‘Oh, it was just Jasper. He came to say goodbye. His father has told him he’s got to return home and buckle down to some work and he’s none too pleased about it.’
‘I see.’ Imogen raised her eyebrow. ‘And .?.?.?’
‘And what?’ Emmy said innocently as she lifted the gown her aunt would wear that day from the armoire. It was yet another frilled concoction, but then all of her clothes were.
‘Oh come on, girl. I wasn’t born yesterday, you know. If that was all that was upsetting him why would he take it out on you? Or even come to say goodbye for that matter? He was only here a few days ago.’
When Emmy remained mutinously silent her aunt nodded. ‘Hm, declared how he felt about you, did he? And when you told him you didn’t feel the same it upset him, did it?’
‘What? I don’t know what you—’
Her aunt held her hand up and scowled as she wiggled painfully to the edge of the mattress. ‘Don’t try to hoodwink me. I’ve been around a lot longer than you and I know when a man is smitten. But he’s not the only one, is he? I think Jake has feelings for you as well.’
‘Oh, Aunt, really!’ Emmy was squirming with embarrassment now. ‘I think you’ve been reading too many of those romantic novels you’re so fond of. Now come along or we’ll never get you dressed at this rate.’ And with a shake of her head Imogen did as she was told.
The following Sunday, Jake picked her up bright and early as usual and once they had packed the freshly baked loaves Cook had made for them into his carriage they set off for Whitechapel.
‘Let’s hope this will encourage a few more patients in,’ he said hopefully as he guided the horse through the busy streets. Even on Sunday London always seemed to be busy, Emmy had noticed. ‘And I’ve had some good news this week. I applied for a job with a doctor in Harley Street and I received a letter yesterday telling me that I got the post. The other doctor he worked with is retiring so it left the way open for me. I shall have to find new lodgings, but that shouldn’t be a problem, and it means I shall finally be earning and able to pay my father back some of the money it’s cost to get me qualified. I start in two weeks’ time so I thought I’d pop home to see my parents for a few days before I start.’
‘That’s wonderful, well done.’ Emmy was genuinely pleased for him. ‘You worked really hard for this. It still seems strange, though, to address you as Dr Chetwynd.’
‘I suppose it does.’ He chuckled.
‘I imagine the patients you see in Harley Street will be very different to the ones you treat on Sundays,’ she said.
‘Oh yes, they’re all very wealthy and I couldn’t believe it when the doctor who owns the practice told me what they pay for a single consultation. Still, they must be able to afford it. It doesn’t seem fair, does it, when you think of how differently the classes live?’
His words made her think of her mother’s position and she nodded in agreement. ‘No, it doesn’t. I didn’t think my mother would cope when my father first left and she was forced to go and live in the cottage but she seems to be coping admirably now. In fact, in some ways, she seems more content than I’ve ever known her.’
When Jake guided the horse down the narrow alley leading to the rooms they’d rented, they saw little Tommy waiting for them, his face expectant.
‘Take Daisy round to the stables for me and there’ll be an extra penny in it for you,’ Jake told him with a wink and the boy’s grubby face was transformed when it broke into a cheeky grin. ‘But first you can help me and Emmy get all this bread inside.’
The job was done in minutes and Emmy felt sorry for the little chap as he stared at the food hungrily.
‘When you’ve got the horse settled come back and you can take one of these loaves back for your mother,’ she told him.
He was off like a shot and she smiled as she saw him leading the old horse back up the alley. Soon the kettle was bubbling on the little hob and they were ready for business, but again by ten o’clock they had not had one single patient and Jake was walking up and down the small rooms like a caged tiger.
‘I’m not so sure this is going to work,’ he said worriedly, but the words had barely left his mouth when Tommy appeared again with a small woman clutching a baby in a grubby shawl.
‘This is me ma, doc,’ he said proudly for all the world as if he was introducing royalty. ‘An’ this is me baby sister, Nance. She’s gorra wicked rash on ’er an’ I told me ma you’d ’ave a look at ’er.’
‘Of course I will, Tommy.’ Jake held his hands out for the baby and Tommy’s mother reluctantly handed her over. He carried her through to the other room where he gently unwrapped the faded shawl from the little girl, praying that she wasn’t going to be yet another victim of the measles.
‘Fanks fer doin’ this, doc,’ Tommy’s mother said. ‘An’ fanks fer the loaf an’ all. The kids really enjoyed it.’
‘You’re very welcome. And I’m pleased to say this isn’t the measles.’
The woman breathed a sigh of relief. ‘Are you feeding her yourself?’ he asked as he gently ran his hands over the child, and she shook her head.
‘I were till a couple o’ weeks ago but then me milk dried up so I’m weanin’ ’er on to solids.’
‘Hm, it looks like some sort of allergy to me,’ Jake said. ‘Where do you get your water from?’
‘Out o’ the tap in the road,’ the woman answered.
‘In future I want you to boil it before giving her drinks,’ he advised and she nodded. ‘Meanwhile I’m going to give you some ointment to put on the rash and I’d like to see her again next Sunday if she’s no better.’
