She’d overheard Myrtle in that braying knowing voice of hers talking about her cousin who’d been caught out by a good looking corporal from London, or at least that’s what he’d told her. For all her cousin knew he could have been a deserter! Either way, he was long gone, and the cousin finding herself in the family way had resorted to gin and a hot bath. Whether it had solved Myrtle's poor cousin’s predicament Constance didn’t know; the older girl had moved out of earshot. The idea had been planted, though and her mind was already mentally scanning the meagre contents of her parents’ liquor cabinet. She’d seized hold of a possible solution because here was a chance to escape the devastation she would otherwise wreak on her family; she’d try anything.
It didn’t work. For her efforts, Constance wound up in bed with a spinning head and red raw skin, her stomach still gently swelling. The idea that perhaps the answer might be tucked away in the pages of Molly’s journal came to her in the dead of night. Indeed, in those yellowing pages were the suggestions of a soothsayer, and desperate, Constance who felt so very alone, ripped the page from the book. She folded it carefully and tucked it away in her bag, knowing that once she’d sourced what she needed she would burn it. She’d want no tangible reminder of what she’d done.
When it came to it, she could not do it. Slippery elm and a leech, she could not let that leech do its worse. Instead, she took a deep breath and cornered her mother one morning as she cleared her father’s breakfast dishes. For the rest of her days, Constance would not forget the way her mother’s face had crumpled in shock as she grasped hold of the bench to steady herself. She learned too when her mother whispered the situation their youngest daughter found herself in to her father, that there is a far worse emotion than anger. It was called disappointment.
PART THREE
Dandelion – ‘Taraxacum’
The common dandelion is used as a digestive/detox solution – it provides a cleansing effect with laxative and diuretic properties. Dandelion can also aid anemia, diabetes, liver disease or simply liver cleansing.
Prevents Urinary Tract Infections.
Treatment for inflammation of tonsils.
Aids appetite loss.
Aids an upset stomach, intestinal gas, gallstones, muscle aches.
Root infusion encourages the steady elimination of toxins from the body.
As a tea, find a source of dandelion that hasn’t been exposed to insecticides. Harvest the dandelion both root and bulb. Slice or crush the bulb and spread over a baking tray. Dry in an oven heated to 200 to 220 degrees until evenly dried. Allow the root to cool and use one tablespoon as a loose leaf tea in boiled water and brew for five minutes.
Constance & Isabel
Chapter 22
‘Um, excuse me. I wondered if you could help me. I’m trying to find my great aunt, Constance.’
The receptionist whose name badge said she was called Kristen stopped twirling her hair and eyed Isabel curiously as she burbled on.
‘What it is you see is, she had a falling out with my nana years ago, and when nan passed away a month back she asked me to find her sister Constance and tell her she was sorry. The only clue as to her whereabouts that she gave me was that at the time of their argument she was living in Ryde, here on Wight.’ Isabel shoved her hands into her jeans pockets and fidgeted from foot to foot hoping she didn’t look shifty as she carried on. ‘I’ve just moved over to Wight myself for a bit, and my landlord mentioned he’d bought his property from a woman called Constance Downer who resides here. My nan’s maiden name was Downer, so I’m fairly certain she’s my great aunt.’ She stopped talking and drew breath. The young girl, whose layer of foundation was so thick she’d give Charity a run for her money, expression gave nothing away. She did, however, step out from behind the reception desk telling Isabel to follow her.
‘I think Jill’s probably in the Oceania Lounge. She’ll be able to help you.’
‘Oh, thanks.’ Isabel’s heart leaped. This was positive, she thought, keeping pace with the younger woman as she strode importantly down the plush carpeted corridor, its off-white walls broken by splashes of colour from the tasteful artworks hung on them. They passed by a hair salon and a family meeting room where a motley group was clustered around a frail looking woman. Isabel was busy hoping they weren’t coercing the poor dear into changing her will when she nearly smacked into Kristen. She’d had come to a halt in the doorway of a large, airy room. Groups of people were sitting at tables engaged in craft work, card games or just enjoying the view of the water outside the picture window over a cup of tea.
Kristen scanned the room. ‘There she is.’ She led Isabel over to where a nurse was tending to a lady with a halo of wispy white hair. Isabel thought she looked as though she’d snap in half in a strong breeze as she watched the nurse settle her into an armchair.
She didn’t look right sitting in such a big chair; it was as though the plump cushions were about to swallow her up whole, a bit like Little Red Riding Hood visiting grandmother. Isabel’s fanciful musings weren’t helped by the little lady’s red pullover either.
The nurse turned her attention to Kristen and Isabel with a smile. She was clad in a crisp white blouse with a navy stripe running through it and navy pants. The name badge pinned to her
