A TWIST OF FATE
Chapter Sixty-Five
Rose seemed a little happier, thought Jack.
He watched her carefully whilst she helped with breakfast. She didn’t know much
about making scrambled eggs, but she helped get the plates out and buttered the
bread.
Outside, dawn was breaking. Jack couldn’t
help but feel the flutter of nerves in his stomach. But he gave nothing away.
Rose ate what was put in front of her.
"I need my strength." She tried to
smile. Jack wasn’t sure about the sudden turn around, but maybe she had taken
in some of the things he said.
He threw the last of his things into his bag.
Rose’s smart bag beside his two shoddy ones. He pulled the blankets off the bed
and rolled them up and began to tie them. Rose watched.
"When you have been on road as long as
me, you appreciate good blankets," he told her.
"We can buy new ones in New York,"
she told him, but Jack shook his head.
"These are perfectly good, besides, you
keep your money, and you might need it."
"I have plenty of money, Jack."
Jack felt a little irritated for no real
reason.
"Well, it might not last forever."
Rose opened her purse and put the bundles on
the table.
"This should last us a while."
Jack’s eyes went wide. He had never seen so
much money. He rounded on Rose.
"Where on earth did you get that?"
"I raided Cal’s safe. I guess he owed me
a divorce settlement."
"You put that money safe, and don’t tell
anyone you have it, ever!" Jack felt another rush of fear.
"And that money is yours, Rose. Yours.
Not us."
"It’ll get US away from here."
Rose’s voice rose.
"I’m helping you as a friend, Rose. I
don’t want your money." Jack pulled the string on the blanket tight. The
jitters were getting to him now and he was taking it out on Rose.
"I don’t want you think I’m not
grateful. You have helped me, Jack. I want to reward you."
"I’m not a servant, Rose. I don’t need
rewarding," Jack spat. Realizing what he had said, he took a deep breath
and turned to a deeply hurt and upset Rose.
"Rose, I am sorry. I truly am. I didn’t
mean to shout at you. I know you mean well and I’m a little jumpy too."
"It’s all right, Jack. Really."
Rose tried to smile. Inside she was learning fast, to harden up, fight back,
and fight on. Life was really like this, not the soft cushioned world she had
lived in. She, too, was beginning to wonder if she had made the right choice
asking Jack to help her. After all, she had only met him a few times and now
she was almost dependent on him. Maybe she could have done this without him.
No, she did need him and his help. Regardless of whatever. Until she got to New
York and learned how to look after herself, she would need Jack’s help.
Jack pulled out his portfolio and flicked
through it. Closing it, he tied it with string to keep it safe.
"There, that is everything."
He glanced round the apartment.
"I’m sorry I shouted, Rose. But you must
keep the money safe. It is an awful lot of money."
"I know, Jack. I will have to find some
way of keeping safe in New York. I’ll keep my purse with me at all times."
"You would be better putting your purse
in your bag. Remember, you are a poor person now. That bag is too good."
Rose pushed it into her bag. Jack was right.
She was supposed to be a third class person.
"Well, lets go." Jack pulled on his
jacket and Rose draped her shawl round her shoulders. There was no way she
could manage to take a coat with her so she hoped she would not be too cold.
"Can you manage this bag, and I’ll take
yours?" Jack offered her the lighter of the bags. He didn’t want her to
carry anything too heavy, but taking a cab was out of the question. "If
you need to stop, you must tell me. I’m sorry, but it’s the only way we can
take our things. If we call a cab, it’ll draw attention."
"I know," replied Rose, tying her
hat ribbon. With her hair tucked away, she pulled the brim down to hide her
face.
"Remember," reminded Jack,
"try not to speak too loud in front of people. They’ll recognize a good
accent like yours."
"I will," sighed Rose. There were
so many rules to remember.
They picked up the bags and went to the door.
Jack checked outside before they left. Locking the door behind him, he wrapped
the key in a note and pushed it under the next door. The note just asked that
the key be returned to the landlord and that he was going to California. He
said thanks for their help and wished them well. He hated doing it that way.
But there was no choice.
Picking up the bags again, they set off down
the stairs.