For a Father's Pride (10 page)

To detract from the silence, Daisy unfolded the address that Bert had given her. He’d also told her to get some lodgings, just for the night, as soon as she arrived in Leeds, because his
friend lived some way from the station and she wasn’t expected until the following day. She looked at the address, trying to memorize it and picture her new place of employment:

She folded the address and placed it back in the safety of her bag. She couldn’t thank Bert enough for his help. She sighed and leaned back in her seat, playing idly with
the brooch that contained a lock of Bob’s hair, in remembrance of him. A tear came to her eye as she remembered clipping it from his head before the coffin lid was closed down upon him. Poor
Bob, he would never have been happy with her; perhaps it was for the best that their moments together had been fleeting. She closed her eyes, trying to block out thoughts of the funeral and the
life she had just left. The slamming of the carriage door and the sudden jolt of the carriages made her come to her senses quickly.

‘All right, lass? It’s a foggy one out there, enough for old Nick to sneak up on ya wi’out you kenning.’

Daisy looked at the bubbly young woman who had joined her carriage, not quite understanding what she’d just said.

‘Cat got ya tongue then? Or don’t you talk to the likes of me?’

Daisy apologized quickly as she just made out the last few words.

‘Nay, sorry, I didn’t catch what you said.’

‘Blimey, you’re a right one to talk to. What’s with the nay – ain’t that what horses eat?’

Daisy went quiet.

‘I’m only joking. You’re from further up north, from them there Dales, eh? Well, keep your wits about you in Leeds, my girl. Don’t let ’em know how green you are
behind the ears, else your pocket will be picked, and we don’t want you losing your possessions.’

Daisy gazed, fascinated by her new companion, and listening to every word she said. She quickly found out that she was called Susie.

‘You could do with a bit of this on, girl. You look a bit peaky to say you’ve come from the country.’ Susie hastily put rouge on her cheeks, aided by the dim gas-lights, as the
train pulled out of the station.

‘Oh, I could never wear anything like that – it’s not for me.’ Daisy watched as Susie next applied an ample lashing of lipstick.

‘You got to make the best of what you got, girl, and make the most of it while you can. I do!’ Susie smacked her lips together and leaned over towards Daisy. ‘All the
world’s a stage – and it’s yours for the taking. Think on what I’ve said, for no one looks at a shrinking violet.’ It was then, as she rearranged her drawstring bag
containing all her potions and lotions, that she noticed by the train’s dim light that Daisy was wearing black.

‘I’m sorry, lass, I didn’t notice you were in mourning. Lose anyone close, darling?’ She hesitated for a moment.

‘My husband. I lost my husband three weeks ago. I’m just getting over the funeral and realizing I’m a widow.’ Daisy could feel a lump in her throat as the word
‘husband’ caught in her mouth.

‘Oh, doll, I’m sorry. There’s me telling you to paint yourself up, and there’s you grieving. I just don’t know when to shut my mouth, that’s my
problem.’ Susie leaned over and took hold of Daisy’s hand. ‘Tell me all about it; we’ve a while before we get into Leeds.’

Daisy looked at her companion. It was the first time anyone had shown her any concern since the funeral. Life had needed to carry on as usual at Gearstones Lodge, and there was no time to feel
maudlin. There had been meals to prepare and rooms to clean, and no one had time to listen to a simpering cook. Death was an everyday fact, and you just knew to get on with your lot. Now it was
like unleashing a flood barrier, as Daisy told this complete stranger the story of the last few months and why she was on the train.

‘Well, girl, I don’t speak ill of the dead, but perhaps it was a blessing. He’d a’ been a sod to live with, and his mother . . . You see, that’s why I play the
stage. I don’t want to be pinned down by anyone.’ Susie sat back into the shadows of the carriage.

‘Are you on the stage? You keep saying you are.’ It was Daisy’s turn to ask the questions.

‘Isn’t everyone, darling? Aren’t we all on the stage of life? Some, perhaps, are in the spotlight more than others. Now tell me, where are you stopping tonight, and do you know
where you’re going in the morning?’

‘Nay, I’ve no idea where I’ll rest my head tonight. I nearly turned back just before you got on the train, because I suddenly realized how foolish I’d been.’ Daisy
was feeling vulnerable and silly, for already she realized that she had underestimated the size of Leeds and the number of people who lived there. What on earth was she thinking of?

‘Have you any money? Because, girl, I’ll get you into lodgings tonight, and I know my plot fairly well. I’ll point you in the right direction for your job. And for the
Lord’s sake, drop the “nay” if you’re going to make it here. You don’t want folk thinking you are off the first train from up north, in no-man’s-land.’

‘It’s not up north, it’s down, if you work on t’ railway.’ Daisy quickly remembered what Bert had said in the signal box that day, which seemed so long ago.
‘And I’m not changing how I talk for anyone.’

‘You talk daft. North’s up. You’ll soon change your twang anyway, when you’ve been with us a while. Now, am I to sort you some lodgings?’

‘If you can. I’ll stand on my own two feet tomorrow. I’ll find my way to my new employer in the morning.’

‘Going into service ain’t my idea of a job, but as long as you’re happy.’

Susie stood up as the train jolted over the many track points and swayed back and forward, making her adjust her balance. Steam entered the coach as she pulled on the leather strap to open the
window. She then leaned out to open the door as it slowed down alongside the platform.

‘Come on, girl, look sharp. It’s a walk down the platform.’

First, Daisy put her head out of the doorway and looked around her. It was early evening, but the station was beginning to be lit by an amber glow from the gas-lights that illuminated the great
glass-roofed station. She stepped out of the train and stopped at the edge of the steps, her mouth open. All those platforms, all those people, and they were walking so fast, with tiny steps, not
the big long strides of home, but small, quick movements. She looked at the flower-sellers and paper-boys yelling their trade, and yet it was nearly the end of the day. Horses and carts were being
filled from goods trains as they stood, still steaming, with water dripping onto their huge axels and pistons, while letters were being unloaded in mail bags. She’d never seen such a busy
place.

‘Come on. I ain’t got all night. I’ve got to earn a living, as well you know.’ Susie pulled Daisy by the shoulder and linked arms with her, bustling her and her carpet
bag down the platform and out of the busy station onto the streets of Leeds.

Outside, horses and cabs were waiting for any passengers who needed their assistance, the horses chomping at the bit, their harnesses jangling. A man shouted down from his seat. ‘Evening,
Susie, can I take you anywhere tonight?’

‘Nah, not tonight, Harry. Keeping it local!’

Daisy was quickly escorted along the side of the huge, noisy station and down a wide cobbled street with warehouses and offices all crammed next to each other. She looked up at the street name:
Water Street. It was apt, as it ran parallel to the canal. Daisy wondered which had come first, the buildings or the canal? She remembered all the navvies on the railway talking about their time
building the canals before joining the railways. The canal was bustling with barges, and with men loading and offloading goods. Wives were cursing their men, as every so often a salute to Susie was
shouted from a grinning husband. Susie herself seemed oblivious to their shouts, and carried on nearly dragging Daisy to her destination.

They finally stopped halfway down Water Street, outside a squat building with small stained-glass windows and a low doorway. The door creaked when Susie opened it.

‘Evening, Susie. Usual, is it?’ A small, chubby man with whiskers as white as snow, and hair to match, smiled at them both. ‘I don’t know your friend. Are you not going
to introduce us?’

‘You’ve twisted my arm. I’ll have a gin. This is Daisy. What do you want, lass?’

‘Er . . . I don’t – I don’t drink.’ Daisy was busy looking round the smoke-filled room. It was full of people playing cards, smoking pipes or reading newspapers. In
the darkness of two corners of the room there were what Daisy took to be courting couples, apart from the fact that she thought they were being a bit too free and easy with their actions towards
one another. However, Daisy noted that they were all well dressed and didn’t show the slightest bit of interest in the two new customers who had just entered.

‘Daisy, is it? And you don’t drink? Well, there’s a first for my little club. I take it you are from up north, by that accent – just come off the train?’

He poured Susie a large gin into a highly decorated glass and winked at her.

‘Nah, don’t you be thinking anything like that, Mr Trotter. I know what you are thinking, by that wink. But Daisy is looking for gainful employment in service. She’s an
excellent cook and is going to a job at Newtown Terrace tomorrow. She just needs a roof over her head for tonight, and I’m sure you can oblige.’ Susie swigged the gin back in one.
‘She’s got money, and I’ll vouch for her.’

Daisy smiled. She didn’t know what the wink meant, but obviously Susie had put him right.

‘I see. Well, I have a spare room. It’s sixpence for the night. I will tell you my rules: no pissing the bed and definitely no fleas, and payment up front. Oh, and if you entertain,
keep the noise down – it puts other customers off.’ He put his gin pitcher down sharply on the table and waited for a response.

Daisy was taken aback by the sharpness of his attitude. She wasn’t likely to entertain anyone, or wet the bed and have fleas; and the less said about them, the better. She pulled her purse
out of her bag and quickly gave him sixpence.

He grasped it tightly and then leaned towards a shelf to place a candle in a candlestick, which he lit by holding it to an already burning candle on one of the tables.

‘Well, if you don’t drink, I’ll show you to your room.’ He grinned and turned round quickly. ‘Will you be wanting some supper? I’ve some nice cold mutton and
pickles. They’re only tuppence. You can eat them in your room.’

‘That would be grand – and a glass of milk, if you’d be so kind.’ Daisy dug in her purse again and paid him for her supper.

‘My privilege! Any friend of Susie’s is welcome under my roof. She surprises me every day, does our Susie.’ Ebenezer Trotter grinned at Susie as he guarded the candle from the
draught. The door opened yet again, to a courting couple who were laughing loudly in each other’s company. ‘This way, Daisy. Will I be seeing you later, Susie, or will you be elsewhere
tonight?’

‘I don’t know about tonight. I might call by – it depends on how busy I am.’ Susie stared hard at Ebenezer; she didn’t want her game to be given away. ‘You
look after Daisy here. Make sure she’s not disturbed, and point her in the right direction in the morning.’ She turned to Daisy. ‘You take care, girl. Keep your door closed
tonight, and try and sleep. Ebenezer here will look after you. If you need me or get into bother, come down here. I’m always calling in and out of here of an evening. Just tell Ebenezer you
need me, and he’ll tell me.’ With that, Susie gave Daisy a big hug and walked out into the night, leaving Daisy standing with Ebenezer in the middle of his so-called
‘club’.

‘This way then, Daisy.’ Ebenezer led her through some unlit dark rooms and up three sets of creaking stairs, nearly to the attic rooms. There he took a set of keys that had jangled
around his waist on the ascent up the stairs and unlocked a dark oak door, pushing it open for Daisy.

‘You’ll be all right in here, lass. It’s one of my more quiet rooms – nobody comes up here much.’ He held the candle and it flickered, showing the room to be
decorated, but rather sparse. ‘It’s got all you want, and I’ll send your supper up shortly. You can light the fire if you want, but that’ll be another penny, and it’s
not that cold at this time of year.’

Daisy looked around the room. It would do for a night. Hopefully she’d be in work by tomorrow. ‘Thank you, Mr Trotter, I’m most grateful for your hospitality.’

‘You’ve paid me, girl, and Susie’s vouched for you – that’s all that matters.’ The old man shuffled out and closed the door behind him, without saying
anything more.

Daisy lit a further two candles and sat on the bed. It wasn’t like home. There was no mountain air and no stars to see, just the heady bustle of people and horses in the
streets. People didn’t look at you; they were too busy going about their business. And she dreaded to think what it would be like in the morning, when Leeds was truly awake. What had she
done? If it hadn’t been for kind-hearted Susie, she would have been on the streets tonight. She couldn’t help but think that Susie was an odd one. Daisy still didn’t know what she
did for a living, and yet everyone knew her.

A knock on her door brought her back from her thoughts as a small maid entered her room with a laid tray. She bobbed as she placed it next to Daisy.

‘You saw me come in tonight with Susie?’ Curiosity was getting the better of Daisy, and she wanted to find out why Susie was well known by everyone, so she asked the maid.

‘Yes, ma’am, I saw you.’ The maid blushed.

‘Then tell me, what does Susie do that makes her so well known?’ Daisy watched the maid’s face.

‘I don’t know if I should say, ma’am. It’s not my place, and besides she’s a good customer here. Mr Trotter wouldn’t be happy with me if he found out
I’d told you.’

‘You can tell me. I’ll not say anything to Mr Trotter. Besides, Susie’s been good to me and I’d like to thank her, when I can.’ Daisy looked at the young maid, who
appeared distinctly uncomfortable.