THE DEPRIVED... Chapter 3...Part 31.

A continuation of my book.

Beth had never known a happier time, never in all her life.
“Then I am away to me abode and bid you to sleep well, dear Beth.”
Nat bent to kiss her once more then let go of her hand and walked out of the ward, turning once to blow her a kiss. Beth sat up and looked at the door for a long while then lay in a midst of dreams, the sole players of the dream being herself and Nat.

 

The next day Sister Joy came to see Beth and once again brought up the subject of Beth becoming either a Postulant, that she might take up the orders of a Nun later or at least to become a voluntary assistant to Sister Joy on her humanitarian rounds. Beth had long been trying to find a way of telling the Sisters of her decision, to start work in the match factory and not become a Postulant at the convent. It would be hard to tell them after all the kindness she had received but it was now the time to tell them of her plans on being discharged from the hospital. She drew in a deep breath.
“I have made up my mind to start work in the Bryant and May match factory in Bow as soon as I leave here.” said Beth. “I have a friend who is going to help me get a job there and I have also met a very nice man.” continued Beth, lowering her eyes and her voice as she said that.
Sister Joy smiled, her eyes kind on seeing Beth’s embarrassment.
“There you see Beth, how the Lord looks after you. I’m so pleased you have found a good friend and also a nice young man. I do hope you will bring him in to visit us when you leave here.”
“Oh, yes. I do promise that and I know Nat will be happy to meet friends of mine.” replied Beth.
“I will tell Sister Francis and Sister Dominique of your decision, Beth. But please remember that you are always welcome to come to us should things not go as you want or any time you choose to join our order.” said Sister Joy as she bent to kiss Beth’s cheek and leave the ward.
Beth breathed a sigh of relief. How could she have felt anything less than the Sisters would have been pleased for her.

 

“I will be leaving here tomorrow, Fanny!” said Beth when Fanny had come that evening.
“Will you be staying here till the night, after seven o’clock? It’s in keeping with me work times as I’ll not be into leaving me place of graft till then else I lose half a week’s pay for not giving attendance to me course of work.” explained Fanny.
“Of course I can. I will sit downstairs in the waiting room.” replied Beth.
“I’m in shame of asking you, Beth. That’s to be putting you to such a long time of waiting. Are you sure you will be in comfort to the wait, Beth?” asked Fanny, concerned at Beth having to wait till the night-time.
“Don’t be silly.” laughed Beth at her friend’s concern. “I shall be leaving the ward at two o’clock and that means I shall only have to wait a few hours for you. I shall be fine and simply happy to be away from here and joining you.”
“And the fine Nat.” said Fanny with a grin.
“With you and Nat, of course.” said Beth.
Fanny giggled.
“I am into already telling the other girls you will be joining us and to a one are they agreeable to the larkings. It’s in me to wait to have you meet them. I have also told of your needs to the supervisor and she’s in favour of seeing you sharp the day after tomorrow. She bids it to be at five o’clock in the morning, in a way fitting so you can start work straight away. It’s as I say, the factory has a need of women and girls to work for them.”
Fanny talked so fast, her excitement carrying her away so that Beth had to put her hand up over her friend’s mouth to slow her down. They both laughed as they tried to talk at the same time.
“No. You gabit on Beth. You go first.”
“I was just going to say.” said Beth. “That I’m so glad I met you and so glad you introduced me to Nat.”
“Do you have a strong fancy for him?” asked Fanny, mischievously.
“Do I love him? Yes, Fanny, I do love Nat.” replied Beth.
“I think from the way Nat is in high praise of you and raises his voice, I fancy he loves you. But shall I be the informant Beth, as to your feelings for this fancy-man?”
“Oh Fanny, take no notice of what I say!” squealed Beth, blushing furiously.
Both girls laughed loudly.
“Please don’t tell him!” begged Beth.
“Of course I aint to be blabber-mouthing.” promised Fanny. “But it’s in a grand way, to think you and Nat are going to be together. He’s a c**k-a-hoop in his thinking and with such a wide smile is he. I’ve aint never seen him so happy.”
The girls talked on, laughing at what they would be doing when Beth left the hospital.
“I had better be in leaving you now, Beth and I will be here on the morrow’s eve.” said Fanny, kissing Beth on the cheek.
Beth watched Fanny leave then lay down and allowed her mind to wander on the dreams and promises of tomorrow. Even the usual noises of children crying and the shouts of unsettled adults did not bother Beth, she was too excited to sleep.
Eventually, it was three o’clock in the morning when she finally drifted off and she woke with a start well past her normal time. She did not see the Doctor and it would not have mattered what the Doctor would have said because Beth was determined to be downstairs in the waiting room by two o’clock in the afternoon. She rose and dressed, spending the morning helping out in the ward by feeding the children who could not help themselves and with the patients who lay in their beds and cried. Beth tried so hard not to allow her happiness to show. Most of those in the ward had no idea about what would happen to them, their lives at the mercy of the Boards of Clemency. Beth knew that most of the infirm and disabled would be sent away to the mental institutions while others, those younger and able to walk, would be directed to the workhouses.

 

At two o’clock Beth went down the stone stairs and along the passage towards the waiting room. It seemed to her that the ground floor was one of bedlam with people rushing about, shouting and calling, some being chased by the special attendants and hospital law enforcements. Children cried while the staff, a mixture of Nuns, Nurses and Midwives ran between them, carrying bowls and towels while at the same time calling out the names of those ready to be seen. A Doctor rushed by, an amputation saw in his hand with the blood still dripping. All was a mockery of efficiency.
Inside the waiting room it was no better. There sat a child, its round swollen face framed in a towel and bawling with pain. A woman lay across the bench, her stomach distended through expectancy while the husband ran in and out of the waiting room, shouting that his ‘Florry’ was about to explode. Apart from these people there was a continuous flow of the poor, some lost and others looking for the lost, all crowding an over-crowded situation. In the end, unable to stand it any more, Beth went outside and sat on the steps to the entrance, pulling her clothes tighter around her in the chilly wind.

 

It was eight o’clock in the evening when both Fanny and Nat came running up.
“Beth!” screamed out Fanny, rushing up to Beth and stooping to cuddle her and then standing back so Beth could rise and return the hug.
Nat stood back, seemingly shy then moved forward to peck Beth on the cheek, a quick peck.
“Go on you oaf! Kiss her!” shouted Fanny, pushing Nat in the back.
“Stop it Fanny.” begged Beth before linking arms in both and allowing Fanny and Nat to lead her through the darkening streets till they came to the large house which lay not far from the imposing gates of the match factory.
“Say sweet goodnight to Nat.” ordered Fanny, turning her back.
“Will I be seeing you soon, Nat?” asked Beth softly.
“Tomorrow night, if the shift of time is to our good fortune. I will be at the back of the house at eight o’clock.” replied Nat.
“I’ll be there, dear Nat.” said Beth, reaching forward to kiss him quickly on the lips.
“Hurry on there Beth.” urged Fanny as a large woman looked out of the front door.
“Who’s out there?” demanded the woman in a deep voice as she peered through the dark.
“It’s me! It’s Fanny from the top room and with me is Beth who has been talked of.” called Fanny.
“Then hurry up and come in. I aint wanting a cat’s racket outside the door!”
Nat laughed softly while Fanny giggled as they left each other with Nat going down the steps into the basement while Fanny led Beth up the steps and passed the large woman who held the door open.
“Straight up them stairs and let’s have no noise.” demanded the woman.
“That’s Mother Bellamy. She’s what is called the Housemother.” whispered Fanny loudly as the girls ran upstairs. “She’s alright in the times of daylight but will frighten the life out of you comes the dark.” giggled Fanny as they reached the top floor and entered the attic room.
Two candles gave some light to the room. The six beds were crammed in close to each other, three to each side of the room, so the girls had to climb over the beds to get to the door. Clothes seemed to be scattered everywhere with the room seeming to be in more chaos than the hospital Beth had just left.
“That’s Jane, she’s in the bed nearest the door. She’s the one we all tread on when we need the bucket at night.” introduced Fanny.
Beth waved at the tall fair-haired girl with buck teeth.
“That girl there, with the shawl round her shoulders, that’s our Polly and she’s a noise with the gabit cause she talks the most.” laughed Fanny.
“No I aint in as much gabit as them as who talks in their sleeping!” protested Polly, which was met by shouts of… “Yes you do!” by the rest. Beth waved over, enjoying the obvious camaraderie within the group.
“And them two lying on the same bed are Frances and Annie. They aint sisters but tell everyone they is of a related nature.” said Fanny, picking up a piece of clothing and throwing it at the two girls, who promptly threw it back.
“And of course it’s in your bonce to know me.” she finished.
Then, leaping onto one of the beds and twirling, Fanny pointed at Beth.
“And this is Beth, everybody. She’s of my very best acquaintance!” she shouted.
There were good natured shouts and Beth was given the bed over by the window, having to walk across the bridge of beds and settling herself down. Before sleeping the girls shared a meal of soup and bread then talked about their work and the boys working at the factory till the candles were blown out and one by one the girls settled in their beds and the talking stopped as the snoring began.
Beth lay in the dark with her mind on the job she was to do tomorrow, while Nat’s face seemed to creep into her mind until she fell asleep and dreamed of her and Nat together.

“Come on, Beth! Get yourself to the day!”
Fanny’s shout caused Beth to wake with a start. The girls were all awake and searching through clothes and magically finding their own pinafores and dresses, shoes and hose and then dressing at a frantic pace while chewing on pieces of oat-cakes. Fanny was already dressed and helped the bleary-eyed Beth to get her clothes on and wake to the reality that it was half-past four in the morning.
“Come on Beth.” urged Fanny. “I aint in wanting to be late!"