“If you do not act, if you wait to see if it takes hold, then you have doomed many to death and many more to terrible complications if they survive. You must act now and fast.”
“But to shut the village down—”
“Mr. Clackers,” Mrs. Radcliff said. “We lost half of our people last time, and those that survived struggled for many months to recover. You have seen the grave at the rear of the church where bodies were buried. Do you wish to be responsible for this happening again?”
Dorrie held her breath. The Clackers were looking at each other.
“You are the mayor,” Dorrie said. “You can close the street into town. You can isolate those with the disease in the church, and the rest must stay in their homes.”
“Are you absolutely sure about this, Miss Dorset?” Mr. Clackers asked.
“Yes. There is not a moment to lose, Mr. and Mrs. Clackers. We must set up cots in the church. Blankets and supplies. We need fire to boil water, and clothes. Essie is making a list and will return with what we need. She also has sent word to the castle to get supplies from there.”
“Listen to the child, John. We lost many last time; we must act,” Mrs. Radcliff said.
“Very well.” Mr. Clackers sighed, his shoulders stooping. “I pray with all I have that you are not right, but I know of your sister’s skill and fear she is.”
“We must talk to the villagers at once,” Mrs. Radcliff said.
Mr. and Mrs. Clackers made for the door. Dorrie followed with Mrs. Radcliff still holding her hand.
“You did the right thing, younger Sinclair.”
“We cannot let them mingle, or the disease will spread,” Dorrie said. “They must stay in their homes.”
“We will start in the middle of the street. Dorset and I will take the left side. She will head toward the entrance, and I the church. You Clackers do the same on the right-hand side of the street,” Mrs. Radcliff directed.
“Tell them that the fever is here and they must stay in their houses. If there is a sick person, they must be brought to the church, but they aren’t to have contact with anyone else,” Dorrie said. “Tell them further instruction will come soon.”
The Clackers nodded looking grave. Dorrie and Mrs. Radcliff moved to their positions. Dorrie knocked on the first door and then backed away. By the time she’d reached the last house, her throat was hoarse and the panic in the small village of Crunston Cliff was palpable. She could smell it.
There was a single road in and out. It would be barricaded as soon as possible.
“May God have mercy on us,” Mrs. Radcliff said when she returned to where Dorrie stood in the middle of the street.
“You go on home now and shut your door,” Dorrie said to the woman.
“I’ve had it. I’ll not be going anywhere. I may be old, younger Sinclair, but I know this town and its people. I can help with them. I’ll go and get any supplies I have.”
After the initial panic there was an eerie silence on the street. Dorrie watched her sister appear, driving a small cart, and ran to meet her.
“Essie!”
Her sister took Dorrie up on the narrow seat beside her.
“It is done. We have told everyone to stay in their homes unless they have anyone in the household sick. Then they will come to the church.”
“Good girl. I have sent Josiah and Bertie to the castle. Both wanted to stay, but I would not allow it. I have written a list of what supplies we need, and that we will stay here for now. Oaks Knoll is there for our use, or anyone who needs it.”
Dorrie eyes went to the castle high above them on the hill, where everyone she loved was. Soon they would know and be devastated they were helpless to do anything but wait for this horrible disease to do what it would to the small town below them.
“And now we will go to the church. Mr. and Mrs. Clackers will come and help us move the pews.”
“Mrs. Huntington.” A man stood before them in the street. “I have had scarlet fever and am here in whatever capacity you need.”
“Many thanks. Please ensure no one leaves or comes into town, Mr. Tanner,” Essie said. “Ensure we are barricaded in.”
“I’ll see it done.” He nodded.
