A Wanton Tale by Paula Marie Kenny Read Free Book Online Page B

bears and spinning tops. She looked longingly at parents with children getting into carriages with parcels, clutching purchases from the toy shops. She knew they came from a different world.
    The quietness of the house was broken by the sound of voices and music. The noise was coming from the street. Alice had just finished dressing. The last thing she did was to snatch her Irish crocheted purse from her secret place under the mattress. Unlike the others, she never left the house without all her money. She hitched up her skirts and tied the long rope with tassels around her slim waist. When it became too heavy with shillings she exchanged them for notes in the post office and now there was one hundred pounds in the unassuming draw string purse.
    Although eager to go out, she was drawn to the front bedroom, she could still hear music. She entered the room and walked to the window, unlocked the latch in the middle and heaved it open. The lace curtains billowed out in the gentle breeze. She looked down and saw a group of street entertainers making their way down the middle of the street. They were playing instruments. Over the various sounds, yells and calls, she could hear a harmonious concert of a barrel organ grinding out a tune.
    A prominent figure at the front of the entourage attracted her attention. He was tall with wild ginger hair, he wore a top hat and a long cape. He was swallowing fire from a stick. Behind him were jugglers, acrobats, magicians, stilt walkers and walkabouts who mixed with the crowds shaking tins and collecting money. They were all heading towards the centre of town.
    The man with the red hair finished his fire eating act to the whoops and cheers of the delighted crowd. He spun round, removing his top hat, bowing low to the people who lined the street. Unexpectedly, he looked up and caught Alice’s eye. From where she was standing, she could see the colour of his eyes which were a peculiar shade of green.
    She was amazed at the spectacle before her, she had never seen such exciting people before, assuming they must be clowns. The sight of them made her smile. Alice knew that she had to go outside and get a closer look at the intriguing throng. She rushed down the stairs as fast as she could. The red haired man in the top hat was beckoning her, his expression was fixed like a clown’s as though he had been born with a smile on his face.
    Alice felt she could trust him and moved closer. ‘Come with us. You will be safe with us. As she fell into step with the others, she heard him bellow over his shoulder, ‘I am Larry The Hat, The Street Fire King!’
    Alice joined the group who were heading towards the crowds of the town.

Chapter 4
In Search of Fresh Bait
Liverpool 1887
    L ou and Ellen walked up Bold Street together, arms linked. They were deep in conversation, still talking about Lily and what her departure might mean to them. They were heading towards the tea rooms about half way up the street.
    Their ‘town’ clothes were far more subdued than the revealing outfits they wore in Betsy’s. Their taste in fashion was a little common but, in a way, they fitted in with the elegantly dressed ladies and smartly attired gentlemen of the town. They wore their hats at a jaunty angle, their appearance had a slightly theatrical look which made them acceptable.
    Lou’s billowing dark hair was neatly pinned under her hat. She pulled out a little mirror from her beaded purse to check her appearance before they entered the tea rooms. The bright summer rays made the mirror glimmer as she adjusted it. Much to her surprise, the reflection showed the striking figure of Lily walking into a bespoke furniture shop.
    ‘Look who I’ve just seen Ellen. Miss Crafty herself. She’s just gone in there.’ Lily spun round to face the shop, dragging Ellen with her.’ A passer-by who they jostled shot them a filthy look which was totally lost on them.
    ‘Who? Oh you mean the other one, our Lily!’ Ellen was excited.