The Swan Maid

by Dilly Court

  It was just getting light when they reached Hermitage Basin. ‘The rope is still tethered,’ Teddy called over his shoulder. ‘It’s heavy. I’ll need a hand to pull it up.’

  Lottie was at his side and they worked together, heaving the waterlogged sack from the depths. As the water drained away the sack began to move of its own accord.

  ‘We’ve got some,’ Teddy cried triumphantly. ‘Pull harder, Lottie. Let’s see what we’ve caught.’

  Eventually the writhing sack lay on the ground at their feet. Teddy kneeled down and traced the shapes with his fingers. ‘I can’t say exactly, but there’s several big ones in there. Help me get it onto my back, Lottie, and we’ll get them home before daylight.’

  Jezebel took on the task of dispatching the eels, which she did in the back yard, out of the view of sensitive souls like Grace and Ruby. Lottie built up the fire in the range, and within an hour the eels were simmering in parsley liquor and Jezebel was making the pastry. The aroma of cooking filled the house, but the family had to make do with tea and dry toast for their breakfast.

  Lottie was eager to go out selling the pies, and as soon as the first batch came out of the oven she placed them on a wooden tray and set off to hawk them round the streets. It was almost noon and by the time she reached the Sailors’ Home in Dock Street she had sold everything. She hurried back to the house to collect the next batch, and went out again. This time she was accompanied by Teddy and Lad, and again she sold out quickly. She returned home with a purse filled with pennies and an empty tray.

  ‘How many pies were there, Jezebel?’ Lottie asked as she spilled the coins onto the kitchen table. ‘I lost count.’

  ‘I made three dozen, and I’ve kept the liquor.’ Jezebel said proudly. ‘It will set into jelly and that always sells well. A cup of eel liquor jelly will fetch a penny.’

  Lottie counted out the money. ‘Six shillings. We’ve enough for the rent and we can fill the larder.’ She turned to hug Teddy. ‘And all because of you, soldier. You are a great eel catcher.’

  Teddy blushed scarlet and hung his head. ‘It were nothing. I could catch more tonight.’

  ‘That’s the spirit, mate.’ Jezebel slapped him on the back. ‘I never had much use for boys but I’ll make an exception in your case.’

  ‘Yes, well done, both of you,’ Grace said, smiling. ‘I can’t thank you enough.’

  ‘And we can eat now,’ Ruby added with a sigh of relief. ‘I didn’t want to grumble, but I am starving.’

  Lottie picked up some of the coins and put them back in her purse. ‘Come with me, Ruby. We’ll go to market and get what we need to keep us going until tomorrow.’

  ‘Don’t forget the flour, parsley and lard.’ Jezebel reached for her pipe and pouch. ‘I work better if I have baccy. Can we run to half an ounce, just to keep me going?’

  ‘I think you’ve earned it several times over,’ Lottie said, smiling.

  ‘I can make twice as many tomorrow if the boy catches more eels.’ Jezebel slumped down on the chair by the open window.

  ‘It looks as though I’ll be wearing Gideon’s old clothes again tonight.’ Lottie said, chuckling.

  Over the next few weeks they slipped into a routine: laying the trap for the eels, moving it from the docks to a different wharf each night, and retrieving the squirming sack filled with eels at dawn. Jezebel baked the pies and Lottie sold them with Teddy and Lad at her side, ready to protect her should the need arise. Business boomed and customers flocked to purchase the hot pies and cups of eel liquor and jellied stock. Teddy found an old handcart abandoned on the foreshore that was about to be dragged off by a couple of mudlarks, who said they were going to chop it up for firewood. Teddy gave them sixpence and trundled it back to Leman Street where he set about repairing the damage, but it proved beyond his capabilities and he was on the point of giving up despite encouragement from Lottie.

  She found him in the back yard with an axe raised above the broken wheel. ‘Don’t,’ she cried. ‘You’ve done so well until now, Teddy.’

  He dropped his arm to his side. ‘I can’t fix it, Lottie. It’s a waste of time.’

  ‘Nonsense. I think you’ve done a splendid job so far.’ She took the axe from his hand and placed it on the chopping block. ‘I know someone who might be able to help.’

  ‘Really?’

  ‘You met my friend Jem at the place where I used to work. He might be able to show you what to do. As I recall, he did most of the odd jobs and he could turn his hand to anything. Will you come with me?’

  ‘I suppose we could do with another man around the house,’ Teddy said warily.

  Lottie smiled. ‘I wasn’t going to ask him to move in, but he’s a useful chap to know.’

  Jem greeted Lottie with a wide grin. ‘I didn’t expect to see you back so soon, girl. Are you looking for work?’

  ‘No, I’m not.’ Lottie slipped her arm around Teddy’s shoulders. ‘You’ll recall meeting this wounded soldier?’

  Jem pushed his cap to the back of his head. ‘I most certainly do.’

  ‘Teddy was a drummer boy with the 97th regiment,’ Lottie said proudly. ‘He was injured in battle and he’s a very brave young man.’

  Jem shook Teddy’s hand. ‘What can I do for you, Teddy?’

  ‘Can you mend a broken wheel?’

  ‘I can mend anything,’ Jem said laughing. ‘What’s in it for me?’

  Teddy put his head on one side, eyeing him thoughtfully. ‘Do you like eel pie?’

  ‘I’m very partial to an eel pie, but I ain’t had a decent one for a long time.’

  ‘Jezebel makes the best pies in London,’ Teddy said proudly. ‘And I catch the eels.’

  ‘So I get paid in eel pies. That seems a fair exchange for doing a bit of carpentry.’ Jem glanced over his shoulder at the sound of Mrs Filby’s shrill voice.

  ‘Get on with your work, Jem Barker, you lazy good-for-nothing.’

  Lottie did not look round. A clash with her former employer was to be avoided at all costs. ‘I see nothing has changed here, Jem,’ she said in a low voice. ‘I don’t know how you stand it.’

  At that moment Ruth emerged from the scullery and raced across the yard, head down.

  ‘It gets worse,’ Jem said, sighing. ‘I can see the mail coach trade disappearing before long. We aren’t nearly as busy as we used to be.’

  ‘Does that mean you could spare some time to come home with us?’ Lottie asked eagerly. ‘I’m sure we’d all be grateful if you could give Teddy some assistance. He’s trying to mend a handcart to make things easier for me when I go out selling pies.’

  ‘I dare say I can get off for an hour or two without her ladyship throwing a fit. Where are you living, girl?’

  ‘Whitechapel.’

  He frowned. ‘That’s not a good place.’

  ‘It’s all we can afford, and we’re lucky to have a roof over our heads. I’m not complaining.’

  ‘No,’ Jem said with a wry grin, ‘you never do.’ He took off his leather apron. ‘All right then, let’s go to Whitechapel and I’ll see what I can do for you, soldier.’

  Teddy snapped to attention and saluted. ‘Thank you, sir.’

  ‘That’s the first time anyone has called me sir,’ Jem said, laughing. ‘I like you, Teddy. I can see that the two of us are going to be good mates.’ He tossed his apron to one of the ostlers who had just come from the taproom. ‘Tell the old man that I’m taking an hour or two off. It’s only what I’m owed, and I’ll be back before the mail coach from Bath arrives.’ He proffered his arm to Lottie. ‘This is like old times, girl. Let’s go.’

  Between them, Jem and Teddy managed to get the cart roadworthy, and during the next few months Jem became a regular visitor to the house in Leman Street. He treated Teddy like a younger brother, and it was obvious to Lottie that he provided the boy with much-needed male influence and encouragement. Jem came on his half-day off, and on these occasions he joined Teddy in his nightly trip to the foreshore to set
his eel trap. Sometimes, when trade was slack at The Swan, Jem stayed the night. He slept in the attic room, once the domain of a maid of all work, and he was always up before anyone else, ready to accompany Teddy to the river to haul in the catch. Lottie had never seen her old friend looking happier or more relaxed than he waswhen he joined them round the table at mealtimes. He was Teddy’s idol and Grace’s pet, and Lottie suspected that Ruby was developing tender feelings for Jem, despite her blushing protests that she was still in mourning for her late husband. But Lottie was not easily fooled, and although Jem treated Ruby with his usual good humour, she thought she detected something more than friendliness in his manner when he spoke to Ruby. There was a gentler tone to his voice, and he tried his best to bring a smile to her face and worked even harder to make her laugh.

  Jezebel had always had a soft spot for Jem, and he praised her cooking and ate her food with obvious relish. His only complaint was that he would grow fat and lazy if she continued to give him extra helpings of pie and mash, and her new speciality – jellied eels. He was, she said, her official taster, and his approval meant that the dish would go down well with the public. Lottie was content with her adopted family around her, but there was a void in her heart that she knew would remain there for the rest of her life. Her brief time with Gideon was a precious memory, and no one could take his place.

  On a chilly November evening, when the city streets had been blotted out by a peasouper, Jem had little option but to stay, although he needed hardly any persuasion. They were all seated around the kitchen table having just finished their meal, and Jem was polishing off a second helping of eel pie and mash drenched in liquor.

  ‘This is good grub, Jezebel,’ he said, licking his lips. ‘The Filbys were stupid to let you go.’

  Jezebel shrugged. ‘There weren’t nothing they could say or do that would make me stay there a minute longer.’ She bent down to stroke Lad, who had momentarily abandoned Teddy to sit at her side. ‘It was lucky for me that I ended up here.’

  ‘Lucky for us, too,’ Grace said earnestly, ‘and for me in particular. Having the girls here has made my life as complete as it can be without my son.’ She smiled mistily. ‘Gideon would have been so proud of you, Lottie.’

  ‘I don’t know where I would have been without you either, Lottie,’ Ruby agreed wholeheartedly. ‘I might have ended up in the workhouse, but for you. As for little Molly,’ she shuddered dramatically, ‘the poor baby would have been left in an orphanage somewhere in the Crimea. As it is, she’s sitting up and taking notice, and before we know it she’ll be starting to crawl.’

  ‘I just wish that her real family would acknowledge her existence. She ought to be brought up as a lady with all the advantages that wealth and position would have given her.’ Lottie picked up the teapot. ‘More tea, Grace?’

  Grace shook her head. ‘You’re talking nonsense,’ she said sharply. ‘That child has got people who love her and want the best for her. That’s all that matters in this life, and it’s due mainly to you.’

  Lottie turned away to hide her blushes. ‘Thank you, but that’s not true. It’s been a joint effort. We’ve all put everything we’ve got into making a home for us and we’ve all worked hard to earn a living.’

  Jem scraped the last of the mashed potato and parsley sauce into his mouth. ‘This food should be available to all the people in the East End and beyond. You ought to open a pie and mash shop.’ He looked up and met Lottie’s sceptical glance with a serious face. ‘I mean it. You’d make a fortune with food like this.’

  ‘That’s all very well, Jem, but it would take money to start up in business,’ Lottie said slowly. ‘It’s a good idea but where would we find the wherewithal?’

  ‘We make a tidy living the way we are,’ Jezebel added. ‘I work all hours now; I couldn’t do much more.’

  ‘You would have to run it in a different way.’ Jem raised his cup to his lips and sipped the tea. ‘We’re open day and night at The Swan, and we manage somehow.’

  Lottie pulled a face. ‘That’s true, but it isn’t much of a life. You’re always saying that you’d like to get away from the Filbys.’

  He put down his cup, his expression serious for once. ‘I’ve been thinking, and this concerns all of you, so I’d like to say it now before I lose courage.’

  ‘Good heavens, what can it be?’ Grace asked, laughing. ‘You’re never serious, Jem.’

  Jezebel blew a stream of smoke into the air. ‘Spit it out, boy.’

  ‘All right, I will.’ Jem cleared his throat. ‘I’ve got some money saved. It’s not a fortune but it’s always been my plan to leave the Filbys when I could afford to start a business of my own. I don’t intend to be a potboy all my life. I’m twenty-four now and not getting any younger.’

  ‘You ain’t leaving us, are you, Jem?’ Teddy jumped to his feet. ‘You can’t do that. We’re partners, you said so.’

  Jem reached out to ruffle Teddy’s curly mop. ‘That’s not what I had in mind, soldier.’

  ‘We wouldn’t want you to stop visiting us.’ Ruby’s cheeks flamed and she bit her lip. ‘I mean, it would be hard on Teddy, and we’d all miss you.’

  ‘Would you, Ruby?’ Jem’s smile faded and he met her flustered gaze with a questioning look.

  Lottie could see that her friend was overcome and she laid her hand on Ruby’s shoulder. ‘Of course she would, Jem. You’re one of us, so what’s this all about? What are you trying to say?’

  Chapter Eighteen

  Jem looked round at their expectant faces and a wide grin almost split his face in two. ‘I was walking along Aldgate High Street when I saw a likely- looking premises. I made enquiries and I think it’s just the place for a pie and mash shop. There’s a kitchen of sorts, and living accommodation above.’

  There was a moment of silence. Lottie was the first to speak. ‘What exactly are you suggesting, Jem?’

  ‘I have enough saved to pay the rent for the first month, and the cost of setting up the business in a modest way. I could do most of the work,’ he winked at Teddy, ‘with the help of my mate.’

  ‘I say yes,’ Teddy said excitedly. ‘Me and Jem can do anything we set our minds to.’

  ‘But you wouldn’t leave me alone here, would you?’ Grace looked from one to the other. ‘You wouldn’t desert me?’

  ‘Of course not,’ Jem said firmly. ‘This is just an idea at the moment. We would have to take a look at the place and it would be up to Jezebel to say if it was a good proposition, or not.’

  Jezebel puffed on her pipe, frowning thoughtfully. ‘I’d need to have a look at the kitchen. I’ve got all my things round me here and I know what I’m doing.’

  ‘I could help, if Grace would look after Molly,’ Ruby said eagerly.

  Lottie did not want to crush Jem’s hopes, but she could see problems with his plan. ‘Who would live above the shop?

  ‘I was thinking it would be my home. I’ve learned a lot about running a business during my time at The Swan, and I won’t always be single,’ Jem shot a sideways glance at Ruby. ‘There’s room to bring up a family.’

  ‘I’m sure I don’t know why you’re looking at me, Jem Miller,’ Ruby said primly.

  ‘I meant no offence, but it is a simple truth.’

  ‘I’ll have to catch more eels,’ Teddy said enthusiastically. ‘But I don’t fancy dragging a sack of wriggling creatures all the way to the High Street.’

  Lottie could see that Ruby was discomforted by Jem’s casual remark. It had been obvious from the start that they were attracted to each other, but this was not the time to bare personal feelings. ‘It’s a good idea, Jem,’ she said slowly, ‘but it wouldn’t serve us all. You’re thinking in a grand manner, but we all have to live off the profits and I doubt if enough could be earned to keep two establishments going. Your money would dwindle and you’d be investing in nothing.’

  ‘But I’d share everything out equally.’ Jem slumped down on his seat. ‘I thought it was a splendid plan.
’

  ‘It is, Jem.’ Ruby leaped to her feet and went to stand beside him. ‘I say we should think it over properly. If Jem is generous enough to put his own money into the venture, what have we got to lose?’

  ‘So that’s the way of it.’ Jezebel pointed the stem of her clay pipe at them. ‘You want to set up house together and we’re to provide the means to pay for it.’

  Lottie shook her head. ‘We mustn’t allow this to turn into a battle. I think Jem’s idea is a good one, but maybe this isn’t the right time. Or perhaps you could do it on your own, Jem?’

  ‘He wouldn’t be on his own,’ Ruby faced them all with a defiant lift of her chin. ‘I’d help him. I believe in him.’

  ‘You’re moonstruck, girl,’ Grace said angrily. ‘Lottie is right. We can’t split the business in two. Jezebel would have to choose one or the other of us, and it’s not fair to put her in that position.’

  Jezebel nodded. ‘I don’t fancy living above no shop. I done it for years when I worked for other people, and all due respect to you, Jem, you’re a good chap, but I don’t fancy playing gooseberry with you and her.’ She jerked her head in Ruby’s direction. ‘Don’t deny it, the pair of you. We’ve all seen it coming and good luck to you, but I’m content to stay here and work with my mates. We’ve got a good little business here and we don’t want for nothing.’

  ‘I thought I had the answer to everything. I really did.’ Jem managed an apologetic smile. ‘I’m sorry if it came out wrong, but I meant to share the profits with all of you.’

  ‘I know you did,’ Lottie said hastily. ‘But I doubt if there would be enough to give you a profit on your investment. You might even end up losing money.’

  ‘Then I might as well stay on at The Swan.’ Jem patted Ruby’s hand as it lay on his shoulder. ‘I was going to ask you to step out with me if things had worked out, girl, but I’m not in a position to pay court to you at the moment.’