A TWIST OF FATE
Chapter Sixty-Two
Rose anxiously looked outside. Where were
Jack and Trudy?
"Jack?" she called out in a hoarse
whisper.
Jack leaned against the building, trying to
keep in the shadow. He looked again at his pocket watch and looked at Trudy.
"She will be here in a minute. I am
sure." Trudy tried to reassure them both. They both looked at the door.
"Maybe it’s the other door." Jack
was about to move when they both heard Jack’s name being called.
They went to the corner of the building.
There was Rose, looking anxious.
Jack suddenly felt awkward. How did he react
to Rose?
Rose rushed forward, so relieved to see Jack,
she hugged him.
"Are you OK?" he asked.
"Yes, I was delayed. Thomas was late
back and then Williams sent for Cal. He wanted me to wait, but I had to go
there and then. We must get away from here." Turning to Trudy, she also
embraced her maid.
"Oh, Trudy, I will miss you so much. I
have to leave now, and so must you. We will get you a cab away from here."
"Did you have any problems, Miss?"
"Only Williams taking it upon himself to
inform Cal at the office. He will be back by the time you return, I fear."
"I have the boxes from the milliners
here. I will tell him that is where I have been."
Jack took Rose’s arm.
"We can get through the gate at the
bottom of the cemetery. Let's go now. We can talk later."
"Wait, I have to do something! Jack,
please excuse me."
Jack looked at Rose, puzzled, until he
realized what she was doing.
"Uh, okay," he mumbled, looking
away.
Rose quickly removed her skirt, revealing a
red skirt underneath. Trudy passed her a hat, which she fastened on whilst
Trudy screwed up the skirt and shoved it in the bag.
"Now," she said. "Let us
go."
Jack ushered them forwards and followed behind,
glancing over his shoulder, looking out for anyone. He saw no one. They hurried
down the path and through the gate and onto the pavement. It was quiet there,
too.
"Oh, Miss Rose, how will I ever know you
are safe?" asked Trudy, clutching Rose’s hands.
"If Cal never finds me, and you never
see me in his house, then you know I am safe," smiled Rose, trying to be
braver than she felt.
"Here, take this." She pushed some
money into Trudy’s hand.
"I can’t accept this," replied
Trudy, with a tear in her eye.
"Yes, you can. You have done much for me
and will surely lose your job. Take this money as my thanks. You have earned
it. Maybe you and Matthew may even get married. Please be happy. Please."
A tear rolled down Rose’s face.
"We must go, Trudy. Take care.
Good-bye."
Rose tore herself away and began to walk down
the street, never looking back. She knew Jack had stopped to say something to
Trudy, and then she heard his steps as he caught up with her.
"Rose, are you OK?" he asked again,
concerned at the tears which were streaming down her face.
"No, Jack. I am terrified. Let us get
away from here." Rose put her head down and carried on walking. She said
nothing for most of the time. Jack led them through the back streets towards
his apartment. Still Rose said nothing and Jack began to wonder if he made a
mistake.