The Christmas Rose Page 15

  Rose rushed into Pier House, eager to share her news with Maria, but she came to a halt when she saw her friend’s serious expression. ‘How is Mrs Colville? What did the doctor say?’

  Maria shook her head. ‘It’s not good, Rose. He thinks that it was apoplexy, which could have occurred at any time, but the scene with Gilroy almost certainly caused her collapse.’

  ‘I’m sorry,’ Rose said awkwardly. ‘What needs to be done?’

  ‘There’s little we can do, apart from keeping her quiet and comfortable. She might recover, but Dr Tucker was doubtful.’ Maria dabbed her eyes with her handkerchief. ‘She was always hateful to me when I was growing up, but she is my grandmother and I must look after her.’

  Rose took off her sodden bonnet as she glanced round the room. ‘What have you done with the children and Izzie?’

  Maria managed a watery smile. ‘I haven’t locked them in a cupboard. They were all starving so I took them to the kitchen, and Mrs Leary said she would find them something to eat.’

  ‘I hope Sparrow is behaving herself.’

  ‘I think she’s a bit overawed by everything. It’s been a sudden change for her.’

  ‘That’s true. It’s been a bit of a shock to me as well. One minute I’m in Black Raven Court, and then I’m a guest in a grand house in Tavistock Square, and now I’m staying with you in a mansion overlooking the river. Will you remain here, as planned?’

  ‘Yes, of course. I can’t walk away and leave Grandmama while she’s in this state.’ Maria hesitated, staring at Rose’s wet hair and damp skirts. ‘I should be asking why you’re soaked to the skin. Where did you go when you rushed out of the room?’

  ‘I followed Gilroy because I thought she would go straight to the pub where Sparrow saw her with Sid Piggin, but you’ll never guess where she went?’

  Maria shook her head. ‘No, tell me.’

  ‘She went to the Captain’s House. I think it was Sid who opened the door, and they were obviously more than good friends. You should have seen them.’ Rose shuddered. ‘That first night when I arrived in London, and Cora took me to the Captain’s House, we only just managed to get away from Sid and his mate. They’re a bad lot and I’m going to do what I should have done in the beginning and report them to the police.’

  ‘Don’t do that, Rose. You can’t prove anything, and it could have serious repercussions if Gilroy realises you were the one who pointed the finger at them. I won’t risk my children’s lives in order to get even with that woman. She’s welcome to keep the things she stole, if she’ll just stay away from here.’

  ‘That house belongs to your family, and those men are squatters.’

  ‘I know you want to be there when Max returns, but don’t allow that to affect your better judgement. Those people are dangerous and best left alone.’ Maria reached out to clasp Rose’s hand. ‘You can stay with me for as long as you like. In fact, I’d be very grateful if you would help me to get through this difficult time.’

  Rose squeezed Maria’s cold fingers. ‘Of course I’ll do anything I can to help you, but don’t you think you ought to send for your mother? She should be here with you, and she might wish to see her own mother before …’ Rose hesitated. ‘Before, you know what.’

  ‘Before Grandmama dies. You don’t have to be tactful, Rose. Dr Tucker told me that she’s unlikely to recover, and I will send for Mama. You’re quite right – she should be here.’

  ‘Perhaps you could send a telegram to your mother this afternoon, but in the meantime I suggest we go to the kitchen and see if there’s anything left for us to eat – I’m ravenous.’

  ‘You’re right, of course. I’ve been too agitated to think about food, but I do feel a little light-headed.’

  Despite Rose’s efforts to bring warmth to the house, there seemed to be a permanent chill in all the rooms except the kitchen. The heat from the range hit Rose as she walked through the doorway, and almost immediately her damp skirts began to steam. Sparrow looked up and grinned.

  ‘Mrs Leary makes lovely bread,’ she said happily. ‘And she cooked us some bacon.’

  Polly nodded vigorously. ‘I’m a good girl.’ She demonstrated by holding up a clean plate, but Teddy was not so happy and he started to howl, holding his arms out to his mother.

  ‘He ain’t eaten much, missis,’ Izzie said hastily. ‘There ain’t no milk, and I reckon he’s thirsty.’

  Mrs Leary bristled visibly. ‘I wasn’t expecting to have to feed hordes of people, let alone three nippers.’ She shot a wary glance in Maria’s direction. ‘I mean, children, ma’am.’

  ‘It’s all right, Mrs Leary,’ Maria said quickly. ‘I know this is very sudden, but I wanted to look after my grandmother, and it’s just as well we came today.’

  ‘That’s as maybe, ma’am, but I can’t manage without help. The girl who comes in to clean hasn’t turned up, although she’ll be full of excuses when she does show her face again. And I gather that Gilroy has hopped it, so who will do her work? Not that she did much anyway, but she took care of the mistress.’

  Rose glanced at Maria, eyebrows raised. ‘What about Jessie and Edna? They won’t have much to do if you shut up the house in Great Hermitage Street, at least for the time being.’

  ‘You’re right.’ Maria took Teddy from Izzie’s arms and he stopped crying immediately. ‘Izzie, when you’ve finished your meal, I want you to go home and fetch your sisters. Tell them I need their help.’

  Izzie stuffed the last chunk of bread and butter in her mouth as she leaped to her feet. ‘I’ll go at once, missis. Can they have nice rooms like me?’

  ‘I’m sure they’ll be very comfortable,’ Maria said calmly. ‘Tell them to pack up all the food in the larder that might go off, and bring it here.’

  ‘I don’t want no interference in my kitchen.’ Mrs Leary stood, arms akimbo, glaring at Maria.

  ‘There’s no fear of that.’ Rose spoke before Maria had a chance to answer. Jessie might have been popular with her clients when she walked the streets, but cooking was not her strong point.

  ‘I’m sure you will be glad to have help,’ Maria added, cuddling Teddy, who was falling asleep in her arms. ‘We’ll manage very well, and I’ll look after my grandmother.’

  ‘I’ll do what I can.’ Rose reached for a slice of bread and a chunk of cheese. ‘I’ll sit with Mrs Colville this afternoon when you go to the telegraph office, Maria. You’re not on your own now.’

  ‘What about me?’ Sparrow demanded. ‘I could wash dishes. I done plenty of that for Ma and Piggin. They was always too drunk to bother with keeping the place clean and tidy.’

  Mrs Leary unhooked a pinafore and tossed it to Sparrow. ‘Make yourself useful and I might consider making a few jam tarts for tea.’

  Despite Maria’s reservations, Rose was determined to bring Gilroy and her accomplices to justice. As promised, she went to sit with Mrs Colville while Maria went to the telegraph office, but she had no intention of being idle. There was a dainty burr-walnut escritoire in the corner of the room and Rose pulled up a chair and sat down. She selected a sheet of writing paper and sat for a while, going over the wording in her mind before she put pen to paper. The words flowed easily, but she kept stopping to check on the sick woman lying corpse-like in the bed. At one point she thought that Mrs Colville had gone to join her Maker, but a shuddering sigh racked the slight body and Rose patted her on the shoulder, whispering words of comfort, although she doubted if she could be heard. Having satisfied herself that there was nothing else she could do, Rose returned to the desk and resumed work on the piece that she hoped Mr Radley would print in the next edition. She had just written the last sentence when she heard approaching footsteps. It would not do to worry Maria unnecessarily, and, if she could impress Radley enough to get her job back it would solve many problems. She slipped the paper into her pocket and went to stand at the bedside, getting there just a second before the door opened and Maria rushed into the room.

  ‘How is she, R
ose? Is there any change?’

  Rose shook her head. ‘No, none at all.’

  Maria took off her bonnet. ‘Dr Tucker promised to call again this evening, and I hope that my mother will come soon.’ She unbuttoned her mantle and laid it over the back of a chair. ‘It’s still very chilly in here, Rose.’

  A wave of guilt swept over Rose as she glanced at the fire that had died down to glowing embers. ‘I’m sorry, I should have added more coal.’

  ‘The scuttle is empty,’ Maria said, frowning.

  Rose hurried over to the fireplace and seized the empty copper scuttle. ‘I’ll fill it up now.’

  ‘That’s a job for the servants. Jessie and Edna should be here by now.’ Maria was about to tug the bell pull, but Rose was already at the door.

  ‘I’ll go and see what’s happening below stairs. Sit down, Maria. You look done in. I’ll ask Mrs Leary to send up a tray of tea.’ She left the room without waiting for Maria to answer and headed for the back stairs.

  She could sense the tension in the kitchen even before she had entered the room. The door was opened and she could see Cook and Jessie standing on either side of the kitchen table, glaring at each other as if they were about to fight a duel, while Edna and Sparrow looked on. They turned with a guilty start as she walked into the room.

  ‘We need more coal,’ Rose said casually. ‘Edna, I think that’s your job. Sparrow will show you where it’s kept.’

  ‘It’s in the cellar.’ Sparrow folded her arms and remained seated. ‘I ain’t missing this for anything. There’ll be fisticuffs in a minute.’

  ‘What’s the matter?’ Rose asked angrily.

  ‘I’m the cook in this house,’ Mrs Leary snarled. ‘I’ve been here for more years than I like to remember and I ain’t having her tell me what to do.’

  Jessie stood her ground, arms folded over the imposing bosom. ‘I’m Mrs Barnaby’s cook and she sent for me. I dare say you ain’t up to snuff, you old witch.’

  ‘I’ll have you know I’ve cooked for the gentry, and been praised for my efforts. You can sling your hook, because I don’t want you in my kitchen.’

  Jessie bristled visibly and Rose could see things getting out of hand. ‘That’s enough, both of you. Mrs Colville is seriously ill and you two are brawling like fishwives.’ She turned to Jessie. ‘This is Mrs Leary’s kitchen, but I’m sure she could do with some help, if you are prepared to swallow your pride.’

  ‘I ain’t taking orders from her, and that’s that.’ Jessie puffed out her chest. ‘Come on, Edna, let’s go home. We ain’t needed here.’

  Edna glanced anxiously at her sister. ‘I don’t want to upset the missis. She’s been good to us.’

  ‘You wouldn’t say that if you was being bossed around by another housemaid. God helps those who help themselves and I’m standing up for my rights.’ Jessie faced Mrs Leary with a belligerent set to her square jaw.

  ‘Now wait a minute.’ Rose held up her hand. ‘You can leave here right away if you don’t want to oblige Mrs Barnaby, but she might dismiss you out of hand, Miss Spriggs. I doubt if you’ll find another position if you haven’t got a good reference.’

  ‘That’s true, Jessie,’ Edna said earnestly. ‘We could end up in the workhouse.’

  Rose turned to Mrs Leary. ‘Are you willing to shake hands and start again? Miss Spriggs might be a great help to you at this difficult time, especially as Mrs Barnaby is expecting visitors.’

  ‘Visitors?’ Mrs Leary’s expression changed subtly. ‘Who’s coming and how many? No one told me.’

  ‘I don’t know exactly but a telegram has been sent to Starcross Abbey in Devonshire, and Mrs Barnaby hopes that her mother and stepfather will arrive tomorrow or the next day, and they might bring a servant or two.’

  ‘We’ll need more supplies, and I haven’t had time to work out menus.’ Mrs Leary shot a speculative glance in Jessie’s direction. ‘I suppose I could use some help, providing the person realises that I’m in charge.’

  Rose kept a straight face with difficulty. ‘What do you say, Miss Spriggs? Are you willing to work under Mrs Leary?’

  ‘Say yes, Jessie,’ Edna pleaded. ‘We can’t go back to Great Hermitage Street without Mrs Barnaby’s say so, and I don’t fancy sleeping in a shop doorway or under the railway arches.’

  Jessie nodded reluctantly. ‘I’ll give it a try, but she’d better treat me like an equal. I’ve found the Lord and I’ve seen the error of me former ways – and I ain’t no skivvy.’

  ‘I don’t care what you done in the past.’ Mrs Leary drew herself up to her full height. ‘But I think I know how to run a kitchen, Jessie Spriggs. I’ll treat you with the respect you deserve – no more, no less.’

  ‘That’s settled then,’ Rose said firmly. ‘Sparrow, I’ll leave you to show Edna where to get the coal and take it to Mrs Colville’s room. I have to go out for a while.’

  ‘Where are you going?’ Sparrow demanded. ‘I want to go with you.’

  ‘Not this time,’ Rose said gently. ‘I have a very important errand to run and it won’t wait, but I’ll be back in an hour or so, and I want to find everyone working peaceably together, and no squabbling. I don’t think that’s too much to ask – is it?’

  Chapter Twelve

  Getting past Nicholls presented a problem, and the two clerks sniggered behind their hands when he met her request to see the editor with a snide remark, but Rose was not going to let them get away with such childish behaviour and she stood her ground.

  ‘I want to see Mr Radley, and he will want to see me when he hears what I have to say.’

  Nicholls shot a triumphant glance at his audience. ‘Oh, well, then I’d better hold the press ready for this breaking news story.’

  ‘I haven’t got time for this play-acting,’ Rose said angrily, and she walked round his desk to rap on the editor’s door.

  ‘Hey, you can’t do that,’ Nicholls protested.

  ‘I can and I have.’ Rose opened the door and walked into Arthur Radley’s office.

  He looked up from the copy he had been reading, peering at Rose over the top of his steel-rimmed spectacles. ‘What is the meaning of this, Miss Munday? You no longer work here.’

  Rose thrust the crumpled piece of paper under his nose. ‘You might change your mind when you read this, sir.’ She waited, hardly daring to breathe as he adjusted his glasses and smoothed the creases out with the flat of his hand.

  ‘It’s hardly the best presented piece of work I’ve ever seen.’

  ‘Yes, I’m sorry about that, but I had to get it to you quickly.’

  After a cursory glance he gave it his full attention, reading more slowly. Rose stood stiffly to attention, clasping and unclasping her hands – so much depended on his reaction. If she could get her job back she would be able to support herself and Sparrow, too.

  Radley raised his head. ‘Did you write this?’

  ‘Yes, sir. I know I could polish it up but I had to write it under difficult conditions.’

  ‘You surprise me, Miss Munday. This isn’t perfect by any means, but it shows promise, and it’s a shocking story. Are you sure of your facts?’

  ‘I am, and I know that Gilroy has dealings with Regan, who is well known to the police.’

  ‘How do you know about Regan?’

  ‘He owns the house where an acquaintance of mine has a room. Regan lives on immoral earnings.’

  ‘It’s a house of ill repute. Is that what you’re saying?’

  ‘Yes, sir. Circumstances made it necessary for me to stay there for a while, but Regan discovered me and he wanted to put me to work – if you know what I mean.’

  ‘I see.’ Radley took off his glasses and wiped the lenses on his handkerchief. ‘I’ve been trying to get something on Regan for the last three years, but that man is as slippery as an eel. Get me evidence of Regan’s involvement in the brothel, and if you can prove that he’s handling stolen goods from the servant woman, I’ll give it my due consideration.’
r />   ‘Does this mean that you’ll print my story?’

  ‘If I have that information before the paper goes to print this evening, you’ll earn full credit for the work.’

  ‘Will you give me back my job?’

  ‘One step at a time, Miss Munday. I can see that you have a way with words, but that’s not enough for a reporter, especially a young woman like yourself. It’s very much a man’s world and I doubt if any woman is up to the rough and tumble of Fleet Street.’ He held up his hand as Rose was about to protest. ‘Having said that, I think the fact that most men would not consider you to be a serious threat might actually open doors that would normally be closed to someone like Eugene.’

  ‘Have you heard from him, sir?’ Rose asked eagerly.

  ‘He cabled a brief account of his journey so far. His first article will be in tomorrow’s issue. I suggest you buy a copy, Miss Munday. We need to boost circulation.’

  ‘I will, of course, sir.’

  ‘Now, if you’re serious about getting your piece published you’d best go about your business. You have until seven o’clock this evening – I have a dinner engagement at eight, so I’ll be leaving the office before seven thirty.’

  ‘Yes, sir. I’m going.’ Rose hesitated. ‘But I need some money for expenses, sir. I’m a bit short of the readies.’