Catching Mr Ripper

On the edge of death part one

Sixteen year old Edmund strolled through the park, his open book in his arms as he walked and read. Suddenly, a ball flew at him, Edmund dropped his book as he fell to the floor to duck from the muddy ball. A young girl with long brown hair around her shoulders and a dress covered in mud ran up to him.
"I'm so sorry. I'm afraid we weren't looking where we we're kicking the ball" she smiled helping him up "Oh no. Your book. I'm so sorry" she picked up the now muddy book and handed it to him.
"Miss Vance! What have I told you about being careful?" Her governess reprimanded her.
"I'm sorry but it was those other boys fault. They challenged me" she smiled playfully.
"Still. Now you've ruined this young man's book" she said looking at Edmund.
"I'm sorry again" Elizabeth apologized before reading the book title "Romances sans paroles in the original French, it's beautiful isn't it?" She looked at him.
"A gentleman that knows the purity of natural expression" Edmund smiled, the corners of his mouth twitching upwards "It's beautiful" he smiled.
"Quite. I would be happy to replace it for you" Elizabeth suggested.
"I couldn't ask you to do that-"
"Nonsense, I ruined a good book and it is my duty to replace it. Madeline can chaperone us" Elizabeth smiled and Edmund gave in.

Elizabeth strolled alongside Edmund on the way to the book store.
"Who taught you French?"
"My father, he travels a lot, he loves France" he smiled fondly "How did you find Verlaine's poetry?" He asked.
"His intertwining of narratives was interesting, and he use of opposites is quite interesting. The squalor with the splendid makes his poetry all the more real" she smiled gleefully.
"He does make poetry quite tolerable"
"Tolerable? His work is art" Elizabeth sighed contentedly. Edmund couldn't help but smile at her and the bright energy she radiated from every piece of her.
"Where is your governess?" Elizabeth asked.
"I don't have one. My family are not well off like your own. My mother and father work endlessly so that I have time to better my education" he explained.
"That's very admirable of them"
"I love them both dearly. You must feel the same way about your own family?"
"Not really. My father's work I find hateful and my mother doesn't seem to understand me" she sighed.
"What does your father do?"
"He owns a plantation in America"
"You don't seem like the type to support that or fit into polite society"
"I'm not at all. I'm looking into going to medical school. I've always been interested in the human body and how it all works together. I know that must seem awful for a young girl to be interested in" She shrugged, her shoulders hanging low.
"Not at all. Women shouldn't be told no for wanting to do something that is seen to be manly" he said making her smile widely.
"I thoroughly agree" she smiled stopping outside of a bookshop before pushing open the door.
"Miss Vance, my favourite customer. How can I help you today?" An old blading man with white hair smiled at them all.
"I'm afraid I destroyed this young man's book and I would like to replace it for him" she handed him the mudded book.
"This might take me a while to find it" he admitted.
"We'll wait. Come on, I want to show you this book" Elizabeth smiled, grabbing Edmund's wrist leading him off into the back of the shop.
Edmund watched as she searched the shelves before pulling a book off the shelf, bringing it to him.
"The water babies by Charles Kingsley" Edmund read out loud.
"It's a beautiful story. It argues that England treats its poor badly. The story is about a poor boy who falls in love with an upper class girl, the story is beautiful along with the illustrations. You must read it" she smiled brightly.
"I shall" he smiled back, their fingers meeting on the spine of the book as the pair gazed at each other.
"I've found it" The old man smiled triumphantly, holding the book in the air.
"Thank you Peter" Elizabeth smiled, paying for the book.
"I shall take very good care of it. Especially if there are football kicking young ladies about" he joked, taking the book from her.
"Good. Any time you want another book, talk to Peter, he can add it to my family's tab" she smiled.
"Thank you, I guess I'll have to add the water babies to it" he smiled.
"Of course. I hope you enjoy it"
"I will. Thank you..." He trailed off waiting for her to give him her name.
"Elizabeth" she smiled stretching her hand out to him.
"Edmund" he smiled back shaking her hand.