The Five Shilling Children

by Lindsey Hutchinson

Back at the cottage Flash was pacing the floor. With Echo and Digit out, he had time to think about the ‘family’ he had inherited.

  Echo – the spindly ragamuffin he had rescued from a cruel mother, the boy was loyal to a fault.

  Digit – the one who was calm no matter what happened.

  Adam – the usurper. Flash knew the boy was wiser than himself; he was careful to let the others think Flash was still in charge but had begun to challenge the decisions the leader made.

  Polly was useful in picking coal and scavenging and besides, Echo had taken to her enormously.

  As for the Johnsons, he knew nothing about them other than they were the Fitches’ friends from the orphanage.

  Flash was also aware that the more of them there were, the more likely one of them would be caught by the bobbies. This, in turn, would put them all at risk. Everyone would have to be extra vigilant when going about their business and Flash determined he would remind them of this over their evening meal.

  Later that afternoon as they returned to the cottage, each laid on the table whatever they had scavenged or stolen. Adam sat the bucket of coal in the hearth and Arthur lit a fire. Echo produced potatoes, parsnips, carrots and onions. Digit threw down a bundle of clothes he had swiped from a washing line across town.

  ‘Good haul today,’ Flash remarked as he sorted through the damp clothing. ‘Polly, put this lot to dry by the fire.’

  Polly glared at him and stood her ground.

  Flash sighed then muttered, ‘Please!’

  With a nod, Polly and May arranged the items near the fire and saw the steam instantly begin to rise.

  Echo was preparing the vegetables for a stew when Flash called for attention.

  ‘We have to be more careful now ‘cos if one of us is copped then we’m all at risk.’ He eyed the Johnsons as he spoke.

  ‘You don’t have to worry about us, Flash, we’d never tell on you or the others,’ Arthur said feeling the remark had been aimed squarely at him.

  ‘Ar well, just be advised – all right?’ Flash gave a single nod and turned away.

  Adam watched the exchange with interest and wondered if maybe it was time to move on. Clearly Flash was feeling threatened and afraid his life would change drastically if the police were to call one day. Adam made a mental note to speak to Arthur about it at the first opportunity. He smiled then as he watched Echo and the girls laughing together as they worked at the table. If the Fitches and Johnsons did move on, how would it affect those left behind? They had managed perfectly well before and Adam felt they could again, but what of Echo? The lad had adopted the girls and treated them like little princesses. He had bought May a couple of blankets so she could share the mattress with Polly. Echo was unaware Adam had seen him take a penny from the pelf box when he thought no-one was looking. He knew Echo did not consider this as stealing from his own, but merely helping to keep May safe and warm. Adam was sure the lad would be bereft without the girls to take care of. Would he want to go with them if they left? Surely that would cause a rift between Echo and Flash. Besides, Adam had no idea where they could go. He would have to scout the area and find somewhere they could make habitable. Then again, would they be better off staying put?

  After their meal of hot vegetable broth, the group gathered around the fire and Adam spoke up.

  ‘Flash, what’s your real name?’

  The question took the boy by surprise. ‘Why do yer want to know?’ he asked suspiciously.

  ‘Just asking,’ Adam replied with a shrug.

  So, as the evening wore on their stories were related as to who they were and how they all became to be where they were.

  Pointing a finger, Flash said, ‘If you laugh, I’ll batter you. My real name is Perry Wilton.’ No-one laughed and Flash went on. ‘Perry – I ask you what kind of name is that to give to a boy? My mother must have been soft in the head.’

  ‘It’s not so bad,’ Adam said being careful not to smile and upset the lad.

  ‘It bloody is!’ Flash retorted.

  ‘How did you end up here?’ Adam asked.

  Taking a breath Flash began. ‘My old man was knocked down and killed by a tram. He was coming home from the boozer three parts cut and stepped on the line; tram couldn’t stop in time. We ’ad to bury him in two halves.’

  ‘Ugh!’ Polly said with a grimace.

  Flash shrugged his shoulders and continued with his tale. ‘Mum had seven of us to feed and so us older ones upped and went.’

  ‘You left your mother on her own?’ Arthur asked in disbelief.

  ‘Yes, Arthur, we did. You see, Mum could manage the two little ’uns on what she earned as a washerwoman. Trying to feed us all was nigh on impossible, so me and my four brothers took off. That way we all had a chance of surviving.’

  ‘Sorry, Flash, it makes sense now,’ Arthur said awkwardly.

  ‘What about you, Echo?’ Adam asked the boy sitting close to the girls.

  ‘Oh Flash saved me,’ he said simply. ‘My mum was beating me for breaking a cup and Flash rescued me.’ The gratitude in his eyes was evident as he smiled at his saviour. ‘My name is Wilbur Gibson, but I like Echo better cos Flash gave it to me.’

  ‘Digit?’ Adam turned to the quieter member of the group.

  ‘Toby Hanley. My mother died when I was a nipper, my dad is in Stafford Gaol for thieving. Unusually I was an only child which as it turned out was probably for the best.’ Short and to the point, Digit was never one to waste words.

  Once Adam and Arthur had told their stories, the girls went upstairs to bed and the others settled into a companionable silence.

  Staring into the fire, Adam realised this was the first time they had spoken about themselves at any length. They had shared living quarters for some weeks and only now did he know anything more than the meaning behind each sobriquet. It wasn’t long before only gentle snores and the rustle of a mouse disturbed the quiet of the old cottage.

  The following morning everyone gasped in shock as Polly and May came downstairs. Dressed in trousers rolled up at the ankles they were held up by a belt of string. A shirt collar peeped from beneath the neck of a pullover and socks and boots adorned their feet. But the biggest surprise was their hair. Each had cut the other’s with a carving knife giving them a gamine look which Adam had to admit suited them.

  ‘We thought we might be recognised so we…’ Polly said tentatively.

  ‘Well, it gives you both a certain boyish charm,’ Matt said, ‘and I agree it was a good idea.’

  Echo was whooping and laughing around the girls as he touched their shorn locks.

  ‘We’ll need a cap each now though,’ May said.

  Echo dashed off into the corner of the room and rifled through the clothes box.

  ‘…cap each now,’ he repeated producing two small flat caps.

  ‘Well done, Echo!’ Polly praised and saw the boy flush to the roots of his untidy dark hair.

  As they left the cottage Adam whispered to Arthur that he and Polly were going to visit the orphanage, and asked if the Johnsons wanted to go along too. Arthur nodded and the four set off looking like a little group of street urchins.

  *

  Whilst Adam had been getting to know his house mates, over in Horseley Fields, PC Philby was given entry by the maid and shown to the study where Nathaniel Bellamy and Dr Shepherd waited.

  ‘Gentlemen,’ the constable greeted the men then to the doctor he added, ‘thank you for calling us out, Dr Shepherd, I believe you have something to say regarding the death of Mrs Bellamy.’

  ‘Indeed,’ the doctor said as the policeman took a seat as indicated by Nathaniel.

  ‘I would prefer to speak with you both separately if you don’t mind, sirs, to spare Mr Bellamy further distress, you understand,’ PC Philby said as he laid his helmet on the corner of the desk.

  ‘Of course, I will be in the parlour just across the hall when you’re done, Constable,’ Nathaniel said as he stood to leave the room.

 
; Prudence was hovering in the hallway and followed Nathaniel into the parlour. ‘What does that policeman want?’ she asked curtly.

  ‘Dr Shepherd called him in…’

  ‘Why?’ Prudence’s nerves twanged. She already knew why the police were here and her mind was whirling.

  ‘It would seem I could not lay my Lilith to rest until a post mortem was carried out and now there is something amiss with the findings.’ Nathaniel sighed as he sat in his armchair by the fire.

  ‘Amiss? What?’ Prudence became anxious.

  ‘The constable will explain everything, Prudence, as I’m sure he’ll want to speak to everyone in the household.’

  Prudence harrumphed and dropped thoughtlessly into Lilith’s chair but Nathaniel was too upset to notice.

  So, they’ve discovered the poison! Time to lay the blame at someone else’s feet!

  31

  Minnie Fitch was worried for her son. James was having nightmares since the death of his father. She knew her boy would never have stabbed Gerald on purpose no matter how badly he had treated them. However, the fact remained that the knife was in James’ hand as Gerald had lunged at her. He was responsible – albeit accidentally.

  Sitting by her small fire Minnie waited for the boys to rise from their beds. It was time to have a serious talk and reassure them everything would be well and that no-one would be arrested. More importantly she had to ensure James accepted that the whole debacle was an accident.

  Swinging the kettle on the chimney crane she watched and waited for the steam to puff from the spout. Moments later the lid danced a rattling jig and Minnie swung the crane away from the flames.

  With weak tea made she yelled up the stairs for the boys to stir their stumps. Pouring the brew, Minnie listened to her sons clumping about the bedroom and then heard them clatter down the bare wooden staircase. She smiled as they fought their way into the back yard in order to be the first to use the privy.

  At the table she studied her sons’ faces and saw that they both looked tired and drawn. Sharing a room, Peter was clearly being disturbed by James’ bad dreams.

  ‘I need to talk to you both,’ she said at last. Two sets of weary eyes lifted from their pannikins. ‘You know that yer father’s death was an accident, don’t you?’

  The boys glanced at each other before nodding.

  ‘I know you’re fretting about it, James, cos I hear you crying out in the night,’ Minnie went on.

  The lad dropped his eyes in embarrassment.

  ‘It ain’t nothing to be ashamed of, lad. It’s only natural but you have to put it behind you now else you won’t ever get over it.’

  ‘I understand that mum but…’ James began.

  ‘There’s no ‘buts’ about it, lovey. You must let go of the guilt.’

  ‘Mum’s right, James. As far as anybody else is concerned our dad froze out on the heath. Besides if he hadn’t belted our mum again, none of this would have happened!’ Peter was doing his best to console his brother.

  ‘I know you overheard what we were arguing about so I’d best explain, then you can make up your own minds on how you feel about it.’ Minnie poured more tea into their metal cups and took a deep breath.

  ‘When you two were little, your dad and I were happy together. Then Gerald took to the drink and I met someone who made me feel special. He didn’t treat me like a skivvy; he never raised a hand to me. I never meant to be deceitful to your father but – well it just happened. Then I found out I was pregnant with Adam. I couldn’t tell Gerald what I’d done so I kept my tongue behind my teeth. Then our Polly came along and your dad must have known cos he got really nasty. Started throwing his fists around. Now, I know what I did was wrong but I didn’t deserve the beatings Gerald kept dishing out. So, one day I packed my things and got all you kids ready to move out.’ Minnie’s eyes misted over as she recalled the day in her mind. ‘It was then I got the message. Adam and Polly’s dad had died, so I had nowhere to go with you kiddies; I had to stay and put up with Gerald’s ravings.’

  ‘Is that why he got rid of our Adam and Polly instead of us?’ Peter asked gently as he saw the tears well in his mother’s eyes.

  Minnie nodded. ‘He knew they weren’t his and they were a constant reminder to him. I’m so sorry, lads, if I could have my time over again…’

  ‘Mum, it’s all right, ain’t it James?’ Peter said as he wrapped an arm around his sobbing mother. ‘Anyway, we’ve still got Adam and Polly even though they ain’t here with us.’

  After a pause Peter asked, ‘Where are they, Mum?’

  ‘Your dad took them to Reed’s but they’re not there any more. I went to get them back but they’d sold our Polly and Adam ran away.’ Minnie let go of her emotions completely and cried out years of pent-up hurt and frustration.

  ‘Mum, why don’t we see if we can find them and bring them home?’ Peter asked.

  ‘How?’ Minnie’s tears ran free again at her son’s thoughtfulness.

  ‘We can put the word out on the streets and in the market,’ Peter went on, ‘it would be a start.’

  Up until that point James had kept his counsel, his mind working over what his mother had revealed after so many years of keeping her secret.

  ‘Right then, I suggest we get started right now,’ James said. ‘Mum, we love you and before you know it, we’ll be a proper family again.’

  ‘What about school?’ Minnie asked.

  ‘What about it?’ Peter grinned and kissed his mother’s cheek. James followed suit then they grabbed their jackets and shot out of the back door.

  Minnie closed her eyes in prayer. Thank you, Lord, for your forgiveness and that of those two boys. Just one more thing – any chance of a helping hand with Adam and Polly?

  *

  Adam, Polly, Arthur and May kept a sharp look out for constables out on patrol for they would surely be stopped and asked why they weren’t in school. At the end of Vane Street they turned into Powlett Street. Passing the boot and shoe manufacturer, Polly breathed in the smell of leather.

  ‘One day I’ll buy some shoes from there,’ she said and Adam grinned.

  They hurried on into Sutherland Place and hid behind the bushes to wait. It would not be long before Joe and the others would be out of the orphanage.

  As if on cue, the door opened and the three boys strolled into the gardens. Adam gave a whistle and instantly the gang was back together at the designated meeting point.

  ‘Bloody hell!’ Rodney stammered when he saw Polly and May. ‘What happened to you two?’

  ‘We’re in disguise,’ Polly said proudly.

  ‘Adam, we’ve decided – we’re going to attempt a break-out!’ Joe confided.

  ‘Why?’ Adam asked. ‘Surely you’re better off in there where it’s warm and you get fed.’

  ‘Nah, we want to be rid of this place, we’ve had enough. So, where can we find you?’ Matt asked.

  ‘There’s an old cottage behind the corn mill. We’ll be in there but I warn you there’s three others there – it’s their place,’ Adam whispered.

  ‘Righto. Expect us when you see us,’ Joe said with a grin.

  Not wishing to tarry and risk being caught, the group went their separate ways after quick goodbyes; Joe, Rodney and Matt into the school room and Adam’s entourage to the town to scavenge.

  It was mid-morning when Joe began to moan quietly.

  Celia Brock looked up from her big teacher’s desk to see him lay his head on his arms on his own desk. She sighed, this was all she needed today – a sick child. She was already regretting drinking heavily the previous night with Ruth; her head was pounding and her stomach roiled. Ignoring the boy, she went back to her book.

  Joe, chanced a quick look up and realising Miss Brock was taking no notice, groaned a little louder.

  Taking a breath Celia asked, ‘Is there a problem, Joe?’

  ‘Ooh Miss, I think I need the lavvy – and quick!’

  ‘Go! Now!’ Celia said, gagging at the thou
ght of what might occur in her classroom.

  Joe fled the room holding the seat of his trousers. Grabbing his jacket from the coat-stand in the hall he ran outside to the bushes.

  Back indoors Rodney and Matt began to grumble simultaneously.

  ‘Go boys – quickly!’ Celia yelled and winced at the pain shooting through her temples.

  In a jiffy they were outside with Joe. Checking all the windows and seeing no-one, the three ran for their lives, out of the gate and away. As they headed for the corn mill, they whooped their delight at being free at last.

  *

  James and Peter had no way of knowing the three boys they passed in the street were on the same mission – to find Adam and Polly. Heading for the market the brothers intended to let folk know they were looking for their siblings. They decided also to do some scavenging for food whilst they were out and about.

  As they walked James began to speak. ‘What do you make of what mum said about Polly and Adam having a different dad to us?’

  ‘I think I’ve known for a long time really. Our dad was always horrible to them – same as he was to Mum,’ Peter answered.

  ‘I can’t believe Mum did it though,’ James responded.

  ‘Our dad was a vile drunken bully, James – you know it as well as I do,’ Peter snapped. ‘Well, we don’t have to worry about him any more.’

  James stopped and glared at his brother. ‘What are you trying to say?’

  ‘I’m saying – if you hadn’t done it, I would have!’ Peter was sorely agitated. ‘I know it was an accident, but to my mind it was the best thing to happen,’ he added in a whisper.

  James sighed and dragged his cold hands down his face. ‘It haunts me, Pete’, I have nightmares.’

  ‘I know, but you have to let it go now cos we have to help Mum find Adam and Polly.’ Peter draped an arm around his brother’s shoulder. ‘Come on, I’m getting cold standing here.’

  James nodded then they set off once more towards the market.

  32

  Dr Shepherd stroked his silver whiskers as he watched Constable Philby scribble in his little notebook.