Families are Forever

By L. A. Brand

This is a story of resilience and survival.

It begins when a man, James, and a woman, Sarah from different faiths meet. When they marry, her family cast her out and turn their back on her.

When Jame

• Language: English
• Publisher: The Media Reviews
• Release date: Dec 21, 2022
• ISBN: 9781958091784

Book preview

title

L. A. Brand

Copyright © 2023 L. A. Brand.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the author and publisher, except by reviewers, who may quote brief passages in a review.

ISBN: 978-1-958091-79-1 (Paperback Edition)

ISBN: 978-1-958091-80-7 (Hardcover Edition)

ISBN: 978-1-958091-78-4 (E-book Edition)

Book Ordering Information

The Media Reviews

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Printed in the United States of America

Contents

Author’s Note

Part 1

Sarah

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Part 2

Charlotte

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Part 3

George

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Chapter 40

Chapter 41

Chapter 42

Chapter 43

Chapter 44

Chapter 45

Chapter 46

Chapter 47

Chapter 48

Chapter 49

Chapter 50

Chapter 51

Chapter 52

Chapter 53

Chapter 54

Chapter 55

Epilogue

T here are many reasons why a family unit breaks down. Here, the problems begin with the death of the bread winner and head of the fa mily.

This is a story about people from three cultures and how their lives become entwined. Jewish, Huguenot Silk Weavers from the East End of London and Romany Gypsies.

The story begins when a Jewish woman, Sarah and a Silk weaver, James meet. They marry and she is ostracized by her family because she married outside the faith. James dies in a tragic accident.

Confused and unable to cope alone she leaves their children at the workhouse and decides to commit suicide in the river.

The story continues when Charlotte and George, the two children are separated in the workhouse and lose touch with each other.

Follow the lives of these children as they struggle with the trials and tribulations of life. George is sold to a Silk Mill, runs away, and joins a Gypsy family and follows the fairground. He gets into trouble and has to join the army to escape prison.

Charlotte is sold into service as a servant. She joins the F.A.N.Ys auxiliary service and learns nursing skills, is sent to France to drive an ambulance. They both survive the war. George goes back to the fairground and has to reclaim his life and his children. Charlotte cannot go back to being a ladies maid and has to adjust again to a new life.

Sarah does not drown but is rescued and now has a long road to find her children.

This is a character story with emotional ups and downs.

A family’s love does not always come from the connection through bloodline, but also built between friends and networks formed throughout our lives.

T his book is dedicated to Tony who I know would have encouraged me even if he thought it was one of my usual hair brained sch emes.

To my son Matthew who makes me very proud.

To my friends Pamela and Jackie Turley here in Spain who sat through my early readings and encouraged me to get it published.

To Daniel for his encouragement and belief in me.

One of my heroes is my cousin Keith.

A special thank you to my cousin Lecy who helped with research and ideas, and cousin Ed who gave me the story about Tom which was written by his late father. I have kept it as he had written it, mistakes and all.

Author’s Note

W hen I was diagnosed with severe Ulcerative Colitis and had to have a long period of bed rest, there were not many things I could do. I tried my hand at water colour painting, giving most of them away, stamp collecting, knitting, embroidery and finally family research. I decided to find the origin of my mother’s maiden name of Rozee, which I discovered was Huguenot, possibly from France although that link has not been positively proven yet. My maternal grandmother was a Brooks from Romany Gypsy. My father, a Taylor was also from Romany Gypsy and Fairground Showmen. Also on my maternal side, one of my great grandfather’s married a Jewish lady, although it was his second marriage and I am not a direct descendent of her, the link is there. I brought these different factions together to make up this story. The trial at the Old Bailey for the alleged theft of a bolt of cloth is on record although I have changed the n ames.

My brother Henry and I spent some time in The Barnado’s home in Barkingside when our parents were both diagnosed with Tuberculosis. I do not remember too much about it as I was only three years old, but I do remember that I was not unhappy during my stay.

I researched the Jewish wedding ceremony on the internet, as my friends had ‘married out’ in registry offices and could not help me.

This is not meant to be an accurate account, but a story with some explanatory context.

Any resemblance to anyone living or dead is purely coincidental.

Part 1

Sarah

Chapter 1

A s it was in the tradition in the Jewish faith, Sarah’s parents had arranged their daughter’s wedding. The date had been set and numerous invitations sent to guests. There were so many, it was necessary to hire a hall for the reception that would take place after the wedding ceremony. It was necessary to keep up appearances within the community and everything had to be per fect.

The courtship was formal and had been properly chaperoned, and lasted for a respectable amount of time. They attended functions together to allow them to be acceptable as a couple within their social circle.

Jacob Solomon was a good, kind, respectable young man and Sarah Yetton was happy enough to marry him. He had been working in her father’s jewellery shop for some time and the two fathers had been friends for many years. Both sets of parents had been talking about the marriage ever since the two were children. Many of these arranged marriages were between complete strangers, and Sarah considered herself fortunate that at least she knew Jacob and liked him.

In keeping with the traditions, the wedding would be actually two ceremonies in one. The first being the Erusim (sometimes called Kiddushin), the legal agreement, and Nissuin, (The Nuptials), the active part where the couple begin their married life together.

James Rozee had been recommended to Mr. and Mrs. Yetton as being the best weaver in the district, and after seeing many samples of his work he was employed to weave the silk cloth for Sarah’s wedding dress.

There had been an instant attraction between him and the young girl when they first met to decide on the design for the material he was to weave. He was very handsome with light brown wavy hair which fell over one eye. He was almost six feet tall with broad shoulders and piercing deep blue eyes. When she at last raised hers to look at him, she could not look away! The way he looked at her as he softly caressed the cloth samples he had shown her made her breath catch in her throat. She blushed and he smiled with his eyes twinkling at her predicament, but she could not help herself. His look had awakened strange and wonderful feelings inside her. She should be ashamed of herself and hoped that her mother had been so interested in the silk samples she did not notice the exchanged glances.

Over the next few weeks James visited the Yetton’s on all kinds of pretences about the cloth he was weaving, but of course he was there in the hope of catching sight of Sarah and whenever he did his heart raced and he became tongue tied.

From the first moment he had laid eyes on her she had filled his thoughts. She was so beautiful. He would sit in the loft he rented thinking about her and daydreaming instead of working at his loom. He made up his mind that somehow he was going to meet her alone to try and find out if she felt the same about him. It was a reckless thought but he could not go on like this. He had never felt this way before, and he just had to know if she felt the same way.

James arranged to visit the Yetton’s on yet another pretext but this time it was during an afternoon when he knew Sarah would be alone while her father was at work and her mother was visiting friends for tea.

As he stepped up to the front door and knocked, his heart was beating so hard, he thought it would jump out of his chest.

A maid showed him into the parlour and there she was. A vision, with wonderful dark brown eyes which made him feel as if he were melting when she looked at him. Her hair was as black and shining as a raven’s wing, hanging in ringlets touching her shoulders and topped with a pretty lace cap. Her skin was pale olive and softer than the finest silk he could ever weave with a beautiful glow on her cheeks. Her lips were full and James had often wondered what it would feel like to have those lips pressed on his. He tried in vain to concentrate on the trivial mention about the cloth he had made up.

James was unable to stand it any longer. Suddenly he as took hold of her hand, he exclaimed.

Oh Sarah! You are so beautiful. I cannot think of anything but you. You have filled my thoughts night and day ever since the first time I saw you. There! I had to tell you. I must also say that I am not sorry for telling you and if you send me away, I will understand.

Sarah clutched at her chest which was heaving with every breath she took. James could bear it no longer and turned to leave, believing her silence to be shock and disgust at him.

I….. She managed to say at last.

I had only dreamt that you felt the same way about me.

James turned slowly to face her, hardly daring to believe what he had heard.

I knew it from the first moment you walked into the room. It was like an arrow had been fired into my heart, but I could do nothing about it while Mama was sitting there between us.

When he heard these words, James’s heart skipped a beat, but her next words stopped him dead.

It is hopeless James. It cannot be. You know I am to be wed in a few weeks.

No, Sarah. It is not hopeless! I will think of a way we can be together. He was trying to sound more confident than he felt.

They came together in an embrace and held tight to each other, neither wanting to part in case the spell was broken. Both knowing that they were meant to be together no matter what.

At last they parted. He had to be gone before Mrs. Yetton returned home. Their lips brushed gently as he said.

Goodbye, Sarah. I will find a way I promise.

As he walked along the street James felt as if he was floating.

Sarah, Sarah, Sarah.

He could not stop saying her name. He wanted to shout it, to sing it.

Sarah loves me. I love Sarah.

He knew he looked stupid but he did not care; he was in love. In love with Sarah Yetton, the most beautiful woman he had ever laid his eyes on, and she felt the same way about him. She loved him, she loved him!

Life was wonderful.

As the days passed, James saw very little of Sarah. Her mother kept her busy with preparations for the wedding. The silk cloth James Rozee had woven was beautiful. It was of the purest white with embossed flowers and thin strands of silver woven into the design so that it shimmered as it caught the light with the slightest movement.

Mrs. Yetton noticed a change in her daughter’s attitude but put it down to tension as the great day grew closer. What with the dress fittings, and the caterers to see, to make sure the menu was right for the reception. The flowers needed to be checked again and a hundred and one other things to organize. Of course Sarah had to be with her, after all, it was for her when all said and done.

‘Why did she not pay more attention? It must be nerves, and although there was only one week left these things had to be kept an eye on or mistakes could be made.’

The day of her wedding arrived, and here she was standing at the top of the stairs, wearing the wonderful dress made from the silk James had so lovingly woven. She had hardly seen him for the last week. Just for a stolen moment here and there when he had told her again and again that he loved her and that he would find a way for them to be together but now the time had run out. Her father was calling her.

Sarah. My child, it is time to go to the synagogue. We will be late if you don’t hurry.

Slowly she walked down the stairs to her father who was almost bursting with pride at the sight of his daughter. His only child on the day she would be promised to another man. He was happy that she would go to a good, kind man but he was also saddened by the thought that she would have to leave the family home. His lovely daughter was preparing herself to leave and make her own life with her husband. After the actual wedding ceremony she would go and live with Jacob’s family for a while until they could afford a home of their own.

My dear child, you look beautiful, never was there a more beautiful bride.

She managed a smile for him. She loved her father so much and he had spared no expense on this wedding. He had made sure that she had the best of everything.

Sarah took his arm and they walked out of the house and climbed into the carriage that would take her to be betrothed to Jacob Solomon, the man to whom she had been promised.

Just as she was about to walk into the synagogue she caught sight of James among the throng of people and her heart lifted, but not for long. She saw the dejected look on his face. He half raised his arms and shrugged his shoulders. He had tried everywhere to get lodgings cheap enough for them to afford but there were none. How could he expect her to go anywhere with him when he could not even provide a roof over her head?

Sarah and Jacob had not seen each other for a week when Jacob came and faced his wife to be to check that it was her he would be wed to. This was a ritual in remembrance of the biblical tale of Jacob who thought he was marrying Rachel when in fact he was tricked and married to her sister Leah instead, and the ceremony of Erusim took place.

As Sarah stood beside Jacob under the Chuppa, the marriage canopy, she looked at this kind, gentle man. She found him attractive enough and he had treated her with patience and kindness, putting her moodiness down to nervousness due to the forthcoming ceremony and the preparations for the wedding.

As she stood there, her thoughts wandered.

‘Yes, she was fond of him, but he did not stir her senses the way James did. Would he make her happy? She knew he would certainly try.

Could she make him happy? No, she was sure she could not! What was that being said?’

Her thoughts had rolled on in this fashion until she was jolted back to what was happening.

It was the Rabbi speaking but she had not been listening to the formal introductions he was making to the congregation. The families were standing around the Chuppa, and now, as Sarah raised her eyes slightly she caught sight of her mother who was already dabbing her eyes. She would be crying and sobbing wholeheartedly soon; and her father, standing there, upright and proud. How could she let them down? But she must.

Sarah!

It was the Rabbi calling her name but she did not want to listen, she had not heard a word of what was being said, neither had she seen Jacob try to give her the Ketubah, the marriage contract.

Sarah looked again at Jacob, took his hand and kissed it gently as her eyes filled with tears.

She cried as she picked up her skirt and ran to the door as fast as she could.

I am so sorry.

She flung the door open and reached the steps just in time to see James crossing to the other side of the road and walk out of her life forever. Her bodice was so tight she could hardly catch her breath to call out.

James! James! She called feeling panic welling up, James!

The last thing Sarah remembered was calling James’s name and seeing him turn around. James had heard her call, spun around and ran to her as fast as he could. Just as he reached her, she swooned into his arms. He held her in his arms and carried her to the carriage and set her down gently. When she finally came out of her faint, she was in the carriage which had brought her to the synagogue, her father gazing down at her with such concern on his face.

He said.

It has all been too much for you. I knew you were not well.

Papa I am not ill, but I cannot go through with this marriage. I do not love Jacob and I know I will never make him happy and I won’t be happy either.

Oh, is that all? You must not worry about that, he said with great relief, as he gently tapped the back of her hand.

You will learn to love him in time and he will love you too. You like him don’t you?

Sarah nodded,

But I don’t love him, Papa.

He shook his head slowly and said.

Sarah, look at your mama and me, we were not in love when we first married, and ours was an arranged marriage, but it grew as the years passed. Our only regret has been that we were not blessed with more children but I have been happy and content.

Sarah was sobbing now.

No, papa, it is more than that. I love another man, I love James Rozee. I have to go where my heart bids and my heart is with him.

I forbid it! Her father exclaimed. Do you realise what you are saying? If you go to this man; and he is a Gentile, you will no longer be my daughter. You will be dead to me! He is not even of our faith!

He was blustering, unable to speak any more.

He did not understand what had happened and sat shaking his head. This morning he thought he would burst with pride and happiness, and now, in just a few short hours he was faced with this.

‘How can I hold my head up in my community again? How can I go back into the synagogue and face the Rabbi?’

He was forced back to the present by his daughter’s pleas.

Please papa.

Sarah pleaded.

Try to understand I could not bare it if you turned your back on me.

You have my answer, if you do this thing you will be dead to me. It is the way of our teachings that you do not marry outside the faith.

Through her sobs she said.

I must go to James, I love him.

There was nothing else she could say. Her beloved papa had turned his back on her. He would say no more to her. His pride and his belief in his faith and its traditions would not allow him to, although his grief was total. Sarah climbed down from the carriage and walked over to James who had been waiting nearby.

I promise I will do my best to make you happy, he said as he held her close in an embrace.

Anyway, I have just had a wonderful idea. I don’t know why I did not think of it before. We can stay in my loft! I know it is not ideal and will be very cramped, but at least it means we can be together.

Her face brightened at this thought and she held her head up and smiled into his face.

Yes, I am sure it will be fine for a while until something else turns up.

Her spirits lifted but she was sure he had not the faintest idea how much she had given up for love and for him. At that moment, she would have gone anywhere with him without one second of doubt or regret. She loved this man with all her heart and soul.

Without stopping to think any more, they took a cab to the place they would now call home until something else could be arranged.

James carried Sarah over the threshold and as she stood beside him she looked around the room for the first time.

It was clean and bright, although very cramped, a bed taking up much of the room. A table and chairs and an armchair by the fireside made up their living space. The rest of the space by the windows was taken up with the two looms and stacked threads of all colours that James needed to weave his silk. She would think later how she could brighten it up and make it feel more homely. Right now, she had other things on her mind.

Chapter 2

W hen James had first taken Sarah to his bed, he thought he would burst with happiness. She had given herself to him willingly and after he had gently taken her, she had clung to him and told him she never believed she could ever be happier as long as she lived. They had laid entwined together and made plans for their life together for much of the n ight.

Sarah lived with James for a few months, sharing the loft room with him and his looms which were never still from morning to night, and she soon got used to the noise. At least, while he was busy weaving his fine silks for his many customers, he was earning good money for them and they were very happy just to be together.

With great pleasure she set about making the room suitable for living in. As soon as there were any off cuts, she made curtains, a table cloth, chair covers and a mantle cloth. At last the living area began to look more like a home and not a work shop.

The area of Spitalfields in the East End of London was very different from the wide leafy avenues of Golders Green Sarah had been used to.