But soon she stopped thinking about herself. In the open carriage, she was easily distracted by the view. London was as busy as ever - an endless building site it seemed. The Thames flowed relentlessly dark and grey beneath them as they crossed it on a wide stone bridge. Looking east, towards the sea, steamers and barges steadily plied their trade. West were the Houses of Parliament, a nest of stone and scaffolding, nearly finished after the fire. London was all about changing and making things. Mary found it as compelling as she had the first day she arrived.
Once they reached Southwark, the clamour of the tenements spoke of a very different London from the West End. Here, there were ragged children begging on every street and washing hung out to dry between high windows in crumbling buildings. Omnibus drivers fought for road space with carts freshly loaded with goods from the docks. The stink of the river hung rank in the air, mixed with the foul smell of tanneries and drying leather, intensified by the summer heat. Several workmen, caked in brick dust, turned to stare at the ladies in their smart, open carriage. Mary shivered with self-consciousness but Kitty ignored them with ladylike composure.
Following Ophelia, P199-200
Sophia Bennett
ISBN 978-1-84715-810-9
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