Glass Bulldog , livre ebook

The Glass Bulldog
Alison Huntingford
Austin Macauley Publishers
2019-05-31
The Glass Bulldog About the Author About the Book Dedication DISCLAIMER Copyright Information Acknowledgement Prologue Chapter 1 Alphington, Exeter, 1833 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 London, 1837 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 1842 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 November 1842 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 1858 Chapter 20 Godalming, Surrey, 1859 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Chapter 25 Chapter 26 Chapter 27 Chapter 28 Chapter 29 Chapter 30 Chapter 31 Chapter 32 Chapter 33 Epilogue
About the Author
The author is currently a teacher of English language and has a degree in Humanities with Literature. She enjoys reading 19 th -century fiction, in particular Charles Dickens and Thomas Hardy.
Having grown up in Devon, Alison Huntingford has always had a strong affinity to the county, despite being born elsewhere. One of her favourite pastimes is genealogy and she was therefore delighted to find an ancestor who came from Exeter in Devon. His story inspired her recent novel, The Glass Bulldog .
In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and their pets, listening to music, going to the cinema and gardening.
About the Book
One mistake can change your life…
Exeter, 1833. Since the recent cholera outbreak and the tragic loss of his little sister, Annie, young Tom Finnimore has been struggling with poverty and a dreadful new job.
Following a lovers' quarrel, in desperation, he steals some chickens but, unfortunately, is caught in the act.
After a traumatic time in prison, Tom starts again with his first love by his side. However, life with the beautiful but foolish Mary Ann doesn’t work out and Tom is left alone again, brokenhearted.
The handsome widow Phyllis gives Tom another chance of happiness, but when her family discovers the dark secret of his criminal past, they threaten to destroy him.
On the verge of retirement, the couple realise that Tom’s past could still ruin their daughter’s happiness and prevent her from marrying the man she loves.
Can Tom find peace and redemption at last?
Dedication
Dedicated to my wonderful husband, Nigel, for believing in me; my mother, Kathleen, for always being there; and Maisie Smith, for help and inspiration.
DISCLAIMER
Although this book is a work of fiction, much of it is based on documented historical fact. Did the events described within actually happen? I do not know. I merely suggest that they could have happened.
Copyright Information
Copyright © Alison Huntingford (2019)
The right of Alison Huntingford to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with section 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publishers.
Any person who commits any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.
A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library.
ISBN 9781528914161 (Paperback)
ISBN 9781528960809 (ePub e-book)
www.austinmacauley.com
First Published (2019)
Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd
25 Canada Square
Canary Wharf
London
E14 5LQ
Acknowledgement
Thanks to:
Rowena Jay Alphington Miscellany and Memories
The Alphington Archives www.alphington.org.uk
Mavis Saunters, descendant of Molly and James Cooper
Ancestry.co.uk
FindMyPast.co.uk
Genes Reunited
London Metropolitan Police website
Wikipedia
Devon Records Office
GRO
Prologue
The glass bulldog sits on the shelf in the bedroom, the sunlight glinting off the smoked glass. It is chipped and worn with age, fragile yet still strong. Many years have passed since it was first created and someone might wonder what stories it could tell. What memories does it hold? We can only guess.
Chapter 1

Alphington, Exeter, 1833
Tom smiled. It was a while since this had happened, as he hadn’t had much to smile about recently. However, the approach of the lovely Mary Ann always made him smile. They were both very young (Tom was 16 years old), but he thought he would probably marry her one day. Her long, fair hair was the colour of warm honey, and as it moved gently in the breeze, Tom wished this image could stay with him forever. Though she was only 15 years old, she had the makings of a beautiful woman in the future. At present, she had a sweetness and an innocent charm which made him want to cherish and protect her against the evils of the world.
Of the world he knew little as yet, but he had certainly seen some distressing things so far. Only last year there had been the dreaded cholera outbreak and he shuddered to think back.
Tom’s family were farming folk. Not that they were wealthy enough to own a farm, no, but they worked for a farmer as labourers, helping with the crops, planting, harvesting, sowing, reaping. The farm animals also needed their daily care. Tom’s Father, Richard Finnimore, had always worked for Farmer Lapthorne and had been treated strictly but fairly. The hours were long and the work hard, but the family had survived on what he received in pay. Now that the older boys (John, Will, Dick and Tom) were old enough to work they were bringing in some more as well, so the large family of eight children had been doing okay. Not rich, but getting by.
Alphington was a pleasant rural village in Devon, quite bustling at times with regular stage coaches passing through. Consequently, there were many stables, blacksmiths, saddlers and other associated trades to serve the coaches and their passengers. Nonetheless, it still retained its own identity, quite separate from the nearby city of Exeter, with a community mostly of farming folk due to having a great deal of fertile land. There was a local squire and some other landowners who often traded in horses at the annual fair or sold cattle at the local market, but most of the villagers were agricultural labourers, many living in tied cottages. There were a handful of shops and other businesses, some alehouses and an attempt at a local school. The local gentry were of a reasonably generous disposition and provision was often made for the poor. For example, in the year Tom was born (1816), at Christmas all the poor received gifts of meat to feed their families. The church also provided entertainment such as dances, concerts and a Sunday school. Reverend Ellicombe, the son of the previous vicar, was a good man who worked hard. All in all, it wasn’t a bad place to live.
That was until last year, when everything changed due to the cholera. It had started when a visitor arrived in nearby St Thomas and died soon afterwards. In spite of the best efforts of the medics and the authorities, the poor water quality spread the disease like wildfire around the neighbouring villages. Alphington, where Tom and his family lived, was very near to this area and soon had its share of victims. It spread through the water system as fast as a bad rumour. The very leats that were so valuable to everyone’s lives became the poison that killed them in their dozens.
It was a hot summer day in early August, when Tom’s little sister Annie, only six years old, became ill. She had been out playing by the leat with her friends only a few days before.
“Tom!” called his mother, Sarah. “Run down and fetch the Doctor. Our Annie’s not well!”
Tom came running in from the yard where he had been feeding the chickens. (He only worked part time at present, so he helped out around the home as well).
Annie was the favourite out of his siblings. She had a gentle sensitivity and quiet nature that he loved. Like most of their family (himself included), she had dark wavy hair and deep velvety brown eyes. Although she was only six, she was wise beyond her years. She appeared to have a natural inclination to see the divine in everything. Only the other day she asked him why God created rainbows. Perplexed, Tom could only reply that he guessed the Almighty liked the colours. She made him think about things that had never occurred to him before. Tom had had very little education, though there was a small school in the village which he attended for a short while. There was one master, Mr Marker, who did his best to teach some of the poor boys of the parish. (Girls were not admitted). Here Tom had learnt to read and to name plants and animals. Despite this, he had never been taught writing and could not sign his own name. The lessons were mostly based around practical subjects with a hearty dose of religious morals thrown in for good measure. The pupils were brought up to be useful, polite, well-behaved citizens.
Now he went into the front room to see Annie lying wrapped up in blankets by the fire. Her forehead was damp with sweat. Earlier that day she’d started being sick all the time and now she was so weak she could hardly focus on Tom’s face. Their mother had heard the rumours of the dreadful disease that was sweeping through Exeter and now she feared the worst.
“Annie,” whispered Tom. “It’s alright. I’ll get the Doctor. You’ll feel better soon.”
He held her hand but she barely noticed. He kissed her gently on the forehead then sped off to get the local physician, Mr Calder. This was easier said than done however, as when Tom got to his house, he found the medic was out already, tending other sick villagers. His wife suggested the local curate who was also helping out. The village of Alphington was small, but the roads were quite winding and it took Tom several minutes to get to the curate’s humble lodgings near St Michael’s Church. He banged on the door for all he was worth. The curate, Mr Cooper, came hastily to the door.
“Please help us!” cried T