Three Round Towers by Beverley Elphick Read Free Book Online

pretty as Becca or Cecilia I did try to improve my appearance, even standing differently so my crooked leg wasn’t as obvious. Living as Cecilia’s companion was a lot easier on me than all the hard scullery work at Coad Farm. I thought it was all too good to be true.
    I had a visit from Mrs Makepiece and Cecilia promised to return her call as soon as she was feeling better and I would of course accompany her with Beth. Billy-alone also found his way into the kitchen of South Farm and I was pleased to see him. We walked together round the orchard on a fine autumn day. The windfalls smelled sweet as they awaited collection. South Farm was so different to Coad Farm. Apart from Mrs Fisher, everyone was friendly; there were no bad atmospheres and the place felt full of light as opposed to the gloom and bad temper at Hamsey.
    I was beginning to feel safe and wanted but I knew that I was only staying as long as the wet-nurse and that sooner rather than later I would have to start weaning Beth. I didn’t want to think about it. Billy found a few fallen apples and we sat in the lazy sunshine munching our way through them.
    â€˜Beth looks right bonny.’
    â€˜She does that, she is thriving and very content. We love it here Billy.’
    â€˜I wouldn’t mind a job here; any chance you think?’
    â€˜I thought you didn’t want to stay in one place?’
    â€˜Well, this is a bit different ain’t it?’
    â€˜Yes, it certainly is. Farmer Elwood is a good man and very kind. Why don’t you ask him?’
    â€˜Will you ask him for me?’
    â€˜No, but I will tell him that you are a good, kind boy and probably hard working.’
    â€˜What d’ya mean, ‘probably’?’
    I laughed at his indignation as I eased myself up and then pulled him to his feet. ‘Come along, I want to pick some herbs. I’ve a mind to make some of my ma’s receipts. Mrs Fisher is away for a few days so I can use the kitchen.’
    We were foraging along the hedgerow when he said, ‘There was a body found in the river yesterday.’
    A hand clutched at my heart, squeezing.
    â€˜Do you know what happened?’
    â€˜Na, it might be a suicide.’
    A chill swept across me.
    â€˜Do you know who it was?’
    â€˜A maid, ’pparently.’
    Was it Becca? Had old man Coad gone back on his promise to bury her fittingly?
    â€˜Let’s finish here now Billy, I’ve got enough.’ I tried to keep my voice from trembling. When we got back to the house I asked him to find out a bit more about the girl. I made it sound casual, but to me it felt like I was guilty of something, and I knew I wasn’t.

Chapter Eleven

    To Make Apple Cakes
    Take half a quarter of dough, roll it out thin; spread equally over it 5 ounces each of coffee and sugar, a little nutmeg or all-spice, and 2 ounces of butter; then fold and roll it again two or three times, to mix well the ingredients. Afterwards, roll it out thin, and spread over it 4 rather large apples, pared, cored and chopped small; fold it up, and roll until mixed. Let it stand to rise after. Half a pound of butter may be added.
    MacKenzie’s Five Thousand Receipts in All the Useful and Domestic Arts

    I was in an agony of worry and fear. Surely, I said to myself, the master would have buried Becca like he promised. I went over and over the words we had exchanged: I had asked him to bury her proper but he had cheated me over the money and I realised I had no reason to expect him to keep his word. I made myself as busy as possible and took over Mrs Fisher’s kitchen to make some apple cakes for the family. I used my mother’s receipts and was able to lose myself in the slapping of the dough, part of which I used for bread. I loved cooking and it was helpful to have something to occupy my mind. I propped Beth up in a washing tub and padded her with towels so she could see the activity and Cecilia even came in to chat.