A Daughter's Promise

by Lynette Rees

Genres: Family Life; Sagas; Victorian Romance

Synopsis

A heartwarming saga, from the ebook bestselling author of The Workhouse Waif. Eighteen-year-old seamstress Kathryn Flynn lives in Whitechapel, London, struggling to support her widowed mother and younger siblings. But when her work starts drying up and her mother falls ill, she is forced to consider desperate measures . . . Then she meets 'Squire', an older city gentleman, who falls instantly in love with her and offers to take her under his wing. 'Squire' could give Kathryn the life she's always wanted . . . but is there something darker lurking beneath his kindness? What readers are saying about Lynette Rees: 'The best read I have had in a long time' Amazon reviewer ***** 'Another brilliant read from this amazing author' Amazon reviewer ***** 'Absolutely enthralled ... Would highly recommend for anyone that enjoys a good drama' Amazon reviewer ***** 'A beautiful story that I couldn't put down' Amazon reviewer *****

Release date: December 20, 2018

Publisher: Quercus Publishing

Print pages: 244

Sample

Whitechapel, London, 1888

There was a short series of sharp knocks on the front door of one of the houses in the middle of the long red-brick street. Cowering behind the curtains, Kathryn Flynn glanced at her younger brothers and sisters and said, ‘Ssh, we have to pretend we’re not in as we ain’t got the rent money. . .’

Wide-eyed, they stared up at her, three-year-old Rosie tugging at her sister’s skirts, her bottom lip trembling. Oh dear, was she about to cry? Scooping the little mite up into her arms, Kathryn hugged her tightly to her breast, planting a kiss on her forehead.

Another series of knocks almost rattled the door off its hinges, causing Kathryn’s heart to pound with fear. They couldn’t carry on like this for much longer, but if she opened the door she knew they would be flung out on to the pavement outside with all their belongings. Fergus O’Shay had been around to the house several times for the rent this week and his patience wouldn’t hold out much longer.

She was expecting another series of knocks when she heard his voice outside. ‘Any idea where the Flynn family are, Jimmy?’ he asked gruffly.

‘None whatsoever,’ a familiar male voice answered. ‘I ain’t seen them, Mr O’Shay.’

The rent man let out a loud harrumph as if he didn’t believe his ears. ‘Well tell them if you see them, if they don’t pay up by the end of the week I’m bringing in my men to turf them out of ’ere. I’ve given them enough chances as it is!’ Then, raising his voice as if they were meant to hear him inside, he said, ‘In fact, if they don’t pay up it’ll be all the better for me: I can get a new family in to replace ’em. There’s plenty would love to live in that house!’

Then they heard departing footsteps as his hobnailed boots hit the pavement. Kathryn let out a long sigh of relief just as Rosie began to cry. ‘Sssh, little one,’ she soothed.

‘Has the nasty man gone now, Kathryn?’ her five-year-old brother, Damon, asked.

‘Yes, he’s gone now, kids. Go and wash yer hands and I’ll make you some supper.’ The children scurried through the room into the back scullery; Kathryn heard the sounds of them splashing around and arguing with each other as they pushed one another out of the way to try to get finished up and get eating as quickly as they could.

There was another knock at the door, causing Kathryn’s heart to feel as though it had ceased beating. Had O’Shay returned?

‘Kathryn!’ a male voice called out. ‘It’s me, Jimmy.’

‘Oh, thank goodness. I thought it was the rent collector come back to throw us out,’ she said, unbolting the heavy wooden front door.

Jimmy cocked her a grin, lowering his head as he entered the low-beamed room. His short dark-brown hair was tousled from where he’d recently removed his cap, which he was now clutching in his hand. His chocolate-brown eyes glittered as they usually did when he was pleased to see her. Kathryn had known him since she was a young girl, and it was only lately she’d realised how tall he’d become and how broad his shoulders were – he was no longer the young boy she’d known as her neighbour all these years and a friend of the family, but a young man. ‘Are things really that bad, then?’

‘I’m afraid they are, Jimmy. Ma’s poorly upstairs and Mr Daley has laid me off from his slop workshop for a few days – he says he might have more work for me in a couple of weeks, but what do I do until then?’

Jimmy shook his head. ‘That’s awful, Kathryn. Is there anything I can do to help?’

She shrugged her shoulders. ‘This is our mess. Only we can get ourselves out of it.’

Jimmy gazed deep into her eyes. ‘I only wish there was some way I could help you all. . .’

‘Thank you.’ Her priority was her family. They’d fallen on hard times since Pa had died. He’d been the sole breadwinner and once he was gone, taken with consumption, the responsibility had fallen on her shoulders, as the eldest child. She turned to the kids. ‘Hurry up, you lot!’ Then, looking back at Jimmy, said, ‘I’ll think of something. I have got to get our ’eads above water somehow.’

Jimmy blinked. ‘What’s happened at the slop shop then?’

She drew in a breath and let it out again. ‘It’s the sweater. He informed Mr Daley last week that he’s cutting our orders, reckons we’re not working fast enough.’

‘But you’re already working long hours, sometimes up to fifteen hours a day as it is!’ Jimmy said in astonishment.

‘And the rest. I even did an eighteen-hour day last week to catch up on the orders. We have to pay for our own materials an’ all. Mr Daley supplies them and we pay him.’

Jimmy’s eyes narrowed to slits. ‘You don’t think he’s pulling a fast one, do you?’

‘’ow’d you mean?’ She put her hands on her hips.

‘Mr Daley, I mean. Is he overcharging you for the materials?’

Kathryn relaxed her pose. ‘No, I don’t think so. He’s always charged the same, but the sweater says the slop shop ’ave dropped their prices, so there’s more demand and while we need to work ’arder, we get paid less.’

Jimmy touched her shoulder lightly, then gave it a reassuring pat. ‘It can’t be easy for you, Kathryn. What’s happened to your ma, anyhow?’

‘A touch of bronchitis. ’aven’t even got enough money to pay a doctor to diagnose her, but I think that’s what it is. Mr Daley’s wife gave me a bottle of brown medicine for her, which is helping a little.’

Suddenly, the kids burst back into the room. ‘Jimmy!’ they shouted collectively, pleased to see him.

He bent down and scooped Rosie up into his arms. ‘Great to see you, kids! I know I promised to tell you all about that time I saw that big ship come sailing into dock all the way from India. . .’

‘Yes, tell us, Jimmy, tell us!’ Damon and Shaun were enthralled by his every word as Jimmy explained what the ship looked like and all about those weather-beaten sailors who brought exotic treasures from distant shores. There were precious jewels in every colour of the rainbow and silks and satins so fine they were only fit for a princess or Queen Victoria herself! The children stood there with wide eyes and open mouths, spellbound by his tale, while only Kathryn guessed he was embellishing it just for them.

‘When yer going to take us to Vicky Park again?’ twelve-year-old Shaun asked, tugging on Jimmy’s jacket.

‘I want to sail a boat that looks like that big ship you spoke about,’ said Damon. Last time they’d all gone there, Jimmy had whittled a boat of sorts out of a piece of fallen oak and sailed it on the lake, much to the delight of Shaun and Damon, though Mags, their older sister, had stood there looking thoroughly bored. At thirteen years of age, Mags was turning into quite the young lady, though she couldn’t seem to see how she attracted glances from the opposite sex. She was fixated with her freckles, referring to them as ugly, but her red hair and hazel eyes were simply stunning. Kathryn had to constantly reassure her that there was nothing wrong with her.

‘I wish I was as good-looking as you, Kathryn,’ she’d often say.

Kathryn would always reply that she was lovely as she was and beauty came from within, but for some reason Mags didn’t realise how beautiful she really was.

‘Please, Jimmy!’ Shaun asked again.

‘Oh, Shaun, leave Jimmy alone, will you?’ Kathryn snapped.

‘It’s all right, truly it is.’ Jimmy turned to Shaun and the other kids. ‘Yes, of course I’ll take you, maybe on Saturday morning, if that’s all right?’ He looked at Kathryn.

‘Yes, that’s really kind of yer. I’m sorry I sounded so sharp, I’m just so tired – I was up ’alf the night finishing off stitching some waistcoats for the Daleys. It’s the last lot of work from them.’ She pointed to the pile, neatly folded in a wooden box in the corner of the room.

Jimmy picked one up and inspected it. ‘They’re right fancy, these are, gal. Such fine stitching an’ all. . .’

Kathryn smiled. ‘It were ’ard though. You try stitching by candlelight, it plays havoc with yer eyes.’

‘You need to rest more, Kathryn,’ Jimmy said gently.

‘But what chance do I ’ave? I’ve got a lot on me plate as it is.’

Jimmy smiled. ‘I’ll send Dorrie over later. She can look after the kids and your ma – she won’t mind. Meanwhile, I’m taking you out for some pie and mash. You look like you could do with feeding up, my gal!’

Kathryn nodded and smiled. She liked Jimmy’s younger sister and was grateful for the help she often provided. As the kids scrambled to get seated at the old scuffed table, with its almost threadbare linen cloth, she went off to the scullery, returning with some bits of crusty bread dipped in dripping.

When the children saw it, they all groaned. Before Kathryn had a chance to say anything, Mags reprimanded, ‘Be thankful for this little we have, kids. Some ain’t so lucky as us.’

Kathryn patted her appreciatively on the shoulder as she sat at the table with the others. Kathryn rarely had time to join them and she didn’t intend to now that Jimmy was going to take her out. She would keep some scraps of her meal for the kids as a treat for them. She hated people buying things for her, but Jimmy enjoyed helping out. He had regular work on a market stall and even if he was short of money himself, he often arrived with leftover vegetables that some in the West End would have turned their noses up at, but as he often said, ‘Cook ’em with a bit of onion, some leftover scrag end o’ lamb and yer’ll ’ave a nice tasty soup that’ll keep yer going fer days!’

While the children had their heads down eating, Jimmy slipped away to fetch Dorrie. They returned a quarter of an hour later; Dorrie’s face was flushed pink from rushing, her brown knitted shawl pulled tightly around her shoulders. At sixteen years old she was turning into a fine-looking young girl, though small in stature for her age. She was sensible and that’s what Kathryn liked about her. Her chestnut hair fell in ringlets on her shoulders and her face was peppered with a sprinkling of freckles.

The temperature had dipped. It was only September, but the nights were drawing in and coolness filled the air. At least for time being, the family had a fire in the grate and some sort of food in their bellies. But for how much longer?

‘Thanks for coming over, Dorrie.’ Kathryn smiled.

‘It’s all right. I weren’t doing anything anyway.’ Dorrie removed her shawl and hung it on a peg behind the door; it wasn’t the first time the girl had helped out. ‘How’s yer ma, Kathryn?’

‘She’s a little better, thanks. I was given a bottle of medicine for her. Can yer feed her a spoonful later? I’m keeping her well propped up with pillows to ease her breathing and if yer can take up some broth, I’ve left it in a tin mug in the kitchen with a spoon.’

Dorrie nodded. ‘Of course I can, ducks.’

Reassured the family was in safe hands, Kathryn tied the ribbons of her bonnet and wrapped her shawl around her shoulders, ready to depart with Jimmy. At least she had a good friend she could talk to about her troubles. She pecked her siblings on the cheek to say good night and made her way outside.

*

Darkness was fading as they walked along the shady alleyways and courts. People spilled out on to streets. Often in this area of Whitechapel there were several families holed up in one house, and that was if they were lucky. Many had to pay a penny a night, if they could afford it, to bed down at a doss house. The ones for a penny a night usually attracted the most undesirable of people. By the morning, some found their possessions had been stolen and sometimes the lodging-house owner was in on it as he got a share of the spoils.

Kathryn shivered. There but for the grace of God, go I. At least the Flynn family had a roof over their heads. For time being, she reminded herself.

They turned down one alleyway and Kathryn felt something scamper past, close by, forcing her into Jimmy’s path. He grabbed hold of her. ‘Are you all right?’

She held her breath, feeling his heart beat beside hers as she was locked in his embrace. ‘Something ran past me, dunno what it was, but it scared the living daylights out of me!’ she yelped.

‘It’s probably a small dog or cat,’ he reassured her, letting go.

Somehow she doubted that very much, but she always felt protected when he was around. It was more likely to have been a rodent of some kind, and she guessed he was only not saying as much so as not to scare her. This was a very dirty, rowdy area. As they reached the end of the alley, they turned on to another street that was better lit, the gas lamps reflecting a golden glow on to the people below, who were congregating outside a pub called The Horse and Harness. The smell of gin and beery fumes hit Kathryn full force, causing her to gag. Somewhere inside the pub someone was tinkling the ivories while a female voice sang beautifully, causing many shouts and cheers from the men.

A strong smell of cologne wafted towards Kathryn, and she turned to see a girl around the same age as herself, dressed in gaudy clothing. The neckline of her dress plunged far lower than was appropriate. Her face was heavily rouged from what Kathryn could make out from the street-light. The girl stared at Jimmy.

‘Fancy a fumble, ducks?’ she asked him in a cheeky manner, hoisting the skirts of her dress to reveal a red-frilled petticoat and slender ankles. He chuckled.

‘Sorry, my dear.’ He tipped his cap. ‘I’m already in female company.’

‘’ere I bet she won’t show you a good time like I would!’ she bellowed after them.

‘What a bleedin’ nerve!’ Kathryn said, feeling most affronted. ‘How can someone stoop so low?’

Jimmy’s face took on a serious expression. ‘It’s necessity, Kathryn. Few choose to live like that, but they make a darn sight more money from prostituting themselves than sweating for some of the pigs around ’ere. . .’

‘Like me, you mean?’ She tossed back her dark curls as a shiver skittered her spine as his words hit home.

‘Not you in particular, love,’ he said kindly, ‘but people like yourself are paid so poorly. That girl, Sally. . .’

‘Aw, so you know ’er, do you?’

‘I do indeed. She’s a good girl gorn bad. She used to work at the match factory in Bow, but she got laid off though for some trifling misdemeanour or other. She has a young baby to look after. . .’ he said sadly.

Kathryn stopped mid-step, her hands flying to her mouth. When she’d digested what he said, she looked at him. ‘Oh, that poor girl. . .’

‘So don’t look down on her. She told me she’s doing a lot better for herself, and the young baby – at least he’s got a roof over his head and food in his belly. She looks well-fed, doesn’t she?’

‘I suppose so. Is she happy at what she does though?’

‘She told me she is. And no, I know what you’re thinking. . . No, I ain’t been with her even though she’s offered it to me on a plate several times. This is just off her neck of the woods though, she usually ’angs around the Ten Bells pub on the corner of Commercial Street. Not sure why she’s ’ere tonight.’

‘I was just thinking, that’s all. How much do you reckon Sally earns doing that – can’t be much, can it?’

Jimmy chuckled. ‘Put it this way, she probably earns far more in one night than you do working a seventeen- or eighteen-hour day at that sweatshop. . . She told me it’s considerably eased the money problems at home. Don’t like to see a young girl put herself in danger like that, but yer have to admit it might be better than the workhouse for her and the little ’un.’

Kathryn cleared her throat. ‘Who cares for her baby when she’s out on the street?’

‘Her next-door neighbour – think she probably pays her something for her help, though.’

Kathryn nodded. Remembering the rat, she glanced this way and that at the mere thought of it coming anywhere near, but thankfully by the time they’d got to the other side of the alleyway, there was no encounter whatsoever. ‘Yer look worried, gel,’ Jimmy said. ‘What’s up?’

‘It’s this Whitechapel murderer business. It scares me ’alf to death, Jimmy. . .’

‘Well by all accounts, he’s only goes after bad gels, not good ’uns, so you’ve got nothing to worry about!’ He chuckled.

‘Please don’t make light of it, Jimmy. No one knows who’s going to be next after the murders of those two poor women.’

‘Aye, I know, Kathryn. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have laughed. But sometimes if I don’t laugh, I’ll cry. It’s me being silly, that’s all.’

She shivered. ‘The newspapers are calling it the “Autumn of Terror”.’

Women and girls in the area didn’t dare walk home alone at night, they were that petrified, even some of the working girls tried to stick together. And there was a vigilante group of men set up to track down the killer; they pledged they’d catch him at all costs.

Kathryn guessed maybe the competition at the Ten Bells was too much tonight, so the girl had come here to seek out a new patch. After all, she had to earn a living like everyone else in the East End. The thought gave her an idea, although she could barely contemplate it.

The steamy atmosphere of the pie-and-mash shop hit them full force as they entered. The delicious smells wafting her way made Kathryn’s stomach growl with hunger. It was pretty packed out with customers, but Jimmy spotted a recently vacated table in the corner. He guided her through with his hand placed on the small of her back as if she were a precious piece of porcelain.

They took their seats and immediately a short portly, middle-aged woman with her salt-and-pepper hair drawn up into a bun, arrived at their table. Her greasy mottled skin made Kathryn think she was someone with poor hygiene, and when she opened her mouth to speak, she noticed her teeth were rotten stumps.

‘Whatcha both want? I’ve got meat and potato or chicken pies on the menu tonight with mashed potatoes and peas,’ she said, acerbically.

Jimmy grinned and glanced at Kathryn.

‘Meat and potato, please,’ she said to the woman.

‘I’ll ’ave the same, and bring us a jug of ginger beer if you will. We’re dining like kings and queens tonight!’

Within minutes, a tray containing two plates of steaming pie and mash appeared at the table, complete with a jug of ginger beer and two glasses.

‘Thank you,’ Kathryn said, before Jimmy had a chance to be clever again. The woman smiled, totally ignoring Jimmy, and went about her business of clearing up a nearby table.

‘Thank you for this, Jimmy,’ Kathryn enthused. ‘Would you mind if I kept some back to take home for the kids?’

She watched as he chewed well and then swallowed. ‘I do mind, indeed. Now eat what’s on yer plate. I shall buy some to take back for the kids.’

She hadn’t been expecting that; she would get a full belly herself and so would the kids tomorrow. ‘I feel really bad you spending all your hard-earned money on us lot.’ She poked her pie with her fork, not really getting stuck in.

‘Don’t be daft. You can pay me back some day – maybe you can make me something to wear like those toffs prance around about in!’ he joked. ‘Now come on, don’t be maudlin, missus, eat up afore it gets cold!’

She did as she was told, savouring each meaty mouthful, unable to remember when she’d last eaten a meal so satisfying.

‘So,’ Jimmy said, filling up her glass with ginger beer, then topping up his own. ‘What are you going to do about your situation if you won’t accept any help from me? I could loan you the rent money and maybe by next week you’ll get more work from Mr Daley. . .’ He trailed off as if he realised that wouldn’t be the case at all.

She chewed her bottom lip, then set down her knife and fork on her plate and took a sip from her glass, before resting it on the table in front of her. ‘I honestly don’t know. We’ve been living hand to mouth for weeks now, avoiding Mr O’Shay. To be fair, he did allow me some grace as I hadn’t paid last week’s rent, but now I’ve got that to pay along with this week’s as well. What a mess I’ve got meself into!’

Jimmy shook his head, then looked into her eyes. ‘Look, you don’t want to be thrown out on to the street, not with your mother being so unwell. Please take the money from me, Kathryn. . .’

Quite unexpectedly, her eyes moistened with tears. ‘I’m sorry, I can’t.’ She sniffed. ‘I would never be able to pay you back – it would only add to the debt I already owe, can’t you see that?’ She looked at him through misted eyes.

He nodded. ‘But if you and I were one, I would share the debt. What was mine would be yours.’ He stretched out his arm and took her hand across the table, holding it to his lips as he caught her gaze and planted a kiss on it. She saw the love light in his eyes in that moment. ‘Marry me, Kathryn,’ he said with great conviction.

She held her breath; it should have been all she’d ever wanted. He was so handsome, but she’d known him forever and she couldn’t put all her troubles on to him when he had troubles of his own to deal with. What if he was doing it out of pity for her? She knew he cared deeply, but she had to be sure about that. She shook her head vehemently. It wasn’t what she wanted right now. Maybe in the future, but she didn’t want to marry for the sake of it.

‘Well, if that is the case,’ he said, letting out a regretful sigh and releasing her hand, ‘yer know I’ll always be your friend. At least if you are thrown out, please come to my home – Dorrie and Nick wouldn’t mind. Since our parents died, the ’ouse just ain’t been the same. You and the girls could bunk in wiv me sister and the boys could sleep in wiv me and Nick, and your ma could ’ave the other bedroom till you all got sorted.’

Kathryn remembered her ma telling her that Jimmy’s parents had died and that he’d struggled to bring up the kids on his own. She squeezed his hand. ‘You’re so very kind, Jimmy, but hopefully, it shan’t come to that.’

He looked at her blankly as she carried on eating her food. She had an idea. Pride comes before a fall, a little voice spoke softly to her, but she chose to ignore it.

*

All was quiet outside The Horse and Harness on their way back home and there was no sign of Sally whatsoever. Kathryn guessed she must have gone home with someone or returned home herself if she couldn’t find any work, and she hoped the poor girl wouldn’t get accosted by someone. She realised that in that line of work girls often got roughed up by the men they picked up and some even lost their lives because of it.

‘You’re quiet,’ Jimmy said, as he wrapped his arm around her and led her through the same alleyway where she’d earlier thought she’d encountered a rat.

‘Aw, it’s nothing at all. Just got a lot on my mind, that’s all, thinking about where I can look for work. . .’

‘As long as that’s all it is,’ he said, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze.

Jimmy left her at her front door and stooped to plant a kiss on her cheek, which was usual for him. He seemed none the worse for her turning down his proposal, but maybe he wasn’t showing it.

‘Thank you, Jimmy, you’re a true friend,’ she said, as she carried the bowl of pie and mash into the house. She’d warm it up tomorrow for the kids with some extra veg and gravy; it would make a right tasty meal for them. Ma wasn’t up to eating big meals at the moment, so it would be broth for her again. Kathryn would have to return the bowl to the shop tomorrow.

She closed the door behind her. All was in darkness, so she used a taper from the mantelpiece to catch a flame from the fire in the grate and light a candle on the windowsill. After placing the bowl of food in the cool pantry, she sat back in an armchair by the fire, watching the flickering shadows on the wall as she thought about what she’d do next. She couldn’t believe the train of her thoughts; it was what. . .