Taking The Air

“Does she know why she’s here today?” the Doctor asked Mother. I considered telling him that I would prefer he talk directly to me, but I knew that was unbecoming and Mother would frown and she already has too many wrinkles. So I didn’t say anything.

Mother didn’t speak either. She just nodded her head. That was unlike her, but I thought perhaps she was dazzled by the handsome Doctor. Sometimes that happens and Mother forgets herself.

“So,” said the Doctor, finally looking at me, “tell me what happened.”

It was my turn to speak, but for a moment words quite failed me. I looked to Mother but she had turned away and was staring out of the window.

“Well, sir,” I began.

“You can call me James,” he said.

I nodded (but secretly vowed to do no such thing) and continued, “I was taking the air yesterday morning, as I often do, when that vagabond accosted me. He hurled such vile epithets; it made me quite faint.”

He held up his hand for me to stop. He turned to Mother. “Mrs Jones, why does she…?”

“Speak like that!” my mother interrupted, standing up. “God knows—she’s been doing it forever. She’s a laughing-stock.” She caught my look and stopped. “Yes, well, anyway I don’t know why she does it, but she does. I think it’s harmless.”

I kept looking at her until she sat down, then I turned back to the Doctor (James!). “What else can I tell you about that morning? I was accosted. He was a rough vagabond, Irish no doubt. I tried my best to flee but he viciously restrained me. Look…”

I held out my arms so he could see my wrists. There were two faint red marks. I thought they quite clearly made my point but he was looking at my nails.

“There’s blood,” he said. “Whose is that?”

I looked at my nails. There are things a lady must sometimes do to protect herself. That’s the state of this world today. But before I could speak James had stood up and was whispering with Mother. I don’t like it when people whisper.

“I can show you,” I said.

James looked at me, uncertain now. I was already unscrewing my boot heel. I had heard they never check the boots and it had proved to be true. James started to move towards the door, as did Mother, but I was too quick for them both. I always am. Before he could call for help I jammed my heel into his neck and, before he hit the ground, I had removed it and was on my way to Mother. “Jane—no!” she tried to say, but the rest was just a gurgle.

Once she was on the floor I crouched over her to retrieve my heel. My hands were again covered in blood; it’s a devil to get out from under the nails. “It’s a shame that vagabond got away,” I said to her, although I don’t think she was listening. “I very much enjoyed taking the air. But the world is changing; the streets are not safe for a lady, particularly one such as me. I think I’ll enjoy spending more time indoors.”