Empty Vessels by Marina Pascoe Read Free Book Online Page A

ʻI hardly remember London now – I said the same to you, didnʼt I Dad?’
    Ê»Yes, you did,ʼ Bartlett nodded in agreement, Ê»but you should always remember where you were born even if you canʼt remember what the exact house or street looked like, because itʼs your heritage – never forget that, you youngsters.ʼ The pair considered themselves told and giggled. Bartlett was very proud to be a Londoner and hadnʼt lost his East End accent at all. He missed the old place although he had suffered many hardships there over the years, especially as a boy. Cornwall was better for a man of his age; it was quieter, the air was fresher and, above all, Caroline liked it here. She had never really settled in London, although she always maintained that her home was wherever her beloved husband was. Yes, Falmouth was definitely the nicest place they could ever imagine living in.
    Caroline got up from the table and began stacking the plates. Ê»Leave that, Mrs Bartlett, Iʼll do it,ʼ Boase volunteered, his motive not being entirely for the benefit of the older woman.
    Ê»Well, all right, but come and have a sit down by the fire first and finish your drink.ʼ All four moved towards the fireplace where Topper, knowing the nightly ritual, was already on the rug warming himself. Bartlett patted the dogʼs head. Ê»Youʼre a goodʼun, Topper, mate, come and sit by your old man.ʼ The dog obliged.
    Ê»George, you treat that animal better than your family sometimes,ʼ grumbled Caroline.
    Ê»That, Princess, is because he is my family, and well you know it.ʼ Topper let out an approving sigh.
    Ê»Dad, Mum, tell Archie how you met, itʼs so romantic,ʼ Irene sat on the floor at her fatherʼs feet.
    Ê»Iʼm sure Boase isnʼt interested in that old nonsense,ʼ said Bartlett, semi-embarrassed.
    Caroline snorted. Ê»You never used to think it was nonsense.ʼ Bartlett looked more embarrassed still.
    His wife continued. Ê»I had gone to London with my mother because she had a consultation there at the Eye Infirmary with a very good and highly recommended doctor. Sheʼd been troubled with eye problems since a child. Anyway, while I was waiting for her, someone stole my bag with our return train tickets in and all my money. While I was frantically trying to sort it out, George turned up with something in his eye. Heʼd been outside when something flew up off the road and hit him – a stone or something. He was, fortunately, soon sorted out and he waited with me. My mother came out in the middle of it all and George made himself known to her and gave us the money to return home. He said if I gave him my address, he would see that my bag was returned if anyone handed it in – it never was and he knew it wouldnʼt be, but I received a very nice letter from him, we met again and my mother allowed us to marry on my eighteenth birthday, just four months later.
    Bartlett grunted from the depths of his armchair, Ê»Hmm, you never did repay that money.ʼ
    Ê»George!ʼ A slap on the arm was forthcoming, whereupon Topper crawled forward a little nearer to his master.
    Ê»Isnʼt that just too romantic, Archie? And so Bohemian.ʼ Irene thought this was the stuff of fairy tales.
    Ê»I ought to get on with the plates.ʼ Archie stood up. Ê»The supper was lovely, Mrs Bartlett, thank you.ʼ
    Ê»Iʼll help you, Archie.ʼ Irene was by his side in an instant and the two carried the crockery into the scullery. Ê»Dad, remember next time, you promised to tell us about your Jack the Ripper days again. Thereʼs so much we havenʼt heard yet.ʼ
    Ê»All right, next time. Itʼs getting late now, Iʼm almost ready for my bed.ʼ
    At about eleven oʼclock Boase left for home, having arranged to be in bright and early next morning for the journey to London.

Chapter Three
    The morning soon came and it was a sunny and cold one. There was a strange