Prison Games

Chapter 23

Chapter 23

Henry let Alice inside her cell. Trying not to disturb the others, she turned to her "spot." She carefully hung her dress and apron on the peg. Fear kept rearing its ugly head at her. All sorts of unpleasant things entered her mind. Was something missing in the kitchen? If something came up missing, would she be blamed? The night wore on for her as she tossed and turned. Sleep eluded her until she realized she was worrying for nothing. What could they do to her? She was already in prison, and she hadn't done anything to get hanged over. They could take her kitchen from her. Now that indeed would be a great loss. Well, she had no control over what happened around her. Others had her life in their hands. At any given time her world could be turned upside down just on someone's whim. Turning one more time to get more comfortable, she resolved that it would be a long sleepless night...and it was.

Finally the morning arrived. Why was it that sleepless nights were endless? Alice knew she was late in rising, but exhaustion ruled her. Bones could be heard creaking as she stood. Stretching, she reached for her dress and long apron.

"Alice! What are ye doin' 'ere so late in the morn?" one

of the other women asked. "Ye always be in the kitchen long afore anyone." Alice nodded in agreement. "Tis truth ye speak. I slept hard fer sure," she lied. The turnkey unlocked the door. "Are ye ready for yer visit today, Alice?"

Alice nodded. Once again, fear squeezed her heart. "When is it I go?"

"Not 'til later, but don't worry, I'll come to fetch ya when the time comes." The man smiled at her. "Thank ye, 'enry," Alice nodded as she headed toward the kitchen.

"Ye got a visit from some other besides Sophia?" one of the other women asked her as

they walked together. "Aye, but cannot say as to who it be. 'Twas told it be with gents."

One of the other women snickered. "Could it be that yer reputation followed ya

'ere? Could be the gents heard more than ye being a good cook." Everyone laughed except Alice. She was afraid. Nothing good ever came out of people needing to see her. Life had taught her that...no good indeed.

The night had dragged on, but it was nothing compared to the day. Knowing she would be summoned made her edgy. One look at her and people stayed clear. Everyone knew by midmorning of her call to the office and assumed it was bad news. Finally the word came down that she had been summoned. Slowly she pulled off her apron and went to wash her hands and face. Poking wisps of hair back into her cap, she turned to leave the kitchen. The other workers silently stepped aside and faced her as if she were walking to the gallows. They all patted her shoulder as she passed.

Alice's feet felt like they were made out of lead. As she looked down the hallway, it seemed to lengthen and narrow. She wasn't sure, but she thought she spied a noose hanging at the end of it for a split second. Finally she stepped up to the door. The gaoler lightly knocked. After being asked to enter, she peeked in first. To her surprise she saw several men and a fancy looking lady. More surprisingly, Sophia was there.

Sophia sprang to her feet to greet her friend. "Alice, I'm so glad to see you!" "Wha...why?" was all Alice could muster.

"Come sit down, Alice. We have good news for you." Sophia took her hand, leading

her to the chair next to hers. "Alice, this is Lady Wilson." Lady Wilson extended her hand to Alice. "I've heard wonderful things about you from Sophia."

Alice could only nod. She was dizzy with relief. She didn't know what was going

on, but Sophia said it was good news. A man behind a desk peered at his papers, then over the rim of his specs at Alice. "I

take it that you are Alice Willow?" Alice nodded affirmative.

"I am Magistrate Withers. I have been given your case to review. You have been here at Newgate for over two years now. Is that correct?"

"Aye." Alice mouthed, although nothing came out.

"It would seem, Mrs. Willow, that you have some very good friends. A petition has been brought before me. I have reviewed your case, as I said before, and found you to

be an exemplary prisoner." Alice bristled. What did he call her? Exempla what? What did he mean by that?

"During this year of confinement you have earned a position as top cook, and by the looks of this report, an excellent one. Praise for a prisoner is not easily found here, Mrs. Willow. I must say, I am impressed with your accomplishments."

Alice felt herself blush to her amazement. She hadn't blushed in over forty years. Not since that boy, Tommy McNally had...why, of all things. Even though she wasn't sure what all the words the man was saying meant, she knew they were good. He was

actually saying what a good cook she was.

"I also reviewed the crime committed that caused your confinement. I know many women of your um...station, shall we say, have been victimized by society. That can cause a woman to go astray." Now it was the magistrate's turn to blush. Clearing his throat, he went on. "I have a signed petition to free you at this time. I have been assured that you have a home and employment, so you can become a useful member of

society. What do you have to say to that?" Alice could scarcely breathe. Home, job, where? She looked around until her eyes fell on Sophia. This couldn't be a joke. Sophia wasn't cruel. She stared at the man behind

the desk.

"Well, Mrs. Willow, do you understand what I've just said?"

Sophia laid her hand on Alice's arm. "Alice, it's true," she said gently. "You can come home with me now!"

As their words sunk in, she loudly exclaimed, "Aye, aye, would be a fine day to leave 'ere, a fine day indeed. But what of my kitchen?"

Sophia laughed. "Let's worry about you for today. sure they work something

out in the meantime."

Tears slipped down Alice's cheeks. Sniffling, she took Sophia's hand. "Nobody e'er came ta 'elp me afore ya come along, Sophia girl." Sophia held out a hanky. Alice loudly blew her nose. "Blimey, would ne'er have thought it to be me last morn in the gaol when I awoke. Sophia girl, 'tain't dreamin', am 1?" She handed the used hanky back to Sophia, who only stared at it with a bemused look. Alice quickly tucked it in her sleeve. Sophia laughingly assured her it was not a dream and hugged her friend. "Tis true,

Alice, You are free. Free to come home with me. All we need to do is get your things."

Alice grabbed her friend once more. "I 'ad it in me mind that I be stayin' 'ere a long time, so I try to do the best I can. Ter get out o' 'ere is a fine thing. Oh thank ye. Sophia girl. Thank ye!" Laughing, Sophia hugged her back. "Lady Wilson is the one to thank. She fought

hard for your release." Alice turned to the other woman. "Thank ya fer yer help and kindness."

Lady Wilson beamed. "Alice, how could a good lady such as you ever be kept in such a place?"

For the second time in one day the impossible happened: Alice blushed ear to ear. As Sophia and Lady Wilson signed papers, Alice went back to her cell to recover her meager belongings. Upon hearing her news, the others were excited but hated to see her go. "Blimey, Alice, who's going to cook fer us?" That seemed to be the big question.

"I don't know. Twasn't told of that." "Where ya be livin' now, Alice?".

"Not too sure on that either, but I s'pect it be a piece better than this place be." Alice hugged some of the women before leaving. Looking back she couldn't help but feel bad for leaving them there. She felt a little sad to leave her kitchen as well, but not bad enough to stay. "Now ye girls be good, and don't go given' ol' 'enry trouble, 'ere?"

Henry shuffled his feet. "Don't ya forget us 'ere, Alice. Kinda got used to seein' yer face around."

"Why 'enry, yer face is all red," laughed a couple of the other women. With a sniff, Henry led Alice back to the office. "God bless ya, 'enry," was all Alice could say for the lump in her throat.

Tipping his old cap, Henry turned and shuffled away sadly, muttering quietly about

how there weren't a lot of women like Alice. He would miss her for sure. Full of spit

and fire, that one was.

After Alice had left the office to get her things, Sophia and Lady Wilson embraced. Thank you, for all your help getting Alice released," Sophia cried. Lady Wilson fought tears herself. "Oh Sophia, did you see her face? What a

wonderful day for both of you. Have you everything ready for her at the cottage?" Nodding, Sophia wiped her tears and turned to Magistrate Withers, who stood looking rather uncomfortable, witnessing their emotional show of affection. "Thank you, sir, for all of your help. We could not have succeeded without your recommendation."

Magistrate Withers took Sophia's hand. "You're very welcome, Mrs. Murphy. Good tidings don't come often enough with my job. I was greatly impressed with Mrs. Willow's record. It spoke volumes on its own. Now if you will excuse me, I must leave to attend other business. Good day ladies, gentlemen." Nodding to all, he left.

Sophia and Lady Wilson turned to thank the others for all their help. Lady Wilson spoke to one of the barristers. "Mr. Jacobs, I appreciate all your time invested in this. I must say that Lord Wilson was pleased at how diligently you worked on Alice's release. I am to inform you that he will be stopping by your office to personally hand you a bonus."

A wide smile stretched the young man's face as he thanked Lady Wilson before leaving. Alice timidly reentered the room, holding on to her pitiful bag of belongings. Once

Sophia saw her, she took Alice's arm and led her back out in the hallway.

"Come, Alice, let's get you out of here. Lady Wilson's coach is waiting for us, and I'm anxious for you to see your new home. There's so much to talk about! I can't wait for you to see your room, and Maggie has stew cooking on the stove." "Where ya takin' me, an' why didn' ya tell me, Sophia girl, ya was workin' to set me

free?"

"I didn't want you to be disappointed if things didn't work out. It took longer than

I had hoped. If it hadn't been for Lord and Lady Wilson, I don't know if you would

have been released. As far as your new home, it's a surprise."

Alice turned to the fancy lady standing next to Sophia once more. Tears threatened to fall once again, so Alice looked down at her shoes. "Tis thankin' ya again, I am. Sophia girl told me of ya when she come to visit. She said ya 'ad a kind heart."

Lady Wilson appeared touched by the words. "I am so happy I could help, Alice. Sophia speaks highly of you, too."

With those words, the three women walked out, arm in arm, as if leaving church instead of one of the most notorious prisons in history.

Maggie stirred the stew once more. She then checked her bread before going back to the spare room. All the boxes had been removed and were replaced with furniture. Heavy curtains hung on the window now that winter was on its way. The bed was freshly made up with a warm coverlet in bright patchwork colors to match the curtains. Rag rugs covered the floor, and a small fireplace with a cheery fire warmed the room. The day couldn't be more perfect for Alice's arrival. Maggie checked on her stew once more when she heard a coach approaching. Glancing once more around the room, she nervously patted her hair into place. She stood at the door but didn't want to seem overanxious by opening it too soon. She turned back to stand by the fireplace, changed her mind, and ran back toward the door. Blimey, I haven't been this nervous about anything in a long time. She couldn't stand waiting any longer...she opened the door.

The coachman helped Sophia down. He then turned to give Alice his hand, but Alice wouldn't have it.

"Been 'elpin meself down all these years. Can do it now," was all she said.

The poor man looked at Sophia, not sure of what to do. Evidently he decided it was

best to step back, out of Alice's way.