Paupers Graveyard by Gemma Mawdsley

ever since he’d run into that Fitzwilliam in one of the local taverns.
    Elizabeth found her father at the kitchen table with his granddaughters sitting around him in silence. He looked up on Elizabeth’s arrival, but there was no word of welcome, no smile to soften the hardness in his eyes.
    â€˜Hello, Father, I trust I find you in good health?’
    â€˜Well enough, and too busy to receive visitors.’
    â€˜I can see that, Father. I just wanted a word with you in private. It will only take a moment.’ She nodded to Lucy, who took this as her cue to take her sisters outside. When they were safely out of earshot she said, ‘I need your help.’
    He held up a hand.
    â€˜If this help, as you call it, means taking you and your young ones in, you know where I stand. I’ve enough to do without having four more mouths to feed.’
    â€˜But you’re doing well, Father. I saw three more labourers in the yard, and there’s a room lying empty at the top of the house. We won’t take up much space and I can help in the house.’
    â€˜Mrs Riordan sees to all that.’ The daily help, if the rumours were to be believed, was far more than a housekeeper.
    â€˜Then you could get rid of her. Save that wage.’
    â€˜I’ll not get rid of her, indeed! I thought I was rid of you, and now you want to come back and with three more along with you! I’m not having you back here. Haven’t you a grand roof over your heads as it is? You don’t like your new master? Well, get used to it, my girl. There’s better than you have had to.’ He was red with anger.
    â€˜He comes to my room at night, Father, tries to open the door.’ She felt so mortified at having to speak to her father of such things.
    â€˜And?’
    â€˜He tries to come in.’
    â€˜Well let him in and maybe he’ll treat you better.’
    â€˜Are you saying I should sell myself for a place to live, Father? Would you make a whore out of your only child?’
    â€˜Enough,’ he banged the table with his fist. ‘You’ve said enough, madam.’
    â€˜I’ve only started! My husband was good to you while he lived. It was he who gave you the horses that pull your plough.’
    â€˜All that’s in the past; no good can come from bringing the dead into it. Your husband can’t help you now. Go on your way and don’t trouble me again.’
    â€˜You have my word on that,’ she said, shaking with temper. ‘I’ll never see you again.’
    â€˜Good.’
    The children were looking at the spring lambs when she called to them. Without waiting, she walked through the yard gate and out onto the track that would lead her back to Maycroft. Catching Mick’s eye, she shook her head and turned away, afraid he would see the tears.
    The children were breathless when they finally caught up with her.
    â€˜Did it not go well with grandfather?’ Lucy asked.
    Elizabeth drew her close.
    â€˜I asked if we could come and live with him, but he refused.’
    â€˜Has Uncle Charles asked us to leave?’
    â€˜No, it’s just that I’ve been unsettled since your father died. I’d prefer to find a place of our own, one without so many memories.’
    â€˜You don’t like Uncle Charles do you, Mamma?’
    â€˜Well, it’s not that I don’t like him,’ she lied. ‘We have different ideas and tastes and it is difficult to live with someone with whom you have nothing in common.’
    â€˜I don’t like him either. I know you think I’m still a child, but I’m not really. I hate the way he looks at me. I always feel he’s going to bite me.’
    Becky and Charlotte came running past, shouting at their sister to play with them.
    â€˜We must look out for one another from now on,’ Elizabeth said.
    â€˜Yes, Mamma.’
    They walked back to the Hall an arm around each other’s waist, and for