Page 13

Chapter 13

Late February 1911

Ursula wasn’t sure why Café Vegetaria exerted such a pull on her.

Since the start of the month she had found herself there several times a week.

There were rarely any male customers and the ladies who were gathered at the tables in pairs and threes and fours seemed to be regulars who nodded and smiled at her when she went in.

Occasionally someone would play a tune on the piano in the corner.

On this particular Wednesday, there were no free tables and she stood a little hesitantly near the door.

‘If you wouldn’t mind sharing?

’ said the server.

She shrugged.

‘That would be fine.’

‘If I can find you a seat, what would you like today?’

‘A pot of tea, please, and perhaps some of the date and walnut loaf I enjoyed so much last time, if you have any?’

He walked across the café to a table where a woman sat alone.

Ursula saw them exchange a few words and the woman laughed.

He pulled out the rush-seated chair opposite her, waved Ursula over and then left, without providing any introductions.

Once Ursula was seated, the stranger offered her hand.

‘Mary Young.’

The woman’s grip was unexpectedly firm.

She looked a little older than Ursula, with smooth skin and absolutely white hair.

‘Ursula Black. Thank you for agreeing to share your table. I hope I won’t disturb you.

’

‘Not at all. It is always pleasant to have some company.’ She looked directly at Ursula, in a slightly disconcerting manner.

‘I think I’ve seen you before?

’

‘I’ve eaten here a few times.

’

The woman nodded encouragingly and Ursula found herself adding to the conversation without realising she was being drawn in.

‘It’s an interesting place.

’

‘It is indeed,’ replied her new companion, stirring what appeared to be a large cup of cocoa.

‘Are you a vegetarian?’

Ursula wished she had ordered cocoa too and was momentarily flustered by such a direct inquisition.

‘No. Well, not really. Not yet. I am making a few changes, but I have the views of my family to consider.’

‘It’s so much less costly than buying meat.

And it’s a lot quicker to prepare meals compared with the time some tougher joints and cuts require.

’

Ursula nodded. ‘I’ve discussed it with our maid.

We plan to try some new ideas, but it’s not easy.

Do you know something about it?

Could you suggest a book, perhaps?

Or a pamphlet?’

Mary Young stuck her hand up in the air where it could be spotted by the server.

He hurried over. ‘This lady is interested in your recipes.’

Ursula shook her head.

‘Oh no, I wouldn’t presume to ask for any professional secrets.

’

‘They aren’t secrets.

’ The man smiled at her.

‘Mrs Young knows we usually have a few copies of Dr Allinson’s book in the office.

I believe it provides the most comprehensive information on the subject, and of course, it has been written by an eminent doctor and a proponent of Hygienic Medicine.

’

Ursula frowned. ‘Hygienic Medicine?’

Her dining companion answered the question for her.

‘Good health through a vegetarian diet, plenty of exercise, fresh air and regular bathing.’

‘I see.’ Ursula looked up at the server.

‘Well, if you do have a copy of the book, perhaps you could add it to my bill?’

He nodded.

‘I’ll check with the manager and leave it at the desk for you.

’ The café bell jangled as the door opened and he hurried away to greet another small group of customers.

‘Tell me about yourself, Ursula.’ It was a demand.

‘I do love to meet new women. Fresh company is so stimulating.’

‘I’m not sure what you might find of interest.’ Ursula felt it would be rude not to comply.

‘I live in between Morningside and Newington, with my husband and his two children,’ she began, unsure of what was required.

‘It’s not far from the Observatory, actually.

My husband’s first wife died eighteen months ago.

’ She stopped, unaccustomed to providing a curriculum vitae to a complete stranger, and looked around the café for inspiration.

On the wall opposite was a poster emblazoned with the word ‘CENSUS’ in capital letters.

‘This will be our first census as a family.’

Mary Young leaned forward and spoke ever so slightly more softly.

‘And are you going to complete the form?’

‘My husband will do that, as head of the household. Those are the rules, surely?’

‘Not everyone will be obeying the rules, though, will they?’

‘They won’t?

’ Ursula felt like a child who has unexpectedly stumbled into an adult world and doesn’t understand the vocabulary.

‘Do you read the newspapers, Ursula?’

‘I look briefly, over breakfast. My husband takes The Scotsman to work and it doesn’t usually come home with him in the evening.

’ Ursula took the initiative at last. ‘Will you be completing it?’

There was a firm head-shake.

‘Definitely not, and my husband will not be doing it on my behalf either. I will not be counted if I do not count.’

‘I beg your pardon?’

‘If the government will not give me the vote, and allow my opinions to be heard, then they shall not count me in the population. The census questions are not legitimate anyway. No one should be filling it in, man or woman.’

‘Not legitimate?’ Ursula felt as though she was behaving like a parrot.

‘The questions are biased. It’s well known in my circles.

They are asking about women’s fertility.

It’s horrible.’ Mary Young was clearly furious about the issue.

‘And what’s more, we have no idea why they are collecting such personal information and what use they may find for it.

’

‘How do you know this?’ Ursula was unable to hide her disbelief, but at that moment a waitress arrived with her order, and there was a break in the conversation while her tea was poured and things arranged.

‘I have my sources.’

‘And do you think that this protest, this not completing the forms, will get you the vote?’

‘I don’t know if it will get us the vote, Ursula, but we have to try.

All women should have their voices heard at the ballot box, everyone from maids to countesses.

Or do you not think that your opinion has the same worth as that of your husband?

’

‘I suppose it does.’

‘You mentioned children. Boys or girls?’ The bluntness was astonishing.

‘Finlay is seventeen and Ann is twelve. She will be thirteen in April.’ Ursula was glad of the change of subject.

‘That’s why I was out today.

It’s my third attempt to buy her a handbag, or maybe something that can be worn across her shoulder.

’

‘Thirteen is an important age. I happen to know of a woman who may be able to help, if you would like to give your daughter something unique?’

Ursula took a small bite of cake.

‘She makes beautiful bags,’ Mary Young continued.

‘Her father wouldn’t let her work in the family leather business, so she set up on her own instead.

I do like a bit of gumption.

I’ll give you her address.

’ She took a used envelope and a pencil from her bag and wrote on it in copperplate handwriting.

‘The place is not far from here. She works from her home, in Marchmont.’ She handed it over.

‘We should be supporting other women in their businesses, wherever we can.’ She looked around her and lowered her voice again.

‘This place is the exception, because the manager is one of us.’ She finished her cocoa.

Ursula was losing track of the many threads in the conversation.

She was unsure how to respond.

‘I would happily have spent another hour talking to you, Ursula. We could have had more cake or even stayed here for lunch, but unfortunately, I have an appointment and I need to be on my way.’ She stood up.

‘I do hope we will meet again. Dr Allinson’s book is very interesting.

’ Mary Young pulled her gloves from her pockets.

‘Oh, just one last thing. You may find it useful to buy some sago on the way home. He is rather keen on the stuff.’

Ursula couldn’t determine from Mrs Young’s tone whether this was a good or a bad thing.

When she paid her bill at the desk a few minutes later, the server handed her a brown paper bag with a yellow book visible inside.

‘The manager found you a copy’.

‘This looks rather clandestine,’ she said.

‘There is much that is hidden in this world,’ he replied enigmatically.

‘I do hope you find it useful. And although you think I would be giving away our secrets, please ask me anything at all if the information within is unclear.’

Ursula put the book into her bag and stepped outside onto the street.

It was a bright February afternoon, but with no discernible warmth.

Her head was full of the conversation she had just had.

Should she be reading the newspaper more thoroughly?

And where was the nearest dry goods store that would be able to supply her with a pound of sago?

She paused as she left the café, and prepared to turn to the left, back down towards Princes Street and the tram home.

But on the spur of the moment, she changed her mind, turned right and set off towards the Empire Palace Theatre to investigate the price of tickets to see The Great Lafayette.