by David Munro
“You can still design them, and take your ideas to a manufacturer.”
“My father would not approve, a woman’s place is at home. We have no independence – women are not even allowed to vote.”
“One day, that will change.”
“Change, how?”
“The Suffragettes will prevail. It may take a decade; however, women will one day be able to vote.”
“Promise?”
Edward nodded. “My mother has assured me!”
Ann whispered, “I’ve heard a rumour that all of her friends are Suffragettes.”
Edward moved closer to Ann and whispered, “do not reveal this to anyone.” He grinned. “And you don’t have to whisper, there is nobody else about.”
She laughed.
Edward stood up. “I’d better take you home.”
Ann got to her feet, lost her balance and stumbled. As Edward caught her, their eyes met.
As Monday morning arrived at the village police station, Sergeant Buchan and Constable Fraser attended to their everyday duties. A strapping individual, Sergeant Buchan had joined the force thirty-five years earlier as a junior constable. Now in his fifty-third year, he remained content to work in Ardrishaig’s law-abiding scenic surroundings. Also, as a respected member of the community, people looked up to him. To accept a promotion would mean relocating to another district, which did not enthuse. Colleague Constable Fraser, was younger, and carried less weight on his broad shoulders. His short black wavy hair being a stark contrast to Sergeant Buchan’s grey thinning crown. Constable Fraser not only preserved law and order within the community, he also worked as a volunteer fireman. Loyalty for duty allowed him to carry out both roles with zest. Both officers were married to local women, as well as the emergency services.
Sergeant Buchan went to the filing cabinet, took out a folder, then sat at his desk. He opened it, and read a particular document. A clearing of the throat followed, plus a stare directed towards Constable Fraser.
“Tea is on its way.”
Sergeant Buchan grinned.
Constable Fraser put aside a pencil and incident form, and went into the back room. A few minutes later, he came out with two white mugs of tea. Sergeant Buchan glanced at his colleague.
“Yes, Sergeant?” Constable Fraser set a mug on his colleague’s desk.
“Sandy, do you recall the previous owners of Docharnea?”
“Charles and Mary Carsell-Brown, then James and Elizabeth.”
“The current family are Philip and Charlene?”
“Philip and Charlotte.”
“Do you know them?”
“On my rounds, I’ve spoken to Mrs Carsell-Brown several times.”
Constable Fraser grinned. “Being a family member must be beneficial.”
“I wouldn’t want to maintain the grounds.” Sergeant Buchan sipped his tea.
“Having a gardener helps.”
Sergeant Buchan glanced up. “If it keeps Angus out of mischief, fine.”
Constable Fraser laughed. “He enjoys a tipple.”
“And a large one!” Sergeant Buchan read the document. “The former coachman, he went to Edinburgh.”
“I heard to work there.” Constable Fraser sipped his tea.
“The boy staying with Mr and Mrs Lawson is from Edinburgh.”
“He and the coachman have the same name.”
Sergeant Buchan nodded.
“Why do we have the coachman on record?”
“In 1896, he was reported as a missing person by the owner of Docharnea.” Sergeant Buchan looked at his colleague. “He vanished without a trace, however, reappeared sixteen years later.”
“Was an explanation given for his disappearance?”
Sergeant Buchan shook his head. “I gather he didn’t look a day older.”
“Maybe I should apply for a transfer to Edinburgh and preserve my looks. My wife wouldn’t disapprove.”
Sergeant Buchan laughed. “Mine too, maybe my hair will grow back.” Sergeant Buchan touched his stomach. “And lose a couple of stones.”
Constable Fraser grinned.
Both officers finished their mugs of tea, and resumed routine duties, unaware of the link between coachman and boy.
CHAPTER 5 - THE APPROACHING STORM
On a warm sunny afternoon in late June, Edward and Ann visited their favoured secret location. Due to its distance from the village, and as only a privileged few locals owned an automobile, it was ideal. Ann’s older brother became aware of the relationship, but had remained tight-lipped. Edward’s mother, Lady Beaumont, was prominent and respected within Ardrishaig’s close-knit community, therefore, a scandal would bring shame upon the family.
Whilst the couple sat next to each other admiring Loch Fyne, Ann looked curiously at Edward. “You have that expression again.”
He stared at her.
“Do you feel guilty? Driving here, you hardly uttered a word.”
Edward took Ann’s tender hand, and paused. “It’s not you, or us, Ann.”
“Well then, what?”
Edward sighed. “I believe Britain will soon be at war.”
“War! With who?”
“Austria, and perhaps, Germany.”
“Why?”
Once more, Edward sighed.
“Britain has no conflict of interest with either country.”
“Ann, do not reveal what I am about to tell you, not even your family. Promise me?”
“I promise, Edward.”
“I have been ordered back to my barracks in Edinburgh.”
“When do you leave?”
“In three days. A crisis may be about to unfold in the Balkans.”
“But Edward, that’s thousands of miles from here!”
“In the Crimea, we fought the Russians for three years. Not to mention the Boer Wars.”
Ann moved closer to Edward. “Are you certain?”
He nodded. “I also overheard mother in conversation with one of her friends, who is married to a Government Minister.”
Ann stared at Edward.
“War is coming, Ann.” Edward cast his gaze around the tranquil scenic setting. “Birds sing and the sun shines.” He shook his head.
Ann put her head on Edward’s shoulder. “If a war does start, it may finish within months.” She looked at Edward. “Britain has the Royal Flying Corps, the Royal Navy and its Empire’s resources.”
Edward smiled at Ann. “You have a trait that I admire – optimism.”
“Should war break out, you could be home before Christmas.”
Edward understood that other countries with interests in the Balkans would join the conflict, and a short war would not materialise. Given his family’s involvement in fighting for Britain, Edward believed war only produced heartache. He looked at Ann with sad eyes. “When I told mother I wanted to join the army, she disapproved.”
“Why?”
“She said that in peacetime, sons bury their parents, but in war, parents bury their sons.”
“Is it not a tradition within your family to join the army?”
Edward nodded, looked towards Loch Fyne, then at Ann.
“There is something else on your mind, Edward.”
“Tomorrow, Rosalind returns from Inveraray.”
Ann remained silent.
“We can still keep in touch.”
“How?”
“When I am on active service, I will write to you. Nobody will suspect – you could be a relative.”
Ann smiled. “I will have to ensure my family do not suspect.”
Edward snapped his fingers. “When I sign the letter, I can use another name.”
“What will you call yourself?”
“What name would you prefer?” Edward smiled.
Ann hesitated.
“If you had a son, what would you call him?”
“I’m not sure.”
“After your father?”
“My father’s name is Alfred.”
Edward leaned back. “Alfred!” He shook his head.
“How about?” Ann paused, then smiled. “Andrew.”
Edward nodded. “Andrew, it is!” He took Ann’s hand. “We have the remainder of this afternoon.”
“Yes, we do.”
Several hours later, Edward and Ann returned to the automobile. As Ann sat in the passenger seat, Edward lifted a crimson rectangular box from behind his seat, and handed it to her. Ann’s eyes lit up. After she opened the box, a white rose presented itself to her.
“It represents purity, innocence and secrecy.”
Ann kissed Edward. “My choice for you would be red.”
“For what reason?”
“Courage, respect and love.” Ann laid the box on her pale blue dress.
Edward took Ann’s hand. “This will be our last time, together.”
“Only in the present, Edward. I’ll await your return, no matter how long you’re gone.”
“Hopefully, not long.”
Ann held Edward. “At least we can keep in touch.”
Edward grinned. “Remember, always refer to me as Andrew from now on.”
Ann laughed. “Only in a letter.”
Edward laughed.
Ann gripped his hand. “Are you convinced there will be a war, Edward?”
“There is much unrest in Europe – and beyond. The German Kaiser wants his nation to expand. To do so, he will have to occupy other countries.”
Ann sighed. “Why did we have to meet now?”
“I am not sure.”
“I feel insecure.”
Edward turned to face Ann. “Promise me you will be strong.”
Her voice grew raspy. “As long as I know you will return.”
Edward hugged her. “I promise.”
Ann smiled.
“Perhaps this situation in the Balkans will come to a speedy end. As the Monarchs of Britain, Russia and Germany are related, they will not wish a conflict.”
“Let’s hope so.”
The couple kissed, left their treasured location, and returned to Ardrishaig. After Edward left Ann, she clutched the box, and pondered over what the future would hold.
Mrs Lawson and four friends sat round a mahogany table in the living room sipping cups of tea with digestive biscuits. The host had regular Suffragette gatherings every fortnight, and in this era, the Government would perceive this as being radical! Husbands of attendees were unaware of meeting content and if so, would certainly disapprove.
A movement, which began in the late nineteenth century, the Suffragette’s main grievance being, women could not vote. By June 1914, their profile had been raised through arson and violence. At a prestigious event at Epsom Racecourse, Surrey, in 1913, which involved the King’s horse, a woman protester ran in front of it and was killed. This dramatic incident highlighted the Suffragette’s determination to enhance publicity for their cause. To solidify their resolve, if a Suffragette was imprisoned, she would go on a hunger strike.
The Suffragettes of Ardrishaig, however, remained passive. Being residents of a quaint village in rural Argyll, it became prudent to remain discreet. They would discuss the movement behind closed doors, and propose an action that would not come to fruition. An acquaintance of Mrs Lawson, grey-haired and serene Mary Butler, attended the first gathering in 1896 at Lady Beaumont’s residence. Guests at the current meeting did not only discuss the plight of Suffragettes, but also the matter of a possible crisis in the Balkans.
“If war breaks out,” said Mary, “Britain will be drawn into the conflict.”
“If such a situation occurs, the Movement may have to suspend militant action,” said Mrs Lawson.
“Then,” said Meg, “the Government may propose an amnesty for Suffragettes who are serving a prison sentence.”
“That would be good!” said Catherine.
“The Government will hope a goodwill gesture may soften our resolve,” said Jessica.
Mary lifted her cup and took a sip. “Let us hope war does not come.” She set her blue patterned cup on its saucer. “If so, it could be on a grand scale.”
The group spoke of how past loved ones had been taken in previous conflicts. Various battles fought overseas, which stretched back sixty years to the Crimean War. Due to a subdued tone, the gathering ended.
A short time later, Alan entered his aunt’s house out of breath and distraught. His aunt, washing crockery in the kitchen’s white ceramic sink, turned to face him. “What is wrong, Alan?”
“James.” He took a deep breath.
“What about him?” Mrs Lawson wiped her hands on a towel.
“He has gone missing!”
“Calm yourself, tell me where you last saw him.”
“In...” Alan took another deep breath. “In the park. I was on a swing, and minutes later he had disappeared.”
“Did you have an argument?”
Alan shook his head. “No, Auntie.”
“Did you try to find him?”
Alan nodded.
“We’ll go back to the park, perhaps he wandered off and has now returned.”
Mrs Lawson went into the hall, opened a closet door, took out a jacket and hat, then looked in the mirror.
“Should we not wait for Uncle to return home?”
Mrs Lawson glanced at the wall clock. “The bank does not close for another hour.”
As she walked in a brisk manner towards the park, Alan kept pace. “Where could he have gone, Auntie?”
“Not sure, but as most boys in the village have dark hair, James will stand out.” Mrs Lawson gave a comforting smile to her nephew.
Walking home from work, Ann observed a young boy coming towards her. She did not recognise this person, and why was he without a parent? When he approached, Ann stopped and then the boy looked up at her.
“Hello,” said Ann, as she smiled.
The boy stared.
“Where is your mother?”
“I want to find her.”
“Where are you headed?”
“Docharmea.”
“Do you mean Docharnea?”
The boy nodded. “That’s where I last saw her.”
Ann looked back to nearby Dochar, then at the boy. “It’s a long walk.”
“I want to find my parents.” James voice grew raspy.
Ann bent down and gave him a warm smile. “What is your name?”
The boy whispered, “James.”
“My name is Ann, I will help you to find them.”
“Thank you.”
By giving assistance to the boy, Ann would arrive home late, and no doubt be quizzed by her older brother. If asked, she would admit to being with a younger man in need of comfort and assistance. As she walked alongside the boy, Ann became aware of his stamina. Even with a longer stride, she had to keep up with him. “Do you play any sports, James?”
He nodded. “Football.”
“In a public park?”
“And in my parent’s back garden.”
“Where is your parent’s house?”
“Edinburgh.”
“Edinburgh!” Ann stared at James.
Looking up, he nodded.
“Did you travel to Ardrishaig by paddle steamer?”
“My dad drove us here.”
“That must have been a long journey.”
“Dad had to stop on the way, I felt sick.”
“Do you not like to travel?”
“On my way here, I ate too much chocolate.”
Ann smiled. “What else do you enjoy?”
“Music.”
“What kind?”
“I like the Monkees and the Beatles.”
“Are they Scottish Folk groups?”
James stared upwards at Ann. “They are pop groups.”
Pop groups?
“I listen to their records in my bedroom.”
Ann glanced at James. “You have a gramophone player?”
James gave Ann a puzzled look.
“Your family
are privileged.”
“Do you not have records?”
“No, I go to the village public house. That’s where I listen to music.”
“Do they play records?”
Ann laughed. “The public house has a folk group.”
“What kind of group is that?”
“A trio of musicians who play the bagpipes, violin, and a harp.”
“Have you been to any music concerts?”
Ann shook her head. “I would like to visit Glasgow, they’ve not long opened the West End Playhouse.”
“There’s a Playhouse in Edinburgh.” James smiled at Ann.
“Is it a music hall?”
“It’s a cinema.”
“What’s that?”
“It shows films. Have you never been to one?”
Once more, Ann shook her head. He has a vivid imagination.
“Do you play any instrument?”
“I have no spare time to learn or play an instrument.”
“Why not?”
“I work six days a week from seven-thirty until six o’clock in the evening. After arriving home, I help my mother prepare dinner and then tend to other duties.”
“That’s not fair.”
Ann smiled at James.
“Why do you start work so early in the morning?”
“That’s what my employer demands.” Ann looked at James. “What time does your mother start work?”
“She doesn’t work.”
Ann raised her thin dark eyebrows. “Does your father work?”
James nodded. “He leaves the house about eight-thirty.”
Lucky him.
James looked up at Ann. “What do you work as?”
“I’m a maid for a local family. They have a large property, which is not far from here.” He’s a curious one.
“Do you have children?” James stubbed his toe, and looked at the ground.
Ann stopped. “Are you okay?”
James nodded, and continued.
Ann started to walk, then glanced at James. “No, I don’t have children, I’m not married.”
James looked up at Ann. “Will you get married?”
She smiled. “I hope so.”
“Do you have a boyfriend?”
“There is a special person.”
Minutes later, Ann and James reached Dochar, and soon after, Docharnea. Ann stood at the foot of its driveway, and looked at James. “Let’s try the main door.”
