The Five Shilling Children

by Lindsey Hutchinson

  Una Reed pointed to his dish which he’d left on the table. Rodney followed the line of her sight then looked back at her.

  ‘Remove it – NOW!’ Una bellowed.

  Tutting loudly, Rodney returned to the table dragging his feet as he went. Picking up the dish he sauntered back and at Una’s nod to the washing up bowl he threw it in.

  ‘Happy now?’ he asked.

  Miss Reed snarled. ‘Mr Dukes, do not push your luck with me. I give you fair warning if your behaviour does not improve drastically in the shortest possible time…’

  ‘What? What you gonna do about it, eh?’ Rodney sneered.

  The hand that shot out and slapped his flabby cheek sharply took him by surprise. ‘I warned you. Now I can see why your mother couldn’t cope with you and brought you here, so Rodney, take note. I’ve had far worse than you here at this house and – I always win!’

  Rodney’s hand moved to his stinging cheek. His eyes burned pure hatred as he glared at the woman who had struck him.

  ‘I’ll get you for this, you bitch!’ The boy’s words were barely more than a whisper, but were heard by all who were now watching the confrontation with interest.

  ‘Oh, I doubt that Rodney, but in the meantime you can spend a little time in the “box” where you can reflect on your diabolical behaviour.’ Una Reed grabbed the boy’s ear again and dragged him away.

  ‘What’s the “box”?’ Adam asked quietly.

  ‘It’s the cupboard under the stairs. When you’re bad she locks you in. It’s dark and cold and you don’t get any dinner,’ Matt answered.

  ‘Ad’…’ Polly said, her bottom lip trembling.

  ‘It’s only for the naughty children, Polly, so don’t you worry none,’ he replied to ease her distress. Polly nodded, seemingly satisfied with her brother’s explanation.

  ‘That Rodney will be left in there all night I’ll bet,’ Joe said.

  ‘Ugh!’ May muttered as she gave a little shiver. ‘There will be spiders in there an’ all.’

  Having cleared the table, the children filed into the school room. They had reading this morning and Adam was excited. He loved the idea of owning books although they had never had any at home. It was a luxury they could not afford and besides, his father would probably light the fire with them.

  The time passed in peace, all the children paying attention and enjoying their learning. As lunchtime approached, Adam wondered if the disruptive Rodney would be in evidence. As it turned out – he was not. Clearly, he was still in the ‘box’.

  That evening whilst readying for bed, Adam asked about the others in Miss Reed’s care.

  ‘The Johnsons were sold like you and Polly,’ Joe said. ‘Matt’s dad died and his mum went mad so they took her off to the asylum.’

  ‘How do you know?’ Adam asked.

  ‘I heard Old Reedy telling Miss Ashby,’ Joe answered. ‘Pays to keep yer lugholes open in this place.’

  Adam nodded and stored away the advice for the future.

  ‘If you ain’t sold on, yer get to live next door when you’re fourteen and then you have to go to work and pay yer way,’ Joe continued.

  ‘Sold on?’

  ‘Ar, sometimes we have posh families come and they buy one of us,’ Joe said matter-of-factly.

  ‘What for?’ Adam asked. Clearly there was a great deal more to learn about the place in which he now lived.

  ‘Who knows? Maybe they ain’t got any kids of their own,’ Joe said as he climbed into bed.

  Adam lay in bed pondering what he’d been told. He prayed he and Polly would not be parted by someone buying one or the other of them.

  ‘I doubt anyone will be buying fat Rodney though,’ Joe commented with a giggle.

  ‘When will they let him out?’ Adam asked, a little concern tingeing his voice.

  ‘In the morning I expect.’

  Miss Reed completed the nightly ritual of turning off the gas lamps and bidding them goodnight.

  Adam shivered beneath his blanket as he thought about the boy spending the night in the ‘box’. Would he be scared? Adam guessed he would be frightened if it was him locked in there. After the initial banging on the door and Rodney yelling he was going to get his own back on Miss Reed, there had been silence. Adam even wondered if the boy had died in there.

  Snuggling down in his bed, Adam thought about the others in the house. May and Arthur Johnson had been sold like Polly and himself; Matt’s mother locked away in the asylum and Joe’s parents both dead from pneumonia. For all this they appeared to have settled well, coming together to form a family of their own. They had welcomed the Fitches into this family without a second thought; how long would it last if they began to be sold off though?

  Adam knew he would have to grow up quickly if he was to keep his promise to always take care of his little sister. The thought that they could be separated if sold on – and he might never see Polly again, brought tears to Adam’s eyes. Suddenly overwhelmed by the enormity of everything that had so recently happened, Adam gave way to his feelings.

  He and Polly had been abandoned by the people who should have loved and protected them. Clearly all they were worth to their parents was five shillings each. How long would that have lasted? He knew his father would have spent it in the nearest tavern – probably the same day he had returned home without his children.

  Angry, hurt and confused, Adam wept bitterly under the covers. This would be the first and last time he would cry about being sold by his parents, he vowed to himself as his small body shook with great heaving sobs. Tomorrow would be a new day and the world would see a new Adam Fitch.

  As he brought his emotions under control at last, he knew he had cried away his childhood. The new day would bring forth a young man, one ready to take on anyone or anything in order to protect his sister.

  4

  Adam shivered as he dressed for breakfast. Looking out of the window he saw a thick fog had descended, and it was so dense that even the gas street lamps were obscured.

  ‘What’s it doin’ out there?’ Joe asked as he dragged his pullover down across his chest.

  ‘Foggy,’ Adam answered.

  The two boys left their bedroom but halted at the top of the stairs as they heard voices.

  ‘The building is ready, Ruth, we just have to move in. I have arranged the mortgage facility with the bank, but we will have to pursue the wealthy families more vigorously. We need to ensure more donations are made to our worthy cause, otherwise we could see our enterprise fail.’ Una Reed spoke in hushed tones as she stood with Miss Ashby at the foot of the wooden staircase.

  ‘Goodness, it’s all so exciting to have our own proper orphanage building after all these years!’ Ruth gushed.

  ‘It is indeed, and with so many more rooms we can take in more children.’

  Adam and Joe looked at each other, frowns etching their faces. Silently they continued to listen.

  ‘The children can help with carrying the smaller things over, although we will need men to shift the furniture,’ Ruth continued excitedly.

  ‘It’s all arranged,’ Una waved a hand dismissively, ‘I have the removal company coming tomorrow. Mabel and Dilys are busy packing as we speak.’

  Adam looked at Joe and mouthed, ‘Who?’

  ‘The cook and maid,’ Joe said in the quietest of whispers.

  Adam nodded and once more the boys pricked up their ears.

  ‘Well at least we don’t have far to go,’ Ruth said with a smile.

  ‘Just along Sutherland Place and then into the gardens to Cleveland House. We will have to change that name of course; people need to know that we remain Reed’s Orphanage,’ Una said emphatically.

  ‘I was wondering, as I put my house into this arrangement, whether my name could be incorporated on the sign too,’ Ruth asked tentatively.

  ‘Certainly not!’ Una exclaimed indignantly. ‘Yes, your little house has helped, but it was my house and my inheritance that afforded our business, Ruth; please don
’t forget that. Now I think it is time to see how Rodney Dukes is doing this morning.’ Una Reed strode away leaving Miss Ashby feeling hard done by.

  Joe nodded slowly to Adam, his eyebrows almost touching his scalp in a, ‘I told you so’ gesture. The boys waited and watched Ruth Ashby walk towards the breakfast room, her chin resting on her chest.

  Turning, Joe raced along to the room shared by Arthur and Matt, Adam close on his heels.

  ‘You sure?’ Matt asked after being informed of the impending news.

  Both boys nodded.

  ‘We’d better tell the girls,’ Arthur put in, ‘but quietly.’

  ‘Yes, we don’t want Old Reedy hearing us,’ Matt agreed.

  They determined over breakfast would be the best time to share their secret, but as it turned out – it was not.

  All seated at the table, they heard Rodney’s temper before they saw it. Dragged into the room by his shirt collar, Rodney was kicking and screaming abuse at the woman who held him fast.

  ‘Gerroff me! Put me down! Let go of me or else…!’

  Stopping dead in her tracks, Una Reed spun the boy around to face her. ‘Or else what?’ she rasped into his face.

  ‘This!’ Rodney yelled as he kicked his foot out.

  However, Una was prepared for it and stepped back out of harm’s way.

  Rodney stared in disbelief – he had missed!

  A sly smile spread across Miss Reed’s face as she looked down at the surprised boy. ‘I told you before, Rodney, I’ve been in this game a long time. I’ve seen it all. So, you despicable little creature, either you collect your food quietly or you do without. Which will it be?’

  ‘I ain’t eating that muck!’ the boy replied haughtily.

  ‘So be it. Besides it won’t hurt you to do without, you could do with losing some of this weight!’ Una poked a finger sharply into Rodney’s belly making him cry out. ‘Now then – school room.’

  Rodney watched the woman raise her arm and point her finger.

  ‘I ain’t goin’ to no school! I don’t need no learnin’!’ Rodney bellowed.

  ‘I see. Judging by the double negative and the bad grammar, it’s my contention you most certainly do need some education.’ Una’s quiet words had a devastating effect on the boy who was now wondering what she would do next. ‘However, you have chosen not to attend school, therefore you will accompany me to my office.’

  ‘What for?’ Rodney looked around at the other children watching him. He had a smile of victory spread on his face. He had refused to attend school and the woman had relented. He had won this battle.

  ‘I have something I wish you to become acquainted with,’ Una said and turning, she strode away.

  Rodney stuck his tongue out at the children now eating as they watched, then he followed Miss Reed.

  Once they were in the school room, everyone sat quietly as they listened to Rodney’s howls. He was being caned and rather violently from what could be heard. Each child, proficient with their numbers now, counted the strokes. Twelve. Rodney’s bottom would be very sore for a long time.

  They waited to see if the boy would join them in class, but he did not appear. The children all guessed he had again been locked in the ‘box.’

  *

  At playtime, after lunch, the six children gathered in the corner where the dolls were kept in an old wooden crate. Adam related what they had overheard, finishing with, ‘So it looks like we’re moving to a bigger house.’

  ‘Ad’, I don’t want to,’ Polly said through the fingers stuck in her mouth, a sure sign she was upset and frightened.

  ‘I know, but it will be better, you’ll see. I bet they will let you and May carry the dollies over,’ Adam said as he pulled her hand away from her face.

  ‘Really?’ Polly asked.

  ‘Really. You can ask Miss Ashby. You like her, don’t you?’ her brother asked.

  Polly nodded as she grabbed a doll with a cracked china head and drew it close to her. ‘I’ll carry this one, her name is Patsy.’

  ‘Remember though, we don’t know anything or else we’ll be in trouble for listening in to other people’s conversations,’ Matt said sensibly.

  All agreed to keep their secret before going about their play. Adam was left quietly wondering if and when they would be officially informed about the impending move.

  Sure enough, over their evening meal Miss Reed clapped her hands for attention. ‘Children, tomorrow morning we will all be moving to a new building just off Sutherland Place. It is just across the road so it is not far. The removal men will come early to take your beds and the other furniture. Everyone is going, Miss Brock, Miss Ashby, our wonderful cook Mrs Elliot, our maid Dilys Linton, the big boys next door, all of you and – myself. Everything will be as before except in a new house. So, there will be no school for the next couple of days but I would appreciate some help with anything you can carry.’ Una Reed’s eyes scanned the children watching her. ‘Thank you for your attention, you may now go back to eating your meal.’

  Turning to Ruth Ashby and Celia Brock she said quietly, ‘Well I think that went rather well.’

  ‘What about our delightful Mr Dukes?’ Ruth asked. ‘Keeping a hold of that one will be a feat in itself.’

  ‘I will give him the choice – he can either help or be tied to a chair whilst everyone else works,’ Una said flippantly.

  Celia and Ruth shared a knowing glance. Miss Reed would never let this boy get the better of her. Over the years she had tamed the most wayward of children, and Rodney Dukes would be no exception.

  Early the next morning whilst the children ate, there was a flurry of activity. Furniture was being hauled out and loaded onto horse-drawn carts to be taken to the new building.

  The biggest surprise however was Rodney who now sat at the table with the others. Each child kept their eyes on their food after receiving a glare from the bad-tempered boy.

  Miss Reed came through just as breakfast time ended. ‘Please go to your rooms and collect your clothes. Bring them downstairs and wait in the hall. We will go to the new house together. Mr Dukes, remember what I told you earlier.’ Clapping her hands twice she dismissed them.

  Rodney scowled as he recalled Una’s words, ‘behave yourself otherwise you will feel the cane again!’

  Ten minutes later they were all, including Rodney, standing clutching their spare uniforms and night clothes.

  ‘Very good. Now be careful crossing the road. Follow me.’ Una glowered at Rodney before turning to lead the way.

  Once more there was an all-enveloping thick fog as they made their way across to the new building. Ruth Ashby walked close to Rodney to be on hand should the boy make a bid to break away and run.

  Entering the large gateway, the little group walked past the trees and towards the front door. The building was huge with lots of shiny clean windows both up and downstairs. It had three chimneys on its tiled roof and the whole thing was surrounded by grass and trees. The first thing to be seen inside was a massive sweeping staircase which led to the bedrooms.

  ‘May and Polly come with me please,’ Miss Ashby called, ‘I will show you to your room.’

  Following, the two girls climbed the stairs and veered off to the right. The room at the end was to be theirs and it overlooked the huge gardens. Their beds were already in situ and the girls dropped their clothes onto them.

  Going back the way they had come Polly saw the boys taken to the other side of the staircase. Her bottom lip trembled as she realised she would no longer be next door to Adam. A little sob escaped her lips as her fingers shot into her mouth.

  Hearing the strangled sound, Ruth bent down to speak to her. ‘Now, now – Adam is just along the hallway. He’s not far and you will still see him in class, so dry those tears. Don’t let him see you cry.’ Miss Ashby passed a clean handkerchief to Polly. ‘Good girl, that’s better. Oooh I nearly forgot – we should go and collect the dolls! Can you two young ladies carry them?’

  The two
little girls nodded in unison and Polly smiled at being given what she saw as the most important job.

  And so it went on. Back and forth, time after time the children helping with moving things they could carry.

  Mabel Elliot and Dilys Linton were already ensconced in the kitchen and the tantalising aroma of lunch cooking whetted appetites.

  The children had kept an eye on Rodney waiting to see if he would again be abusive, violent or try to bolt. They were pleasantly surprised he was being compliant. They noticed Una Reed also watched him like a hawk.

  As the day progressed, Miss Reed had an unsettling feeling that young Mr Dukes was merely biding his time. No child with such a bad temper and disgraceful behaviour conceded so readily. She knew that before bedtime the boy would explode again. What would he do? How would he go about it? Well, whatever it was, Una could cope with it.

  ‘Do you think there’s a ‘box’ in this place?’ Adam asked quietly.

  ‘Oh ar, bound to be – somewhere,’ Matt answered.

  ‘Ad’ I want to go home,’ Polly said tearfully.

  ‘I know but we can’t, bab. We have to stay here or end up in the workhouse. At least we have food here and – you’ve got your own bed now.’

  Polly nodded and sniffed. She was still trying to understand why her father had sold her to Miss Reed. Then again, she still had her beloved brother.

  ‘Just keep on being a good girl and you won’t get into trouble,’ Adam said with a smile.

  ‘All right, Ad’,’ Polly said feeling reassured. ‘Am them the big boys from next door?’

  ‘Are they – Polly, not am them.’ Adam corrected her gently. ‘Yes, I expect so,’ he added as he watched the older boys humping furniture indoors. He heard them grunt and groan as they hauled in a huge wardrobe.

  ‘Ad’, I’m hungry,’ Polly grumbled.

  ‘It won’t be long now and then we can have our dinner,’ her brother assured her.

  It was common for ‘Black Country’ folk to refer to the mid-day meal as dinner rather than lunch, and the evening meal as tea as opposed to dinner or supper.

  The Fitches chatted as they worked, carrying small items into the kitchen for Mrs Elliot.