(b)THE CRYING OF THE CHILDREN
It’s 1830 and there is little help for those who need it most.
But, if everyone could have had their way, Rose would not have died in childbirth and her daughter would have been welcomed into her grandfather’s home.
Patrick O Neill would not have been paid to take the child to Ireland, fallen to the lure of gin and left her with Bertha Mason.
Bertha would not have an idiot son, with a tendency to lurk in dark corners. And, when she gave him the ‘bundles’ to throw in the canal, he would not be so afraid of her temper, that he would do exactly as he was told.
Joseph Skinner would not be so cruel and Maggie Skinner would find the strength she needed to save her granddaughter and her home.
Jeremiah Mandrake Jnr. would have brought Joseph Skinner to justice and Dr. Daniel Taylor would be able to leave the memory of his wife behind.
Little Will would not have been found with his faced pressed into the mud and his sister would not have to watch as all their belongings were thrown out of their home and trampled onto the ground.
Thomas and Lizzie would have been together. And Thomas would not carry the scars of Joseph Skinner’s brutality.
The sun would, occasionally shine on Paradise Court and Ruth would be able to share her grief with her husband. And her children would wear boots that would keep their feet dry.
Frederick Perry would looked down sometimes from his great height and realise that being Master of the Workhouse called for charity and understanding as well as good bookkeeping.
And Hannah, his wife, would be free to dream her dreams and not be afraid to care.
Edwin Perry, son of Frederick and Hannah, would be found, dead as a nail, in one of the alleys he frequented with the girls he procured from the workhouse.
And, the child, Rose’s daughter, Maggie’s granddaughter, the baby that Joseph sent away, would be found. Safe and well.
But this is 1830. Life is hard and death is easy.