‘Neither do I, Edward.’
The voices suddenly stopped and Kate didn’t know what to do. Had they moved? Where were they?
The gas light from the street came on, casting shadows across the garden and her question was answered. Carnforth was holding Clara in an embrace, but she pulled away at the appearance of the light and, although Kate didn’t hear what passed between them, their hasty separation told her that they were fearful of being seen. Carnforth turned and went through the gate and Clara returned indoors. Kate locked the gate and placed the key in her apron pocket.
As she entered the kitchen she was asked by Mrs B where she’d been, and she said she’d been looking for a toy that Simon had thrown out of the nursery window and was desperate to have back. It was only a little white lie. Simon was in the habit of doing such things at a whim, just not that particular evening.
‘And did you find it?’ Mrs B asked.
‘No, it was too dark,’ Kate replied.
‘Mmmph!’ Mrs B grunted. ‘Well, get over here now and help put this crockery away if you want to eat this side of midnight.’
* * *
When Kate wasn’t with the children, her time seemed to be taken up with many trips to the postbox and much talk of Clara wanting to be like Philip and further her education. She spoke of her wish to apply for a place at King’s College, London.
‘But I know what Father will say,’ she complained. ‘He’ll say what’s the point in paying for a university education just to walk down the aisle and bear children!’
Kate listened to Clara waver between wanting to go to university and learn more about women’s position in society and her attraction to Edward Carnforth.
‘But can’t you have both?’ Kate asked. ‘There are suffragettes who are married. Or is Mr Carnforth not a supporter of Votes for Women?’
‘Yes, he is . . . but, oh Kate, if only life were that simple.’ Clara sighed. ‘I’m caught in a Gordian knot and I can’t see any way out.’
‘I don’t know who or what Gordian is, but I know when knots need untying, the only way out is to work your way carefully through it. Hurrying only makes it worse. Either that or take a pair of scissors to it. Dot’s hair got in such a tangle with a briar once; I just had to cut it out.’
‘There are some things that cannot be mended, Kate. Mother and Father have been making plans for my future,’ Clara said.
‘I thought you wanted to go to London. I thought you had plans to—’
‘I do, I did, but my parents have other ideas,’ Clara began. ‘Father wishes me to meet one of his business partners, Mr Arthur Makepiece. I am told he would make a very good match for me.’
‘Oh,’ replied Kate,’ I see.’ This was the first she’d heard of it and she could see why Clara was so distracted. Such a match would be the end of her and Mr Carnforth.
Kate could do nothing to lift Clara’s mood. Days went by when Clara didn’t come to the nursery at all. She had little appetite for walks and conversation but fell into routine occupations with little joy. Clara would take her lessons in the morning and read, write, play piano or sew in the afternoons. She seemed to retreat into herself. Kate gave up hope that their previous relationship would ever return and then, one day, Clara arrived in the nursery waving a newspaper.
‘Listen to this,’ she said reading out loud in a dramatic tone.
‘“A serious outbreak of fire was discovered at Alston Manor, an unoccupied house in Basingstoke, in the early hours of Sunday morning. The fire brigade succeeded in saving the house from complete destruction, though damage to the extent of about £400 or £500 was done. Suffragette literature was found in the vicinity.” And there’s more.’ She continued reading. ‘“A woman has been arrested for breaking the glass cabinets in the Jewel House at the Tower of London—”’
‘What’s arrested?’ asked Sophie.
‘Taken to prison, locked up,’ Thomas replied. ‘Actually, she was already in a prison, that’s what the Tower is, I’ve read about it.’
‘There have been fires in post offices and banks,’ Clara continued.
‘Not in Daddy’s bank?’ Sophie asked.
‘No, not in Daddy’s bank,’ Clara replied.
‘When’s Daddy coming home?’ asked Simon.
‘Soon,’ Clara said, ‘but not too soon, I hope,’ she whispered to Kate. ‘We have things to do.’
Clara was so animated that Kate wondered what she had in mind, for this sudden return to her old self was to be welcomed but somehow Kate felt that she was about to be bowled along by a force that was running out of control. Clara was planning something. It was only a matter of time before she disclosed herintentions. Kate just hoped she wasn’t intending anything that might get them both into serious trouble.
* * *
