Always: You'll Never Walk Alone (2 page)

Sarah blushed, and I had to fight to hide that grin again, luckily, Sarah was looking down and didn’t see.

“We just work together Ron.”

“Ah yes, twenty years ago I just worked together with Millie then she became pregnant. Now we have seven kids, and all from just working together.”

Sarah blushed even more.

“Ron it’s not like that.”

“Oh it never is, is it? Well you kids have a good time anyway. Just don’t work too hard.” He winked.

Taking her hand again I said, “Come on Sarah we have to get moving if we’re going to get to St. Paul’s and back to the Fox by four. Bye Ron, say hello to Millie, and I think it’s time you let her stop working.”

“You cheeky little bugger, get out of here before I cuff you.” He smiled.

We arrived at St. Paul’s just as it began to rain. A group of richly dressed gentlemen, deep in an animated conversation, blocked the entrance. We stood and waited for them to move, but when they hadn’t acknowledged our presence after a few minutes, I went up to one, and said, “Excuse me sir could we pass?”

He looked down at me and without saying a word moved to let us in. Just as we started to enter, a second gentleman moved forward and blocked our way. “Who do you think you are, disturbing us? Do you know who you’re talking to?”

“No sir. We just want to go into the cathedral.”

He looked from me to Sarah “Who are you?”

“Sarah Cooper sir.”

“Sarah Cooper. Hmm. A fine looking filly, would you like to come and work for me?”

“Thank-you sir, but I already work at the Fox.”

“A chicken working with the Fox eh? Wouldn’t you rather work for a wolf?” He laughed

“Please sir could we just go in?”

“You haven’t answered my question. I think you need to show some respect, or maybe I should just have you arrested, that would teach you some manners. Is there a constable around here?”

“I’m sorry sir.” I said, “We just want to go into the cathedral. We didn’t mean any disrespect.”

“Do you think I care what you meant? Where’s that constable?”

“I’m really sorry sir. I didn’t…”

“SHUT UP! HOW DARE YOU INTERRUPT ME?”

“Leave them alone Henry. Let them in.” It was the first gentleman.

“I don’t know, I think this little filly should make amends. Give me a kiss Sarah; I’ll turn you into a woman.”

“Please Sir I…”

“Let them alone Henry. Go on you two get in.”

“Thank you Sir.” I said over my shoulder, as we rushed on through.

“I think I’m going to have that one.” The one named Henry said, and we heard them laugh.

“Are you alright?” I asked

Sarah was trembling and threw her arms around me.

I put my arms around her and held her ‘til she calmed down.

“I’m sorry.” She said. “I was so scared.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll protect you.” I said. Sounding much braver than I felt.

“Who were those men?”

“I don’t know, but we’ll make sure we avoid them when we leave. Come on let me show you around.”

She straightened up and smiled at me. “Thank you Master Steve.” Then as she took in the surroundings, her mouth dropped open. She slowly turned around then turning back to me said, “I’ve never seen anything like this. It’s magnificent.”

The cathedral was huge. High above rising more than three hundred feet was the Great Dome.

“Come on.” I said. “I’ll take you up to the whispering gallery.”

“What is this whispering gallery?” “I thought it was just Ron teasing.”

“No, no it’s up these stairs.” We climbed the wide spiral staircase into the dome and entered the gallery. Looking over the parapet, it was a hundred feet to the floor below. Sarah jumped back, and grabbing my arm said, “I’ve never been so high; it’s like being a bird. Aren’t you scared of falling?”

I was enjoying the feel of her delicate hands on my arm and although I was feeling a little dizzy myself I assured her there was nothing to fear. “You stay here and I’ll go to the far side. We can whisper, and it’s just like we’re standing right next to each other.”

I walked around the dome until I was opposite Sarah and then whispered. “Sarah I hope you’re enjoying London.”

I was greeted with a loud squeal. “Master Steve what trick is this?”

“Shhh, you just have to whisper.”

“How did you do that?” She whispered.

“I don’t know it’s just what happens.”

“Oh Master Steve you’re wonderful.”

Separated by three hundred feet of gallery she couldn’t see me grinning.

The church bells chimed, three o’ clock. It was time to make our way back to the Fox. As we reached the narrow stairs, she took my hand and we went together, me leading the way. We walked back, hand in hand across London. It must have been raining because when we got back to the Fox we were both soaked through.

Sylvie greeted us as we walked in, “And how are you two lovebirds?”

“We’re not…”

“Oh don’t try telling me, look at you both, hand in hand, soaking wet, and big grins. If you’re not in love, I better be sending you to Bedlam.”

“What’s Bedlam?” Asked Sarah.

“It’s where they send the nutcases.” I told her.

“You better get upstairs and change out of those clothes, or we’ll be sending you to the sanatorium before we get a chance to send you to Bedlam. Go on get moving, I need you back down here, we’ve been busy all afternoon. Oh by the way Sarah there was a gentleman here earlier asking after you.”

“A gentleman?”

“Yes he didn’t leave a name, just asked if you worked here. He said he’d be back…”

Chapter Two

That night was one of the busiest I could remember. The rain turned to snow and now covered the ground to a depth of three inches. The only thing that moved on the street was the occasional stray dog, but by ten-thirty even the dogs got smart, and deciding that warmth was more important than food, slunk off to find shelter wherever they could. The Fox had been full by eight, and no one had come in or ventured out since then. The fire blazed in the hearth, occasionally spitting out sparks, causing the three mangy cats that had taken up residence in front of it to jump up hissing, as if to warn the logs to behave if they didn’t want trouble. The path to the outhouse was worn smooth and icy. Many of the customers, not being particularly steady on their feet in the first place, didn’t quite make it all the way, and the patch of yellow snow got larger and larger as the night wore on. Part of my responsibilities was to go out every thirty minutes or so and drag in any of the customers who, having fallen down, thought the snow might be a good place to sleep for the night. I would have thought when I was saving them from freezing to death I might have got some appreciation instead of the curses and abuse heaped upon me. But, urine soaked drunks are not amongst the most appreciative people in London.

I hardly saw Sarah all night. Between my duties and hers, we hardly got a chance to stop, but I did manage to take her a small tankard of beer at midnight and was rewarded with a smile and a “thank you Master Stephen.” Which left me with a silly grin on my face for the next half-hour. Luckily, most of the customers couldn’t focus much past the end of their pint pots by this time, and those that could were either too happy or too morose to notice.

Business was so good it was four-thirty before the last customer stumbled out of the door and into the snowy night. We were all so tired we just headed for our beds with mumbled goodnights. Even Vicky was too tired to be her usual caustic self and gave me a penny and a pat on the head before climbing up the last flight of stairs to her bed. Reaching my room, I fell onto my bed and was asleep within seconds.

I was awakened what felt like minutes later by a loud banging. When I opened my eyes, I saw a hazy light coming in the window, so it must have been at least eight o’ clock. I tried to close my eyes and cover my ears, but the banging continued. My sleep-addled brain finally told me that someone was at the front door, but who would be visiting at this time of the morning? The snow continued to fall throughout the night, and I looked out to see a city covered in a pristine whiteness. The snow undisturbed except for one set of horse tracks that led right to the pub door. I leaned out the window and called to the unseen visitor. “Who is it? What do you want?”

My only answer was a resumption of the banging. Pulling a coat around me, I rubbed my eyes, cursed, shivered and went down to see what was so important that someone would brave this weather and come out so early on such a cold morning.

I opened the door and a foot of snow tumbled onto the floor. “Can I help you?”

The stranger was dressed in an expensive riding coat, a large scarf wrapped around his face and a fur hat covered his head. All that I could see of his face were his eyes and two bushy eyebrows, coated with snow. “Let me speak with the proprietor of this establishment.” The last word said with a dismissive sneer.

“I’m sorry sir he isn’t up yet. We had a very late night. Would you like to leave a message?”

The next second I found myself sitting on the floor. My ear was ringing and a tear was rolling from my eye. “GET HIM NOW, before I break that filthy neck of yours. You impudent little bastard.”

My face was stinging as I stood up and went to wake Mr. Cooper. I knocked on the bedroom door and was greeted with loud snorts and snoring from the other side. After five minutes of knocking and no more reaction than I’d first received, I opened the door and put my head around. “Mr. Cooper.” No answer. “Mr. Cooper.” Somewhat louder.

“What?”

“There’s a gentleman to see you.”

More snoring.

“Mr. Cooper.”

“What the hell do you want? What time is it?”

“There’s a gentleman to see you.”

“Tell him to piss off and come back at a decent hour.”

“I tried sir but he insisted.”

“Tell him this is what I think of his insisting.” As he let out a loud fart and covered his head with a pillow.

I went back down to the gentleman who’d taken the scarf from his face and was pacing around the tavern. His nose was in the air as if the surroundings were offensive to him.

“I’m sorry sir, but he says he’s not seeing anyone until this afternoon.”

I thought he was going to hit me again. His face turned crimson and his eyes blazed with such malevolence that I stepped back involuntarily. He turned on his heel and hissed over his shoulder. “I’ll be back at noon. If he knows what’s good for him he better be here.” And he stormed out the door, slamming it behind him.

I sat down my heart racing. Who could this be? Was this the same person who’d been asking after Sarah yesterday? And why would a gentleman be asking after Sarah? Was she in some sort of trouble? I hadn’t had a chance to ask her yesterday, and it was too early to wake her now.

I stoked the embers to bring some warmth back to the cold room and sat by the fire. What sort of trouble could she be in? She’d never said much about her former life, but we’d hardly had a chance to talk and I really knew very little of her past. But surely Sarah couldn’t have ever done anything wrong. Whatever this gentleman wanted, and I’m sure it could be nothing good, I’d have to find a way to protect her. But how? Surely John and Sylvie would help. But they hardly knew her either and if she were in trouble would they be prepared to do anything? With these thoughts running through my head, I felt myself drifting back to sleep.

Suddenly the door was flung open and the gentleman and two constables stormed in. “Where is Sarah Todman?” one of the constables demanded.

Before I could reply, they started up the stairs. “You can’t go up there”, I shouted

“Stay out of the way if you don’t want to be arrested as well”, the gentleman barked.

I ran after them as they banged on doors and called for Sarah. She opened her door as they reached the top floor. She was dressed in her nightclothes and her hair hung in tangles around her face. “What is it?” she asked.

The gentleman, who was standing just behind the first constable reached around, grabbed her by the arm and said, “This is the little harlot. Arrest her, constable.”

“Wh… What is it?” She stammered.

“Are you Sarah Todman?” The constable asked

“Ye… Yes, sir.”

“Then I have a warrant for your arrest. Come along with us now.” And he grabbed her other arm.

“No, No please I…”

“Don’t make it difficult miss: you’re in enough trouble already.”

They turned for the stairs, the gentleman on one side, a constable on the other, and Sarah in the middle. Unfortunately, the stairs were only wide enough for one person to go down at a time. After some initial confusion, the gentleman went first followed by the first constable, then Sarah, and finally the second constable. Just as the gentleman reached the second floor, John came out of his room. “What’s the meaning of this?” he demanded.

“Who are you?” the gentleman replied.

“John Cooper, the owner of this establishment, and who are you to break into a man’s house like this?”

“Who I am is of no consequence to a man such as you. We are here to arrest Sarah Todman, and you better stay out of our way if you don’t want to have this hovel closed and be arrested along with her.”

John Cooper was an even-tempered man, very slow to anger, but when he did lose his temper, it was best not to be too close. Although he only stood five foot eight, he weighed close to thirteen stones, and thought nothing of hoisting full beer kegs over his head. I saw the blood start to rise from his neck and up to his ears. “Now look here, I may be nothing more than the proprietor of this tavern, and you may be a gentleman in all of your finery, but this is my house and no one comes in here without my permission. Now get out.”

The gentleman ignored him and tried to push past. That was his second mistake. John, seemingly without effort, grabbed him by his coat and flung him against the wall. The gentleman stood there, the air knocked out of his body, too stunned to move. John and the gentleman glared at each other. The first constable came between them before the fight could escalate. “Now sir, we have a job to do here. Let’s not make this difficult.”

John transferred his glare from the gentleman to the constable. The constable, having spent his adult life being glared at, if not by criminals then, far more intimidating, by his wife, did not flinch.

“This girl is accused of a very serious crime, and has to come with us.”

John, his temper having been aroused, was not about to be mollified. “This is my house, I’m an honest publican and you have no right to barge in here. Now get out.”

He grabbed at the constable and pushed him towards the stairs. The second constable pushed Sarah out of his way and waded into the melee. The gentleman having recovered his wits grabbed John from behind. The first constable came forward just as John kicked out and hit him in the shin. He yelled in pain as he slipped to the floor. The second constable hit John on the shoulder with his truncheon. John appeared not to notice and stepped forward, pulling the gentleman along with him, and grabbed the constable. The other constable stood up and grabbed John. There were now four of them tangled together staggering around the landing. Sarah tried to move out of the way just as John, with an incredible yell, pushed all three of his attackers away from him. Sarah was standing at the top of the stairs and as the first constable staggered back, he knocked her from behind. She grabbed for the banister, missed, and tumbled down the stairs. I’d been too stunned to move throughout the whole fight, but now I was galvanized into action and rushed after her. She lay there not moving; her head lay at an odd angle. I took her in my arms. “Sarah, Sarah.”

She didn’t move. “Sarah it’s me Stephen, speak to me!” No answer. “SARAH.” A trickle of blood ran from her mouth and I felt the tears well up in my eyes. “No, NO.” I felt a hand on my shoulder. “Master Steve, Master Steve.”

“NO, NO.”

“Master Steve.”

“What?”

“Master Steve, wake up.”

“What?”

“You were dreaming, Master Steve. Come on, it’s time to get up. It’s almost midday and we’ve lots of cleaning up to do.”

My heart was pounding in my chest as John went to the bar and poured himself a beer.

“Where’s Sarah?”

“Well I do believe she’s in the kitchen having breakfast with Mrs. Cooper and Vicky. If you’re quick I’m sure they’d make some for you.” He winked.

I almost ran to the kitchen but slowed down just as I got to the door and walked through. My heart was still pounding and my breath was coming in spurts as I saw Sarah standing by the stove. “Why, Master Steve, you look like you’ve seen a ghost. Are you alright?”

Relief flooded through me. “Ye… Yes, I’m fine thank you. I…” A loud pounding at the front door interrupted me.

“Who can that be at this time on a day like to day?” said Sylvie.

“Well whoever it is they seem mighty anxious.” Vicky replied, breaking off a large piece of toast.

“Master Steve, what’s the matter with you this morning? You come in here looking like you’ve seen a ghost and now you look terrified. What is it?”

I rushed out of the kitchen and into the bar just as John opened the door to the gentleman who’d been here so early this morning.

“Are you the proprietor?” he demanded of John.

“Well who would be wanting to know?”

“I’m the secretary to Lord Henry Beecham. Now are you the proprietor?”

“I am. What would the secretary to Lord Beechpan be wanting with me this early on a January morning?”

“Beecham, BEECHAM.”

“Yes, Yes, That’s what I said, Bedpan. But you haven’t answered my question.”

Discretion being the better part of valour, the secretary continued. “You have a girl working for you named Sarah?”

“Oh I have lots of girls working for me. It’s my charm you know they can’t resist. Why I’ve had three proposals of marriage already this morning. But I had to turn them all down. The wife, y’know.”

“Yes I’m sure, but I’m interested in one particular girl, Sarah.”

“What is so interesting about this Sarah?”

“Lord Beecham would like her to come and work for him… He finds he’s a little understaffed at the moment.”

“There are hundreds of girls in London, what’s so special about Sarah?”

“Lord Beecham doesn’t give me his reasons, but he is willing to make it worth your while to let me take her. He has authorized me to pay you five pounds, and I’ll take her with me.”

“NO!” I shouted. They both turned towards me, seeing me for the first time.

“Who is this ignorant lout, who was so rude towards me this morning? He needs a good beating. Teach him some manners.”