Mist-Erious

By D.W G. Pope

This novel concerns a History Teacher and her four female students, who by accident, find themselves time-warped into the past. The students are transported with one pair into the year 1850 and the other pair into the year 1800, whilst the teacher finds herself in the year 1750.
This novel follows the lives of all in their different eras.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris AU
• Release date: Jan 12, 2015
• ISBN: 9781503500402

D.W G. Pope

David Pope was born, educated, and grew up in the historic city of Bath in Somerset. David is married, with four children and numerous grandchildren. He emigrated to Australia in 1973 and lives in Cairns, Queensland. David took up writing novels in his seventies.

Book preview

PART 1

Chapter 1

Luxhill Hall

T he bell sounded for the end of the day’s lessons at Luxhill Hall, an exclusive and very expensive school for girls.

Luxhill Hall was situated in the countryside about 40 miles south of London, a small exclusive school of about 50 girls aged from 13 years to and including 17.

Classes were obviously quite small in number and the girls received individual attention, giving them a top class education and ready for their entry into the world of luxury that they would become accustomed to for the rest of their lives.

Unfortunately, it was not a complete education as the school’s curriculum did not include lessons on sex, not that the girls were completely unaware of the difference between males and females.

The School’s Governors and Principal felt that it was the parent’s duty to see to that part of their daughter’s education.

Nevertheless, the omission of this subject, gave the girls no insight into situations that would arise in future.

Miss Edwina Plumm, the history teacher, taught all age groups in British history.

It was her first teaching position, and she felt extremely lucky to have been selected, from a large number of applicants, some, with many years of experience.

Edwina was twenty four years of age, a little on the short side, and inclined to be plump. She had long light brown hair, which she wore in a ponytail and a fringe that seemed to always need clipping. Her face was round and always had a happy smile, and friendly brown eyes, and liked to wear brightly coloured floral dresses.

Edwina reached the door, on which was written ‘Headmistress’ in large bold black lettering. Edwina knocked and waited.

‘Come in’ a female voice said sharply, and Edwina entered.

The headmistress who was also the school’s Principal, Joan Froggmorton, ‘Froggy’ to the pupils and teachers alike, looked up and smiled when she saw it was Edwina Plumm.

‘Yes, Edwina, what can I do for you?’ the headmistress enquired, looking over her glasses.

Joan Froggmorton was in her fifties, slim, and taller than the average adult woman with a gaunt face that had already started to show wrinkles, and black hair that had streaks of grey running through it, and brushed back in a bun at the back of her head.

Froggy liked Edwina, because she was a happy type of person who got along well with the rest of the staff, did as she was asked, and never rocked the boat.

Edwina stood looking at the headmistress with hands clasped together in front of her.

‘I would like to take some of the senior girls to the Luxhill Nature Reserve on Sunday. The forecast promises it will be warm and sunny, Headmistress’

‘I don’t see why not, Edwina, in fact, I think it an excellent idea. It would do them good to get away from the school for a few hours, and get some colour in their cheeks. Ask Joe to drive you over in the school mini-bus’ Froggy said with a smile, and put her head down and went on with what she was doing.

‘Thank you, Headmistress’ Edwina said, and left, closing the door quietly behind her.

The next day, Edwina asked if any of the senior class would like to go for a picnic at the Luxhill Nature Reserve with her on Sunday ‘The weather forecast promises fine weather, and I thought it would be nice to get away from the school for a short while’ Edwina said.

Four girls only, said that they were interested, the rest said that they would rather stay at the school and study for their final exams.

Now that Edwina knew how many she had going with her, she set off to see Joe.

Joe Woodward was in his mid-forties, average looking with a moustache that showed a few strands of grey in it. He was the School Janitor, and did odd jobs around the place, though not the brightest person around. He had been a regular soldier for twenty years, and had retired as a private, never having been promoted.

‘Joe’ Edwina said walking up behind him, startling him.

Joe turned around ‘Gosh, Miss Plumm, you made me jump. I did not hear you coming’.

‘Sorry Joe’ the headmistress has given me permission to take four senior girls to Luxhill Nature Reserve for a picnic on Sunday, and suggested that I ask you to drive us there and pick us up a few hours later.

Joe smiled ‘Yes, I can do that for you, I believe that the weather forecast says it will be sunny, but you best be careful, Miss Plumm, some funny things have happened there’ he said.

‘What sort of things, Joe?’ Edwina asked.

‘I ’eard that people have gone missing, never to be seen again. That’s what they said at the Drunken Duck in Luxhill’ Joe replied with a serious expression.

‘We will be careful, Joe’ Edwina said, dismissing the warning, and thinking that the locals had been having Joe on ‘Can you be ready by 9.45am on Sunday?’

Joe nodded. It was his day off, but he did not mind taking Miss Plumm and the girls to the Reserve. He had nothing particular to do on Sunday, except go to the pub in Luxhill in the evening.

Sunday arrived and at 9.45 am, Edwina Plumm and her four charges boarded the minibus to be driven to the Reserve, wearing their jeans, jackets and trainers.

At the Reserve they all climbed out breathing in the fresh air, happy to be away from the stuffy school for a while.

‘What time would you like me to return, Miss Plumm?

‘About 2.30 I would think, Joe. I expect we will all have had enough by then’ Edwina replied.

‘Right you are, Miss Plumm’ Joe said, and watched the group as they made their way into the Nature Reserve.

Chapter 2

The Mist

T here were plenty of trees, bushes and the grass had been recently mown. There were also hills that were quite high, and looked almost like mountains from the bottom.

‘Let’s go up to the top’ said Jessica, an athletic looking young lady of almost 18 years of age.

‘Yes, lets’ the others agreed excitedly, not thinking that Miss Plumm would follow.

But they were wrong. ‘It will do us all good to have some exercise, but I won’t be able to keep up with you. I will see you at the top’ Edwina said as the others set off eagerly up the hill.

Not only was Edwina a little out of condition, she had to lug the bag with the food and drinks, as well.

Jessica was the first to reach the top. Followed close behind by Celia and Claire, then Victoria twenty yards back, and Edwina Plumm thirty yards behind Victoria.

When Edwina reached the top, puffing and panting, she sat down and handed the girls a drink and had one herself, while she got her breath back.

They looked at the magnificent view from the top, and could see Luxhill Hall, the village, and several towns and villages beyond.

Looking around, Celia spied a cave ‘Oooh look, there is a cave over there, perhaps there is a cave man or two’ she said laughing.

The girls took off, wanting to check the cave out, leaving Edwina to follow with her bag of goodies.

‘Be careful girls, it might be unsafe. Rocks may fall and trap you inside’ she said, and Joe’s warning came into her mind.

The girls clambered their way to the cave, and stopped at the entrance waiting for Edwina, who arrived puffing and blowing.

‘Hello’ Celia yelled into the cave, end they heard her voice echo inside.

‘It’s really dark in there’ Claire said.

‘Let’s go in and see what is in there’ Jessica suggested, bent her head and peered inside, then went in.

The cave entrance was quite wide, but not very high, just like a mouth, Edwina thought.

‘It’s bigger inside, I can stand upright’ Jessica into the cave, leaving Edwina no choice but to follow.

Having no torches, they ventured no further, and waited until their eyes adjusted to the darkness.

Once they could see, they found that they had not been the first to enter the cave, there were signs that a fire had been lit at some time or other. On the rough ground, amongst the ashes, and also nearby, were pieces of cloth, some of which has been burnt.

Edwina, who had joined the girls in the cave, picked up a piece of the cloth and examined it closely ‘This place has not been used recently. This cloth is very old. I can see that it has been handmade, not mass produced. I saw this type of material at an exhibition some months ago. It would be a hundred years old, maybe more’ Edwina said, quite amazed and very excited.

The girls were stunned and looked on in awe.

‘Perhaps there are other things’ Claire said, and they began to look around the cave.

While they were doing this, Victoria stumbled and her shoulder knocked against the cave wall, dislodging some rocks, causing a very minor rock fall.

‘Are you hurt, Victoria?’ Edwina asked a little worried.

‘No, no, Miss Plumm’ Victoria replied ‘but there is a hole, and I can see something in there, and it looks like a chest or a barrel or something’ she said excitedly.

The girls rushed over to see what Victoria had found.

‘It looks like a chest alright, and it might be old’ Edwina said ‘Can we get it out?’

‘It’s too big for the hole, but if we scrape some of the loose rocks away, we might make the hole big enough to get it out’ Vicky said.

Victoria and Jessica pulled ‘It’s very heavy’ Victoria said, pulling at it.

Jessica and Victoria pulled hard, and between them, they dragged it out onto the cave floor.

‘Perhaps it is full of gold and jewels’ Jessica laughed.

There was no lock on the chest, but it had been closed for so long, the lid was stuck.

Eventually, after breaking the seal with a stone, they were able to lift the lid.

Inside the chest, they found three bags, of rough woven cloth.

Edwina stepped forward and opened a bag, and found it full of gold and silver coins in good condition.

Edwina picked up several coins, and found them were dated in the late 1790’s with King George III’s head on them.

A second bag had more coins, again, gold and silver. There were dated pre 1850, with Queen Victoria’s head on them.

The third, slightly smaller bag, contained gold and silver coinage with King George II’ head.

‘These are very valuable’ and excited Edwina declared.

‘We are rich’ Celia exclaimed in delight ‘They must be worth a fortune!’

‘You are quite right, Celia, they are worth a fortune, but they are not ours, they belong to the crown. It is known as Treasure Trove. Maybe we will get something for finding them. The British Museum will be most interested in them as they all appear to be in near mint condition, but you will all be famous, well for a few weeks, at least’ Edwina said, trying to cheer them up a little.

The four faces dropped, thinking for a few moments that they would be rich. Their parents may be well off, but the girls had no real money of their own, just small allowances to help them through school.

‘The chest will be too heavy to carry, even with two holding it, and the bags themselves are heavy too. We will carry a bag each and between two of you, and you can take it in turns to carry the bag.

Celia and Claire teamed up together, and took one bag, and Jessica and Victoria, another. Edwina took the smaller bag, and placed it in her now empty canvas food bag.

The five young ladies went out of the cave, carrying the bags of coins, and stood waiting while their eyes adjusted to the sunlight, before making their way down the hill, with Celia and Claire in the front, Jessica and Victoria, following them, and Edwina bringing up the rear.

They had not gone twenty yards, when a mist descended on them from nowhere, it seemed.

‘Keep together, girls’ Edwina called out, and Claire caught hold of Celia’s arm, as she was taking the first turn to carry the bag, and Victoria did the same with Jessica.

‘I expect the mist will soon dissipate. If we get parted, we will meet where Joe dropped us off, and will pick us up’ Edwina said, and that was the last words either pair heard from Miss Plumm.

The mist did lift, and Celia and Claire, who had continued down the hill slowly, looked back for the others, but saw no one, and then noticed that they were dressed in Victorian period clothes. Dark coloured dresses that reached their ankles.

‘What’s going on?’ Celia said, handing the bag of coins to Claire.

‘Oh my God!’ Claire exclaimed ‘I think we may have been transported through time. What are the dates on the coins?’ she asked.

Celia and Claire checked the dates and found that they had the bag with those minted with Queen Victoria’s head on them.

‘Oh gosh, we must have been in a time warp, and the mist has sent us back 150 years’ Claire said.

‘And with no way back’ Celia said.

The two girls sat down to think about their situation.

‘Is no good moping about it’ Claire said.

‘Yes, you are right, Claire. We have our lives to live, we have a good education, and plenty of money’ Celia grinned and pointed at the bag.

‘Yes, that it true Celia’ Claire agreed.

‘The others must be in the same situation. Jess and Vicky will be in the late 1700’s and probably in the year, 1800.’ Claire said.

‘And Miss Plumm with be fifty years earlier than them, and she would know what to expect’ Celia stated.

Jessica and Victoria had come to the same conclusion as Celia and Claire, and it was Jessica, who was the most down to earth of the four girls, and had weighed up the situation quickly.

‘There is no use feeling sorry for ourselves, we have no choice but to face the world 200 years in the past. We have two advantages, Vicky, we have money, and a good deal of it’ Jessica said, patting the bag of coins ‘and a good education, and one that is better than most men’s in this era, and that should help us to get through this life, but we must be careful not to mention things like cars, TV’s, trains, computers and the like.’

Vicky nodded, but looked sad, and Jessica put her arm around her shoulder.

‘I don’t really mind being in this time zone, Jess, it’s just the thought that I will never see my family again.’

Jessica did not say anything, and felt the same, and gave Victoria’s shoulder a squeeze.

Edwina had also realised what had occurred, and had always longed to find out what it was like to live in the past, and preferably in the 18th Century, which she felt were exciting times.

She felt excited and not a little apprehensive at the same time. Being a history teacher, she knew what to expect, at least she hoped she did, and was not naïve enough to realise that actual living in this era, might be different from what one imagined.

Edwina thought about her four charges, and wished she could have been with them to guide them in a new life.

They are intelligent, sensible girls, and felt they would cope, and knew that they would have an inkling of what to expect, she thought.

Edwina had taught the girls about the poverty and good and bad things in the era of the industrial revolution, that ran from 1760 until 1914, besides all the new laws, the monarchs, prime ministers and people of importance, and hoped that they remembered what she had taught.

CHAPTER 3

Missing

J oe Woodward had turned up to collect the group ten minutes early, expecting them to be there waiting, but, they were nowhere to be seen.

Joe waited and waited, and at 2.30 precisely, Joe climbed down from the mini-bus, and walked into the reserve, to see if there were any signs of them. There was not, so he called out ‘Miss Plumm, Miss Plumm’ He did this several times as he went looking for them. He came upon some other picnickers, and asked them if they had seen the little group, but they had not.

Joe had a terrible feeling that something was wrong, and he recalled what he had been told about people going missing in the area, and shivered, even though it was a warm day.

Joe returned to the mini-bus, and waited another ten minutes, hoping they would turn up.

Joe felt he had to inform the headmistress of the situation, started the engine, and drove back to the school, and parked in the school driveway.

A distraught Joe made his way hurriedly into the school and to the headmistress’s office and knocked on her office door.

‘Come in’ Joan Froggmorton said.

Joe opened the door and went in.

‘What is it, Joe? I am rather busy, can it not wait until tomorrow? She asked rather curtly, looking up with an expression of annoyance.

Joe shook his head and dejectedly blurted out his story.

‘Are you sure about this Joe? You have not been drinking have you and gone to the wrong place?’

‘No headmistress’ he replied.

Froggy thought for a moment ‘Come on Joe, we will go and see if they have turned up late for some reason or other.’

Joe and the headmistress, who grabbed a couple of other teachers on the way, went to Luxhill Nature Reserve to look for the group.

Of course, they found nothing, and no trace of anyone having been there.

A worried headmistress, reluctantly, decided that the police should be involved, and one of the teachers drove off in the minibus to inform them.

The police from Luxhill and the nearby village of Murford, were not long in arriving, and of course, spoke to Joe, who gave the same story as he had the headmistress.

The police from both villages traipsed through the reserve, covering the complete area, including the hills, with the help of the teachers and volunteers of other picnickers, but there were no signs of them, not even a hint that they had been there. They had vanished, with no trace, whatsoever.

Joe was taken to the police station for further questioning, and later released, realising that Joe did not have the brains to whisk five females away into thin air.

The headmistress and teachers were also questioned, but all had been at the school.

Several had seen Joe after he had returned from taking the group to the Nature Reserve, and one had actually seen him arrive back.

It was obvious to everyone that Joe was telling the truth, as he knew it, and the police ascertained that also.

With no clues, the police were stumped, and the press, who had got wind of it, made the most of it, declaring it to be like ‘Picnic at Hanging Rock’ an Australian Classic story.

Obviously the girl’s parents were devastated, and some of the other parents removed their girls from the school, though most parents realised it was not the school that was at fault.

Joan Froggmorton felt absolutely devastated at the Luxhill Nature Reserve mystery. The loss of four girls and a teacher into what appeared to be, thin air, was not only unbelievable but unacceptable.

The whole country was on the lookout for them. Every Police force had strict instructions to find them. Photos of them were in every newspaper and on every television channel, and many theories put forward.

The worst of it was, there were no clues, not even a hint of how they had disappeared. Airports had been checked and ferries too.

The parents of the girls posted rewards for their return.

It was all bad advertising for the school, who, up until then, had prided itself on its exclusiveness.

PART 2

CELIA and CLAIRE

CHAPTER 1

The 19th Century

B oth Celia and Claire were eighteen years of age, and both had birthdays the following month. Celia on the 6 th June and Claire turned nineteen, 10 days later.

Celia had fair hair and a complexion to match. She was of medium height and build. Her sparkling eyes were blue and was an intelligent young lady who was inclined to be talkative. She had an attractive face and figure to match.

Claire, on the other hand, was just the opposite, well, in looks anyway. She had olive skin and dark straight hair, cut short to her neck and in a style that suited her. Claire had black intelligent eyes and was an inch or two shorter than Celia. She was quiet natured and equally as intelligent as Celia.

Both girls were healthy and in a good physical condition.

The girls checked the money and there appeared to be a handsome amount, and they wished it was in notes instead of coins.

Finding that their dresses had pockets, they filled them with the coins to make the bag lighter to carry.

‘I think that we should take life as it comes, and not make plans too far ahead’ Claire said.

I agree, for we do not know what lies ahead for us in this era’ Celia said.

‘What is our first move?’ Celia asked.

‘I think we should decide where we are going. We have nowhere to go where we are now, so I think the best option would be to head for London, where no one will know us, and we will not stand out’ Claire replied.

‘Yes, that is the best plan, Claire, I think if we act with confidence, even when were are not, we should be alright, we are far more educated than most, so if we are confident, perhaps we can make it look as if we are important people. I have always found that showing confidence has got me through some difficult times’ Celia said, giving Claire a reassuring smile and squeezing her hand.

‘I will try, Celia, but I have always been quiet as you know, but if you make a decision, I will go along with it the best I can’ Claire said.

‘Ok, let’s see if we can get a lift to London. Were there trains in this period, Claire?’

‘Yes, steam trains with long funnels, but that might be better than riding in a coach’ Claire replied.

‘It is not easy walking in these long dresses’ Celia moaned.

Claire agreed and pulled a face, which made Celia laugh, then Claire joined in.

They reached the road, and decided by the toss of a coin, to take the left direction and see where it led.

They had been walking for about ten minutes, albeit rather slowly in their dresses, when they heard the clip-clop of horse’s hooves coming along behind them,

When the girls looked back, they saw a man driving a horse and cart coming towards them.

As the cart drew alongside, the man reined the horse to a stop.

‘Where are you two young ladies off to’ he enquired.

‘We came to the country with friends for a picnic, but somehow we lost them, and are hoping to catch a train back to London’ Celia said.

‘Well, you are heading in the right direction, but if you continue walking, you will miss it for sure. You can take a ride with me, and I will get thee there, afore it arrives at the station’ he smiled.

‘You won’t rape us, will ye?’ Celia asked speaking in the accent of the period.

Celia and Claire had been practising speaking that way for the past few hours.

‘Bless me no, young lady. We b’aint all like that. I have a daughter your age. You are quite safe with me’ he said.

Celia and Claire climbed onto the cart, and off they went, the man putting his horse into a trot.

‘Do yo have the money for the fare’ he asked.

‘No’ said Claire ‘my father, Lord Russell will pay for our fares.’

‘You are the Prime minister’s daughter?’ he asked, his eyes widening.

‘Yes’ Claire replied ‘and he will want to thank you for helping my friend and me. What is thy name, sir?’

‘William Foulkes, Miss’

‘And where do you live? Claire asked with a confidence she did not know she had.

‘Oakfield Farm, near Reigate’ he answered.

‘William Foulkes, Oakfield Farm, near Reigate’ Claire said, memorising it.

Bill Foulkes pulled himself upright in his seat, and with a smile on his face, put his horse into a canter.

They arrived at the station and saw a number of people waiting for the train.

Bill reined his horse to a stop, and helped the two girls to descend from his cart.

‘Thank you Mr Foulkes, you have been a great help. ‘I will not forget thy kindness, nor will my father’ Claire said.

A smiling Bill Foulkes climbed back on to his cart, and touching his hat, went on his way.

‘Gosh Claire, that was fantastic. How did you know who the Prime Minister was?’ Celia asked full of admiration.

‘I decided to look up all the important people of the day, ready for our final exams in history. Do you know who is on the throne, Celia?’

‘Victoria, I think’ Celia said a little uncertainly.

‘Yes, that is right, and we need to know things like that. Everyone in this time zone does, so we must, too.’

Celia nodded in agreement ‘Is there anything else I should know, Claire?’

‘I don’t think so, but if anything like that comes up, I will do the talking, otherwise you lead the way’ Claire said.

That sounds good to me’ Celia smiled.

The two girls paid their fare and giggled when they saw the engine with a long funnel.

They took a slow ride in a carriage that had no corridor, and arrived in London in the early evening.

‘We need to find somewhere for the night before making our way to the centre where all the action is’ Celia said.

Not far from the station, they found a reputable looking hotel.

Discovering there was only one room vacant, they took it, not knowing if any other hotel had vacancies.

Luckily for the girls, it turned out to be a double room with a double bed.

After checking out the room they went back down the stairs, where they ordered dinner, after which they returned to their room.

The girls had had a tiring day and decided to retire early. They helped one another to remove their dresses.

‘Gosh, Celia, it is good to get out of these dresses. I don’t think I will ever get used to them.’

‘We have no choice, Claire, but I agree, I would rather wear a mini skirt or jeans’ Celia commented, Claire agreeing with a nod.

‘We will need to have a story worked out, Celia, and we will need to put most of the money safely in a bank, we can’t keep carrying it around like this’ Claire said.

The counted out all the money that was in the bag, which came to the staggering amount of four hundred and seventy pounds twelve shillings and sixpence.

They decided that they would be cousins and that Celia’s parents had died, and had come to live with Claire and her parents.

With Claire’s parents having passed away, leaving debts to be paid, and left on their own, they had decided to sell the house, pay off all debts, and what was left was their’s to make their way through life.

Naked they climbed into bed together, and, as it was not yet summer, and the evening cool, they cuddled up together, placing their arms around each other.

Celia and Claire looked at one another, and Celia commented ‘Well, Claire, we have made it through the first day.’

‘Yes. I wonder how Jess and Vicky are faring in their time zone’ Claire remarked.

‘If they do as well as us, and I think they will, they will make it alright’ Celia said.

Claire smiled, and nodded, and Celia placed a kiss on Claire’s lips and Claire responded.

With their naked bodies pressed together and their legs entwined, they fell asleep.

CHAPTER 2

Bustling London

T he next morning they awoke, still with their arms and legs entwined.

‘A new day and a new life’ Celia said, waking Claire and giving her a kiss.

‘Yes, and though I could stay in bed, we had best get up and dress. We may have a long tiring day ahead of us’ Claire stated.

Both girls rose and dressed in their long dresses.

‘This is going to take some getting used to’ Claire said struggling into her dress.

‘And not having underwear will take some getting used to as well, but it does feel a bit naughty’ Celia smiled.

Claire smiled ‘I’m hungry’ she remarked as they finished dressing.

‘Me too. Let’s see if they provide breakfast’ Celia said.

The two girls made their way downstairs, where they had a good breakfast in the hotel restaurant.

‘The food seems different somehow in this era’ Celia whispered.

‘Yes, probably because everything is produced naturally and without any added so called nutrients and no pesticides’ Claire replied in an equally low voice.

Having no baggage, there was no need to return to their room, and paid for the room at the reception.

‘Where might we get a cab’ Claire asked the hotel clerk.

‘Turn to your right and head towards the Railway Station. You will find a number there waiting for custom’ he replied and gave the girls a smile.

Celia and Claire walked towards the Railway Station, and Claire asked Celia where they would be heading.

‘I believe that Piccadilly and Haymarket areas are where all the action is’ Celia said and grinned mischievously.

‘Then that is where we should be asked to be taken’ Claire said, not knowing what to expect.

Claire, had studied politics and laws of the time, and Celia, the social side of life, both high and low, but Celia had concentrated more on the lower side and vice of the times, though did not mention that to Claire.

The low life had intrigued Celia, and she wanted to see it first hand, and see if what she had read was really true.

Celia and Claire arrived at the Railway Station, and sure enough, there were half a dozen cabs waiting in a line.

Celia told the first one in line where they wanted to be taken.

‘Are you sure that is where you want to go, Miss’ he asked in surprise.

‘Perfectly sure’ Celia replied with an air of confidence.

The driver climbed down and helped the two girls into the cab, and away they went.

It was mid-morning and there were crowds of people everywhere bustling about their businesses.

The girls looked around with interest at everything that was going on including the buildings and shops.

The driver helped them out of the cab when they reached their destination. Celia paid the man and, as he drove off, he said ‘Good luck young ladies.’

‘What do you think he meant when he said that?’ Claire asked Celia.

Celia shrugged ‘No idea, Claire’ she replied, but secretly she knew quite well what he meant, for this was where the whores solicited for business, and they were there in droves.

Piccadilly and Haymarket were full of females, wearing their finery and plying their trade.

‘Is this the action you talked about, Celia? This place is full of prostitutes’ Claire said astonished and in a whisper.

‘Yes, but everything goes on here, day and night, so I read, and anyway, there should be rooms around here at a reasonable price. We should not go lashing out on expensive lodgings, we don’t know how long our money will last.’

‘Yes, you are right, Celia. I knew there would be pro’s about. I read that myself, but I did not expect so many.’

Claire and Celia stood looking, no, staring at the females engaging in chat with the passing males who were also in there fine clothes and wearing their top hats.

‘There is a bank over there. Let’s go and deposit our money, it will be safer and we won’t have to carry it any more’ Claire