PM ’ s residence and be of assistance when called upon . The wage will be 2 pounds a day and- ‘ He stopped and stared at me . ‘ My boy , are you alright ?’
I couldn ’ t speak . 2 pounds a day ! A king ’ s ransom . I knew starting a new life in the city would be strange , mother , but this was amazing . With 2 pounds a day I would be able to send money home and keep enough for myself to live well while still helping you and baby Margaret . I could only imagine that Father must have been smiling down from Heaven .
Utterson waved his hand in front of my face . ‘ Dr Lanyon , I think you may have broken the boy ’ s brain .’
I shook my head . ‘ Sirs , my apologies . Your offer was overwhelming , and I would be delighted to take it .’
‘ Huzzah ,’ said Lanyon . ‘ Meet us here tomorrow , and we ’ ll take you to meet your new employer .’
They left me , and I danced all the way back to my tiny lodgings . The smell of the latrines and gutters were like summer flowers in a rolling meadow to me that day , and I couldn ’ t have been happier .
The next morning , I met my benefactors , and they arranged a coach for us to Downing Street .
Travelling from the slums of Whitechapel to the gilded streets of Westminster , I felt like Alice stepping through the looking glass . The sights and sounds were intoxicating . The clothing clean , crisp , and unspoiled . The people did not yell at each other , fight in the street , or seem to be drunk . The ladies were ladylike in colourful dresses , linking arms and chatting .
17