The Five Shilling Children

by Lindsey Hutchinson

  *

  Adam watched as Polly was dragged along the street. Finally, they came to the basin and began to stroll along the towpath looking at the boats. The woman let go of the girls’ hands as she pointed to a certain narrowboat.

  Breathing heavily Adam knew this might be his only chance to save his sister. He could see she was unhappy by her stance; head down she took no interest in her surroundings.

  Suddenly Adam knew what he had to do. He began to sing quietly as he neared Polly.

  Lullaby and good night, with roses bedight,

  With lilies o’er spread, is baby’s wee bed,

  Lay thee down now and rest, may thy slumber be blessed,

  Lay thee down now and rest, may thy slumber be blessed.

  Certain that Polly would recognise the lullaby their mother used to sing to John to quieten him, Adam was thrilled to see Polly turn. Quick as a flash his finger moved to his lips in a warning not to give him away.

  Polly smiled and continued to walk but she lagged a little way behind.

  Adam increased his pace and as he drew by her side he whispered, ‘Run!’

  Polly took to her heels following her brother down the towpath and before anyone knew what was happening, they had disappeared into the maze of streets.

  Prudence Kenton stood on the towpath with her mouth hanging open. She looked down at the fair-haired child who spoke to her.

  ‘Oh dear, now you’ll be in trouble with father!’ Cora Bellamy laughed at her governess’ evident distress.

  Grabbing the child’s hand roughly, Prudence growled, ‘Button your lip, Miss, otherwise I’ll tan your hide!’

  Waiting at home a short while later, Prudence dreaded having to tell the master she had ‘lost’ Pollyanna. Naturally he would hold her responsible, but how was she to know the girl would make a run for it?

  Going over the scenario again in her mind, she realised Polly was dashing away with a boy. Who was he? Why had Pollyanna followed him? Then thinking of herself she wondered if she would be given the sack for her incompetence. Surely not, the girl was just a ragamuffin from the orphanage after all. Besides who would look after Lilith if she wasn’t there? Fear swept through her as she considered this question. The mistress’ health would improve and the doctor would guess something was amiss. He might discover the woman was slowly being poisoned!

  Cora Bellamy had been sent to her room and told to stay there. Prudence didn’t want the child putting in her two pennyworth when she explained to Nathaniel Bellamy what had happened.

  Hearing the master’s voice, Prudence went immediately to the hallway. ‘Mr Bellamy, I need an urgent word in private please.’ She glowered at Bridget the maid who turned away holding the master’s hat and coat, a sneer on her face.

  ‘Can it wait, Prudence? I’d like to pop in and see my wife first.’

  ‘I’m afraid not sir, it’s very important.’

  ‘Very well, come to my study.’ Nathaniel led the way and then listened carefully as he sat behind his large desk.

  Blowing out his cheeks as Prudence finished speaking, he then said, ‘I can’t see that this is any fault of yours, Prudence; children of that age cannot be held fast whilst out walking.’

  ‘I’m so sorry, sir,’ Prudence said as she dabbed her nose with her handkerchief.

  ‘Please don’t distress yourself,’ Nathaniel said as he walked around the desk and laid a hand on her arm. ‘Why ever did she run away? I thought she was reasonably happy here with us and having Cora to play with. I’m very concerned that she’s out on the streets – goodness knows what could happen to her. Look, leave this with me and I will notify the police straight away to see what can be done. However, I fear we may well have seen the last of Pollyanna Fitch.’

  A warmth spread through Prudence at his touch and she looked into his eyes longingly.

  Opening the study door, he cupped her elbow and led her out. ‘You go and rest. I won’t disturb Lilith in case she’s sleeping. I’ll ride over to the police station now. I won’t be long.’

  ‘Thank you,’ Prudence said as she gathered her long skirt and ascended the stairs with dignity.

  Nathaniel returned to his study to pour himself a quick whiskey thinking about what he’d been told, then he rushed from the room to alert the police regarding the missing child.

  20

  Whilst Adam was rescuing his sister, Minnie Fitch had marched over to Reed’s Orphanage. The gate was left open whilst Miss Reed was in residence, so people could come and go, and Minnie stamped up the drive to the front door.

  Hammering the knocker hard she waited. Presently the door opened and a kindly face looked back at her.

  ‘Can I help you?’

  ‘Yer can. I’ve come for my children!’ Minnie declared.

  ‘I see. Mrs…?’

  ‘Fitch. I’ve come to fetch Adam and Polly home.’

  ‘Oh dear.’ The smile disappeared to be replaced by a look of concern.

  ‘What?’ Minnie asked, a feeling of dread coursing through her.

  ‘I think you should come in and see Miss Reed.’ Ruth closed the door and led Minnie to Una’s office. Knocking she opened the door saying, ‘Una this is Mrs Fitch and she’s here to claim Adam and Polly back.’

  Una’s eyes shot up from the paper she was writing on in time to see Ruth disappear.

  ‘Mrs Fitch, won’t you take a seat?’ Una said as she endeavoured to compose herself.

  ‘No ta, the only thing I want to take is my kiddies.’ Minnie stood with her hands clasped beneath her bosom in a no-nonsense posture.

  ‘Please sit down as I have something to impart to you.’

  Minnie sat but the fear in her increased. Had something happened to her children? Were they dead? ‘What’s happened?’

  ‘It’s like this – Adam has run away,’ Una said wishing the floor would swallow her up.

  ‘What!? Where’s Polly? Did she go with him?’ Minnie was aghast at this turn of events.

  ‘No, you see – well we didn’t think that the children would be reclaimed and so – Polly has gone to a lovely family.’ Una was desperately trying to choose her words carefully.

  In all the time she had run the orphanage not one child had been claimed back by a parent or family member.

  ‘You sold my little girl?’ Minnie’s voice was like a rasp on metal.

  ‘We… it was in her own interests, Mrs Fitch, surely you can understand that,’ Una said.

  ‘All I understand is that you sold my girl and now you’ve lost my boy!’ Minnie yelled at the top of her voice.

  ‘Mrs Fitch, you sold them in the first place!’ Una retaliated.

  ‘I d’aint! It was that lying, cheating, drunken bugger I’m married to!’ Minnie roared into the face of the other woman before striding to the door.

  Standing up Una said, ‘Mrs Fitch please lower your voice, we have other children here.’

  Opening the door Minnie turned and shouted, ‘How long for? Tell me – how long before you sell or lose them?’

  Slamming the door behind her, Minnie marched away.

  Una dropped back into her chair as relief washed over her. She had been afraid that woman would turn violent the rage she was in. Una licked her dry lips, at least she’d gone now and probably wouldn’t be back as her children were no longer at the orphanage.

  Minnie trudged home in the snow, a melange of feelings swirling in her brain. She wanted to cry at losing her children all over again, but she was angrier than she had ever been in her life. How she’d resisted the urge to paste Una Reed she would never know.

  As she approached her little house in Bank Street, Minnie stopped dead in her tracks. The front window had been smashed and all the glass knocked out. If her two boys had absconded from school and done this to get inside, she’d leather them both good and proper.

  Then she remembered them waiting outside for her that day she’d gone to pick coal. No, this vandalism was not down to her sons. Minnie knew exactly who was respons
ible.

  Unlocking the back door, she stepped into the kitchen tentatively and looked around her. The room was empty. Quietly she moved towards the living room and peeped around the open door. Sitting in his armchair snoring loudly was Gerald Fitch.

  Minnie took a deep breath and tiptoed back into the kitchen. So, he was in. Now what could she do? How could she get him out this time?

  Dropping onto the kitchen chair, Minnie couldn’t believe the bad luck that dogged her at every step. Lost children, abusive husband, no food or coal. Raising her eyes to the heavens she asked, What next?

  *

  After rushing away from Una’s office, Ruth Ashby had locked herself in her room and poured herself a large gin.

  I knew something like this would happen one day, and now it has. Your greed has come back on you, Una Reed!

  A sharp rap to her door made her start.

  ‘Ruth, it’s me – open up.’ Celia’s voice filtered through into Ruth’s brain and she quickly let her friend in then bolted the door again.

  ‘What’s going on? We could hear the shouting in the classroom!’ Celia said as she accepted the drink offered.

  ‘Mrs Fitch came back for Adam and Polly,’ Ruth said topping up her own glass.

  ‘Oh my goodness!’ Celia gasped then took a swig of her gin.

  ‘Indeed,’ Ruth said.

  There was little more to be said so the women settled in to finish the bottle.

  In the meantime, Joe and the others were listening in to the same conversation. Then they slipped quietly away to discuss the matter in Joe’s room.

  ‘So, it was Mr Fitch who brought Adam and Polly here,’ Matt said as he shoved his black hair out of his eyes.

  ‘Ar, and now Mrs Fitch wants ’em back,’ Joe added.

  ‘I wonder if Adam found Polly,’ May said sadly.

  ‘It’ll be the coppers here next and they’ll be asking questions of us all so we must stick together. We know nothing, all right?’ Arthur reminded them all.

  ‘What a bloody mess this is,’ Rodney said.

  ‘Yes, but you can’t deny it’s exciting,’ Joe said with a grin.

  *

  Adam and Polly had run until they thought their lungs would burst; the whole length of the tow path. Now they scrambled up the bank which brought them out on Chillington Street. Finally stopping to catch their breath, Polly threw her arms around her brother.

  ‘Oh Ad’, I’m ever so glad to see you!’

  ‘I know, I thought I’d lost you too,’ her brother admitted as he returned her hug. ‘Look, Bank Street is just down there but I’m not going home while he’s still there.’

  ‘Nor me,’ Polly agreed.

  ‘In that case, we need to find somewhere safe to hide.’ It was then that Polly burst into tears. All that had gone before caught up with her and she sobbed her little heart out.

  Adam held on to her while she cried herself out, all the time talking soothingly to her. ‘We’ll be all right now, Polly, I’ll look after you. It just means we’ll have to scavenge again that’s all. Come on, we’ll go across to St George’s Church, it’ll be a bit warmer in there. Hey, guess what? I’ve got a fruit pie we can share.’

  Polly nodded and grabbed his hand and held on tightly.

  Night was descending as they trudged across the town and by the time they reached the church, darkness had fallen completely.

  Adam checked around to ensure they weren’t being watched then opened the door for them both to slip inside. Sitting on the back pew they ate the pie then in whispers told each other of all that had occurred since they had been apart.

  ‘Why do people want to sell us Ad’?’ Polly asked innocently.

  ‘Money. They just want the money, Polly. It’s greed that drives them.’

  ‘I ain’t never gonna be greedy,’ she said offering him the last bit of pie.

  ‘You eat it, I’m full,’ Adam said rubbing his belly.

  ‘I don’t half love you, our Adam,’ she said as she finished her food.

  ‘I love you an’ all and we ain’t never gonna be parted again. At least not until we’re all grown up that is,’ Adam said with a grin. ‘Now, you settle down and have a sleep.’

  ‘I’m scared,’ Polly admitted.

  ‘Don’t be, I’m here and don’t forget I can box now so we’ll be safe. I’ll stay awake if you’re that frightened.’

  As she lay back on the pew, Polly held her brother’s hand and closed her eyes.

  Adam watched her fall asleep then he gave his silent thank you. I’m in the right place again but this time it’s to say thanks for helping me to get Polly back.

  It was cold in the church but it helped Adam make good on his promise to stay awake. The hours drifted by as his mind worked regarding keeping them both safe and ensuring they were fed. Shelter too was an important factor otherwise they could die of cold out on the streets. Tomorrow he would find food and somewhere they could hide out. Happy with his decision Adam dozed lightly until it was time to move on.

  21

  James and Peter Fitch tumbled in through the back door to see their mother sitting on the kitchen chair. Minnie covered her lips with her finger then jerked her thumb towards the living room.

  ‘Dad?’ Peter asked in a whisper.

  Minnie nodded and the boys glanced at each other.

  ‘He busted the winder to get in,’ she whispered back.

  The boys sighed in unison.

  ‘Go and see what you can find to eat, I’ll deal with him when he wakes up.’

  Stepping quietly out into the snow once more the lads raced away.

  It was then that Minnie realised the snoring had stopped and, as she turned, she saw Gerald standing in the doorway.

  ‘You’re home then,’ he said scratching his head.

  ‘Looks like it,’ Minnie answered.

  ‘Where’ve you been?’

  ‘What’s it to you?’ Minnie answered with a question of her own.

  ‘I couldn’t get in.’ Gerald flung a hand towards the door.

  ‘Seems like you managed it despite me locking you out.’

  ‘Minnie, we have to stop all this nonsense. So, why don’t you have a look what’s for tea?’ Gerald took a step towards her as he spoke.

  Minnie raised her hand which held the carving knife she had picked up earlier from the sink.

  Gerald stopped as he eyed the weapon. ‘C’mon, Min’, you don’t want to be doing that.’

  ‘Oh, but I do, Gerald. You wouldn’t believe just how much. You see, I warned you – time an’ again I told you but you wouldn’t listen. You, the big I-am. Ain’t so big now though are yer?’ Minnie waved the knife from side to side her eyes like cold steel.

  ‘Minnie, I’ve got some money, I won again!’ Gerald said as he pulled out a handful of coins from his trouser pocket.

  ‘You really don’t understand, do you?’ Minnie asked, her voice unnervingly quiet. ‘I don’t care any more, Gerald. I want you gone, never to come back. Is that clear enough for you? Or shall I help you along with this?’ She jabbed the knife in his direction all the time keeping a tight hold on its handle.

  ‘You won’t be able to manage without me,’ Gerald said feinting bravado as he replaced the coins in his pocket.

  ‘Oh, and there was me thinking we were doing very nicely without you. Now, it’s getting dark an’ I have to cover that window you smashed, so time to make your choice. You leave now or you go to meet your maker – which will it be?’ Minnie stood and drew herself up to her full height.

  ‘All right, have it your own way,’ Gerald said as he held up his hands. Stepping forward he made a lunge for the knife but Minnie was waiting for him. As she pulled the blade away it caught his hand and he yelped in pain. Then the blood began to pour from the wound.

  ‘You’re bleedin’ all over my nice clean floor,’ Minnie said as she circled around the small table holding the weapon out in front of her so herding him towards the back door.

  ‘Get out,
Gerald, and if I ever see you here again, I’ll stick this in yer heart!’ Minnie said through clenched teeth.

  ‘You’ll dance on the end of a rope if you do,’ Gerald said as he opened the door.

  ‘It would be worth it. Anyway, nobody would be any the wiser cos you won’t ever be found. Now bugger off!’ Minnie lunged forward in a last-ditch attempt to drive him out.

  Gerald fled the house thinking his wife had finally lost her mind and maybe he was better off out of it.

  Minnie sat again on the old rickety chair and began to laugh loudly. Before long, her laughter had turned to heart-rending sobs as she begged the Lord to return her children to her and imploring Him to improve her life.

  Later that evening James blocked the window frame with pieces of an old packing crate he’d found and hammered the nails in firmly.

  ‘That’ll help keep the cold out. Mum,’ he said as he replaced the hammer beneath the sink.

  ‘Good lad, you’ve done a fine job,’ Minnie praised her eldest. ‘Come and get your tea now.’

  James sat at the table and eyed the cabbage and mashed potatoes set before him. Chancing a glance at Peter he said, ‘This looks smashing, Mum, I’m clammed.’

  ‘Hard work always gives you an appetite,’ Minnie said as she also sat. She sighed as she looked down at the meagre fayre. ‘It ain’t much I know but it will fill a hole.’

  The three ate in silence and once finished Peter asked about his father. ‘How did you get rid of him?’

  ‘I told him I’d do for him if he stayed, and make no bones about it, boys – I would have!’

  ‘We ain’t been very nice to you over these last years, have we?’ James asked.

  ‘That’s all dead and gone now so we need to work together as a family,’ Minnie said giving her sons a smile.

  Shuffling off to bed later the boys left Minnie sitting by the last embers in the grate.

  Where are you Polly and Adam? Please come home to me cos I don’t know where to look for you!

  Minnie’s thoughts centred on where her children could possibly be sheltering out of the bitter cold. She shivered as she thought of them trudging through the snow looking for somewhere to hide.