A Village Scandal

by Dilly Court

  ‘Are you all right, Daisy?’ she asked anxiously.

  ‘Yes, but I’ll be better when I’ve seen Jay. Do you think it is him?’

  ‘It’s hard to tell. I only met Jay a couple of times and this fellow is very poorly.’

  ‘What happened? How did he get here?’

  ‘I only know what Toby told me. The patient was brought in by a crewman from his ship. Toby will tell you the rest, but you’ll want to see him straight away.’ Minnie glanced over her shoulder. ‘Sister Benson isn’t looking – I’ll take you to the ward. Toby should be there.’

  Daisy clasped Minnie’s hand. ‘Thank you. I can’t believe this is happening.’

  ‘Don’t get your hopes up, just in case it’s a complete stranger.’

  ‘But Toby thinks it’s Jay, so it must be.’

  ‘There’s only one way to find out.’ Minnie led the way to the male medical ward, which was familiar ground to Daisy.

  Nothing had changed since she worked there as a probationer. The huge room was lined on both sides with iron bedsteads, each one had a small locker and all the beds were occupied.

  ‘We’ve been spotted,’ Minnie whispered as the ward sister advanced on them.

  ‘Who is this, Nurse Cole? I cannot allow the routine to be interrupted by visitors out of hours.’

  ‘Mrs Tattersall is Dr Marshall’s sister, and it’s possible that she can identify the unnamed patient.’

  The sister looked as if she were about to refuse permission but her expression changed subtly when Toby rushed into the ward.

  ‘I’m sorry, Sister,’ he said breathlessly. ‘I forgot to warn you that I’d sent for someone who might establish the patient’s identity.’

  ‘That’s quite all right, Doctor. The patient is awake, but he isn’t very responsive.’

  ‘He was given a large dose of laudanum,’ Toby explained as he ushered Daisy towards a bed at the far end of the ward. It was screened off from the rest of the patients, and Toby came to a halt. ‘He was in a distressed state when the mate from a merchant ship brought him to us last evening. I didn’t see the fellow, so I didn’t get the full story. Anyway, I think it’s Jay, but I can’t be certain. He’s unshaven and very emaciated.’

  ‘But Jay disappeared two months ago.’

  ‘Don’t expect too much, Daisy. The poor fellow can’t even remember his own name.’

  ‘You mean he’s lost his memory?’

  ‘Exactly, and he seems to have been suffering from some kind of fever, so be prepared for a shock when you see him.’ Toby drew back one of the screens and Daisy moved closer to the bed.

  The patient’s eyes were closed and his hair was matted and darkened with sweat, but the lower part of his face was disguised by a thick ginger beard.

  ‘Jay,’ Daisy said in a hoarse whisper. ‘Jay.’

  The man opened his eyes, and they were a startling shade of blue against his tanned skin, but there was no recognition in his gaze. He stared at Daisy for a moment and then his eyelids fluttered and closed. Daisy turned to her brother with a strangled sob.

  ‘It is Jay, but he didn’t recognise me.’

  Toby placed his arm around her shoulders. ‘I couldn’t be sure, but you know him better than anyone.’

  ‘He’s so thin, and he looks so ill.’

  ‘It’s hard to make an exact diagnosis, and he isn’t very responsive to questioning, but it’s early days.’

  ‘Will he regain his memory?’

  ‘I can’t say at this stage. Only time will tell.’

  ‘Can he be moved? I could look after him if we could get him home to Creek Manor.’

  Toby frowned thoughtfully. ‘Not at the moment. I’d like to keep an eye on him for a few days at least, and then we can work out what’s best for him.’ He gave Daisy a searching look. ‘You are sure it’s Jay, aren’t you? I know you want it to be him, but this man might be a complete stranger.’

  ‘I’d know him anywhere, Toby. When he opened his eyes I knew for certain that it was Jay.’ Daisy felt in her reticule for her hanky and mopped her eyes. She did not know why she was crying, but perhaps it was the sheer relief of knowing that her husband was still alive. He might be a shadow of his former self, and if he never recognised her it would be tragic, but she loved him none the less.

  ‘Come away, Daisy,’ Minnie said gently. ‘Come to the nurses’ room and I’ll make you a cup of tea. You can’t do anything for him at the moment – he’s in good hands.’ She smiled and nodded to the ward sister, who sniffed and pulled the screens back into place.

  ‘You may visit at the appropriate time, Mrs Tattersall.’

  ‘Thank you, Sister,’ Daisy murmured as she followed Minnie from the ward.

  ‘I’ll make sure he has the best possible treatment,’ Toby said as he walked beside her. ‘I have to leave you now, but we must find you some accommodation close to the hospital.’

  ‘She must stay with me,’ Minnie hesitated in the doorway. ‘That’s if the lady of the manor doesn’t mind sharing a room with her soon-to-be sister-in-law. I’m sure that Gladys will be delighted to see you again, as will the abominable Rex, and Mrs Wood is always keen to make more money.’

  ‘I’d love to share a room with you again, Minnie. And I can put up with Gladys for a while, although I don’t know how you’ve stood those lodgings all this time, especially that wretched cat.’

  ‘Toby and I are looking for somewhere to live when we’re married. We want a house with a garden, maybe in one of the squares. You can help me look, Daisy. It will be fun.’ Minnie’s smile faded. ‘Of course, I know you’ll want to spend as much time as possible with Jay, but perhaps you ought to give him time to get used to you.’

  Daisy stared at her in dismay. ‘But he’s my husband.’

  ‘He doesn’t remember that at the moment.’ Toby patted her on the shoulder. ‘You’ll have to accept the fact and be patient, Daisy. I’ve only seen a couple of similar cases, but it could take a long time for him to regain his memory, if ever.’

  ‘You mean he might never remember me?’

  ‘I don’t know. We can but hope that in time he will, but I can’t guarantee anything.’ Toby linked his arm through hers and they followed Minnie to the staff canteen, where she rushed off to get a cup of tea. She returned moments later and placed the cup on the table in front of Daisy, together with a plate of bread and butter.

  ‘I don’t suppose you’ve had any breakfast, so you must eat something. We don’t want you fainting away and ending up on a ward, do we?’

  Daisy managed a smile. ‘Yes, Nurse. I’ll do as you say.’

  ‘I have to get back to work,’ Toby said, leaning over to brush Daisy’s cheek with a brotherly kiss. ‘Visit the patient at the appropriate time, but don’t expect too much.’ He blew a kiss to Minnie and strolled off.

  ‘He can’t bring himself to admit it’s Jay,’ Daisy said sadly. ‘But I’d know him no matter what state he was in.’

  ‘I hope so, for your sake.’ Minnie sat down beside her. ‘I can’t stay long or I’ll be in trouble, but you can go to Fieldgate Street when you’re ready. I’m sure Mrs Wood will be pleased to see you. The wretched woman is always pleading poverty.’

  Gladys opened the door and her eyes bulged in surprise, adding to her frog-like appearance. As Flora had once remarked, Gladys must have been hiding behind the door when good looks were handed out.

  ‘I never thought we’d see you again, miss.’

  ‘It’s Mrs Tattersall now, Gladys. May I come in?’

  Gladys moved aside but her curious gaze never wavered. ‘If you’re married, what are you doing back in London?’ She stuck her thumb into her mouth, sucking it like a baby.

  Daisy took a deep breath. She was tempted to tell the nosy girl that it was none of her business, but she knew from past experience that it was best not to get on the wrong side of Mrs Wood’s only child. Gladys was not only a gossip, she had a spiteful tongue and she was a sneak, who went through the lodgers’ b
elongings when they were out of the house, and helped herself to any trifle that took her fancy.

  ‘I’m here to visit my brother and Miss Cole. She said I could share her room again, if it’s all right with your mother.’

  Gladys unplugged her thumb, eyeing Daisy slyly. ‘I could put a good word in for you, miss, but it would cost you sixpence.’

  Daisy put her valise down on the polished floorboards. ‘Oh, look. There’s dear old Rex. He’s such a fine specimen. No wonder your mother thinks the world of him.’

  ‘I hate that cat,’ Gladys said with feeling. ‘One day he’ll end up in the river with a brick tied round his skinny neck.’

  ‘I wouldn’t let your mama hear you speaking of her pet like that, if I were you,’ Daisy said pointedly. ‘What were you saying about money, Gladys?’

  Gladys had many failings but she was far from stupid, and her sallow skin flushed darkly. ‘I was joking, miss. You know where the room is, but don’t ask me to take your bag up them stairs.’ She stomped off in the direction of her mother’s private parlour, leaving Daisy to find her own way to the room she had once shared with Minnie.

  She climbed the stairs, noting that nothing had changed. She was sure she recognised the large cobweb that hung from the candle sconce on the second floor, and the big fat spider that lay in wait for yet another juicy victim. And Minnie’s room was just the same as before, although the second bed was covered in a pile of clothes, waiting to be folded neatly and placed in the tallboy. Minnie was not the tidiest of people, but Daisy was relieved to have somewhere to lay her head that night. She spent the next hour tidying the room and unpacking. She knew from experience where the clean linen was kept and she went to the cupboard and helped herself to bedding, but all the time she was working, her mind was occupied with thoughts of Jay.

  The man lying in the hospital bed bore little resemblance to the man she had married, but at least he was alive, and the relief on finding him was overwhelming. She would have to be patient and abide by Toby’s advice, although she knew that it was going to be hard. Her first instinct had been to take Jay home where he would receive all the love and attention he needed to bring him back to them, but it was obvious that he was a sick man. She had seen enough tragedies during the cholera outbreak last year, and she knew that Jay was in the best place – for now.

  She visited him again during the hours specified by the hospital. There was no change in his condition, but there was no deterioration either, and Daisy had enough nursing experience to know that this was a good sign. She returned to the lodging house that evening with hope in her heart. Toby had warned her that it would be a long road to recovery, but Daisy was certain that the worst was over, and things could only get better.

  She walked into the parlour and was greeted by Ivy, who rushed over and threw her arms around Daisy as if they were long-lost friends.

  ‘How is that handsome footman?’ Ivy demanded, blushing. ‘I mean George, of course. I had a few dances with him on the beach and he was very romantic, but I haven’t heard from him since I returned to London.’

  ‘He’s Mrs Harker’s servant, Ivy. They’ve returned to their old home so I don’t see them now.’

  ‘Oh!’ Ivy’s bottom lip trembled. ‘I don’t seem to have much luck with gentlemen. There must be something wrong with me.’

  ‘Nonsense, Ivy. You’re a nice person, you just haven’t met the right man yet.’

  Ivy shrugged. ‘Flora seems to do very well for herself. She’s seeing that Julian Carrington, the one she met at your big house. I thought she hated him, but it seems not.’

  Daisy pulled a face. ‘He won’t marry her. In the end he’ll find someone that his parents approve of, and I’m afraid it won’t be Flora. She’d do better to look elsewhere.’

  ‘At least she has a gentleman friend to take her to the theatre and nice restaurants. Even Gladys has found someone.’

  ‘But she’s only sixteen, if that. Does her mother know?’

  Ivy grinned wickedly. ‘You’ll never guess who the silly girl has been seeing.’

  ‘Don’t tell me it’s Jonah Sawkins. I wouldn’t wish that on Gladys.’

  ‘It is. I saw them together the other evening when Flora and I were buying ham rolls from Old Joe’s stall.’ Ivy covered her mouth to suppress a giggle. ‘Just imagine what ugly children Gladys and Jonah would have if they got married.’

  ‘I’d rather not, thank you, Ivy. But it won’t happen. When Mrs Wood realises what’s going on beneath her nose it will be the end of Gladys’ relationship with Jonah.’

  ‘I wish I could live in the country,’ Ivy said sadly. ‘I was born in Hoxton, and I’ve lived all my life in London, but I did have a good time at your lovely house, and I met such nice people.’

  At this point Daisy was wishing that someone would come in to rescue her from Ivy’s self-pitying company. ‘I’m tired,’ she said, yawning. ‘I don’t think I’ll wait up for Minnie. She went out to dinner with my brother.’

  ‘The party at the manor house was the best time I’ve ever had,’ Ivy continued dreamily. ‘At supper I sat with a dear old lady, who was ever so kind to me.’

  Daisy stared at her in surprise. ‘Who was that?’

  ‘Mrs Guppy, I think she called herself. She said her son was a sea captain and very important. We really got on well.’

  A vision of Clem Guppy’s aged, bad-tempered, witch-like mother made Daisy stare at Ivy in amazement. ‘Mrs Guppy? Are you sure?’

  ‘Oh, yes. She said I was to call on her any time I was in the neighbourhood.’

  Daisy was struggling to think of a suitable remark when Minnie and Toby breezed into the room.

  ‘We’ve come to take you to the music hall,’ Minnie said, smiling. ‘Toby and I thought you needed cheering up, after the day you’ve had.’

  Ivy leaped to her feet. ‘Oh, I love all that singing and dancing. Can I come, too?’

  Minnie and Daisy exchanged wary glances, but Toby smiled benignly. ‘Of course you can, Ivy. But we’ll have to hurry or we’ll be too late.’

  Daisy rushed up to her room to fetch her bonnet and shawl, and despite her worries about Jay’s health and welfare, she felt ridiculously light-hearted. It was good to be back in London, despite the noxious smells from the drains and the manufactories along the river. The heady mixture of aromas from imported spices, roasting coffee beans and burnt sugar from the mills in Wellclose Square was familiar and brought back memories of childhood. The constant noise of horse-drawn traffic thundering and rumbling across cobblestones, and the babble of raised voices from costermongers, draymen and working women who could hold their own against the fiercest opponent were in sharp contrast to the relative silence of the countryside. But it had been home for the best part of her life and the past was bathed in a glow of nostalgia. She hurried downstairs to join the others and they set off for the Pavilion Theatre.

  The show was enjoyable and Flossie and Ethel, the two dancers who lived on the top floor in Fieldgate Street, now had their own spot and were no doubt heading for top billing. Daisy forgot all her problems as she watched the various performers. Tumblers, singers, comics and dancers took their turn in front of the appreciative audience, and by the end of the performance Daisy’s hands were sore from applauding enthusiastically. After the show they stopped at a stall and bought plates of jellied eels, which they ate with relish, and then it was time to return to the lodging house. Daisy was so exhausted that even the lumpy mattress could not spoil a good night’s sleep, and she awoke next morning filled with hope for the future.

  After a week devoted almost entirely to visiting the hospital and sitting at Jay’s bedside, Daisy’s mood had changed and she was beginning to worry. She had brought a small sum of money with her, but it would not go very far, and Jay was showing little sign of improvement. He was recovering slowly from the bout of fever that had nearly cost him his life, but he did not respond to Daisy. They might have been total strangers, and she found it frustrating and ups
etting in equal measure. Toby and Minnie did their best to keep her spirits up, but by the end of the second week Daisy was beginning to despair.

  One evening when she returned to Fieldgate Street after a long and difficult session with Jay, she arrived at the lodging house at the same moment as Julian.

  He alighted from a hansom cab and stared at her in amazement. ‘This is an unexpected pleasure, Mrs Tattersall. What brings you to London? I’m surprised that Mrs Harker can do without your services.’

  ‘I don’t work for Marjorie Harker,’ Daisy said impatiently. ‘You know that very well.’

  ‘I’m sorry. That’s what I understood when I visited Creek Manor.’

  ‘I own the manor house. Mrs Harker was renting it from me.’

  ‘It had slipped my mind. I’m afraid I still think of you as being in service, my dear. However, I assume that your errant husband has not turned up.’

  ‘Don’t pretend to care, Julian. It doesn’t suit you.’ Daisy rapped urgently on the door, praying silently that someone would answer it quickly, but it seemed that Julian was not going to give up so easily. He paid the cabby and came to stand beside her.

  ‘My offer still stands. I was a fool to let you go. Have the brute declared dead and marry me.’

  She shot him a sideways glance. ‘My husband is very much alive, thank you, Julian.’

  ‘So where is he?’

  The door opened and Flora’s smile faded when she saw Daisy. ‘Why are you two together?’

  ‘We are no such thing.’ Daisy stepped over the threshold and came face to face with Gladys and Jonah Sawkins.

  ‘This is my gentleman friend,’ Gladys said proudly. ‘We’re stepping out together.’

  Jonah gave Daisy a crooked grin, exposing a row of yellow teeth. ‘It’s your loss, Miss High and Mighty.’

  ‘She’s married now,’ Gladys said, jabbing him in the ribs.

  ‘I like married women.’ Jonah licked his lips in a suggestive manner. ‘They’re grateful for a bit of attention.’

  Daisy tossed her head and ignored him. She made for the staircase and did not look back, but Rex caught her as she reached the first landing. He took a leap and with a vicious swipe of his unsheathed claws he tore at her arm, leaving a row of bleeding scratches on her wrist. It was the last straw and Daisy stumbled up to the room she shared with Minnie, blinded by tears. She flung herself down on the bed and gave vent to her pent-up emotions. It felt as if everything was against her, from Jay’s total lack of memory, to the shadows from her own past, from which there seemed to be no escape. After a while she grew calmer and she raised herself from the bed and went to the washstand to splash cold water on her face. She put her hair up and pinched her cheeks to bring back the colour, but as she did so there was a knock on the door.