“Adelaide, look,” said Edwin, his eyes darting around the edges of the crowd. “There are men coming in.”
“What?”
“They...don’t look friendly.”
“Well, what can they do?”
“Quite a lot, actually, we should probably go.”
“But it’s just started!”
Small scuffles began to erupt around the border of the square as the strange men moved in.
“Adelaide, they’re quite near us now, are you sure we shouldn’t-”
Before he could finish Adelaide had turned around to face a rather scruffy older fellow that had come up behind her.
“You look young to be here with all these...suffragettes.” He said the word like it was a dirty one, leaving an unpleasant taste in his mouth.
“No one is too young to care about their rights.”
“You got plenty of rights, why do you need another one?”
Edwin urgently tugged her sleeve, which she jerked away from him.
“Because we don’t have plenty of rights, and imagine what Black women suffer-”
“And you, boy, what are you doing here?” He glared at Edwin. “You should be keeping her in check, off the streets, like a man. But I guess you aren’t one are you?” he sneered. “A real man would-”
Adelaide stepped between them. “Don’t you dare insult him! He’s much more of a man than you could dream to be!”
The man leaned towards her, so close that she felt she could hear the foul scent of his alcohol-tainted breath. “You’ve got a lot of fight in you, girl, even if you are sick in the head. What do you say I take you-”
Adelaide stepped back. “I’d rather die.”
The man swiftly introduced his hand to the side of her face, knocking her back. “How dare-”
Edwin aimed a kick at the man’s leg, hit his target, and rushed into the crowd with Adelaide in tow as the man attempted to stumble after them.
“Are you alright?” said Edwin, once they had stopped in the middle of the mass of people.
“I will be,” she muttered. “What a deplorable piece of absolute-”
“The police are here.”
“Good, maybe they can-” she stopped. “Oh God. They’re...arresting the women.”
“We need to leave now.”
“No! We have to stay to help them, what if-”
“I’m sorry, a grown man just punched you in the face, and now the police are- We need to go.”
“But-”
“Your mother is going to boil me alive as it is, if we stay she’ll boil you too.”
“Edwin, I don’t want to go, this is the first time I’ve been to the city, and I’ll probably never get to go again!”
I’ll take you some other time.”
Really?”
“Promise. But we have to leave now. Come on.” They continued to force their way through, until the way was blocked by a particularly large copper, his baton at the ready. Edwin pulled Adelaide in the opposite direction, but another woman fell to the ground in their path and didn’t move. Edwin felt Adelaide’s hand slip out of his own, and turned to see her on the ground, the same copper standing above her, aiming another blow.
“Please, sir, don’t-” Talking would be no use, Edwin realized. The copper had already grabbed Adelaide by the armpits and was attempting to drag her towards the nearby cart. There was panic all around, chaos quickly consuming the once peaceful square. Edwin had no idea what to do but run after Adelaide, so he followed the officer that had taken her. He had nearly lost sight of them and cursed his very existence, when he saw them through a gap in the mob. Adelaide, he thanked God, was still conscious and struggling. He had almost caught up when another ruckus nearby knocked the officer off his feet, freeing Adelaide, who immediately sprinted (as well as one could) towards Edwin.
This time it was she who led them away, and they wove through the square at top speed until they reached a side street a few blocks away. As soon as the shouts from the rally became a vague murmur, Edwin turned and hugged Adelaide so fiercely that she almost fell over again.
“I’m so sorry,” he whispered in her ear. “I’m so, so sorry, I never should have- I’m so sorry. You could’ve- And I- I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t apologize, it won’t make anything better. It isn’t your fault, it’s not your job to protect me.”
“Yes it is.”
She was quiet for a moment, finally leaning into his chest. After a second Edwin felt that she was shaking slightly, and upon further inspection, found that there were tears streaming down her face.
“Adelaide...what’s the matter?”
“I was so scared they would take me away.”
“They didn’t manage it, and you escaped. You’re alright now.”
“What would we have done? If they had taken me to jail? What would my mother have said?”
“I would have found where you were being held, and scraped enough money together to bail you out, even if I had to beg strangers for it. But there’s nothing to worry about now, you’re safe.”
He held onto her until her sniffles retreated, realizing that the hug that had started as his way of reminding himself that she was intact had become her way of reminding herself that he was there, that she was safe and not alone.
After her breath had slowed, he pulled slightly away. “I’ve been terribly selfish. Where are you hurt?”
“I promise, I’m perfectly-” she started, wiping her eyes on the edge of her jacket sleeve.
“Please don’t lie.”
She paused. “I’m just a bit bruised is all. And my face is a little banged up.”
“Then we need to find a general store, a pharmacy, something like that.”
“Why?”
He closed his eyes and sighed. “We have to put something on your face, Adelaide.”
“I’ll be alright..
“No you won’t, if we don’t get it cleaned up.”
“Fine.” And so they walked, turning random corners and crossing streets. Adelaide received several curious glances, but she paid them no mind. However, they agitated Edwin, and he walked faster and faster, a reluctant Adelaide in tow. Finally, he stopped.
“I suppose this will have to do.” He motioned to the bench outside the door of an apothecary. “I think it would be best if you stayed here. I’ll be right back.”
Adelaide nodded, then sat down on the edge of the bench. Her face had begun to smart, and she became aware of the places that had taken the brunt of her fall. She brushed a few fingers across her cheek and forehead, wincing as they came in contact with the tender skin. She was suddenly very glad that Edwin was inside and could not see.
A few minutes later Edwin emerged from the store carrying a small paper bag. Adelaide stood to greet him, gasped slightly in pain, and then sat back down as he took the seat beside her. He opened the bag and removed a jar of ointment, a small bandage, and a miniscule bottle of rubbing alcohol. “Did you…? I’m sorry, I should have given you some money.” Adelaide reached for her purse, turning red.
“Don’t worry. It didn’t cost much. And this whole thing is my fault.”
“But-”
“Please. Don’t mention it.” He removed a clean handkerchief from his pocket and poured some of the rubbing alcohol on one corner of it. “This is going to-”
“I know.” He carefully placed the handkerchief over the cut on her forehead, the sting causing Adelaide to clench her fist.
“I’m sorry,” he said softly, as he rewet the fabric. He looked at her face with such concentration that Adelaide felt her cheeks warm, and was sure Edwin felt them too. Soon enough, he dried her face with the other corner of the handkerchief, then reached for the jar of ointment.
“What is it?”
“It should help with the sting, and keep it clean.” He took a small dollop of the stuff and gently applied it to the side of Adelaide’s face. His fingers were terribly soft, and his touch so precise that Adelaide almost felt honored that she was the object of his care. “Now,” he continued. “That should heal itself soon enough. And if you fix your hair so that it doesn’t show, no one will look at you strangely.”
“I don’t mind if people look at me strangely.”
“I know you don’t.” He paused, then looked away. “But what if they think I was the one who did it to you?”
“They won’t.”
“They will. I don’t want them to assume that I would ever...touch you like that.”
“But they don’t matter! Anyone who knows you wouldn’t believe for a second that you had it in you to do such a thing.”
“I suppose you’re right. I just wish- I just don’t want people to think I’m...like my father.”
The air seemed to solidify.
“Oh. Well.” Adelaide took off her hat, which was no small feat considering the number of hat pins she had employed, and pulled at a few waves of dark hair until they covered the sides of her face.
“Better?”
He nodded, then smiled shyly. She smiled back at him.
“Let’s just forget this thing, shall we?”
“Are you sure? You must be in so much pain.”
“Perhaps we’ll have to walk a little slower, but I don’t want to waste the first time either of us have been here, grimy as this place is.”
He sighed. “If you insist.”
“Where should we go now, then?”
“We have five hours until the train leaves, but a half hour for the station, and about three quarters of an hour for supper, so really just three and a quarter,” said Edwin, peering at his watch.
“Hang supper! We’re in London!” He raised his eyebrows at her, smiling nonetheless. “We should do something spectacular!”
“Like what sort of spectacular thing?”
“I’ve no idea.”
“Well,” he said. “What about...Trafalgar Square? There’s a marvelous fountain.”
“Perfect.” And so they walked, with Adelaide touching her face every now and then, trading tiny pieces of themselves until one could build the other with only words.
Soon they regretted making so many random turns. Soon they realized that they had been walking in circles. Soon they found a pleasant looking man and asked him for directions. He smiled at them knowingly, enjoying how much they adored each other without even knowing it. He continued to smile at them, and pointed back the way they came. Soon they began to laugh about nothing in particular, and had to sit down for a while and cackle on the edge of a park. Soon they got lost again, and found a pleasant looking old woman and asked her for directions. She gave them, and then handed Adelaide a bunch of carnations that she had no idea what to do with. Edwin put them in the button holes of her coat, in her hat, in the collar of her dress. She took the rest and tucked them into his hair. He blushed, for her touch was so sure and careful. He felt almost honored to be the object of her care.
Eventually they reached the square, and walked around it, enjoying the statues (Adealide especially adored the lion, Edwin loved them all), and eventually alighting on the sides of the fountain. They sat there, talking. They had spoken to each other all day, yet there were still so many things to be said, to be discovered. Suddenly, Adelaide stood up and purposefully strode away. “Adelaide! Where are you going?” cried Edwin, following her. She stopped, then turned to face him.
“You can call me Ada, now. If you like.”
“Oh.” He stopped too, wondering why his face was warming up. She smiled at him, then continued on her way to the nearest statue. By the time he caught up with her, she was closely reading the plaque on the side of the statue’s base.
“I thought you already read that one.”
“I did, didn’t I.” She straightened up. “At least it’s an interesting read.”
Edwin smiled, then backed up so that he could see the tall statue in all its glory. In a moment Adelaide joined him.
She cleared her throat. “Do you...remember what I said earlier about ‘hang supper’?”
He turned to face her, and saw she was looking bashfully up at him.
“It’s time for supper,” he said, as he took her by the hand and began to walk back towards the mess of streets.
“Where shall we go?”
“We’ll find somewhere. But-” he glanced at his watch. “-it ought to be near the station. We haven’t much time.”
“I think I saw a sandwich shop a few buildings away.”
“Shall we go there?”
“If you like.”
“Off we go, then.” They strolled off through the streets, chatting and giggling, until the train station was within sight, and with it, the sandwich shop.
To anyone else on the street, the dusty looking posters advertising out of fashion sandwiches in the shop windows would have been a bit of a deterrent, but to the two hungry adolescents, they seemed incredibly inviting.
“Look, there are even tables outside!”
“I suppose we ought to take advantage of that,” said Edwin, grinning.
They went inside and placed their orders, and while they waited Adelaide began rummaging around in her coat pockets.
“You paid for the things for my face, so I’m buying your sandwich.”
“Absolutely no chance,” said Edwin, reaching out and taking hold of her arm. “You bought the train tickets, and I’m the gentleman, I will pay.”
“That’s not fair!”
“It’s proper.”
“Who gives a damn?” she hissed.
The few other customers in the shop had begun to notice their argument, raising their eyes from their watery cups of coffee.
“Let’s split the bill then. I’ll pay for mine, you pay for yours."
Adelaide mulled it over, then nodded. By then their food was ready, so they payed and claimed one of the small table.
“What?”
“They...don’t look friendly.”
“Well, what can they do?”
“Quite a lot, actually, we should probably go.”
“But it’s just started!”
Small scuffles began to erupt around the border of the square as the strange men moved in.
“Adelaide, they’re quite near us now, are you sure we shouldn’t-”
Before he could finish Adelaide had turned around to face a rather scruffy older fellow that had come up behind her.
“You look young to be here with all these...suffragettes.” He said the word like it was a dirty one, leaving an unpleasant taste in his mouth.
“No one is too young to care about their rights.”
“You got plenty of rights, why do you need another one?”
Edwin urgently tugged her sleeve, which she jerked away from him.
“Because we don’t have plenty of rights, and imagine what Black women suffer-”
“And you, boy, what are you doing here?” He glared at Edwin. “You should be keeping her in check, off the streets, like a man. But I guess you aren’t one are you?” he sneered. “A real man would-”
Adelaide stepped between them. “Don’t you dare insult him! He’s much more of a man than you could dream to be!”
The man leaned towards her, so close that she felt she could hear the foul scent of his alcohol-tainted breath. “You’ve got a lot of fight in you, girl, even if you are sick in the head. What do you say I take you-”
Adelaide stepped back. “I’d rather die.”
The man swiftly introduced his hand to the side of her face, knocking her back. “How dare-”
Edwin aimed a kick at the man’s leg, hit his target, and rushed into the crowd with Adelaide in tow as the man attempted to stumble after them.
“Are you alright?” said Edwin, once they had stopped in the middle of the mass of people.
“I will be,” she muttered. “What a deplorable piece of absolute-”
“The police are here.”
“Good, maybe they can-” she stopped. “Oh God. They’re...arresting the women.”
“We need to leave now.”
“No! We have to stay to help them, what if-”
“I’m sorry, a grown man just punched you in the face, and now the police are- We need to go.”
“But-”
“Your mother is going to boil me alive as it is, if we stay she’ll boil you too.”
“Edwin, I don’t want to go, this is the first time I’ve been to the city, and I’ll probably never get to go again!”
I’ll take you some other time.”
Really?”
“Promise. But we have to leave now. Come on.” They continued to force their way through, until the way was blocked by a particularly large copper, his baton at the ready. Edwin pulled Adelaide in the opposite direction, but another woman fell to the ground in their path and didn’t move. Edwin felt Adelaide’s hand slip out of his own, and turned to see her on the ground, the same copper standing above her, aiming another blow.
“Please, sir, don’t-” Talking would be no use, Edwin realized. The copper had already grabbed Adelaide by the armpits and was attempting to drag her towards the nearby cart. There was panic all around, chaos quickly consuming the once peaceful square. Edwin had no idea what to do but run after Adelaide, so he followed the officer that had taken her. He had nearly lost sight of them and cursed his very existence, when he saw them through a gap in the mob. Adelaide, he thanked God, was still conscious and struggling. He had almost caught up when another ruckus nearby knocked the officer off his feet, freeing Adelaide, who immediately sprinted (as well as one could) towards Edwin.
This time it was she who led them away, and they wove through the square at top speed until they reached a side street a few blocks away. As soon as the shouts from the rally became a vague murmur, Edwin turned and hugged Adelaide so fiercely that she almost fell over again.
“I’m so sorry,” he whispered in her ear. “I’m so, so sorry, I never should have- I’m so sorry. You could’ve- And I- I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t apologize, it won’t make anything better. It isn’t your fault, it’s not your job to protect me.”
“Yes it is.”
She was quiet for a moment, finally leaning into his chest. After a second Edwin felt that she was shaking slightly, and upon further inspection, found that there were tears streaming down her face.
“Adelaide...what’s the matter?”
“I was so scared they would take me away.”
“They didn’t manage it, and you escaped. You’re alright now.”
“What would we have done? If they had taken me to jail? What would my mother have said?”
“I would have found where you were being held, and scraped enough money together to bail you out, even if I had to beg strangers for it. But there’s nothing to worry about now, you’re safe.”
He held onto her until her sniffles retreated, realizing that the hug that had started as his way of reminding himself that she was intact had become her way of reminding herself that he was there, that she was safe and not alone.
After her breath had slowed, he pulled slightly away. “I’ve been terribly selfish. Where are you hurt?”
“I promise, I’m perfectly-” she started, wiping her eyes on the edge of her jacket sleeve.
“Please don’t lie.”
She paused. “I’m just a bit bruised is all. And my face is a little banged up.”
“Then we need to find a general store, a pharmacy, something like that.”
“Why?”
He closed his eyes and sighed. “We have to put something on your face, Adelaide.”
“I’ll be alright..
“No you won’t, if we don’t get it cleaned up.”
“Fine.” And so they walked, turning random corners and crossing streets. Adelaide received several curious glances, but she paid them no mind. However, they agitated Edwin, and he walked faster and faster, a reluctant Adelaide in tow. Finally, he stopped.
“I suppose this will have to do.” He motioned to the bench outside the door of an apothecary. “I think it would be best if you stayed here. I’ll be right back.”
Adelaide nodded, then sat down on the edge of the bench. Her face had begun to smart, and she became aware of the places that had taken the brunt of her fall. She brushed a few fingers across her cheek and forehead, wincing as they came in contact with the tender skin. She was suddenly very glad that Edwin was inside and could not see.
A few minutes later Edwin emerged from the store carrying a small paper bag. Adelaide stood to greet him, gasped slightly in pain, and then sat back down as he took the seat beside her. He opened the bag and removed a jar of ointment, a small bandage, and a miniscule bottle of rubbing alcohol. “Did you…? I’m sorry, I should have given you some money.” Adelaide reached for her purse, turning red.
“Don’t worry. It didn’t cost much. And this whole thing is my fault.”
“But-”
“Please. Don’t mention it.” He removed a clean handkerchief from his pocket and poured some of the rubbing alcohol on one corner of it. “This is going to-”
“I know.” He carefully placed the handkerchief over the cut on her forehead, the sting causing Adelaide to clench her fist.
“I’m sorry,” he said softly, as he rewet the fabric. He looked at her face with such concentration that Adelaide felt her cheeks warm, and was sure Edwin felt them too. Soon enough, he dried her face with the other corner of the handkerchief, then reached for the jar of ointment.
“What is it?”
“It should help with the sting, and keep it clean.” He took a small dollop of the stuff and gently applied it to the side of Adelaide’s face. His fingers were terribly soft, and his touch so precise that Adelaide almost felt honored that she was the object of his care. “Now,” he continued. “That should heal itself soon enough. And if you fix your hair so that it doesn’t show, no one will look at you strangely.”
“I don’t mind if people look at me strangely.”
“I know you don’t.” He paused, then looked away. “But what if they think I was the one who did it to you?”
“They won’t.”
“They will. I don’t want them to assume that I would ever...touch you like that.”
“But they don’t matter! Anyone who knows you wouldn’t believe for a second that you had it in you to do such a thing.”
“I suppose you’re right. I just wish- I just don’t want people to think I’m...like my father.”
The air seemed to solidify.
“Oh. Well.” Adelaide took off her hat, which was no small feat considering the number of hat pins she had employed, and pulled at a few waves of dark hair until they covered the sides of her face.
“Better?”
He nodded, then smiled shyly. She smiled back at him.
“Let’s just forget this thing, shall we?”
“Are you sure? You must be in so much pain.”
“Perhaps we’ll have to walk a little slower, but I don’t want to waste the first time either of us have been here, grimy as this place is.”
He sighed. “If you insist.”
“Where should we go now, then?”
“We have five hours until the train leaves, but a half hour for the station, and about three quarters of an hour for supper, so really just three and a quarter,” said Edwin, peering at his watch.
“Hang supper! We’re in London!” He raised his eyebrows at her, smiling nonetheless. “We should do something spectacular!”
“Like what sort of spectacular thing?”
“I’ve no idea.”
“Well,” he said. “What about...Trafalgar Square? There’s a marvelous fountain.”
“Perfect.” And so they walked, with Adelaide touching her face every now and then, trading tiny pieces of themselves until one could build the other with only words.
Soon they regretted making so many random turns. Soon they realized that they had been walking in circles. Soon they found a pleasant looking man and asked him for directions. He smiled at them knowingly, enjoying how much they adored each other without even knowing it. He continued to smile at them, and pointed back the way they came. Soon they began to laugh about nothing in particular, and had to sit down for a while and cackle on the edge of a park. Soon they got lost again, and found a pleasant looking old woman and asked her for directions. She gave them, and then handed Adelaide a bunch of carnations that she had no idea what to do with. Edwin put them in the button holes of her coat, in her hat, in the collar of her dress. She took the rest and tucked them into his hair. He blushed, for her touch was so sure and careful. He felt almost honored to be the object of her care.
Eventually they reached the square, and walked around it, enjoying the statues (Adealide especially adored the lion, Edwin loved them all), and eventually alighting on the sides of the fountain. They sat there, talking. They had spoken to each other all day, yet there were still so many things to be said, to be discovered. Suddenly, Adelaide stood up and purposefully strode away. “Adelaide! Where are you going?” cried Edwin, following her. She stopped, then turned to face him.
“You can call me Ada, now. If you like.”
“Oh.” He stopped too, wondering why his face was warming up. She smiled at him, then continued on her way to the nearest statue. By the time he caught up with her, she was closely reading the plaque on the side of the statue’s base.
“I thought you already read that one.”
“I did, didn’t I.” She straightened up. “At least it’s an interesting read.”
Edwin smiled, then backed up so that he could see the tall statue in all its glory. In a moment Adelaide joined him.
She cleared her throat. “Do you...remember what I said earlier about ‘hang supper’?”
He turned to face her, and saw she was looking bashfully up at him.
“It’s time for supper,” he said, as he took her by the hand and began to walk back towards the mess of streets.
“Where shall we go?”
“We’ll find somewhere. But-” he glanced at his watch. “-it ought to be near the station. We haven’t much time.”
“I think I saw a sandwich shop a few buildings away.”
“Shall we go there?”
“If you like.”
“Off we go, then.” They strolled off through the streets, chatting and giggling, until the train station was within sight, and with it, the sandwich shop.
To anyone else on the street, the dusty looking posters advertising out of fashion sandwiches in the shop windows would have been a bit of a deterrent, but to the two hungry adolescents, they seemed incredibly inviting.
“Look, there are even tables outside!”
“I suppose we ought to take advantage of that,” said Edwin, grinning.
They went inside and placed their orders, and while they waited Adelaide began rummaging around in her coat pockets.
“You paid for the things for my face, so I’m buying your sandwich.”
“Absolutely no chance,” said Edwin, reaching out and taking hold of her arm. “You bought the train tickets, and I’m the gentleman, I will pay.”
“That’s not fair!”
“It’s proper.”
“Who gives a damn?” she hissed.
The few other customers in the shop had begun to notice their argument, raising their eyes from their watery cups of coffee.
“Let’s split the bill then. I’ll pay for mine, you pay for yours."
Adelaide mulled it over, then nodded. By then their food was ready, so they payed and claimed one of the small table.
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