The Three O'Clock Ghost

Chapter 13 - Peace at Last

It was five o'clock in the morning and Ma was gently shaking Charlotte's arm.

"Come on sweetheart, time for work."

Charlotte groaned. She was exhausted. After days of frantic thought and confusion, last night was the first time she had been able to sleep soundly, without nightmares or long periods of lying awake.

"Oh Ma, I'm so tired. Please let me rest!"

"You know we have to get to the mill. Come on. Grandma has made us some porridge."

Charlotte sleepily ate the warm meal while her Grandma sat next to her, in Matty's chair.

"I'm proud of you. So proud," she was unable to say anymore, her eyes were moist and she had the look on her face that she got when she remembered Grandpa.

Charlotte turned as the stairs creaked; it was Pa.

"Pa? Are you ill? It's so early." Charlotte said, concerned. Pa was never downstairs at this time of day.

"No Poppet. I wanted to see you before you went to the mill. I haven't slept much, mulling over all that you have been through. What you have done is... I don't know, it's amazing. My little Poppet is a big brave lion!"

"I knew your story was true Pa. I knew it!" she said excitedly, but her tone lowered as she thought of that man. "Anyway, it's back to normal now. At least he can't hurt anyone else."

* * *

Charlotte straightened her body to stretch her aching spine. She yawned and then leaned forward to gather the threads again. She felt a tap on her shoulder. It was Ma. Mr Barker, an overseer, stood behind her.

"Mr Wilkinson wants to see you," she mouthed. Mr Barker took over from Charlotte as she followed her Ma to the office where the incredible scene had unfolded the day before. She tried to imagine why he wanted to see her. Perhaps he had news of Mr Frisker. Yes, that would be the reason, she was sure.

Ma tapped twice on the half open door.

"Come in," called the familiar voice. Mr Wilkinson stood up as Ma and Charlotte entered the office. It was cleaner than yesterday and a vase of daffodils brightened up the desk

"Ah Charlotte, Mrs Hardy. Do sit down."

Smiling warmly, he gestured to two chairs on the other side of his desk.

Seeing they were comfortable, he sat down and placed his hands on the desk, one on top of the other.

"I thought you would both appreciate hearing news of Mr Frisker."

"Oh yes please sir," replied Ma nervously.

"The police sergeant visited me earlier this morning and they have charged Frisker with Robert's murder and for the attack on young Matthew. There will be a trial." He paused, looking at Charlotte.

"Now you may find this difficult Charlotte, but you will need to give evidence to help to secure his conviction. You and the other men heard his confession yesterday, and I hope that you can persuade your brother to give a statement to the police also."

"Matty would do anything to make sure that man can never ever hurt another person again!" Charlotte was flushed and nervous at the thought of having to give evidence in a courtroom. She was sure it would be very frightening.

"You must not worry. I will be with you and your parents I'm sure will support you all they can."

"Most definitely Mr Wilkinson, Sir" added Ma.

"Now there is something else I need to discuss with you. I have spent the time since yesterday's events thinking long and hard about my business, and I have realised that too many changes for the worse have been allowed to happen in my absence."

Charlotte realised that she was nodding.

"However, this is where it ends. I will be speaking with my overseers today to ensure that my staff no longer have to tolerate these unacceptable conditions. You young ones will not work such a long day and I will certainly not have the punishment that has become the norm."

Charlotte stood up in her excitement, "That will make our lives so much better sir!"

"Please, I haven't finished."

Charlotte sat down again.

"I am making other changes, which I will not elaborate upon at this time, though needless to say you will all be seeing improvements over the coming days. All of you: men, women and children. You have suffered too long and it is partly my fault for keeping away."

"Thank you Mr Wilkinson sir" said Ma, her eyes shining. She reached for Charlotte's hand and gently squeezed it.

"And as for you, Charlotte Hardy," he paused, leaning forward and looking her straight in the eye, "I owe you an overwhelming debt of gratitude."

"Sir, you don't have to say anything..."

"I haven't finished," he interrupted. "I am concerned about your health therefore I am offering you the job of assistant in my offices, along with a pay-rise, If you wish, you can start tomorrow."

"That would be wonderful. Can't I start today?"

"You may not," he said firmly. "You are going home, where you will find your brother, and a nurse to ensure he gets fit and well soon. The nurse will also help your father so that he too may improve his health. My carriage is waiting outside to take you both home: you deserve a rest."

Charlotte was stuck for words, and so was Ma. Charlotte stood up and leant over the desk. She put her hand on Mr Wilkinson's hand, looked into his eyes and smiled.

"You are so kind and I could never say thank you enough sir."

Mr Wilkinson placed his other hand over Charlotte's and gently squeezed it.

"There is no need. I have taken to you Charlotte and I promise that I will look after you and your family."

They gazed at each other for a few moments then he got up from his chair abruptly and ushered them out of his office.

"Now off you go – make the most of an afternoon off! Go, I will see you for your first day in your new post tomorrow. Best be here for nine o'clock. Goodbye!"

Charlotte and her Ma beamed at him, filled with gratitude, turned and went towards the front entrance.

They were about to pass the clocking machine, when Charlotte stopped suddenly.

"Wait here Ma."

"What?"

"I'll be back in a minute. Please wait here Ma."

Charlotte ran quickly up the stairs and along her workroom to her mule. She stood at the machine and turned slowly to face the gloomy corner.

He was there.

He stood still with his arms by his side. They regarded each other and then Robert smiled. This time, there was no pain on his face and Charlotte thought he looked more like Matty than ever; as if at any second he would run off, or dance, or tell a joke.

"Thank you," he mouthed. "Thank you, thank you Charlotte. You have done all I asked and now I may rest in peace. At last, and its all because of you."

He reached out his right arm towards Charlotte. She did the same. Slowly their hands met and although she didn't feel his outstretched fingers in the way she would have if he were an ordinary boy, she felt something. She would never be able to describe it, but she felt something.

"Thank you. Goodbye".

It was the last thing Robert mouthed and the last time he would be seen.

Charlotte turned and ran back down the stairs.

"I'm coming Ma, wait for me!"