Search (Episode 17 - The Further Chronicles of a Young Lady (and her Maid))

Continued from Episode 16 - Saunter

The story so far:  Gwladys and Aefelthrith have started a new life running a pawn shop, formerly owned by 'Anty Marj', who they managed to convince they were distantly related to.  'Anty Marj', after some typical twists and turns, was persuaded to sell by receiving Aefelthrith's precious ring and went away a happy woman.  Meanwhile, Gwladys engaged a young urchin, 'Arry, to help clear the back garden of weeds, as a means of giving him a bit of income to support his poorly mother and avoid him either going down the pit or up the chimney, much to Aefelthrith's displeasure. Unfortunately, his digging produced a skull, about which  Gwladys swore him to secrecy and quiickly buried the evidence, which gave them a breathing space, until Sergeant Argent of the Watch appeared in the shop.  Fortunately, he was not pursuing his enquiries but was, to her extreme shock and horror, pursuing Aefelthrith, romantically.  Meanwhile, 'Arry revealed that his Mam said the place had always been a shop BUT Anty Marj had originally had a partner, thought to be her sister, whose name was Sarah, who had disappeared.  Coincidentally, Sarah was the name that Gwladys had told Anty Marj was the name of their shared relative.  With this news, Gwladys tried  to persuade Aefelthrith to go out with Sergeant Argent so that they could find out more, to which she eventually agreed but only with the proviso that Gwladys should serve as chaperone.  On their 'date', Sergeant Argent regaled Aefelthrith with tales of the town, much to Gwladys's frustration but he knew nothing about the history of the shop, then Constable John confirmed that there had been a 'Sarah' but that she had disappeared.  Eager to show off his skills of detection, Sergeant Argent insisted on mounting an investigation:

 

It was the morning after Aefelthrith’s ‘date’ and the shop door-bell rang, insistently, as the door was flung open and ‘Arry rushed in, looking flustered.

“’Ey up, missus” He said, breathlessly, to Gwladys who was leaning on the shop counter with her head in her hands, looking decidedly fed up, “They reckon they’ve seen the Watch comin’ in ‘ere, is that right?”

“They’re in the kitchen, ‘avin’ a drink” Gwladys jerked a thumb toward the black curtaining behind her.

“What they doin’ ‘ere?” ‘Arry looked panic-stricken.

“They’re investigatin’ the disappearance of one of the women what used to run this place”

“Oh Gawd! Yer don’t mean…” ‘Arry nodded in the general direction of the garden.

“Nah” Gwladys shook her head and put a finger to her lips, “and yer dunner say a word about that, right?” She whispered and looked at ‘Arry meaningfully.

“What about if they start diggin’ an’ stuff?” ‘Arry whispered back.

“Yeah, I know” Gwladys looked miserable, “I’m ‘opin’ as ‘ow they’ll get fed up and bugger off afore then.  The trouble is, it all depends on whether she” She nodded toward the kitchen “can beguile ‘em, an’ I ain’t too sure about that”

“Do what?”

“Yer know, use ‘er womanly wiles an’ stuff”

“I wouldner know owt about that” ‘Arry shook his head in a determined fashion.

“Best not to” Gwladys nodded.

 

* * * *

 

In the kitchen, Aefelthrith was, to her considerable disgust, having to take on some domestic duties.

“Can I fill your cup up, a little more, Sergeant?” She asked, sweetly, whilst hovering with a kettle.

“Thank you, ma’am, but no.  My Constable and I should really be about our duties” Sergeant Argent dabbed at his moustache.

“I wouldner mind a spot more, ta” Constable John held up his mug for a refill.

“Constable, what did I just say?” Sergeant Argent frowned at his subordinate.

“That yer didner want no more?”  Constable John hazarded a guess, as his mug was being filled.

“That, and the fact that we have duties to which we must attend”

“Oh, right” Constable John nodded, “fair enough, just as soon as I’ve drunk this”

Sergeant Argent sighed and shook his head.

“It really is kind of you to volunteer to investigate this matter, Sergeant, but I admit I am somewhat at a loss to know where you might begin?”  Aefelthrith fluttered her eyelashes in his direction.  She had been taking some overnight lessons in Basic Beguiling from Gwladys.

“Well, ma’am, with respect, that is where our professional training comes into play” Sergeant Argent explained, puffing out his chest, proudly, “I have a plan!” He tapped the side of his nose.

“Oh my!” More eyelash fluttering, “Would you care to share it with me?”

“It is twofold, ma’am.  Firstly, I will check your accommodation to see if there is any documentation or other signs that might indicate the whereabouts of the missing Sarah…” He began.

“I am sure that, if such a thing existed, myself or my colleague would have found it by now” Strenuous eyelash fluttering.

“Ah, but you do not, with respect ma’am, have the professionally trained eye” Sergeant Argent tapped his forehead, “Secondly, I propose that my Constable here should commence digging in your backyard”

“WHAT??”  Aefelthrith and Constable John exclaimed, in unison.

“This may seem a little drastic, in the circumstances, but you would be surprised at how many apparent disappearances…” Sergeant Argent began.

“’Ang on, ‘ang on, yer never said nowt about no diggin’” Constable John folded his arms and glared at his Sergeant.

“Standard procedure, Constable” Sergeant Argent shrugged.

“Werl, if yer think I’m gonna…”

“One moment please, Constable” Aefelthrith held her hand up, to stop him in mid-rebellion, “I think I can reassure you on that point, Sergeant.  We have recently acquired the services of a young man who is kindly removing the vegetation from our gar…well, what we hope will be our garden.  I’m quite sure that, if he had found anything untoward, he would have let us know” A blush started to make its way up Aefelthrith’s neck at this particular lie.

“You might think that, ma’am, but again, I return to the concept of the professionally trained eye”

“I might ‘ave a profeshnal wossname, but I ain’t got a profeshnal trained back, so I ain’t doin’ no diggin’” Constable John looked determined.

“You are tying my hands behind my back here, Constable” Sergeant Argent hissed at his subordinate.

“Dunner tempt me” Constable John muttered.

 

* * * *

 

Gwladys had been listening to the conversation in the kitchen with increasing concern.

“’Arry, I reckon it’s best if yer make yerself scarce”

“But…I thought I’d get a day’s work” ‘Arry looked downcast.

“Yeah, I know” Gwladys nodded, “but it’s too risky.  It’s bad enough ‘avin’ them crawlin’ all over ‘ere without them pinchin’ you in the bargain”

“I ain’t done nothin’” ‘Arry whined.

“It ain’t so much what yer’ve done, it’s more what yer know” Gwladys frowned.

“I canner change that” ‘Arry shook his head.

“No, I know” Gwladys nodded, “but I reckon it’s best if yer keep out of their ‘air, yer know?”

“I dunner wanter tangle with the Watch” ‘Arry looked miserable.

“Look, ‘ere’s a few coppers” Gwladys rummaged in her pocket, “that’ll keep yer goin’.  Come back an’ see me tomorrow an’ we’ll see where what we can do then, alright?”

“Werl, if yer sure…” ‘Arry weighed the coins in his hand.

“I dunner want yer gettin’ in no trouble”

“Right, missus, I’ll see yer tomorrow” ‘Arry clutched the coins, grinned and made for the door, then turned with a worried expression, “yer not gonna change yer mind, ‘bout the garden an’ all?”

“No, I still want me veg” Gwladys winked.

The door-bell rang and ‘Arry slipped out.  Gwladys turned and set about sorting through some of the stock, and was busily engaged with that, when the door-bell rang again.

“’Arry, I toldjer to make yerself scarce, didn’t I?” Gwladys said, still focused on her sorting.

“Madam, this is your lucky day!  I have the most wonderful investment opportunity to offer you”

Gwladys turned slowly, with a sense of foreboding.  The man standing before her, dressed in a flamboyant style with a feather plume in his hat, was not unknown to her.

“Oh bugger!  Captain d’Arbanville, is it?”

“Gwladys?" The Captain, aka Parson Brown, aka John Thomas (Licenced Victualler), aka Aefelthrith’s former betrothed, looked shocked.

You can find the previous adventures of Gwladys and Aefelthrith in both Kindle and paperback formats at The Chronicles of a Young Lady (and her Maid (link is external)

Now read Episode 18