He looked me up and down, clearly sceptical of my story. ‘What new job is this may I ask?’
‘I am to be working in the stables, sir.’
'Follow me.' There was a narrow door in the side of the arch that he escorted me into. It was a tiny office with nothing in it other than a small desk. 'Sit.' I did as I was told. He picked up an item that looked like an oversized candle stick. He then placed a smaller one to his ear; it was attached by a wire to the larger part. He then began talking into the top of the larger candlestick. I could hear a voice coming from the smaller piece and was enthralled with the item. I knew then it must have been a telephone. Albert had been talking about getting one for the house only a week or so ago.
'Sir there is a young boy here who says you are expecting him, something about a job.' He paused and listened to the voice coming through the wire, he then turned his gaze back to me. 'Who did you say sent you?'
'Mr Albert Summers, Sir.' He repeated what I said into the telephone and then put it down.
'Wait here, somebody will be with you shortly. Do not touch anything.'
He left the office and stood back out beneath the arch. The window in the door allowed him to keep an eye on me. I was only waiting a couple of minutes before another man in military uniform arrived, letting himself into the office. He was not wearing the big display uniform like the guard, but was still spotless.
'You must be Tom. I am very pleased to meet you young man.' His voice was loud and deep, he had a dark ginger beard and eyebrows to match, his hair however was much browner. I guessed him to be in his late forties. He wore a kilt which was held up by an almighty leather belt and metal buckle. His jacket was dark blue with silver buttons that gleamed, and a white shirt that looked as new as the day it was made.
'Yes sir.' I stood to shake the hand he had extended to me.
'Well Tom follow me, I will get you set up for the day.' He had a slight Scottish accent but he had clearly lived in London for a long time. He held open the door for me to lead, and followed me out into the large courtyard. 'Tom I am the stable manager, you will refer to me simply as Mr Brown. I will give you a tour of the yard first and get you started on your duties. I will also make sure you have an identification card made today, so please come and find me before you leave this evening. Show the card to whoever is on guard each day and you will have no issues coming and going.'
I nodded in acknowledgment of his instructions and followed him around the rather grand looking courtyard. The building was even more beautiful from this angle, and in the centre of the courtyard were four enormous lush green trees.
Mr Brown first took me around the courtyard and behind each of the locked doors was treasure...well kind of. The first room had in it the Gold Stage Coach, which I knew was used by Queen Victoria on the day of her coronation all those years ago. Even in the shadows of the room it gleamed with grandeur and I felt my mouth widen as I stared in awe. The other doors around the courtyard had a variety of uses, some had more carriages, some were simply offices and one was filled with guard uniforms that filled the room in lines upon lines of hangers. Finally, we left the courtyard through an identical arch that mirrored the entrance. This took us around the back of the building to where all the stables were. I could smell them before I could see them; the scent of fresh hay was delightful and even the smell of the horses was getting me excited. Upon turning the corner I was astonished by just how grand the stables were. They were inside an impressive looking long building and the horses each had their own divided up areas, much bigger than my own bedroom.
'Tom I would like to introduce you to Harvey.'
A young boy not much older than me turned upon hearing his name, he was grooming one of the white stallions. He removed a glove so as to shake my hand. He had chestnut coloured hair and was thin and tall for his age, just like me.
'Harvey is our head stable boy, if you need anything then you can speak with him. Harvey this is Tom, who will be working in the stables with you from today.' Mr Brown was so much taller than us both and his voice echoed through the stables. 'Now Tom that is your tour over, I will leave you with Harvey who can get you set up, Albert tells me you know your way around stables so I am sure you will find your rhythm quite quickly here.'
'Thank you Mister Bro...'
'Mr Brown can I have a word please.' A gentleman walked in, stopping me from finishing speaking, he wore a smart suit and spoke with an accent even more posh than Albert and Victoria. He had a well-kept silver beard and thick silver eyebrows, that all stood out against his bald shiny head.
'Yes of course Mr Sanders, I was just finished here.' He turned away from us and joined Mr Sanders by the door where they stood for a moment talking. Harvey proceeded to look straight past me, clearly trying to overhear what was being said. I turned too and managed to catch a snippet before they left.
'We managed to locate the missing horses and the Brougham carriage too; however the driver has yet to be found. Can you remind me, it was during the late night message run that they went missing?' Mr Brown nodded and continued to listen to the man who I started to suspect was a police officer. 'The carriage was found over ten miles south of here, the horses simply tied up outside an Inn, the carriage still attached.'
'Any idea of the culprit?' Mr Brown replied.
'None so far, but that isn't everything that I have to tell you.' Mr Sanders caught myself and Harvey looking and signalled for them both to leave.
Chapter 18
Victoria
I was pleased when Albert and Tom had finally left for work. I had been up most of the night being sick and was exhausted. The house seemed as though a dark cloud had lifted over it somehow, and although nobody would say it aloud I knew everybody where thinking the same thing. I decided to return to bed for a couple of hours, in the knowledge that I had to be in my best dress for Albert's return this evening. I couldn’t for the life of me remember what the event was, but I knew it was important to him.
Returning to bed after breakfast didn’t seem to do anything to help my discomfort either as I was now wide awake. It infuriated me knowing I would probably be falling asleep during the dinner this evening but could not manage to drift off now, despite being exhausted. I sat in bed for a while with a book hoping that reading would tire me somehow, but it didn’t. I was still feeling nauseous and could only manage to cradle the cup of tea Ms Lowney had given me.
I heard the clock in the hallway chime 9 o’clock. An hour later I heard it chime ten, and still no sleepier decided to get up and dressed. I predicted the sickness was due to the pregnancy, but there was something else about last night that was bothering me. Knowing my sister was on the road certainly played on my mind, and was undoubtedly one of the causes of my restlessness. I began to wonder how long it would be before I heard from Lucy. If it was me leaving I would have sent a telegram as soon I had returned home to thank them for their hospitality and to let them know I was home safe. My sister on the other hand would never think of letting people know, and it will probably be my mother who eventually sends word after a couple of days, telling me how they are getting on together.
As I got dressed I noticed that my belly was looking a lot more swollen than usual. Not enough for somebody to guess I was pregnant, but certainly a change in myself that I could see. My breasts too had begun to swell and started feeling more tender the last couple of days. I was nearly four months pregnant, and would have expected to be larger in the tummy by now.
When I returned downstairs Miss Baily was in the sitting room cleaning out the fire.
‘Oh I am sorry Mrs Summers, I won’t be much longer,’ she said flushed.
‘You are more than okay Miss Baily. Has Ms Lowney already left for the market?’
‘Yes ma’am, she left nearly twenty minutes ago.’ I was about to walk out again and leave her in piece, but instead turned back and decided to take a seat.
‘We haven’t ever had chance to have a chat, just myself and you.’ Miss Baily looked back u
p from the fireplace, the expression on her face worried.
‘Have I done something wrong ma’am?’ I couldn’t help but laugh at her reaction.
‘Of course not, I simply meant this house has been so busy since you started that we have never just been together one on one.’
‘Oh yes, I see.’ She smiled and turned back to cleaning the soot filled fire.
Forgive me, but may I ask you a personal question Miss Baily?’ Her sweeping stopped again as she looked sheepishly back towards me.
‘Of course ma’am, ask away.’
‘I was just wondering if you had any children?’
‘Oh yes. I have three sons, two of which decided to join the army, both in their twenties now. The youngest decided he wanted to be an engineer and works with the Locomotives in the north of London. Good boys they are, hardworking young men. Handsome too, but then I am bias.’ She let out a cackle of a laugh.
‘Miss Baily where you scared, the first time, you know…for the birth?’ Miss Baily's eyes softened and her smile broadened as she realised what I was getting at. She wiped her hands with a rag and came and sat beside me.
‘Ma’am, when my first son was born I was terrified, but that was because you see my best friend in school died only six months earlier during childbirth. Being pregnant myself when it happened made my fears multiply. You know ma’am it is natural to worry about it, every woman does, but you are young and healthy and that is what will get you through it. I know sometimes it feels like that is what everybody says to calm you, and in some ways it is, but it is true. Albert will be nervous for you too, he wouldn’t want to lose you, but he stays strong willed for you in the hope that seeing him relaxed about it will somehow relax you too,' said Miss Baily, and I was humbled by her honesty, it had made me feel much better already.
When Ms Lowney returned home I decided that to get my mind off worrying, and hopefully distract myself from feeling nauseas, I would help in the kitchen making soup. Ms Lowney had an eye for picking the best vegetables and her cooking was so much better than my own. I also found myself having a conversation with her about children and learnt she had a son and daughter. I knew Albert would be angry if he knew I spoke with them like this, although he was polite to them he still saw them as our staff.
‘Mrs Summers please take a seat, you look awfully pale,’ Ms Lowney said as I chopped up the carrots. ‘I can finish up here.’
‘I will be fine, honestly do not worry about me.’ No sooner had the words left my mouth I was hit by a bout of dizziness. I dropped the knife and it landed on the floor beside my foot. I held onto the counter for support and Ms Lowney caught me before I fell.
‘Come now, you need to rest.’
She helped me back into the sitting room and into the armchair. She wasn’t strong enough to help me up the stairs. ‘I will bring you a cup of tea, the soup will be ready soon so I will make sure you have a generous helping to strengthen you up. I do think though Ma’am that you should consider not going this evening if you are still in this condition.’
She left me in silence, bringing me a cup of tea as promised, and a bowl of soup nearly an hour later. I had to agree with her that I was in no fit state to go out this evening, but I couldn’t let Albert down.
***
By mid-afternoon I was feeling a little better, the soup had certainly energised me so I decided to take a short walk. The summer breeze made me feel better still and the warm sun against my face seemed to ease away my worries. I didn’t go far in fact only daring to complete a circuit of the square. Upon returning home I knew I needed to get ready for the dinner party that evening and made my way back up to the bedroom.
I started to look through my wardrobe for something to wear but couldn’t decide what would be suitable. I wished I had taken better notice as to the occasion. I found a new dress that I had forgotten about. It was originally bought for Lucy a couple of weeks ago, and was one she hadn’t worn. It was a lovely green colour evening gown; it was trained slightly and made out of ivory silk taffeta and chiffon with ecru lace insertions. It had a beautiful fabric tie around the waist and the leaf pattern embroidered from the bust down to the floor. Looking at it now made me question why I ever bought it for Lucy, it was clearly more my style than hers. Miss Baily offered to help me with my hair, which I decided would be mostly down. We were only just putting the finishing touches to my make-up when I heard Albert coming in the front door. Miss Baily left my bedroom and returned to the kitchen. Albert soon appeared in the bedroom doorway, I’d continued sitting at my dressing table waiting for him.
‘You look beautiful my darling,’ he said to me, crossing the room he took my hand and kissed me on the lips. Albert had never been a gushing man. He had always been a good husband and lover but he rarely showed his feelings, especially in front of other people.
‘Is this dress okay? I couldn’t remember the occasion.’
‘The dress looks stunning. Is it new?’
‘It is yes, one Lucy got but never wore.’
‘I see. Well tonight is the retirement of old Winston Cooper, you remember him don’t you, round gentleman, balding white hair, extremely posh and spits when he talks.’
‘I remember him,’ I laughed, ‘who wouldn’t remember him. He has been around since the gunpowder plot.’ Albert laughed at my joke, and kissed me again.
‘Well he has been working at the Lord Mayor of London’s offices for over forty years so they decided to throw him a retirement dinner. A pleasant man, he deserves to be given a good sent off. I still don’t know why I am giving the speech though, some of the more senior members have worked with him much longer than I.’
‘I will wait for you downstairs and look out for the carriage.’
I knew it would be picking us up soon and Albert still needed to change. I paused by the door as Albert removed his shirt. He caught me watching him and smirked at my mischievousness, he was an attractive man, with or without clothing. I let out a small giggle before leaving.
‘I won’t be long, will just putting on a clean shirt and tie,’ he said as I closed the door behind myself. I was downstairs less than five minutes when he appeared beside me once more. I was looking out of the front sitting room window to see if the carriage had arrived, and just as Albert walked up behind me it appeared along the street.
‘Miss Baily,’ I shouted back towards the kitchen.
‘Yes ma’am.’ I heard her shouting, followed by quick footsteps almost running from the kitchen. We were already by the front door putting on out coats and hats by the time she got to us.
‘Miss Baily I just wished to let you know that we are leaving now. Tom should be home a little after 6 o’clock I think. I have written down where we are just in case of anything, it is on the piece of paper in the sitting room. As you know we are eating out so it is just Tom to see to this evening. I’m hoping we are not going to be late home, but see that yourself and Ms Lowney don’t wait up for us.’
‘Right do ma’am.’
Albert escorted me out of the door and into the carriage. The rocking of the carriage caused my nausea to return; and as we left Vincent Square I was already praying for the return journey.
Chapter 19
D
It was mid-morning when I returned to Vincent Square. I knew Albert and Tom would already be at work and Victoria would be home with the two house maids. I didn’t want to confront her alone; I now wanted Albert to be there. I had the pistol ready in my coat pocket and after my conversation with Jack I was certain that Albert would be the first to die. I wanted her to watch his pain and suffering.
I saw the old cook leave the house alone and watched her walk along the pavement and out onto the main road. Curiosity encouraged me to follow her, I didn’t know why. I knew Victoria wouldn’t leave the house; she seemed to rarely do that, so following the cook distracted me until Albert’s return from work. I headed out to the main street and watched her trying to cross the chaotic road, a basket in her hand told m
e she was headed to the market. I wasn’t wrong, and I followed her all the way there. She was a friendly woman that seemed to know all of the stall holders by name, and they hers.
‘Good morning Norman,’ she said at the first stand, ‘have you got any more of those mushrooms I got from you last week, they were delicious.’
‘Morning Ms Lowney, yes I got a batch in this morning. I’ll put some in a bag for you.’ The man, who was probably a similar age to her, didn’t seem to be in a rush as he scooped up mushrooms with his gloved hands. ‘That enough for you?’
‘Perfect. I am planning to make soup today.’
‘Oh well in that case smell these.’ He handed her something green, I couldn’t quite tell what I was from my distance.
‘That smells incredible. I will take some of that too.’ He bagged it up for her and she began to request other vegetables to be parcelled up. I was beginning to get bored already and was about to walk away when the conversation turned to Victoria.
‘What is on the menu for her ladyship today?’ Asked Norman.
‘Only soup at lunchtime. I’m only making evening meal for Tom today, Mr and Mrs Summers have an engagement this evening so will be out most of the night.’
‘Out on a Monday, how the other half live eh.’ He chuckled and handed her a handful of bags.
‘Somebody that Mr Summers works with is retiring, they are having a special dinner for him this evening at…oh I forget the name of the building, but it’s somewhere at Trafalgar square.’
‘Does this mean you get the night off Rhonda?’
‘Norman you old fool,’ she chuckled. ‘I told you I am not going to join you for dinner. What would people think, you are younger than me.’
‘Only by two years, at our stage of life what does two years matter?’
‘I suppose, I will think about it.’ She giggled and tucked her bags into her basket before saying goodbye.
I had heard enough, I left the market and returned to the river where I often found myself sitting and watching the boats that passed. I always drifted back to thinking of my own time working the docks and how life could have been so much different if I had never left; it was something that seemed a lifetime ago. The river had an odour to it today; it would often smell during hot days. Today was not particularly hot but I still preferred the shade of a bridge where less eyes could be seen looking on. I took the pistol from my pocket and held it in both hands, staring at it my hands began to tremble.
D: Revenge Hits London (Whitby's Darkest Book 2) Page 9
