Chapter 4

    When I awoke the next morning it was to the sound of raucous shouting in the street outside. I rubbed sleep from my eyes and crawled out of bed to the window and parted the shroud, looking out onto the street below.

    The sun was in the sky and people milled about, carrying empty baskets for shopping or trays displaying their wares to passersby. The street sellers were either very young or very old with worn clothes and most having no shoes on their feet.

    A man had set up a wagon at the side of the street with many different vegetables and fruits for sale and was calling to the shoppers in a loud voice, beckoning them to buy his stock. It was this man that had awoken me, and deciding that there was naught to do about it I moved away from the window and became aware for the first time that morning of my stiff and aching body.

    My muscles were sore and there was a cramp in my neck from being unused to sleeping in a bed. As well as that my feet were red and swollen after my shoeless escape through London.

    Slowly, I made my way down the stairs and pushed the reception room door open cautiously to find Silas prodding the fire with a metal poker. He looked up as I entered and smiled at me before wishing me a good morrow. I returned the gesture and sat down on one of the chairs.

    “I’ve thought a little about your name,” Silas said.

    “Oh?”

    “I, well, I thought of a name. You don’t have to use it if you don’t like it, it is only a suggestion…” he trailed off.

    “Well, what is it?” I asked anxiously.

    “I thought maybe…Charity,” he said, rubbing his hands in front of the fire as he awaited my verdict.

    “Yes,” I said, after considering, “it’s perfect.”

    “You like it?” he said, his eyes wide and mouth agape.

    “Of course. Didn’t you think I would?” I asked.

    He shook his head. “I don’t know what I thought. Though I am glad you like it, Charity.”

    For some reason the name Charity seemed fitting to me, I could imagine people saying my name and I liked the way it sounded when Silas said it. It seemed a part of me, I felt like I had an identity, I was a person now and I could have hope that maybe, just maybe, I wasn’t a creature after all; although that was a farfetched hope.

    The rest of that day passed slowly, with Silas having to go out to work, leaving me alone with Max most of the time. But when Silas came home he would sit with me in front of the fire and read to me from some of the books he had. I was enthralled by his every word, listening intently and not once interrupting.

    Soon, though, time passed and I had been living with Silas for three days. Upon the fourth morning we decided I was well enough to leave the house with Silas to buy some clothes of my own. The majority of my injuries were healed and I could walk fairly well by myself. Silas found me a long cloak to keep me warm, but mainly to hide my current clothing.

    It was cold the morning we set out with Max at our heels. The sky was grey and depressing, the murky clouds dampening my good mood. It was the first time I had been out on the London streets during the day and the mass of people and traffic was quite daunting.

    Carriages and wagons pulled by horses, which were scary in themselves, hurried past at a fast pace; the wheels were spinning up mud so we didn’t walk too close. People dashed about minding their own business with heads down and shawls drawn. A horrible smell filled the air like rotting food and human waste but no one else seemed to notice, either that or they were so used to the stench that they didn’t notice it any more.

    Silas lead me through the streets, always keeping close to me. Eventually we stopped in front of a wonky building with a wooden sign hanging outside saying ‘Hobbs Clothing’. We entered the shop and a bell rang as we shut the door behind us. An old man with greying hair and a gap-toothed-grin looked up at us as we stepped inside. I immediately became wary of him and edged a little closer to Silas.

    “What cun I do for ye’s today ‘en?” he asked.

    “We’re looking for some new clothes for my cousin here,” Silas said, indicating me.

    I looked away from the man and stared at the floor, wishing I hadn’t had to come with Silas. I could feel his gaze on me, even thought I was not looking at him.

    The shop owner showed us many clothes and after Silas bartered with him for a lower price we finally bought some, leaving the shop hurriedly. We quickly headed back home, for some reason Silas was on edge, always looking around and his jaw was clenched tensely.

    Suddenly something hard smashed into my side and I stumbled. A hand clasped around my arm to steady me. I was expecting it to be Silas who held me but I looked up to see him a couple of steps ahead looking back, his eyes narrowed at the person standing next to me.

    “Sorry,” the man said, releasing me, “didn’t see you there.”

    “It is fine,” I insisted, looking at him for the first time. A battered, brown hat sat on his head and he was at least a foot taller than me. Before I had a chance to take in any more of his appearance he tipped his hat and went on his way; not before he gave a quick, dismissive glance at Silas.

    “Do you know that man?” I asked as we continued back to the house.

    “Let us just get back somewhere safe,” Silas muttered, his tone telling me I would get no answer to my question.

    I deducted that he must have known the man, whoever he was, and was either ashamed to know him or had a strong dislike for him. The way Silas’ shoulders were tense and his fists clenched told me this was not the right time to ask further about it and decided I would have to ask when he was in a better mood.

    It didn’t take long to get back to the house and Silas ushered me inside hurriedly. Max ran ahead into the reception room leaving Silas and I in the hallway.

    “You had better change,” he said. “I’ll wait down here.”

    I nodded and jogged up the stairs, Silas’ peculiar mood playing on my mind. He had been fine earlier, but for some reason after that man almost knocked me over he became brooding. I hoped his good mood would resume soon.

    After shutting the bedroom door I removed the clothes Silas had kindly allowed me to borrow and let them drop to the floor. Then I took the new items we had bought today and laid them out on the bed. Luckily the shopkeeper had a female assistant who was able to help me select the undergarments (if the man had had to help me with that I am sure I would have run from the shop from embarrassment) which I slid onto my frail body.

    The dress I had chosen was brown and long with the bodice over my white blouse and the skirts were not wide like the fashionable ladies of the time. Even so the outfit was more than I’d ever had before; I even had a pair of shoes.

    Just as I finished dressing I heard someone knock at the door and shortly after it was opened by Silas. I heard muffled voices but could not distinguish the words. The front door was shut as whoever was calling was allowed entrance to the house.

    Curious, I edged towards the door with light footsteps, as I knew the floorboards had a tendency to creak loudly, and opened the bedroom, pressing my ear to the gap. If I had stepped out into the hall I would have heard the conversation between the two men better, but then I would be spotted. I did not want to be caught eavesdropping, for from the volume of their voices I could tell they still occupied the hall.

    “Why are you here, Claude?” Silas demanded.

    “It is a pleasure to see you again to, Silas,” the man, Claude, replied, “Though I was hoping for a much more pleasant greeting.”

    “You will find no pleasantries here,” Silas said, his tone dark and low.

    “A shame, I dare say,” Claude said. “You do not even know why I have come to see you.”

    “No, I do not,” Silas agreed, “but I can vouch that it is not for friendly small talk and if it is a favour you would ask of me then the answer is no.”

    “Silas, at least hear me out,” the man said, “for old time’s sake.”

    So then, Silas knew this man by more than acquaintance. At first my mind travelled back to the man who ran into me on the street, but it could not be him for their voices were very different. This man’s voice was sly and deceptive. Even before I had seen the man I decided I did not like him much and wished Silas would send him on his way.

    Silas was silent a moment before he replied. “Speak and be quick.”

    “I’ve heard of a pigeon,” Claude said in a conspiratorial tone.

    “A pigeon?” Silas said doubtfully.

    “Not literally a pigeon, I mean a young lady,” Claude explained, “on the run they say.”

    “Go on,” Silas said.

    “Words been going round that a gentleman, a doctor nonetheless, is looking for a patient that has run away from his home where he was treating her.”

    “Is this from a reliable source?” Silas asked.

    “How should I know? All I know is that everyone in London is looking for this girl. There’s a hefty reward you see,” Claude said.

    “I know what you want from-”

    “Let me finish,” Claude interrupted. “This girl has no description, no name’s been given. All we know is that she’s around eighteen years old but looks more like ten and six years and is confused, fragile and ill. This is some easy money, Silas. You could get back up to the top where you belong.”

    “I do not want anything to do with you,” Silas said darkly.

    “Look, I know things haven’t always worked out well for us in the past but we need to put that behind us. You need to realise we cannot miss this opportunity,”

    “I think you should leave,” Silas ordered.

    “Well then, if that is the way it is,” Claude said.

    He was met by silence.

    “All right, I will go,” Claude relented. “This is your last chance though, take it or leave it.”

    “I’ll leave it,” Silas said. “Do not call on me again.”

    “Do not worry,” Claude said. “I won’t be.”

    I heard the door open and then slam shut forcefully. My legs were quaking and my hands shaking; it felt like someone had dropped an omnibus on my head. I sunk down on the bed, unable to rely on my own two feet to keep me standing. I had no doubt that I was the person Claude had been talking about. The Master obviously wanted me back desperately and people like Claude wouldn’t care for the truth; they only wanted money.

    Who was this Claude anyway? Silas obviously knew him but something must have happened to cause the friction between them – something in the past that Silas wanted to remain hidden. Whatever had happened Silas was ashamed of it, and I hoped he would never retreat back to that since it didn’t seem like a good thing.

    After regaining my composure I made my way down the stairs and found Silas in the reception room, his elbows resting on his knees and his fingers toying with a ring absentmindedly. I entered quietly but remained by the door, afraid that he would use me to vent his anger like others once had.

    “Is everything alright?” I asked.

    Silas lifted his head, noticing my presence for the first time. He looked at me with sadness in his eyes and Max whined at his feet. Silence was my only reply and I remained where I was stood.

    “There is someone I must see,” Silas said, standing to his feet abruptly.

    “Is there anything I can do?” I wondered.

    “No,” he said sharply. “Stay here, I shall not be gone long.”

    He picked up his coat from the chair and put it on hurriedly. Already the sun was beginning to set and the chill of night would soon arrive.

    “As you wish,” I said quietly.

    Silas paused, looking at me with his brows furrowed in thought. “Did you hear our conversation?”

    I swallowed nervously, very aware as to which conversation he was referring to, and nodded my head solemnly.

    “Please do not worry yourself,” he said. “What is in the past will remain there. I will keep you safe.”

    I nodded again in understanding but still doubt clung to the edges of my mind.

    Silas brushed past me to get to the door and Max followed eagerly. “Stay, Max,” he commanded.

    The dog whined and lay down on the floor next to me, his large eyes sorrowful. Then Silas opened the door and left with not another word to either of us.

    “It’s just you and me now, Max,” I whispered, kneeling down next to him to scratch his ears.

    Max scurried away and sat by the door, his eyes pleading with me.

    “No,” I said. “Silas told us to stay here and wait.”

    I knew what I said was true, but I had an unusual urge to follow Silas. If I was going to I would have to be swift or I would lose him in the complicated maze of streets. Max whimpered, bringing me out of my thoughts.

    In what I knew was a split decision action I grasped my cloak from the hook by the now cold fire and left the house, spurred on by not only my curiosity but also my fear.

    The streets had very few people on them at this time of day and the street sellers were just packing up their wares. The few people who were still out hurried along with nervous glances, suspicious of all and everything. Max trotted along by my side and I was glad he was with me for I found much comfort in his company.

    I spotted Silas a few metres ahead and hurried to catch up, pulling my hood up to hide my face. Of course I hadn’t thought of the repercussions if he spotted me following him when I made the decision. Now I did think about it, and he would probably be angry, maybe he’d even not let me stay with him. No, it was too late to go back now.

    I made sure to stay a fair way behind him just in case he turned around but not so far away that I would lose him if he turned down a side street. A carriage thundered past and I dived to the side of the road to avoid being run over. The distraction had caused me to lose sight of Silas and I searched frantically for him. I only just managed to see him slip into a pub a little way up the road; the sign outside said The Lock and Key.

    Looking around to make sure I wasn’t being watched I stepped inside the pub and was immediately greeted by the stench of alcohol and smoke. The sound of raucous laughter and shouting pounded my ears. The pub was dimly lit by lanterns and a blazing fire near the back.

    Drunken men sat around wonky, wooden tables with mugs of alcohol in their hands and cigar’s in the other. Dark beams held up the low ceiling and a painting of Queen Victoria hung on one wall. The stone floor was dirty from being trampled on frequently by muddy boots.

    It took me a moment to adjust to the new atmosphere before I moved to the edge of the room and found a dark spot to hide. I watched Silas approach a man at the bar who was sat on a stool; his back was hunched over and I could not see his face.

    The man looked up as Silas greeted him and stood, clasping him on the back before calling to the bartender then leading Silas over to a table in a corner. I could hear nought of their conversation from my position but felt reluctant to move closer for fear of being seen.

     “You’ve some guts coming here,” said a low, dark voice from behind me.

     My heart was hammering in my chest as I turned to face the one who had spoken, looking up at the tall man behind me with apprehension. An unnerving feeling rose in my chest as I realised this was the man who had knocked into me in the street just that morning.

    “Name’s Warren,” he said.

    His hair was black, hanging around his face in an unkempt manner; deep, foreboding eyes stared down at me from deep eye sockets. I have no doubt that he could be considered a handsome man but something about his appearance set me on edge. Perhaps it was the way the shadows danced on his face or that the hood pulled over his head made him appear mysterious, maybe even dangerous.

    He gave a shallow laugh. “I’m not going to hurt you, no need to look so scared. Do you have a name?”

    “Who are you?” I managed to ask.

    “What? Avoiding my question? Don’t you have a name?” he said through a crooked smile.

    “Of course I have a name,” I replied haughtily.

    “Then what is it?” Warren persisted.

    “I do not wish to share my personal details with a stranger such as yourself and would you please mind leaving my company,” I said firmly.

     He shook his head. “Headstrong you are indeed. But I’m only here to warn you, lady.”

     “Warn me of what exactly?” I asked.

     “Of that man whom you’ve placed your lot with,” he whispered slyly.

     My eyes strayed to Silas who had his back to me and was talking to the man whom he’d spoken to at the bar.

     “Yes, Silas Blackhall,” he murmured in my ear, “I suppose he has told you nothing of his past?”

     I looked back to Warren. “I have not asked him to.”

    “Maybe you should have. While he may seem kind and friendly on the outside you do not know his true self. You don’t know his past,” he said darkly.

    A little bit of doubt crept into my mind at his words but that was extinguished almost immediately. He was trying to turn me against Silas. For what reason or purpose I did not know but I did not think what Warren said was true. Perhaps Silas had done something in the past, but that was behind him now. He was a good person and the only one who had shown me kindness. I had to have faith in him because he was all I had.

    “I do not know why you are telling me this,” I replied, “but it appears to me that you have this man figured out wrong and that you have made a strong misjudgement of character. I will ask you again to leave my company.”

    “He has easily swayed you I see,” he said, “soon though you will come to see his true nature. I only wanted to warn you. You may heed me, or you may not. But remember my words.”

    I had become so absorbed in the conversation that I had not noticed until then that Max had trotted off to Silas and was now nuzzling his hand. Max barked and Silas patted his head then looked up and his eyes met mine. I gasped in a breath of air and mentally cursed my own stupidity for not keeping a closer eye on Max.

    “It seems your presence has been noticed,” Warren said.

    Silas narrowed his eyes and stood, approaching us with fists clenched.

     “It is time for me to take my leave, lady,” Warren took my hand and brushed his lips across my fingers gently before gliding from the pub.