Mrs. Coleman of Coalbrookdale

By K. Scott Fuchs

To many that pass by Lime Hall, it will be just another other old home along a wandering road outside of Marple, England.
However, to Temperance, the Colemans, and the Mountbattens it is so much more than that. Lime Hall is a place of both refuge
and terror; one of longing for a past that is present in the future; a place where others clamour for a future past in the present. 

 

Join Temperance Lee in the prequel-sequel to Time and Temperance, in the second instalment of this Supernatural Romance. Travel across three centuries from 
the quaint country town of Marple to the notorious Victorian slum of Angel Meadow; and from the rolling hills of Shropshire to the bustling seaside of Blackpool. Chronicling the Coleman Family of the Nineteenth Century, the Mountbatten Family of the twentieth century, and the Lee Family of the Twenty-first century: This is Mrs. Coleman of Coalbrookdale.

• Language: English
• Publisher: K. Scott Fuchs
• Release date: Mar 29, 2024
• ISBN: 9798223718000

K. Scott Fuchs

K. Scott Fuchs is a novelist, poet, and performer. Time and Temperance is his first novel released; the follow-up prequel sequel, Mrs. Coleman of Coalbrookdale is set to be released in early 2024. He is also the author of the poetry compilations, Six Months in Wigan and Poetry from Ryecroft Hall which are also forthcoming.

Book preview

1.

The skies were blue , wafting with cirrus clouds as the waves made their way to the shore, gently collapsing on the sand upon the beach below. I clutched my hand to the porcelain lever and slowly opened the window. The old glass vibrated as the scent of salt filled the room, the breeze casts aside the white lace curtains. Below on the promenade, the granite slabs were empty, only a few seagulls perched on the pillared handrails. Just off to the left, the North Pier of Blackpool extended outward into the sea, its faded wooden decks fixed to the rusted ironworks which towered over the whitecaps. A few early visitors stood at a couple of roundels which protruded from the pier, their blue gabled roofs far fresher compared to the white chipped paint on the exterior walls. At the end of the pier, stood the pavilion house still coated in its antique mustard colour and red iron mouldings. Across from it, the Venetian Carousel housed in a glass conservatory attached to an open-air lounge renowned for playing old tunes from the 1930’s where my beloved and I danced the night before at dusk.

Are you still thinking about the look on the vicar’s face when we walked each other down the aisle? Ivory porcelain hands wrapped me from behind, the wedding band firmly wrapped around the ring finger.

I turned and swung myself around to put my arms around my beloved’s waist. Temperance looked especially beautiful in the sunlight cascading into the old shadowy room. Her blue eyes sparkled, her long hair fell down over my white t-shirt like an avalanche of mahogany and cinnamon. Some strands curled, some had waves, some were still straight; but in the disorder, it was magnificent all the same. I pressed my lips to hers and embraced her.

She pulled back and smiled. I am still gobsmacked that you took my surname as your own... She chuckled. That really sent our friend the vicar for a trip. Her arms clutched around my neck.

Ehh... I pecked her lips. My surname was horrible anyhow. I smiled. ...more importantly, it means a lot to you so I didn’t want you to lose it and I wanted us to be bound. My smile grew extra wider. Happiest moment of my life when we were pronounced husband and wife.

And I.

We shared another passionate embrace and kiss.

It will be interesting to see how this all sorts out with the dynamics in play... Temperance took my hand and led me to the window to in the view of the sea. Our first morning after consummating our marriage... She looked outward. ...I wonder what comes next...

I put my arms around her and lifted my hand underneath my shirt she wore and placed it over the cool flesh of her abdomen. ...Have you ever wanted to go visit London, honey?

She looked out into the waves, analysing and no doubt forming the next theorisation of all the information she stranded together. It’s been many years, since I’ve been there...

How long?

...Too long... Temperance stroked my cheek with the back of her hand I’d love to return but I fear if I showed my face around the St. Bride’s Institute that it may kick off.

Why?

I cultivated quite a reputation around those parts, my re-emergence would only affirm any mythical tales that circulate the area...

But you love it there... I rubbed her stomach and slightly lifted the shirt. And besides I’d be there with you, no one will say anything. I smirked and she glanced up at me with alarm. And that’s half the concern, I know what your like... Temperance smiled and pat my cheeks with a gentleness. ...Give it a bit more time, my plum... She kissed my lips. We still have so many questions that need to be answered...

What about that Iron Bridge?

Her eyes bulged.

You remember...

I laughed. I remember everything you say, sweetheart.

Clearly. She kissed me.

And I recall when we were first dating that you said you always wanted to go there but never had the occasion to do so...

She looked down and nodded.

Do you still want to go?

She got caught in a reverie as if she was reminiscing in the sea of memories crashing against the beachhead below us. The roar of the wind blew toward us and Temperance stood resolute, as if the past had surrounded her and came upon her.

It’s something I have put off but I suppose it would be nice to finally call...

I remember it particularly coming up around the holidays and I have never forgotten that. It seems like you always really wanted to go but something has been holding you back...

There is the Jackfield Tile Museum which I have always wanted to visit and Coalbrook... She cleared her throat. Pardon me, I swallowed funny.

Tile museum?

Some of the loveliest designs you will ever feast your eyes upon. Utter elegance wouldn’t be right to describe some of the exhibits you would find there ... Her eyes lit up. ...An entire empire was spurned from a small factory on a dusty lane in Shropshire...

You seem to know so much about a place you have never been to.

Temperance arched her eyebrows Reminds me of a certain someone, I know. She flicked her eyebrows to indicate who the joke was directed towards.

You’ll have to tell me more about it then... I looked at my watch. We best get a move on unless you want to stay another night? I bat my eyebrows and kissed her.

But what about? She looked down at her hands which formed purple and pink sprites at her fingertips. You’ve had that insulin pump out all night whilst we made love and you woke up this morning in excellent control, do you think that?

I will leave it off for a few hours and see if anything changes. I glanced at the obsidian plastic box packed in my knapsack that bleeped occasionally to remind me of its detachment. Time will tell...

Fortunately, we can sit and wait together.... Temperance clutched my fingertips with hers. Praise The Lord....

Praise The Lord, indeed... I smiled warmly. ...We are bound through his spirit, my love. He’s paved the way. Humbly, I pray that we can be so blessed to have a Mini-Temperance in the future.

Oh, can you imagine it so? She clutched my hands harder. Through The Lord’s grace, when I set my mind to something, He has given an ability to will things into the world. Temperance glanced out the window and her white teeth beamed from her face. Maybe, she will come after all.

I hope so; another you would be a blessing beyond comprehension. I beheld her warm countenance and child-like enthusiasm which radiated from behind her deep irises. Happy looks good on you; you have the most wonderful smile, Mama.

Perchance, this is the beginning of our happy ending.

I’ve longed for you to say that. I kissed her fingertips and looked up at the ceiling as a tear escaped my eye briefly. Let’s get going, I have a surprise for you. I pressed my lips hardly to hers and not long after, we gathered our belongings and I carried them across to the car park.

The seagulls cawed in the background, as I opened the door for my beloved. I took one long look at the towering cenotaph that stood beside the hulking brick balconied hotel. The Metropole placed on the façade in white placard letting, a Corbel Victorian font.

It was such a lovely time; I am sorry to leave. She looked around and held her hat over her head which poured with carnations from the brim.

We still have one more place to go, honey. I placed my hand around the back of her white and blue-striped bodice, as she went to sit in the car.

Another place to go? Her blue eyes sparkled with curiosity.

Yes. I pressed my lips to hers; her cherry red lipstick grazed my teeth as she bit my lip. We continued to kiss as I ran my hand up her navy skirt. That’s the surprise. I patted her thigh and shut the door. She watched as I walked to the other side of the car and get into the driver seat, she inspected the lock to see if it was open. When Temperance perceived that the car door was open, she didn’t move to unlock it for me; her eyes canned as I opened the door, got into the drive seat, and sat beside her.

Get comfortable. I kissed her and fastened my seat belt. We are extending our honeymoon two more nights. I turned the car over.

But I haven’t packed enough for two more nights.

Don’t worry, honey bee. I put the car in drive. I packed some extra clothes of yours in my suitcase.

And I was wondering why my wardrobe appeared emptied. Her smile was almost brighter than her pearl earrings. You shouldn’t have packed so much or I would have had to wear my Incredible Temperance attire as an alternative.

I hit the brake pads and glanced at her. Temperance gave me the most seductive look while wearing a mischievous smile over her face, as she did so. The woman had a talent for double-entendre commentary but she also knew how to be funny, sexy, charming, and alluring all at the same time. I could never do such things on my best of days.

When we get the hotel, please do. I pulled over in an open space beneath the Blackpool Tower. Our hands started to cup each other’s faces, I was careful not smudge her rouge or foundation. Temperance’s red nails clenched into my neck.

I’m wearing it now. She whispered. Beneath all of this. She let out a giggle.

With or without the heliotrope tights? My hands ran across her body, looking for a way to reach underneath her clothes until it arrived at a button. We kissed.

That’s for me to know and you to find out... She bit my lip as we kissed again. Mmmm, can I see it? I grabbed hold of a button and Temperance pushed my hand away. ...you’ll have to wait until later... She giggled.

We can go in the backseat...

Utter filth. She rolled her eyes. Are you aware that people are watching us?

I nodded playfully. We can put on a show.

Voyeurism, much? She feigned a look of disgust. At minimum, we should stop at the services, before we take it any further...

Rivington?

Such temerity... She tapped my nose. I was thinking, Birch.

That one has the fountains, right? I stroked her thigh.

Right you are. She chuckled.

That’s in the opposite direction though...

Where are we going?

That’s for me to know and you to find out... I smirked.

So, you’ve planned this, yea? She smiled back and shook her head.

I nodded. If you don’t want to do it, we can call it off but you do like your adventures and I think you’ll love where we are supposed to go

And where is that?

I already told you, I can’t tell you. I laughed.

Give us a hint...

It’s in a county that ends in shire next to Cheshire.

She squinted her eyebrows at me. That’s an appalling hint.

No, I think it’s pretty straight-forward...

So, Lancashire, Staffordshire, Derbyshire, Yorkshire... She erected a finger with each county she named. ...and we can rule out Wales, Merseyside, or Manchester...

You forgot Shropshire...

That’s not the point. She shook her head. ...your vague lack of a clue spans an enormous geographic area...

I didn’t realise there were rules to the hint, my love... I smirked and she playfully smacked my arm before she deliberated for a moment, glancing up back at the cenotaph outside the hotel we stayed, then up at the Blackpool Tower, and finally out to sea before her finger pointed toward the Blackpool Promenade ahead of us, lined with arcades, bright lights, amusement halls, and souvenir stores. Well we best get motoring then...

About four hours later, we exited the M6 at Junction 12. We were soon speeding down a country road in the midst of Staffordshire, I came upon a lay-by situated beside a rapeseed field and put the car in park. The sound of the bees buzzing through the flowers filled the air, the aroma tickled our noses.

Why have we stopped?

I am sorry, honey... I got out of the car and took off my tie. But I have to blindfold you...

You what? Her voice raised.

You’ll know where we are going and that’ll ruin the surprise.

Are you serious? She pouted.

Yes.

How long will my eyes be covered for?

Half an hour...

30 minutes?!

You’ll know where we are going otherwise. I hung on the car door.

You do realise that I can zap it, right?

Yea... I tapped my fingers against the top of the door. ...but I would prefer you didn’t.

Is all this really necessary?

I shot her a re-affirming look of reluctance as I clutched the door.

She sighed. Fine... She shook her head. You best not be taking me to some obscure location one would find in a George Eliot novel...

I would never, Mama. I opened the back door and got in behind her, slowly I tied my tie around her eyes which were now shut.

Am I really going to agree to this? She crossed her arms.

I finished tying the tie, making sure it wasn’t too snug around her. You don’t have a choice...

Absolutely shocking.

Thank you for cooperating. I kissed her cheek hoping to coax a pleasant smile from her. I love you, my wife.

From there, we were off and for the next thirty-five minutes, Temperance remained sitting with her arms crossed and a rather displeased pout on her face. She barely spoke to me and reminded me much of a little girl who had been disciplined for acting wrong. Fortunately, there was no traffic and I was able to find a space to park in a car park, next to the place we had intended.

Can I take this off now?

Not quite. I opened the car door.

Am I supposed to walk in heels with a blindfold? She scolded me. Are you having a laugh?

I’ll carry you. I unbuckled her seat belt.

I must warn you, if this a tourist site that you may suspected of kidnapping.

We are only going a couple feet. I carefully pulled her out from her seat to her feet. Watch your head. I placed my hand in between her hat, to serve as a buffer. I placed one hand around her waist and kept her upright, closed the door, locked the car, and scooped her up in my arms and carried her. When we reached the entrance to the location, I carefully put Temperance down on her feet and kept my arms around her waist. An old couple walked by and watched me with suspicion. An elderly woman with bushy white hair and a blue track coat lowered her glasses in my direction as her husband escorted her, he wore a navy baseball hat, a red ascot sweater, and khaki trousers. The man also kept a watchful eye.

Okay, sweetheart. I took hold of the knot around the tie. I’m going to remove this now.

It’s about bloody time.

We stood at the toll booth to the Iron Bridge with the long red steel structure standing in front of us. At the end of the bridge, stood the village itself, a Riviera on the River Severn of Georgian and Victorian shoppes, hotels, and pubs comprised of concrete pitched against a steep hill. Houses and cottages of mauve, tan, cream, and pastel coloured stones crept up the hill to where a central cathedral stood highest overlooking the town. The cathedral was like many others you would find in England, a weathered stone edifice with a clock tower and belfry; the steeple extended into the sky with a gold cross at its pinnacle.

I undid the knot and watched for her expression.

Temperance’s jaw dropped and her eyes bulged like a child at Christmas. it’s the Iron Bridge.

A smile filled my face.

You said you always wanted to come here, honey. I wrapped my arms around her from behind ...so here we are. I kissed the side of her head. I wanted it to be a special occasion that I could share with you. I kissed her cheeks and rubbed my head against hers as I wrapped my arms around her, she stroked my chin as she looked at the sight in front of her with wonder.

I smiled at the elderly couple now delighting in the scene, as they passed.

She always wanted to come here. I pat her stomach as I couldn’t conceal my own excitement. Now she finally has!

Nicely played, chap. The gentleman winked at me. He seemed overjoyed at my excitement in seeing my wife happy. I nodded back at him and pressed my hands over my smile.

You see that? I pointed across the bridge toward the end, there stood a hotel. A tan-hued building with Corinthian columns and black shutters, quintessential Georgian. On the front of the building were gold letters: Tontine Inn and Pub.

She nodded with a smile.

We are staying there for two nights. I held her tighter. We can spend as much time as you’d like on this bridge; we can get some ice cream, visit the encaustic tile museum you had interest in, have some nice food. I kissed the side of her cheek and the corner of her lip. There is an open-air Victorian town too, if you feel nostalgic.

I am honoured that you would put such thought into this. She moved her head to look back at me from the corner of her eye. It’s so incredibly sweet.

Anything for you, my queen. I kissed her again. So, let’s go see this bridge, huh? I took her hand and we started to walk to the apex of the bridge. Temperance looked around and surveyed the landscape, the green hills, the stillness of the Severn, and the quaintness of the village. As she glanced down at two canoes that skirted by in the river below, she looked up to the hill where her eyes froze. The initial surprise and sentiment had worn off rapidly and now she had shifted into a place of deep and careful thought.

Coalbrookdale.... Her sight remained fixed on the direction of the town. ...Liv... She uttered the name under her breath and held back a tear whilst doing so. It’s perched behind that hill, there... Temperance clasped my hand with both of hers. Darling, we must go to Coalbrookdale...

We can go whenever you’d like, Coalbrookdale is only a two-minute drive from here. I scratched my facial hair on my chin. There’s another really cool museum up there apparently, it’s highly recommended.

Can we go there now? She replied seemingly frantic.

Don’t you want to enjoy the bridge?

Yes, but I must go to Coalbrookdale. Her eyes filled with a sense of urgency. I have to see if it is still as she described it...

What do you mean by that, Mama?

Custard... She took hold of my hand in an attempt to quell whatever had overtaken her. I knew the look on her face all too familiar, she wasn’t going to let this rest. Can we go, please?

Whatever you want, honey, it’s your holiday... I was happy to oblige though I would have loved to have taken a photo with her at the top of the bridge. Temperance tugged on my hand and led me back toward our car. Any novelty of the surprise had quickly worn off as she was adamant about travelling to Coalbrookdale despite ever treading a foot into the town. Nevertheless, I always honour my wife’s wishes despite the peculiarity of her fixation with the place. Ten minutes later, we were in Coalbrookdale. I parked the car on the side of the road near to a Georgian stone cottage. A middle-aged woman greeted us as we exited the house with her large Golden Retriever on a lead. She had appeared to be going out for a jog, dressed in black yoga pants and a blue tank top with her sandy brown hair tied up in a bun.

Temperance looked around, taking in all of the scenery. The lush green trees which climbed up and down the hill and along the road. The most discernible characteristic about the village was how you could hear a pin drop in the middle of the day, it was literally dead quiet.

Coalbrookdale Inn. She looked down at a large brick house with two chimney flews built onto the hill. Granite steps and a black iron bannister invited patrons to ascend the stairs until entering the main entrance of the house. Its red shutters matched the brickwork, its white window frames accented the homely appearance. That must be where you can get the roast dinner... She spoke aloud.

Would you like to have one, sweetheart? I pointed toward the inn. We can get a table...

She didn’t even acknowledge my question; she was somewhere else. Her head turned right and stared down the road. This way... She took my hand again and led.

My beloved had an air of determination about her, as if she had been fulfilling a long overdue personal mission. We continued down the road until we reached a fork. To the left, the sign said Paradise and Temperance halted when she came upon it. Red freckles formed under her eyes; her cheeks grew red as sweat started trickle down her neck. It was a warm day, but she remained undaunted as her search usurped the environs. She gazed up the hill at a large building, certainly dating back to her era at minimum. It was clothed in a grey but it also boded large white windows with black hoods over each of them. On the top level, the windows were built into dormers and featured freshly painted lattices.

To the left on the hill, stood a church much like the one we saw in the village near The Iron Bridge. However, this church had a rookery for its bell tower. The bells tolled three times. To the left of the church, along a road extending along the brow of the hill stood a brick house with chimneys on both ends of it. The style of the house matched that of the inn we first came upon and many of the other houses scattered along the hillside. However, this one seemed to catch Temperance’s eyes. She started to sniffle and wipe her eyes as she scanned for a way to get to the house. Her sweaty hands tugged on mine and led me to follow her up a public footpath until we got to the top of the hill and stood on the road outside the house. When we arrived at the house, it was pitched back considerably on a rise with a large front garden. A white picket fence wrapped around the garden, the house itself accessible behind a black wrought iron gate at the end of a small series of steps. Next to a mailbox posted the slate bricks on either side of the footpath up to the gate, the number 15 and a blue plaque with an inscription.

John Pritchard’s House Temperance’s words slurred. Erected 1788. She sniffled. She was here and she told me about it... Her words were muffled and less audible. ...I was sitting on the sofa with her and 100 years pass in a blink... She pressed her hands to her eyes, as she started to sob.

I threw my arms around her. My love, what’s wrong? She shook as she sobbed. I held her tight and pressed my fingers to her face to stroke her tears back away from her eyes. I feel as if my mother has gone all over again. Temperance sobbed. ...whilst losing the sister I never had.

I am sorry, honey bee. I dabbed her eyes and cupped her cheeks. Can you please tell me what is on your mind? I pressed my head against hers with a hope it would bring her comfort. I wanted to be connected to her always, in both her sorrows and joys.

Pay no attention to my melodrama. She sniffled and attempted to compose herself while clinging to me with a desperate strength.

It’s not melodrama. I embraced her. Please talk to me... I rubbed her back.  ...I just want to help...

I don’t wish to spoil our honeymoon.

That’s impossible for you to do. I stopped moving my hands to look into her eyes. "I