Homecoming Girls

by Val Wood

  He gave a wry grimace. ‘I won’t. But I expect Wilhelm will when he hears that you are travelling alone!’

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  Grace met Ruby whilst out shopping in the Market Place the next day. Both to some extent had retained their plebeian roots in spite of having been lifted up into a more urbane society. Ruby didn’t consider that anyone could choose better meat or fish than she could, because, she said, she had had so little of it, and could smell rancid meat from a mile away. But she also enjoyed the pleasure of looking the butcher in the eye and watching him bow and scrape as he showed her the best cut and arranged for it to be delivered to her house, the home of a respected tradesman, when once he would have chased her away with his cleaver when she’d begged for a few bones to make broth.

  Grace, on the other hand, never wanted to deny her beginnings; by being seen out on the streets of her home town she could be approached by the needy, the sick, and those who had no one else to turn to. Occasionally, she might be taken advantage of by some who had drunk away their wages and belongings, or spent them on an opium habit. But even those inveterate down-and-outs were not refused help. She never forgot that Ruby’s mother had been an incurable opium addict and in the end it had killed her.

  At Grace’s insistence, when she and Martin were first married they had set up a trust fund for the destitute, but it was Martin who looked after the accounts, for he knew that Grace would give it all away.

  Now, Grace gave Ruby the news that Clara and Jewel were safe, for Ruby and her family were as anxious as she had been on hearing about the fire at Yeller. Then she told her that Wilhelm had already left for America and that Georgiana intended to follow him.

  ‘I remember when she did it ’first time, don’t you, Grace?’ Ruby said. ‘I think she’s ever so brave. She’ll be tekking a maid with her, I expect?’

  ‘Apparently not,’ Grace replied. ‘She wants to go by herself.’

  Ruby huffed out a breath. ‘But who’ll see to her bags and suchlike? And mek sure she’s on ’right train and ship and everything?’

  ‘A porter will see to her bags, and Martin has offered to take her to Liverpool. I expect he’ll make sure she boards ’right ship.’ Grace smiled.

  The furthest Ruby had ever travelled was nine miles to the market town of Beverley, when on occasion she had accompanied Daniel or one of her sons in the delivery cart conveying toys or furniture to the shop owners there. It had been a real treat, she declared each time, but she was always glad to be home again. Ruby felt safe and secure tucked into her very own small corner of Hull.

  ‘Dan’ll be relieved to hear that Jewel’s safe,’ she said now. ‘And Clara as well, of course,’ she added. ‘But you know how he is over Jewel. When I told him you were waiting for news he was ready to pack his bags and leave for America himself.’

  ‘And Thomas?’ Grace raised her eyebrows. ‘What did he say?’

  ‘Oh, you know my Tom,’ Ruby said affectionately. ‘He just said, “They’ll be all right.” But I reckon he was worried anyway. He just doesn’t show it.’

  They parted company and went their separate ways, Grace to finish her shopping and Ruby hurrying home to cook dinner for her menfolk.

  ‘Jewel and Clara are safe,’ she declared as soon as they came in to eat. ‘I’ve seen Grace and they’ve heard ’news by telegram!’ Ruby was amazed at the speed of communication from all the way across the sea. ‘They’ve gone on to California.’

  ‘By themselves?’ Dan asked. ‘God’s teeth!’ He ducked as Ruby slapped him for his choice of language. ‘Sorry, Ma. But it’s not safe for young women to travel across America on their own. It’s still a wild country.’

  In some respects Dan was very like his mother, but Thomas grinned, relief showing palpably in spite of his previous assertions that Clara and Jewel would be all right. ‘How would you know?’ he said. ‘You’re no more travelled than ’chair you’re sitting in.’

  Dan glared at him but his mother interrupted. ‘And ’other news is that Jewel’s mother . . . Georgiana’ – it always seemed impolite to Ruby to call a lady like Mrs Dreumel by her first name, even though she had been asked to do so – ‘is going to America. Her husband has already gone to help out with ’town that’s burnt down, and Mrs— Georgiana is going to follow him. By herself!’

  Three pairs of eyes fastened themselves to her face. Her husband, Daniel, a man of few words in recent years, stared at her and then dropped his eyes and continued eating. Thomas blew out his mouth in a silent whistle, whilst Dan stared at her as if mesmerized. Eventually he found his voice.

  ‘Why?’ he asked huskily. ‘Why’s she going?’

  Ruby shrugged. ‘I don’t know. To be with her husband, I suppose, and mebbe to help out. This town – Yeller, it’s called – is completely burnt down. Right to ’ground. Except for ’hotel where their friends live. Everything’s got to be completely rebuilt.’

  ‘She’s a carpenter then, is she?’ her husband grunted. ‘This fine lady?’

  ‘No,’ Ruby said sharply. ‘But if you’d gone off somewhere I’d follow you, wouldn’t I?’

  ‘Would you?’ He fixed his eyes on her face.

  ‘Yes, Daniel,’ she said quietly. ‘You know very well that I would.’

  * * *

  Dan stood outside the kitchen door, whittling a piece of wood. He was trying to imagine what it would be like for a woman, older than his mother, to be travelling on her own. She was an experienced traveller, of course. Everyone knew that Mrs Dreumel had gone to America when she was a very young woman. He admired her for that in a grudging kind of way; but he thought that it would have been easier for her, with the right connections and money, which was a great advantage, than for someone like himself who knew nobody and had no pot of money, apart from what he earned.

  I suppose those early pioneers took a chance, he thought. Most of them had nowt to take with them. Just ’price of a ticket and ’clothes they stood up in. Could I have done that? He thought that he probably could have done, but he’d always had the advantage of a regular job, working with his father and brother, and plenty to eat on the table. Comfort and security took away the desire of ambition, he decided. I haven’t had hunger in my belly; it has always been full and therefore satisfied, and yet . . . He sat down on the doorstep as he mused. I’ve never been totally satisfied with my life. I’ve always felt a bit disgruntled; I’d admit that to myself. Perhaps because my life’s been mapped out for me. It was expected that I’d follow Da into his business. And we’ve built it up, especially when Thomas joined us.

  He scratched at his beard. Tom’s satisfied with his life. He’s a good craftsman. Better’n me. Thomas was the one who came up with the ideas for different products: new toys every Christmas; a special swinging crib for a new baby. I’m a handyman, he thought. Give me a saw, a bradawl, a hammer and chisel and I can fix and build most things, but a designer, a creator, I’m not.

  Thomas came out, looking for him. ‘What’s up?’ he said.

  ‘Nowt much,’ Dan said. ‘Just having a bit of a think.’

  ‘About Jewel?’ his brother asked perceptively. ‘Is that why her ma’s going to America?’

  Dan shook his head. ‘No. She’s not going to see her, is she? Jewel and Clara have moved on. Mrs Dreumel’s following her husband.’

  Thomas leaned on the wall and looked down at him. ‘Why don’t you go with her?’

  Dan frowned. ‘What? Why’d I do that?’

  Thomas shrugged. ‘Because you’re unsettled. You have been ever since Jewel left. You might or might not meet up with her but it’d be an experience, wouldn’t it?’ He grinned and added, ‘And you could carry Mrs Dreumel’s bags. And mebbe do a bit o’ carpentry when you got there.’

  Dan stood up. ‘Why don’t you go?’ he challenged.

  ‘I don’t need to. I like what I do here.’ Thomas pressed his lips together, a habit Dan recognized as only occurring when Thomas was bothered about something. ‘Besides, I’ve to wa
it for Clara coming home.’

  ‘Really?’ Dan jeered. ‘Are you so sure that she will? She might have met some gold miner or cattle rancher who’ll persuade her to stay!’

  ‘Not in New York she won’t,’ Thomas declared. ‘I don’t know about ’other places, Dreumel’s Creek or California, but one thing’s for sure, she’d come back to tell me.’

  Dan slapped him on the back. ‘Course she will. Come on, let’s get back to work or Da’ll skin our hides!’

  His brother’s idea niggled at him all day and the next, as he turned over the possibility of travelling with Georgiana Dreumel; but if I did go, he thought, I’d want to meet up with Jewel eventually. That’d be ’whole point of me going. She’d be sure to go back to this place, Dreumel’s Creek, if she thought her parents were there. He pondered over what reason he would give to Jewel’s mother for asking if he might travel with her. Would I say that I’d like to help in Yeller? That my father didn’t need me here just now; that he and Thomas could manage perfectly well without me, and that I’ve got itchy feet and am looking for something more out of life?

  And – he broke out into a sweat when he thought about it – what exactly would I say to Da?

  Dan could never fathom out why his father had taken against Jewel. Even when she was a child he had held back from her, never joking or teasing her as he had Elizabeth and Clara. Yet Dan couldn’t believe it was because she was of mixed race. Prejudiced? He could not believe that of his father.

  On the third day, when he and Thomas were alone in the workshop, he broached the subject. ‘I think I’ll ask her,’ he blurted out.

  Thomas had his mind on other things. ‘What? Ask who?’

  ‘Mrs Dreumel. I’m going to ask if I can go with her.’

  ‘Aye?’ It had been a proposal made half in jest. Thomas hadn’t really expected Dan to take up the idea. ‘What’ll you say to Da?’

  ‘Shan’t mention it unless Mrs Dreumel agrees to it.’ Dan chewed on his lip. ‘Then I’ll think of something.’

  He dressed carefully that evening after supper in a clean white shirt and dark grey jacket and trousers, and a light grey waistcoat that he borrowed from Thomas. They were of similar size but his brother was more aware of fashion than he was. Dan hesitated over his choice of headgear and decided finally that he would wear, or at least carry, his father’s bowler rather than his own battered soft hat. His father rarely went out in the evening and he could sneak it out without his noticing.

  His real worry was that Mrs Dreumel wouldn’t agree to see him during the evening but ask him to call the next day. He knew that he would lose courage if he had to wait; besides, he couldn’t ask for time off without his father wanting to know where he was going.

  Georgiana had made endless lists of things to do in preparation for her departure. She had not yet told the servants that she would be travelling to America, for she was waiting for Wilhelm to write from New York, where no doubt he would hear more up-to-date news. The trouble is, she thought, that I can’t make any hard-and-fast plans until I know how long we’ll be away. And in any case, we’ll have to come home to Hull no matter what is decided regarding where we choose to live. And then there’s Jewel.

  She was quite concerned about her daughter; Jewel was searching for answers, and whatever she discovered would have an influence on her life. Georgiana sighed. I hope whatever she finds out doesn’t make her unhappy. It could well be that some things are better left unknown and undisturbed.

  The doorbell jangled and she frowned. She was not dressed for visitors, having dined alone; and what time was it? She leaned to look at the mantel clock. Seven! An unusual hour for callers.

  ‘Beg pardon, Mrs Dreumel.’ Her housekeeper knocked and entered the room. ‘A Mr Hanson is asking to speak to you. I told him it’s rather late, but he said he wouldn’t keep you long.’

  ‘Mr Hanson? Senior?’

  ‘Oh no, ma’am. A young man.’

  There are two of them, Georgiana thought. I hope it’s not Dan. ‘Show him in,’ she said, rising to her feet.

  Dan was very sheepish and apologetic for disturbing her. ‘It’s difficult to get away during ’day,’ he said, hunching awkwardly on a fragile chair when she asked him to be seated.

  ‘I’m sure that it is,’ she said calmly. ‘What can I do for you, Dan?’

  He ran his finger round his shirt collar. ‘Well,’ he said, ‘you might think me very forward, Mrs Dreumel, but – well, I’d heard that you’re travelling to America. My ma – mother has seen Aunt Grace—’

  ‘Yes, indeed it’s true that I am, but I’ve not yet decided when, nor told the servants.’ Though perhaps word has already got out, she thought, now that Ruby knows. ‘So, why . . . ?’

  ‘Fact is, Mrs Dreumel . . .’ Dan got up; he couldn’t speak to her whilst sitting on a chair that might break beneath him and topple him to the floor, ‘I’d like to go to America,’ he blurted out, ‘and I wondered if I could oblige you in any way on your journey; that is, if I might offer my services – my, erm, assistance to you.’

  No matter that he had practised what he was going to say, his words still didn’t come out as he wanted them to.

  He took a deep breath and decided to be honest. ‘You’ll know already that I’m not well travelled, Mrs Dreumel, but I’m strong and I could manage your trunks and – and you’d not be vulnerable at all if I was there, because, well, I’d guard you and make sure nobody bothered you.’

  Georgiana hid a smile. Was she mistaken about him after all? Was he not the arrogant and brash young man she had thought he was? He was obviously embarrassed about approaching her with an offer of help, but at least he had had the courage to do so. He wouldn’t know the first thing about travelling, she mused, but she saw his broad shoulders and strong hands and knew he would be useful in a crisis.

  But then she wondered about his reason for wanting to travel to America. It must surely be because of Jewel, and that bothered her.

  ‘Are you thinking of staying in America? Are you taking up an occupation? Or is there some other reason for going?’ She put her head on one side and raised her eyebrows quizzically.

  A slow blush rose from his neck to his cheeks. ‘I haven’t discussed it with my parents,’ he said slowly. ‘Only with my brother. He suggested it.’

  ‘Thomas did!’ Georgiana was very surprised. ‘Why was that?’

  Dan sat down again. ‘He said I’d been unsettled and thought I should stretch my wings.’ Thomas hadn’t said that, though it was the sort of thing he might have said, Dan thought.

  ‘And would your father object?’ she queried. ‘Will he not miss you in the business?’

  He lifted his chin and looked at her. ‘Probably not, though if I should return home there’d be a place for me.’

  ‘And?’ she queried. ‘What will you do whilst you’re there? It’s a big step to take.’

  Dan looked down at the floor and chewed on his lips. ‘I’ll be totally honest with you, Mrs Dreumel. I wouldn’t have thought of going if Jewel and Clara hadn’t gone.’ He raised his eyes to hers and took a breath. ‘It’s because of Jewel.’

  Georgiana nodded. ‘I rather thought so,’ she said, adding softly: ‘I hate to dash your hopes, Dan, but I don’t think that Jewel is ready for a commitment. She has certain matters to sort out for herself. Did she tell you why she’s gone to America?’

  He shook his head. ‘She was becoming bored, I think. She hadn’t anything to occupy her.’ He tried to recall what reason Jewel had given when she’d first told him she was going away, but he had been so shocked by the revelation that he had only thought of how devastated he would be without her.

  ‘No. That wasn’t why,’ Georgiana explained. ‘Jewel has gone to America to discover her roots. She was a small child when I brought her to England. She barely remembers her father, and her birth mother died soon after she was born.’ Have I done right in telling him, she wondered as she added, ‘It’s important to her that she finds out more about
her ancestry.’

  Dan was silenced. He’d almost forgotten that the Dreumels were not Jewel’s real parents and part of him wondered why it would matter. But I know who I am, he thought, therefore it’s not something I’ve ever considered. I suppose everybody wants to know their back history.

  ‘It wouldn’t make any difference to me,’ he murmured. ‘About Jewel, I mean.’

  Georgiana gazed at him. ‘This concerns Jewel alone,’ she said quietly. ‘It isn’t about you, Dan.’

  ‘Yes,’ he said humbly. ‘Sorry. So would you consider it, Mrs Dreumel? Would you consider allowing me to accompany you?’

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  San Francisco

  Maria apologized for the unkempt state of the overgrown garden. ‘Pinyin cuts the grass at the end of summer,’ she explained.

  Jewel wasn’t listening, at least not to Maria. She was listening to other voices, the ones in her head. To Renzo laughing as he chased her round the yard, the garden which in her child’s memory had been so large and now was minuscule.

  Maria unlocked the door with a flourish and beckoned Jewel to step inside her father’s house. It was as if she were the proud caretaker showing a visitor round a stately home or museum. She indicated to Clara that she should follow Jewel, but Clara laid her hand gently on Maria Galli’s arm and motioned that they should wait.

  Jewel stepped over the threshold and memories came rushing back. She recalled the mirrors on the wall, which she had never been tall enough to reach. Her father had to lift her up to see her reflection. A rocking chair, a small sofa, bookshelves, two easy chairs. No table; wasn’t there once a table? She took a breath; there was a faint odour, not of damp as there might be in a house in England that had been shut up for years, but of a slight mustiness, like crisp autumn leaves just fallen from a tree, or the faint scent of sandalwood, reminiscent of the wooden balls kept in the bottom of a blanket box. A sound, too, which seemed to be haunting her, one she had heard before. A clatter, like dried peas in a baby’s rattle.