A New Day (2 page)

‘Yes, Mrs Harcourt.’

‘I understand. Would you tell me about yourself now, and how you came to be at the orphanage?’

The tea arrived, and when they were alone again, Hanna talked freely about what had happened to her and Jack and how determined they were now to make a new life for themselves. There wasn’t the slightest hint of self-pity as she talked, and the only emotion she showed was when she told Mrs Harcourt about the treatment her brother was receiving.

She sipped her tea to compose herself, and then looked up. ‘You see, Mrs Harcourt, I’ve looked after my brother since he was five years old, and all the time we were in the orphanage I could protect him, but now he is with these people,’ she couldn’t bear to say their name, ‘and I have been unable to watch over him. But he’s a sensible and brave boy and has joined the Merchant Navy. Now I can move away and make a home for us so he’ll have somewhere to stay when he comes back from a voyage.’

‘I understand, and if you agree to come and work for us I will expect you to have a room in the house, but there is an annex for the servants and your brother can stay there when he is home.’

‘Oh, that is kind of you!’ Relief showed in her smile. ‘We will pay for the room, of course.’

‘You will not,’ Jane Harcourt told her firmly, and then laughed. ‘You will take it as a reward for looking after the boys. So, are you going to take on the task?’

‘I’d like that very much.’

‘Thank you, Hanna, that’s a brave decision without even seeing them.’ Her smile was full of amusement. ‘When can you start?’

‘Tomorrow afternoon. Jack’s ship sails early in the morning, then I can come straight here.’

‘Don’t you have to give the orphanage some notice?’

‘No, they have never formally employed me. I’ve only stayed on to be near my brother. For the work I do I get a room, food and two shillings a week. I am on call day and night.’

‘That is outrageous! They have been taking advantage of you.’

‘I know, but I had no choice, Mrs Harcourt, and it suited me to stay there. It became even more important when that brute of a man pretended that he and his wife wanted an older boy instead of a baby. I was suspicious then, but the orphanage seemed satisfied and I didn’t want to deny Jack the chance to have a proper family. It soon became clear that he only wanted a strong boy to work as a slave and vent his violent streak on. No wonder his wife is a timid woman, afraid to open her mouth.’

Hanna’s eyes misted with tears. It hurt to talk about it, but Mrs Harcourt should have the complete story. She lifted her head again. ‘But Jack’s had the courage to do something about it, and I’m so proud of him.’

‘You are both strong and brave, and we will be delighted to have you care for our boys.’ Jane Harcourt tipped her head to one side and listened to the sound of excited voices. ‘Ah, here they come.’

The door opened and two children erupted into the room, rushing over to their mother, both talking at the same time about the deer they had seen in Richmond Park. They were about three years old, Hanna guessed, fair hair tousled from the wind, and faces flushed with excitement.

‘Children!’ Their mother laughed. ‘You can tell me later. There’s someone here for you to meet.’

Their heads turned and Hanna was looking into two pairs of the bluest eyes she had ever seen, and it wasn’t only their eyes that were identical. She gasped and her smile spread in delight. Twins!

A deep laugh came from the doorway and she looked at the tall man standing just inside the room. There was no doubt that he was their father. He had an air of authority about him and she got to her feet.

‘They come as quite a shock when you first see them.’

‘Yes, sir.’

‘Darling, this is the young girl I told you about, Hanna Foster, and she has agreed to be the boys’ nanny.’

‘Splendid.’ He strode over and shook her hand. ‘My wife needs your help as I’m away quite a lot. Please sit down.’

While the introduction had been going on the boys had edged closer to her, and one of them said proudly, ‘Our father is captain of a big ship, and we’ve been on it.’

‘How exciting!’ She couldn’t take her eyes off the twins, gazing from one to the other, looking for any physical difference. She couldn’t find anything, but she was already in love with them. ‘My brother is sailing on a ship tomorrow morning.’

‘Have you seen it?’

‘Not yet, but in the morning I will watch it until it’s out of sight.’ She smiled as they stepped closer, interested in what she was saying. These were happy, secure children, not poor frightened ones needing comfort.

‘Our father drives a battleship with lots of guns. Do you know what your brother’s ship is like?’

‘It will be quite different.’ She glanced at Captain Harcourt. ‘Royal Navy, sir?’ And when he nodded she began to explain the difference between the two services. The boys listened with rapt attention until she had finished.

‘Thank you,’ they both said together, and then ran back to their mother, wanting to tell her about the things Hanna had told them.

She glanced up and saw Captain Harcourt studying her intently. ‘Is your brother the only family you have?’

‘Yes, sir.’

‘You are going to miss him, but he can make a good life for himself if he is willing to work hard.’

She nodded. ‘It’s the first time we have been parted, but Jack will be free. He isn’t afraid of hard work and loves ships. We’ve spent hours at the docks watching them sail in and out.’ Her smile spread as she remembered. ‘When he was little he was always begging me to take him to see the boats.’

‘He’s younger than you, then.’

‘A little, sir,’ she said cautiously, not wanting to give away Jack’s age.

The man sitting opposite her wasn’t fooled, and said gently, ‘Don’t worry, I ran away to sea when I was only fifteen, and as soon as I was old enough I joined the Royal Navy. I fully understand your brother’s desire to go to sea.’

‘I’m sure you do, sir,’ she replied with relief.

He stood up. ‘Do you boys want to help me pack my bag?’ When the twins yelped with delight and ran to his side, he said, ‘Say goodbye to Hanna and thank her for agreeing to come and look after you.’

Two heads swivelled round and when their gorgeous eyes fixed on her she couldn’t help smiling. Now they appeared to be violet, not blue. How extraordinary.

‘Thank you,’ they said in unison. ‘When are you coming to live with us?’

‘Tomorrow afternoon.’

One of the boys stepped closer. ‘That’s good because our father is going back to his ship in the morning so we’ll all be feeling sad.’

‘My brother is leaving then as well, so we’ll be able to cheer each other up.’

They nodded, smiling again, and she was surprised when the one who had spoken reached out and touched her hand.

‘Do you know lots of stories?’ he asked.

‘Hundreds.’ She tipped her head to one side, studying them for a moment. ‘I expect you like stories of knights on brave adventures.’

‘Yes, yes!’ Their faces were glowing now in anticipation of all the tales they were going to hear.

‘Come on, boys, you can talk to Hanna tomorrow.’

Rushing over to their father they left the room, their excited chatter fading as they climbed the stairs.

There was silence for a few moments before Hanna asked Mrs Harcourt, ‘How do you tell them apart?’

‘Physically it’s almost impossible, but their personalities are different. Andrew is the quieter of the two, more thoughtful and shows his emotions. He’s the one who came close to you just now. David is always on the go, wanting to see and do everything. He will plague you with requests for adventure, and –’ she smiled wryly – ‘you won’t get any hugs from him when they get to know you.’

‘It sounds as if David has his father’s sense of adventure.’

‘That is so, but it seems as if my husband’s character has been shared by the two boys – one all action, the other kind and loving. Andrew tries to keep his brother in check. They are a handful, Hanna, but when I saw you with the children at the orphanage I was sure you would be able to handle them. And from what I’ve seen so far I believe I was right. The boys have already taken to you.’

‘I will love looking after them, Mrs Harcourt, and thank you for offering me the job. It has come at just the right time.’ She stood up. ‘If you will excuse me, please, I must get back.’

‘Of course.’ Jane Harcourt stood as well, her expression serious. ‘If you have any trouble leaving the orphanage so soon, then tell them to contact me.’

‘Thank you, I’ll do that.’

Hanna hardly remembered the journey back to Lambeth; her mind was in a whirl with everything she had to do. The first stop was at the greengrocer’s shop to see Jack. She was selecting apples from a box outside when her brother came out of the shop. He handed her a paper bag, and as she put the choice pieces of fruit in the bag, she whispered, ‘I’ve got the job, Jack, and I start tomorrow afternoon.’

‘Wonderful!’ He sighed with relief.

‘What you doing here?’

‘Buying some of your beautiful apples, Mr Talbot,’ she said politely, not wanting to do anything to raise this man’s suspicions. ‘You’ve got the best ones I’ve seen, and I thought I’d give the youngest children at the orphanage a treat.’

‘Humph, well don’t stand here gossiping. Jack ain’t got time to waste. Weigh them for her and then get back to shifting those crates. And you make sure you charge her full price.’

‘Yes, sir.’ Jack put them on the scales with his hand underneath so they wouldn’t register properly, then he took one coin from Hanna. He stepped close and whispered in her ear. ‘The mean old devil; these are only a penny to you. See you tomorrow, like we said.’

‘Tomorrow,’ she replied, putting the rest of her money back in her pocket. She needed every bit she could scrape together to give Jack in the morning.

Although it was the beginning of July, Hanna shivered as she waited at the end of the road for Jack in the early hours of the morning. She had managed to slip out of the orphanage without anyone noticing, but would her brother be able to get away unseen? He had to! She would give him a little longer, and if he didn’t come she would darn well go and get him. Nothing must stop him. This was his chance for a new life, a chance to do something he had always dreamed about, and she was damned if that brute of a man was going to stop him.

A movement further down the road caught her attention, and she watched anxiously. When she could make out the figure of her brother, she nearly cried out with relief. Without a word he grabbed her arm and they ran as fast as they could, not stopping until they were well away from the Talbot shop.

‘I was afraid you weren’t going to get away,’ she gasped.

‘It wasn’t easy. I felt as if he was watching my every move this morning, but I wasn’t going to let anything or anyone stop me.’ They had reached the main road to the docks, and Jack was looking anxiously around.

‘I hope we haven’t missed that lorry,’ she said.

‘A man told me he comes every day without fail.’ Jack put his head to one side, listening, and stepped into the road, waving to catch the driver’s attention. ‘Ah, this could be him.’

‘If you’re going to the docks then hop in,’ the man said as he pulled up.

They settled in the back of the truck, and by the time they reached the docks he had picked up about a dozen men. Hanna was glad to get out because she had been teased all the way, and it had been a new experience for her. They thought it highly amusing that a girl should be sharing their lift to the docks.

When they reached the ship Jack was going to sail on he stood gazing at it, a smile on his face. ‘She’s a general cargo ship. Isn’t she beautiful!
North Star
, she’s called.’

Hanna thought she was big and ugly, but she agreed with her brother, not wanting to spoil his excitement. This was a huge step for him to take, and her heart beat with pride for the courage he was showing. She was determined to be just as brave, even though her heart was aching at the thought of saying goodbye to him for a while. They had never been apart in their lives before.

‘Hello, I saw you in the office yesterday, didn’t I? You’re Jack Foster, aren’t you?’

‘Yes, sir,’ he said to the man who had approached them.

‘You don’t need to call me sir. Frank’s my name and I’m the cook.’ He gave Hanna a curious look. ‘And who is this? Your girl?’

‘No,’ Jack laughed. ‘This is my sister, Hanna. She’s come to see me off.’

‘Pleased to meet you, Hanna. Don’t you worry about Jack, because we’ll take good care of him.’

‘Thank you.’ She returned his smile.

‘We’d better get on board, Jack. Say goodbye to your sister. We’re on our way to New Zealand, but we’ll be back in time for Christmas.’

Jack hugged her, suddenly looking apprehensive and a little tearful now the moment of parting had arrived.

‘Write when you can – and good luck.’ It was a struggle to keep her own tears at bay, but she managed it. ‘Have a good, safe voyage, and when you get back we’ll make it the best darned Christmas we’ve ever had.’

While they had been standing on the dock the sky had begun to brighten as the sun peeped over the horizon. ‘Look, Jack, a new day.’

He nodded. ‘A new day, and a new beginning for both of us.’

Without another word he turned and walked away with Frank. She watched as he boarded the ship, and then settled herself on an old crate to wait for them to sail.

It was two hours before the ship began to move away and she scanned the rail hoping to see Jack and give him a last wave, but there was no sign of him. She didn’t turn away until the ship was almost out of sight, and only then did she make her way back to the orphanage. Jack was safely away from Talbot, and now it was time to cut her ties with the orphanage and begin her new life.

A voice she knew only too well could be clearly heard when she walked in the door. Talbot was demanding to know where Jack was. Knowing this moment had to be faced, she braced herself and walked into the office.

Talbot spun round to face her, his face bright red with anger. ‘Where is he?’

‘Somewhere you can’t get at him.’ She had no intention of telling him where Jack really was.