Penny Draper - Day of the Cyclone

CHAPTER 6

The Prairie

Let go of me! shouted Jesper. He shook his arm free, nearly pushing the Chinese man down the stairs and losing his hat in the process. Dont you know who I am?

Jesper looked about ready to explode. He was so angry. As Ella stared at him, he took a deep breath, straightened his expression, then bent down and retrieved his hat.

Miss Barclay, what a surprise. Does your mother know you are here?

Ella was caught.

And your companion? Certainly not a young man of any class. Really, Miss Barclay, is this wise? The two Chinese men, Hong and presumably his brother Li, frowned.

Ellas surprise had turned to dismay and was moving right on to fear. Jesper was acting like some other person, somebody she didnt even know. Billy is my friend, Mr. Isbister, she replied with more confidence than she actually felt. Were eating lunch.

In an establishment such as this? Really, Miss Barclay, I thought you knew better. Jesper glared. A stray thought jumped into Ellas head. Without the smile, he wasnt really handsome at all.

Mr. Isbister, why are you here? she asked cautiously.

That is certainly none of your affair, young lady. But if you must know, it is financial business. You wouldnt understand. Now, I suggest you leave immediately and go straight home. His expression relaxed. He looked more like the Jesper she thought she knew. I understand rebellion, Ella, he went on, quietly so only she could hear. I wont tell your mother. But dont come here again. Its dangerous.

Dangerous?

Hong escorted them to the door. He looked sad. Billy reached into his pocket and pulled out two meal tickets. Hong waved them away. No tickee, no tickee. Hong happy happy you like food. So sorry for bad man coming. So sorry. Please come back. He bowed low.

~

Ella was shaking. She was in so much trouble. Billy was embarrassed. Neither one knew what to say. Somebody had to break the silence.

Im so sorry, Ella. I didnt mean for that to appen.

Not your fault, murmured Ella. Just bad luck. They walked aimlessly for a block.

What did he mean saying Hongs place was dangerous? Will the food make me sick?

Billy had to laugh. Good food like that? Never, he replied. Surely youve eard what goes on in the basement of the Royal?

What do you mean? asked Ella.

Its a gambling den! whispered Billy. Didnt you ear your boarder say he wanted to play? He must be a gambler!

Thats utterly ridiculous! Ella snorted. Why would Jesper gamble? He has tons of money.

Gambling aint always about the money. Its about the game. Some blokes cant stop themselves from playing. Anyway, Billy went on, look at it this way, Ella. If hes a gambler, youre safe. Hell never tell anybody he saw you at the Royal.

Ella cocked her head. That did make her feel better. She almost hoped Mr. Isbister was a gambler, just for her own sake. Oh look, Billy!

Theyd walked almost to the railway tracks. Ella hardly ever went there; young ladies just didnt. There were too many burly men with roving eyes. But it wasnt the trains or the men that had caught Ellas eye.

Look at the horses!

Billy smiled. Thats the Palace Livery Stable. I know some of the blokes as work there. Want to meet the orses?

Ellas eyes shone. Would she?! Before her father bought the Cadillac, theyd had a lovely horse named Cleo to pull their buggy. Her father always said that when she was old enough hed teach her to ride. But then he bought the motorcar and sold Cleo. Mrs. Barclay said riding skills were no longer required for a young girl destined to live in the city, so that was the end of that.

Up close, the horses seemed huge. This eres Martha. Shes old and slow and she likes carrots. Billy handed Ella a carrot from a nearby basket. You can feed her if you want. Ella giggled with delight when Marthas sensitive lips wrapped around the carrot, and pulled her hand back quickly when she saw the huge teeth.

Hey, Forsythe, called out Mr. Mulligan, owner of the livery stable. Whatcha up to?

Just visiti n , replied Billy. This er e s Ella.

Mr. Mulligan tipped his hat. Hello, Miss. You like old Martha here?

Ella nodded enthusiastically. Hey, Forsythe, wanta take her for a walk? She walks so darn slow the rest of us aint got time and shes restless. You know shes our weather vane and shes actin like theres a storm coming. But this time Im sure the old girl is wrong. Its too hot and sunny to rain. But I guess she dont know that.

Appy to, but Ella dont know ow to ride, explained Billy. His speech was falling into old patterns, Ella noticed. He sounded just like a worker, not a schoolboy.

Go ahead, hitch her up to the old buggy there. Youd be doing us a favour, boy.

Ella grinned in delight. What fun! She forgot about the incident at the Royal completely as she watched Billy hitch Martha to the buggy. He certainly knew what he was doing. Mr. Leatherby didnt have any horses, so Billy must have had some back in England. Otherwise he wouldnt know what to do.

In no time they were clip-clopping down the road towards Albert Street. Billy turned right and headed north out of town. Their route took them into the Warehouse District. Ella looked around with interest. Shed never seen it before today. Come to that, her whole day seemed to be a series of first times. First big lie, first meal in a restaurant, first taste of Chinese food... Ella felt exhilarated.

Ella, said Billy cautiously, as they clopped along the road. Would you like to meet a friend of mine?

Who? asked Ella cautiously. She already knew all the kids from school.

His names Jock. Hes kind of old, but he tells great stories. He lives around here and I bet hed like a ride in a buggy.

Ella caught her breath. She couldnt. Bad enough she was out alone with Billy. Shed never be forgiven if her mother found out a man had been with her as well. But before Ella could figure out how to say that to Billy, he was turning onto Dewdney Avenue, right into the Warehouse District.

Please, Ella? Hes a grand bloke. I know youll like him.

Ella swallowed. Shed do it! On this day of firsts, she decided she was prepared to do anything.

Billy led Martha past several warehouses and two taverns. My goodness, thought Ella. Real taverns! Many of the buildings were new, and some were imposing. The buildings werent out of place. She was, and that was the story. She felt like an explorer. Ella snapped a photo, wishing she could be in it just to prove that shed been there.

Tucked neatly in the shadow of the Ackerman Building was a small wooden house. Although it was two storeys tall, the whole house only reached as high as the first floor of the imposing Ackerman Building. Billy pulled on the reins in front of the house. Whoa, Martha, he said gently.

Billy helped Ella down from the buggy and led her towards the house. Ella clasped her hands primly and tried to look like her mother, straight and tall and proper. She didnt want any of the Warehouse District men thinking they could speak with her. Shed be terrified to death. But the men on the street either did nt notice her or merely gave her a polite nod. Perhaps the Warehouse District wasnt as terrible as shed been told? Billy knocked on the door. It was opened by an odd little man with a startled look on his face.

Billy? the man said in surprise.

Jock, this is Ella Barclay. Ella, this is my friend Jock Ballogh.

The look of shock on Ellas face was mirrored on Jocks. Wide-eyed, Jock turned to Billy, who was looking nervous.