The Christmas Wedding

by Dilly Court

  Minnie shook her head. ‘No, Mrs Wood won’t allow us to lock our door. She says it must be kept unlocked so that the maid can get in to clean, although I think that’s just an excuse because you could make a fur coat from the dust balls under my bed.’

  ‘Well, I’m sure we can sort something out. In the meantime, what about something to eat? I’m really hungry and very thirsty.’

  ‘Then we’d better get to Old Joe’s coffee stall while it’s still quite quiet. He sells out quickly when he gets a rush on.’

  ‘But we’re not allowed to eat in our room.’

  ‘It’s all right as long as Mrs Wood doesn’t find out. You could opt for supper here, but take my tip and avoid her food at all costs. When you smell what’s cooking you’ll know what I mean.’ Minnie opened the door. ‘And if you do bring food into the house make sure that Gladys doesn’t see what you’re carrying or she’ll run to her mother and peach on you.’

  ‘I’ll be careful,’ Daisy said with a sigh. ‘Gladys sounds like a menace.’

  ‘If you think she’s bad you haven’t met the beast of Fieldgate Street.’

  ‘Good heavens. What could that be?’

  Minnie shook her head. ‘Don’t ask. You’ll find out soon enough.’

  Daisy followed her new friend from the room, closing the door carefully behind her. First she must eat and then she would concentrate on finding Toby, even if it meant posting a note through the door of his lodging house. It would be so good to see him again, and in all probability he would be in contact with Nick.

  She hurried after Minnie, who had raced on ahead and, as she turned the bend in the stairs Daisy saw someone loitering in the passage leading to the basement stairs, but at the sound of her footsteps the watcher vanished into the dim region at the back of the house.

  ‘Someone was spying on you,’ Daisy said breathlessly as she caught up with Minnie.

  ‘That would be Gladys, of course. The young wretch.’ Minnie tossed her head. ‘She’ll be there again when we return. I’m certain she keeps a note of the time we spend indoors, and I wouldn’t be surprised to receive a bill for being in the house longer than necessary or wearing out the stair carpet. Mrs Wood is very keen on making a bit extra, as you’ll find out.’ Her expression changed subtly. ‘Don’t look now, but Ivy is coming and she’s got that strange fellow with her. I don’t know what she sees in him.’

  Unable to resist temptation, Daisy glanced over her shoulder and her hand flew to cover her mouth. ‘Oh, no! I thought I’d seen the last of him.’

  Chapter Thirteen

  ‘Do you know him?’ Minnie asked in a whisper.

  ‘Yes, unfortunately I do.’ Daisy painted a smile on her face as the couple approached. ‘It’s Jonah Sawkins. He used to work for my uncle.’ Her first instinct was to run, but Jonah had seen her and he quickened his pace, limping towards them with his odd shuffling gait.

  ‘Well, I never! Fancy seeing you here, Miss Daisy.’ Jonah came to a halt and patted Ivy’s hand as it rested in the crook of his arm. ‘Might I introduce you to my friend Miss Price?’

  ‘How do you do, Miss Price?’ Daisy eyed the young woman critically. Even Ivy’s best friend could not honestly describe her as pretty, but surely she could do better than Jonah Sawkins? There was, as Aunt Eleanora always said ‘no accounting for taste’. Maybe Jonah had hidden depths, although she could not think of one redeeming quality.

  ‘Pleased to meet you, miss.’ Ivy seized Daisy’s hand and shook it. ‘Are you going to lodge here, too?’

  ‘Yes, she is, Ivy.’ Minnie pushed past Jonah, who was leering at her in a way that was all too familiar to Daisy. ‘Come on, Daisy,’ Minnie added, wrapping her shawl more tightly around her shoulders. ‘We haven’t time to stand around and gossip. Come on, Ivy.’ She marched off in the direction of Whitechapel Road with a reluctant Ivy in tow.

  Daisy was about to follow when Jonah barred her way. ‘I’ve done well since your uncle retired. I’m manager now, in total charge of the shop.’

  ‘That’s good,’ Daisy said vaguely. ‘I’m sure you’ll make a success of whatever you do.’

  ‘You should have been nicer to me,’ Jonah hissed as she attempted to dodge him. ‘You could still be living in your old home. I’d have treated you like a lady.’

  ‘Never,’ Daisy said firmly. ‘Let me pass, Jonah.’

  ‘Don’t think I’ve forgiven you for the way you treated me, Daisy Marshall.’ Jonah stood aside, his face contorted in a spiteful grin.

  Daisy chose to ignore his last remark, although she could feel him staring at her as she hurried after Minnie, who had parted from Ivy at the corner of the street. ‘Ivy needs to be careful,’ Daisy said breathlessly. ‘Jonah isn’t the sort of man to treat a girl well.’

  ‘I don’t know what she sees in him. I had to walk on or I might have said something I would regret.’

  ‘He was my uncle’s assistant, and he’s not a nice man.’

  ‘Well, you’d better warn her. She won’t listen to me.’

  ‘I will, at the first opportunity. Anyway, there are more important things in life than Jonah Sawkins, and I’m very hungry.’

  ‘So am I. Let’s hope old Joe hasn’t sold all his pies or ham rolls.’

  ‘Where will we eat, if we can’t take food back to the lodging house?’

  Minnie shot her a mischievous look. ‘There’s always St Mary’s churchyard, unless of course it’s raining, and then we have to smuggle the food in and make sure we don’t leave any crumbs. Mrs Wood is terrified of rats and mice, and for that reason she relies on the beast of Fieldgate Street.’

  ‘Who is he?’

  ‘Rex is a cat, Mrs Wood’s pride and joy, and he’s the terror of the local vermin. You’ll meet the brute sooner or later, and if you’ll take my advice you’ll pet him, even if he hisses at you, and smile if he scratches you. To be honest, he’s a hateful creature, but Mrs Wood adores him.’ Minnie came to a halt at a coffee stall on the corner of Fieldgate Street and Whitechapel Road. ‘What have you got for me today, Joe?’

  Despite a brief shower, they drank their coffee standing close to the stall and, having returned the mugs, they walked the short distance to the churchyard of St Mary Matfelon, where they sat on a slightly damp bench and ate ham rolls and hard-boiled eggs. It was almost dark by the time they arrived back at Mrs Wood’s lodging house and Ivy let them in, but she did not look pleased. Her pale face was marred by a sulky pout and her sandy eyebrows were drawn together in a frown.

  ‘What’s the matter with you?’ Minnie demanded as she stepped over the threshold.

  ‘It’s her.’ Ivy pointed a finger at Daisy. ‘He went on and on about her after you’d gone.’

  Daisy entered the hall, closing the door behind her. ‘Jonah isn’t a nice person. Maybe it’s the life he led before he came to live and work in the shop, but you could do better.’

  ‘You’re just jealous.’ Ivy headed for the stairs, but she came to a halt, rounding on Daisy. ‘I’ll never get a husband. If a cripple like Jonah throws me over for someone else, what hope is there for a dull little thing like me?’

  Daisy shook her head. ‘Don’t say things like that, Ivy. You’ll meet someone who really appreciates you.’

  ‘I thought Jonah did until you came along.’

  ‘Believe me, you don’t want to get too involved with Jonah Sawkins. He’s mean and you can’t trust him.’

  ‘That’s what you say, but I don’t believe you.’ Ivy picked up her skirts and took the stairs two at a time.

  ‘I never liked him,’ Minnie said, shrugging. ‘She’ll have to learn the hard way, Daisy. Don’t waste your breath on her.’

  Daisy took off her damp mantle and untied the strings of her bonnet. ‘What do we do now? Are we allowed to use the parlour?’

  ‘Oh, Lord, yes. Mrs Wood lights a fire at exactly half-past four in the afternoon.’

  ‘That seems very reasonable.’

  Minnie pulled a face. ‘It saves on coal a
nd kindling because we aren’t allowed to have a fire in our rooms, no matter how cold it gets, so we huddle round the hearth in the front room. It also means that she can keep an eye on us, and there’s little or no chance of anyone smuggling a gentleman friend into the house.’

  Even as the words left Minnie’s lips, the parlour door opened and Mrs Wood emerged, bristling with importance.

  ‘Miss Marshall, you have a visitor. He assures me that he is your brother.’

  Toby appeared in the doorway behind her, grinning broadly. ‘My sister will vouch for me, ma’am.’

  Mrs Wood stepped aside as Daisy rushed across the hall to fling her arms around her brother. ‘How did you know I was here?’

  ‘Sister Johnson,’ he said cheerfully. ‘She told me you were looking for me and that you’d gone off with Miss Cole.’ He shot an apologetic glance in Minnie’s direction. ‘I’m afraid I persuaded her to give me your address. I hope you don’t mind.’

  Mrs Wood sniffed disdainfully. ‘That wouldn’t have happened had I been in charge.’

  ‘Well, I’m very glad she did,’ Daisy said wholeheartedly. ‘I stopped by your lodgings first and when you weren’t there I went straight to the hospital.’

  ‘And applied for a job as probationer nurse,’ Toby added, chuckling. ‘I must say you don’t waste time, Daisy old thing.’

  ‘Give me your mantle and bonnet, Daisy, and I’ll take them upstairs,’ Minnie said firmly. ‘I’m sure you and your brother would like some time for a private chat.’ She emphasised the last words, fixing Mrs Wood with a meaningful stare.

  ‘I’m not a one to intrude in family matters,’ Mrs Wood said, bridling. ‘Perhaps the good doctor would like a cup of tea?’

  Minnie turned away, winking at Daisy as she took to the stairs. ‘You’re honoured, Dr Marshall.’

  ‘That’s enough of your cheek, Miss Cole.’ Mrs Wood turned on her heel and marched off in the direction of the back stairs.

  Daisy hurried her brother into the parlour and closed the door. ‘It’s so good to see you, Toby.’ She shivered, gazing at the desultory flames licking around a few pieces of coal in the grate. ‘Mrs Wood doesn’t believe in spoiling her lodgers.’

  ‘What’s going on, Daisy? I thought you were happy in Little Creek.’ Toby stood with his back to the fire. ‘Why did you return to London so soon?’

  She lowered herself gingerly onto the horsehair sofa, which proved to be just as uncomfortable as its appearance suggested. ‘It’s a long story.’

  Toby’s blue eyes twinkled mischievously. ‘Start at the beginning. I’ve always suspected that was the best way.’

  ‘I’ll tell you, but I don’t want you to get angry.’

  He sat down next to her. ‘Go on. What happened?’

  Daisy took a deep breath. It was not easy to put her experience with Squire Tattersall into words without incensing her brother, but she managed to give him a shortened version of the events that had led her to hurry back to London.

  ‘I’d have sorted the squire out, had I been at home,’ Toby said furiously. ‘How dare he treat you like that and threaten our family? I’ve a good mind to get the next train to Little Creek.’

  ‘You mustn’t do that. Our uncle and aunt are in a difficult situation because the lease on the cottage is due to expire before too long, and the squire owns the land on which it is built. Anyway I’ve lived off their charity for long enough. I need to earn my own living.’

  ‘That’s ridiculous. No one would expect that of you, and they love you as if you were their own child.’

  ‘I know, which makes it even more important that I don’t do anything to jeopardise their future. The squire will find some other unfortunate woman to marry him, and I suppose in some ways he is a good catch. He’s rich and powerful and that would be enough for some women.’

  ‘But not for you?’

  She smiled reluctantly. ‘No, definitely not for me.’

  ‘Perhaps you have someone in mind?’ Toby put his head on one side. ‘Would Nick have anything to do with your decision to take up nursing?’

  ‘No, not really. Although I can see how badly the people of Little Creek need a doctor, or even a qualified nurse and midwife. It was quite by chance that I arrived at the hospital looking for you and found myself amongst the applicants for nurse probationer.’

  ‘At least I’ll be able to keep an eye on you,’ Toby said, grinning.

  ‘That’s funny, coming from someone who was constantly being reprimanded for flouting the rules in the medical school.’

  ‘Rules are made to be broken. That’s always been my excuse, but it doesn’t apply to young ladies like yourself. I’ll spread the word that you are my sister and must be treated with the greatest respect.’

  Daisy rolled her eyes and was about to comment when the door opened and the largest tabby cat that she had ever seen prowled into the room, his tail held erect and twitching irritably. Mrs Wood came in next, carrying a tea tray, which she placed on a small table in the window.

  ‘You’ll have to move up, Miss Marshall. You’re sitting in Rex’s place.’

  Daisy took one look at the cat, who was preparing to spring, and she did not argue. Rex leaped with the grace of a tiger, landing beside her and he proceeded to turn in tight circles until he sank down with an almost human sigh.

  ‘You may stroke him, Miss Marshall.’

  It was an order rather than a request and Daisy raised her hand slowly, touching the thick fur as lightly as she could. Rex turned his head, glaring at her with malevolent yellow eyes and hissed. She withdrew her hand quickly. ‘I don’t think he likes me.’

  ‘Rex takes time to get used to new faces. He’ll be fine when he gets to know you. Rex is a good judge of character.’

  Daisy could sense Toby’s amusement and she did not dare raise her eyes to meet his, focusing instead on the slices of cake laid out on a china plate. ‘That looks delicious, Mrs Wood.’

  ‘Don’t expect this every evening,’ Mrs Wood said grimly, but her expression changed as she turned to Toby. ‘I have the miseries in my back, Doctor. Perhaps you could give me something to ease the pain?’

  ‘I’m afraid I can’t prescribe outside the hospital, Mrs Wood. But if you would like to attend the outpatient department, I’m sure someone better qualified than I would be able to help you.’

  ‘Well, you’re not much use then, are you?’ Mrs Wood slammed out of the room, taking the plate of cake with her.

  Daisy looked at Toby and they doubled up with laughter. They were still convulsed when Minnie rushed into the room.

  ‘What did you say to Mrs Wood? She’s fuming.’

  Toby wiped his eyes on a slightly grubby hanky. ‘She took exception to being told that I can’t treat her privately and she must attend the hospital outpatient department.’

  ‘Trust her to want something for nothing.’ Minnie sat down to pour the tea. ‘Did I see cake on the plate she had in her hand?’

  ‘She took it away.’ Daisy glanced anxiously at Rex. ‘I wish she’d left the cake and taken her cat with her.’

  Minnie handed her a cup of tea. ‘Don’t touch the brute. He’s vicious, but if you want to stay in Mrs Wood’s good books you’d better pretend to like him.’

  ‘I prefer dogs, myself,’ Toby said casually. ‘Anyway, Daisy, you’re going to join us in the hospital. I hope you’re prepared for hard work. You’ll see things that will be very distressing.’

  ‘I’ll do my best,’ Daisy said stoutly. ‘I can’t say fairer than that.’

  ‘We’ll help each other.’ Minnie was about to take a seat next to Daisy on the sofa, but Rex chose that moment to stretch and his claws were out. Minnie moved to a chair by the fire. ‘That animal thinks he owns the place.’

  ‘You girls must come round to my lodgings.’ Toby stared into his cup. ‘This tea looks like dishwater. As I was saying, you’ll find it more pleasant spending an evening with us.’

  ‘Who are you lodging with?’ Daisy inched aw
ay from Rex, who was threatening to take up the entire sofa.

  ‘With Nick at the moment, although he’s moving to Harley Street in a day or two.’

  ‘It’s a long way to Harley Street.’

  ‘Yes, that’s why he’s going to live above the shop, so to speak. He’s saving every penny in an attempt to raise the money to pay off the squire, although at the rate he’s going it will take him twenty years or more.’

  Daisy shook her head. ‘Squire Tattersall has a lot to answer for.’

  Toby placed his cup and saucer back on the tray. ‘That was truly the worst tea I’ve ever tasted.’ He rose to his feet. ‘It’s good to see you, Daisy, but I have to go now because I’m on duty again in half an hour.’

  She jumped up and gave him a hug. ‘Perhaps we can all meet up for a meal somewhere cheap.’

  ‘I suppose that includes Nick?’

  ‘I’d like to see him.’

  ‘Of course, and he’ll be keen to see you, too, Daisy. He’s always talking about you and the way you tried to help him.’

  ‘Anyone would have done the same.’

  Toby kissed her on the forehead. ‘No, they wouldn’t, Daisy. Your attempt to fool the squire was a mad idea in the first place, but if Nick finds out what it’s cost you personally he’ll be devastated.’

  ‘You mustn’t tell him because it’s over and done with. I want you to promise that you won’t say a word.’

  ‘All right, if it means so much to you, I promise.’

  ‘It’s all so exciting,’ Minnie said dreamily. ‘I enjoyed reading Lady Audley’s Secret, but this is better by far. I wonder what will happen next, Daisy.’

  ‘Who knows? This is real life, Minnie.’

  ‘And I have to get back to work.’ Toby opened the door. ‘I’m on duty this weekend, but I’ll no doubt see you at the hospital on Monday, Daisy. We can arrange something then, after I’ve had a chance to speak to Nick. Although I wouldn’t be surprised if he comes round to see you as soon as he knows that you’re in London.’ He stepped aside as Rex leaped off the sofa, but the cat walked past him and ambled out of the room in a leisurely fashion.