Page 33 of The Book of Lost Stories
‘Do you wish to see the house in Hans Town? It is not a modish area, but respectable. If you should decide to sell, the current tenants are keen to buy it.’
‘That would be very convenient. But first I will look over it, for curiosity’s sake, if for no other reason,’ she decided, and he arranged to take her there the very next day.
‘And Letty, too, if she wishes to come, Mr Grimshaw. But it is her holiday, so should she be otherwise engaged, I will understand.’
‘As to that, I believe Mr Puncheon, an old family friend, is to take her and my wife for an airing in Richmond Park tomorrow.’
‘Then tell her I do not expect her. Since we will not live there, it is not of any importance. I have written her a note, if you would be so kind as to take it to her, with this parcel.’
Miss Grimshaw’s wardrobe was also in need of replenishment, and Alys hoped she would like the materials she had chosen for her at the bazaar, which had been, as Nell had promised, a positive treasure trove of inexpensive haberdashery.
As soon as Mr Grimshaw had gone, Alys sat down and withsome difficulty composed a letter to her grandfather, Mr Titus Hartwood.
Dear Sir,
You may be unaware that my father died last year and, after settling his affairs, I am at present making a brief stay in Town with my friend Mrs Rivers.
Although I have no wish to impose myself upon your notice, or that of your family, I would welcome the opportunity of returning to you an ancient and valuable golden medallion, which I think you have long wished to have restored to the family. If this is indeed so, pray tell me how this may be accomplished.
She paused for a moment, read it through, then added her plain and unadorned signature.
It was short and to the point; he would probably send someone to collect the treasured object, and that would be the end of the matter. Any further notice by her maternal relatives she neither expected nor sought, and thought it unlikely that they would even accord her a common bow in passing, should their paths ever cross.
*
Waking early next morning, Alys took Pug for a turn up and down the street, then set off, armed with a guidebook she had purchased the previous day, to look at the sights. Having just finished one novel, she thought she deserved a little holiday until she started the next.
She sent Sammy to fetch a hack, to his evident astonishment, and told the jarvey to take her to St Paul’s. Although she knew that young ladies did not roam about Town alone, she thought herself well beyond the age of needing a chaperone for such excursions as this, but it was soon borne in on her that in London this was not the case. Indeed, Nell was aghast when she walked into the breakfast parlour and told her where she had been.
‘St Paul’s Cathedral?Alone? In a hack? But – you should not – it is not at all the thing! And why did you not send for the carriage, if youmustgo?’
‘I did not wish to cause any inconvenience, for it is clear to me, even after such a short stay, that no one of any quality rises early!’
‘Promiseme you will take a maid with you next time.’
‘Oh, no. Only think how bored the poor creature would be.’
‘Then take Sammy.’
In the end Alys agreed to this. ‘And I dare say I will have seen all the most interesting things in a very few days, so you may be easy. The more fashionable parks and exhibitions I presume we will visit together.’
Later they parted company, Nell to her dressmaker and Alys to look over her house in Hans Town with Mr Grimshaw. She found it rather a narrow, mean and inelegant building and could not imagine living there, so was happy to come to an agreement with the tenants that they should purchase it.
‘And once that is done,’ Alys said, as they drove away, ‘I can buy a small property elsewhere.’
‘Do you have any idea yet where?’ asked Mr Grimshaw, who was rather amused by her, even though he would havebeen far from happy had his own wife exhibited such independent ways.
‘I had thought originally of some small spa town, for I should like to be within easy reach of libraries, shops and other entertainments. But now I find myself hankering after Yorkshire air again, so have wondered if the city of York itself might be the very place. I am sure there must be amusements enough there to please anyone, and we may come by coach to London in a trice.’
‘I could look into possible properties there for you, if you wish? The prices may well be more favourable than Bath or even Cheltenham.’
‘If you would be so kind. And the outskirts of the city, for I think it unlikely we will be able to afford to keep any kind of conveyance.’
So it was settled and he left her at the door of the Rivers’ house, well satisfied that everything was in train to establish herself and Letty in a snug little property in the near future.
*
When Harry Stavely paid a morning call, it was with some dismay that Alys observed the blush that mantled her friend’s cheeks and the slightly self-conscious way she greeted her visitor. Nell had looked pale and extinguished until that moment, but now she seemed lit by an inner glow.
