THE OTHER SIDE   (Contd)………

PART TWO

The move to her aunt’s  was welcoming. As Beth placed her bags in the hallway Millyt beckoned her into the Parlour. “Now lass, you’ve got to rest; regain your strength. I’ve boiled the water and brought in the bath. It’s in the back room by the fire”.

As Beth laid back  the warm water embraced her. Amidst the turmoil  inside her head she could at least attempt to gather her thoughts with quietness and  ease.  She. got dressed and sat by the fireside. Milly entered the room with a hairbrush. “Let me brush your hair”. Beth was not akin to such tenderness but nevertheless savoured each brushstroke which swept her long brown hair.

On the day of her mother’s funeral Beth wore a black skirt and jacket from her ‘Sunday best’.  “There’ll be no need to fear your stepfather and his daughters, they’re nothing to you now”,  Milly  said determinedly.  As they stood by the graveside a dark storm cloud appeared overhead. It was a grim day and the atmosphere was tense. Her stepfather shot  across a steely, cold stare. His daughters stood beside him trying to catch her gaze with  a cruel  hint of mockery. As her mother’s s coffin was lowered into the ground a bird on the wing took flight. Beth looked up and pondered for a split second ; a reminiscence of  her mother’s soul flying free. Hot tears trickled down her cheeks; a mixture of emotion playing with her senses. She was bereft for her loss, nevertheless her mother was free and so was she.

Her aunt had never married. She earnt a decent wage as a seamstress and kept a neat, clean and comfortable home.

Beth needed to support herself, craving the dignity and independence which accompanied it. She found  work at the local departmental store. This was a new experience, exciting yet fearful. She was entering a new life into unknown territory. As exhilaration  overwhelmed her during her uniform fitting she imagined herself in the  smart black suit and crisp white blouse. Indeed she would  wear it with pride.  As she learnt ‘the ropes’ of retail she enjoyed the challenges it brought. Friday was payday, everyone loved Friday. With it came the usual night out with the girls. How good it felt to have a social life with dependable friends. Her days off were spent sharing chores with Milly alongside  time for relaxation.  Beth loved baking and the scones she baked were hastily eaten together with her aunt’s home made fruit jam.  Yes, life was good, a happy relief from the one she left behind. Pride and dignity were a priceless commodity.  

                                                          

On the morning of her 18^th birthday Beth accompanied  Milly to the City. Only the ‘well healed’ did business in this part of London and today she would discover the secret of her destiny. A secret which had been safely guarded for her by her late mother and presumably also her aunt. As she stared out of the murky window she felt her heart beating almost simultaneously to the pounding of the train moving along the tracks.

They arrived at a small bleak building amidst a parade of shops, Milly checked the address. “Number 32A. This is it., yes Jeremy Black & Co Solicitors”.”They were greeted by a middle age man, dapperly dressed in a pin striped  suit and white starched shirt. He took his pocket watch out of his waistcoat , “Ah 11 o’clock, Miss Potterton and Miss Arkly.  Jeremy Black, pleased to met you and I believe birthday greetings are the order of the day”. Beth blushed. “Thank you Sir” He shook both their hands and ushered them into a small dingy room. “Please take a seat ladies. I will see Miss Arkly in my office in a moment”.. Beth’s complexion paled and the nerves in the pit of her stomach made her  queasy. “If you would like to come with me Miss Arkly” he gestured. Milly placed a reasurring hand on Beth’s. “You’ll be fine lass.”.

 The office was small and as she sat down the smell of the highly polished desk made her stomach churn further.  He opened the draw of  a large metal cabinet and drew out a file. “Miss Arkly,  as you may or may not be aware a significant inheritance is awaiting you. There are certain conditions we must discuss before you do so. Do you wish me to continue?”. Beth anxiously fiddled with the strap of her handbag. “Yes Mr. Black please continue” . “You see Miss Arkly,  shortly after your birth and under the name of  Potterson, your legal birth name, your mother was secured a large inheritance for you  when you reached eighteen years of age.. However, in order to do so she had to swear on oath to protect your natural father’s  anonymity”.”.  He took off his spectacles and placed them on the file.  “Your father had a high position in society. He was of aristocratic background, with I may say  Royal connections. He met your mother when she was a performing artist though unfortunately knowledge of their  relationship and its consequence would have resulted in his downfall”.  Beth tried to contain her composure. “Do you understand the sensitivity of the matter”? “Yes, I understand Sir and you have my word, my mother kept her silence. I never knew the true identity of my father and I believe no one else did either.  I was led to believe he was away serving at sea when I was born, never returned and was presumed dead.  That’s all I knew and any further talk on the matter was strictly  forbidden.”  Well, Miss Potterton do you wish to know your father’s identity and with it wish to inherit under the same lawful conditions of confidentiality?”

                                                  

Beth pondered, the enormity of her decision weighed heavily upon her. She thought of her mother and at this juncture  knew what had to be done. “Yes Mr. Black, I would like to know who my father was and yes I will sign on oath to pledge his anonymity”. He put his spectacles back on and read from the file “Your father is Lord Gainsborough”. I will call my colleague in to witness your oath and signature”. “Just one further matter Mr. Black. Upon my mother’s marriage to Mr Arkly I was brought up with his family name.  Could I please revert to Potterton?” He smiled, “Of course my dear, I am sure we can look into that”.