The Five Shilling Children

by Lindsey Hutchinson

  Adam waved and two minutes later the friends were happily reunited.

  ‘Come on let’s get out of this stinking place,’ Adam said and led them all back to Flash’s hideout; Polly and May holding hands as they chatted excitedly.

  Flash was waiting for them when they arrived, and when he saw Arthur and May he was clearly disgruntled.

  ‘Who’re they?’ he snapped.

  ‘This is Arthur and May Johnson, they’ve escaped from the orphanage as well,’ Adam answered preparing himself for a confrontation.

  ‘Oh that’s marvellous! How many more are you going to bring here?’ His question was full of sarcasm as he dropped into his chair.

  ‘Don’t be so spiteful!’ Polly retorted. ‘They were living over by the abattoir – do you know how horrible it is there?’

  ‘That ain’t my concern!’ Flash retaliated. ‘I’m the leader so you should have asked me first!’

  ‘It’s all right, we’ll leave,’ Arthur said not wanting to light the fuse which would lead to an explosion between Adam and the other boy.

  ‘In that case so will we.’ Adam shrugged his shoulders as he spoke.

  ‘Wait on a bit,’ Flash said jumping to his feet, ‘it would have been curtus…’

  ‘Courteous,’ Adam corrected him.

  ‘Yes that, to have cons… asked me before you go bringing others here – it’s supposed to be a secret place!’ Flash snapped as he paced the room.

  Adam sighed. ‘Flash, nobody saw us I promise you. Now calm down and let’s see what the others say when they get back.’

  ‘It ain’t up to them to decide, it’s up to me!’ Flash was furious his status as leader was again being questioned.

  The door banged open just then and Echo struggled in with a box of groceries. ‘Hello,’ he said cheerily, but sensing the tension he laid the box on the table and shut the door.

  The silent battle of wills raged on as Adam and Flash stared each other down.

  ‘The democracy didn’t last long did it?’ Adam asked.

  ‘…did it?’ Echo repeated as he watched the boys facing off.

  May giggled and Polly dug her in the ribs.

  Flash harrumphed as he searched for a reply.

  The whole debacle was too much for Echo and he shouted, ‘Who wants a cuppa? I got some tea!’

  ‘Get it made then!’ Flash yelled, secretly grateful for Echo’s intervention.

  Polly and May helped Echo with his chore and he was delighted that he now had two young girls to take care of. As he fussed around them, Flash sighed audibly.

  Knowing it would break Echo’s heart to ask the Fitches and Johnsons to leave now, Flash tried to settle with the idea of having two more to feed. He watched the simple-minded boy carefully stacking the groceries in the cupboard and he recalled how they had met.

  Echo was being severely beaten in the street by his mother who was calling him a useless lump. He was dressed in rags and covered in bruises. Lying on the ground, his arms covering his head he was sobbing his apologies. It turned out he had broken a cup and for that his mother was hitting him with a stick.

  Flash heard the chatter all around him but his mind was still with the poor boy lying in the street. Without warning, Flash had snatched the stick away from the woman and turned it on her.

  Grabbing Echo’s hand, he had dragged him to his feet and they backed away from the woman who was still screaming and yelling. That day, Echo found a new family, one who didn’t abuse him or make fun of him.

  A sandwich of cheese was pushed into his hands and Flash’s mind snapped back to the present to see Echo’s smiling face. Flash’s temper melted away. ‘Ta, Echo,’ he said with a grin.

  Not very bright, Echo, however, had a knack of diffusing any awkward situation. The boy nodded and returned to the table where he put Digit’s food on a plate in the cupboard. Flash smiled again and biting into his food he thought, He’s always so thoughtful and curtus – courteous – and he’s clever at finding a bargain. I wonder, Echo, if you’re even dim at all!

  A little later Digit arrived back with a bucket full of coal nuggets. Everyone guessed he’d been to the coal yard rather than the slag heap but no-one questioned it or how he’d got the money to buy the coal.

  Being introduced to the Johnsons he simply said, ‘Welcome,’ then sat to eat what Echo had put aside for him.

  Flash sighed. It was settled then – the Johnsons were now part of their group.

  *

  Whilst the Johnsons were getting to know their new house mates, Constable Philby strolled down Cleveland Street and had he but known, the two children he had enquired about had been hiding behind the vicarage – a few feet away.

  He’d had no luck at the orphanage regarding the missing girl other than to learn she had a brother who had also absconded.

  He knew their names of course but not where they originated from. Wolverhampton was a big town, that’s pre-supposing they had not come from somewhere else entirely.

  In his mind he went over what he already knew. The Fitch children had been taken to Reed’s by their father. From where, and the reason why, still eluded him. Polly had then gone to the Bellamys in Horseley Fields. It was Philby’s contention she had been sold on, thereby separating the siblings and ultimately causing Adam to run away to find her. Polly had legged it along the towpath following a boy – presumably Adam.

  He considered, as he swung his truncheon, the spate of theft occurring in the market of late. Purses and wallets being reported stolen – could this be down to the Fitch children? Somehow he didn’t think so, but one could never be sure. The only way to find out was to catch the culprit who up to now had avoided detection. The questions now were – where were they hiding? How were they surviving? Had they gone home to the father who had abandoned them? And more to the point, would he ever have the answers?

  It seemed this was not to be the case that would see him climb the ladder of success after all. He sighed his disappointment as he continued to patrol his beat. Shaking his head Constable Philby didn’t think so. The tingling in his cold toes made him shiver. He couldn’t wait to get home and sit by a roaring fire.

  29

  A week later Lilith Bellamy was still not interred at St James’ churchyard, but young Cora had been sent off to school in Scotland.

  Now Prudence Kenton was worried she may be dismissed as Nathaniel had no further use for a governess. Should she bide her time and see what he decided? Prudence didn’t think that a sensible idea and so she set about making herself into the housekeeper until a suitable mourning time had passed.

  Sitting in the parlour she waited for Nathaniel to return from his work. Bridget had brought her some tea and Prudence knew both she and the cook despised her, but she lost no sleep over that. Once she was mistress here, they would be replaced very quickly.

  I must be more attentive to Nathaniel. He must become wholly reliant on me.

  Hearing the front door open and close she went to the hallway to greet the man she was intent on marrying.

  ‘Good evening, sir, your whiskey awaits,’ she said as she dismissed Bridget with a flick of her fingers. The maid scowled at her before walking away.

  ‘Thank you, Prudence,’ Nathaniel answered walking to the parlour and sitting down with a huge sigh.

  ‘If I may be so bold – you’re looking tired, Nathaniel.’ Prudence was careful only to call him by name when they were alone.

  ‘It’s been a harrowing time,’ he responded.

  ‘Indeed, but it’s important not to wear yourself out. I was thinking, maybe you should take a short holiday in the country.’

  Nathaniel shook his head. ‘It wouldn’t be much fun alone, would it?’

  ‘Well, that is – I could always come with you – as a companion you understand,’ Prudence added quickly.

  ‘Hmm…’ Nathaniel gave the idea some thought. ‘Maybe in a week or two but not so soon after…’

  ‘Let me refresh your glass,’ Prudence said not
wanting him to dwell on his wife’s death any more than he was already.

  ‘Thanks. Prudence, I was thinking,’ Nathaniel paused as he took the glass from her hand.

  Prudence’s heart hammered in her chest. Was this it? Was he going to tell her she was no longer needed?

  ‘Would you eat in the dining room with me? It’s so lonely in there now.’

  Prudence’s relief was almost palpable. ‘Why yes, of course. I’d be delighted. The conversation below stairs could never be called stimulating.’

  They exchanged a smile and she wondered if he ever thought of the time they had made love on the floor of the room they now sat in. Her eyes automatically found the exact spot and she felt again the passion rush through her veins.

  ‘I can imagine,’ Nathaniel answered, ‘but I’m not sure mine would be any better.’

  ‘Nonsense, you can tell me all about your work for I’d dearly love to hear it,’ Prudence said soothingly.

  ‘So be it.’ Nathaniel held out his glass for yet another drink.

  ‘I will inform the maid to set another place at the table which will please her no end,’ Prudence said with a light-hearted laugh.

  Bridget set the extra place at the dining table, all the while turning over in her mind how Kenton was ingratiating herself with the master. It was clear that given the chance, Prudence would do her best to become the new mistress. If that should prove to be the case then Bridget would hand in her notice for sure. It was bad enough having to kowtow to the woman now but if she married Mr Bellamy, she would be hell to live with.

  As she laid out the dessert spoon Bridget’s mind flipped back to one morning when she was cleaning Prudence’s room. Oh she was aware of the silver-backed hairbrush and its denoting the governess was of higher status than the rest of the staff, and took great delight in moving it to another place on the dresser after dusting. Then she had taken a leisurely look through the wardrobe and chest of drawers.

  Automatically she set the wineglass on the table as she remembered what she’d discovered laying beneath Prudence’s underwear. A tiny glass bottle with a cork stopper. She couldn’t read the label but she memorised it. Whatever that liquid was, it must be important for it to remain a secret.

  Bridget had kept this to herself; it could prove useful one day. Now she was beginning to wonder whether that little phial had anything to do with Mrs Bellamy’s death. It may be Prudence’s medicine for some ailment in which case she should keep her mouth shut. It wouldn’t do for that snooty governess to find out that Bridget had rifled through her possessions.

  Finishing her task, the maid determined to continue to watch and wait.

  The following morning Dr Shepherd arrived and was shown into Nathaniel’s study by the maid. Prudence appeared just in time to hear Nathaniel greet his visitor.

  What did the doctor want at this early hour?

  Hovering in the hallway, Prudence began to worry. The sooner the funeral took place the happier she would be. She could not understand why it was taking so long. Maybe the undertaker was very busy or the sexton was trying to allocate a suitable plot.

  Could it be the doctor was visiting merely to check on Nathaniel and how he was coping with the loss of his wife? Convincing herself that was the reason, Prudence forced herself to calm down. Striding into the kitchen she decided a cup of tea would settle her nerves.

  In the study Nathaniel stared in disbelief. ‘Poisoned! Lilith was… how?’

  ‘I don’t know Nathaniel, but the residue of Belladonna was found in her stomach and intestine. She died from respiratory failure caused by ingesting the poison. I’m so sorry, Nathaniel, but I have had to inform the police and they will be here shortly,’ Dr Shepherd said sadly.

  Nathaniel nodded trying to hold back his tears. ‘Do you think Lilith – could she have been doing it to herself?’

  ‘I doubt it. How would she obtain it? She never moved from her bed you told me, therefore somebody would have had to acquire it for her. Besides, if it was self-inflicted, then why a little at a time? Surely if suicide was her goal then she would have taken it all in one go.’ The doctor shook his head as he finished speaking.

  ‘I know it’s early but I need a drink!’ Nathaniel mumbled as he poured himself a whiskey. Offering the bottle to his visitor, Dr Shepherd shook his head once more.

  Sitting back at his desk, Nathaniel and the doctor awaited the arrival of the constabulary.

  *

  That same morning Ruth Ashby sat in her room, gin in hand. No matter the time, she relied on the alcohol to see her through the day now. A week ago, three children from one family had been sold to Una. Fifteen shillings in exchange for three little girls. Whatever was the world coming to when folks sold their offspring only to have more at a later date?

  Ruth gulped her drink knowing she was party to it all. But she could not afford to leave; she had little money and no home other than this place. It had all seemed a good idea in the beginning but Una had completely taken over and turned it into a money-making concern. That was not how it was supposed to be.

  Looking at her empty glass, Ruth refilled it from the bottle on the table by her side. She had to find a way out somehow. Knowing Celia Brock felt the same she wondered if they could rent a small house between them. Then of course they would need to find work in order to live.

  Swallowing another mouthful of gin, Ruth considered the probability of finding a job. Shaking her head, she knew it would be nigh on impossible. Poverty was strangling the town, and the bread lines grew longer with each passing day for there was no work to be had anywhere. No matter how she looked at it, she was trapped. One thing for sure was she had no intentions of moving from her chair until she had finished the bottle. Having made that decision, she topped up her glass yet again.

  Downstairs in the dining room, Joe and the others sat with the new girls, then after breakfast they trooped outside.

  ‘I have to get out of this place before I go mad!’ Joe said then gave a swift look of apology to Matt as he suddenly remembered his friend’s mother being incarcerated in the asylum.

  ‘Me an’ all, them new girls crying all the time am giving me the ’eadache,’ Rodney agreed.

  ‘How about you, Matt?’ Joe asked.

  ‘I’m in. When do we go?’ the older boy said with a grin.

  ‘Bloody hell, Old Reedy will have a heart attack if we manage it!’ Joe said with a laugh.

  ‘No more than she deserves if you ask me,’ Rodney said sullenly.

  ‘If we get out, where do we go?’ Matt asked.

  ‘We’ll have to find the others, p’raps it might be better to wait on another visit from Adam so we’ll know where to meet up,’ Rodney answered.

  ‘Good thinking, but in the meantime, we can draw up a plan of escape.’ Joe’s grin was infectious and the other two joined him as they plotted together quietly.

  ‘Old Reedy might be expecting this and if so, she’ll be extra vigilant regarding the front door. Now, whilst we’re in class, she leaves the gate open so I suggest we find a way to just walk out.’ Joe was thinking hard now.

  ‘She’ll see us most likely,’ Rodney pointed out.

  ‘Maybe, but if we all go together, by the time she spots us we’ll have a head start!’ Matt said excitedly.

  ‘It will have to be during lesson time though,’ Joe said, ‘so we have to come up with a reason either not to be in class in the first place or to leave the room. It could look very suspicious.’

  ‘Bellyache?’ Rodney suggested.

  ‘Miss Ashby would be put on nursing duty with Indian Brandee!’ Matt grimaced at the thought.

  ‘We have to invent a very good excuse not to be there,’ Joe said with a frown.

  ‘We could say we have the shi… diarrhoea,’ Rodney corrected himself.

  ‘That might actually work,’ Matt said, ‘if we all feel bad at the same time we can get out before Miss Ashby is informed. Miss Brock won’t refuse us a visit to the privy for fear of us all –
making a mess!’

  ‘Right, we’ll arrange it with Adam next time we see him, then we’ll be out of this God forsaken place!’ Joe said.

  Rodney stuck up his arm and they chorused, ‘All for one and one for all!’

  The bell rang and the young musketeers ran indoors for morning lessons, all feeling relieved they had formed what seemed like a good plan.

  30

  Out picking coal early Arthur took Adam by surprise when he asked, ‘Have you managed to contact Billy Marshall again?’

  ‘No, not since we wrote to each other.’

  ‘He might be interested to know you ain’t in the orphanage any more,’ Arthur said as he dropped a coal nugget in the bucket.

  ‘Maybe, but I wouldn’t want him to think I was begging a hand-out,’ Adam replied, his eyes searching the ground.

  ‘I suppose.’

  ‘I just feel we should fend for ourselves now, after all it was our idea to leave Reed’s,’ Adam explained.

  ‘Any thoughts about going home?’

  ‘None! Not while our dad is there. It was him who sold us in the first place remember.’

  ‘Yes, sorry – I just wondered,’ Arthur apologised.

  ‘What about you? I seem to remember Joe saying you and May were sold to Reed’s as well.’

  ‘We were – five shillings each. There were thirteen kids in our family, Adam, and another on the way. Me and May were the youngest – too little to work so we were sold on,’ Arthur said sadly.

  ‘Thirteen! Blimey Arthur your dad must have had some stamina!’

  ‘Not as much as our mother,’ Arthur said with a grin.

  ‘You know we could be called the five shilling children,’ Adam said. Hearing the girls giggling he added, ‘I’m glad those two are happy enough again now anyway.’

  ‘Me an’ all. Our May cried day and night after Polly was – went,’ Arthur said with a quick correction.

  ‘We’ll have to make sure they ain’t parted again then, won’t we?’

  Arthur nodded and after another glance at the girls, the coal-picking continued.