Tilly True (27 page)

‘Francis,' Harriet cried, grasping Tilly's hand. ‘It's so unfair to put all the blame on Tilly. You know very well it was sacking Mrs Mabb that was the main cause of this cowardly attack.'

‘Come on, Frank, old chap. Hattie's right: the blame for all this lies with the ruffians who perpetrated this act of arson. Falling out amongst ourselves isn't going to help.' Patting Tilly on the shoulder, Barney strode over to the lychgate where the group of women scattered on his approach. Picking up a bundle of clothes, he returned, feeling in the pockets of his uniform jacket with a rueful grimace. ‘Damned vultures. I should have known they'd empty my pockets. And yours too, I shouldn't wonder, vicar.'

Shrugging on his crumpled shirt, Francis went through the pockets of his suit jacket, shaking his head. ‘They've even taken Father's half-hunter. I despair of these people; they're little more than animals. Have all my sermons on the teachings of Christ meant so little to them?'

‘It's hard to be moral when you're flat broke and starving, Frank.' Tucking his shirt tails into his trousers, Barney grinned at Tilly. ‘It seems we're all in the same boat now, Tilly. That is unless you've got the price of bed and board for us all?'

‘I thought you was going off to be a soldier?'

‘I am, my pet.' Holding up his rather grubby uniform jacket, Barney gave it a shake. ‘I was just coming to bid a fond farewell to my brother and sister and your good self too, but the fire put a stop to all that.'

‘You mean you came to touch me for a loan to pay off your mess bill,' Francis said, helping Harriet to her feet. ‘Well, I'm grateful for your help, but you came to the wrong man. I've nothing now, nothing at all. Not even the price of the train fare to Palgrave Manor. How Dolph will crow.'

‘Oh, Francis. What shall we do?' Harriet turned to Barney, casting him a pleading glance. ‘Barney, you're always in scrapes like this. How shall we manage? Where will we sleep tonight?'

‘Don't look at me,' Tilly said, meeting Barney's questioning gaze. ‘My folks live in a two-up and two-down with no room for a cat let alone all of you, and there's been scarlet fever in the house.'

‘Well,' Barney said, putting on his uniform jacket. ‘I daresay none of you will like this, but I've got a friend who owes me a favour. It'll have to do for tonight and you, Frank, will just have to put your moral scruples aside for one night at least.'

‘No!' Tilly cried, realising that he was referring to Jessie's place in Blossom Court. ‘I'd rather sleep under the railway arches than go back there.'

‘I can hardly take you all back to the barracks, my love. I think my commanding officer would have something to say about that.'

Harriet's lips trembled. ‘If you're talking about that dreadful house of ill-repute in Blossom Court where I found Tilly, then I'd rather die than spend a night there.'

If Wilson was surprised to see them, she was too well trained to show it. Leaving them in the vestibule, she went off to find Jessie.

Francis stared at his surroundings with the expression of a martyr about to be burned at the stake. Clutching his arm, Harriet looked scared, and Tilly stood behind Barney, weighing up the dangers of the street outside against the humiliation of accepting charity from the woman who had betrayed her trust.

Placing his arm around her shoulders, Barney gave her a hug. ‘Don't worry, Tilly. I've already given Jessie a piece of my mind. I promise that you'll be safe here.'

‘Barney, my dear fellow, have you just escaped from a minstrel show?' Jessie swept down the stairs as if making a grand entrance on stage.

Tilly felt Francis stiffen and she could see a pulse throbbing at his temple. Even covered in soot, he somehow managed to look aristocratic and sanctimonious. Harriet still looked scared.

‘You look wonderful, as always, my dear Jessie.' Moving swiftly to the foot of the stairs, Barney offered his arm to Jessie, who allowed him to lead her to the salon. Following them into the room Tilly was relieved, if only for Harriet's sake, to find it empty. Had Miss Florrie been languishing on the sofa with her aged admirer or Miss Dolly wearing one of her low-cut gowns and smoking her endless supply of cigarettes, then it would have been highly embarrassing for everyone.

‘So, my dear, Barney, what can I do for you and your – friends?' Jessie sank gracefully onto one of the sofas, eyeing their dishevelled appearance with an amused smile. ‘Am I to keep guessing then? I know, you've all been to a fancy dress party dressed as sweeps.'

Francis puffed out his cheeks and Harriet opened her mouth to reply but Barney quelled her with a warning look. ‘Very funny, Jessie. You always had a wonderful sense of humour but, as you can see, my brother the Reverend Francis Palgrave and my sister, Miss Harriet Palgrave, have suffered a disastrous fire in the vicarage.'

‘And what about the young trollop?' Jessie pointed a finger at Tilly, her smile fading.

‘Here! Who are you calling a trollop?' Tilly leapt forward, shaking off Barney's restraining hand. ‘I was a good girl until you sold me to that randy old codger. You ought to be . . .'

Clamping his hand over Tilly's mouth, Barney wrapped his arm around her pinning her flailing arms to her side. ‘That's another matter. In fact you owe Miss True much more than a night's lodging, Jessie. I may not be a practising lawyer now, but I still have contacts in the family law firm. I know that Tilly would have a good case to sue you for false imprisonment and causing her grievous bodily harm. The magistrates are just looking for an excuse to close you down, my dear, so I think a night's lodging is not too much to ask.'

‘You always was a bastard,' Jessie said, shrugging her shoulders. ‘All right, just one night, but don't expect it to be the Savoy and I want you all gone first thing in the morning.'

‘Actually, my dear, I won't be staying,' Barney said, releasing Tilly. ‘I have to get back to the barracks, but I'll be back in the morning to collect them.'

‘That's simply not on,' Francis protested. ‘You can't expect me to stay in a – a place like this. What would the Missionary Society say? What would the bishop say?'

‘Which bishop might that be, dear?' Showing a sudden interest, Jessie got to her feet. ‘There are several ecclesiastical gents what takes advantage of my young ladies' good natures.'

Harriet giggled nervously but, receiving a stern look from Francis, she bit her lip and stared down at her feet.

‘You are insufferable, madam,' Francis said, running his finger round the inside of his dog collar. ‘Barnaby, this won't do.'

‘Sorry old chap, but unless you can conjure up the funds for a hotel room, there's nothing else I can do for you until the morning.'

‘Well, I ain't staying and that's for sure.' Tilly grabbed Barney's arm with both hands. ‘I'm not spending another night in this drum. Who knows what might creep into my bed with her in charge? I'm coming with you.'

Attempting to prise her fingers off his sleeve, Barney frowned. ‘My dear girl, I can't take you back to the barracks. For one thing it's a devilish long walk, and for another it's not allowed.'

‘I don't care. I'm not staying here and that's that. You can drop me off at the Bootles' if you like; I'm sure old Bootle wouldn't turn me out in the street at this time of night, but I ain't staying and that's that.'

‘Oh, Tilly, please don't leave me in this place.' Harriet's eyes filled with tears. ‘You can share my bed if you like, but just don't leave me here.'

‘No, Harriet.' Francis raised his hand. ‘Don't beg. It's unladylike.' Turning to Jessie, he steepled his fingers, looking at her as if he were about to preach a sermon. ‘My good woman, I have no alternative but to accept your offer of hospitality for just one night for my sister and myself. Tilly can do as she pleases and, quite frankly, I would prefer it if she did not associate with Harriet as she is a decidedly bad influence.'

‘Who are you calling a bad influence?' Releasing Barney's arm, Tilly took a step towards Francis. ‘You are a stuck up old prig and you can kiss my . . .'

‘All right, Tilly.' Before she could finish the sentence, Barney had taken her by the shoulders, propelling her towards the door. ‘I think perhaps you'd better come with me before you cause any more trouble.'

‘And don't bring her back,' Jessie called after them.

In the hall, they almost fell over Dolly, who had quite obviously been bending down with her ear to the keyhole. Taking a fag end from behind her ear, she stuck it between her painted lips and smiled up at Barney. ‘Got a light, dearie?'

Pulling a wry face and glancing down at his sooty uniform, Barney smiled ruefully. ‘I think we've had enough of smoke and flames for one evening, Dolly.'

‘You do look a bit crispy round the edges, darling,' Dolly said, angling her head. ‘You ain't staying then?'

‘Not tonight.'

Winking at Tilly, Dolly took the cigarette from her mouth. ‘I see you got your man then, ducks. Good for you.' Seeing Wilson hovering by the front door, Dolly gave her a cheery wave. ‘I'll be in the parlour when my nine o'clock gent arrives. Ta-ta, Barney. You take good care of my mate Tilly.'

Outside on the pavement, the lamplighter was lighting the last lamp in the court and sounds of music, laughter and loud voices emanated from the pub as the door opened and closed with the constant flow of customers.

‘Well,' Barney said, frowning. ‘What am I going to do with you, young Tilly?'

‘I can sleep in a cupboard. It wouldn't be the first time.'

‘Thanks to the pickpockets, I'm flat broke. I can't even hire a cab, so we'll have to walk.'

‘You're taking me to the barracks?'

‘I can't see any other alternative. Bootle might be willing to take you in but I'll bet Mrs Bootle would have something to say about that.'

Falling into step by his side, Tilly shot him a glance beneath her lashes. ‘I thought you said women wasn't allowed in your quarters.'

‘Neither are they, Tilly my love, but when did I ever obey the rules?'

‘It's just for one night, mind you,' Tilly said, slipping her hand through his arm as they passed a group of doubtful-looking characters lurking in the shadows. ‘Tomorrow I'll be off to my new job.'

One of the youths took a menacing step forward, stopping in front of Barney and demanding money. Picking him up as though he weighed less than a feather, Barney deposited him in the doorway with his less adventurous mates. Ignoring their boos and whistles, Barney tucked Tilly's hand back into the warm crook of his arm. ‘Take no notice of them, they're just boys. Now tell me about this new job.'

‘I been offered the position of lady type-writer at the bank.'

‘Really, and which bank is that?'

Not knowing any banks except one, Tilly had no hesitation in replying. ‘Why, the Bank of England, of course.'

Barney's laughter echoed off the tall buildings in Fleet Street, causing a group of bustling newsmen to pause for a moment and stare at them.

‘Tilly, you are such a little liar. I do love you.'

Coming to a sudden halt in a pool of light issuing from a naphtha flare on a tea stall, Tilly looked up into Barney's face, searching his eyes for confirmation. ‘You do?'

‘Of course I do. You are priceless.'

‘Go on, guv,' called the stallholder, passing a mug of tea to a customer. ‘Give her a kiss.'

Holding her face up and closing her eyes, Tilly could hardly breathe as she felt the warmth of his body enveloping her . . . or was it the steam from the tea urn? Opening one eye, she saw that Barney was staring at her with a look half amused and half surprised. Bending down, he brushed her lips with a kiss. Everyone standing round the tea stall clapped and one man cheered.

‘Give her a good one for me, mate.'

Hooking his arm around Tilly's shoulders, Barney grinned. ‘Maybe later.'

With her heart doing a hop-skip-and-a-jump inside her breast, Tilly walked beside him, confused by a jumble of conflicting emotions. She could have stayed in Blossom Court where she would have been safe, sleeping in the same room as Harriet, but all her instincts had made her want to be with Barney. She had done something that no well brought up girl would do; she had willingly gone out into the night alone with a man. Ma and Pops would be horrified if they knew. She had thrown herself at Barney but she was not sorry: he was the most handsome and dashing man in the whole of London and, for tonight at least, he was hers. Feeling suddenly a little shy, Tilly slipped her hand into his and experienced a tingle running up her arm straight, she was sure, to her heart.

‘What am I going to do with you, young Tilly?' Striding on, Barney glanced down at her. ‘It's a couple of miles to the barracks and even then I'll have a job to smuggle you in.'

‘You've done this sort of thing before?'

‘In my youth, when I was studying at university, but that was a long time ago.'

‘Oh!' Trying to hide the note of disappointment that she was certain must creep into her voice, Tilly was startled to realise just how much she cared. She did not want Barney to have had other women, although she knew that was a forlorn hope. All the girls in the brothel had known him, Jessie had admitted that she had been his mistress; he was a rake and a philanderer and she loved him. The realisation almost took her breath away. She had not known it until that heart-stopping moment when he appeared out of the smoke and dust looking like a hero from a penny novelette. His physical presence and dazzling smile had almost whipped her legs from beneath her.