The Wives’ Revenge

by Lindsey Hutchinson

  ‘Now then, Kath Clancy,’ he said as they strolled, ‘I want to know what you know.’

  Looking at him, she feigned ignorance.

  ‘Right,’ he went on, ‘the way I see it is this. Frank Woolley had problems in his factory, lost his buyer who… as I’m sure you know, is now my buyer.’

  Kath could barely contain herself at this unexpected good news.

  ‘Joyce Clews works for me, but lodges with you. Joyce informs me of Frank’s situation. Word of Frank’s bad workmanship travels incredibly fast and it seems he can’t find a new buyer. How am I doing so far?’

  Continuing to stroll, Kath shook her head and raised her hands palms upward. He took this as a sign to resume.

  ‘Frank lays off half his workforce who are now working for me…’

  Kath swallowed, more good news, the end was in sight.

  ‘Should Frank lay off the rest of the women, which I expect to happen in the next few days, I will employ them…’

  Keeping her counsel, Kath was thrilled at his words.

  ‘Then all that Frank Woolley will have left is an empty factory building. Once sold - if it sells – which I doubt, Frank Woolley will be ruined and penniless. Now what I want to know is…’ Turning her to face him, he looked her straight in the eye. ‘Exactly what part you’d played in bringing down Frank Woolley?’

  He registered the shock on Kath’s face as she said, ‘Joshua! How could I possibly have anything to do with Frank Woolley’s business?’

  ‘Spencer tells me young Primrose has been spending a lot of time at your house lately,’ he probed.

  ‘She and Violet went to school together,’ she responded. Kath worried that he may have got to the bottom of their plan.

  ‘Ar well, Violet doesn’t live with you anymore, so…’ Letting the sentence hang, Joshua waited.

  ‘Joshua,’ Kath said, keeping her voice steady, ‘it’s none of your business who I associate with, but I will tell you this, Frank Woolley brought this on himself. That,’ Kath said vehemently, ‘is all I have to say on the matter!’

  Turning away from him, she walked back into the house feeling the burn of his eyes on her back.

  ‘Time I was away home,’ Kath said to Violet and Spencer left the room to call the carriage.

  Quietly she added, ‘Be wary of Joshua, he’s been questioning me about the Woolley affair. Don’t be drawn in by him, he’s wily. You don’t know anything, act a bit dizzy if you have to.’

  Nodding, Violet walked Kath to the waiting carriage.

  ‘Come for tea in the week,’ her mother called as the carriage moved forward.

  ‘I will,’ she heard Violet call back.

  Sitting and thinking once she was home, Kath wondered whether Joshua Gittins knew more than he let on. But the real question that bothered her was, did he know about the Wednesbury Wives and that she was one of them?

  Nineteen

  Kath Clancy knew more than she was willing to share. Sitting at the desk in the study at his home, Gittins Lodge chosen and named by his dear departed wife, Joshua Gittins took out a pencil and paper and began to draw. In a circle, Kath Clancy – a line to her husband Sligo, deceased. Beneath Kath was Violet, her daughter. In other circles were Joyce Clews – husband missing, and Primrose Woolley, married to Frank Woolley; each with a line leading to Kath Clancy.

  Studying the drawing, Joshua tried to work out the connections. He recalled meeting Kath’s friends at the picnic and his son’s wedding. He was in no doubt that they were friends, but there was more to it than that, he felt. Baffled, he stared at the diagram as he sipped his brandy.

  Kath was a wealthy woman in her own right. Primrose Woolley stood to inherit the house if anything happened to Frank. Joyce was as poor as a church mouse. No, he didn’t think money was the connection. So what held these women together so tightly? At a loss for an answer, Joshua went to bed determined that one day he would find out.

  *

  It was a couple of days later that Spencer charged into the office. ‘Dad, there’s a line of women outside asking for work – they’ve come from Woolley’s!’

  So, Frank Woolley had gone under and Woolley’s Nails had closed the factory doors for the last time.

  ‘Right, lad,’ Joshua said, ‘get them set on, God knows we need the help, what with all the new orders coming in. They’re coming out of the woodwork they are!’

  The workers were taken on there and then and now all of Frank’s former employees were now in Joshua’s employ, including Jack Hesp, the foreman, who covered one shift with another foreman taking over at shift change.

  The women, just glad to be in work and on a higher wage, were happy to do shifts to fill the quota of orders. Work was coming in thick and fast from up and down the country and Joshua had no time to wonder how it had all happened so suddenly, but he was happy to see his profits soaring.

  Looking down on the factory floor from his office doorway, he watched as each new woman was set to work.

  Settling to study his accounts books, Joshua had to ensure there would be enough in the bank to pay the new workers. Working long into the night, he was satisfied he was still turning a good profit after all the wages and overheads were paid, but his accountant would confirm that.

  Leaning back in his chair, Joshua clasped his hands behind his head and his thoughts turned again to Kath Clancy.

  What was it about her that intrigued him so much? She was attractive, of that there was no doubt. She was confident too, with an air of sophistication. Twice married, she had buried both husbands, not that unusual in these times. The men worked themselves to death in the pits. Kath Clancy, however, had been alone, except for her lodger and her daughter, these past years. Why had she not married again? Maybe she preferred living alone; maybe no one worthy of remarriage had caught her eye. Maybe, and more likely, she wanted to be in sole control of her money.

  Sensible woman, Joshua thought as a picture of her appeared in his mind. Attractive sensible woman, he thought again.

  *

  Days of hard work wore on with no let-up in the orders coming in. Joshua kept his ear to the ground regarding Frank Woolley but nothing was forthcoming. Frank had, it seemed, shut himself away in his house receiving no visitors and no one appeared to know anything more.

  As Joshua had predicted, Frank’s factory was up for sale but there had been no takers. Money was too scarce to go buying empty buildings. The thought struck a chord and Joshua whistled across the factory floor for Spencer.

  As his son entered the office, Joshua said quickly, ‘Find out who is selling Frank Woolley’s factory for him, and then find out how much it’s going for!’

  ‘Dad, you can’t be thinking of buying it surely!’

  ‘Do as I ask, lad, and step to it, I need to know fast.’

  Within a couple of hours, Joshua had the information on Woolley’s factory.

  ‘Two thousand pounds!’ Joshua said in astonishment. ‘No wonder there’s been no takers!’

  ‘It’s a hell of a lot of money, Dad,’ Spencer said, concern evident in his voice.

  ‘It is an’ all,’ Joshua agreed, ‘but here’s what I want you to do. Go to the estate agent and offer him two hundred pounds to be paid immediately contracts are exchanged.’ With a nod from his son, he went on, ‘Now off you go and get it sorted.’

  Joshua felt sure his offer would be accepted before the factory became a millstone around Frank Woolley’s neck.

  He was not disappointed, for within the week he saw the contract for Woolley’s factory in his hands.

  Joshua suggested that Spencer and Violet plus Kath Clancy and he should have dinner together in celebration. Spencer agreed it for the following evening at Gittins Manor.

  *

  Joshua’s excitement mounted as he rode down to his son’s house at the other end of Trouse Lane, the contract tucked safely in his pocket. Was it the disclosure of the acquisition of a new building that had him so on edge? Or was it the thought of seeing Kath
Clancy again?

  Chiding himself as he greeted everyone, it soon became evident it was Kath that was the cause of his nerves.

  Before dinner was served, Joshua tapped his wine glass with his knife and stood to share his good news.

  ‘Ladies,’ he lifted his glass first to Violet then to Kath, ‘my son,’ his glass lifted again, ‘as you may or may not know, I have recently bought Frank Woolley’s factory.’

  Gasps and glances passed from mother to daughter and then back to Joshua.

  ‘Now,’ Joshua went on, lifting the contract from his pocket with a dramatic flourish, ‘I give it to you, Spencer – to do with as you will.’

  Applause rang out in the dining room and dinner was served as questions were asked and answered. Joshua saw the sparkle in Kath’s eyes as she congratulated her son-in-law. He had known for a long time that he had fallen deeply in love with Kath Clancy, but only now as he watched her across the table would he finally admit it to himself.

  Twenty

  Kath had told everyone the good news of Joshua Gittins having bought Woolley’s factory at the weekly meeting, and although pleased they had accomplished what they set out to do, Violet was worried.

  Voicing her concern, she said, ‘Has anybody seen Primrose lately?’

  The joviality stopped in an instant as everyone realised they had not, in fact, seen the girl in the previous few days.

  ‘Christ no!’ Martha said, now also full of concern.

  Mary asked, ‘Oh God! You don’t think he’s done her in do you?’

  Mutterings ran round the table, then Violet said, ‘I’m going to visit tomorrow to see if she’s all right.’

  ‘Frank’s holed up there, he won’t let you in,’ said Kath.

  ‘I’ll come with you,’ said Annie, her worry evident, ‘he knows you two are friends, he might let one of us in at least.’ Violet felt happier knowing she didn’t have to face Frank Woolley alone.

  The following day, Violet and Annie set off for the Woolley house in Church Hill, their minds full of trepidation.

  The weather had turned colder as winter set in. Their feet were cold despite the woollen stockings and leather boots as they trudged along Meeting Street. Woollen shawls were tight about their heads and their noses turned red in the icy wind.

  As they turned to walk up Church Steps, Annie said quietly. ‘I don’t fancy this one bit.’

  ‘Neither do I,’ Violet responded, ‘but we need to see Primrose, we have to make sure she’s all right.’

  As Annie nodded, her paisley shawl slipped from her soft shiny hair. She drew it back into place with a sharp tug.

  The bells of St. Bartholomew’s Church began to toll.

  ‘Sounds like practice for another wedding,’ Annie mused.

  Turning into Church Hill, they bent forward into the sharp wind and strode towards Rose Hill House.

  Marching up to the door, Violet gave the knocker three sharp raps.

  The crapulous voice of Frank Woolley boomed out, ‘Bugger off!’

  Annie looked at Violet. ‘He’s drunk!’ she said.

  Violet again slammed the knocker against the door.

  ‘I told you to bugger off!’ Shouted Frank.

  Lifting the knocker again, Violet saw the fear in Annie’s eyes. She slammed the door knocker yet again, continuing unrelenting until suddenly the door opened and Frank swayed unsteadily on his feet before them.

  ‘What d’you two bloody want?’ he asked, swinging a brandy bottle in his hand.

  ‘We’ve come to visit Primrose,’ Violet said, showing no signs of fear, but feeling it nonetheless.

  ‘Oh have you indeed?’ he scoffed. ‘Well she ain’t receiving visitors, so bugger off!’

  He made to close the door but Violet wedged her foot in the doorway, saying again, louder this time, ‘We’ve come to visit Primrose!’

  Stepping back, he pulled the door wide open before staggering off with, ‘Go on then, I don’t bloody care!’ His arm waved in the direction of the stairs.

  Leaving the front door open, the women climbed the stairs quickly, calling out to Primrose as they went. They eventually found her in bed. The shock of seeing the state she was in shook Violet to her core. Black and blue from head to toe, she lay unmoving. One eye swollen shut, the other filled with tearful relief on seeing the women.

  ‘Oh dear God! My poor wench, what’s he done to you?’ Annie’s words came through her tears as Violet gently pulled back the covers, revealing Primrose dressed only in her underclothes. Violet’s hands flew to her mouth as she saw the extent of Primrose’s injuries.

  Primrose’s lips cracked and bled as she tried to speak, ‘Oh ’hank God you’re here!’

  ‘Annie,’ Violet took command immediately, ‘I’ll go tell mother, Martha and Mary what’s happened and tell them to bring a door.’

  Annie looked quizzically at her, and Violet said, ‘Well, we need to get her out of here and she isn’t going to walk in that state!’

  Violet rushed from the house not stopping to answer any questions Frank may have had. Annie talked quietly to Primrose.

  ‘The others are coming, wench, we’re gonna take you to my house. You’ll be all right with me and Charlie.’

  Tears rolled down the sides of Primrose’s face, just about squeezing through the swollen lid. ‘Oh Annie!’ was all she could manage to say through unmoving lips.

  Annie stayed by Primrose’s side, listening to Frank rant and rave downstairs. Hearing smashing glass, she said, ‘Sounds like he finished the brandy then!’

  The poor girl couldn’t smile but the twinkle in her good eye glittered. ‘Carehull…’ she whispered through cracked lips and broken teeth.

  ‘Oh don’t you worry, wench, I’ll be ready for him if he comes.’ Reaching into her shopping bag, she pulled out the poker she’d lifted from the fireplace before leaving home.

  Annie saw the twinkle in Primrose’s eye again in response.

  The shouting and raging downstairs went on as Frank rattled in the cupboards searching for more alcohol, until at last it went quiet.

  Looking at the doorway then to Annie, Primrose said, ‘He’s ashleeh!’

  ‘Bloody good job an’ all,’ Annie answered, ‘otherwise I’d have helped him to sleep with this!’ Holding up the poker for Primrose to see, the twinkling eye glittered once more.

  Quietly giving her the news of Joshua Gittins buying Frank’s factory to give to his son, Annie felt Primrose hook a finger round hers. ‘Good news eh wench?’ she asked.

  The girl’s finger squeezed Annie’s, showing her pleasure.

  Poor wench, Annie thought, she can’t even talk properly.

  Suddenly there came the sound of footsteps on the stairs accompanied by puffing and panting.

  Annie saw the horror on Primrose’s face and said, ‘It’s all right, it’s the others, they’re here.’

  Martha came into the room first and her reaction was echoed by Kath and Mary. ‘Dear Lord! Oh dear God!’ Kath and Mary brought an old privy door through and laid it on the bed beside Primrose, still puffing with the exertion of having carried it through the streets.

  Fear showed clearly on Primrose’s bruised face when Violet told her, ‘We’re going to have to strap you on that door, Prim, so we can carry you downstairs. You have to hurt a bit more before we can get you to safety. All right love, understand?’

  Mary said, ‘It’s a shame our men are at work, they would have done this easier than us.’

  Kath nodded, saying, ‘We’ll manage.’

  Primrose squeezed Annie’s finger once more and they saw her mentally prepare herself for the pain she knew would wrap itself around her again.

  Very carefully they freed the bedclothes from the corners of the bed and in one quick movement they shifted the bedclothes and Primrose onto the door.

  Wincing, the girl moaned and Violet said, ‘All done now, but we’re going to strap you down so you don’t roll off, we can’t have you breaking a leg now can we?’


  Primrose’s eye twinkled yet again. Even through everything she was bearing, the girl could see the funny side of the situation.

  While the others stripped sheets from a bed in another room, Annie chatted quietly, trying to comfort the girl who was in so much pain.

  Once the others returned with the sheets Violet said, ‘Right, Primrose, brace yourself so we can get you tied on the door.’ She gave the girl a reassuring smile.

  With Kath and Mary at one end and Violet and Martha at the other, they lifted the door as Annie pushed a sheet beneath it. They managed between them to get Primrose strapped firmly. Now all they had to do was get her down the stairs.

  Kath and Mary each took an end of the door and lifted it from the bed. Annie went down the stairs first with her weapon in hand. Finding Frank in a deep drunken sleep in the chair, she gave a low whistle as a signal for the others to bring Primrose down.

  Tilting the lavatory door to manoeuvre it through the doorway, Kath and Mary descended the stairs, being careful to keep Primrose level.

  The girl made no sound as she left her husband’s house strapped to a privy door and covered by a blanket Violet had snatched from the bed.

  They walked through the streets, ignoring the stares and mutterings of people passing by before stopping at the corner where Trouse Lane met Meeting Street and Martha took over from Kath with Violet relieving Mary of the other end. They then continued on until they reached Hobbins Street. Carrying Primrose to Annie’s home, the women tried not to jostle her. For all she was as light as a feather from lack of nourishing food, it was still hard work carrying the makeshift stretcher.

  As they neared the house, Annie ran on ahead. Flying up the entry at the side of her house, she ran in through the back door, through the kitchen and across the living room to open the front door. Martha and Violet gently tilted Primrose a little to one side and winced as the girl groaned. Once they were inside the room Annie closed the door on the prying eyes she knew would be watching.

  Holding the stairs door open, Annie watched as the board levelled out once more and Primrose was carried to the spare bedroom.