Episode ELEVEN
“Well, I would ask if you went to Sheriff Grange, but I’m sure you already found out he’s not in town.” Inquires John.
Ellie answers, “Yes, actually Mister Beckett told me that as well. I guess I’ll just have to confront Robert myself.”
In a booming voice he pronounces, “You’ll do no such thing!” Pointing his finger at her, “You have children that need you. You do enough for this town, what with your manufacturing systems and revolutionary ideas…” He sighs before continuing, “…this town has come a long way because of you, and I can see it going further. Not many people are like you.”
Ellie simply returns the praise with a sweet smile, tilting her head in a shy way.
John sees it and simply says, “Let the Sheriff do his job when he gets back. Lord Paynel can’t keep protecting him. Soon enough he’ll slip up.” There’s a moment of silence between them before he continues, “Anyways I’ll find a few strong men, gather some coffins, and we’ll be heading your way to collect the bodies. Any descriptions of the men that you can give me?
“Yes, I believe the name of the one with black hair was Mister Abraham he was pretty beaten up. Then there was the brown hair lad who was tall and slim was a Mister Fredrick. Lastly there was a Mister Alan who was an older overweight man who was balding.”
The Doctor asks, “Okay and where were they from. So, I know where to deliver the bodies to?”
“All I know is that they were heading for Lincoln from Thirsk.” Ellie answers leaning against the counter now.
Continuing to write down the details he responds, “Alright, and about how far down from the bridge would you say the bodies are?”
“Left side embankment, about almost a mile…” she pauses as Doctor Higgins looks at her pondering what she means, “…oh dear how do I describe it…past the first bend in the ravine on the left side embankment, right before an island…how about if I just draw it?” Elouise says with a little hesitance in her voice, “It was getting a bit late, so I wasn’t able to scope out the area very well since it was part of the branch, we usually don’t focus our attention on, because of the rapids.”
Slightly chuckling to himself as Ellie etches on a piece of paper, he says, “No need to worry, this is the best we’ll get for it being around your area up there. In the meantime, you ought to be getting back.”
Finishing up small talk Elouise finally concludes up her needed tasks in town, finally heads off in the direction of home. A bit later than she had hoped, but she soon will be home in a reasonable amount of time with a good amount of coin from the cargo she delivered. Once more humming a tune, the wheels slowly turning in rhythm, the wind blows softly across her face as the sun shines through the tree tops, her two-hour voyage starts once again.
Past the meadow, through the forest and across the marsh land again. About one kilometer to go before she gets home. She can’t wait to drink some lemonade. She ran out of water about an hour into her return journey home. The cool crisp morning she had starting out, has now turned into a sweltering long day. “Hopefully the children finished all their chores and have taken the initiative to start their studies on their own, ‘ay Agnes” She says out loud, “We got quite a bit of profits today. Almost three pounds!” Myrtle brays as the children start to come out the door running towards her.
Almost in unison; Alfred, Winifred, and Joseph are screaming, “MOTHER! HE’S AWAKE! HE’S AWAKE!”
Delighted to hear the pleasing news she shouts back, “That’s wonderful children!” Pulling on the reins to bring the donkeys to a halt she continues, “I hope you’ve shown your manners and greeted him with food and beverage!” Hopping down from the wagon she brushes off the dust from her surcoat, when she hears a deep husky voice.
“They have Miss.” Lillianne’s father says.
Elouise turns around and sees him. A tall lengthy man having a sinuous physique. His skin seems very pale still, but with a waxen glow next to his icy white hair, no longer dyed red from the blood. His eyes are pale blue and that sends a shiver down her spine. His voice…why does it seem so familiar; she keeps repeating to herself.
He continues while leaning against the door frame, “They’ve been quite a delightful lot…” he pauses as he takes a step down while holding his side, he seems to be in pain walking and speaking at the same time, “…Why, they have made me feel more at home here than I do at my own home.” He gives a soft sore chortle.
Lillianne appears in a swift motion, carrying with her a large book, “Papa! This is the book I was talking about!”
Elouise noticing what book it is, it’s one of the books she keeps in the restricted section, up in her work room. Lenora must have gotten up to no good again forgetting the rules, “Oh Lilly sweetie, that book is much too heavy for your father to carry.”
As Lilly politely hands it to Elouise, he utters out, “Oh it’s no problem at all Miss. I’m fine.”
“Nonsense, you are in pain and need some Ginger tea and honey milk. And please call me Rosie. Where did Winifred go? Winnie sweetheart?” She yells through the front door, “Please get the kettle on the stove,” Turning back behind her, “Alfred, dear-heart, please get a pail of fresh milk from Flora.” Now speaking to Will, “Let’s get you inside and sitting down.” She walks with him while holding the book in one arm and his arm in her other to be sure his balance is steady as she noticed him wobbling. “How is your head feeling, would you like a cool rag to lay against your head?”
“I am rather well, just a slight headache around here.” He says chuckling, motioning to his whole head.
Sitting him down at the kitchen table Ellie starts to ask questions, still clutching onto the book, “Well it seems you’ve had serious head trauma, due to an unfortunate event. Do you recall what happened?”
Winifred brings over the tea, he takes it and thanks her and starts to sip it, “Thank you dear Winnie. Miss Rosie your children are absolutely charming and so well behaved, given each of their back stories. You work miracles.”
Comments (0)
See all