Chapter Nine
Charity had been at Top Acre Farm for two days when the kitchen door opened and a woman walked in. They stared at each other for a moment.
‘Hello,’ the woman said eventually, with a frown. ‘Who are you?’
‘I’m Charity. Mr Wells hired me to help look after the children and the house.’
‘Oh, I see. Well, I’m Maureen. I come in twice a week to do the washing and help where I can.’
‘Ah yes, Mr Wells did say.’ Charity smiled at her.
The woman looked to be in her thirties. She had fair hair tied back in an unbecoming bun on the back of her head.
Her clothes were dowdy, grey from head to foot.
But Charity could see that she could be attract-ive if she took a little more care of herself.
The woman looked around the room suspiciously. ‘You’ve certainly made a difference in here,’ she commented. ‘Unfortunately, I never have time to get everything done.’
The children ran in at that moment and threw their arms about Maureen’s waist. It was clear to see that they were fond of her and her face softened.
‘So have you known Mr Wells long?’ Charity asked as she filled the kettle at the sink.
The woman nodded. ‘Oh yes. Many years. In fact . . .’ She blushed. ‘At one time Eddie and I were walking out together but then . . . Well, my father died and I have an invalid mother. I had to take on running the house and caring for her and my younger siblings.’
When Charity looked bemused, she went on, ‘I think Eddie just got tired of waiting. And then he met Mary, his late wife.’ She shrugged. ‘And that was that. They were very happy together though.’
Charity could hear the sadness in her voice and felt sorry for her.
‘But what is a lovely young woman like you doing here?’ Maureen was curious now.
Charity looked away. ‘Actually, my parents were about to announce my engagement to my cousin. I am of Gypsy stock and it’s our custom, but I didn’t want to marry him so . . .’
‘So you ran away?’ Maureen looked sympathetic.
Charity nodded.
‘Was it because you love someone else?’
Charity bit her lip wondering if she could trust this woman and decided that she’d risk it.
‘Yes, and hopefully he will come for me soon. I was wondering if Mr Wells might find him a job to do. And then perhaps we could carry on living here for a time.’
‘I see.’ Maureen took her shawl off and threw it over the back of a chair. As Charity made the tea, Maureen looked at her colourful clothes. They were grimy now after all the cleaning she had done.
‘Don’t you have any suitable work clothes?’ she asked as Charity carried her drink to her.
Charity shook her head. ‘No, unfortunately I don’t. And the things I brought with me are all dirty now.’
‘Well, I can help you there. Eddie told me I was welcome to take any of Mary’s clothes I wanted. You’re about the same size so there’s bound to be something more suitable for you. I’ll show you where they are in a minute.’
Charity looked dubious. ‘But won’t Mr Wells be upset seeing me in them?’ she queried.
Maureen chuckled. ‘I doubt it very much. Men don’t tend to notice what we’re wearing.’
When they had finished their drinks, Maureen led her upstairs. There was a large trunk in one corner of the front bedroom. She began to lift out skirts and blouses. They were very plain compared to what Charity was used to, but they were much more practical.
‘I’ll go and get changed right away,’ Charity said gratefully.
‘Yes, and I’d better go out to the wash house and start on the washing. I’ve no doubt there’ll be a pile there waiting for me. I’ll wash those clothes you’re wearing for you as well if you like.’
Charity smiled and hurried away to get changed.
By lunchtime, Maureen had all the washing blowing in the wind on the lines strung across the yard.
Charity was in the kitchen preparing them all a light lunch of bread and cheese.
Maureen had just sat down at the table when Eddie walked in.
Charity saw the way the woman’s eyes lit up at the sight of him.
She knew in that moment that Maureen still loved him and thought how sad it was.
She must be a very kind woman to sacrifice her own life for her family as she had.
‘Ah, Maureen,’ he greeted her. ‘You’ve met Charity I see.’
Maureen nodded. ‘I have indeed and she’s doing a grand job from what I can see of it.’ She looked slightly concerned. ‘But will you still be needing me to come in now?’
He frowned at her. ‘Of course I will. Charity is doing quite a few jobs about the farm now. That’s as well as seeing to the children and the cleaning. I’m sure there’s more than enough work to keep you both busy.’
She looked relieved.
‘And how did Sadie’s wedding go on Saturday?’ he asked next.
‘Really well and she looked beautiful. I can’t believe she’s the last of the young ones to leave. There’s just me and Mother now. But she’s growing weaker by the day,’ she said sadly.
‘And have you thought what you’ll do when her time comes?’ he asked gently.
Maureen shrugged. ‘I dare say I’ll try and get a full-time job somewhere.
’ She was also aware that she would have to leave her home.
The last of her siblings had left, and she would be unable to pay the rent without their wages.
She had hoped that she could move into the farm when she lost her mother.
She would have loved to care for Eddie and the children.
But if Charity stayed it seemed that she had that job now.
Charity went out to see to the animals after lunch while Maureen prepared an evening meal.
Charity had enjoyed having another woman for company and was pleased when Maureen told her that she would be back the next day to tackle the ironing.
They had clearly taken to each other. Once Maureen had left, as always, Charity’s thoughts turned to Luca.
She was counting the days until the circus arrived in Appleby.
She was missing him even more than she had imagined she would.
She missed her parents and her friends too, but if that was the price she would have to pay to be with Luca, she would gladly pay it.