Chapter Seven
They had been at Appleby Fair for a week but it had felt like a year to Charity. Every day she had fretted that this might be the day that her father announced who he wanted her to marry.
She had been shopping in the town on a few occasions now, and despite asking around, as yet she had had no luck finding a job or a place for her and Luca to live.
Still, she consoled herself, there was plenty of time.
The circus wouldn’t be arriving for another two or three weeks at least. She was missing Luca every minute of every day.
Her mother had noticed that she was quiet and not her usual self.
Charity had told her she thought she was coming down with a cold and she had accepted that.
During the day many deals had been struck.
People came from miles around to view the livestock.
They had been so busy that the daylight hours seemed to have passed in a blur.
The young men frequently bathed the horses in the river until their coats gleamed.
Then, when they emerged, the girls were kept busy braiding the horses’ manes and brushing their tails.
Charity was doing this one day when Felix, her cousin, approached her.
His black hair curled on his shoulders and he was bare chested.
His skin was golden brown and his arms heavily muscled.
‘Good day,’ he greeted her. ‘I hear your family and mine are to throw a party next week.’
Charity’s heart sank. This would likely be when their fathers were planning to announce their betrothal.
‘Good day, Felix.’ She tried to stay calm.
He liked what he saw if the way he was looking at her was anything to go by – like she was one of his horses.
She chewed on her lip. Just one week to find somewhere to escape to.
She must be gone before the announcement was made.
Otherwise, it would bring shame on both families. Tomorrow she would double her efforts.
The next morning Charity set off bright and early.
Luckily, her mother needed some things from the town.
Instead of heading towards the shops, though, she set off for Orton.
It was a small pretty market town a few miles from Appleby.
After a good walk she began to approach the farms and small holdings she passed.
At each one she enquired if there were any jobs going.
Some, seeing her brightly coloured Gypsy clothing, shooed her away.
Others merely shook their heads, and she began to become down-hearted.
By lunchtime she’d had no luck at all and she turned to begin the journey back.
It wouldn’t do for her to be gone for too long.
It might arouse suspicion. The sun was beating down by that time and she was hot and thirsty.
She passed a small farmhouse where she saw a man feeding pigs in a sty. She opened the gate to the farmyard and approached him. He stared at her suspiciously before asking, ‘What can I do for you?’ His voice was not friendly.
‘I’m looking for work.’
He frowned as he eyed her up and down.
‘Aren’t you a Gypsy? One of those from Appleby Fair?’
She nodded. ‘Yes, I am. But I wish to find work and leave them.’
He scratched his head. ‘And what sort of job is it you’re after?’
‘I’m willing to do anything,’ she told him hastily. ‘Housework, farm work, whatever you have. I’m a good worker.’ Suddenly she was hopeful. At least he hadn’t immediately turned her away.
He scratched his head as he looked across the yard to the farmhouse. He was quite a young man, somewhere in his thirties, she judged, and he had a kind face, although he looked weary.
‘Well . . .’ He paused. ‘I could do with someone to mind my children and keep house. I lost my wife last year and it’s been difficult.
I have a woman from the village come in twice a week.
She does some washing and cleaning for me, but it’s not enough really.
I have the farm to run and the children are alone for much of the time.
Would you be willing to live in? I couldn’t pay you too much. ’
Charity nodded eagerly.
He seemed to think about it for a moment before saying, ‘When could you start?’
‘Tomorrow. Would that be soon enough?’
He nodded and pointed towards the farmhouse. ‘You’d best come and meet the children in that case.’
They picked their way across the yard where chickens were pecking amongst the cobbles.
The first thing Charity noticed when they entered a large kitchen was how unloved it looked. Dirty pots were piled high in the sink and every piece of furniture was coated with dust. Two small children were sitting at a table.
‘That’s Tilly, she’s two, and that’s Simon, he’s four,’ he introduced them.
They were nice-looking children but Charity thought both were in need of a good bath.
They eyed her warily as she approached and bent to their level. ‘Hello, I’m Charity.’
They were both blue-eyed and blonde-haired and were chewing on crusts of dry bread.
‘I’m not much of a cook,’ he said quietly and Charity felt sorry for him. ‘And the house . . .’ He spread his hands in defeat. ‘I’m afraid I’m not very good at housework either. My Mary kept this place shiny as a new pin. Have you had any experience of caring for children?’
‘Oh yes,’ she assured him. ‘We Gypsy girls are taught to look after children from a young age.’
He shrugged. ‘Very well. I suppose we could give it a trial.’
She smiled. ‘Thank you. I’ll be here early tomorrow morning.’
She left with a feeling of relief. Now all she had to do was wait until the camp was asleep and escape. Then when the circus arrived, she would get word to Luca where she was. And their new life together could begin.