The Winds Of Fortune Episode 12
Theodore Cranby sat in the offices on Main Street and tried to absorb himself in his work.
It still felt odd to be sitting in this room with four other men, earning his living.
He didn’t mind it. He was glad of anything to keep his thoughts full of something other than Minnie and his own blighted fortunes.
However, it was hard to fit in. The other men eyed him with suspicion and hostility.
The fine quality of his suit was out of place and he was known to be a friend of the Johnsons.
Worst of all, it was his sort that had put so many desperate men out of work when their businesses had failed, and now he was taking a job that many other men needed.
He sighed and tried to focus on the column of figures in front of him.
The work wasn’t difficult, and part of him enjoyed doing something constructive, making his own way in the world.
The social round hadn’t always felt purposeful or rewarding.
However, the ache for Minnie throbbed inside him, a constant torment.
He closed the ledger he had been working on and replaced it on the shelf, not looking at the other clerks.
He had quickly seen that it was better this way. He had no chance of striking up a relationship with anyone.
Anyway, now that Minnie had left he would not be staying long.
All he wanted was to save enough money for a ticket to England and he would be off.
Slowly, the hours passed and eventually it was time to leave.
Theo let the others take their coats and hats from the stand and head home before him.
He tidied his desk and refilled the inkwells ready for the next day.
Finally, when the building was quiet, he put on his overcoat and trilby and made his way out.
He had been invited to Charles’s house for supper, so he would go home and change into his dinner suit and cravat before he walked over there.
At the moment he still had his fine clothing, but what he would do when it eventually wore out he didn’t like to think.
He performed his toilet as best he could without his valet and was soon in the warmth of the Johnson residence.
“Theo, it’s good to see you! How are you?”
Theo entered the drawing-room to find the family waiting for him.
“A drink, Theo. Whisky?” Mr Johnson shook hands with him and passed him a tumbler of golden liquid.
Theo sipped it appreciatively. He could no longer afford spirits of this quality himself.
“Thank you, sir. I’m well.”
“Glad to hear it. And how is your father?”
“He is comfortable, sir. His health is improving.”
“Excellent.”
At this point, Mr Johnson was distracted by his wife and Charles took Theo to one side.
They sat together in the bay window, sipping their drinks.
“I heard the Vandunlans have gone to England. Is that right?”
Theo nodded. It still shocked him to hear it spoken out loud.
Minnie had seemed so far from him since all this had happened, but at least they’d been on the same continent, in the same town.
Now he felt like he was losing her completely, and he couldn’t bear it.
“When did they go?”
“A few days ago.”
“Is it permanent, Theo?” His friend was regarding him with concern. “What are you going to do?”
“I don’t know.” Theo shrugged, his voice breaking.
“I only found out they were leaving on Tuesday, nothing more.”
Charles shook his head.
“You could write to her, couldn’t you?”
“I could, but . . . Well, I’ve decided to save up to buy a ticket to follow her over there. I can’t lose her as well as everything else.”
His friend regarded him with compassion.
“Are you set on it?”
“I am.”
“Then I will buy the ticket for you.”
Theo’s eyes widened.
“Charles, no. You’ve done so much for me already –”
“No,” his friend interrupted him. “We won’t say any more about it. It’s nothing.”
Theo swallowed and shook his friend’s hand.
He was overwhelmed and excited.
He would be able to sail right away and could live off the money he’d saved until he found work in England.
If he could just see Minnie again, he was sure he could face the future, whatever it held.
“Thank you, Charles. One day I hope to repay you.”
“Dinner is served.” The butler entered and the two young men got up and made their way to the dining-room.
To be continued…