Soul of a Raven--The Fate of London Stone by Catherine Bloor

Author:Catherine Bloor [Bloor, Catherine]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Cranthorpe Millner Publishers
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

***

Mrs Dawlish summoned Wren into her sitting room and gestured for her to sit opposite her in a hard upright chair. The early morning sun made a bright rectangle on the rug between them. Wren perched on the very edge of the chair and gazed at her, waiting for what she already knew would come. Mrs Dawlish sighed, looked at her over her reading glasses. Her expression was cold and closed-off.

“I gather,” she said, “from the evidence of my own ears, and confirmed by Lizzie who overheard a conversation between yourself and the piano boy next door, that the intruder was here to see you, Wren.”

Wren’s mouth was dry. She felt a stone of hurt sink solid in her stomach at Lizzie’s betrayal. She was fond of Lizzie. She looked down at her hands, could not think of a thing to say. So Mrs Dawlish continued.

“I do not want to know, nor do I care, what happened in your past, or indeed what your current circumstances are, to lead to such a man entering our family home and endangering everyone in it. But I do know that I do not want the chance of anything like that ever happening again. There is something about you that I cannot trust, Wren, a secrecy and a strangeness.

“Mr Dawlish has spoken late last night to the police constables and is taking the precaution of installing new locks. He will also be enforcing a stricter regime of locking all doors at all times. He is incensed that this man invaded his home, his sanctuary. You must see what an awkward position you have put us all in. We cannot be here in peace if we think this man may come back again looking for you. Therefore I am afraid that your position here is terminated.”

Mrs Dawlish paused, her expression unreadable and distant, uncaring. She could get another girl quickly enough, thought Wren. There would be a queue of them waiting to replace her.

“I would thank you for the care you have given my youngest children whilst you have been with us, however, in light of the circumstances of your departure I do not believe I will be able to provide you with a character for any future similar employment. Here is the sum owing to you in wages, and I expect you to be gone on the morrow.”

Wren looked up and into the older woman’s face. She buried the hurt, the love she had for the babies, and raised her chin to look steadily into her eyes. Mrs Dawlish held out the coins to her, six shillings, and did not smile. Wren took the coins without saying a word and left the room.

She tried to ignore Lizzie who was waiting on the stairs. Perhaps she had been listening at the door. Wren held her head high and proud, gave Lizzie a defiant smile. Tried not to remember that she had thought of Lizzie as an ally, a sister. Lizzie said, tearfully, looking, to her

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