Pandora's Box by Nina Jon

Author:Nina Jon
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: eBookPartnership.com

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

The History of the Failsham Wool Shop

Jack called into the library on his way back from school. He found two books of interest and took them home. In his room he opened the first: Well-known County Towns and their Buildings. According to its index, it had a section on Failsham.

‘Probably the oldest parts of Failsham are its market square, where a market has been held without break since at least the mediaeval times, and two buildings found there, a 15th century coach house – the White Lion – – and an old haberdashery shop,’ the book’s author informed its readers. ‘My own investigations have revealed that a haberdashery shop in some form has been in the exact same location for two hundred years. I have even found what I believe to be a reference to Failsham’s market square in the Domesday Book, although whatever the origins of these buildings were in existence then, I cannot say.’

The writer, a man from the local area, went on to state:

‘There’s a haberdashery still trading in the same locale, which I have recently visited. That building probably dates from about 1890, however, from my inspection of it, I would say that part of the rear wall of the building might be mediaeval in its construction, with the remainder of the building having been replaced and added to over the years. It’s difficult to be certain without removing centuries of plaster, but if I were to hazard a guess, I’d say it was.’

The author finished with the words,

‘Wouldn’t it be wonderful, if it was!’

It would, thought Jack. He opened the second book he’d borrowed: The Diaries of Margaret Jones, Daughter of the Rector of Failsham and read its narrative. Margaret Jones had been born in 1710, and her diaries first published posthumously by her widower in 1738. The diaries were published in five parts. The first part covered her childhood. From the minute he began reading the diary entries, Jack was gripped, something he couldn’t quite believe himself.

Margaret had been born and raised in Failsham, her childhood having been spent in the rectory which existed then. Margaret had been the only daughter of the household, until on her ninth birthday, a girl called Agnes Newmark, described by Margaret as, ‘my much loved cousin,’ joined the household. Agnes was to live with Margaret’s family until her marriage. In her diaries, Margaret described many trips taken to the small haberdashery in the market square of Failsham, with her cousin Agnes, to ‘purchase dress materials, ribbons for our hair, bonnets and wool with which to knit blankets for the poor babes of the Parish.’

Jack was disturbed from his reading by Charity knocking on the door to ask if everything was all right.

“I’m reading this.” He waved the book at Charity, who stared back with bemusement. Getting Jack to read anything was an achievement. “Local history is fascinating, just don’t tell anyone I said so,” Jack said.

“Well, I’ve seen everything now,” Charity said, closing the door and leaving him to his book.

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