The Five Shilling Children

by Lindsey Hutchinson

  Being a keen gardener as a girl, Prudence knew her plants and their healing properties as well as those which should be avoided at all costs. Adding a tiny drop to Lilith’s medicine, Prudence had watched as the poison took effect. Her mistress had grown drowsy; was constantly thirsty; she lost her appetite and her memory was failing. She had also begun to have dreadful nightmares.

  Nathaniel Bellamy moved out of the room he shared with his wife in order for her to rest more easily. For Prudence this was an added bonus. She knew that men had desires and before too long those longings would need to be sated, which was where Prudence would step in. She would fulfil his every demand until he came to the realisation he couldn’t do without her.

  The sound of her master’s voice in the hallway broke her thoughts and checking her reflection in the mirror she went to join him.

  ‘Ah Prudence there you are. How has my wife been today?’ Nathaniel asked as he passed his hat, coat and cane to the maid. He nodded and Bridget bent her knee. She glowered at Prudence before she scuttled away.

  ‘A little better I think,’ Prudence lied as they walked together to the parlour.

  ‘That is good news. I will go up to see her.’

  ‘Maybe it would be better to leave her to sleep a while, she was very tired when I administered her medicine just now,’ Prudence said rather too quickly.

  ‘Yes, good idea. I’ll see her after dinner,’ Nathaniel said dropping into a chair.

  Prudence went through her nightly ritual of pouring her master a large whiskey and then she sat by the fire.

  ‘Thank you, I don’t know what I would do without you,’ he mumbled into the glass.

  Indeed, and I intend to keep it that way! Prudence thought as she smiled sweetly at the man she fully intended to marry.

  18

  Whilst Adam had been rifling through Miss Reed’s desk, and Polly was crying her heart out in Horseley Fields, their mother was listening to her husband ranting and raving outside the back door. James and Peter had gone scavenging and Minnie had locked the door behind them. Now Gerald had returned demanding to be let in.

  ‘I know you’re in there, Minnie, so you’d best open the door or else!’

  Minnie ignored him but held tight to the carving knife as she sat on the kitchen chair. She knew the neighbours would be out to watch the drama unfold.

  ‘Minnie! Open this bloody door!’ Gerald yelled and kicked hard at the wood.

  She heard someone speak then Gerald retaliate with, ‘You mind your own business!’

  After a moment of quiet, Minnie jumped as the front door was given a hefty kick. Keeping her silence she waited, then again the back door was banged hard.

  ‘Min’ let me in and we can talk about this!’ Gerald shouted then he giggled like a schoolboy.

  Hardly able to believe it, Minnie knew he was drunk – again!

  Fury swept through her like a raging torrent and she yelled, ‘You’re drunk, Gerald Fitch! How did you manage it this time?’

  ‘I ain’t – I – I’ve had a couple I admit. I won on the cocks, Minnie. I’m on a winning streak!’

  ‘Well you can bugger off cos you ain’t coming in here no more!’ Minnie shouted back.

  Gerald began to beg and plead to be allowed entry, but Minnie’s mind was elsewhere. If her boys came home now how could she get them inside but keep Gerald out? It was freezing cold outside and the lads would be perished when they arrived home.

  ‘Minnie, I won’t tell you again – open this bloody door!’

  ‘Go to hell, Gerald! Just so as you know, I’ve got the carving knife here an’ I’ll do for you if you don’t go away!’

  The banging stopped and Minnie was unnerved by the silence that ensued. What was he up to now? After a few minutes she heard her neighbour call out.

  ‘It’s all right, Minnie, he’s gone.’

  ‘Ta Flo’, I appreciate it,’ Minnie called back before heaving a sigh of relief, but she knew he’d return once he’d sobered up.

  Minnie began to wonder how she could keep her boys and herself safe when the knocking started again.

  ‘Mum, it’s us. Let us in,’ James yelled.

  Unlocking the door Minnie ushered her sons inside quickly relocking it.

  ‘What’s going on mum? All the neighbours are standing outside,’ Peter said.

  ‘Yer father’s been here creating again. Drunk as a lord he was; had another win at the cock fight it seems,’ Minnie informed them. ‘Anyway, what did you get?’

  Emptying their pockets and unrolling their jumpers, fruit and vegetables spilled onto the table. James reached into the waistband of his trousers and pulled out a string of sausages.

  Minnie eyed him and the lad dropped his eyes in shame.

  ‘You’ve been stealing, our James.’

  ‘I’m sorry, Mum, but I’m sick to death of going hungry!’

  ‘I know, son, but…’ Minnie began.

  ‘Mum,’ Peter interrupted, ‘Dad won on the cocks but he d’aint help us out, did he? He drank it all up the wall! We had to do something or else we’ll all starve.’

  ‘Right well, I’ll overlook it this time, but no more do you hear me?’ Minnie looked from one to the other then smiled. ‘I can’t deny though – I’m gonna enjoy these.’

  They all laughed as she dangled the sausages in the air.

  After a good meal, the three sat by their small fire.

  ‘What’s worrying you, Mum?’ Peter asked.

  ‘I don’t want yer father breaking in here,’ Minnie said, ‘whether we’re here or not.’

  ‘We’ll just have to hope the locks hold,’ James muttered.

  Minnie nodded. Then she had the surprise of her life when her sons hugged and kissed her before going to bed.

  Sitting alone, Minnie touched her cheek and her eyes misted over. It seemed like forever since James and Peter had showed her any affection, and this sudden change brought her tears tumbling. Then, as every day, her thoughts moved to her other children. John gone forever. Adam and Polly, would she see them again before she joined her youngest in heaven?

  It was then that she made her decision; tomorrow she would visit Reed’s Orphanage. Despite having no money – Minnie Fitch was going to get her children back.

  *

  That same evening all the children in the orphanage were on edge. They had planned for Rodney to pick the front door and the gate lock to enable Adam’s escape.

  Adam’s nerves were stretched taut as all afternoon he had waited for Miss Reed to discover that her office had been left unlocked. He expected her to question them all about it but nothing had been said, which meant that either she hadn’t yet found out or thought she had forgotten to lock the door herself.

  By lights out Adam was extremely nervous, and lay in bed fully clothed waiting for the house to quieten.

  ‘You all right?’ Joe whispered.

  ‘Yes,’ Adam replied.

  ‘We’ll miss you, mate.’

  ‘I’ll miss you all too,’ Adam murmured softly.

  It was late when the bedroom door opened and Rodney tiptoed in. ‘I got this for you from the kitchen,’ he said passing over a parcel of food wrapped in a tea towel.

  ‘Thanks, Rodney. We all set?’ Adam asked.

  Rodney nodded as he waved a hairpin donated by May which he had straightened out as a lock pick.

  Adam and Joe hugged each other before Rodney led the way downstairs. Quiet as mice the boys made for the front door and while Rodney worked on the lock Adam kept watch.

  Then they were outside, the cold instantly wrapping around them. Running to the gate, Rodney again worked his magic.

  ‘Rodney, look after the others,’ Adam said.

  ‘I will. Good luck,’ Rodney answered.

  Shaking hands, Rodney watched his new friend disappear into the night before making his way back indoors.

  Joe had watched the daring escape from the bedroom window, the gibbous moon lighting his friend’s getaway. Good luck Adam
Fitch, I hope you find Polly, he thought as he climbed back into bed.

  Adam raced along the streets, the scrap of paper with Polly’s new address written on it tucked safely in his pocket along with his letter from Billy Marshall. Keeping to the shadows, he kept a keen eye out for any policeman unfortunate enough to be walking his beat on this cold night. Crossing the tramway, he sped down one road and cut between the buildings of another. Most houses were in darkness with only an odd one lit by a candle.

  Hearing voices, Adam ducked into a dark ginnel so as not to be seen. The odour that reached his nose told him the men who were speaking were the night soil men. He knew they would be too busy to bother about him and so he pressed on, his senses in heightened awareness.

  Adam had decided if he could get to Horseley Fields, he could hide out somewhere safe until he could find a way to steal his sister away.

  On he went until he reached St James’ Church. Straining to see the street name plate affixed to the wall he smiled. St James’ Street – he was here! He stared at the big house that stood on the corner across the road. Somewhere inside that building was his sister. The question now was – how to get her out?

  Adam walked through the gate in the railings which surrounded the massive church and stepped into the building closing the door quietly behind him. Sitting in a pew he placed his food bundle beside him. Looking around he thought it a beautiful place; the moonlight shone through the coloured glass of three small windows. Dust motes danced in the red and green moonbeams and Adam smelled furniture polish emanating from the wooden pews.

  Kneeling on a hassock, Adam put his hands together and closed his eyes.

  ‘Please God, please help me to get our Polly back. Take care of the others back at the orphanage and bless our mum and my brothers as well as Billy Marshall. Amen.’ Adam rose from his knees as the church clock struck four. It wouldn’t be too much longer now before the church opened its doors to the public, so Adam tried to formulate a plan.

  He could hang around to see if Polly came out either alone or with someone else. Should she be with another person he would have to attract her attention somehow so she would know he had come for her.

  What to do though if she didn’t venture outdoors? He could knock and ask to see her, but would most certainly be chased away. Maybe if he tried the servants’ entrance he would have better luck.

  Lying down on the hard pew he gazed up at the vaulted ceiling hoping for inspiration, but before long he was sound asleep.

  Waking with a jolt a couple of hours later, it took Adam a moment to realise where he was. Then he left the church to be greeted with snow falling silently onto the landscape. He shivered as he made his way around to the leeside of the building where he sheltered beneath a small overhang of the embattled tower roof. Built just over fifty years ago, the stone church sported a western tower which held a clock with chimes and had only one bell. Adam marvelled at its construction as he waited and watched. He knew he might have to stay there for days in the hope of seeing Polly, and despite the weather he was determined to do just that.

  Shivering he looked in the food hamper Rodney had packed for him. A bottle of water, a large fruit pie, a hunk of bread and a wedge of cheese. Silently thanking the boy for the favour Adam tucked into the bread and cheese. The pie would be saved for tomorrow. As he ate, he prayed he would be sharing it with Polly.

  All morning he waited and watched feeling chilled to the bone. His clothes afforded him little warmth and he wondered how much longer he could stand on the frozen ground. However, the thought of getting Polly back strengthened his resolve.

  It was early afternoon when his prayer was answered. He saw the door of the house open and a woman with two girls emerge. Polly! He would know his sister anywhere for all the fancy clothes she wore.

  Excitement rose in him as he saw them walk along the street. He followed in their wake trying to decide how to attract Polly’s attention. They were heading towards the canal basin – were they going to see the narrowboats moored up there?

  Adam felt a pang of fear that his sister would not see him before they returned to the house. What could he do? He had to find a way of alerting Polly to his presence – but how?

  19

  Una Reed pushed her key into the lock of her office door and tried to turn it. She tried again before she realised that the door was already unlocked. Turning the knob, she walked in and glanced around. Everything was in place – nothing, it seemed, had been disturbed.

  Sitting at her desk she thought back. She was sure she had secured the door after leaving the office. Shaking her head, she decided she must have forgotten and made a mental note to be more careful in the future.

  It was then that Ruth barged in all of a fluster. ‘Una… Oh Una, you have to come!’

  ‘Ruth, calm yourself. Where are your manners – entering without knocking?’

  ‘Una!’

  ‘Whatever has got into you, Ruth? For goodness’ sake, sit down,’ Miss Reed said feeling exasperated.

  ‘One of the children is missing!’ Ruth gabbled.

  ‘What!?’

  ‘Adam Fitch – he’s gone!’ Ruth exclaimed as she perched on the edge of the high back chair.

  ‘How is that possible? When? How did he get out?’ Una asked incredulously.

  ‘I don’t know.’ Ruth shook her head. ‘It must have been during the night because he was here at dinner and went to bed as usual. You should know as you do the rounds last thing.’

  ‘Yes, he was in bed I remember. But how did he unlock the front door – I hold the only keys.’ Una was perplexed.

  ‘Yes, I know you do.’ Ruth’s answer held a tinge of disapprobation.

  Una ignored the look of disapproval and went on, ‘So how did he get out? What do the other children know of this?’

  Ruth shrugged her shoulders.

  ‘Right, come with me!’ Una ensured the door was firmly locked behind them before stomping along to the dining room.

  The children sat with their breakfasts and kept their eyes down.

  The cook and maid were standing just inside the doorway and Celia Brock sat at the adults’ table.

  ‘I am informed Master Fitch is not with us this morning and I would like to know why.’ Una’s voice sailed across the room as all eyes turned to her. ‘Is there anyone who can enlighten me as to how he managed to make his escape through a locked door and gate?’ Her eyes roamed from one child to the next but no-one spoke.

  ‘Miss Reed…’ Dilys began but at a dig in the ribs from Mrs Elliot she went on, ‘never mind.’

  ‘Is there something you wish to say, Dilys?’ Una asked.

  The maid shook her head and looked down at her boots.

  Una’s eyes moved back to the children. ‘I’m certain at least one of you has knowledge of this and I intend to find out who that is.’

  ‘Maybe he picked the locks and ran off,’ Rodney said with a sneer.

  Una walked to where the boy was sitting and leaned over him. ‘And what would you know about that, Rodney Dukes?’

  ‘Nothing,’ Rodney answered.

  ‘I see,’ Una said as she straightened her back. ‘I believe lock-picking is your forte, Mr Dukes. Could it be you taught Adam how to do it?’

  Rodney shook his head. ‘No, cos it takes a long time to learn.’

  ‘So, could it be then that young Fitch had some help in that regard?’ Una scowled at the faces watching her.

  She could see that not one of her charges was willing to give up any information they had concerning the disappearance of Adam. ‘It’s of no matter for the way I see it is – it’s one less mouth to feed.’

  Dilys’s head shot up; and she looked at the cook.

  Mrs Elliot shook her head; neither of them would be reporting to Una Reed that food had been stolen from the kitchen.

  At break time after lunch, the children gathered in the room set aside for indoor play.

  ‘Bloody hell, Rodney, that was a close thing earlier!�
�� Matt said keeping his voice low.

  ‘Old Reedy don’t know nuthin’,’ Rodney said with a grin.

  ‘I think she knows we helped Adam get away,’ Arthur said.

  ‘Maybe, but nothing’s been said about the office being unlocked,’ Joe added.

  ‘I hope Adam finds Polly, cos I miss her,’ May said on a croak.

  ‘He will,’ Arthur assured her as he wrapped an arm around his sister’s shoulder.

  ‘If Old Reedy guesses it was you, Rodney, she’ll put you in the “box”,’ Joe murmured.

  ‘I ain’t scared, I’ve been in there before remember. Besides it’d be worth it for Adam,’ Rodney returned feeling full of bravado.

  ‘How come you helped Adam the other day? None of us knew what to do when he broke down,’ Matt said.

  ‘I ain’t never seen anybody cry so hard in my life and I’ve seen quite a few shed tears. Old Reedy thought she’d broken him but she was wrong. When it’s quiet at night I can still hear him wailing and it chills me to the bone. Then when he said he was gonna find Polly I knew he was strong and I felt badly about the things I did.’ Rodney shook his head, guilt written all over his face.

  ‘All we can do now is pray that Adam and Polly find each other. In the meantime, we stick together,’ Matt said as he pushed his right arm forward. The others followed suit, each hand landing on the one before – they had made a pact to keep their tongues behind their teeth and to look out for each other.

  Whilst the children were swearing their oaths, Una sat in her office and fumed. Adam Fitch had managed to get the better of her, most likely with the help of his friends. Where would he go? Home? No, he would not return to a father who had sold him. So where…?

  Suddenly Una realised exactly where the boy was headed. Pulling out the drawer, she lifted out the ledger. Opening it she saw the name she was looking for.

  Now the unlocked office made perfect sense. The boy had found out where his sister was and he was in pursuit. Adam Fitch was going to rescue Polly.