Page 49 of Beatrix

Gladys didn’t answer. Instead, she took hold of the tin bath tub hanging on the back wall and brought it out into the kitchen.

‘Are you goin’ to ‘eat up the water?’ he asked.

‘No, I ain’t heatin’ up the bloody water. We’ve got less than ‘alf an hour to see wot we can find out. If push comes to shove, we’ll give yer face a good scrub.’ With that, she began swiftly searching the kitchen but after five minutes had found nothing of note.

The door outside was in the small scullery next to the kitchen and providentially led straight to the backyard. Without thinking, Gladys pulled it open and stepped through, only to stop short as the two dogs tied up outside jumped to their feet accompanied by a cacophony of barking. Only the short chains attaching each dog to the wall prevented them from reaching the barmaid.

Muttering about ‘avin a bloody ‘eart attack, she looked round for the pump.

‘Who the hell are you?’ The masculine voice came from inside one of the outhouses, and seconds later, a man stepped out, tucking his shirt back into his breeches. Behind him, a small buxom woman hurried out in a similar state of dishabille. Billy stared wide-eyed from the doorway, knowing his pa would have described her as a proper bit o’ frock. It was obvious to anyone with eyes what the two had been up to. Even the dogs had fallen silent.

Gladys eyed them both narrowly, weighing up the situation with the legendary swiftness that had led her to extricate herself from all manner of scrapes. It was abundantly clear that one of the guards was indulging in a quick prigging with the scullery maid.

‘Found this lad on yer doorstep,’ the barmaid answered. ‘He wos a bit ripe, so ‘er ladyship tol’ me to give ‘im a bath.’ She directed the next sentence to the maid, whose expression was already one of panic. ‘Said you’d be back to ‘elp me. I don’t reckon she knew you wos jus’ outside doin’ a bit o’ basket makin’.’

Without looking at her erstwhile paramour, the scullery maid uttered a small moan, pushing past him and hurrying towards the kitchen, leaving Gladys staring challengingly at the guard. In answer, he pulled on his jacket and stalked past the dogs, aiming a kick at the nearest one. Much to Billy’s surprise, the animal shrunk back.

Seconds later, he’d disappeared round the corner, and Gladys turned back to Billy. ‘We’ve got the measure o’ one of ‘em at least. Right, lad, pick up that bucket, fill it wi’ water and bring it into the kitchen.’

Without further ado, she hurried back inside where the maid was crying quietly.

‘Ain’t no use cryin’ over spilled milk, lass. I ain’t goin to whiddle on you. Wudden be in yer shoes though. She’s a bloody witch.

The maid stopped crying and nodded, rubbing at her eyes.

‘Still, ‘e can’t be the only guard ‘ere so at least you’ve got a choice o’ fancy men,’ Gladys added with a woman-to-woman chuckle.

The maid shuddered. ‘The others are bleedin’ mudsills.’

‘How many are there?’ Gladys asked offhandedly as Billy brought in the pail of water.

‘Four of ‘em in the ‘ouse includin’ John, the maid answered. ‘They don’t do much though. Sit around eatin’ and drinkin’ mostly.’

Gladys took a deep breath, playing for time by tipping the pail of water into the bath. She was well aware they’d got minutes left. After ordering Billy to give his face a quick scrub, she turned back to the maid. ‘Wot’s yer name, ducky?’

Frowning, the maid hesitated before giving a shrug. ‘Anna,’ she answered after a second.

‘Well, Anna, I reckon you might owe me a bit of a favour fer not snitchin’ on you…’ She paused, watching the alarm spreading across the maid’s face.

‘Where are they keepin’ the children?’ She finally asked quietly.

Anna’s expression was one of utter terror. She stared at the barmaid as though looking into the gates of hell. ‘I…I… can’t tell you,’ she whispered at length. Gladys’s expression hardened.

‘You want ‘er ladyship to find out you bin tuppin one o’ the guards?’ she threatened.

‘I ain’t goin’ back down there,’ Anna breathed, the tears now tracking down her ruddy cheeks.

Gladys felt her stomach turn. ‘Yer one of ‘em, ain’t you,’ she murmured, her hard tone softened.

Anna nodded without speaking.

‘Where are they, ducky? If you tell me I might jus’ be able to ‘elp you… all o’ you.’

Anna bit her lip, her internal struggle obvious, but just as she opened her mouth to speak, footsteps sounded in the passageway outside. As the door started to open, Gladys swung back to Billy, who’d managed to clear most of the muck off his face.

Seconds later the harridan stepped through the door, her whole attention on Billy, with hardly a glance spared for the two women. Walking closer to the boy, she almost smiled. ‘My you’re a healthy specimen,’ she breathed. Then, taking the boy’s hand in a vice like grip, she pulled him towards the door.

Billy directed a wild, fearful glance towards Gladys, who stepped forward. ‘You recognise the lad?’ she demanded, trying to hold back the sudden terror.