Prison Games

Chapter 24

Chapter 24

Sophia had to hide a smile as she observed Alice flounce to the ground on her own. Sophia waited on the walk until Alice caught up. They turned to wave their good-byes to Lady Wilson.

"Here it is Alice, Brady's Brick. What do you think?" Sophia asked. Alice stood eyeing the cottage. A smile broke across her face. ""Tis one of the finest cottages I e'er see in me life, Sophia!"

Seeing Maggie in the doorway, Sophia turned to Alice to introduce

After all the pleasantries, the three women went in.

Alice's eyes nearly bugged out as she looked around. "Blimey, Sophia girl, this 'ere

cottage be fanciful."

The two women went from room to room as Maggie set the table for lunch. It was when Alice saw her own room that she let out a shriek. "Cannot be! Me own room with the curtains? I ne'er, I swear I ne'er 'ad me own place such as 'ere even when me poor ol' Percy brought me in to 'is house." That was the first time Sophia ever heard the name of Alice's dead husband.

"Why don't you get your things settled before we eat?" Sophia suggested. She watched as Alice carefully set her torn bag of belongings on the bed. She carefully lifted out the only other dress she owned. Looking around she found a wooden peg for hanging. With her rough, red hands Alice smoothed the dress out as best she could. Turning back to her bag, she took out the half-toothless comb she always carried, and set it on the table by her bed. Once again she turned back to the bag, bringing out the tenderness, she placed it next to the comb. Closing the bag, she pushed it under the worn, filthy piece of material that Sophia had noticed so long ago in the gaol. With great bed announcing, "I be moved in now,"

life. In so many ways Alice was a mystery. She was one of the toughest, yet gentlest Sophia's heart swelled as she watched her friend. Alice had shared only a little of her women she had ever met. What could Alice have accomplished in her life if only she had been given the chance? Katic was going to give her that chance now. She vowed to do everything she could to help Alice live her years remaining more comfortable and worry-free.

Once settled in, the two women went into the kitchen. They found Maggie standing off to the side, wringing her hands in anticipation of Alice's arrival. Sophia watched with an amused look.

""Tis a fine kitchen indeed," Alice announced. "So cheery with the wee windows. Smell the bread. Reminds me of the kitchen in me own house on Turnmill Street in East London. 'Twas not a fine place such as this, but to me 'twas a palace. 'Course it was not smellin' so sweet there even when the bread was bakin'. A stinkin' place 'twas the street we lived, but I 'ad me Percy. Why, Percy and me had a fine life there for a time." Alice lifted her apron she always wore to wipe a tear.

"Come sit and eat now. 'Tis been a busy day," Maggie stated. "Hope you like my stew. The mixins have been in my family for a long time now." Maggie set about slicing fresh bread and mixing up some hot tea and honey for Alice.

Sophia served herself and sat back, listening to the two women. They spoke of the old ways to making stew, and how mutton was the best of all. It was as if she weren't there, not that she minded. It did her soul good to see her two friends together.

"Honey! Yer 'ave real honey fer the tea! 'Tis been a fine day fer sure. Ye bless ol' Alice with yer kindness. Why, Sophia girl, 'tis been too long since I had me a speck of honey. "Tis why ol' women such as I get crusty and sour. Never get enough honey." Alice laughed at herself.

As evening fell and dinner was put away, the three women enjoyed a crackling fire. Now that the sun had gone down the air turned very cold. Sophia broke the silence that had enveloped them for a time. "Alice, you've mentioned your husband a few times today. In fact, I never knew his name before today. Can you tell us more about him, or would it be too painful?"

A faraway look came over Alice's face as she went back to the old times with her Percy. "Twas a special time in me life when the hardness was made softer fer the love I 'ad with 'im. How I miss 'im still." Alice gripped her cup as if she once again felt the sharpness of her longing for him. "It's as if 'e died yesterday, instead of twenty years back." She took a sip of tea. "I haven't spoken of 'im fer so long." She sighed, as if memories of him were her treasure, and it was hard for her to begin the precious story.

""Twas in Ireland where I met 'im. "Twas a young lass when I first laid me eyes on 'im. Thought 'e was one of the most handsome men I ever did see. Black hair like pitch, and blue eyes that 'ad to be from an angel. No man could e'er have such blue eyes. 'Is laugh made me laugh too, and when looked upon me First time I e'er saw him, 'e was chasing down sheep for the shearin'. I member 'e was if I was on fire. mad and swearin'. My Percy could put a red face on a sinner for the swearin' 'e did at times." Alice chuckled. "I remember 'is big hands. Biggest I e'er saw on a man."

Sophia thought of James Patrick's hands.

"Percy told me 'e was wantin' to leave the island fer all the hardships. Said 'e had the passage for 'isself an' spare fer me if I be willin' to follow. Told 'im 'e ceeded to marry me first, and 'e did. Then we sailed. Seems to be a hundred years ago. Me Percy was a 'ard worker. Worked in a factory, 'e did, once we settled in London. 'Twas 'ard work, but 'e was thankful to 'ave it. Made nothing fer all the work 'e did."

Taking another sip of her tea, she continued. "Weren't long afore he begin to 'ave coughin' fits. "Twas bad spells 'e 'ad. Afore too long 'e begin ter spit up 'is own blood. They called it Black Lung. Killed 'im outright, it did. Me poor Percy, 'ardly drank the

rum either. "Twas a good man." Sniffling, Alice wiped her face on her apron. "Alice, I'm so sorry," Katic said, laying a hand on Alice's arm.

Blowing her nose, Alice shook her head. "Tis sad fer sure but needs to be remembered. Can't forget my Percy. We 'ad a wee one, a boy. Tiny as could be. Poor little one not be strong enough to live in this 'ard world. Named 'im baby Jimmy, we did. Died small, but 'twas best that 'e did because 'e was sick from the start. Percy took it the hardest. I be glad 'e was in God's 'ands, and not in this cold world. I saw hardships fer the wee ones. They worked j'st as 'ard as the men did. King George is said to 'ave blood on 'is throne from all the wee ones workin' in those cotton mills. "Tis a fact, our babe's better off in 'eaven then 'ere. How it be fer me to care fer 'im, if I cannot care fer meself? All I 'ave of baby Jimmy now are the memories, an' a small piece of 'is blanket."

So that was the tattered piece of cloth Sophia saw in Alice's room. No wonder she handled it so tenderly.

"I to tell you some important news," Sophia said, swiftly changing the subject. "You did such a fine job as cook at the gaol that they are willing to hire you for wages. You have a day or two to think it over before they select a prisoner for the job."

"Blimey, getting paid doin' what I was doin' afore? "Tis a blessin' indeed. Was that the job the judge mentioned afore lettin' me out?"

"No," Sophia answered. "Originally, Lady Wilson was going to offer you a position at Brick House. I received word from Newgate this morning about the job and meant to tell you sooner. I thought you might like your' kitchen back, but the choice is yours. Lady Wilson said that her offer is still open."

"Tis a fact ol' Alice took pride in 'er own kitchen. Done, will do it I will! I like ter take me kitchen back. I 'ave friends there an' all. Ter 'ave a 'ome and place to work...God be good ta ol Alice fer sure. Did the price to be paid get told?" month you could

"Well, he said if you were willing to start out at a half crown per have the job." Sophia smiled at her friend.

"Ne'er had half a crown afore. How much that be?" "Two shillings and six pence."

Beaming, Alice finished her tea, "Tis a rich one I'll bel" Suddenly her smile

disappeared. "Won' be 'urtin' the lady's feelin's if'n I take the other offer, do ya think?

She be good ter me."

"Of course not," Sophia assured her. "She is going to be happy for you." "Praise be the Almighty! Then I'll take it fer sure!"

It had been an exciting day for all. It wasn't long before Alice's head began

bobbing.

"Alice, why not head for bed?" Sophia gently shook her. "Aye, I think I will. Good night ta yas now." Alice headed for her room.

Getting into the fresh gown she was given, Alice gently picked up baby Jimmy's piece of tattered blanket. Stroking it, she tenderly placed it next to her cheek. It was hard to remember back, but good too. It had been a magical day that Alice would never forget. Things would never be the same for her...thank God.

After tossing and turning for a time, Alice gathered her bedding and placed it on the board floor. Tucking Jimmy's cloth under her pillow, she covered up and was soon asleep. It would be a long time before she would get used to a soft mattress.

Sophia and Maggie sat by the fire, enjoying their time together. They talked about Alice and the events of the day.

"What of Alice once you leave the house? Have you told her your plans yet?" Maggie questioned.

"No, so much has happened today. If she wants, she can stay here to watch over Brady's Brick when I'm gone. She'll be able to make a living with cooking for the gaol. They don't pay anyone to cook there. Why should they? They have enough prisoners to do the work. I told a fib, but Alice is proud. She would never take charity. I had to make arrangements to pay her myself after the warden agreed to my plan. He said it was the best run kitchen he ever had when Alice was in charge. He agreed to keep my secret. I gave the bank instructions to give her a draft each month. She'll think it's from the gaol, and that's what I want. I don't like deceiving her, but she would never take money from me. This way I know she will be all right, and it gives her a sense of purpose. know it." The money will pay for her looking after the place for me, but she won't

"You are a good friend, Sophia," Maggie stated quietly.

"I owe her my life. She is one of the bravest, kindest people I know, but you wouldn't ever want to get her mad. I saw her take a woman, much younger than herself, and teach her some respect." Sophia's eyes crinkled with amusement at the memory of the fight. "Then one time she stood between me and two men. Defended me, she did, as if I were family instead of a stranger-and won! Of course James Patrick stood behind her, and that really was the reason those men backed down. She didn't know that, though. She was brave for just standing up to them."

"I don't think I could ever do that. I'm not that brave. It all sounds so awful. I cannot imagine being in one of those places...all those poor people. Alice has lived a hard life, yet look at her gentle and kind spirit. "Tis a hard thing to hear of all her troubles," Maggie added.

"She is someone special, that's for sure," Sophia answered as she headed to her room. "Thank you, Maggie, for making her so welcome today. It was important to me."

"It was important to me too. I'll be heading for bed myself. Good night, Sophia.

Have sweet dreams."