Keeper of the Way by Patricia Leslie

Author:Patricia Leslie [Leslie, Patricia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Odyssey Books

The buggy bumped along the poor streets of Sydney’s wharf area. No wood-paved roads cleaned nightly down here. Cobbles and mud populated by filthy dogs, raggedy children, hollow-eyed men and grey women. The children appeared happy enough playing their games in the laneways. What did they know of secret evils? Clement noticed one girl, her dress hanging limply to her calves, bare feet streaked with dirt. Her face between child and adult, fairy tale and whimsy into hard-edged reality.

He pulled on the reins and brake and his horse came to a clacking stop.

‘I’m looking for Market Wharf. Do you know it?’

The girl’s bright blue eyes flashed on him, raked him from top hat to polished leather boot-tip, but she didn’t answer.

‘I have an artist friend down there. Very nice chap, you may have seen him. A Scot with light hair. Wanders around loaded with cases of paints under his arms and paintbrushes poking out of his pockets.’ He imitated Alexander Ridlay on an artistic mission and the girl giggled.

‘You don’t look half silly,’ she said.

‘I assure you that is exactly how he walks around.’

A withered face appeared in the window behind the girl; knuckles rapped on a loose pane of glass. The girl half-turned, frowning at the interruption, and gave the figure in the window a dismissive flick of her hand.

‘Is that your mother?’ Clement asked.

The girl nodded and sighed. ‘I’m supposed to be watching the littl’un.’ She hooked a thumb in the direction of the laneway where hoots of laughter and the occasional ball rolled out. ‘They’re so annoying.’

‘Well, I don’t want to get you in trouble so I’ll be on my way.’ Clement dipped into his change pocket for a few coins. ‘Here’s something for your trouble. The quickest way from here is?’

The face had vanished from the window and he had the distinct feeling the front door would open any moment. He dropped two coins into the waiting hand and whispered, ‘One for you and one for your mother.’

The girl’s smile widened as she hid one coin in her pocket and closed her hand on the other. ‘Follow this street along two more blocks then turn left and right straight away. It’s steep at the end, but you can leave your horse and buggy outside the butcher down there and they’ll be safe enough. The butcher’s boy, Jack, is my brother. Tell him I sent you and he’ll keep an eye out for you. He’s probably seen your funny friend too. He’s out and about all the time making deliveries and such.’

The door opened and the face from the window emerged as a full-bodied irritated mother.

‘Who’s this gent then, Polly? You don’t have time to stand around shootin’ the breeze.’

‘Thank you, Polly.’ Clement smiled, took Polly’s hand and gave a slight bow. ‘No need for concern, madam. I was just after some directions. I won’t take up your daughter’s time any further.’

Ten minutes later, he was easing into a vacant spot outside the meat market under the suspicious gaze of a young lad with Polly’s bright blue eyes.

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