THE DEPRIVED... Chapter 3... Part 14.

A continuation of my book.

In the weeks that followed Beth got used to the regular habits of the family with the night-time fixture of Mr. and Mrs. Samuels who, holding up a small glass of port each, raised the glass to the large framed picture of Queen Victoria and drank to her good health. She smiled at the nature of their morning greeting to each other.
“Good morning, Mrs. Samuels. How is your health?"
“Good morning to you, Mr. Samuels. I might remark that I am in very good health and might inquire as to your constitution.”
“In fine fettle Mrs. Samuels, thank you.”
It was the same each morning and the same each night. Beth wondered whether their lives were close in living or somewhat estranged. They never kissed as her parents had, only once seeing Mrs. Samuels tipping a peck to Mr. Samuel’s cheek. The lifestyle suited Beth very well and she hoped it would never end.
“I’m in nosing on private business.” said Beth one day to Dora as they played cards.
“Please Beth, say what you mean. I cannot understand you sometimes.” demanded Dora as she laid a card down and took the pile from the table.
“You didn’t see me! I won that lot, Beth!”
Beth laughed.
“I was into fancy dreams, Dora.” she said.
They continued playing.
“I was wondering…” said Beth absently so that Dora looked up at her with nods urging Beth on.   “I was wondering why, with your parents having so much wealth as to buy all their needs, why don’t they pay up their debts and go home?”
Dora stole some more cards from the table.
“Oh that? That’s no secret.” she said. “Papa owes to creditors who have backed him in a venture to bring spices and tea back from places like China and India and he can’t pay his creditors till the ships come to port from their travels. Some say the ships are drowned in a big storm but Papa says they are in safe harbour and holed up. He says they will be here in port when weather permits. When the ships get to port then Papa will pay off all his creditors and we can go home. Indeed, Papa has money but not enough to pay all those he owes, not just yet.”
“And you are in no sense as to when those ships will get back?” asked Beth.
“Not at all. Oh Beth, please play the cards. You keep missing your turn!”
Beth turned her mind back to the game. She began to wonder what would happen to her when the family paid off their creditors and left, where would she go.

 

Over the coming days Beth was too busy to worry, her days being taken up by her work schedule. There were times when she managed to get hold of fresh fruit, an apple here and an orange there, which she secreted away and had Walter pass the fruit through to Bertha. She listened to the talk between Mr. and Mrs. Samuels and learned by degrees their plans to move abroad, to move to eastern shores where business was more profitable, that was when the ships had arrived and debts paid.
Beth did not like to ask the parents about her end of the deal and so hoped upon hope that the ships did go down, lost forever more in the deep. But her worrying had the day off when one Sunday morning Dora announced that they would all be going out for a walk in the park.
“Me as well?” asked Beth.
“Of course.” answered Dora brightly. “You have to hold Tempest. He’s not allowed to go on the ground in public places, that’s what Papa says. Oh it’s alright, Beth.”
Dora had stopped, seeing Beth’s look of concern and carried on.
“You don’t have to carry Tempest in your arms because he would struggle and get away. No, he is put into a wicker basket with a lid on. Mama calls it a dog-basket.”

Beth became more excited as the time drew near for the excursion although neither Mr. of Mrs. Samuels had said anything about her going with them. Then Dora appeared with the wicker basket.
“Here you are Beth. You have to put Tempest in the basket and help Mama get dressed and I have a present for you.” she finished, giving Beth a new woollen shawl with flowers stitched upon it.
Beth put the shawl around her shoulders and thanked Dora for being so charitable.
“I will inform Mrs. Samuels of your good nature, Dora.” she said, knowing that the girl sought her parents praise.

 

With the dog put into the basket Beth joined the Samuels family as they were led by Walter to the main gate of the prison. Walter carried the larger basket and passed it up to the driver of the carriage who then placed in on the driver’s platform, along with the dog basket as the family climbed aboard. Beth was lifted up at the rear of the carriage, to hold on tightly in the rear wooden passenger seat as the whip cracked and the coach trundled forward over the cobbles as it made its way towards the more open fields of Victoria Park in Bow.
Beth waved at those who walked the pavements and to workers who tilled in fields beyond Mile End.

The carriage pulled up just beyond the entrance gates to the large open expanse of fields, where the family alighted and Beth was helped down from her perch at the back and handed the dog basket to carry. Tempest was yelping, his eyes peering through the small openings in the basket and Beth lifted it, to speak soothingly to the dog. Mr. Samuels took charge of the larger wicker basket, calling to the driver that he expected the driver to be back in two hours time to take them back to the prison.
Dora skipped along, talking excitedly to Beth till the party had reached a good depth into the park.
“Here, Beth. Put the basket down on this little blanket I’ve set down.” instructed Dora.
“Now Beth.” said Mr. Samuels, putting the larger wicker basket down. “First take the blanket out of the basket and place it on the ground so that Mrs. Samuels can sit comfortably. Make sure there are no dirt mounds from stray dogs. I shall play ball with Dora till it is time for the picnic.”
Beth laid out the blanket and helped Mrs. Samuels sit down.
“That’s it Beth. Now take out that parasol and hold it over me. I cannot stand the heat. The sun dries the skin up you know.” moaned Mrs. Samuels.