'A Letter from Honeysuckle Harebell' ~ 5th September 1908
- Honeysuckle Harebell
- Oct 10
- 6 min read
Updated: 24 hours ago
Dear Violet,
Hope this missive finds you well? I am writing by hand as I am away from my trusty typewriter as you know and I am sending it by Pigeon Post to ensure prying eyes don't read it. I am sure you are on pins wanting to know what happened. I shall tell you down to the last detail when I see you all again, but I shall give you a vague outline as to the sequence of events last week. Hope you have safely stowed the ‘bed linen’ in the cupboard as planned?
Last Tuesday, Percy and I travelled to a large field in the dead of night, on my bicycle . They rode on the handlebars, I couldn’t see a thing however we arrived in one piece. We were to meet Percy’s friend and his Biplane there at precisely 10pm.
What a sight it was Violet, as the plane trundled around the field, a few feet from us, startling quite a few sheep. Percy immediately ran up to the cockpit and climbed in behind the pilot, a very dashing young man who I understood to be named ‘Chocs’. I gathered up the prepared bedlinen, stowed my bicycle in the hedge and followed on. My legs had turned to jelly and I wasn’t sure if it was the cycle ride or the thought of clambering up into a Biplane that did seem rather small for three. Once I had managed to squeeze into a very small space inside the fuselage, Percy suggested it may be a good idea to leave my umbrella behind as it would affect the aerodynamics . I agreed, so I threw it out and hoped the sheep would make good use of it. The biplane bumped over the meadow and then we took off!
'Chocs Away!' Percy shouted.
I don’t think aeroplanes will catch on, catch fire maybe, but they won’t be a thing of the future. Dear me no, too squashed. However, being up in the air was marvellous, if you stopped yourself thinking about imminent death for a moment. I couldn’t see very much, bundled underneath the bedlinen as I was, but I reminded myself, comfort was not essential as we were on an important mission.
When we arrived over the prison, the Biplane suddenly did a nosedive . “Now!” shouted Chocs and Percy shook out the bedsheets we had carefully tied together and dropped them over the side . They dangled above the parapet on the prison wall. My big moment. I do wish I wouldn't volunteer for things but being the smallest and lightest, it made sense. I bravely climbed over the side of the plane and holding tight onto the sheets started my descent. I dropped onto the ground below, rather nimbly I thought. I watched as the Biplane narrowly missed the tower but pulled up and away just in time. I could see Percy giving me the thumbs up as they disappeared into the night.
I rearranged my hat and checked my handbag, it was a fine night so I didn’t miss my umbrella. I had to find Millicent quickly so I went through a door on the gantry. Luckily it was open and no one was about. One needs lucky breaks on these sort of missions I find. Being a Sunday I knew the prison officers would be playing bridge as Millicent had informed me and so I managed to get down to the floor she was on quite easily, without being spotted. Then I was suddenly confronted by a large Black uniform. An Officer, who obviously didn't like bridge, and who questioned my presence on the corridor. I decided the best course of action was to faint. He kindly took me to his office and proceeded to give me smelling salts and made me a lovely cup of tea. He asked me why I was there and I told him I was visiting my friend Millicent in Cell 9 that afternoon during Visiting Hours but must have fainted and on coming round, found myself in the broom cupboard instead. I had come all the way from Wittering to see my dear friend and would now have to go home without doing so. I must admit Violet, and you will think very badly of me, I used tears . The Officer, Officer Screwshank, Thomas, seemed affected and decided I should indeed see my friend and then go home after what had been an awful experience for me.
He led me to Cell 9 and opened the doors with a gigantic key. It sent shivers down my spine Violet, to think of poor Millicent being held in such a place for the supposed crime of wanting Women to have Voting rights the same as men. I asked the Officer to leave us for one moment to give us a modicum of privacy. As soon as he closed the door I gave a brief 'Hello' to Millicent, who was sitting up in bed, somewhat surprised, reduced in size due to the Hunger Strike she was on poor thing, and wearing nothing but her underwear. No time to lose, so I set about removing the bars from the cell window. I have told you about the truly amazing 'Break Out or In Balm' I purchased from Saxifrages havent I?
Well, prison bars are its speciality. It certainly worked its magic and the bars came away easily. I managed to get Millicent up from the bed, push her out of the window and onto the ledge outside.
The ledge was high up and Millicent was very unsteady on her legs so it was a relief to hear the engine of the Biplane coming towards us. The length of bedlinen swung closer and closer, I could see Percy holding the sheets on the other end. I gave Millicent a little shove of encouragement and she made a leap of faith to catch hold of the rope. Then I signalled to lift her up and up she went . The plane did wobble rather but I couldn't hang about as I could hear the officer knocking on the door. I replaced the window bars, shoved a pillow in the bed under the blanket , which looked fatter than poor Millicent, and stood at the doorway waiting to be let out. The Officer glanced inside but I had my sweet smile on, you know the one I use to get better fillets from the fish man, so he didn’t check any further but locked the door and showed me the way out. I was walking out, rather delighted at myself for what we had achieved, when the officer called to me.
"Excuse me Miss. You dropped something."
I turned to see the jar of Break Out Balm rolling slowly down the corridor towards the officer. He picked it up and examined it.
"Oh thank you Thomas " I said, taking it from him and hurriedly putting it in my handbag, "That’s most kind, it’s life saving stuff it really is."
"Are you the one who writes all those letters to her?" He asked me.
" I have had occasional correspondence with the lady in question." I admited.
"Yeah I’ve read em" He replied.
"Oh really, I trust you found them - unsensational? "
"Totally. Except for one thing . You mentioned you were going to help her escape."
Oh Catkins! He had read between the lines of my letters after all. Needless to say it was a very long night and the upshot is - could you possibly go into my drawers on the left hand side of my desk and retrieve an envelope that says 'In case of Emergency' and also a ‘Get out of jail free’ card that’s in there somewhere. Then would you please bring them to the police station where I am currently detained. I would be very much obliged. Toute suite if you please Violet !
Best wishes & penitance,
Honeysuckle Harebell
X
P.s. Please hurry, I need to tend my flageolets
P.p.s. Is the Cat with you Violet? Own up !
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