Three Round Towers by Beverley Elphick Page A

red-faced Mrs Makepiece who pulled me straight into her strong rounded arms. I wept.

Chapter Thirteen

    Billy-alone had called on Mrs Makepiece as soon as he left South Farm and had poured out his worries at my being taken up by the constable. How could I ever thank him for enlisting this formidable woman to my cause? I took heart as I told her my story and by the time we had sat and talked it all out I was able to get my spirit back and I knew I had to fight Farmer Coad. I had to do it for myself, for Becca and her reputation and most of all for Beth. Mrs Makepiece said to me that unless I got myself together Beth might be taken by the parish and then God only knows what would happen to her.
    She was curious. ‘What makes you so certain that Becca’s injuries were caused by Farmer Coad?’
    â€˜He threatened me with blame for her death and kidnap of the child if I told on him. He must have struck out at her poor body to make it look like someone had killed her. Me. And the child was to have been my motive.’
    Her advice to me was that I tell the coroner exactly what I remembered and trust that he would investigate fairly and that is what I did. He came to the house of correction later that day and I was taken to him. Mrs Makepiece insisted on being present as I had no one else to speak for me. He had his back towards me as we entered but I recognised him immediately. It was the loud physician who had treated Cecilia.
    He sat at his desk and put his fingers together like a steeple before starting to speak.
    â€˜Well, Esther, we meet again. Let me tell you why I have asked to speak to you.’
    Mrs Makepiece interrupted indignantly. ‘She was arrested and hauled through the town like a common criminal!’
    â€˜Aye, so I heard, and I am sorry that Constable Wicks overstepped his authority. Feelings are running high in the town with the supposed murder of a popular young girl. He got a bit in advance of himself. I have spoken to him.’
    â€˜Well it’s a bit late, this poor girl’s reputation has been most grievously injured and…’
    â€˜Mrs Makepiece, can we just get on with the business in hand and then all talk of reputations and arrests can be put under the scrutiny of the facts. Esther, you are not under arrest. A body has been found and identified as your work colleague at Coad Farm: a young girl, of fifteen years, known to you as Becca. She was the daughter of Mr Franklin and has been identified by him. Becca’s father has also made allegations as to why she died and suggested that you knew the facts of it before running away from Coad Farm. I have examined Becca and found that she recently, very recently, gave birth to a child. I also would tell you that Becca died from drowning but she had some injuries to her body that are suspicious and it is those injuries that concern me: how and where she came by them.’
    Mrs Makepiece was about to interrupt again but I stilled her with a gesture of my hand. ‘I will tell you everything I know. I have never had to keep secrets before and I don’t want to, ever again.’
    â€˜Before you begin Esther, can you confirm that the child currently living at South Farm was Becca’s and not, in fact, yours?’
    â€˜Yes, she is, was, Becca’s baby.’
    I told my tale from the moment that Becca had arrived at Coad Farm and he only stopped me occasionally with a question.
    â€˜Thank you Esther. I would like you to remain in the town until I have made some further inquiries but I am happy to let you stay with Mrs Makepiece if that is alright with her?’ he raised his eyebrows enquiringly.
    â€˜Aye, I’ll be happy to give the maid a bed for the time it takes you to get the man who is responsible.’
    â€˜I will do my best to get justice for the deceased,’ was all he said.
    Mrs Makepiece and I made our way back to Keere Street. The crowd outside the goal had dispersed and no one did more