-by Sarah Penner
In London, during the late 1700’s, lived a female apothecary who secretly dispensed poisons to liberate women from the men who wronged them. Time has swallowed the apothecary’s name and deeds, until present day, when an American named Caroline discovers an old apothecary bottle along the River Thames.
Instead of exploring London with her husband for their 10th wedding anniversary, Caroline is alone and contemplating the next steps in her life in light of her husband’s newly discovered infidelity. Lost in her own thoughts, Caroline happens upon a mudlarking expedition, and her lack of plans and love of history push her to take part. What is mudlarking you might ask? Well, it is searching for historical artifacts hidden in the mud of a riverbank.
While partaking in the mudlarking expedition, Caroline happens upon a small glass vial on the River Thames. A small animal etching adorns the glass vial. Is it a bear? The mystery of the vial piques Caroline’s curiosity. She gains access to the British Library to perform some minor research.
Caroline’s present day deep dive into the origin of the small apothecary vial unlocks the story of apothecarist Nella and a tween maid servant named Eliza, whose introduction to Nella changes the trajectory of her life. Eliza, Caroline and Nella each have a chance to speak their truth and have their story told. As the past becomes unearthed, each woman is released from the hands that bind them, just like the apothecary’s remedies free her female clientele from the clutches of men’s grasps.
