The Winds Of Fortune Episode 04
Norah dropped the carpet beater on to the ground beside her and leaned against the wall, mopping her forehead.
It was a warm morning and the sun blazed down on her. Beating rugs was hot work.
Picking up her beater, she was just about to finish work on the rugs when she heard whistling, and a smile spread across her face.
She knew who it was before the wiry figure turned the corner towards the servants’ entrance.
Sure enough, the grinning face of her brother, Joe, soon came into view.
He was a tall, skinny lad with broad shoulders and a cheerful countenance. His eyes lit up when he saw her and he gave her a wave.
“How’s my favourite sister?” he asked, crossing the courtyard and scooping her into a hug.
“Give over now.” Norah couldn’t help smiling as she pushed him away and straightened her cap. “What are you doing here?”
“I don’t need a reason to visit my kin, do I?” he asked, pretending to be offended.
Norah studied him, a smile hovering around her lips. He seemed especially jaunty this morning.
“What mischief are you up to? Why ain’t you at work?”
“Mr Crane don’t need me at the greengrocer’s till this afternoon. I got some news to share.” Joe shrugged.
“Oh?”
“That job I told you about? Well, it’s done and it paid real good.”
She smiled at his excitement.
“I want you to have this,” he said, looking suddenly bashful and thrusting some notes towards her.
Norah’s eyes widened.
“I can’t take this. Give some to Mother and keep some for yourself.”
He shook his head and stuck out his chin.
“No, Norah, that’s yours. I already gave most to Ma and kept some for meself.”
Norah felt her jaw dropping. How much had he been paid?
Here was more money than she earned in a six-month, and this was only part of it!
She felt her gut twist.
“Joe, whatever did you do to earn all this?”
“I ran errands for a chap I met in the Black Swan.
“Took some stuff to the pawn shop and that sort of thing. You know I wouldn’t do nothing wrong, Norah.”
Norah didn’t feel any better. Since when did running errands pay so well?
She had every faith in Joe, but he was too trusting for this world.
She turned to him, her expression serious.
“Who was this man? What do you know about him?”
He shrugged.
“Calls himself Elijah, or Enoch, maybe? Promised me work and good pay, and that’s what he delivered. Can’t say fairer than that.”
Norah frowned.
“It’s a lot of money for a few errands. I don’t think you should take work from him again.”
Joe patted her shoulder.
“Don’t take on so, Norah. You don’t often get much for an honest day’s work.”
Norah wasn’t convinced that you ever got this much for an honest day’s work, but decided to say no more.
The man had done as he’d promised and Joe had broken no laws.
She smiled up at him.
“Well, thank you, Joe. It’s mighty good of you.”
He grinned and Norah squeezed his hand. He was a dear lad and she missed him sorely.
“Won’t you come in for a bite to eat?” she urged. “I’m sure Betsy will be pleased to see you.”
He reddened slightly, but shook his head.
“I promised to help Ma fix her table and I can’t be late for Mr Crane, neither.”
She nodded. She wished they could talk longer, but work had to come first.
She gave him a peck on the cheek and watched as he made his way back around the house, his hair ruffled by the breeze.
She picked up the rugs, turned and made her way back towards the open door.
She smiled to herself as she noticed a face quickly disappear from the scullery window. Betsy, no doubt!
The poor girl would be disappointed not to talk with Joe, but that couldn’t be helped. She was disappointed, too.
It had been wonderful to have an unexpected visit, but despite that, and Joe’s high spirits, Norah wasn’t able to dislodge the sinking feeling that assailed her.
She folded the notes Joe had given her and slipped them safely inside her apron.
To be continued …