Читать книгу Grand Deceptions - G. S. Willmott - Страница 8

January 1, 1856

George Griffith was preparing to celebrate his 21^st birthday. His parents, Harriet and Harold, had invited one hundred guests to their home in Somerset for a party to end all parties, doubling as a New Year’s celebration. George was regarded as handsome with black hair and dark brown eyes and his posture was such that he appeared taller than his 5 feet 10 inches.

‘So, George are you looking forward to the festivities?’ asked Harold.

‘I am Father, and not just to the party but to coming of age.’

Harold looked at him thoughtfully. ‘Yes, son, you are now a man with all the responsibilities that entails.’

‘Like earning a living, you mean.’

‘Yes, that’s part of it. Have you given any more thought about what you would like to do?’

‘I’m still considering your offer of joining you in the bank, but I’m still not sure.’

‘Well, George, you’d better decide soon.’

‘Yes, I know.’

Harold laid a hand on his son’s shoulder. ‘We’d better get organised. Your guests will be here any moment.’

‘I purchased a new outfit for the occasion, so I’d better get changed.’

‘Did you? I’m just wearing the same old thing I wear every New Year’s Eve.’

‘Hardly the same old thing sir! I’ve always admired that Savile Row suit.’

‘Yes, I must admit I always feel special when I’m wearing it,’ Harold admitted.

The two women of the house were also getting themselves ready for the big occasion Harriet had chosen a low-cut velvet dress, while her daughter Jane had chosen satin with the same fashionable neckline.

They both looked beautiful as they made their way to join the gentlemen in the foyer ready to greet the first guests already arriving to wish George a happy birthday as they presented him with gifts.

Soon the house was filled with the sound of conversations and laughter. At midnight the guests sang Auld Lang Syne and immediately after that, every guest present shouted Happy Birthday George.

When George finally made it to bed at 3.30 am, he was exhausted but euphoric.

The next morning, the young man decided to try and clear his head by taking a walk along the River Brue which bordered his parents’ property.

As he walked, he noticed young Cathy Haines swimming in the river. He stopped and called out to attract her attention. ‘Good morning, Cathy! I can’t believe you’re swimming… it must be very freezing in there.’

The girl rolled over on her back and regarded him with an impish smile. ‘It is when you first get in, but you get used to it. It’s very invigorating, George. You should join me.’

George didn’t hesitate but disrobed and jumped in the freezing water which almost took his breath away. ‘Blimey, Cathy! It’s freezing.’

‘Don’t be such a Nancy. Come over here and I’ll warm you up.’

As George began to swim over, he could see Cathy’s ample bosom floating in the water.

‘Come on, George, put your arms around me and I’ll warm you up,’ she urged.

George’s loins were stirring and despite the chill, he felt very amorous. ‘Cathy, I think I’ve had enough. I’m getting out.’

‘I’ll join you.’

The two young people found themselves on the riverbank naked, and naturally attracted to each other. George leant over and kissed the young women. Cathy responded enthusiastically and they made love.

George bade farewell to the buxom maiden from the village and made his way home.

June 1, 1856

George had just returned home from his father’s bank where he had been working for the past five months.

Waiting at the rear entrance was Cathy Haines.

‘Hello, George.’

‘Hello, Cathy. I haven’t seen you for a while.’

‘No, not since we went swimming together on your birthday.’

He grinned. ‘Yes, you were my most memorable present.’

‘I’m glad you think so, as actually the second part of your present is arriving shortly.’

His grin faded. ‘What do you mean?’

‘George, I’m with child.’

‘Oh my God.’

‘I’m here to ask you to marry me. I don’t want to bring a bastard into this world.’

‘Cathy, I don’t know what to say. You’re going to have to leave it with me for a while, so I can determine the best course of action.’

‘There is only one course of action,’ she said.

‘Leave it with me; I will get in touch with you shortly. Now I’ll have to ask you to leave. My father is due home any time now.’

‘Well, don’t take too long, George. The baby is due in September.’ The young woman walked away leaving George in a state of shock.

George went to his room, and lay upon on his bed staring at the ceiling, his head spinning. He had no idea what to do.

Should he marry this peasant girl? What would his parents think? Would he be cut off without a penny?

The clock struck six. He was due at the family dining table, so made his way slowly down the stairs and entered the ornately decorated room.

‘Hello, George, you’re a little late this evening. That’s unlike you,’ said his sister.

‘Yes, I had a few things to take care of.’

The maid served the family roast pheasant with vegetables. Their next-door neighbour James Whitmore had been hunting that day and bagged several birds, so he gave two to the Griffiths.

Pheasant was a general favourite, but tonight George just picked at his food.

His father noticed his son’s lack of appetite. ‘What’s the matter George? Aren’t you feeling well?’

‘Not really Father, in fact, may I be excused?’

‘Yes, you may. Is there anything we can do to help?’

‘No, I’ll just go to my room and rest for a while.’

George left the table and returned to his room where once again he lay upon his bed. He had no idea what to do. He decided to retire early. Maybe he would wake up with a solution.

The next morning, he woke to the same conundrum. He decided the only option open to him was to divulge his situation to his father. Therefore, after breakfast, George asked his father if he could have a conversation with him in the study.

Harold motioned him in and they sat down. ‘Well, son what is it you wish to discuss with me?’

‘Sir, I have been a fool. It seems I have made one of the girls in the village pregnant.’

‘Oh my God, do you love her?’

‘I hardly know her.’

‘What’s her name?’

‘Cathy.’

‘Does she have a last name?’

‘Sorry, yes, of course, Haines.’

‘Did you know her father’s one of my tenants? He’s one of my best.’

George sighed. ‘So, what do you think I should do?’

‘You don’t have too many options. You either marry the girl or pay her off.’

‘I don’t want to marry her. She’s below my station.’

Harold frowned. ‘You don’t have much of a station in life at this very moment, George.’

‘No sir, I suppose I don’t. Would you lend me the money to pay her off?’

‘How much were you thinking?’

‘I’m not sure.” He looked helpless. “Do you think £1,000 would be enough?’

‘Well, if I were her I’d refuse,’ Harold said dryly. ‘I would think a figure more like £2,000 would be appropriate.’

‘That’s a lot of money, Father. I’m not sure how I could pay it back.’

‘Don’t worry about that now. What you need to do immediately is contact the girl and make the offer.’

‘Thank you, sir, I appreciate your support.’

‘Don’t thank me, George, I’m doing it for your mother and myself more than anything.’

George rode into Yeovil next morning with the intention to make the offer to Cathy. She worked at the village bakery, and as George entered the shop, she was bringing a tray of pies out from the wood-fired oven. She saw George and indicated that he should meet her at the rear of the shop.

‘Hello, George. Have you decided to make an honest woman of me?’

‘Not exactly.’ Before she could respond, he stumbled on, ‘Cathy, I am willing to pay you £2,000 to assist you in raising the child. You will be able to buy a cottage and have money left over.’

‘When do I receive the money?’ she asked. Her face gave nothing away.

‘I will get an agreement drawn up by my solicitor. You will have the money as soon as you sign it.’

‘Let it be so.’

‘I’ll inform you when the document is ready to sign. It shouldn’t be more than a week.’

The two young people bade one another farewell. George returned to the bank and Cathy returned to the bakery.

Cathy couldn’t help thinking about the money all day. She was champing at the bit to finish work so she could see her true love and give him the news. The payoff would enable them to get married and have their baby in wedlock.

Cathy’s deception would alter George’s life forever.

The following week, George arranged to meet Cathy and she signed the agreement, ensuring she and her child would make no further claim.

The same day Harold summoned his son into his study. ‘George, I hope this has been a lesson to you.’

George nodded sheepishly, but his father hadn’t finished.

‘Your lack of judgment has concerned both your mother and me. We have decided that a reasonable course of action will be for you to immigrate to Australia.’

‘Australia? Why there?’

‘My business contacts inform me it is a land of opportunity. It doesn’t have to be a life sentence. Once you’ve made your fortune you can return home to England.’

‘I have no money, Father. How will I live?’

‘We have decided to gift you the sum of £5,000, which will be your inheritance. Don’t waste it.’

‘So when should I depart?’

‘Here is a first-class ticket on the SS Great Britain. It is reputed to be the most modern and fastest ship afloat.’

The Launch of SS Great Britain

George boarded the ship September 1, 1856, bound for Melbourne, Australia, together with the other 120 first-class passengers. The majority of the passengers, 580 in all, were housed in less salubrious quarters.