Workhouse Angel
Page 31
That had been just last night and now she was here in this comfortable house, being cosseted by Lizzie. This morning she had had a long talk with her new papa and his friend, who said he was going to marry May. They had wanted to hear all about her adventures and no one had been cross about her running away or appearing on the stage. Her new papa was kind, and had promised to buy her some new dresses and anything else she wanted. Lizzie had tutted at that and said he should not spoil her, but he had said he had nine years of not being able to spoil her and now he was going to make up for lost time.
She was sorry now that she had refused to kiss him goodnight. He had looked so sad that she made up her mind next time he asked she would do it.
He had told her that were all going on a long boat trip to Australia and she was going to see May again. She tried to remember what May looked like, but all she could recall was being held in gentle arms and a soft voice singing ‘Lavender’s Blue’. Then she remembered the lady who had given her back her doll. Was that May? It was all too confusing and she was getting sleepy. Papa had said they would have a wonderful life in Australia, and when she had asked if she could still have piano lessons, he had promised that she would. She had asked then if she could have a puppy dog, and he had laughed and promised she could have a whole kennelful if she wanted, and a pony to ride as well.
Growing drowsier, remembered faces drifted through her mind: Leary and Dervla and Quinn and Danny – did they ever think of her? Did they miss her? Ma Finnegan and Finnegan himself. She had never had a chance to say goodbye, but Papa said they would be back in Ireland by now.
She thought she would miss the excitement of appearing on stage and hearing people clap when she sang, and she remembered what Finnegan had promised, that one day she would be a famous star with young men queuing up to take her out. That would have been fun, but perhaps it would never have happened. She was wise enough to know that the leap from Finnegan’s Irish Music Hall to the London stage was too great for most people.
On the other hand, she need not give up the idea completely. Perhaps in Australia there would be concerts where she could sing. Her new papa might help. After all, he had promised her whatever she wanted …
She turned over and snuggled down. Everything was going to be wonderful from now on. On that thought she fell asleep.
Twenty Five
Liverpool
December 12th 1868
Dearest May,
I am writing this in haste as I have much to do and think about, but I want to let you have the good news. I have passed my examination and am now a fully qualified solicitor!
I have booked my passage on the Royal Standard, leaving Liverpool on December 23rd, so I should be with you not long after you receive this letter. As I told you in my last letter, Richard and Angel – I must learn to call her Amy – are travelling with me, so after all this time you will see her again. She is very well. It is remarkable how quickly she has adapted to a completely new life and a new set of relationships, but I suppose she had to get used to that during the time when she was ‘on the run’, to coin a phrase.
Now she understands that nobody is going to beat her, and she is going to stay with us permanently, she shows herself to be a remarkably self-possessed little person. Richard dotes on her and I must admit that she takes advantage of the fact, but it is so good to see her happy after all she has been through. Lizzie is a great standby and a good influence. While she can get away with anything with Richard, Lizzie takes a much firmer stand and insists on good behaviour. It works very well for all of them.
A week or two ago Richard asked her if she would like to sing for us and without having to be asked twice she stood up and sang ‘The Last Rose of Summer’ and the ‘Agnus Dei’, which is apparently the one that got her into trouble in the convent. I understand now why the playbill advertised her as ‘voice of an angel’. She has an amazingly pure tone and a real musical sense. I haven’t said anything to Richard yet, but I really think that once we are settled we should try to find a good singing teacher for her. I think she may have a great future on the concert platform.
I can’t wait to see you again, and to bring Angel to meet you. I have put the house on the market and found a buyer almost at once, so now it is a matter of packing up what I can bring with me and disposing of everything else. I shall miss Flossie and Cook, but I have found a new position for Flossie with a very good family and arranged a small pension from the money my father left me for Cook. I think they will do perfectly well without me.
On a more difficult topic, I had to tell Mr Weaver that I am not accepting his offer of a partnership. He was shocked and disappointed, but when I explained about my promise to you he seemed to understand. At least, he has written me a glowing reference, in case I want to join a firm in Melbourne or somewhere. I don’t know whether it will be better to set up on my own account or look for a position with an established firm, but I can start to sort that out when I get to Australia. Richard will need to find a job, too, but he doesn’t think that will be a problem. Meanwhile, we are grateful for your father’s generous invitation to stay at Freshfields until we get settled.
So, you can start making arrangements for the wedding! I leave all the details to you and I know you will make a perfect job of it. For my contribution, I am bringing my best man and a pretty little bridesmaid for you.
Please give my regards to Gus and your father.
Your loving and impatient husband-to-be,
James
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ISBN 9781785035685