ever dare to go and check up on people who would be likely to consider themselves her social superiors? Then she thought of Tom. He’d jump at the chance of earning some extra money, she knew. She could pay him sixpence a week. He’d not be afraid to collect the rent money.

  “No,” she said slowly. “No, I don’t think so.” She smiled at Mr Pennybody and told him with disarming frankness, “You see, that five per cent is important to me at the moment. I – we – my husband and I want to make money. We need every penny at this stage.

  Miss Collett smiled in approval. “Very sensible, Annie.”

  “Right then,” said Mr Pennybody, “all that remains is for you to bring your husband here to sign the necessary documents. That’s one thing you can’t do for him!”

  When Annie had left, Mr Pennybody looked at Pauline. “How old did you say she was?”

  “Just eighteen.”

  “Incredible! And born and bred in the Rows, too! I wonder what she’ll be like when she’s thirty. I hope I’ll be around to see it.”

  “You will be, Jonas. You’re indestructible. Oh, and when they come in to sign the papers, you’d better get him to sign a will. Get your clerk to draw it up. Tell Annie I said she should do it, just to be on the safe side. It need only be very simple: he leaves everything to her. She’s to lodge it with you.”

  He shook with silent laughter and then changed the subject. “Are you going to devote yourself to good works from now on, Pauline, or are you interested in another little business deal I have in mind?”

  “I’m interested, of course,” she said instantly.

  More laughter. He was the only person she knew who dared laugh at her to her face.

  “What about your fiancé? How will he feel about your doing business on your own behalf?”

  “He’ll leave it to me. He has his ministry to worry about.”

  “I’d have thought you were the last person to be marrying a minister – and a Methodist at that! Are you going to abandon business and take up philanthropy?”

  “You know me better than that, Jonas. I’m marrying Saul because I want a family before it’s too late. He’s a nice man, healthy in body and intelligent enough to be a good companion. I think we shall deal very well together. He’s also got no interest in my money, which is equally important to me. I couldn’t bear to hand over the reins to a husband now. I like running my estate and making a little extra money here and there.”

  “Not to mention collecting a few lame ducks.”

  “Annie’s no lame duck, and I shall enjoy helping her. I’m beginning to suspect that I shall enjoy her company, too, when she loses her fear of me and learns a bit more about the world.”

  That same evening, Annie offered Tom the job of rent-collecting. “You mean old Charlie had that much money saved!” he gasped. “And you knew it all along?”

  “Of course.”

  Annie noticed that Charlie was beginning to look a little anxious and nudged Tom.

  “My, you did well there, Charlie!” he said at once, patting his brother-in-law on the shoulder.

  Charlie’s face cleared. “Saved it up in my box. Not so daft, eh?”

  “Not daft at all, Charlie, not daft at all.” Tom looked at Annie with new respect and then looked back at Charlie thoughtfully. Who’d have thought that there’d be so much money in rubbish! He’d have to learn a bit more about all Charlie’s stuff.

  “It’s to go no further, Tom!” said Annie sharply. “No one, no one at all, is to know! Especially the family. They’d never leave us alone if they thought we’d got money to spare. You know what Emily’s like.”

  “Aye, you’re right there. Silly bitch, she is! Dad were a fool to wed her.”

  “I don’t want to collect the rents myself, so will you do it for me? I’ll pay you for it.”

  “Of course I will!”

  “It’ll only be sixpence a week, mind.”

  “An’ all I ’ave to do is walk over to Cloughside and hold me hand out for it! When do I start?”

  “As soon as the houses have been handed over. I’ll let you know. Tom – what’ll you tell the family about it? They’re bound to hear that you’re doing the collecting.”

  “I’ll tell ’em nothin’. It’s none of their business. I do as I please nowadays, our Annie. I don’t hand me wages over any more an’ I come an’ go as I want.”

  “And Dad lets you?”

  “He’s got no choice. They know I’d leave home if they didn’t let me be.”

  “Do you manage to save any of your wages?” she asked curiously.

  “I’ve started,” he admitted. “But it’s a bit difficult. She goes through me things. She had five bob away last week, the bitch! She couldn’t deny it, but she couldn’t pay me back, either. Money just burns a hole in her pocket. Can I leave my money here from now on?” For some reason, he trusted Annie absolutely.

  “Of course you can. Emily went through my things too when I was back at Number Three. If I hadn’t had a good lock on my box, she’d have been into that, too. Do you – do you remember Mam, Tom?”

  “Aye. A bit. She had red hair, too. You take after her.”

  “I don’t know how Dad can stand Emily after Mam!”

  “She has her uses. You know what he’s like. Can’t do without it.”

  “I don’t like such talk,” she said primly.

  “Then you shouldn’t live in the Rows.”

  “I won’t have it in my house, Tom!”

  He looked at her in surprise.

  “I mean it! I may have to live here, but I’ll set my own standards, thank you.”

  He shrugged. “All right, then. It’s your house.” He didn’t want to do anything that would upset her. She could be a stepping stone to a better future for him. Something told him that the sixpence a week was just a start. It had taken him a while to realise that nowadays Annie was just as eager to make money as he was. He was sure that they would do well together. He knew he would be able to trust her.

  18

  August to September 1838

  The wedding of Saul Hinchcliffe and Pauline Collett took place on the second Saturday in August a
t eleven o’clock in the morning. The little chapel was full to overflowing with the bride’s friends and relatives. Saul’s family had managed to arrange for the farm to be looked after and were also there in full strength to lend their support to the only son. Although Pauline had been very gracious to them, they could not feel at ease in her company and would be glad to return to their quiet acres in Cheshire when all the fuss was over.

  Todmorden Road was lined with waiting carriages, and groups of humbler spectators were standing between them, watching the goings-on of the gentry. Annie was among the crowd of onlookers, for she was curious to see how Miss Collett would look, and besides, she’d not been feeling too well lately and she thought that a walk in the fresh air might do her headache good.

  Pauline had insisted on decking the chapel with flowers, even though this caused mutterings among some members of the congregation. It smacked too much of high-church idolatry for plain people like Sam Peters. Miss Collett silenced her critics in no uncertain manner.

  “Rubbish! The flowers will be picked from my own gardens. The Lord did not despise flowers, so why should you or I? ‘Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.’ Matthew 6, verse 28. I think I have my quotation and references correct.” No one was brave enough to voice any more objections to her face.

  Standing just outside the little chapel yard, Annie watched Mr Hinchcliffe alight from a carriage belonging to his bride. As if you needed a carriage to cover the short distance from Durham Road to the chapel! The visiting minister, who was to conduct the ceremony and take over for two weeks while the bride and groom were away visiting London, had declined the offer of a carriage and had walked across earlier.

  Annie had to bite her lip not to laugh aloud at how harassed the bridegroom was looking. Just wait until he was married and living at Collett Hall! He wouldn’t be able to call his soul his own then. Only too well did she remember what a tight rein Miss Collett kept on every member of her household, right down to the gardener’s boy. She smiled and slipped into the chapel to watch. Only regular chapel attenders were being allowed inside, so she was alone in the back pew.