A Maiden's Voyage

by Rosie Goodwin

  Slowly the mourners drifted away to be swallowed up by the fog but Connie stood staring down at her father’s final resting place. Flora wondered what thoughts must be going through her young mistress’s head. Was she remembering happy times she had spent with him? But then Connie suddenly turned abruptly and walked away without so much as glancing back. Flora looked back just once from the lychgate and shuddered as she saw the gravediggers shovelling dirt into the grave, blocking the light of day from the dear man who lay there for all time.

  When they arrived back at the house, many of the mourners were already there, wandering about with cups of tea or a glass of spirits in their hand while Mrs Merry had Gertie circulating amongst them with plates of sandwiches and tempting treats that the cook had baked, but the minute she and Connie entered the room a hush fell. The next second, people were vying to offer their condolences and say what a lovely man her father had been. Connie listened, nodding her head when it was required as she walked through them to her father’s favourite wing chair by the fire. Flora hovered close by.

  ‘Shall I get you something to eat?’ she asked in concern. ‘A sandwich, perhaps? Or I could get Gertie to make you something warm? Your hands are frozen through.’

  ‘Thank you … but no … I’m not hungry at the moment.’ Then seeing the concern on Flora’s face, she added, ‘Perhaps later.’

  Flora continued to stand close to her young mistress’s side, wishing that the mourners might all disappear in a puff of smoke, but it seemed they were all keen to take advantage of the feast spread out before them and it was almost two hours later when the last of them finally departed, leaving only Mr Wainthrop behind.

  He smiled at Flora then pulling up a chair close to Connie he asked, ‘How are you feeling, my dear?’ The second the words had left his lips he realised how ludicrous they must sound. The poor girl had just buried her father, how could he expect her to feel?

  ‘I’m all right, thank you.’

  She managed to raise a weak smile so he rushed on, ‘Well, I’m sure that you must be ready for a little time to yourself now so I shall be off too. And may I say that your father would have been very proud of the dignified way you conducted yourself today. I just wanted to let you know that I have written to your aunt in New York and the moment I get a response I shall be round to show it to you. Meanwhile, you have no need to worry about anything. I shall continue to pay the household expenses as your father requested and I shall ensure that you receive your allowance each month. But is there anything else I can do for you? Anything at all?’

  ‘No, thank you, Mr Wainthrop,’ she replied woodenly and so with a nod towards the girls he rose and left the room, closing the door softly behind him.

  ‘Flora … I think I’d like to be on my own for a while now, if you don’t mind,’ Connie said and Flora nodded understandingly.

  ‘Of course. Just ring when you need anything.’ Flora discreetly hurried away and was soon in the warmth of the kitchen where Cook was sitting with her swollen ankles on a stool by the fire and a cup of tea perched on her ample bosom.

  ‘Eeh, I’m glad that’s over. How is the poor lass?’ she asked Flora as the girl fetched a cup and lifted the teapot.

  Flora shrugged as she poured the stewed tea and added sugar. ‘Quiet as a mouse,’ she answered. ‘I think I’d rather have had the tears but then perhaps she’s got none left.’

  ‘Hmm, well soon she needs to decide what’s happenin’ ’ere,’ the cook huffed. ‘If she’s goin’ off to her aunt’s in New York an’ closin’ the ’ouse up we’ll all be out on the street wi’out a job.’

  ‘That isn’t her fault,’ Flora said defensively. ‘She wouldn’t be going by choice. It was her father’s express wish that she stayed with her aunt until she comes of age but we just have to wait and see what her aunt says now. Mr Wainthrop has written to her and is waiting on a reply.’

  ‘I dare say yer right.’ Cook looked suitably shamefaced. She’d worked for the Ogilvie family for years and just didn’t want things to change, but sadly she knew that this was inevitable now and she wondered what the future had in store for them all.

  Christmas was a dismal affair as was the New Year with no celebrations of any kind in the Ogilvie house. The staff crept about like ghosts so as not to disturb Connie who seemed to have locked herself away in a world of grief. The one bright spot for Flora was when she managed to slip away for a few precious hours on Christmas Eve to see her family and spend a little time with Jamie.

  ‘I can’t stay long,’ she apologised to him breathlessly when they met at their usual meeting place. ‘Not with Connie in such a state.’

  ‘I understand,’ he answered sympathetically. ‘The poor girl must be distraught, but here I have something for you.’ He presented her with a little box that contained a small silver locket on a delicate chain and Flora’s face lit up.

  ‘Oh, Jamie, it’s beautiful,’ she breathed as he fastened it about her neck. ‘I shall treasure it forever.’

  Jamie looked at her tenderly. ‘It looks beautiful on you,’ he said, kissing her softly on the lips. ‘I knew it would.’

  Flora stroked his cheek, gazing into his beautiful blue eyes and thanked God that she had him in her life.

  And then on a cold and frosty morning early in January Mr Wainthrop arrived with news.

  ‘I’ve heard from your aunt, m’dear,’ he told Connie who had come down to the drawing room to speak to him. It was one of the very rare occasions she had ventured downstairs since the funeral. ‘And she enclosed a letter for you.’ He handed the young woman an envelope before going on, ‘She is quite happy for you to stay with her so now it will be up to you to decide whether you wish to keep this house on or if you would like me to sell it for you.’

  Connie looked around at the familiar room, her eyes dull. She knew every stick of furniture, every knick-knack, every corner.

  ‘I want to keep the house on,’ she told him listlessly. ‘I know my father wanted me to go to my aunt and I shall do as he wished because I have no choice, but as soon as I reach my majority I shall come home.’

  Mr Wainthrop nodded understandingly, wishing there were something he could say to ease her pain.

  ‘In that case, with your permission, I shall speak to the staff. Sadly, they won’t be needed while you are gone but I shall ask Mrs Merry if she is prepared to stay on as a caretaker. I’m sure she’ll agree to it and then at least you can go knowing that your home is being left in safe hands.’

  Flora entered the room then, bearing a tray of coffee and biscuits.

  ‘I thought you might like something to warm you up, sir.’ She smiled politely and after pouring out the coffee she discreetly left the room.

  ‘So what’s going on?’ Gertie asked her as she went back to the kitchen.

  Flora shrugged. ‘I have no idea but I dare say we’re about to find out.’

  She took a seat at the kitchen table and shortly after there was a tap at the door and Mr Wainthrop entered looking decidedly uncomfortable.

  Mrs Merry sidled in behind him and seeing that the staff were all gathered together he coughed to clear his throat before telling them. ‘I have come to inform you that Miss Ogilvie’s aunt in New York has replied to my letter and she has agreed to her going to stay with her indefinitely. Mrs Merry, Connie has decided that she will keep this house on in case she wishes to return to it so I was wondering if you would consider staying on to take care of it?’

  Mrs Merry nodded, a look of relief on her face.

  ‘Good.’ The solicitor smiled at her before turning back to the others. ‘Unfortunately, this will mean that the rest of you will no longer be needed.’ He saw the looks of dismay on their faces and hurried on, ‘However, it is going to take me some time to arrange a passage for the young mistress so this should give you all ample time to find another position. A couple of months at least, I should think, and on top of that she has asked me to give you all an extra month’s wages when you do leave.’ />
  This statement went a long way to calming them and Gertie sighed with relief. ‘Well, at least we ain’t goin’ to be chucked out on us arses tomorrow,’ she commented drily, which drew a disapproving frown from Cook.

  ‘Ah well, I think we all expected this,’ the older woman sighed. ‘But thank you, Mr Wainthrop. Under the circumstances the young miss is bein’ more than fair. After all, it ain’t as if she wants to go, is it?’

  ‘Quite.’ Mr Wainthrop shuffled from foot to foot. ‘Now, if you will excuse me I should get on but rest assured I shall keep you all informed. Good day, ladies.’ And with that he took his leave.

  Once the door had closed behind him, Gertie sighed and, tears in her eyes, glanced around the kitchen. ‘I’ve loved workin’ here an’ I’ll be really sorry to go,’ she said regretfully.

  ‘We all will,’ Cook pointed out. ‘But there’s no point in cryin’ over spilt milk. An’ you’ve got age on yer side, Gertie, an’ you have, Flora. I heard yesterday as they’re settin’ on in the jam factory if yer can’t get another live-in position. They earn good money there, by all accounts.’

  ‘I might try there,’ Flora said, but her heart was heavy. She had loved her time working as a personal lady’s maid but then she supposed any job was better than none, although she would miss Connie and the rest of the staff desperately

  ‘Right, well at least we know where we all stand now so chop chop, let’s ’ave you back to work,’ Cook ordered bossily. Obediently, they went about their duties, although now they were all wondering what was to become of them.

  In the drawing room, Connie was unfolding the letter her aunt had enclosed with Mr Wainthrop’s and she began to read.

  My dearest girl,

  I cannot begin to tell you how distraught your uncle and I were to read of your father’s untimely accident. He was a truly wonderful man and will always be remembered fondly. Of course, you must come to us for as long as you need to, forever if necessary. I have instructed Mr Wainthrop to organise your passage here as soon as is possible and to let us know when we might expect you so that someone can be there to meet you off the ship.

  Your arrival cannot come quickly enough for me. Until then, know that I am thinking of you and very much looking forward to seeing you,

  With much love,

  Aunt Alexandra xxx

  As soon as Flora joined her again, Connie handed her the letter and urged her to read it.

  ‘She sounds nice, at any rate,’ Flora said miserably once she had read it and handed it back.

  ‘Hmm, but I wonder why my mother and she never really kept in touch,’ Connie said thoughtfully. ‘From what I can remember my mother never had a kind word to say about her. In fact, I can remember she used to get really huffy every time we heard from her. Rather strange considering she was her younger sister, don’t you think?’

  ‘I suppose she had her reasons,’ Flora said cautiously. ‘And she certainly sounds like she’s looking forward to having you there, which is the main thing, surely?’

  ‘I suppose so,’ Connie sighed, but she didn’t sound at all convinced.

  Chapter Three

  ‘Cheer up, it ain’t the end o’ the world,’ Flora’s mother told her when she visited her home on the following Sunday afternoon. ‘Somethin’ will turn up, you’ll see,’ she told her daughter optimistically as she stirred the large pan of stew and dumplings simmering on the range. ‘So, when is Connie planning to leave?’

  Flora shrugged, looking thoroughly miserable. ‘She doesn’t know yet. Mr Wainthrop is making all the travelling arrangements for her. He reckons it could be March or April before she goes. But I don’t want her to go. I’m going to miss her so much.’

  Her mother’s face softened and she gently squeezed her daughter’s hand. She knew how close Flora and her young mistress had become. ‘There you are then,’ Emily said. ‘That gives you more than enuff time to look round for another position. A clever young lass like you shouldn’t ’ave any trouble at all in findin’ somethin’ else. Now, ’ow about a nice dish o’ this stew to warm you up?’ she suggested, hoping to cheer her up a little.

  Flora shook her head as she reached for her thick shawl. It had been a present from her mother for Christmas. ‘No thanks, Ma. I’m meeting Jamie in half an hour.’

  ‘Huh!’ Emily tutted as she glanced through the window at the frosted cobblestones. ‘Yer must be mad trailin’ about in this wevver. It’s enuff to freeze yer out there. Still, I dare say I’d ’ave done the same at your age.’ She crossed to pull Flora’s shawl over her mop of thick dark hair and followed her to the door. ‘Now, don’t you go frettin’. Things’ll come right, you’ll see.’

  Flora kissed her cheek then hurried off to meet Jamie. He was standing where he always waited for her on the dock and at the sight of his tall figure, Flora’s breath caught. He was so good-looking, with his curly fair hair that seemed to have a life of its own and twinkling blue eyes that always seemed to be smiling. Her heart speeded up at the sight of him and the butterflies started fluttering in her stomach, Flora knew she had to accept that no matter how much she tried to deny it, she was in love with him. The thought of seeing him each week was the one thing that was keeping her going at the moment.

  His face lit up at the sight of her, and she smiled back. ‘It feels like ages since I last saw you. How are you bearing up? How’s Connie?’ he said as he wrapped his arms around her and gave her a soft kiss. Then hooking his arm possessively about her waist he began to wander along as she told him about what Mr Wainthrop had said.

  ‘But it’s not the end of the world,’ he pointed out, much as her mother had done.

  ‘I know that,’ Flora said miserably. ‘But I really enjoyed being a lady’s maid to Connie and we’ve grown close.’

  ‘Well, if it’s money you’re worrying about, don’t,’ he told her. ‘Because I’ve got some I could let you have.’

  She stared at him curiously and it came to her then that she didn’t really know all that much about his background, except that he had been orphaned as a child and then adopted by a couple in the Midlands. She knew that the stevedores and the men who worked on the docks weren’t very highly paid and yet whenever she met him on a Sunday he was well turned out in what looked like surprisingly expensive clothes. He was well spoken too and sounded more like a gentleman than a dock worker. She’d not thought about it properly before, and had just assumed he didn’t like talking about his childhood, but now she felt able to ask him a bit more.

  ‘So how come you’re so flush?’ she asked curiously and he grinned.

  ‘Let’s just say that my parents aren’t short of a bob or two,’ he answered.

  Flora scowled. ‘So why are you working here then?’

  He shrugged. ‘Because I want to, it’s as simple as that. My parents weren’t too happy with the idea but I want to see a bit of life.’

  ‘So, who exactly are your parents?’ Flora asked, more curious than ever now.

  ‘Hmm.’ Jamie scratched his chin. ‘Well, as I told you, they’re my adoptive parents. I can’t really remember much about my natural parents, except I can remember being always cold and hungry but I was lucky because Sunday and Tom Branning took me to live with them then. From then on I had a wonderful life. They run a children’s home called Treetops in a village called Hartshill near Nuneaton and from that moment on my life changed for the better. It’s a great, rambling house surrounded by woods. It used to belong to Sunday’s mother who was once married to a lord and they treated all of the children who lived there like their own. They never had children of their own, you see? So we all had the best of everything. The best clothes, the best food, the best educations, but most of all they loved us and made us feel we were wanted.

  ‘But as I got older I started to feel that I wanted to spread my wings a bit, try different jobs and see a bit more of the country, so here I am. To be honest, though, I don’t think I would have stayed as long as I have if I hadn’t met a certain young l
ady.’

  Flora blushed prettily as he squeezed her arm. ‘When and if I decide to settle down I shall probably head back there. Nuneaton is a market town and the pace of life is so much gentler there than it is in the city. I suppose I’d want my children to be brought up somewhere where there’s woods and countryside around them, but we’ll have to wait and see what happens, won’t we?’

  Flora nodded as she glanced up at him and her heart did a little cartwheel again. Jamie was truly handsome, but it was more than just his looks that made her heart beat faster, and now that he had opened up a little more about his past, she was beginning to understand what made him stand out to her. He was so different to the people hereabouts: he’d had a very privileged upbringing and all the advantages he could have wished for, and yet he had an independent spirit as well, otherwise why else would he have set out on his own to experience what life had to offer? She hugged his arm closer and for the next hour they strolled about, talking about their hopes and dreams and barely noticing how cold it was. When the light began to fade, Jamie reluctantly walked her back to the house.

  ‘Don’t get worrying about your future,’ he said softly then gently kissed her lips. ‘See you next Sunday.’ He walked away whistling merrily, and she stood for a moment watching him, her mind all of a whirl. She had promised herself that she would focus on a career before settling down, but Jamie had wriggled his way into her life, and the thought of him moving back to his home town without her made her heart sink. Shivering suddenly, she hurried inside out of the cold.

  It was early in February when Mr Wainthrop called again. The two girls were in the morning room altering a dress that Connie had given to Flora and Connie eyed him nervously when he appeared.