Hannah

Here it is nearly Christmas and still no note from Horatio about the valuing of our property. I am getting most anxious for it all to be settled. But I did have some post this morning, and this also was somewhat a puzzle. It was from Fred and he hand delivered it on his way to work.

Dear Hannah,

I must see you about something that I cannot put into writing. I know it would be improper for me to come to your house and I could not get privacy if you came to my house. Would you possibly join me tonight and we could go to the public house at Travellers’ Call? There is an area where women can go, away from the public bar, and we can perhaps have a cup of tea and a cake or something. I will call at your house on my way home from work to find out if this idea suits you or not.

Yours sincerely,
Fred Hodgkinson

I had to smile when I saw his signature. As if I would suspect it were any other Fred. It does make me very curious - what it is he wants to see me about. Perhaps he wants to put some of his money towards my house purchase. Anyway, I will ask Florence if she can come to stay in with Annie, and tell him that I will meet with him.

It is much later now, and having told Fred I was willing to come out, he said he would come by the house at 8. It is a cold and miserable night to be walking all that way down the road, so I hope he has good reason for the outing. Ah here he is now.

“Hello Fred. Just come in a moment while I get my things on and say good-night to Annie and Florence.”

“Thank you, Hannah, for agreeing to this meeting on such short notice.”

“I just hope we won’t freeze to death on our way there, Fred. It is perishing out.”

“I suppose I don’t notice the weather much, but you best wrap up warm.”

I wanted Fred to tell me what the problem was as we walked along, but he wouldn’t. We just passed the time with chatting about his work, and Annie’s schooling. I told him about the visit of Lord Howard’s man, but he didn’t ask questions or behave at all interested, so I don’t think this has to do with him investing money, as I thought it might.

Finally we arrived at the Travellers' Call and went into the lounge area, where there were other women present, so I didn’t feel awkward. The owner, Mr. James Sayer came over to our table, and seemed most chatty.

“We don’t often see you in here, Mrs. Harrison. I hope you haven’t been spending your time at our rival across the road. You know our two pubs have been fighting it out for years. Way back in 1890 there was a challenge between our two pubs' regulars that might be worth repeating today, that is if one doesn’t mind the mess on the carpet. It involved the person challenged putting two large duck eggs into his mouth without breaking them. And while we have Almanac Shows, they across the road have Flower and Vegetable Shows. We also do sparrow shoots, if that’s the sort of thing you fancy.”

When he finally managed to stop talking, we ordered tea and cakes, and then when we had been served and had privacy I could contain my curiosity no longer.

“Well, Fred, what is it?”

“I don’t know the proper way to say this so I will come right out with it, but let’s keep our voices down as I don’t want anyone else knowing.”

“Yes, of course, but what is it?”

“It’s Blanche. She is in the family way.”

“Oh, no Fred. Is she sure?”

“As sure as she can be. Seems like it must have happened in August. She hasn’t told anyone yet, as she doesn’t want to lose her job, but she is right moithered.”

“Will the father marry her?”

“The father is your smarmy friend, Horatio.”

“No, you are lying. She is lying. No, it could not be. He wouldn’t do that.”

“Well, I believe her. And apparently it happened the day of the Compstall Fair, when his wife and the rest of them were off in Prestwich. She was serving his tea, and he plied her with drink, and then took advantage of her.”

“Oh, but I just don’t think he would do such a thing. But what reason would she have to lie to you - as you say she doesn’t want to lose her position? And why are you telling me? What do you want me to do about it?”

“I want you to be aware of what sort of person you are putting your faith in. And I would have to be blind, Hannah, not to notice how you look at him, and him at you. And he looked daggers at me on the times he saw me accompanying you. If you say he is not the type to take advantage of young maids, would you say he is also not the type to try to get his way with rich widows?”

Oh, I felt like I had been slapped in the face. I know my face was red. I didn’t know if I should be insulted that he considered me to be of such loose moral fibre, or to be ashamed when I remembered how very close I was to having been in a situation that could certainly have been interpreted as encouraging Horatio’s affection.

“I will talk to him, Fred, and find out the truth.”

“How can you do that without telling him that she is pregnant and that he is responsible? He will fire her on the spot if he thinks she is spreading the story.”

“He will deny it of course, and try to blame it on others. Has she had no others who might have given her reason to think it might be one of them?”

“She has had boyfriends before, yes. But she is adamant that it is Horatio, and I believe her. She knows he will not leave his wife for her. She knows that she will get no support from him in any way shape or form. I think the best thing for it would be for her to go and live with our eldest brother and his family who live Nantwich way, if they will have her. She can pretend she is a widow, and after the baby is born, she can give it up if she wants, or keep it, but she mustn’t stay in this area.”

“I’m still not sure why you are telling me, as you don’t seem to want me to do anything for her. You say you are warning me of what sort of man Horatio is, and I thank you for your concern. But I will deal with him directly, and ascertain his point of view, but I won’t do it until she has left the area.”

“I so want the chance to clobber him.”

“You must not do that, if her secret is to remain for the time being. You can tell her that she can come to me if she wants any advice on pregnancy, as I have been through it myself. Will she tell the Allsops?”

“She says not. She doesn’t want them to have to take sides, especially as it appears that Horatio will be their landlord as soon as this house buying business goes through.”

“Well, do tell her she can come to me, and I will not judge her, no matter who the father is or what she decides to do about it.”

“Thank you Hannah. I feel much better for talking to you about it. And you will think again about trusting this man now?”

“Yes, of course, I will keep what you say in mind when I see him again. And I thank you Fred for your concern for me. You are a good man, and a good brother to Blanche. I do hope it all works out for the best.”

So Fred paid our bill, and we walked as swiftly as we could back up the hill. It was too cold to attempt conversation, and he dropped me at my house, and then waited to escourt Florence home.

How am I ever going to get to sleep tonight?