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Chapter Twenty-Five
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Belle Vue Chapter Twenty-Six
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIXSunday, 22 August, 1869 Having completed a morning constitutional of unparalleled boredom, Nottidge stepped into the main foyer with Sheridan Lush. Almost immediately a red-eyed barefooted figure rushed toward them, arms outstretched.Lush raised his whistle to alert the attendants when she called out, “No! Please don’t do that. I must speak with you. It’s very important. Please.” The last word came out as a pitiful sob. Lush’s hand paused in front of his mouth.Nottidge eyed the girl’s thin shift, unkempt hair, and tears with irritation. Could no one keep these lunatics in check? He would get Callahan to sort out the culprits. He looked again at the girl—quite attractive and prone to a bit of drama—so then maybe he wouldn’t. Here was an unexpected chance to amuse himself: and perhaps trifle with the sanctimonious Lush.“What’s your problem?” Nottidge asked.“Ellen’s dead, oh God, Ellen’s dead,” she cried. “Poor Ellen, poor Ellen, all our plans.”Nottidge hel
Belle Vue Chapter Twenty-Seven
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVENFriday, 27 March To Alex, the brightness of the sunshine for Claire’s funeral seemed inappropriate. He felt numb with uncertainty, guilt, and confusion. Was he really so shallow? Claire wasn’t even buried yet and he had slept with her best friend. Was this his way of getting his own back? If so, he felt like a heel but Marianne had been so hot, and he more than ready for it. The sex had been awesome. For Christ’s sake, he shouldn’t be thinking of such a thing now. He stood before Claire’s open grave and refocused his mind.The glare of the sun grew increasingly uncomfortable. He closed his eyes and listened as the vicar read the dismissal, then repeated “Amen” with the rest of the mourners.He opened his eyes and gazed across the churchyard. Moira Bradigan stood on an incline staring at them. She wore darkish clothes accompanied by a bright hat and scarf.The vicar cast a handful of earth onto the coffin. Alex did the same before several others close by repea
Belle Vue Chapter Twenty-Eight
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHTSelected Extracts from Coroner’s InquestBELLE VUE INSANE ASYLUMBefore Robert Gribble Esquire,Her Majesty’s Coroner for the County of Hertfordshire.Re: Ellen Catherine Grady, DeceasedREGINA v MARY GRADYDepositions of Witnesses taken at the Coroner’s Inquest13th September 1869 – 20th September 1869Witnesses for the CoronerRE: Ellen Catherine Grady deceasedREGINA v MARY GRADYInformation of witnesses severally taken and acknowledged on behalf of our Sovereign Lady the Queen touching the death of Ellen Catherine Grady at the Belle Vue Lunatic Asylum in the Parish of Saint Nicholas Church, the 13th day of Sept 1869 before Robert Gribble Esquire one of Her Majesty’s Coroners for the said county on view of the Body of the said Person laying dead in Belle Vue Lunatic Asylum, St. Albans in this County.Document dated: 20 September 18691. SAMUEL STOTT FISHBURN—Belle Vue, Medical SuperintendentI reside at the Belle Vue Lunatic Asylum. I am the Medic
Belle Vue Chapter Twenty-Nine
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINEMonday, 27 April The month after Claire’s funeral, Alex focused on completing his dissertation, applying for his Masters and starting the prep for next term’s exams. Usually, he would spend the spring break at more leisurely pursuits, such as clubbing, drinking, playing and watching sport, with only the occasional session devoted to study. This year, with his finals looming and the desire for a first, serious attention was required. Or that was the theory. In truth, recompense for his previous abstinence took a disproportionate amount of his time and energy. The other afternoon for instance, after a particularly frenetic round of sexual gymnastics, he’d moaned at Marianne for leading him astray when he ought to be working. She had curtly informed him, “Why? Where’s the fun in that?”Not bothering to open his eyes, he’d murmured, “I’m too tired to argue, but life isn’t just about fun.”The bed moved as Marianne sat up. She pinched his arm. “Well, it should be. W
Belle Vue Chapter Thirty
CHAPTER THIRTYTuesday, 19 October, 1869“Madhouse Murder trial starts today!”“Read All About It.”“Murderess Faces Judge and Jury.”The whey-faced paper sellers ran to and fro doing a brisk trade.Johnson Nottidge stepped down from his carriage into the bustling Hertford Street as the downpour started. The coachman hurried forward and held an umbrella over him. Using the end of his walking stick, Nottidge prodded a ragamuffin out of his path and made his way into the courthouse. Behind him others followed suit, seeking shelter and, even better, a few hours’ entertainment in the warm. He removed his doeskin gloves and looked around the main courtroom. The public gallery and reporters’ box were already fit to burst—standing room only—and now the jumble of rainproof trappings, discarded willy-nilly, added to the chaotic atmosphere. In the enclosed surroundings, the air was pungent with the mix of sodden clothes and unwashed bodies.He breathed in deeply and relished his anticipat
Belle Vue Chapter Thirty-One
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONESaturday, 2 May The morning after his celebration with Marianne, Alex left her sleeping as he crept out of the apartment. Before they’d finally dozed off, Marianne had mentioned meeting him in the Union bar at about one. Nothing had been confirmed. He needed to take a pile of books back to the library first, then he’d contact her and decide how to play the ‘take a breather’ conversation.Jeff Reichenberg was in the hall. To judge from the dampness of his hair and sports gear, he’d just finished a strenuous workout. After a few words of greeting, Alex made his way down the stairs to the main foyer. The man had given him a strange look. It made him feel awkward as though he was somehow letting Claire down by being seen leaving Marianne’s. Last night had been as wild as ever. After that first shock and her reaction, it could have all gone horribly wrong, but she’d taken the champagne from him and clad in that outfit, led him willingly to the bedroom. She then did th
Belle Vue Chapter Thirty-Two
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWOMonday, 15 November, 1869The weather was dank and overcast. A suitable morning for a hanging.Johnson Nottidge stood next to the Governor of St. Alban’s Gaol as the man took out his fob watch and looked at it for the third time in as many minutes. Frederick Butt held it out for him to see and tutted. The man’s nerves were obviously getting the better of him. 7:45 a.m. Still, a quarter hour to go. Nottidge’s excitement rose. The thrill of watching Mary Grady die would be an experience hard to equal.The gibbet dominated the small prison yard. They stared at it, Nottidge with fascination while Butt wrinkled his nose with distaste. There being another hanging at Maidstone that day, William Calcraft, the General Executioner of Great Britain, was unavailable, but one of his assistants had stepped in. By all accounts, Ernest Ruggles was efficient at his job. So far, Nottidge had to agree, the man, in addition to his fee, had negotiated with Butt to keep the clothes an
Belle Vue Chapter Thirty-Three
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREESunday, 10 May Alex stood in the kitchen waiting for the kettle to boil. His mobile rang, breaking his scrutiny of the St. Alban’s skyline at night through the distortion of a rain-spattered window. He slid the phone from the pocket of his sweatpants and checked the number before answering. No name listed.“Hello?”“Is that Alex Palmer?”“Speaking.”“Hi, Alex. It’s Debra Edwards.”The kettle switched itself off, but he ignored it.“Thanks for returning my call. Is Marianne with you?” he asked.“No. Why?”“I haven’t heard from her for over a week. When did you last speak to her?”“Must be two or three weeks ago. She was still in a strop because I didn’t want to come and see the apartment. And given her moods these days, Alex, I hate to say this, but she’s probably avoiding you. Had you thought of that?”He laughed. “It did cross my mind, but I’ve emailed her, left phone and text messages asking her to let me know she’s okay.” Alex paused and swallowed.
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