Chapter 5

‘What happened to your daughter? ’Faye asked.

She looked down, wondering why the red hot embers were not burning her feet. The woman was no longer struggling against her bindings and she appeared unaffected by her falling flesh. She must have noticed Faye’s surprise.

‘I feel nothing anymore, ’she said, ignoring Faye’s question. ’My body is but a vessel now, so I may speak to you.’

Faye felt a sense of deep sadness, the woman had burned and she was so accepting of her fate, that her only concern was for her daughter.

‘What is your name? ’Faye asked. ’Who are you and how can I help your little girl?’

‘My name is Mathilda, ’the woman said. ’And only you can save my daughter. ’

...................

It was raining as Faye boarded the bus which would carry her away from London and back home to Kirkwood. She only carried one small suitcase. All her other belongings would be sent by one of the maids in the Wilding household.

She took her seat, with a measure of heartache but also hope, as the bus began to move.

She’d spent 7 years in the big city, having moved there when she was 19, shortly after her parents had passed within months of each other. Sybil, being the eldest, had decided to stay in Kirkwood. She'd never had any ambitions to live anywhere else and Mark was there, the love of her life.

Their parents had willed them their coffee shop and Sybil took over the day to day running of the business while Faye had gone to London in search of excitement and new experiences.

Kirkwood was a small village and although it had expanded quite a lot in recent years, it was no place for young people in search of more.

She’d arrived in London and found a place to stay with friends of her father and within 2 months had found a job at Warwick and Smith, a small law firm in London, where she was the secretary. It was a good job that paid well enough for her to afford her own place and 4 years later she met Nolan at a nightclub.

She was bowled over by his dark, good looks and effortless charm. He was never anything more than a gentleman, until the first time he belittled her, the day she first told him about her visions of the burning woman.

He’d laughed raucously when she was done.

They were lying in bed after spending an afternoon of passion together.

‘What’s so funny? ’she’d asked him, his indifference stabbing at her heart. He turned to look at her, barely able to contain himself.

‘It sounds crazy Faye, ’he said, the corners of his mouth lifting in a smile, ’are you sure you’re normal and not delusional and completely bonkers? No wonder my mother thinks you’re disturbed!’

He’d collapsed into the pillows, consumed by another peal of laughter while her tears rolled down her cheeks.

It had never occurred to her back then that he would turn into the abusive animal he was. She forgave him time after time, but no more, not now that she had her baby to think about.

It was over between them, for good.

Her thoughts turned once more to the burning woman and the dream where she had asked her for her help, to save her daughter, where she had told her her name.

‘Who are you, Mathilda? ’Faye asked softly. ’And what do you want from me? ’

…………

The English Coast, 1794

Mathilda was still reeling from what she had heard come out of Mary’s mouth. Had her own daughter just threatened her?

The thought was like fire in her mind as Tobias gently touched her arm. She turned around, his expression was grim but his eyes were alive with excitement.

‘I am taking Esther with us, ’he said. ’Let her see what happens to those who defy God’s law.’

Mathilda’s eyes widened in shock. ’Tobias, no, please! ’she pleaded. ’Leave Esther here with me. She is not like Mary. She is not so strong.’

‘No, ’Tobias said firmly. ’Her weakness will be her downfall, Mathilda. Even Magnus has noticed how weak she is.’

‘Magnus has no business with my children, ’Mathilda retorted. ’He is nothing but a murderer!’

‘Silence! ’Tobias thundered. ’Do not insult the chosen one of God! Have you gone mad woman?’

‘I think she has Father.’

Both Tobias and Mathilda spun around. Mary had appeared from nowhere as usual, spitting out her righteous venom.

‘She is too sympathetic, Father, ’Mary said. ’And it does not bode well for any of us. ’