A New Day (5 page)

‘That decision will always haunt me.’ Hanna took a sip of tea while she gathered her thoughts.

Jane Harcourt waited silently.

‘Mrs Harris was in charge when we arrived. She was a kind woman and tried to see the children were as happy as possible. Most people wanted to adopt babies or toddlers, but if anyone showed an interest in Jack he would cling on to me. I told them we wouldn’t be separated. Mrs Harris understood and never tried to force me to let Jack go. No one wanted me, so we stayed at the orphanage. Then, five years ago Mrs Harris retired and Mrs Buxton took over. Her aim was to get as many children as possible moved in with families. There wasn’t anything wrong with that – an orphanage is not the right place for a child to grow up in. When the Talbots said they wanted a young boy, I was already feeling guilty about keeping Jack with me, wondering if I had deprived him of belonging to a proper family. Was I being selfish? Had I done the right thing? These thoughts were plaguing me.’

Hanna paused, drained her cup and poured another for both of them, then continued. ‘Mrs Buxton kept on at us, and made a point of continually telling me that I had no right to deny my brother a proper home. Jack was now old enough to make his own decisions and we talked about it for days. In the end Jack agreed to go to the Talbots. They only lived up the road so we could still see each other every day. But it soon became clear that Talbot was a bully, and had only wanted a strong boy to help with his fruit and veg shop. He obviously thought that taking in Jack would be cheaper than paying an assistant. When I saw how badly Jack was being treated I pleaded with Mrs Buxton to help, but she wouldn’t even listen. I wrote to the local councillor, but he ignored my letter. I was at my wits’ end when Jack took matters into his own hands and joined the merchant navy. The rest you know.’

There was silence after Hanna finished speaking, then Jane Harcourt looked at her. ‘Would you object if I took this to my committee? Your cries for help should not have been ignored.’

Hanna sat back and relaxed her shoulders, trying to ease the tension in her body. ‘I don’t mind, Mrs Harcourt. It’s all over now, but I can’t help thinking that Mrs Buxton should not be in charge of the orphanage. I don’t believe that she even likes children.’

‘I agree. There was something about her I didn’t take to, and that’s why I didn’t feel guilty about trying to employ you, but everything appeared to be in good order when we looked around the orphanage. However, it is not always easy to see exactly what is going on during a short visit. And Mrs Buxton did have advanced warning that we were coming.’

Hanna pulled a face. ‘I know. We were kept very busy for days . . .’

The sound of excited chatter and running feet could be heard, and Hanna jumped up. ‘My goodness! The boys didn’t sleep for long.’

Jane Harcourt smiled and said gently, ‘Thank you for being so frank with me. I’ll see this is looked into.’

Further conversation was useless as the twins rushed into the room.

Three weeks on and Hanna hadn’t seen or heard anything more from Talbot. The police had obviously dealt with him, and she was relieved and grateful. She had settled into the job of looking after the twins, and had quickly fallen under their spell. Not that they were angels – far from it. They had bright, intelligent minds, and a curiosity about everything around them. The questions only ever stopped when they were asleep. They were a constant challenge to keep amused, stretching her to her limits at times, but she loved them dearly. The only worry on her horizon now was wondering how her brother was getting on, and until she received a letter from him she wouldn’t be able to relax completely. Mrs Harcourt hadn’t mentioned talking to her committee again, so Hanna thought that the subject of the orphanage was closed. She probably couldn’t do anything about it anyway, but it had been kind of her to say she would. Perhaps dropping the whole subject was for the best, but she did feel something should be done to save any other children from the kind of abuse her brother had endured. She had done all she could, and would have to put that behind her now. They had both moved on with their lives.

‘You look very serious.’

Hanna jumped at the sound of the masculine voice and spun around. ‘Oh, you gave me a fright!’ she gasped.

‘I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to, but you were deep in thought.’ The policeman frowned. ‘Has Mr Talbot been bothering you?’

‘No, I haven’t seen him again.’ She smiled. ‘Thanks to you.’

‘Good.’ He fell into step beside her. ‘Where are the children?’

‘Having their afternoon nap. We were getting low on baby shampoo so I’ve been to get some.’

‘Do you get an evening off at any time?’

‘Yes. Why?’

‘I wondered if you’d like to come dancing with me one Saturday?’

She stopped walking and stared at him in amazement. ‘Oh, I couldn’t do that.’

‘Why?’

Now she was flustered. ‘Because I’ve never been on a date before.’

‘Then it’s time you started.’ He gave an engaging smile. ‘And I’m quite safe to go out with.’

She shook her head. ‘Why do you want to take me out?’

‘I’d like to get to know you. You’re bright, caring and very attractive. Isn’t that reason enough?’

‘Er . . .’ Hanna shook her head and started walking again. ‘It’s kind of you to ask, but I couldn’t. I haven’t got any pretty clothes.’

‘You look perfectly all right in the clothes you’re wearing.’

‘No, it wouldn’t be right. I would feel uncomfortable, and I can’t spend money on clothes because I’m saving up to make a proper home for me and Jack.’

‘And how long is that going to take?’ he asked gently.

‘Ages, but it’s our dream. I expect that’s hard for you to understand.’

‘No, but you can’t deny yourself everything, Hanna. Your brother is making a life for himself in the merchant navy, and it’s time for you to think about yourself for once.’

They had reached the house and stopped by the gate. ‘I’m sure you are right, but I can’t do that yet. I’ve got to know Jack is really happy first, and then I might be able to consider what to do with my life.’

‘All right. I’ll take no for an answer this time, but you haven’t seen the last of me. I’ll keep asking until you agree to come out with me.’

He seemed to be a nice young man and she was tempted, but she couldn’t – she just couldn’t. There were so many changes going on in her life at the moment, and she didn’t feel able to relax enough yet to go out on a date. Hanna smiled kindly at the policeman. ‘I’m sorry, but thank you for asking.’

‘We’ll meet again. You know where I am if you need anything.’

She watched him walk up the road before going into the house. The boys were already up and with their mother in the sitting room. They were spread out on the floor drawing with coloured crayons. They were concentrating very hard so she sat down with them to see what was keeping them so quiet.

David turned his head and smiled at Hanna. ‘We’re drawing pictures.’

‘So I see. They’re very good.’

Andrew glanced up, grinned at her compliment and pushed a strand of hair away from his eyes. It was a gesture she had quickly picked up on and marked him out as Andrew. David’s hair always stayed in place, as if it wouldn’t dare disobey him. David was going to be a force to be reckoned with when he was older, and so would Andrew, but he had a more gentle side to his personality than David.

‘David’s doing a picture for Daddy and mine is for your brother. Do you think he’ll like it?’

Hanna studied it carefully, smiling to herself. They had soon given up trying to fool her once they knew that she could tell them apart. Andrew’s picture was of Richmond Park – one of his favourite places, and just like this twin, had a gentle feel about it. ‘He’ll love it, Andrew. You’ve drawn the deer beautifully.’

He smiled happily and went back to the drawing.

She was always very careful to treat both boys the same, so she turned her attention to David’s drawing. It was the complete opposite to his brother’s picture. It was of a ship being tossed around on an angry sea, showing all action and movement. It was really very good. ‘Oh, David, your father will love that. I expect he’ll put it in his cabin, and my brother will put his by his bunk. It is kind of you both to do this for them. Thank you.’

Seeing that they were happy with her response, and completely absorbed in their artistic efforts, Hanna stood up. ‘I got the shampoo, Mrs Harcourt. I’ll put it in the bathroom.’

‘Take it up when you go. Sit down for a moment and have a cup of tea with me. You are always on the go.’

‘I’m used to being busy,’ she laughed, taking a cup of tea from Mrs Harcourt, and then sitting down.

‘Was that Constable Rogers with you outside?’

Hanna nodded. ‘I met him up the road and he wanted to know if Mr Talbot had bothered me any more. Thank goodness I was able to tell him that I haven’t seen or heard from him again.’

‘That was thoughtful of him,’ Jane Harcourt said. ‘He appears to be very good at his job, dealing firmly with Mr Talbot. He should go far. And now we are on the subject of that disagreeable man, I want to tell you what I have been doing. I talked with my committee and the chairman paid an unannounced visit to the orphanage. He was not impressed with what he saw this time, and we all agreed that something should be done for the children there. A good friend of mine has just taken over as chairman of Lambeth Council and she would like to talk to you.’

‘Oh.’ Hanna wasn’t sure she liked that idea and it showed on her face.

‘You don’t need to be afraid, Hanna. Rose Freeman is a formidable woman, but she’s understanding, and gets things done. She’s already looking into things, and would like to see both of us next week.’

Hanna relaxed a little. ‘You will be coming as well, Mrs Harcourt?’

‘Yes, we will both be questioned very thoroughly,’ she said dryly. ‘But we can trust Rose. She knows what she is doing. Are you happy to come with me?’

‘Yes.’ Hanna nodded. ‘Something does need to be done for the children.’

‘Good. I’ll tell Rose we’re coming.’

Bill sat next to Jack. ‘We’ll soon be going through one of the great wonders of the world – the Suez Canal.’

‘Oh, I can’t wait to see that.’ Jack smiled, excited to be seeing such a marvel. ‘When will we be there?’

‘The early hours of tomorrow morning, and then it will be on to India where we will be stopping for a couple of days. I’ll show you around and see you don’t get lost.’

‘Count me in as well. I want to buy a silk scarf for my girlfriend.’ Frank put a mug of tea in front of Bill. ‘You going to get something pretty for your wife, Bill?’

‘If I see something I think she’ll like.’ Bill drank his tea thirstily. ‘You could get something for your sister, Jack. It sounds as if she deserves a treat.’

‘Oh, I don’t know.’ Jack looked doubtful. ‘I would like to get her something, but I don’t want to spend much.’

‘Don’t worry about that,’ Frank told him. ‘We let Bill do the bargaining and then we won’t have to pay much. He’s an expert at getting a good price.’

‘In that case I’ll see what there is she might like.’ Jack smiled at the thought of buying his sister something special. She had told him to spend his money and enjoy himself. Yes, he would enjoy taking home a present for her.

The rest of Jack’s day went in a flash, and as usual he fell asleep as soon as he crawled into his bunk, oblivious to the coming and going of other crew members. The ship never slept. The days at sea so far had passed in a blur of activity, and it was so easy to lose track of time, but he loved every moment.

The next thing he knew Frank was shaking him awake. ‘Come on, Jack, you’ve got to see this.’

Jack scrambled into his clothes and ran up the steps, unable to contain his excitement as he rushed to the rail. ‘Wow! Look at that! I’ve never even been out of London before, and here I am in a foreign land. How did they ever build this?’ He laughed and stretched out his arm. ‘I could almost touch the sides. Is it deep enough?’

Bill had joined them and the two men exchanged amused glances, never bothering to answer the questions pouring from Jack. They all watched in silence as the ship made its way along the canal.

Jack was then called to give a hand with something and he tore off.

The captain came up to Bill. ‘Are you taking the boy ashore when we stop in India?’

‘Yes, sir. He’s anxious to see another country.’

‘Keep an eye on him. He’s a good kid, eager to please and do well.’

‘I will, sir. Cook and me have taken him under our wing and we’ll watch over him for the entire voyage. We won’t let him go ashore on his own. He’s very young and could be taken advantage of in some of these ports.’

‘Good. If you have any problems at all you are to come straight to me. I’d swear he’s only as old as my son.’

‘He certainly doesn’t look his age, sir.’

The captain gave a dry laugh. ‘You could say that.’

Bill watched him walk away. Captain Stevenson was a good man, one who cared about his crew, knowing them all by name. That wasn’t always the way, as Bill well knew from his years at sea.

The sound of running feet caught his attention as Jack erupted back on deck again, eager not to miss anything.

‘Quite something, isn’t it?’ Bill remarked.

Jack nodded, never taking his eyes off the passing scenery. He was fascinated with every sight and sound. ‘I never thought I’d ever see anything like this!’

‘I know. I felt just the same the first time I came through the canal.’ Bill grinned at the excited boy. ‘But we still have work to do, so we had better get some breakfast.’

‘Yes, of course.’ Jack made himself turn away from the fascinating sights. He was reluctant to go below decks, but there was a busy day ahead of them, and they would probably be coming back this way, so he would have a chance to see it again.

Later that day Frank and Bill had managed to grab a quiet cup of tea for themselves, and Bill said, ‘That boy was so excited, it was a pleasure to see, but I do wonder what kind of a life him and his sister have had.’

‘Pretty grim, I would guess. Poor little devils! But Jack needs looking after, or he could find himself in trouble. He knows nothing about life.’