At the Sign of the Sugared Plum by Mary Hooper

our daily bread,’ he said. ‘Although the doctor says that very little provision has been made. There are no public funds for relief of the poor, and no grain stored against such an event.’ There was a moment’s silence, then he looked at me sympathetically. ‘But were you very frightened when you saw the doctor in his outfit?’
    ‘I was!’ I made myself shiver in what I hoped was an appealing way. ‘I thought he was a fiend from hell!’
    Tom laughed. ‘Yes, he can be. But he’s a good master.’
    We reached the shop and Sarah, looking out and seeing that Tom was with me, bade him come in, saying that it was nearly midday and he might like to take some dinner with us.
    ‘Thank you – but the doctor has asked me to go straight back,’ Tom said to her. ‘And I have many potions and preventatives to make up.’
    ‘Another time, then,’ Sarah said. She turned and busied herself over the fire, tactfully averting her eyes from us as we parted. My mouth felt dry, for I could see a certain look in Tom’s eyes and was very nervous as to whether he would try to kiss me and if I should allow it.
    He told me to take all necessary precautions against the sickness and said that he would see me as soon as he was able, then leaned forward and quickly brushed across my cheek with his lips. I was cross with myself afterwards, for I offered my cheek to him so quickly that he actually ended up kissing one of the ribbons on my cap.
    But then again, perhaps I should not have allowed him such freedom anyway. I resolved that I would ask Abby, and went in thinking that for the last four whole minutes I had managed to forget about the plague altogether.
    Three days later – for there was much to do and, as Sarah was rather low in spirits, I did not wish to leave her – I went up with our water jugs to Bell Court, hoping to see Abby. There was water to be obtained closer, but I knew she favoured this place and I was anxious to know how she was faring.
    She was not in the queue for water, however, which was half as long as it usually was, for a great many of the quality had gone out of town now, either taking their servants or leaving them to fend for themselves. I could remember where she lived, so leaving my jugs unfilled for the moment, I made my way there. As I passed the various churches: St Bride’s, All Hallows, St Sepulchre’s, each was tolling its bell to tell of someone’s passing.
    I would not have dared to knock at the front door of the house, but there was a young boy in the yard grooming one of the horses, and I asked him if Abby was at home. He ran off and a few moments later came back with Abby behind him.
    To my great relief – for there had been a horrid dread in my mind – she looked perfectly fine and healthy. We hugged and I said I’d been anxious about her, having not seen her at the conduit.
    She pointed to a well in the yard. ‘Mr Beauchurch says we must use this water now and not gather in Bell Court. He says that being in crowds is dangerous.’ She pulled a face. ‘And so I have to miss my afternoon gossips!’
    She took my arm and we walked across the yard into the coolness of the dairy, which was a big, airy room tiled in blue and white. Milk churns stood along the floor, and there was a butter and cheese maker, and several big round wheels of cheese. ‘But Hannah, what d’you think!’ she said excitedly. ‘I am to travel to Dorchester with my mistress and the babe!’
    ‘Where is Dorchester?’ I asked, for I had never heard of it.
    ‘It’s in Dorsetshire, southwest of London. We are to go to a great estate belonging to my mistress’s sister, who is a titled lady, and there we will be safe from the sickness.’
    ‘Oh,’ I said, feeling a little forlorn. ‘When will you go?’
    ‘As soon as the mistress is well enough to travel.’
    ‘And just you with her?’
    She nodded. ‘Mrs Beauchurch says that out of all the servants, I am best with the babe.’ She smiled. ‘For sure having