The Innkeeper's Daughter Read Free

said that I wasn’t.’
    William took a bite of bread. ‘Why, what did he say was wrong wi’ you?’
    Joseph paused for only a second before saying, ‘He didn’t. He said I’d been overdoing it and had to rest for a bit. It was hauling on that barrel of ale that did it. I should have let ’drayman do it like he’s paid to. I’ve pulled a muscle in my chest, I think.’ He looked first at Joe, who was staring into space, and then at William. ‘You two lads’ll have to do more of the heavy work. Can’t expect your ma to do it.’
    They both looked at him and then at each other. William said nothing and went on eating but Joe broke out with an exclamation.
    ‘I already work in ’cellar, Da! I’m forever down there; hardly ever see ’light o’ day.’
    ‘Then you’d best take a lamp wi’ a longer wick next time you go down cos it’s your job from now on. And,’ his father went on, after a short gasping breath, ‘I’m going to apprentice you both to a trade. You’ll go to John Wilkins ’carpenter, and William to Harry ’blacksmith. I’ve already arranged it and you both start next week so don’t even attempt to argue.’
    ‘But you just said that we’d have to do more work at home,’ Joe objected. ‘We can’t do both.’
    ‘Yes, you can,’ Joseph said. ‘Get on wi’ your tea and let me get on wi’ mine. I’ll tell you after what we’re going to do.’
    Bella glanced at her mother and raised her eyebrows, but her mother gave a shake of her head and she stayed silent. Only Nell, who assumed her father’s plan had nothing to do with her, hummed a tuneless ditty in between mouthfuls of bread and beef.
    ‘For goodness’ sake, Nell,’ Bella said at last. ‘Will you stop that din? You’re making my head ache.’
    ‘It’s not a din.’ Nell pulled a virtuous expression. ‘I’m practising.’
    ‘For what?’
    ‘To be a singer.’ Nell buttered another piece of bread. ‘I’m going on ’stage when I’m old enough.’
    ‘Over my dead body,’ her father said, and as he spoke his face creased and he closed his eyes, and their mother fell into a fit of coughing and hastily got up from the table.
    Bella felt a cold shiver down her spine. She looked at her father and saw a shadow on his face: a shadow of grief.
    He really is ill, she thought. What did the doctor say to him? It’s serious, and that’s why Ma hasn’t told him about the child. She felt suddenly sick. Her mouth was dry, her hunger gone, and she pushed her plate away. She wanted to cry, to be a child again, like Nell; she wanted to be comforted and told that everything would be all right. But it wouldn’t be; she was grown up or nearly, her childhood gone at a stroke. At thirteen she must put away her dreams. She was an adult.
    The chair legs squealed on the oilcloth as she pushed back her chair. She picked up her plate and took it to the sink where her mother was standing facing the small square window that looked out over the yard.
    ‘Go and finish your supper, Ma,’ Bella said quietly. ‘Go on, and I’ll make a fresh pot of tea.’
    Her mother nodded but didn’t answer and turned back to the table. She sat down facing Joseph. ‘We could ask Fred Topham to give a hand wi’ casks,’ she said in a low voice. ‘He’d be glad of ’extra cash.’
    ‘Aye, and so we’ll be,’ Joseph muttered. ‘No. Draymen can do it. It’s their job to mek sure they’re delivered and stacked.’
    ‘Will we be paid, Father?’ Joe asked. ‘If we’re to be working extra?’
    His father appeared to consider, then said soberly, ‘Well, your ma and me have been discussing that wi’ your board and lodging going up, and wi’ extra for washing and ironing your shirts, it’ll work out that you owe us money, but if you put in a couple of hours more every day it should just about even out.’
    Both youths stopped eating and gazed at their father, each wondering if he was joking and each deciding that he wasn’t. William paused for