The Workhouse Children Page 9

  Wild eyes settled on Ada as the woman stepped forward. With a howl like a banshee, Liza launched herself at the Matron. Dropping the pegs, Liza’s hands grabbed the woman’s hair as they both fell to the ground, her teeth seeking anything to latch onto. Liza screeched as she fought like a wild cat, ‘You killed my babby! You evil, spiteful witch! You made the cook use that bad food! You killed my babby!’

  Ada Tulley tried desperately to free herself from the raving woman and received a bite to her hand for her efforts.

  Fred Tulley ran across to where the women struggled on the floor, and wrapping his arms around Liza’s waist he hauled her off his wife. Liza continued to kick out and scream abuse at the woman who was now scrambling to her feet in a most undignified manner.

  The Chairman and other Board members turned quickly and scrambled around each other in an effort to get out of the laundry. Never had they experienced such a debacle and they wanted to be away from the screaming woman as quickly as possible. Tulley pushed Liza Townsend hard. She stumbled and Dr Cooper rushed towards her to prevent her falling. ‘Come on,’ He said as he gently led her to the other inmates who quickly gathered round her to comfort her.

  Once more in the Boardroom, the Chairman drew in a deep breath. ‘It would seem that Mrs Townsend would be more appropriately housed in the lunatic asylum.’ Nods all around showed agreement, all except the Doctor. ‘Now, Mrs Tulley, this is a warning to you. All foods served to the inmates in the future must be fresh, do you understand?’ Mrs Tulley nodded. Fred Tulley sighed with relief that his wife had wisely chosen to keep her mouth shut this time. The Chairman continued, ‘This incident will be noted down in the record book and I will arrange for Mrs Townsend to be moved as soon as possible.’

  ‘Thank you, sir,’ Tulley said quietly.

  Dr Cooper snorted in disgust. ‘This is an utter disgrace!’ he snapped. ‘Never in all my born days have I seen such a mishandling of a situation as this! You are not fit to be a Board of Guardians, any of you! These two should be punished for what they’ve done, and you know it. But no, it would upset the regime, wouldn’t it? I am disgusted with the lot of you!’ He marched from the room, his temper at boiling point. They were under no illusion as to how riled he was that the matter had not been better dealt with.

  Twelve

  Sitting once more in his office, Cara explained her ideas to an intrigued Martin Lander. When she finished speaking, he said, ‘I see. May I ask how you propose to get nine families out of the workhouse?’ Cara again told him her plan and Martin grinned like a little boy. ‘I hope it works for you,’ he said, ‘but how can I help?’

  ‘Is it possible you could telephone to make an appointment on behalf of a “client”?’ Cara asked.

  Nodding, Martin pulled the telephone towards him and made the call.

  ‘Tomorrow morning at 10 a.m.,’ he said with another smile. ‘Cara, would you like me to come with you?’

  ‘Oh yes! That would help enormously, thank you. I have to admit I was rather dreading going alone. It’s so kind of you to put yourself out, I really can’t thank you enough.’ They agreed he would collect her at 9.45 a.m. in a cab and they would drive there.

  Cara could barely contain her excitement as she walked home to tell the others her plan was underway. It had begun to rain and the scrubland underfoot soon turned to mud, but Cara’s spirits soared. Even the rain could not dampen her mood.

  *

  Arriving at the workhouse exactly on time the next morning, the porter opened the gate, giving Cara a snide look as she passed through, followed by Martin Lander. Cara nodded once and walked on.

  Mrs Tulley met them at the door and ushered them straight to the office, bowing and scraping as they went. Ada opened the office door without knocking and heard Fred sigh loudly. She grinned at him nastily before leaving the room.

  ‘We meet again,’ Tulley said as he saw Cara. ‘Mr Lander, nice to see you.’

  ‘Mr Tulley,’ Martin answered. ‘We are here at the request of my client here, Miss Flowers.’

  Tulley’s head slowly rocked back and forth on his neck as he slouched in his chair.

  ‘Mr Tulley,’ Cara took up, ‘I am still searching for family and hoped you might be in a position to help.’ Her quiet speech and gentle manner somewhat disarmed the man.

  ‘I see, and what name are we looking for this time?’ the Master asked sarcastically.

  Taking a deep breath and sending up a silent prayer, and an apology for her little white lie, Cara said, ‘Johnson.’

  The Master slid the ledger over his desk, his eyes still on the young woman stood before him. Then, scanning the columns, he said, ‘We have five Johnsons… men, here at the moment.’

  Martin interjected, ‘Would it be possible to meet with them?’

  Sighing loudly, the Master rose and led them out of the office and down the dark corridors before reaching the bone crushing area outside.

  ‘Johnsons! To me!’ Tulley yelled. Five men stepped forward, brushing dust from their clothing.

  ‘In private if you don’t mind, Mr Tulley, this is a legal matter,’ Lander said confidently.

  Rolling his eyes, Fred moved back into the doorway of the building and watched carefully.

  Cara leaned forward and whispered to the men, ‘Do you wish to get out of here?’ They all nodded. ‘Then we will have to say you are my cousins. Do you have family here?’ Again nods. ‘Good. My name is Cara Flowers and I have jobs for each of you. I will ensure you all get a new life outside of this place.’ Grins spread on the faces of the men as Lander called Fred Tulley over to them.

  ‘These men appear to be cousins to Miss Flowers and they, along with their families, wish to be released today.’

  Sighing loudly again, Tulley turned on his heel and walked back to the office. Cara and Martin, along with the Johnsons, followed behind.

  The other inmates had stopped work, wondering what was going on. They watched in bewilderment as the group left the bone crushing area.

  “You can go while I fill out the paperwork.” Tulley said to Cara and Martin as if dismissing naughty school children. “You lot wait in the corridor.” He nodded to the Johnsons.

  As he filled in the appropriate forms, Tulley was glad no mention was made of payment with Martin Lander in attendance.

  Waiting outside the gate, Cara was elated saying, ‘I can’t believe our little ruse worked!’

  ‘Well, if you can’t beat them, join them.’ Martin laughed. ‘Tulley is a sly old Devil, but you outwitted him this time.’

  ‘It worked this time, but I’m not sure it would again. We may have to think up a new strategy next time.’ Cara beamed her joy.

  Eventually five husband and wives, along with thirteen children stepped through the gate, and as relief flooded her, Cara greeted them all. Husbands shook her hand, wives gave her a hug and the children found new energy to run around laughing at their freedom. As they walked away from the Spike, Cara related her intentions briefly.

  ‘I have some cottages down the track there. They are in sore need of renovation I’m afraid, but at least you will have a roof of your own over your heads.’

  The men muttered their thanks and the women, after hugging their children, bawled their eyes out.

  ‘First of all though, we need to get you all a decent meal and a good cup of tea, so we’ll go along to my house. You’ll pass the cottages on the way, so you can have a quick look before we eat.’

  As they marched down the track, they came upon the old buildings and stopped briefly to look them over.

  ‘I know they’re not up to much now, but I’m sure they can be greatly improved.’ Cara watched as the families appeared to decide which cottage would be theirs. She saw no disappointment from the people she had rescued as they excitedly rushed into the dwelling of their choice.

  The two-up two-down cottages were brick built, covered in coal dust on the outside. Some had front doors hanging by one hinge threatening to come off completely if they w
ere touched. The windows, which had been left intact by marauding kids, were covered in grime. Inside smelled mouldy and it was dark and dingy. There was no furniture and cupboard doors were missing altogether. The upstairs was no better, with the two tiny bedrooms empty other than rubbish left behind by children playing inside. The whitewash on the walls had turned to a sickly yellow over time. The toilet blocks at the back were in an even worse state. However, with a bit of elbow grease these broken-down properties could be made habitable.

  Having had a quick look around, the families joined Cara and Martin on the track once more and Cara’s worries were set at ease as she listened to the quiet chatter. The men were discussing replacing roof tiles and chimney pointing; the women which colour to have regarding curtains.

  Grateful thanks were given and Cara began to relax in the knowledge these people were happy to have a battered old cottage because – it would be theirs.

  Resuming their walk to her home, Cara looked at the people she had helped. The men were dressed in trousers that had seen better days; their boots full of holes. Some had no jackets and were in shirtsleeves and waistcoats which were threadbare. The women were stick-thin, their clothes hanging off them. They were dirty, and their short hair gave her the shivers as she considered what could be living there. They all carried a bad odour which Cara tried to ignore. The children too were filthy dirty and Cara wondered how they managed to walk on their skinny legs.

  Gracie and Molly, having been pre-warned, had the kitchen table laden with food as the group had trooped in and introduced themselves.

  After hot tea and a bowl of thick lamb stew packed with fresh vegetables and a chunk of soft fresh bread, Cara addressed the Johnsons.

  ‘You are going to need some coal for fires to help air out the cottages.’

  Faces turned to each other and quiet mutterings began. Cara held up her hands and silence descended.

  ‘Also, food and bedding…’ She watched the faces take on a look of despair. She knew what the people were thinking: they had no way of acquiring those things. ‘You have all met Gracie and Molly,’ all eyes turned to the two women then back to Cara, ‘who have kindly agreed to sort this out on your behalf.’

  Applause rang out in the tiny kitchen as cook and maid nodded their appreciation.

  ‘So,’ Cara resumed, ‘if you are ready, we shall take you up to your new homes.’ Again the applause saw Cara beam her happiness.

  Armed with a long list and lots of money, Molly and Gracie set out to accomplish the shopping. Cara had decided any major items should be delivered and the invoices sent to her, that way she could keep a better check on her spending. Gracie said she could pay for the food and bring it along in cabs; mattresses would need to be delivered.

  Martin and Cara walked with the adults and Daisy and Charlie ran on in front with the Johnson children.

  Cara’s heart hammered in her chest as her eyes rested again on the stone buildings; had she really not realized how bad they were? She panicked as she thought she couldn’t let these people live in these ruins. Cara was relieved when she saw the families rush into the cottages of their choice. She heard the mothers yelling for their children to hunt the heathland for kindling sticks. She watched as men shoved windows open on rusty hinges. Again she heard their discussions. The men’s thanks for a promised wage in exchange for work undertaken on their own and any other property Cara bought. The women excitedly agreed to take in washing for a small fee, or sell their baking. The children’s squeals of delight when their parents agreed to their requests of starting small gardens to grow vegetables. And the families’ joy at not having to pay rent until all the cottages they were living in were renovated.

  Cara saw the first wisps of smoke from the chimneys as the women started fires in the hearths and the children ran off again in search of more sticks. The sound of happy voices and laughter filled her ears and Cara revelled in it.

  Just then a couple of cabs arrived full to the brim with bedding and food for all. Cara assured the mothers they would have mattresses for the old bedsteads still in situ that same day. She saw the bottoms of petticoats torn off and made into dusters. Men got the standpipe for water working again. Old curtains were torn down. Work was well underway when Cara and her own little family prepared to leave. Hugs of gratitude were given and they left everyone to their allotted tasks.

  As they walked home, Cara felt a warm glow of happiness at what she had achieved so far. Her eyes twinkled as Martin congratulated her on her success, bringing a blush to her cheeks. Five families saved in one day! Now all she had to do was save another four to fill her cottages. Cara needed a way to get more people released from the dreaded workhouse.

  *

  Martin Lander researched the Poor Law yet again as he sat in his office in Cambridge Street. He also read through everything he could find on the rulings of the workhouse. He was extremely surprised to find that people could, in fact, come and go more or less as they wished! All they had to do was give three hours’ notice of their intention to leave. If a man left, then his whole family was dismissed with him. How had he missed this on his previous research? Had his mind been elsewhere maybe? Had he been thinking of Cara at the time and completely overlooked this important information? So there had been no need for the ‘family’ ruse to release the Johnsons, but no matter, it had worked and they were free now. Now he had this new information, Martin knew the next time it would be easier to get people out of the workhouse.

  Martin was glad of the excuse to speak to Cara again and immediately telephoned her with his findings. Hearing her tinkling laugh was music to his ears. He jumped at the chance to once again accompany her to the ‘Spike’ to offer a home and job to four more families. Martin agreed to her request to make the appointment for the following day, eager to please her in any way he could.

  Tulley’s voice filtered into his ear as Martin asked for an appointment. ‘What for this time? Has the lady yet more family in here?’ A sarcastic chuckle followed his words.

  ‘Mr Tulley, I wish to make an appointment for Miss Flowers to offer four men some work. Now, having perused the rules, the men wishing to take her up on her offer are required to give three hours’ notice whilst their paperwork is completed. Then they are free to leave accompanied by their families. We will be there at ten o’clock sharp tomorrow morning and expect to speak with any man willing to sign himself out.’ Martin’s voice said he would brook no arguments. Tulley harrumphed his reply and the conversation ended there.

  Pleased with himself, Martin leaned back in his chair and began to daydream about Cara Flowers. A knock on his office door brought him sharply out of his reverie.

  A head popped round the open doorway and his business partner said, ‘Meeting… five minutes.’

  The meeting in five minutes took precisely the same amount of time. Martin, they said, was not pulling his weight. The Flowers account was bringing in quite a lot of revenue, agreed, but he was neglecting his other cases, and they had received complaints to that effect. They had carried him long enough and felt they could no longer do so. The time had come to make changes. The ultimatum given was for Martin to either sell his share of the business to them or be dismissed from the firm. He could not afford the scandal that would surround his dismissal, so he was left with only one alternative. He had to sell, and suddenly Martin Lander found himself devoid of a career and an income!

  Thirteen

  Fred Tulley was more than a little relieved that he and his wife had not been dismissed from their employment. He knew they had come dangerously close to being out on the streets themselves. They had scraped through the poisoning incident by the skin of their teeth which had pleased him. Mulling over the visit from Lander and that young woman, Flowers, his anger began to mount. She had done him out of good workers and he felt there was something more going on there, something he needed to keep an eye on. Just then the office door flew open, breaking his train of thought, and Ada bustled in.

  ‘Can
’t you bloody knock, woman?’ Tulley growled.

  ‘Well excuse me!’ his wife said, placing her hands on her bony hips. ‘The men from the lunatic asylum are here for Liza Townsend.’

  ‘Right.’ Tulley grabbed the papers from his desk and strode past his wife who scuttled along behind him.

  As they reached the laundry, the asylum attendants in tow, Liza again espied Ada Tulley. Springing forward, Liza barged into the unsuspecting Matron, sending her sprawling on the floor. Screams of abuse spat from Liza’s lips as she fought like a demon. ‘Tulley, I warned you! You nasty piece of work! You’re for it now!’ Ada had not thought the woman would attack her again and had paid for her mistake. Liza had her pinned to the floor and was hitting the woman as hard as she could.

  Ada covered her head with her arms in order to shield herself from the blows. The two asylum attendants rushed to untangle the women. A length of rope was slipped from the pocket of one of the men and in a heartbeat Liza’s wrists were tied together behind her back.

  ‘You bitch!’ Liza screeched venomously at the Matron, who was now back on her feet and trying to secure her mob cap once more. ‘You are a born liar! You know what you did! You got away with killing my babby, but just you remember, Ada Tulley… God sees all! God sees aaaalllll!’

  The struggling woman was dragged away by the two attendants, still attempting to kick out at the woman she hated beyond measure. Her screams and shouting could be heard echoing through the corridors as she was hauled away to what was to be her new home; one she would almost certainly never leave alive. Liza continued to kick and scream, bellowing over and over, ‘Why are you doing this to me? I know where we’re going! You’re taking me to the lunatic asylum! Why can’t you understand, I’m not insane – I am bloody angry!’

  The women working in the laundry watched as Liza was being hauled away. Silent nods said they knew what she faced and their sorrow weighed heavily as they returned to the washing. There was always a chance of leaving the workhouse, but there was no chance of leaving the place where Liza Townsend was now being taken to.