Beyond the Sunset Read online

‘It’s just a message. Harry says you’re late and to get round to the shop quickly or he’ll dock your pay.’

  Zachary was suddenly wide awake. He sat up in bed. ‘Is the boy still here?’

  ‘No. He went back straight away.’

  ‘I’d better get up.’

  ‘But you said Mr Dawson told you not to go into work for a day or two.’

  ‘He did. But maybe I will anyway.’

  ‘That’s not fair. You’re still tired or you’d not have slept in. It’s nine o’clock. You never normally sleep so long.’

  He grinned at her. ‘Well, now that I’m awake, I’m hungry.’

  ‘Mum sent me out for some eggs.’ She lowered her voice and added, ‘I think she’s trying to build you up before you go back to work for that horrible Harry Prebble.’

  Zachary smiled at the vehemence in her voice. Somehow, Harry had lost the power to upset him now. He’d try to keep the peace at the emporium, at least until he’d found out what was going on there, but after all he’d seen and done, Harry Prebble seemed like small fry.

  He went down and enjoyed a leisurely breakfast, chatting to them both. They were interrupted by another knock on the door before he’d finished. He stood up. ‘I’ll see to that.’

  Opening the door, he found the shop lad there again and that annoyed him.

  ‘Harry says you’re late and he’s definitely docking your pay.’

  It was a deliberate insult to send a verbal message to this effect. Everyone in the shop would know about it. ‘Tell Harry I’ll be in tomorrow or the day after.’

  ‘He’ll be angry. Well, he is angry.’

  ‘Let him be.’

  ‘But he’s the manager. He might sack you if you get on his wrong side.’

  ‘Oh, I don’t think he’ll do that.’ Zachary was about to close the door when he saw the office lad from Featherworth’s approaching along the street, so waited to see if he too was coming to the house. The shop lad lingered, obviously hoping to hear something, which he’d no doubt pass on to Harry.

  ‘Come in before you give me your message,’ Zachary told the lawyer’s lad and shut the door in the other one’s face.

  He showed the youth into the rarely used front parlour.

  ‘Mr Dawson has sent you a note and asks for an answer now, if you don’t mind.’ He held out an envelope.

  Zachary took it and read the brief note it contained.

  Dear Zachary

  If you could come into Mr Featherworth’s rooms about eleven o’clock this morning, we could make a start on the accounts.

  No need to rush in earlier. You’ve more than earned a rest.

  R. Dawson

  Zachary smiled at the lad. ‘Tell Mr Dawson I’ll be there at eleven.’

  He went back to pour himself another cup of tea and assure his mother that he could deal with Harry.

  She looked at him, opened her mouth then shut it again.

  ‘What were you going to say?’

  She sighed. ‘I was worried you’d got a bit above yourself, what with the travel and all. Harry Prebble is the manager now, so it won’t do to upset him.’

  He didn’t dare tell her the truth, didn’t want to tell her lies. ‘He’s only temporary. If he gets the job, I’ll not be working there any longer. But I don’t think he will get the job and from what Mr Featherworth said, I reckon my job is safe, Mum – as safe as I want it to be.’

  She frowned at that, clearly not convinced. He knew she worried about being a burden, worked hard to make the money he earned go a long way. He wished he could tell her everything, hated deceiving her, but she might let something slip. She was terrible at keeping secrets, always had been.

  He left the house early to stroll round the park before he went to Mr Featherworth’s rooms. There were still people loitering at the street corners, gaunt-faced, wanting work not leisure. He stopped to chat to one or two men he knew, thinking how old and worn they looked. They questioned him eagerly about Australia, seeming to find great satisfaction in knowing someone so well-travelled.

  He’d go to the library later and read the newspapers. He was so out of touch with what was happening here in Lancashire. The Civil War might be taking place in America but the lack of cotton was affecting folk over here very badly. How long was it now since the mills of Outham had been working? Two years at least. And how many children and old folk had died for lack of proper nourishment? Far too many.

  When Pandora woke on the Monday morning, she didn’t linger in bed, but went down to get a cup of tea and a slice of bread and butter. The sun was shining and she decided to treat herself to a walk on the moors.

  ‘Should you go up there on your own, miss?’ Dot worried. ‘There are rough men on the tramp these days, seeking work. The town’s not as safe as it used to be. If you wait another hour Miss Alice will be up and she likes going for walks, too.’

  ‘I can’t bear to wait. I’m only going as far as the lower ridge. I have to see the moors properly again. I missed them so much while I was away.’

  ‘Don’t they have any moors in Australia, then?’

  ‘No. Even the trees are different there. And in the summer it’s so hot sometimes it’s like standing in an oven. Give me a rainy day in Lancashire any time!’

  She grabbed a shawl, not wanting to bother with a hat, and hurried off down the street, turning her face up to the gentle sunshine that didn’t sear your skin.

  She found the steep street that led up to the moors more tiring than she’d expected, because she was out of practice at walking, but at last she was rewarded by one of her favourite views. Below her, to the right lay the town, with its terraces of red-brick houses, showing as long lines of grey slate roofs. To the left lay the moors, stretching into the misty distance, with only the occasional farm breaking the slopes, not red brick like the terraces in town, but with whitewashed or grey stone walls. The farm fields were green, with dry stone walls making patchwork patterns, but the uncultivated wilder parts of the moors were a greenish brown.

  Suddenly she felt uneasy, as if she was being watched. She swung round but could see no one. Still the feeling persisted.

  In the stillness of the early morning she heard a rock go clattering down a slope to her left and knew there was indeed someone nearby, someone who was hiding. Giving in to her instincts, she ran headlong down the hill, not stopping till she came to the first of the houses.

  She’d never, ever felt afraid like that before when she went walking on the moors. Had someone really been following her? Or was it just her imagination?

  She walked quickly back to the house, not telling Alice or Dot about her sudden panic.

  It must have been someone on the tramp. It was too early in the morning for most people to be out walking for pleasure.

  Her first thought had been that she would tell Zachary and see what he thought about it. Tears came into her eyes, because she couldn’t. Oh, she missed him so much!

  Zachary was shown into Mr Dawson’s office just before eleven o’clock. He handed over his carefully kept accounts and what was left of the money and they chatted in more detail about what he’d seen and done.

  Mr Dawson frowned at the amount expended on Leo, but shrugged when he saw the note signed by the sisters to say they fully approved, and lost his frown altogether when he heard that Leo had more than repaid them by helping Zachary and Pandora get to Albany.

  ‘Fate works in the strangest ways sometimes,’ he mused.

  He finished going through the accounts, then sat back, smiling at the younger man. ‘You’re good with figures.’

  ‘I wasn’t always able to be as neat as I’d have liked.’

  ‘But unless I’m much mistaken, you were always accurate.’

  ‘I hope so.’

  ‘I kept an eye on your mother and sister, but they seemed to have no trouble.’

  ‘No. They’re good managers. It’s just a pity Hallie can’t get a job. She frets about being at home. It’s a good thing she has the le
nding library to visit.’

  Mr Dawson sat back. ‘You didn’t mention that the shop lad was at your house this morning. Why was he there?’

  ‘Harry sent him twice to tell me I was late for work. He says he’s going to dock my pay.’

  Mr Dawson let out a little growl of anger. ‘That young man oversteps his mark. Once we’ve got to the bottom of this pilfering, it will be natural for Pandora to make you manager in his place.’

  Zachary couldn’t stop himself beaming. ‘Yes, she’s said so. I’d love that.’

  ‘Tell me your thoughts about how the shop should be run.’

  Mr Dawson led him on for quite some time, nodding and prompting and asking questions.

  When Zachary realised how long he’d been speaking he faltered to a stop.

  ‘You’ll make a good manager.’ The older man hesitated then added, ‘The other thing we have to consider is your hasty marriage.’

  All Zachary’s joy left him.

  ‘Am I right in thinking you care for Pandora?’

  ‘Very much.’

  ‘And that she cares for you.’

  ‘She thinks she does. But it can’t be. I do understand that.’

  ‘I don’t see why not.’

  Zachary couldn’t speak for a moment or two.

  ‘If you could bear with me while I sort out Prebble – and if Pandora is still of the same mind – we can announce your marriage as soon as he’s gone. Can you cope with working in the shop for a while, put up with his arrogance?’

  ‘Um – do I still have to answer absolutely to him? If so, he’ll find an excuse to sack me, I’m sure.’

  Mr Dawson steepled his fingers together. ‘In some ways, I’m afraid we’ll have to leave him in charge. But he’ll have no right to sack you and I shall make that clear to him.’

  ‘Thank you.’

  ‘Could you start work tomorrow?’

  ‘Yes, of course.’

  ‘We’ve suggested to Marshall Worth that you and he act as though you dislike one another, so that Prebble doesn’t grow suspicious.’

  ‘I don’t know Worth so that’ll be easy enough.’

  ‘Then enjoy the rest of today. And it would be perfectly normal for you to call on Miss Blake to ask how she’s feeling.’

  ‘I’ll do that this afternoon, then.’ He stood up to leave.

  ‘Oh! I nearly forgot. Mr Featherworth is very pleased with how you carried out your task and there will be a bonus for you. In the meantime you’ll need some money, so here is an advance payment.’ He handed over an envelope that clinked.

  Zachary set off to walk home, feeling very happy about his future, though the present would not be easy to endure.

  19

  Ralph stopped for a moment outside Blake’s Emporium, approving the sparkling clean windows and the tidy piles of goods on display there. At least the place had been kept in good order.

  He could see Prebble staring at him from the back of the shop, so pushed open the door and walked inside. That young man did altogether too much staring.

  Prebble came across to him at once. ‘How can I help you, Mr Dawson?’

  ‘We’ll speak in your office.’ He let the other show him behind the counter but didn’t hurry, stopping once or twice to study his surroundings. The packing area behind the shop was also immaculately clean and Marshall was sitting there, a faint smile on his face, weighing sugar from a big sack into pounds and putting it into bags, then carefully folding the tops. How ridiculous and demeaning to keep an intelligent man like that working on the sort of task usually left to the youngest member of staff!

  He winked as he passed Marshall, but said nothing.

  Inside the office Prebble gestured to a stool, but Ralph took the more comfortable chair behind the desk. He saw the young man press his lips together as if annoyed at that but ignored him.

  ‘About Mr Carr . . .’

  Prebble made a scornful noise in his throat. ‘He’s not come to work today, though I’ve sent two messages to his house. I shall have to dock his wages this week.’

  ‘You’ll do no such thing. I’m surprised you didn’t check with me first to find out when he had been asked to return to work.’

  ‘If he cares about his job, he should be doing it now. He’s back from his holiday, isn’t he?’

  ‘Holiday? He’s had a long and tiring journey, faced major problems on the way and acquitted himself well. He needs time to recuperate from such exertions. I’d offered to give him a few days off, but he said he’d come back to work tomorrow.’

  ‘I see.’

  ‘Zachary will still be answering to me. He’s your equal in experience and as you’re temporary manager only, you have no power to dismiss him, or to dock his wages.’ Ralph paused to let that sink in.

  ‘Who’s in charge of the shop, then?’

  ‘You are. For the moment. But I’m sure Zachary will be happy to work with you.’

  ‘If I can’t tell him what to do, how can I run things properly?’

  ‘I shouldn’t think he’ll need much telling. He’s an intelligent young man and knows his job. What’s more, I don’t wish to see him wasting his time packing sugar once he starts again. He’s well thought of by the customers and they’ll want to ask him about his journey.’

  Prebble’s expression was so sour, Ralph felt suddenly sure he would do all he could to make Zachary’s life miserable and damage his reputation with his new mistress. Well, he wouldn’t succeed there. Ralph only hoped she would keep quiet about her marriage, as she’d agreed. He desperately needed an expert opinion on what was happening at the store. He’d better emphasise that when he went to see her.

  ‘There’s another thing Mr Featherworth wanted me to raise with you. The tea that you blend in the shop – Blake’s Best – Mrs Featherworth doesn’t think it tastes as good as it used to.’

  ‘I changed the blend slightly. It’s saved quite a lot of money. People will soon grow used to it.’

  ‘What? Please change the blend back to exactly what Mr Blake used to produce. I’ve spoken to you before about petty cost-cutting. It doesn’t do with customers of this class.’

  Prebble breathed in deeply.

  ‘I presume Marshall won’t be doing such menial jobs for long?’ Ralph asked. ‘He’s a very capable man.’

  ‘I suppose you expect him to work in the shop.’

  ‘That’s what he was hired for.’

  Prebble’s expression was sour. ‘If you want Marshall to serve customers, I’ll need to employ someone else to do the general cleaning. I have an elderly relative who could come in for a couple of hours a day, if that’s all right? She’ll only ask sixpence an hour. I’ve employed her occasionally when we’ve been busy.’

  Ralph decided to yield a little. ‘If you consider it necessary. I’m pleased that you keep things so clean. I’m sure Marshall will not let you down serving in the shop.’

  Prebble hesitated, then burst out, ‘I know he can handle the goods and the change, but the problem is, he’s not presentable! He speaks too broadly and doesn’t know how to deal with the better class of person. I know he’s a hard worker, I can’t fault him on that, but he isn’t the sort we normally employ in this shop.’

  ‘He is now. And I’ll remind you that Mr Blake hired you when you weren’t presentable. Have you no compassion?’

  Prebble scowled. ‘My job now is to run the shop efficiently, not dispense charity.’

  Shaking his head at this attitude, Ralph left the shop and went to knock on the door of the living quarters. When Dot showed him up to the parlour, he was pleased to see that Pandora was looking much better, with colour in her cheeks and a sparkle in her eyes. He nodded to Alice, who smiled as she stood up.

  ‘I’m sure you’ll wish to speak to Miss Blake privately.’ She left the room.

  Such a quiet, restful woman! he thought. How she’d remained unmarried, he’d never understand. His sister thought he should ask Alice to marry him and he was tempted, but he found the
prospect of proposing and making such changes to his life at his age rather daunting. Still, he would hate to see Alice move away from Outham, would miss her greatly. Fortunately, there was time yet to give the matter more consideration, to work out how to do it.

  He turned back to Pandora, who was sitting waiting expectantly, and took the seat she indicated. ‘I’ve been going over the accounts from the journey with Zachary. He’s an honest young fellow, though I expected nothing less from him, and he’s good at figures.’

  ‘He’s kind, too. I warn you, I’m not letting anyone un-marry us.’

  ‘No one’s asking you to, but I do honour him for giving you the opportunity to change your mind. It’s not always easy to do the right thing. If you can be patient, we desperately need him back in the shop for a while, to see if he can figure out what’s happening and help us trap Prebble. We need proof or we can’t act.’

  ‘You don’t like Prebble, either, do you?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘He was waiting for me when I walked back from the Raineys’ yesterday and insisted on escorting me home. It can’t have been by chance that he was there because he doesn’t live in that part of town.’ She grimaced. ‘He’s very polite, but . . .’

  ‘Yes, there’s always a but, isn’t there? We’ll get to the bottom of this, never fear.’

  She put up her chin defiantly. ‘Better do it quickly, then. I’ve given Zachary a month, after which I’m telling everyone about our marriage.’

  Dot, who was carrying some sheets the laundry had just delivered up the stairs to put them away, nearly dropped them as Pandora’s clear voice floated out to her through the half-open door. Married! Her new mistress was already married to Zachary? As the implications of this sank in, she shivered in delight. Oh, how she wished she could be the one to tell Harry. Then her smile faded. No, she didn’t. He’d be furious that his rival had stolen a march on him and would hit out in any way he could. Though how he thought a snirpy little fellow like him would attract a lovely young woman like Miss Blake, Dot couldn’t understand.

  She carried on up the stairs, hugging the sheets to her chest. Eh, it couldn’t happen to a nicer fellow than Zachary Carr and she wished the two of them well, ’deed she did.