by Judi Curtin
Lady Mary put her handkerchief away and began to write in the notebook that was on the table in front of her.
‘It is very kind of you to care for your friend like this, Lily,’ she said. ‘But now you may leave it with me. I will make enquiries about Nellie’s sisters immediately. If it is necessary to visit the workhouse, then I will do that. I promise I will do everything I can to find out what happened to those two poor girls.’
I thanked her and ran from the room – and all that afternoon, as I worked, I wondered if I had done the right thing at all.
Chapter Eight
For the next few days, I worked as if I were in a trance. As Nellie and I blackleaded the grates, and lit the many fires and lay out towels in the dressing rooms, and made the beds, and swept and polished and scrubbed, all I wanted to do was to wrap my arms around her and protect her from the world.
What if Lady Mary discovered that Nellie’s sisters had died?
Would it be right to tell Nellie, or would it be better to protect her from the truth?
What if I had taken away the last tiny bit of hope she had left?
How could I call myself her friend if I had done that?
A few times I saw Lady Mary from a distance, but she didn’t notice me, and she never came near.
Sometimes I was desperate to know the truth. At other times I wished I had kept my stupid mouth shut.
* * *
One day, just as we finishing our dinner, Michael, the oldest of the Gore-Booth children came running into the dining hall. He was breathless, and worried-looking and the front of his coat was wet and sandy. Michael was a serious little boy, who rarely came near the servants’ quarters. He stopped when he saw that the room was full of people, and then he said in a small voice. ‘Can someone come and help me please? It’s sort of an emergency.’
Mr Kilgallon and Mrs Bailey and two of the footmen got to their feet, and now Michael looked even more worried.
‘It’s not a huge big emergency,’ he said. ‘Nobody is sick or dead or anything like that.’
Everyone sat down again, and Mrs Bailey turned to Nellie and me. ‘Could you two girls go and see what is the matter?’
Nellie and I followed Michael along the servants’ corridor to the back door. He led us into the small courtyard, and pointed at the little stone pond in the corner.
‘Oh,’ said Nellie and I together as we saw the small grey creature with the huge eyes.
‘It’s a baby seal,’ said Michael proudly. ‘He was all on his own on the beach with no Mummy or Daddy or anything, and I saved him and I carried him all the way back by myself.’
‘He looks very big for you to carry,’ I said.
Michael put his head down. ‘I carried him a small little bit and then a gardening man helped me,’ he said.
‘Were you on the beach by yourself?’ I asked, wondering if Isabelle or one of the other children’s maids was going to be in big trouble.
‘I’m not allowed to go anywhere by myself, but I should be, because I’m five and a half,’ he said. ‘Nurse was with me, but she was cross when I said I wanted to save the seal. When we got to here the gardening man went back to work. Nurse said she had to bath Brian, and I should ask a servant to help me, so that’s what I did.’
I smiled. Everyone knew that Nurse was terrified of animals, and had once run up the stairs screaming when a puppy tried to lick her leg.
The pond was small, but the seal looked happy enough flopping around in the water.
‘What do you want us to do?’ asked Nellie.
‘He’s hungry,’ said Michael. ‘Can you get him some food?’
‘Of course we will,’ I said. ‘You wait here and Nellie and I will find something for him.
No one was sure what seal pups ate, but in the end, Cook gave us a very small fish, and some warm milk in a bottle that had once been used to feed an orphaned lamb.
Michael took the fish, and held it towards the seal, who sniffed it for a second, and then swallowed it whole, making Michael laugh. Then he held out the bottle, but the seal looked confused.
‘He doesn’t know it’s milk,’ I said. ‘Try splashing some on his nose, so he understands.’
Michael did as I suggested. The seal blinked in surprise, and then as a few drops dripped down his nose, he stuck out his tiny pink tongue and began to lick them.
‘Quick,’ said Nellie. ‘Give him the bottle, before he changes his mind.’
Michael jabbed the bottle towards him, and after a second the pup began to suck.
A huge smile came across Michael’s face, as he held the bottle carefully. ‘He’s the cleverest seal in the whole world,’ he said. ‘He’s called Spotty, and he’s all mine and no one else’s, so you can go and do your work now and I will mind him.’
Nellie and I looked at each other, not sure if we should leave him, but then Isabelle appeared.
‘What a little pet,’ she said to Michael. ‘Aren’t you the clever boy to save him?’
Then she turned to Nellie and me. ‘I’ll mind him now,’ she said. ‘Mrs Bailey says you’re to go inside and get started on cleaning the silver.’
I sighed. Why did my life have to be so boring?
* * *
On Saturday Nellie and I got up early as usual. She dressed in her uniform, while I put on my dress, ready for the journey home.
‘Please tell your mam and the boys I say hello,’ said Nellie as I laced up my boots. ‘And give your gorgeous little sisters a big kiss and a hug from me.’
I smiled at her. A few times I had tried to talk to her about the night she had cried in my arms, but she always pushed me away.
‘I was being silly,’ she would say. ‘Forget it ever happened. I was making a fuss about nothing.’
It definitely wasn’t nothing, but if she didn’t want to talk about it, what could I do?
‘Nellie, I wish you could come with me,’ I said now.
‘That’s all right. I have plenty to occupy me here. Are you excited about the journey?’
‘What do you mean?’
‘You said Miss Maeve is letting you use her bicycle.’
I hadn’t seen Maeve since the day we had both learned to cycle, and I had completely forgotten that she had said I could use the bicycle.
‘She did say that,’ I said. ‘But I don’t know if I dare to.’
‘You have to take it,’ said Nellie. ‘Imagine all the extra time you can have with your family.’
‘You’re right,’ I said. ‘Wish me luck.’
* * *
Albert was working on the engine of the motor car when I got to the coach house.
He was the first person I met on my very first day at Lissadell, and he had always been kind to me. Still, I felt nervous as I went over to the bicycle. What if he didn’t believe that I was allowed to take it?
‘Miss Maeve said I can borrow her bicycle to go and see my family,’ I said shyly. ‘Do you think that is all right?’
‘I think that is a wonderful idea,’ said Albert. ‘Here, let me help you.’
He wiped his oily hands on a rag and wheeled the bike outside for me. He helped me to arrange Cook’s basket inside the larger bicycle basket, and then he held the bicycle as I got on and tried to remember how cycling was done.
‘Off you go,’ he said, giving me a little push.
I squealed as I wobbled and swayed and very nearly crashed into a huge stone pot of flowers. I somehow stayed upright, found my balance and began to pedal.
Albert clapped his hands, but I didn’t dare to look back at him.
‘Have a lovely time,’ he called.
‘Thank you,’ I called back, but I was already so far away, I wasn’t sure he could hear me.
* * *
I was feeling very confident by the time I had left the estate, and was on the open road. It was starting to rain a little, but I didn’t care. I felt like the queen of the road as I raced along, with my skirt flapping madly and the breeze blowing my hai
r out behind me. In no time at all I was nearly home.
Denis and Jimmy were standing outside their friend Brendan’s house as I came by. They stared at me the way you stare at a stranger in a small, quiet village. I smiled when I realised that they didn’t recognise me. I had nearly made it past them, when Brendan let out a big shout.
‘That’s your sister, boys,’ he said. ‘That’s Lily.’
I watched as my brothers looked doubtful at first, and then began to laugh.
‘Lily,’ they called as I sailed past them. ‘Give us a go. Come on, give us a go.’
‘Sorry, I can’t,’ I said. ‘I’m not allowed.’
I cycled on through the village, and while I didn’t dare to look over my shoulder, I knew the boys were running after me. Soon, I could tell by the shouts that they had been joined by some of their friends.
When I finally stopped at my own house, I turned back to see what looked like every child in the village running along, cheering and laughing and pointing at me. As they came close, they pushed and shoved, all trying to touch the bike and ring the bell.
Mam’s friend, Molly Carty, came along. ‘Well look at you, Lily,’ she said. ‘All fancy on your bike, like the Queen of Sheba, or maybe even the Countess Markievicz herself.’
Just then Mam came out of the house – I suppose all the noise made her think there was an army going past. When she saw me and the bicycle and Molly Carty, her face went pink. Mam always hates a fuss.
‘Lily, child,’ she said. ‘Come in out of it.’ Before I could argue, she had grabbed the bicycle, and was wheeling it through the door, and propping it up against the kitchen wall. ‘I think this will be safer in here.’
Denis and Jimmy followed us inside, happy to be part of the excitement, and enjoying the jealous looks of their friends. Molly tried to come in too, but Mam blocked her way.
‘I’m sorry, Molly,’ she said firmly. ‘Lily and I have a lot to talk about, so it’s best if we don’t have any visitors for a little while.’
Molly tossed her head. ‘I was only being neighbourly,’ she said as she walked away. I looked at Mam to see if she was cross, but she was only laughing, as she closed the door, leaving all the fuss and noise outside.
Winnie and Anne came running from the bedroom so excited to see me that they barely noticed the bike that was taking up half of the kitchen.
We all sat down and Mam gave a big sigh. ‘Lily, what have you done now?’ she said.
‘What do you mean?’ I said innocently.
‘Where on earth did you get that thing?’ she asked. ‘I know you can’t afford a bicycle, or even a single one of its wheels.’
‘Oh,’ I said. ‘You see …’
‘I won’t see anything if you don’t hurry up and tell me,’ said Mam.
Once again I wished that I could tell Mam about my friendship with Maeve. Once again, though, I knew it was impossible. I hate lying to Mam, so I told her a bit of the truth.
‘Sir Josslyn bought the bicycle for Lady Mary,’ I said. ‘But she didn’t like it, so now I’m allowed to use it every Saturday.’
‘The Gore-Booths are decent people,’ said Mam. ‘But I hope you’re not taking advantage of their good nature.’
‘I’m not, I promise,’ I said.
‘Well, if you’re sure,’ said Mam. ‘And I have to say, it’s lovely to have you home a bit earlier, and you’ll be able to stay later too.’
‘Can I have a go on the bicycle?’ asked Jimmy.
‘Me first ’cause I’m older,’ said Denis.
Mam shook her head. ‘It’s not a plaything, and Lily only has a loan of it. If I catch any of you even touching it, I’ll take out the wooden spoon and …’
The boys looked scared and I tried not to smile. Mam was always threatening the boys with the wooden spoon, but she never even took it down from the shelf unless she was baking bread.
‘If you’re good,’ I said, trying to console the boys, ‘I’ll tell you all about Michael Gore-Booth and the baby seal.’
‘Tell us about the seal!’ said Anne, jumping up and down.
Winnie climbed up on my lap. ‘Did you bring me a new dress?’ she asked.
‘No, silly. That was a special treat,’ I said. ‘But if we look in the basket we might just find something nice for you to eat.’
Everyone waited excitedly to see what treats Cook had sent, and to hear my stories, and Mam smiled at me. I loved being at home.
* * *
Even with all the extra time, the day went too quickly. When I wheeled the bicycle out of the house, there was a gathering of children on the road.
‘What are you lot doing here?’ asked Mam. ‘Is there a procession or something on?’
They all laughed. ‘We want to see Lily on the bike,’ said Brendan.
‘Oh, Lily,’ said Mam, as she gave me my goodbye hug. ‘You’re the eighth wonder of the world!’
I didn’t feel very wonderful as I sat on the saddle and pushed myself off. If I fell now, I’d be teased for the rest of my life. There was complete silence as I swayed and wobbled, but as I began to pedal, everyone cheered and clapped. All the children ran along beside me, whistling and shouting. I pedalled as fast as I could, and soon even Denis, the fastest runner in the village, was left behind.
‘Bye, Lily,’ he called.
‘Bye, Denis,’ I replied, and then I waved one hand in the air like a queen and went on my way.
* * *
Back at Lissadell, I put the bicycle back in the coach house, and used one of Albert’s rags to wipe the splashes of mud off the black paint. When I got to our room, Nellie was sitting on her bed, waiting to hear the news of my day off.
‘Going on the bicycle was the best thing,’ I began. ‘It was …’
Before I could finish, there was a light knock on the door, and Nellie ran to open it.
‘It’s probably Isabelle … Lady Mary!’ she said. I could hear the shock in her voice.
Because of the way we lived, I spent many hours in Lady Mary’s room, but she never, ever came to mine.
‘Hello, Nellie,’ said Lady Mary. ‘I wonder if I could come in for a moment?’
And my heart sank right down to the toes of my shiny brown boots.
Chapter Nine
Lady Mary came into the room, which now felt very dull and shabby as I tried to see it through her eyes. I quickly bundled up my nightgown and shawl, which were thrown on the bed, and put them under my pillow. Nellie stood by the door as if she had turned to stone. She had a confused look on her face as if she had no idea why Lady Mary was there. Unfortunately, I was fairly sure I knew why, and the very thought of it made my hands shake as if I were chilled to the bone.
‘May I sit?’ asked Lady Mary, as if she didn’t own the house and everything in it. As if she wasn’t allowed to do exactly as she pleased.
I nodded, and as there was no chair, she sat on my bed.
‘You two girls should sit down too,’ she said, and obediently Nellie and I sat side by side on Nellie’s bed.
I felt sick to my stomach as we all looked at each other.
Should I have warned Nellie that I had asked Lady Mary to find out about her sisters?
Would that have made any difference at all?
‘Nellie,’ said Lady Mary gently. ‘I understand that when you went to the workhouse, your two sisters went with you.’
Nellie nodded. She also gave a little shudder, but I couldn’t tell if it was because of the mention of her sisters, or the workhouse.
‘Your sister Lizzie was very unwell when she got there,’ said Lady Mary. ‘She had the same fever that took your poor mother and father.’
I wished this could be a fairytale with a happy ending for everyone, but Lady Mary’s serious face told me my wish was not going to come true.
‘I have made some enquiries,’ she continued. ‘And I am afraid I have some very bad news for you. Nellie dear, poor little Lizzie was sent to the workhouse infirmary and she died a week late
r.’
I took Nellie’s hand and squeezed it. ‘Oh, Nellie,’ I said. ‘This is such sad news. I’m so sorry for you.’
Nellie was quiet. Why wasn’t she screaming and crying the way I would have been if anything happened to Winnie or Anne?
Hadn’t she understood Lady Mary’s words?
Lady Mary came and sat beside Nellie and put her arm around her shoulder. ‘Nellie, dear,’ she said.
‘It’s all right,’ said Nellie. ‘Even before the fever, Lizzie was always chesty. Mam made her special drinks and I used to cry because I couldn’t share them. I was little and I didn’t understand, but I’m grown now, and I’m sorry I made such a fuss. For all these past years, I didn’t dare to dream that Lizzie might be alive. Thank you for finding out about her, Lady Mary – and thank you for telling me.’
Nellie’s eyes were dry, though I could barely see them for the tears that were rolling down my cheeks.
‘And your other sister, Johanna,’ said Lady Mary. ‘She was also very unwell.’
I brushed my tears away and waited.
Could Nellie have had all the bad luck in the world?
Was she going to hear that her whole family was dead?
But Lady Mary was smiling. ‘For some reason, Johanna was sent to the workhouse in Tubercurry, and there, I’m very happy to say, she regained her health.’
Nellie still seemed numb, as if she could not understand either good news or bad – as if she were wrapped up in a thick fog that stopped her from feeling anything.
‘And is she still there?’ I asked. ‘Is Johanna still in the workhouse in Tubercurry?’
Being in a workhouse was a terrible thing, but it had to be better than being dead.
‘No,’ said Lady Mary. ‘Johanna is no longer there. If she had been, I would have …’
She stopped, but I could guess what she was going to say. This lovely lady had gone to the workhouse in Tubercurry herself. If Johanna had been there, she would have rescued her, just as she had rescued Nellie.
‘So where is she?’
Lady Mary sighed. ‘The master of the workhouse was most unhelpful, and did not want to give me the information I needed, but I managed to persuade him in the end.’
