THE DEPRIVED... Chapter 3... Part 16.

A continuation of my book.

“We will be going home tomorrow!” shouted Dora happily. “You must come and help me pack up my clothes!”
Dora chattered away, grasping Beth’s hand and leading her into her bedroom.
“Don’t be taking Beth’s attention away for too long, Dora.” called Mr. Samuels. “We have a lot to do.”
A short time later Walter knocked, appearing with two young boys who began to load the trunks with clothes and other belongings.
“What do you think will happen to the likes of me when you all leave?” Beth asked Dora.
“I have no idea.” answered Dora quickly and not stopping to give any consideration to the question. “Don’t stand there, Beth. Put these books into the box over there.”
Beth did not ask again and simply did as she was directed by the chattering Dora.
“Beth, may I talk to you?”
Both Dora and Mrs. Samuels had gone to their bedrooms and Beth was about to join Dora when Mr. Samuels, his back to the fire, halted Beth with the question.
She turned to face him, her face wearing a worried frown.
“Beth.” began Mr. Samuels. “You understand I and my family will be leaving at first light tomorrow. All our finances have been sorted and we are off to further shores. There’s no doubting this leaves you in a quandary as to what will happen to you. First may I say, on behalf of Mrs. Samuels and Dora, that we have loved having you serving us and Dora, the dear child, if she had her way would have taken you along with us. But you will understand that is impossible.”
Beth smiled through fast falling tears.
“Thank you, Sir.” she said quietly through trembling lips.
“And.” continued Mr. Samuels. “To show our appreciation, I have this for you.”
A hand dipped into a vest pocket and Mr. Samuels brought out a sovereign, handing it to Beth.
“Thank you, I do with all my heart, Sir!” cried Beth now unable to hold back her sobs and flooding with emotion.
“Now now, Beth, hold your tears. I have arranged to have all your debts paid and you will be free to leave here tomorrow.”
Beth held back her sobs, her tear-filled eyes on Mr. Samuels face as he continued to speak.
“Also Beth, on your good behalf, I have arranged for you to be taken by carriage to a new home towards the countryside, in the borough of Deptford. It is across the water of the River Thames and far away from the slums of Whitechapel. There you will be safe and cared for till you are old enough to fend well for your person.”
It was then, on hearing this that Beth truly broke down, allowing the tears to flow as moans broke away from her mouth.
“Now control yourself and off to bed with you.” said Mr. Samuels kindly.
Dora was still awake, sitting up and smiling broadly.
“Isn’t it lovely, Beth.” she said then grew grave. “It’s a shame you can’t come with us. I will have no-one to play with.”
Beth lay on her cot with her fingers clutching the sovereign and hoping that tomorrow would never come.

But come tomorrow did and with it came the time to say her goodbye’s to the Samuels family.
“I’ll never forget you, Beth.” said Dora, before hurrying outside to shout at the two boys to be careful as they carried the boxes to the waiting carriage.
“Well Beth.” said Mr. Samuels. “We are leaving now and we all wish you the very best of luck in your life and I hope I have set you on a Godly path.”
Beth curtsied.
“And I thank you in kind for the happiness of giving me this chance. Bless you and Mrs. Samuels for your helping a poor girl.”
Mr. Samuels smiled once, nodded his head and then walked out of the room. Beth stood alone in the room. It was empty now and cold. She listened hard to hear the sound of the carriage taking its leave out through the prison gates as the family took their goodbyes of prison life. The door to the room was open and she heard the sound of footsteps.
“Your carriage will be here soon.” said Walter, walking into the bare room.
“Carriage?” said Beth absently.
“Yes. The carriage is on its way here to take you to your new home.”
Beth suddenly felt cold and shivered.
“I am in thinking in asking you for the favour of allowing me to visit Bertha before I leave.” she said.
Walter nodded and began walking from the room.
“Follow me.” he said.
Bertha sprang up from the mattress and ran to Beth when she appeared at the cell door.
“Hurry now, you ain’t got too long.” warned Walter. “I’ll go and come back when your carriage has arrived.”
Bertha hugged Beth closely and wished her the best of luck and hoped they would meet again in better circumstances.
“In my heart Bertha, I do hope we will.” answered Beth, both knowing it was highly unlikely they would ever meet again.
“Take this. I shall be working and saving and feel you have more need than me.” said Beth as she thrust the sovereign into Bertha’s hand.
“You have to leave now.”
Walter had come into the cell and caught Beth’s arm. She hugged Bertha once more and walked out with Walter leading her out into the prison yard to where a driver sat on a rickety old cart with the reins held and leading to a tired-looking old nag which appeared to be asleep. Beth felt the disappointment. She had expected a fine carriage drawn by a pair of white horses.
“Get up on board, girl.” grunted the driver.
Beth climbed up and sat next to the driver, unable to make out his face owing to the outsize hat which seemed to fall just above his eyes and meeting the black scarf which muffled the rest of his face.
“Make yourself comfortable. It’s a long drive we’ll be travelling on.”
Saying this, the driver rose and took some old sacks from beneath him and placed them on Beth’s lap.
“Get them round your knees.” he said, seating himself and using the whip on the horse who jumped in startled confusion then began to walk slowly out through the open prison gates and up the road.
The gates closed. Beth did not look back.