Tilly's Story

by June Francis

  She could only think that he meant the baby’s skeleton. ‘You buried it under the trees, Dad, at the bottom of the garden. You planted a rose bush on top of it.’

  He looked doubtful. ‘No.’

  ‘Yes. Come on, Dad. I’ll show you where it is.’ She slipped her hand into his and led him to the bottom of the garden and pointed at the rose bush that already had leaves unfurling.

  Mal shook his head. ‘That’s not it, lass.’

  ‘Of course it is,’ she said patiently. ‘You’ve just forgotten, as you said.’

  His weather-beaten face puckered in thought and he shook his head. ‘No.’

  Tilly sighed. ‘Perhaps you should dig it up and then you’ll see I’m right.’

  ‘No,’ he said. ‘I’ll find it and yer’ll see I’m right, lass.’

  She decided it was a waste of time arguing with him. Instead she told him about working for Eudora’s charity, helping the orphans and widows of seamen. He seemed interested and when she told him that most likely she would be performing in a concert next autumn, his face lit up. ‘I’ll have to go. I have to see my daughter play before all those people.’

  ‘You won’t mind being amongst so many people, Dad?’ she asked.

  He hesitated. ‘I have to do it.’

  Tilly stayed a little longer talking to him and then she took her leave. As she reached the Bennetts’ front gate she heard her name being called and saw Leonard Parker standing on the pavement outside his house.

  ‘Miss Moran, how nice to see you again,’ he said.

  ‘Mr Parker.’ Tilly felt the colour rise in her cheeks. He was looking very smart in a silver grey suit and on his handsome head he wore a homburg. He had an overcoat over his arm and in his hand he carried a briefcase. ‘Are you off to your office after lunch?’

  ‘I’m off to see my solicitor.’ He looked at her expectantly. ‘And what are you doing here?’

  ‘I have a new job working with Mrs Bennett.’

  He looked surprised. ‘What kind of work?’

  ‘For a charity, helping the orphans and widows of seamen.’

  ‘Ahhh! Good works! Although, there are some men in the shipping business who make me very angry.’

  ‘You mean because you’ve lost money due to the strikes?’

  ‘Yes.’ The muscles of his face tightened. ‘If this was the old days and I was a pirate I’d have made them walk the plank.’

  ‘You’re not serious,’ said Tilly, startled.

  A small smile played round his mouth. ‘Of course not. But perhaps you could have a pirate in one of your stories? You could make him a lord who had fallen on hard times due to the devilish actions of other pirates.’

  Tilly returned his smile. ‘What a good idea! He could rescue the heroine from another pirate ship and they could end up living on a tropical island.’

  ‘Perhaps she could be the daughter of the villain,’ said Mr Parker promptly. ‘A Cinderella figure who had no idea that her father was a blackguard.’ He raised his hat. ‘Good afternoon, Miss Moran. A pleasure talking to you.’

  ‘Good afternoon, Mr Parker.’ An amused Tilly watched him stride off along the Drive towards West Derby Road, forgetting Eudora’s warning and her vow to have nothing to do with men.

  Chapter Fourteen

  ‘I see you’ve dressed as I advised and that you’re nice and early, dear,’ said Eudora, opening the door to Tilly the following Monday. ‘Come in. Joy will make us a drink before we go.’

  Tilly followed her into the kitchen where Joy was slicing vegetables. ‘Hello, Tilly,’ she said, glancing up at her. ‘You raring to go?’

  ‘It’ll be interesting, I’m sure,’ said Tilly.

  ‘Make us some mocha coffee, Joy? There’s a dear,’ said Eudora.

  ‘Seb’s mother used to make mocha coffee,’ said Tilly. ‘I often had it at Alice and Seb’s house.’

  Eudora waved her to a chair. ‘I used to wish that Alice would come and see me after your mother passed over. I always felt I could have helped her, if only she had not hated me so. Perhaps before I become spirit, she might have a change of heart and seek me out before it’s too late.’

  Tilly was startled by her mention of becoming spirit and was reminded of what Eudora had said last week about not in her earthly life. Was it possible the medium could foresee her own death? Tilly felt that cold shiver again but kept quiet about what she was thinking. When she finished her mocha coffee, Eudora said that they would need to be on their way. Tilly followed her outside.

  ‘Good morning, ladies!’

  Tilly felt her pulses race and looked to where Leonard Parker stood on his own path, drawing on a leather glove. ‘Good morning, Mr Parker,’ she said.

  ‘Good morning,’ said Eudora, nodding in his direction. ‘You off to your shipyard?’

  ‘Indeed. The devil finds work for idle hands, Mrs Bennett, so I like to keep busy.’ He raised his hat, smiled at Tilly, and then walked away.

  She could feel the warmth in her cheeks and was aware of Eudora’s speculative gaze. ‘A very attractive man,’ murmured the older woman. ‘But do remember what I said, dear. Now come along.’

  Tilly fell into step beside her, hoping she would not give her another warning about the dangers of attractive men. She need not have worried because the rest of the day was to provide them both with more important matters to consider than Tilly’s attraction to Eudora’s handsome neighbour. Tilly was suitably shocked by some of the homes they visited and she realised just how fortunate she was, herself.

  The poorest of all the families they visited were the Doyles. Mrs Doyle had four girls and three boys. She was dressed in what appeared to be several layers of clothes that had seen better days. Her breath smelt and she was missing a number of teeth. Tilly could only guess at her age and thought it likely that she was younger than she looked. No fire burnt in the kitchen grate and only one torn curtain was nailed over the window, where a sheet of cardboard had replaced a broken pane of glass. Tilly could feel the draught coming through it and could imagine how cold the room would be in winter if the pane was not replaced. She made a note of it.

  The eldest child was Patricia, who was ten years old and as skinny as a rake with lank brown hair and fierce, rebellious grey eyes. Tilly knew that she should have been at school with the other three children of school age – Micky, Jimmy and Kathleen – but according to her mother she couldn’t manage without her and that was why she was at home, helping to take care of the three children under school age. The girl had the baby, Anthony, wrapped inside the thin shawl she wore and it whimpered in its sleep.

  Tilly was desperate to help this family, so it came as quite a surprise when they left without handing over even a few pennies and offered no promise of help. ‘Why didn’t you give them just a few coppers?’ she burst out. ‘You could see the family were in dire straits.’

  ‘Yes, Tilly, I could,’ replied Eudora calmly. ‘But you mustn’t allow yourself to become emotionally involved or you’ll be no use to me at all. Your job is to write down their names and ages and most urgent needs. To give that mother even a few coppers would have been a mistake. She drinks, dear. Couldn’t you smell the gin on her breath? Obviously she’s getting money from somewhere. Perhaps she gets the children to steal or maybe she sells her body for it.’

  Tilly gasped. ‘Her body! You mean she—?’

  ‘Yes!’

  ‘I can’t believe any man would want her,’ said Tilly frankly.

  ‘To be crude, my dear, even now when women outnumber men, there are still men who have to pay to go with a woman and any port looks the same in the dark.’

  Tilly was shocked into silence.

  ‘I fear for the children, especially the eldest and the youngest.’

  Tilly found her voice. ‘I can understand your fear that the baby might die but why Patricia?’ Eudora did not answer and Tilly continued, ‘Do you think the children would be better in the orphanage?’

  ‘There are only so many p
laces in the orphanage, Tilly,’ said Eudora. ‘With help they can survive and Patricia is the one with whom we will liase. You must befriend her. She might only be a child, herself, but I’m sure she has a sense of responsibility towards the other children. No doubt she is still grieving for her father and is angry with life but she will also be scared of losing what remains of her family.’

  ‘So what do we do?’

  ‘If you’re willing you can return here later today. You can take warm clothing for the baby and other children, as well as milk and food. They’ll also need wood and coal for the fire. I’ll see that the latter is delivered.’

  ‘Where will I get the rest from?’

  ‘We have a second hand clothing and dried and tinned goods depot. Milk and bread you’ll have to buy fresh. I’ll give you money for them.’

  ‘How will I carry all this?’

  Eudora smiled. ‘A second-hand perambulator should do the job. We have one of those, too. You’ll not stand out pushing that through the streets in this area. And let’s hope that the mother doesn’t pawn the clothing and blankets for gin.’

  ‘You really think she would do that?’

  ‘When the craving is on them, some women would sell their own children,’ said Eudora, with a hint of sadness in her face. ‘I don’t think Mrs Doyle is that far gone yet. Often it’s living without hope that turns them to drink, so we need to encourage her to believe there’s something for her to look forward to.’

  Tilly thought how it was hope that had kept Alice sane when the news had come that Seb was missing during the war and she wanted to give this family hope.

  * * *

  Tilly’s heart was beating heavily as she waited for someone to answer the door. It had taken her much longer than she had imagined to gather everything together, place it in the pram and wheel it there.

  ‘Who is it?’ shrilled a voice.

  ‘It’s Tilly Moran from the Seamen’s Friends. I was here earlier with Mrs Bennett.’

  Bolts were drawn back and the door opened to reveal Patricia standing there with the baby balanced on her narrow hip. ‘What is it yer want?’

  ‘I’ve clothes, blankets, food and stuff for your family,’ said Tilly in a low voice.

  The girl’s face went blank with surprise and then she gazed down at the pram and smiled. ‘In there?’ she asked, a lilt in her voice.

  Tilly smiled. ‘Yes.’

  ‘Yer’d best bring it in but yer can’t stay,’ whispered Patricia.

  ‘I don’t want to stay,’ said Tilly frankly. ‘I’m late and I’ve other things to do, so if you could get out the way?’

  The girl moved aside, hushing the baby when it whimpered.

  ‘What’s goin’ on?’ asked a child’s voice out of the gloom.

  ‘Mind yer business, Kathleen,’ Patricia hissed, ‘and stay where you are.’

  Tilly heaved the pram into the front room, feeling the pull in the muscles of her back and neck. She was breathing heavily by the time she had wheeled it further into the dimly lit room. ‘Hasn’t the wood and coal arrived yet?’ she asked.

  ‘No! Nuthin’s come and Mam’s got a-a visitor, erm…’ Her voice trailed off.

  ‘Mrs Bennett said she would see to it, so you can be sure it’ll come soon. Do you want me to hold the baby while you unpack everything?’

  She sensed the girl hesitate. ‘No. The kids’ll help me. Yous can go.’

  ‘Fine.’ Tilly made for the front door but then hesitated. ‘Have you no lighting in here?’

  ‘We ain’t got gas. I’ve a stub of candle in the kitchen.’

  Tilly made a decision, and despite Eudora having told her they would be visiting some other families known to her tomorrow, she said, ‘I’ll bring you some tomorrow.’

  ‘No! If the coal and wood comes we’ll have light.’ Patricia touched her arm. ‘Please, go.’

  ‘What about matches and newspaper?’ Tilly dipped a hand in her pocket and produced a thrupenny bit. ‘Here, use this to buy them.’

  Patricia seized the money. ‘Thanks! Tarrah.’

  Tilly closed the door behind her, wondering about Mrs Doyle’s visitor. Was it a man? If so, then possibly Eudora Bennett was right. Poor kids! What influence was their mother’s behaviour having on them? Tilly shook the thought away. Right now, she could not wait to get back to the Wrights’ and have something to eat, wash herself all over and fall into bed.

  * * *

  Tilly had been home for about half an hour when Grant entered the shop. Wendy was serving a customer, so he had to wait until she had finished before approaching her. Wendy’s heart began to race.

  ‘Hello, Grant, this isn’t your usual time to call. What can I do for you?’

  ‘Hello, Wendy. I wondered if Tilly was around.’

  Wendy was about to say that she was upstairs but changed her mind. ‘What do you want her for?’

  ‘To offer her a part-time job,’ he replied. ‘I only found out this morning that she’s lost her last job, so I’ve decided that I need a secretary. Someone to be in the office when I’m out on a case, to tidy up my files, type my letters and invoices and answer the telephone.’

  Wendy could have spat nails but all she said was, ‘You have a telephone?’

  ‘A new acquisition.’ He smiled. ‘I came to the conclusion that it’s essential for my work.’

  Wendy did not want Tilly to work for him. ‘Oh, what a shame! Tilly has already found another job. She’s working for my Aunt Eudora.’

  Grant’s face fell. ‘Oh! That’s a bit of a blow.’

  ‘I’m sure it is but I’m afraid that’s life,’ said Wendy sympathetically. ‘Are you on a case now?’

  ‘I just turned one down.’

  ‘Why?’ Wendy thought he must have money if he could turn jobs down.

  ‘It’s a missing doggy case and I have my suspicions about what’s happened to the poor beast because of what happened to the last one that went missing. You remember Bruce?’

  ‘You mean the one that we put up a poster about in the window?’

  He nodded. ‘There’s quite a bit of meat on even a small dog and what with so many hungry people about—’ He stopped abruptly.

  Wendy stared at him and gulped. ‘You mean someone ki-killed poor Bruce and served him up for dinner?’

  ‘Damn! I didn’t mean to tell you that and I’ve upset you now. Sorry.’ He reached out and squeezed her hand.

  ‘But how-how can you be so sure?’ Wendy wanted him to go on holding her hand and her fingers curled about his but he did not appear to notice.

  ‘When I was in the police force during the war there was a period when dogs and cats went missing, so we raided this particular restaurant and it was as we suspected – they’d been serving them up to their customers.’

  Wendy gasped. ‘I know meat was scarce during the war but to take someone’s pet.’ She shook her head sadly. ‘How did you find out?’

  ‘Dog collars and tags in the bins. You think people would be more careful about disposing of the evidence, wouldn’t you? Anyway, I’m sure that time will prove that’s what’s happened to this little doggy and I don’t want to have to tell the owner.’

  ‘I can understand your feelings,’ said Wendy in heartfelt tones. ‘Do you have any other cases?’

  ‘A couple have come in and I’ve insurance investigation work to keep me busy, as well.’ He brought his head closer to hers and whispered. ‘You’d be surprised at how dishonest some people can be, Wendy. They think nothing of telling a string of lies to cheat the insurance companies.’

  ‘People,’ she said on a note of disgust. ‘So what are you going to do about a secretary? I wish I could help you. I can type a little and I do have some spare time. I’m sure I could get used to answering the telephone when you’re out of the office and when you’re in I could make you tea.’

  His face softened and he touched her cheek with a finger. ‘I appreciate the offer, Wendy, but I’ve a feeling your mother wouldn’t like the idea
.’

  ‘I know you’re right but,’ Wendy stopped and the corners of her mouth drooped. ‘It would have been something different to do.’ Her cheek seemed to tingle where he had touched it.

  ‘Don’t you like working here?’ He sounded surprised.

  ‘It’s all right. I know I should count my blessings.’

  ‘That’s the ticket,’ he said, smiling. ‘Give Tilly my regards and tell her I hope to see her soon.’

  ‘Of course, I will,’ said Wendy, having no intention of doing anything of the sort. ‘See you tomorrow?’

  ‘All being well,’ he said, leaving the shop without buying anything.

  Wendy salved her conscience by telling herself that despite Tilly’s job with Eudora being only part time, she needed time to do her writing. It was likely that if Tilly knew Grant needed a part-time secretary, she would accept the position. Thrown together in each other’s company they might fall in love and where would that leave Wendy’s hopes and dreams? She had done the sensible thing and what Tilly did not know would not harm her.

  * * *

  ‘Good morning, Miss Moran!’ Leonard Parker tipped his hat. ‘You here again?’

  ‘Yes,’ said Tilly, thankful that she no longer blushed when he spoke to her. It was over a month since she had started working for Eudora and it had been an extremely busy time. ‘You off to your office?’

  ‘Not today. I’ve other business to see to and it can’t wait. How are the widows and orphans? Better for your having visited them, I’m sure.’

  ‘I hope so. Some are really, really poor. I had no idea of the suffering some families go through and I’m glad to be of help to them.’

  His eyes sharpened. ‘Don’t get yourself too involved, Miss Moran. You might end up suffering for it yourself. Some of these women would diddle you out of your last penny.’

  ‘Diddle?’ asked Tilly.

  ‘Trick you.’

  Tilly looked surprised. ‘I don’t know how you’d know that. Surely you wouldn’t come across such women in the circles you move in?’