Page 140 of The Wedding Dress Repair Shop
Rosa-May
4 July
Rafe sent my letter to Guy enclosed in one of his own. I hope Guy is recovering his strength … and also that my suggestion now finds favour with him.
Sara coaxes me to eat and I try to do so, and also continue my daily walks in the shrubbery, which is at least a little protected from the harsh winds that blow off the moors.
We have heard more news of Guy’s progress and hope he may be strong enough to begin the slow journey back before the end of the month. He should by now have my letter, so I very much hope that before then he will write to me and to Rafe, so that all may be arranged for my arrival in London in time to meet him there.
*
11 July
I continue to feel ever more sickly, so that food quite disgusts me and this, together with other things, makes my condition certain.
Sophia had, of course, guessed and passed her suspicions on toher husband. When he asked me if it was so, I said it was, but begged him not yet to impart the information to Guy.
*
Sophia has become strangely solicitous for my health, despite disliking me as much as ever.
Sara’s sister is in sore need of her assistance in the lodging house and she fears she will not get more work at the theatre if she is absent for much longer, but despite this, she is resolved not to leave me, especially as I daily grow weaker from lack of nourishment.
Rafe sent to the nearest town for the doctor, but he was an elderly man who barely listened to me and wanted to let my blood, although Sara told him roundly that she would not allow it, for it would only weaken me still further.
If I were in London, Letty would know the best person to advise me, as well as trying to allay my fears, for already I have nightmares about the birth.
*
A letter arrived today from Letty, enclosed in one to Sara, in which she said she had not received the note I had told her I was sending in the usual way. Nor had I received the one she sent, ditto – so it seems quite clear that Rafe is intercepting my correspondence.
The fact that I have also heard nothing from Mrs Blake confirms me in this conclusion.
I do not know why he should wish to separate me from my friends in this way, for although he might disapprove of Mrs Blake’s theatrical connections – although she and her husband are of impeccable character – he can have no objection to Letty, who is more than his equal both by birth and marriage.
I have confided to Letty all my fears about my condition, as well as my hope of hearing a favourable answer from Guy as to my return to Town.
To know that I have at least one good friend to help me, other than my faithful Sara, gladdens my heart.
44
Open Doors
We arrived late at the Pink Elephant and Pearl and Simon were already there.
‘Sorry, we were talking and lost track of the time,’ apologized Thom.
‘Yeah, we saw you “talking” through the open door of your workshop and we thought we’d leave you to it,’ said Simon, grinning, so there went any hope of keeping things quiet while we explored our new relationship!
‘Busted!’ said Thom, but Pearl said she’d seen it coming.
‘Ihadn’t,’ said Simon, predictably.
‘You wouldn’t see a double-decker bus until it ran you over,’ Pearl told him.
‘I like that!Youwere the obtuse one, where we were concerned,’ he pointed out indignantly.
‘That was different. But it’s lovely that everything has turned out right for all of us, isn’t it?’ she added. ‘Just like a Shakespeare play, where all’s well that ends well.’
