Through Streets Broad and Narrow (Ivy Rose Series Book 1) Read online

  “I own the livery building.”

  “Yeh what?”

  “I own the livery building.” Jem grinned at the look on Ivy’s face. “I inherited the business from my uncle. You know that. Well, he owned the building and now so do I.”

  “Yeh jammy bastard!” Ivy punched Jem on the shoulder. “Yeh never said!”

  “Didn’t think it was important.” Jem grinned. “What does that have to do with the price of eggs?”

  “I was sick with worry about you making the rent on that place!”

  “I own the building, Ivy, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t got money worries.”

  “Everyone has money worries, Jem.” Ivy carried a small table over to the range. “But knowing the roof over your head is yours – in my eyes that makes you rich.”

  “I suppose.” Jem shrugged.

  “Right!” Ivy placed her tea service carefully on the table. “That gets rid of one of my worries but it doesn’t take care of the rest.”

  “Ivy, I don’t want you worrying about me. I’ll be all right.” Jem smiled. “You don’t need to concern yourself with my problems. You need to think about yourself.”

  “You said it yourself, Jem, Rosie is getting old.” Ivy groaned when she heard the rapping of knuckles at her front door. “I don’t know who the heck that is but I’ll soon get rid of them.” She jumped up and hurried from the room. She hit the door between the rooms so hard it slammed shut at her back.

  “It’s Ann Marie!” Ivy shouted from the front room as she looked through the window to check who was at her door before opening it. She pulled her front door open.

  “I hope it’s not too late for visitors.” Ann Marie was glad of the opportunity to see where Ivy lived. Up to now she had timed her visits to Granny for the hours Ivy worked – at Ivy’s request. This was the first time she’d been here in the evening. “I have something to confess.”

  “Come on in, I’m glad you’re here.” Ivy stepped back. “Jem, open the through door. Ann Marie needs a little light to see her way.” The front room was almost black. Ivy could walk it in her sleep.

  “Jem is here?” Ann Marie was frantically trying to take everything in.

  “Hello, Ann Marie.” Jem stood holding the door open, Emmy in his arms.

  “Jem, nice to see you. I won’t stay long.” Ann Marie stood in the back room, trying not to stare. “I have something to tell Ivy and I didn’t think it should wait.”

  “So how did Granny enjoy her trip?” Ivy got out an extra cup and began moving the tea service over to the big table.

  “Granny is in Kevin’s Hospital, Ivy,” Ann Marie said. “I took her in myself this evening. She didn’t want me to tell you. The old lady wanted to walk out of here with her head held high.”

  “I’ve been expecting this,” Ivy whispered to herself.

  This was the reason she’d asked Ann Marie to start calling on Granny. Ann Marie had those connections Ivy had been speaking about. She could get someone a hospital bed with one phone call.

  “Sit down both of you, for goodness sake!” Ivy snapped. “You’re making the place look untidy. Ann Marie, take the weight off your feet. Jem, sit back down. Emmy, you need to put your baby to bed.” Ivy had made Emmy a black-haired rag doll the child loved. They’d used an orange crate and an old baby blanket to fashion a bed for the doll.

  “She’s good at giving orders.” Jem waited for Ann Marie to sit down first.

  “So I’ve noticed.” Ann Marie sat at the table with her back to the wall. She had full view of the room. Ann Marie had to bite back a gasp when she recognised Ivy’s grotty old coat on the bed, obviously being used as a bed cover. Had Ivy no blankets? Surely she made enough from her round to purchase a couple of blankets? The brass bed was a monstrosity.

  Despite the obvious poverty the room was warm and clean. The touches of feminine whimsy were delightful. Ann Marie wanted to stand and touch the little bits of artistic handwork that dotted the room. The lace work that drifted down the shelves of the huge wood dresser was particularly attractive.

  “How long has Granny got?” Ivy asked as soon as Jem and Ann Marie were seated around the table. She busied herself moving the tea fixings over to the table.

  “She’s been ready to go for a long time, Ivy.” Ann Marie picked up one of the teacups to admire the design. “She had a turn for the worse today. When I described Granny’s symptoms to a doctor friend of mine he ordered me to take the woman to Kevin’s, immediately.”

  “I’m surprised you got her to agree to go with you,” Jem said.

  “It wasn’t easy, Jem, but she’s frightened. I hope you don’t mind my taking charge, Ivy?” Ann Marie didn’t want to overstep herself. “Granny insisted I pick her up and take her myself. She didn’t want you to worry. I’m sorry, Ivy. It was the only way I could get Granny to agree to go into hospital.”

  “I’m glad, Ann Marie.” Ivy sighed. “I’ve been worried sick about Granny for some time.” Ivy knew her friend was dying. Every time she went into Granny’s room she’d been afraid of finding the old woman dead in the bed. “I’ll go in and see her tomorrow.”

  “I’ll take you, Ivy.” Jem said. “I wouldn’t mind saying me goodbyes to the old woman.” Jem wanted to prepare Ivy for what was coming.

  “Thanks, Jem.” Ivy slapped the table. Granny was ready to go. The old woman had lost the will to live. Ivy could do nothing about that. “Now, since you’re here, Ann Marie, Jem and me were having a talk. We could use your advice.”

  “Ivy, what are you doing?” Jem liked Ann Marie but he didn’t want her sticking her nose into his business.

  “Think about it, Jem.” Ivy put her hand on Jem’s arm and shook it slightly. “Ann Marie sees our world through different eyes. We should ask her opinion.”

  “I don’t see how she could help.” Jem glared. “No offense to you, Ann Marie.”

  “You won’t know till you ask!” Ivy snapped.

  “I don’t want to cause trouble between you two.” Ann Marie was dying of curiosity. “If I can help in any way I’d be more than willing.”

  “Right,” Jem pushed his fingers through his hair. He looked at the little girl kneeling with her doll on the bed, pretending not to listen. “I’m surrounded by bossy women all of a sudden.”

  “Jem, just lay the matter out.” Ivy poured the tea nobody but herself seemed to want. “All you’re doing is asking advice. It won’t kill you.”

  “It’s like this, Ann Marie . . .”

  Jem explained the situation he found himself in. He had to retire Rosie. He didn’t know if he wanted to continue being a jarvey but he didn’t know what else he could do.

  Ann Marie sipped her tea and listened without speaking while Jem talked. The man really opened his heart to the two women. Jem freely admitted he’d let the business fail through lack of interest after his uncle’s death. Ann Marie was impressed by his honesty.

  “Jem, there is no delicate way to ask. How are you fixed for capital – money?” Ann Marie almost blushed to ask.

  “I have some money.” Jem glared at Ivy.

  “Right, well, I’m really glad you asked me about this because I’ve already been giving your livery some thought.” Ann Marie pushed up the sleeves of her second-hand jacket and leaned forward. “I want you to bear with me. I have some ideas but I have no idea how feasible they are.”

  “Talk away.” Jem was prepared to listen.

  “I’ve noticed a lot of young men hanging around this area.” Ann Marie had become a frequent visitor to The Lane in the short time she’d been visiting Granny. She’d made an effort to pay attention to everything she saw.

  “It’s hard for lads from The Lane to get work,” Ivy said, nodding.

  “I’ve been paying more attention to my surroundings lately.” Ann Marie grinned and pointed to Ivy. “That one told me I went around the place with my eyes closed and she was right.”

  “I’ve never seen anyone so unaware,” Ivy grinned behind her teacup.
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  “It seems to me that there is a lot of work for jarveys,” Ann Marie said. “I’ve noticed so many people in the street whistling and shouting to attract their attention. Of course we have two automobiles available to us at Number 8 but I’ve seen the footmen of other households on the square trying to attract the attention of passing jarveys.” Ann Marie waited.

  “That’s nothing out of the ordinary.” Jem shrugged.

  “Not if you had a telephone service.” Ann Marie grinned when Ivy clapped her hands in delight.

  “No jarvey could afford to put in a telephone,” Jem stated.

  “Think about it, Jem!” Ivy said. “You wouldn’t have to be out in all weathers waiting. You could take a phone call and know when you got the horse out you were guaranteed a fare.”

  “I was actually thinking bigger than that, Ivy.” Ann Marie grinned.

  “What do you mean?” Jem was intrigued.

  “Well, it seems to me a man with a telephone, for a fee of course, could offer his services to the many jarveys around the city.” Ann Marie couldn’t believe she was involved in a business discussion sipping lukewarm tea across the table from a man sitting on what looked like an old wooden box.

  “That’s a shocker.” Jem gulped his teacup dry.

  “You could give the lads that hang about The Lane jobs. Perhaps train them to work for you. Pay the lads to drive for you eventually, if you want to run a city-wide service. As soon as the phone line is installed you would be able to offer a service to the other jarveys. You take orders by telephone. Use the lads to take the request to the nearest jarvey on the list you’ll keep. For every call you take and pass along you take a small percentage of the fare for your service.”

  “My God,” Jem saw where she was going. “You don’t think small, Missus, do you?”

  “Is it possible?” Ann Marie asked.

  “It would take a great deal of planning.” Jem was excited by the challenge. “I’d have to buy a lot of equipment. I’d be able to retire Rosie. I’ve spare carriages but I’d have to buy younger horses. The horses could be trained up along with the lads I’d hire to drive them. I’d have to learn a lot of new things meself.” Jem grinned.

  “Would it be possible to provide an automobile service alongside the traditional pony and trap?” Ann Marie suggested.”I could approach my aunt’s chauffeur about giving you driving lessons in his own time, Jem. You would be welcome to use my vehicle.”

  “By God, Missus,” Jem was stunned by the idea, “you’ve taken me breath away.”

  “Normally I would suggest we consult someone with experience at this point,” Ann Marie said slowly, “but I don’t think anyone is offering the kind of service we’re talking about.”

  “I’d be the first.” Jem swallowed at the size of the risk he would be taking. But the rewards, Mother of God, the rewards!

  “I would like to be a part of this, Jem,” Ann Marie suggested. The business would give her an interest and a reason to hang around with the people who were coming to mean so much to her.

  “You want to be a jarvey?” Jem laughed. “I know you love your automobile, Ann Marie, but I can’t see you hiring yourself out!”

  “No, that’s not what I meant.” Ann Marie laughed, her eyes sparkling behind her glasses. “Although the idea is fascinating.” She imagined herself driving around Dublin picking up strangers. The idea tickled her fancy. “I was thinking more in terms of financial investment. I’d be able to give some assistance setting up the office you’d need, too, now that I come to think about it.”

  “Honest to God, Ann Marie, I can’t believe it!” Jem grinned in delight.

  “I’ve been thinking.” Ivy had been listening without saying a word – she’d had nothing to contribute.

  “Oh God!” Jem groaned. “Not that!” He laughed at the look of disgust on Ivy’s face.

  “Eejit!” Ivy slapped Jem without malice. “I was thinking about the lads Ann Marie mentioned. We know them all, Jem. Have watched most of them grow up.”

  “So?”

  “We’d know who was trustworthy,” Ivy said slowly. She was working out the idea in her head as she spoke. “You could use them now.”

  “What are you thinking, Ivy?” Ann Marie asked.

  “The woman’s a marvel when she starts thinking,” Jem said to Ann Marie.

  “You could give them a few pennies for doing jobs for you, now.” Ivy said slowly. “The lads we know did well in school. You could give them notebooks and send them out.”

  “To do what?” Ann Marie asked.

  “To take notes.” Ivy grinned.

  “Notes about what, Ivy?” Jem wondered.

  “The lads are used to hanging around corners.” Ivy laughed. “They could make notes about the places the most people stand shouting for jarveys. They should make notes about anything they see that might be of interest. I don’t know!” Ivy shrugged.

  “People hire horse and carts for all kinds of things – moving furniture, delivering supplies, things like that,” said Ann Marie. “The lads have eyes and ears. They could use them and give you more of an idea of what’s needed.”

  “It would get them off the street and give them a few pennies in their pockets,” Jem agreed. “It’s a great idea but it’ll cost money.”

  “It would be a worthwhile business expenditure.” Ann Marie could feel her blood fizzing – her fingertips were tingling. “There is an opportunity here, Jem. An opportunity for a farseeing man.”

  “I’ve been dragging my bones around this city,” Jem sighed. “I’ve been thinking about my problems and trying to find a solution. I see now I’ve been thinking too small. You two have taken me breath away with this plan.”

  “If you wouldn’t mind, Jem,” Ann Marie said, “I’d like to be shown around the livery. Get an idea of the space available.”

  “I’ll take Ivy by the hospital in the morning. I could show you around when I get back, if you’re free,” Jem agreed.

  “That would suit me fine,” Ann Marie said.

  “What about you, Ivy?” Jem asked now. “Do you see yourself helping out at the livery?” He wanted Ivy close to him.

  “No, Jem, that’s your business.” Ivy smiled. “I’ve spent a lot of years setting up me own little business. Thanks to Ann Marie I realise I have a lot of contacts. I’ve always had them.” Ivy laughed. “I just didn’t know what they were called. I have plans for expansion. I’m working on something . . .”

  “Ivy!” A great banging exploded from the back door. The thing moved in its frame. “Ivy Murphy, for the love of God, open the door, Ivy!”

  “What the –” Ivy opened the door.

  Conn Connelly fell into the room. The young man was shaking, his face pasty white.

  “Conn! Sit down!” said Ivy.

  “No time,” Conn panted. “Tim Johnson is rounding up a lynch mob and they’re coming here, Ivy. Tim Johnson and his cronies spent the afternoon in the pub getting legless. Then the lot of them went round the rent office. They dragged the rent man and the housing agent out and are bringing them here, by force. He has me da with him.”

  “Is Father Leary with them?” Ivy closed her eyes and sagged visibly where she stood.

  “I don’t think so,” Conn panted. “I ran around to warn you. I sent our Vera to get the police.”

  “Right.” Ivy pushed up the sleeves of her old jumper. “You go out the way you came, Conn. You don’t want to get mixed up in this.”

  “Good lad.” Jem had been afraid of something like this happening. “You did well.” He looked down at a big-eyed Emmy. “Would you take Emmy with you, Conn? The little one doesn’t need to be here. And Ann Marie, you should leave with Conn.”

  “I most certainly will not!” Ann Marie stood and prepared to face whatever was coming.

  “It could get nasty, Ann Marie.” Ivy sighed.

  “I will not scurry away to safety!” Ann Marie snapped.

  “I need to lock the gate at the top of the steps.” Ivy
locked the door behind Conn with a frowning Emmy in his arms.

  “That won’t stop them,” Jem said.

  “It’ll make them think!” Ivy snapped. “I don’t want a crowd blocking my stairway.”

  Ivy grabbed her hockey stick and charged up the steps to lock the gate at the entrance to her stairwell. She stood with the stick over her shoulder, waiting. She could hear the noise of the crowd in the tunnel. She was sick with nerves but she wouldn’t back down. This was her place and no drunken gang would drive her out.

  “Ivy, you should come back down.” Jem stood at her side, trying to move her out of the way. “I’ll stand here.”

  “You will not, Jem Ryan. I’ve put up with enough from these drunken bullies over the years. Well, no more. It ends now.”

  “Ivy, they might become violent.” Ann Marie couldn’t believe this was happening. This was Dublin not the Wild West.

  “Ivy Murphy!” Tim Johnson was feeling big and brave at the front of the crowd. He stalked into The Lane like the cock o’ the walk. “We’re coming for you!” Tim wasn’t quite drunk – he just had a happy buzz on.

  Ivy stood with the hockey stick over her shoulder and waited. She wanted to see who had joined Tim Johnson in this madness. It was good to know your enemies.