Meet me at the clock, p.1
Meet Me at the Clock, page 1
Copyright © 2023 by Tanya E Williams
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
This books is a work of fiction. References to real people, events, establishments, organizations, or locales are intended only to provide a sense of authenticity, and are used fictitiously. All other characters, incidents, and dialogue, are a product of the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real.
FIRST EDITION
Cover Photograph by David C Williams
Cover Design by Ana Grigoriu-Voicu
eBook ISBN 978-1-989144-21-3
Paperback ISBN 978-1-989144-22-0
Hardback ISBN 978-1-989144-23-7
Audiobook ISBN 978-1-989144-20-6
For Emily
Thank you for taking an image that existed in my imagination and making it real.
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Author Notes
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Also by Tanya E Williams
Chapter 1
Wednesday, September 14, 1927
Louisa
A crash in the hallway startles me from my daydream. A reverie of my recent role as Cleopatra’s servant was occupying my thoughts as I scrubbed my third Hotel Hamilton bathtub of the day. Vivid remembrances of my performances, and the audience’s applause, fuel me during mundane days at the hotel.
I smother a groan behind closed lips as I brace waterlogged hands on the now spotless porcelain tub and hoist myself into a standing position. Damp cloth in hand, I lean out the guest room door, swivelling my head toward the sound of plates crashing against one another.
“What on earth?” I dash toward the toppled dining cart. Hazel’s backside peeks out from behind the long linen cloth, askew on the trolly after the tumble. Hazel, a fifth-floor maid, is on her hands and knees, surrounded by domed silver lids and the remnants of someone’s breakfast.
“Help me, will you?” Hazel’s eyes are damp with desperation. “I can’t seem to manoeuvre the carts past these guest room thresholds.”
I lift the cart upright, toppling an egg cup and spilling the shell remnants. “I don’t think any of us are used to in-room dining yet.” I straighten the linen and begin placing crumb-covered white plates in a stack on the top shelf. “I can’t understand why anyone would wish to remain in bed for their breakfast, unless they’re ill.” I give Hazel’s shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “No harm done though. We can be thankful they preferred hard-boiled to scrambled.”
A man and woman appear from around the corner, walking toward us down the narrow hall. Hazel and I retreat, on cue, pressing our backs into the chair rail and sky-blue walls. I pull the dining cart close as Hazel covertly places a linen cloth over the exposed dishes, hiding the remnants of a half-eaten breakfast.
The guests pass without any indication that they’ve seen us. I let out the breath I’ve been holding while Hazel repositions the silver lids atop the plates. Clearing the uneaten morsels out of sight, her voice climbs into a whine. “I don’t see why we maids are responsible for returning the dining carts to the kitchen. We are busy enough tending to the rooms.”
“As the demands of the guests change, so does our role as hotel maids, I suppose.” I offer a noncommittal shrug while pushing the cart back and forth to test out its wheels.
By noon, my tolerant mood has declined. Having spent most of the morning ruminating over Hazel’s comment, I am perturbed by the knowledge that the lofty demands of others dictate how I spend my days. I crave the freedom that working in the theatre allows. There, the only thing that matters is the character’s plight, and that liberty invigorates me. At least, it did until several months ago.
I release an exasperated sigh as I wander the employee corridor. The emptiness in the pit of my stomach feels more meaningful than a simple notification of hunger. I meet my sister, Clara, in the lunchroom and force a pleasant demeanour.
“Hazel tipped another cart, I heard,” Clara says, lowering her voice.
“Another casualty for the half-eaten eggs of The Hotel Hamilton.” My attempt at humour falls flat, but I brush it aside as I bite into my sandwich.
“Hello, ladies.” Rebecca Smythe settles into the chair on the other side of Clara, the two of them having developed a friendship in recent months.
“How are things on the eighth floor, Miss Smythe?” I ask between bites. The demands of the hotel guests seem to escalate at higher floors, with the illustrious eighth-floor suites being the very best the hotel has to offer.
“Oh, you know. The usual.” Miss Smythe hides a mischievous expression behind a slender hand. “And then some.”
Clara giggles as I restrain an eye roll. Lately, what she finds funny, I find disappointing. Even at home, Clara prattles on about the comings and goings of the hotel like a chirpy bird in springtime. Three months into the daily routine of maid life, I find myself wanting more. Much more. We have to blend in with the woodwork of the elite hotel so as not to offend guest sensibilities, and the humdrum existence has me wound tighter than a two-dollar watch.
Clara and Rebecca’s conversation filters into the background as my mind wanders, seeking a solution to the question that burns within me. What is there for me to look forward to? What is next?
“Lou?” Clara nudges my shoulder with her free hand. “Louisa, are you listening to me?”
“Sorry. What were you saying?”
“Miss Smythe has invited us to tea next week.” Clara’s delight lights up her face, and I am struck by the realization that a date for tea may very well be the highlight of our week.
“How nice.” I rejoin the conversation, though the effort feels akin to pushing one of the behemoth vacuums around all eight floors of the hotel.
On my way out of the lunchroom, Ms. Thompson stops me. “Miss Wilson, I have checked the charts, and it seems you are quite ahead of schedule today. Could I borrow you for a task below stairs?”
“Of course, ma’am.” I nod my assent while smothering a weary groan and follow her to the basement.
The cement block basement has captured the chill of autumn, giving off a dank and musty odor that wrinkles my nose.
Ms. Thompson leads me toward the luggage storage room, where several maids are already congregated.
“Thank you for coming, ladies.” Ms. Thompson inserts her key into the lock and pushes the door open. “Mr. Olson and I have determined that more storage space is required for our guests’ luggage. Few people are traveling light these days, it seems. Their preference is to empty their cases and have their luggage stored during their stay.”
Of course that is their preference, I think. The inside of my cheek finds a spot between my teeth to ensure my silence.
“There is a much larger room that will do, down the hall and to the right.” Ms. Thompson leans past us as she points a bony finger toward the room beyond our line of sight. “The tasks before you are twofold. First, you will need to document each piece of luggage with its owner’s name and room number. We must ensure nothing is misplaced during this transition.”
Ms. Thompson meets our eyes in turn, conveying the importance of our first task. “Then we will move the pieces of luggage one by one and arrange them in order of room number. A system has already been established at the new location, so every guest’s luggage has a dedicated space, labelled with the room number.”
I look past Ms. Thompson, into the room overflowing with hard cases, and cringe. The task before us is sure to be lengthy.
“Now, if you will all come with me, I will show you the new room and explain the shelving system.” Ms. Thompson leads the way, and I fall in line with the others. Dressed in matching uniforms, maintaining the same posture and manner, the lot of us have barely a discernible difference. I sigh as we move as one toward the new luggage room.
An hour later, perspiration snakes down the length of my spine. My back is protesting with each movement, given the excessive amount of lifting and finagling required to extract the empty luggage from the small room and haul it through the basement corridors. A whistling tune catches my attention.
George, the affable bellboy with boyish good looks, snaps his head up in surprise as I round the corner toward him. He tips his red-trimmed box hat, placing his free hand near the rim. “Hello, Miss Wilson.”
“Hello, George. Haven’t I told you a dozen times to call me Louisa?” I lift the corners of my mouth and cock an eyebrow.
“Well, yes, mis
The red Radio Flyer wagon behind him catches my attention. “What have you got there?”
“Oh, this?” George lifts the square black handle. “Me and the boys use it to move boxes and kitchen supplies and such. It’s a snug fit inside the lift, but it sure beats multiple trips when Chef is hollering something fierce.”
A giggle rises as I nod in understanding. His smile widens at our camaraderie, and I can feel him melting into the space where my attention lingers solely on him.
“When Chef’s rant transitions from English to French, you know that you best be moving.” George chuckles, releasing a nervousness he seems to exude whenever I am near.
I give his forearm a soft pat. “You know, I think perhaps you could be of assistance to me.”
“How’s that?” A shy nod informs me of his willingness when a ruckus of shuffling and bumping echoes down the hall, turning both of our heads.
I look back to him, then ask sweetly, “George, do you think we could borrow your wagon?”
Four maids appear, struggling with the luggage, exertion painted on their faces.
“Ladies, I’ve found a solution,” I announce.
“I didn’t know we were looking for one.” Maggie, the gruffest of the group, fires back. Pushing past me, she raises her voice. “Course, if you were helping instead of standing around dallying, we might already be finished.”
Perturbed by Maggie’s response, I lift the corners of my mouth into a placating smile and raise my voice, directing my words at Maggie’s retreating back. “I suppose we could continue on with back-breaking effort, or . . .”
Hazel stops beside me. “Don’t worry about her. She’s just testy because of the task at hand. What did you have in mind?”
I offer Hazel a sincere smile. “George here happens to have a wagon. I figured we could load up a bunch of suitcases and roll them down the hall.” I tap a finger to my lips as I envision the process. “We will need someone to walk beside the wagon to ensure nothing topples, but it’s sure to speed things up, while also saving our backs.”
“I say it is worth a try.” Hazel’s words convey a certainty that sets me into motion. “But I suggest someone other than me pull the wagon. You know how clumsy I am when it comes to things on wheels.”
“George, may we borrow your wagon?” I ask again, swivelling lightly from side to side, drawing his attention with the sway of my skirt.
He swallows hard. “Certainly, Miss, ah—Louisa. Let me unload this lot first.”
I pivot toward the old storage room, calling over my shoulder as I go, “Meet us by the luggage room, and we will set straight to work.”
With the help of George’s little red wagon, every piece of luggage is securely relocated by the end of the day, garnering a hearty “well done” from Mr. Olson and a “how clever” from Ms. Thompson.
I mention George by name as I explain how we managed the task, not wanting him to think I am unappreciative of the loan and his help.
Despite my aching muscles, my steps are light as Clara and I wander home, the autumn darkness requiring the electric street lamps to turn on earlier each afternoon.
“You seem in better spirits this evening.” Clara loops an arm through mine.
“The afternoon was . . . reaffirming.”
“Reaffirming? I thought you were in the basement moving suitcases around.” Clara’s forehead wrinkles.
“Yes, the task was demanding, but I was reminded of how industrious I can be.” A trill of laughter bursts from my lips as I recall George and his willingness to be at my service. “I put my charming personality to work, and things fell right into place.”
Clara eyes me with a sideways glance. “How so?”
“Well, you see . . .” I tell Clara about George’s little red wagon and my idea of how to make the work easier.
“I still don’t understand.” Clara unlinks her arm from mine and repositions the bag on her opposite shoulder. “How was borrowing George’s wagon reaffirming?”
“Honestly, Clara, you’ve seen me do it a thousand times. You must admit I have a knack for acquiring aid from young men.”
“I see. So, using George by way of your female persuasions reaffirms what? That you can manipulate others by winking in their direction?” Clara’s flat delivery is accusatory at best.
“No.” My nose crinkles in distaste at how the conversation has turned, and I huff. “First of all, there is a difference between charm and female persuasion. George was not manipulated, as you put it. He was merely rewarded with my attention. And I’ll have you know that I thanked him profusely and gave him full credit when speaking with Ms. Thompson.” I lift my chin in defiance. “By the time we finished the task, he probably thought the whole thing was his idea in the first place.”
“Right . . .” Clara drags out the word, questioning my morality with her tone. “Not manipulation, then?”
“Call it what you will. I’ve learned that life is far easier when others want to assist me.” I shrug my shoulders, attempting to appear undeterred by Clara’s pointed judgement. “People respond to my joyful personality, and when they do, I show them how valued they are.”
“You think it is your personality that garners all that attention?” Clara shakes her head dubiously. “You are a delight. Truly you are. But have you looked in a mirror lately?”
Her words strike at my core, forcing me to hide my instinctual reaction with a scoff. “Don’t be absurd.” Waiting to cross the street, I turn my attention toward the oncoming traffic, buying myself a moment to recover from the gibe. “Getting what you want in life is all about playing a role. Sure, sometimes that comes at a cost, but the end result is what matters.”
“What kind of cost?” Clara isn’t finished trying to pin me down.
I sigh impatiently. “I do excel at bringing others into the fold, you know. It’s a trait I am proud of. Honestly, Clara, life is a negotiation. I’ll admit that every now and then I find myself doing something I am not keen on, but if the final goal is achieved, then I am a willing party to the exchange.”
“Give me an example. How much of your soul are you selling on a daily basis, Lou?” Though she doesn’t meet my eyes, Clara’s words make the hairs on the back of my neck bristle.
“I just gave you one.” Exasperation lifts my voice, eliciting a few glances from strangers on the sidewalk. “George and his wagon. I didn’t sell my soul, as you put it, by offering George my undivided attention in exchange for his help. Who isn’t motivated to assist someone they are fond of? The cost was my time and attention toward him. I don’t see how that could be viewed negatively. Besides, he is always happy to help, and I am grateful for it.”
“But would you be as inclined to help him should he require assistance? That is what turns a relationship into a friendship instead of a one-sided manipulation tactic.”
“I help plenty of people. All the time, I’ll have you know.” I tug Clara’s arm as the traffic clears.
The incredulous look she shoots me lets me know I’ve annoyed her. Despite our quarrel, pride at my sister’s resolve to push back lifts my spirits. Given all that we’ve been through with Mama’s death and Papa’s precarious attachment to the drink, I worried she had lost her fire, resigning herself entirely to the role of good daughter and hard-working maid. “We have different approaches to life is all. I am not afraid to be seen and stand up for myself. You, on the other hand, seek to blend in. Heaven forbid you should stick your neck out for something you desire.”
Clara’s voice squeaks out a tight response. “I don’t know how you can say such things when I was the one to seek out a job at the hotel in the first place. Or do you not recall pushing your way into my plans? How quickly we forget.”
The Newbury apartment building stands tall on the next corner. I want to remind her that our two salaries are the only reason we continue to have a home, but I bite my tongue. “All I’m saying is that you shouldn’t forget to dream beyond your current situation. You could accomplish great things.”
