Gossip (Nelly)

“The poor dear, looks like she hasn’t eaten in weeks. I’ll fix her a good meal tonight.” Muttered Nelly to herself as she took inventory of the kitchen. Her new guest had her all worked up. Never had she seen such a young girl in such bad shape.

Collecting her list and shopping basket, Nelly headed out to the butcher’s and baker’s. Walking briskly down the clean streets she paid scant attention to the various shops she passed along the way. Her mind was burdened with the task at hand and thoughts of the girl.

“Poor dear,” she muttered again shaking her head as she arrived at the butcher’s shop. A large ham hung on a hook in the window. Sam was busy cutting up some meat for Old Lady Miller when she walked in. Raising his head at the sound of the door closing Sam nodded in recognition of his next customer.

“’Ere ya go, Miss. Miller. Will there be anything else far ya taday?”

“No thank you, Sam, this will be all.” Taking her freshly wrapped meat she headed out the door the feather on her hat seeming to wave its own farewell.

“Well, now then, what can I do ya far taday, Nelly?” Asked Sam wiping his greasy hands on his meat stained white apron.

“I have a special guest, a young girl that looks like she hasn’t had a decent meal in ages. Perhaps a few of your steaks will do.” Nelly looked through the butcher’s display case seeing what looked good.

Sam went about cutting a couple of thick steaks. “A young girl, a? Whar did she come from do ya know?”

“Well, now you know I don’t like to gossip but…” carefully looking about to make sure they were alone, the plump woman leaned in closer and whispered, “I think she’s a victim of those awful ship raids that have been taking place.”

Sam stopped his work to look at Nelly, “Now why do ya be thinkin’ that, Miss. Nelly?”

“Well, she came in to my place wearing no shoes and smelling of salt water.” Looking around again, Nelly continued, “and she looked to have been badly beaten at some time. I shudder to think what that poor dear must have been through down on those docks with those heathens.”

“Now, now, Miss Nelly, don’tcha goes frettin’ none. She’s in your good ‘ands now.” Wrapping up the steaks in white butcher paper, Sam leaned down so he could look the little lady in the eye. “Be careful, Miss Nelly, no tellin’ whose lookin’ far ‘er or what kindda trouble she’s runnin’ from. You need me, just holler.” With that he placed the package of meat in her hands.

“Why, thank you, Sam, but I’m sure we’ll be okay.” Settling up her bill she exited the butcher shop and headed to Ran’s Bakery two shops down.

Nelly always enjoyed going into the bakery, the smell was so comforting and relaxing. Ran had wisely placed a couple of small tables in the shop so that customers could sit and enjoy her full service bakery. Taking a seat at one of the little white tables, Nelly waited for Ran to come over.

“Hello, Nelly, will you be having your usual today?”

“Yes, dear, and I do hope you will be able to join me.”

“Why sure. Two cups of coffee and two sticky buns coming right up.” Nelly watched the slender middle aged woman walk away. How she managed to keep her figure working in this sweet shop was a mystery. All Nelly had to do was look at a pastry and she’d gain a pound.

Ran emerged from behind the counter carrying a tray with their order. Dispensing the tray’s contents onto the circular table, the dark haired woman took her seat across from Nelly while placing the brown tray on an adjoining table.

“So what’s new at the B&B?”Asked Ram merrily as she stirred sugar into her coffee.

“I’ve got me a most unusual guest, Ran.” Taking a moment to glance around the shop, Nelly continued, “You know I don’t like gossip, but I think the young girl’s a victim of the raids at the docks.”

“No!!”Exclaimed Ran around a bite of sticky bun.

“She came to me barefoot and smelling of the ocean.” She paused a moment to take a sip of her coffee. “From the looks of her she’s been through something awful. I can only imagine what those smelly fish lovers must have done to her.” She wiped a tear away with a corner of her napkin.

“There, there, Nelly.” replied Ran sympathetically patting Nelly’s hand, “I’m sure it wasn’t all that bad. Quint probably stopped things before they got too far.”

“Quint!” Screeched Nelly, loosing her usually calm demeanor, “that filthy sardine loving man is what’s wrong with this town!”

“Not so, Nelly. He’s killing the trouble makers – taking out the trash so to speak.”

“Puh! Trash is right. He’s no better than the riffraff he’s killing. Why I heard he massacred an entire fire department – left no one alive. Brutal.”

“Now that’s just rumors, Nelly, there’s no proof.”

“I don’t listen to rumors and gossip, you know that. Let’s not talk of that dirty rotten scoundrel anymore; I have other things to worry about.” With this she took a savoring bite of her sticky bun.

Finishing off her own sticky bun, Ran waited for her dear friend to make her troubles known.

“This girl has money, but nothing else. Do you think perhaps you could take her shopping for some proper clothes and shoes, and maybe even get her hair done?”

“If she’s willing, I am. I love an excuse to go to the boutiques.”

“I’ll arrange it then and get back in touch with you. Oh, before I forget, I need a dozen doughnuts and a nice marmalade cake, please.”

“Coming right up.” Ran went to the counter and proceeded to gather the requested items, relieved that her friend was back to her usually cheery self.


* * * * *

Nelly returned back to the bed and breakfast with several parcels in tow. Glancing up at the second floor she smiled at seeing the girl looking out the window. “This will be fun” she thought contentedly to herself.