“Well, Shannon, Shannon. I’m Martha. Can I get you a cup of tea, or maybe something stronger?”
“No tea will be fine, thank you.”
Pointing again to the chair, Martha again apologized about the mess, “You make yourself comfortable Shannon, and I’ll be back in a moment.”
Left on her own and with very little else to do, Shannon wondered how many of the women that passed through here ever saw what she did. Feeling her curiosity get the better of her, she found the notice board beside her draw her in. Looking to some of handwritten letters attached to it, she wondered why others had used a mail order bride service. Giving in to her curiosity, she got up from her seat to study them.
“All looking for love, they are.”
Startled, Shannon turned to find Martha coming in with a small tray in her hands.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to-”
“That’s fine dear,” Martha said and placed the tray on the table. Leaving it there, she joined her at the board. “Life out West can be a lonely place. Working long hours and coming home to an empty home. Well, you can imagine the life for those men. Then add the fact that there’s more gold than ladies out there. Well, you can see the predicament they find themselves in.”
Shannon nodded.
“Come on, our tea’s going to get cold,” Martha said and directed her back to the table.
Going back to her seat, Shannon found a small china cup handed to her.
“I put a little sugar in, thought it might help to calm your nerves.”
Lifting the cup to her face and breathing in its aroma, Shannon thought back to the last time she’d had tea this way. Taking a sip, she remembered the fine china set her mother had at home. The one that she and Connor and been told never to touch.
“You look sad.”
“Me?”
“Just there, a moment ago. You looked like you were lost in something,” she said, replacing her cup on its saucer.
“Just thinking of my brother.”
Martha pointed to the board. “Gone out West, is he?”
“He was killed a few days ago, mining accident.”
Putting her cup and saucer down, Martha apologized. “Oh, I’m sorry to hear that. Here’s me grabbing you in off the street thinking you were interested in becoming a mail order bride. My husband was right about me, always acting first and thinking later.”
“That’s OK, Martha.”
“And the man you were avoiding--sorry I shouldn’t have asked that question. Bit of a habit really, with all the interviewing I do in this place.” Martha pointed to the room.
“That’s fine; he’s a neighbour from home.”
“But you don’t want to see him?”
“He wants to take me back to Ireland.”
“And I take it you don’t want to go,” Martha said, refilling her cup with fresh tea. “Are you sure you don’t want me to call someone, the law maybe?”
Seeing her hold up the teapot to offer a top up, Shannon shook her head. “No thanks. It’s my father that’s put him up to this. Now with my brother gone, my father wants me to go home.”
“But you don’t want to.”
“I picked America because it was the furthest I could get away from my parents.”
“I see--but there’s something else, isn’t there?”
Feeling her cheeks redden, Shannon couldn’t believe how easily she was letting Martha in on her personal life. “To tell you the truth, I can’t afford to live here anymore. With the pittance I’m earning, and the soaring rent, I might have no other choice.”
“I see.”
“It was a friend who recommended becoming a mail order bride--I feel so foolish now.” Taking her cup and saucer and placing it back on the tray, Shannon rose from her seat. “I’ve taken up enough of your time. I’m sorry, Martha.”
On the verge of walking to the door, she found Martha leave her seat and cut off her escape. “Listen, I’ll tell you what.” Leaving to go back to her desk, she picked up a leaflet. “Why don’t you take this with you, look it over. Being a mail order bride isn’t for everyone and I wouldn’t want to force you into something that’s not right for you. But it could be just what you’ve been looking for.”
Standing in the door way, Shannon checked both ways before walking out. Turning to thank Martha once more, she headed back in the direction of her apartment. Looking the leaflet over and not paying any attention to what lay ahead of her, she found her way blocked. “Sorry, I should have watched where I was...”
“Hi, Shannon.”
Looking up from the leaflet, she found Sean there.
“I was looking for you. For a second I thought you’d left town.”
“Me?” Shannon asked, pointing to herself. Realizing what she held in her other hand; she quickly clenched the leaflet into a ball and threw it behind her.
“I’ve good news.”
“Really, what’s that?”
“I was talking to your landlord. Sweet guy. He rented me the room right across from you.”
Hearing those words, Shannon felt a tightness in her chest. Feeling like she was now in a trap she’d never escape from, he added.
“Between now and Saturday, I’ll know right where you are.”
Chapter 4
Pulling her shawl tightly around her, Shannon stopped and stared at the door of her apartment. Picturing what lay on the other side, she imagined Sean lying in wait for her on the landing. Unable to sleep all night, she’d listened to every creak of wood in the hall and assumed it was him keeping tabs on her. Fighting back a yawn with the back of hand, she knew she’d have to act. Taking a step toward the door, Shannon grimaced as she turned the key in the keyhole. Hoping that going slowly was the best thing to do, she clenched her teeth as the metal workings scrapped together loudly before popping back into place. Putting her ear to the door, she listened and heard nothing react to the noise. Now feeling confident about her escape, she turned the door handle and pulled the door a fraction toward her. Holding it there, she tried her best to check the landing with her limited view. It was empty. Making one final check that she had everything she needed, she opened her purse one more time. Realizing that the contents were the same as the last three times she’d checked, she scolded herself.
“Come on, Shannon, move it.”
Feeling her chiding give her confidence a boost, she pulled the door open and walked onto the landing. Wondering why she was so suddenly afraid of Sean, she realized that it was the look of desperation on his face the day before. Looking like his back was to the wall, she could see that her return was his chance of a better life. Wondering the size of the bounty her father had put on her head, she turned when she heard the doorknob across from her move. Fearing the worst and her body filled with adrenaline from a night of pent up fear, she found herself running down the stairs.
“Shannon!”
Hearing Sean’s voice call from behind her, she kept going and gripped the banister as firmly as she could. Hoping that she didn’t twist an ankle or fall head first, she held tight on the next bend. Turning and looking up, she found him leaning over the railing. Looking down on her from above, Sean looked like he’d just raced from bed. Standing shirtless and fixing his braces on his shoulders, he looked like as tired as she was.
“Shannon come back, I thought maybe we could have some breakfast together.”
“Maybe later, Sean. I’ve got an important errand to do,” she found herself calling back as she kept going. Seeing his condition and remembering the noises she’d heard in the night, she now knew how desperate Sean was getting. “Maybe lunch, I’ll be back.” Hearing him run back to his bedroom, for what she assumed was the rest of his clothing; she ran out the front door and tried to lose herself in the morning pedestrians.
*****
“Back so soon. I thought I’d scared you off.” Martha got up from behind her small reception desk and came over to welcome her. “So, you’ve made up your mind then.”
/>
“I have.” Shannon smiled.
“Come through,” Martha said and lead the way.
Following behind, Shannon paused at the office door she’d been at before.
“No, no, child. It’s in here,” she smiled and opened the door opposite it. “Bit embarrassed you saw that mess in there.” Holding out her arm, she directed Shannon inside and followed behind. Taking her seat behind a large wooden desk Martha apologized once more. “I’m surprised you even came back; I must have looked so unprofessional. Please, sit.”
Taking in her new surrounding before sitting down, Shannon could see what Martha meant. Looking around her, she found the room had been spared no expense on the furniture and fittings. “It’s lovely.”
“Thank you, although after what you saw last time, a pigs-sty would have been an improvement.”
Looking to a painting on the wall, Shannon replied, “You’re being hard on yourself.”
“Handsome man, wasn’t he? That’s my late husband, Clarence. I like to keep that painting there to remind me of him. He died a few years ago, got a bout of pneumonia and never recovered. It was actually his idea that I start this business--but enough about me, let’s talk about you.” Bending down to pull open a drawer, Martha came back up with a form and placed it on the table. Opening it out and lifting a nearby pen, she paused, on the verge of pushing them over. “I’m sorry to ask this, but you can read and write, can you? Nothing to be embarrassed about if you can’t. Just that I had a young lady in recently, Mary who-”
“Whatever I can say about my parents, they always made sure we had a good education.”
Pushing the form over, Martha added, “I had to ask. You know how it is. Although not being able to read and write isn’t compulsory it does help.” Getting to her feet, she smiled. “I’ll leave you in peace to fill it in now. If you’ve any problems, just leave it blank and we can go over it together.”
Smiling back, Shannon watched her leave and turned her attention to the form. Hovering her pen over it she knew there was no going back now.
Hearing the door creak open ten minutes later, Shannon turned to see Martha come in.
“So, how did you get on?” Finding her seat opposite, she took the form and read through it quickly. “Looks all good, to me.” Looking up, she asked, “Had you any particular type of man in mind? I mean nationality wise, have you got a preference for Irish, American?”
“I hadn’t really thought about that.”
“Well, I've got a portfolio of men of all nationalities and backgrounds. But you don’t really need to make up your mind just yet.”
“So, what happens now?”
“Well, now we go through a list of men who I feel are compatible and I make contact with them. You’ll go on a number of dates with each, so you can get to know each other. Then from there, hopefully you’ll both find some common ground you can work on. I know there are some people who think we just slap couples together haphazardly, but not here. I pride myself on the work I do here. Here, let me show you.” Leaning back in her seat, Martha reached into a drawer and took out a folder. Placing it on the desk, she took out of some of its contents and fanned them on the table. “Testimonials from happy couples I’ve put together.”
Picking up the nearest one and scanning through it, Shannon could see from what they’d written that both seemed happy with Martha’s work. Stopping to look at the photograph attached, she looked up. “And this is them?”
“Yes. They sent that to me, two years ago I think that was. Last I heard it was a successful arrangement and they’re still together.”
Picking up another, Shannon paused at Martha’s next question.
“So, all going well when do you think you’d be available to go?”
“Before Saturday?”
See Martha look her over and expect to be let in on the joke, she exclaimed, “But that’s only two days away.”
“I’m afraid that’s all the time, I have.”
“You’re serious, aren’t you?” Hearing the bell on the front door jingle, she stopped and looked to the door. “Do you mind if I?”
“No, go.”
Walking toward the door, Martha paused before turning the handle. “I’ll be as quick as I can, and then maybe we can look at this Saturday deadline again.”
Watching her leave and the door close, Shannon turned her attention to the papers on the table. Reading them and hearing the good words they had to say of Martha’s work, she heard a man roar from the other side of the door.
“SHANNON, I KNOW YOU’RE IN HERE!”
Hearing Sean’s voice call out and Martha argue desperately with him, she ran for cover.
Chapter 5
“Don’t give me that bull, I know for a fact she came in here.”
Listening to the raised voice in the hall way, Shannon felt her heart beat like never before. Crouched under Martha’s table, she tried to make her body as small as possible. Collecting as much of her dress as she could, she frantically tucked it in around her, hoping none of it protruded beyond the desk.
“Who? There’s no one in here but me-”
“Listen, I know for a fact that she’s in here.”
Hearing the door opposite slam, Shannon gasped as she realized that her form was on the table. Pushing Martha’s heavy chair back, she poked her head up and spied it. Grabbing it quickly and returning to her hiding space, she heard the door of the room she was in crash open.
“See, I told you there was no one in here.”
“She tell you she’s going home on Saturday?”
“Who’s going home?”
“I’m warning you lady, whatever she’s got planned between the two of you, you can forget about it. Come Saturday, both of us are going back to Ireland.”
“Listen--whoever you and this Shannon person are, I know nothing about it. But if you’re not out of here in the next five minutes, I swear I’m calling the law.”
“SHANNON!”
Holding her breath, Shannon heard footsteps making their way across the floor. Settling just on the other side of the desk, she listened as the desk above her head creaked under the weight of someone sitting on it.
“Let’s get something straight here. If I find out she was in here and you’re lying to me, I’ll be back, you hear me?”
Shannon listened as Martha whimpered. On the verge of showing herself, she listened to what Sean said next.
“The only one she’s promised to is me.”
“Listen, I told you I don’t know this Shannon girl you’re talking about.”
Hearing the desk creak once more, Shannon looked up and imagined Sean getting off it. Listening to him walk away, she heard him threaten Martha a final time.
“For your sake, you better be telling the truth.”
Wondering what her next move should be, she let out a sigh of relief as the front door of the office slammed shut in anger. Pushing Martha’s chair free and climbing out from under the desk, she found Martha staring at her with a look of shock on her face.
“I’m so sorry, Martha. I shouldn’t have come here. If I’d known, he’d followed me here…”
“I don’t know what to say.”
Feeling that she was the stronger of the two right now, Shannon steered Martha to her chair and made her sit down.
“Can I get you something, water, tea?”
“Bottom drawer,” Martha mumbled.
Looking to where her hand was pointing, Shannon pulled the drawer open and watched as a bottle at the back of it rolled forward. Grabbing it by the neck, she lifted it and examined the label. Bourbon.
“There are a few glasses in the other office. Get two and come back here. I think we both could do with a drink right now.”
Doing as she was told, Shannon walked to the doorway and stopped. Making sure that Sean was gone, she first went to the front office and edged toward the office window. Scanning the street outside and finding no sign of him, she quickly raced to the front do
or and put the dead bolt on it. Happy that they wouldn’t be disturbed by any uninvited guests, she made her way to find the glasses.
“That man’s an animal,” Martha mumbled, taking a drink from her glass. “The look he gave me; I swear he meant what he said.”
“Are you sure you’re OK?”
“I’ll be fine after a few of these,” she said, raising her glass. “But you, you have to go home with him?”
“That’s what he wants to happen-”
“And that thing about him and you?”
“I know nothing about it. I don’t know where he got that idea from.”
“I don’t know what to say.”
Shannon put her glass back on the table. Watching Martha gulp the contents of hers, she apologized once more. “I’m sorry for dragging you into all this. The last thing I want to see is you or anyone else getting hurt over this.” Getting to her feet, she asked, “Have you got a back door or someway else I can get out of here?”
“Huh?”
“I said, have you got another way out of this office. I don’t want Sean or anyone see me leave here.” Martha pulled the top off the bottle and refilled her glass.
“Saturday you said.”
“What?”
“You said you had to go before Saturday,” Martha said, slapping the bottle top back on and putting it away.
“Yes, but that was before…” Martha bent down out of sight and returned with her application form. Looking at it for a second, she put it on the desk and smiled over.
“Well, looking at your application, you look like a perfect match for any of my new clients.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Let’s just say any man, even a pig, would be an improvement on that man.”
“I don’t want anything to happen to you because of me.”
Pointing to the empty seat, Martha said, “Sit down and finish that drink off. We’ve got a lot to discuss.”
Taking her seat once more, Shannon took her glass and drank another sip.
“There’s something you don’t know about me,” Martha started. “I was married before. Don’t like to talk about it, not a lot of happy memories there. Seeing the anger in that man’s face brought me back there. It reminded of my first husband, Benjamin. He was an abusive drunk, only I didn’t see it until we got married. He hid it well. But behind closed doors, I spent ten years, slapped, punched, even kicked by that man.”