THE DEPRIVED... Chapter 3... Part 4.

A continuation of my book.

Kilpatrick had taken to visiting the ale-houses and taverns and to visiting the ladies of that quarter while Beth and Sam, new dressed from Old Levistien‘s shop, took to walking. They often visited the nearby Tower of London, where Beth would instruct Sam in the happenings of its age.
“There, do you see down there, Sam? That’s the lion’s pit, where they threw traitors of the Royals. Kilpatrick once told me there was a bear-pit as well, where people could watch the pit dogs fighting a bear. And see down there! Well, you can’t see it just yet due to high tides but under the water is the ‘Traitors Gate’, where they brought the traitors into the tower to be hung. Mind them cannons, Sam! Don’t be climbing on them else the guards will be carting you off to the dungeons!”
Beth would take Sam across the old London Bridge, still in construction after the old bridge had nearly fallen down.
“And there’s talk of a new bridge, Sam. Kilpatrick said it’s to be built by the Tower of London itself.” Beth had announced.
And so were the days spent in wandering and growing healthy with fresh fruit, vegetables and meat.

 

However, it bothered Beth that Kilpatrick was missing more and more with him leaving at mid morning and returning late into the night and rather the worse for wear to fall onto his bed to snore. She knew of his gambling and of the c**k-fights held in the back of ‘The Queens Head’ tavern and of the ‘Penny Pitches’, where men tossed their coins to the wall, the nearest the winner. Beth also knew the next months rent was due and reminded Kilpatrick of this one morning when he had not left the room but sat on the bed and counted out the coppers in his hand.
“We had a visit from Old Levistien.” Beth said. “He wanted his rent.”
Kilpatrick had looked up at Beth with a smile.
“Now don’t take on, young ‘un.” he said. “Methinks it’s time as to have another gent take a fancy to your look.” was all he said.
And it was the day after their talk, in the evening’s fall that Kilpatrick took Beth’s hand and suggested they go for a walk.

The ‘C**k’s Crow’ tavern was a two mile walk up in the area of

Bethnal Green. It was not so much a gentleman’s club, more known for the young rakes and elder gentry who fancied a bit of style and having the ladies more to the style of theatre and drama rather than those who street-walked the cobbles of Whitechapel and Aldgate. And it was opposite this tavern on the Friday evening that Kilpatrick waited, his shadow hid by a darkened doorway as he watched Beth being approached by a middle-aged man who politely tipped his top hat.
“That’s it, Beth.” whispered Kilpatrick, gripping tight to his club. “Bring the old gallant over here and I’ll be tipping his hat for sure.” he furthered as he saw the old man stop and talk to Beth.

“I’m not sure I’m for dark corners.” said the old gentleman to Beth. “I have some fine lodging quarters not far from here and it would be quite right for you to visit me there.”
“I do not have the time, Sir.” said Beth in youthful simplicity. “I have to be home to serve my father.”
Saying that Beth began to walk away, slowly directing her steps towards the darkened corner where Kilpatrick waited.
“Wait, dear girl!” cried the elderly man, pacing in eagerness to catch Beth up and he took her arm as she continued to walk.
Kilpatrick gripped his club as the pair approached and then stepped forward to make the strike.
“Now you hurry up young ‘un and head for home while I see what this fine gentleman has for us!”

Beth had hurried from the scene after Kilpatrick had tipped the man’s hat and knob-swiped him across the head before kneeling to clean each pocket of its possessions.

“Where’s Kilpatrick?” asked Sam as Beth arrived quite out of breath.
“He’s out there, finishing the work which will pay the rent for us.” answered Beth.
“Work? What work does he do at this time of night?”
“Don’t be asking me such questions, Sam. All I know is he helps gentlemen in lightening their load, that is what he does.” said Beth as she went to the window and peered out through the curtain.
Then turning, she directed Sam to the food laid out on the table.
“And we had best be getting a meal on the table for him when he gets home from such work.”

 

Kilpatrick came home much later. It was obvious he had frequented a few taverns in the Aldgate area, though not drunk and in quite an affable mood, tipping Sam a large wink and giving Beth a shilling piece for her and Sam to spend the next day.
With the rent secured and paid for the family settled once more into their happy lives again and with the tall man resuming his drinking, entertaining the ladies and gambling.