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In London, it always seems to rain and so it was raining this particular day. The clouds hid the sun from view, but it was still bright daylight enough to see outside. Most of the townspeople were beginning their day. The corner shops and outdoor markets were open for daily business. Down on the main streets the carts plodded by, and, here and there, a carriage or cab would pass with its customers.
In one of these cab was a elder lady, a middle-aged man, and a young woman. There was also one other gentleman who tried his best at making conversation, "Is this your first time visiting in London, miss?"
"The first time in quite a while." said the young lady.
"The name's Charles Parker. I'm from Yorkshire. Where might you ladies be from?" The younger lady responded as the other completely dismissed Mr. Parker's inquiry.
"My name is Isabel Durum. I'm from Devonshire, sir."
"You're quite a long way from home, miss. But it's wonderful you're getting out a bit. Now, take me for example. When I left Yorkshire..." Mr. Parker began to prattle on about his travels regardless of whether they were listening or not.
Had Isabel been more outspoken, she might have said her mind was on more important things that idle speech. She was an attractive young woman who appeared to be about twenty, perhaps twenty-five. She was modestly dressed which suggested a middle class lifestyle, but she carried herself as though she were a lady who was "well-to-do."
As she tried to pull her thoughts away from the irritating gentleman sitting across from her, she reached into her purse for the letter she had received one week prior to her trip:
Dear Miss Durum,
If it is not an inconvenience, I would like to see you early nextweek here in London. I was told by a dear friend that you mighthave valuable information concerning Dr. Henry Jekyll. Please, if itisn't too much trouble, meet me at the good doctor's residence at 10Harley Street. This is of the utmost importance. Otherwise I wouldhave not made such an abrupt request in such a manner.
Fondly,
Miss Emma Carew
As she looked out the window of the cab, she let herself be consumed by the thoughts of Henry Jekyll. That name brought back memories of her childhood. Some were wonderful; some as pleasant.
It had seemed like a lifetime had passed since she was last in London. She remember her mother and father coming to London, the parties and all the colored lights. As she recalled, her mother and Henry's mother were very close.
The Durum's, Isabel's parents, were going to liesure trip Africa together and, being just a child, they did not want to expose their daughter to a strange culture. She was left with the Jekyll's and their son who could not have been less interested in her. Henry's father told to watch out for her. Young Henry would have rather ignored her and read a book.
As a active child, she would often toddled about the yard. She wondered over to the neighbor's house. There was a dog on the other side of the fence. Little Isabel only wanted to pet him. The dog must have though otherwise. It growled and showed it teeth.
Young Henry could not have been more brave. He rush over, and pulled her away. He called the dog off. Obviously the dog knew Henry and backed down. "Please, don't cry, little Isabel. I would not let anything hurt you." He tried to comfort her.
She vaguely remembered the tall, stately woman with hair as dark as night. She picked the child up. "Isabel, please be careful. You could have been hurt. What would I have told your mother? She barely allows me to see you as it is."
Henry's mother had a such a lovely voice, soft and musical. Then she turned to Henry. "Well done, my son. Now let us go back inside the house."
From then on, little Isabel and young Henry were always together. They were the best of friends dispite their age difference of several years.
Many months later, something terrible happen. Henry's mother became ill. Without warning, Isabel's parents returned. They had come back to England suddenly and she was to return home immediately. She could not understand what had taken place, but everyone must wear black and people were saying how sorry they were to Henry and his father. It was a sad parting for both Isabel and Henry. She never saw Henry's mother again.
The years went by, the letters grew fewer and then stopped. There was some resentment betweem Isabel's mother and Henry's father. Then her parents died and Isabel was sent to school to become a governess.
Miss Isabel Durum as a saw Mr. Henry Jekyll once more. It was years later at his graduation from Oxford University where he became Doctor Jekyll. As people who live far apart and seldom communicate will do, they were practicely strangers by then.
It was there that Miss Durum found Dr. Jekyll to very darkly handsome, very courtiously aloof, and very madding boring with his talk of human nature and changing the world to make it a better place. This parting was done with the idea that each thought they had nothing in common.
Now, four months ago, she had received an invitation to the wedding of Emma and Henry. It came as quite a surprise to her since there was no communication between Henry and herself for many years.
Then there she was, being asked to make a special trip to London at the urgent request of his fiancee. She could have ignored the letter and sent Emma a formal reply stating that she could not come and then spoke with her the day of the wedding. But Mrs. Ames, the lady for whom Isabel was governess, insisted she make the trip. Rather than disobey her wishes, she agreed and was off to London as soon as possible.
Even though she had once resided there, she found herself to be quite nervous in the big city and she was sure she would meet some strange individuals. Mr. Parker was fine example:
"...and you can't stay in one place forever. I say you need to see the world. Wouldn't you agree, Miss Durum?" he continued. Isabel was unaware he was still speaking until she heard him say her name.
"Oh, yes, of course." she replied, "Please forgive me if I don't say much. I've never been one for deep conversation."
"That quite alright, miss. Do forgive me. People say I talk too much." he added.
"I cannot image why." said Lady Beconsfield sarcastically, who happened to be the older woman in the cab.
Isabel couldn't help but giggle to herself at her retort. "May I ask you something?" she asked sweetly.
"Certainly, my dear."
"Do you know a man by the name of Henry Jekyll?"
"Oh my. The only Henry Jekyll I know of is a Doctor Henry Jekyll. He's nothing short of mad scientist. He's come to the board of governors many times practically begging for us to approve his ridiculous proposal. He's mad, I tell you. After the last rejection, he disappeared completely. Can you blame him? He's probably too ashamed to face society." They were silent for a moment.
"Disappeared? Are you sure?" Isabel asked incrediously.
"Yes, madam, what makes you so sure?" added Mr. Parker.
"Because I am on the board, sir." Lady Beconsfield responded in a egotistic manner. Where he has gone, when and if he will return, is the question, Isabel thought to herself.
The cab came to a halt and the driver climbed down, "Miss, this is Harley Street."
"This is my stop. It was very nice meeting you both."
"Good-by and good luck to you, Miss. Durum." Mr. Parker said. After stepping off the carriage with the help of the driver, Lady Beconsfield stopped her.
"But this is Dr. Jekyll's home, darling. Surely you cannot be going there?"
"Yes, it is and I am. Good day." she said, barely audible and then curtsied before Lady Beconsfield pulled the door shut.
There was a fine mist now sprinkling down. She opened up her umbrella, picked up her travel bag and paid the cab fare. The driver opened the large gate in front of Dr. Jekyll's home and Isabel stepped forward. He bid her farewell, climbed back to his spot and with a crack of the reigns, they were on their way and she was alone.
Isabel faced the imposing house. It was grand building of an earlier time with other similar to it on either side, but not as well kept up as the one in front of her.
She took a deep breath and walked forward to the door. As she did, she tried remember that this was not a place she should fear. It was only the house of her cousin.