The Innkeeper's Daughter

by Val Wood

  ‘I’ll come with you,’ Dr Birchfield said. ‘Just give me a minute. And don’t worry. People often get frightened at night. He may not be as bad as his family think.’

  But Jamie had doubts about that. After travelling with Corporal Thorp, he had a fairly good idea that the soldier could withstand more pain than the average man; if he had sanctioned the doctor’s call-out, then he was in a bad way; and if he had given in to his family’s insistence then the same reasoning applied.

  A two-horse Clarence carriage was waiting by the door when Dr Birchfield came down. He too had dressed swiftly in his dark coat and top hat and carried his battered medical bag.

  ‘Maritime Hotel,’ Jamie said to the driver, ‘as fast as you can.’ He looked round for the youth, but he’d sped off and was already crossing the road near the Infirmary.

  ‘He’ll be there before we are,’ Birchfield said as he saw Jamie looking round for him. ‘He runs like the wind; knows all the short cuts too.’

  The boy was waiting for them as the carriage pulled up outside the hotel; the door was opened by a broad-set man, who locked it after them.

  ‘This way, doctor,’ the youth said and led them through the dim light of a saloon, through a door and into the private quarters, where he said, ‘Here’s ’doctor, Miss Bella,’ and disappeared again.

  Bella was kneeling by her brother’s side and looked up at Dr Birchfield, who had gone in first. For a moment she didn’t recognize Jamie standing behind him. ‘Thank you for coming, doctor,’ she began, but then Jamie took off his hat, placed it on the floor, unbuttoned his coat and knelt beside her. He glanced at her and then away as he bent over William.

  ‘Now then, Corporal Thorp,’ he said softly. ‘What’s all this about?’

  CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN

  WILLIAM WAS SWEATING profusely and was obviously in great pain, but he grabbed Jamie’s arm and cried out hoarsely, ‘Save my foot, please! I don’t want to be a cripple. I’d rather shoot myself first.’

  ‘Now, young man.’ Dr Birchfield’s voice was brusque. ‘Let’s have none of that sort of talk.’ He bent down to examine William’s foot, and Bella stood back, feeling faint and aghast at the state of it as Jamie carefully unrolled the bandage. She was too shocked to even think about Jamie Lucan’s turning up; she was only concerned about her brother.

  They were muttering together and she heard the words ‘still some shot in there’ and ‘hospital’.

  Then Jamie turned to her, giving her a diffident smile. ‘Do you remember me? Is it still Miss Thorp? I used to call at the Woodman.’

  She nodded. Of course she did, and did he think she had married since last seeing him?

  ‘It seems to us that there might still be some shot in William’s foot and that that’s what is festering and causing him such pain. Dr Birchfield would like to take him to the Infirmary where it can be treated.’ He gazed at her. ‘It will be a relatively simple operation, but he will require chloroform. Will you give permission for that?’

  She looked uneasy. ‘I – shouldn’t you ask William?’

  ‘He’ll give permission for anything, bar amputation, such is his state of mind; but we need yours or perhaps his mother’s or brother’s understanding of the implication of the procedure.’

  ‘What if it goes wrong? What if he loses his foot? How can I be responsible for allowing it?’ Bella put her hands to her face. She was shaking.

  ‘Bella,’ he said softly. ‘It’s the only option. If we don’t remove the shot, then he might well lose his foot.’

  ‘How is it that it’s still there?’ She was angry, looking for someone to blame. ‘Why wasn’t it removed before?’

  ‘The conditions were horrendous out in the Crimea,’ he explained. ‘They would have done the best they could under the circumstances. Many men died. William was one of the luckier ones.’

  ‘I’m sorry,’ she stammered. ‘I didn’t mean – didn’t mean to imply …’

  ‘It’s all right,’ he assured her. ‘But we must get William away now. The cab is waiting. Will you allow us to do what we can?’

  Bella dashed away tears. How stupid he will think me, but— ‘Yes,’ she said. ‘Of course. My mother’s in bed, my brother Joe doesn’t live here now, so, yes, I’ll take responsibility. Do whatever you must. But can I go with him?’

  Jamie looked at his colleague for an answer. He didn’t know the rules for the Hull hospital; some of the London ones didn’t allow relatives of patients to attend.

  ‘Don’t see why not,’ Dr Birchfield said. ‘You won’t faint or get in the way, will you?’

  ‘I – didn’t mean that I wanted to attend whilst you operated, doctor.’ Bella shuddered. ‘I meant to be there when he woke up, or when you could say whether the operation had been successful.’

  Birchfield nodded. ‘Yes. He might feel less vulnerable if you’re with us. There’s room in the carriage, but we’ll give your brother the whole seat if someone can help us carry him out.’

  Carter, Bella thought. He’ll help, he’s strong. She hurried into the saloon. ‘Carter, can you help us? They’re taking William to hospital. And …’ Here she hesitated. Could she put her trust in him? She decided she’d have to. ‘I’m going with him. Would you stay until I get back? I’m sorry to ask when it’s so late, but—’

  ‘Think nowt of it, Miss Bella. I’d be glad to.’ He nodded and she saw a touch of pride in his expression that she’d asked him. ‘Stay as long as you want, all night if need be, an’ I’ll open up in ’morning. Don’t you worry.’

  ‘Thank you.’ She felt tears trickling down her cheeks. Tears which she had held back, but now her emotions were coming to the fore.

  She leaned across the carriage and held her brother’s hand. Jamie had asked for a blanket and pillow and William lay covered up and warm, on one seat, whilst she and Dr Birchfield sat across from him. Jamie had gone up beside the driver.

  ‘It’s going to be all right, William,’ she said softly. ‘You’re in good hands. Dr Birchfield and Dr Lucan are both here; they can see better what to do once you’re in hospital.’

  ‘What’s it like? Hospital, I mean.’ William didn’t open his eyes but kept them tight shut, and when he spoke it was as if he was speaking through gritted teeth. ‘Hope it’s not like Scutari.’

  ‘I don’t know,’ she admitted, turning an enquiring glance on Dr Birchfield.

  ‘One of the finest and biggest in the county,’ he said. ‘The General Infirmary was newly built maybe seventy or so years ago, but now with additional wings it has a hundred and fifty beds. And’ – he looked out of the carriage window – ‘we’re here already.’

  Bella barely took note of the impressive building as they clattered through the gates and drew up at the double doors. Jamie jumped down and a porter came out to assist, but then ran back for more help and a stretcher. Within minutes William was whisked away and Bella was shown into an anteroom where she was told she should wait.

  There was no one else waiting and she must have fallen asleep, for she opened her eyes to find Jamie Lucan standing over her. He seemed thoughtful and preoccupied.

  ‘Miss Thorp – Bella,’ he said. ‘Wake up. It’s all over.’

  ‘What?’ She was flustered and feared the worst. ‘Is he—’

  ‘Going to be fine!’ Jamie smiled. ‘We were fortunate that there was a very experienced surgeon on duty, and with the use of chloroform the shot was removed without any pain to your brother.’

  She blinked and looked round. ‘But how quick! We’ve only just arrived.’

  Jamie looked up at the clock on the wall. ‘I think you’ll find we’ve been here just over an hour and a half. William is back on the ward and fast asleep. The wound will be painful when he wakes, but the worst is over.’

  Bella stood up and swayed a little and Jamie put out his hand to steady her. ‘Thank you so much,’ she said. ‘May I see him?’

  ‘Just for a moment,’ he said. ‘But we must be very quiet. There are other patie
nts asleep in their beds.’

  ‘Of course,’ she said softly. ‘But just so I can tell my mother when she wakes that he’s going to be all right.’

  He led her up a wide staircase and along a long corridor which had many doors off it. ‘It’s this one, I think,’ he said. ‘This is the first time I’ve been here.’

  He led her through a long narrow room with beds on either side. A nurse sat a desk halfway along the ward and she rose as they came in.

  ‘Dr Lucan,’ he said quietly. ‘We wish to see William Thorp for only a moment.’

  ‘As long as that is all it is, sir. The patient needs to recover.’

  Bella bent to look at William. He was sleeping peacefully, from the application of the chloroform, she guessed. ‘Thank you,’ she whispered. ‘Thank you so much.’

  The carriage had left when they went outside; Dr Birchfield had gone home. Jamie pointed out that his house was no more than five minutes’ walk away.

  ‘Would you like to wait inside whilst I try to find a cab?’ he asked her.

  ‘It isn’t far to Anne Street, is it? I could walk, I don’t mind, and I could do with some air.’

  ‘Not alone!’ he admonished her. ‘You are not out in the country now.’

  ‘Would I not be safe? I’m sure that I would.’

  ‘I’m not prepared to risk it.’ He smiled, and thought, I’m not going to lose you when I’ve only just found you again. ‘I’ll walk with you, if you’d allow me?’

  ‘That’s very kind. I’d be pleased to have your company, Dr Lucan.’

  He laughed as they began to walk. ‘I’ve not yet become used to being called doctor!’

  ‘You’ve only recently qualified, I understand? William told me that you’d had good news and bad when you returned to London.’ She paused. ‘We – my mother and I are extremely grateful to you for taking such care of William.’ Then she asked the question that had been niggling away at her since William had told her of Dr Lucan’s nom-de-plume. ‘Did you recognize my brother at once, Dr Lucan?’

  ‘No.’ He took her arm so that she would wait for a carriage to pass before crossing a road. ‘It was a little while later, when the accent seemed familiar.’ He hesitated, unable to tell her that after meeting her brother he couldn’t get her out of his mind, and hadn’t wanted to tell William that he knew her. ‘And at first I didn’t connect him with the Woodman. I – I’m not sure if I recall seeing him there. I was also in a depressed state of mind having heard about my friend’s death. Also …’ He paused, not knowing what else to say. ‘I can’t properly explain it, not now.’

  ‘You owe me no explanation, Dr Lucan.’ She withdrew her arm, and he wondered if there was a hint of coldness in her voice or whether it was his feeling of guilt that made him think that. ‘And William doesn’t know anything about you, save what you’ve told him yourself.’

  He took her to the door of the Maritime and rang the bell, for she said the door would be locked and bolted. He heard the scrape of the bolt and the key turning in the lock.

  ‘Miss Thorp – Bella – may I come and see you again? Not just because of William.’ His voice cracked as he spoke. ‘I – I need to speak to you.’

  She half turned away from him as Carter opened the door, and then turned back. He couldn’t tell what her expression was as the light above the door threw shadows on her face, but she put out her hand to his.

  ‘Thank you so much, Dr Lucan,’ she said softly. ‘If you could come tomorrow and perhaps have luncheon with us, I’ll introduce you to my mother and we can properly express our gratitude.’

  Carter said he would go back to his lodgings if she didn’t need him for anything else, and Bella said that he must come in an hour later in the morning. ‘I’m indebted to you, Carter. I didn’t want to leave my mother alone.’

  ‘That’s all right, Miss Bella.’ He fingered the rim of his hat. ‘I’m grateful for ’opportunity to repay you a little – for giving me another chance, you know.’

  She smiled. ‘Then we’re all square, I think.’

  After locking and bolting the door behind him, and turning out the lamp, she went through into the kitchen. Someone had removed the truckle bed that William had used, folded it up and stood it against the wall. Adam was sound asleep by the range.

  I can’t go to bed yet, even though I’m very tired; my mind is buzzing with all that’s happened. She sat down by the table and put her chin in her hands. The kitchen was warm and quiet but for the ticking of the clock and Adam’s soft breathing, and that was somehow comforting.

  How strange that he should be at Dr Birchfield’s house. Had he only just arrived? Will he be leaving again for London now that he’s said his last goodbye to his father? And I wonder if his sisters still live in Holderness? Bella recalled meeting one of them; what was her name? Mary – a very forward child as I remember. Who’ll take care of them now? He’s got a brother, I think. No wonder then, if he had things on his mind, that he didn’t immediately call to see William.

  She deliberately didn’t give him his name. I think of him as Jamie, because that’s how I’ve always thought of him. But now he’s Dr Lucan and he said himself that he’s not yet used to that title.

  Adam stirred and turned over towards the fire, muttering to himself, and Bella stretched her arms above her head. Taking a deep, deep breath, she smiled. I’m so happy to see him again. And he’s coming to lunch tomorrow.

  CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT

  LIFE HAD BEGUN to change on the following day, when Jamie had been invited for luncheon at the Maritime so that Mrs Thorp and Bella might formally thank him for his care of William, not only during his time in the Blackwall hospital but on the journey home and since.

  He’d arrived just after twelve thirty and found Bella in the saloon talking to a well-dressed, rather imperious-looking man, a few years older than himself. Bella had introduced him as Justin Allen, one of the owners of the brewery. Jamie had taken an instant dislike to him, not only because of his bearing and handsome looks, but because he seemed over familiar with Bella, touching her hand with his lips as he took leave of her.

  ‘Is he a friend,’ he’d asked, ‘as well as a business associate?’

  Bella had smiled and raised her eyebrows, rather provocatively, Jamie thought, and said, ‘He’d like to be.’ The remark had worried him.

  Surprisingly, their meal was eaten in the house kitchen and not in the hotel dining room, where he had noticed a young maid serving the occupied tables. Mrs Thorp in her large white apron had taken a joint of rare beef, a crisped leg of pork and a glazed ham out of the ovens and put them to rest on the top of the stove.

  ‘This is not for us,’ she said. ‘This is for ’dining room. I’ll just tek it through and then I’ll serve ours.’

  He sat opposite Bella and gazed at her. Her cheeks were flushed and she seemed a touch uneasy. She looked across at him and then down at her lap.

  ‘You’re wondering why we’re eating in here and not in ’hotel,’ she said.

  He nodded solemnly. ‘I am.’

  ‘We only invite friends to eat in here with us,’ she said softly. ‘Those who know who we are and what we’re like and where we come from.’

  ‘Then I’m honoured,’ he said. ‘More than I could possibly say.’ He paused for a second and then asked, ‘Has Mr Allen eaten in here?’

  She tried to hide a smile. ‘He’s never had his foot through ’door, nor will he. He and Mr Newby are our business partners only.’

  He exhaled. ‘I’m relieved to hear it, more than I can say.’

  ‘It seems you’re lost for words, Dr Lucan,’ she murmured teasingly.

  ‘Yes. I’m totally tongue-tied and there’s so much I wish to say to you.’

  Sarah came back and dished up the most delicious beef stew he had ever tasted, even better than Mrs Hopkins’s. As well as tender beef, it contained carrot and onion, potato, tomato and leek, and was flavoured with nutmeg and allspice. Floating on top were light and crispy dumpl
ings. A bread loaf fresh from the oven was placed on a wooden platter in the middle of the table.

  When he had refused a third helping, he was offered apple pie and custard. ‘Not our own apples,’ Mrs Thorp apologized; she wasn’t eating with them but flitted between the kitchen and the dining room. ‘But there’s a greengrocer here in Hull who buys them from foreign parts, and though they’re not as tasty as my Woodman ones were they’re a reasonable substitute. We’ve no garden here, you see.’

  She disappeared again after serving him and Bella and they both smiled.

  ‘I feel that I’m being fattened up,’ he said, and she nodded. ‘For sacrifice?’ he asked.

  ‘No. My mother likes to cook. I told her to keep it simple, but she wants to repay you for looking after William so well.’

  ‘If this is what happens after treating a patient then I have chosen the right profession,’ he bantered. ‘I must bring my colleague Dr Birchfield to the Maritime; his sister is possibly the worst cook in the kingdom.’

  As they sat after finishing their meal, he came clean about his meeting with William and why he had, in effect, hidden his identity from him.

  ‘I didn’t mean to deceive,’ he said penitently, ‘but after the initial astonishment of realizing who he was I felt confused and awkward about saying anything. But …’ He hesitated. Was it too soon to tell her the truth? Would he frighten her away if he told her of his true feelings?

  ‘But?’

  ‘It had been a long time since we last met at the Woodman and I wondered if you would still remember me.’

  ‘I’ve never forgotten you,’ she murmured. ‘I’ve often thought about you and wondered if you’d achieved your ambition.’ She gave him a warm smile. ‘I’m so pleased to learn that you have.’

  ‘And you? Did you get over the disappointment of giving up your dream of teaching?’

  Bella gave a small gasp. He remembered! ‘I didn’t think that you—’