Digit sat in his chair quietly shaking his head as he watched the melee taking place. He’d known it would come sooner or later and now it was here.
Joe was all set to pile in and help Adam but Arthur and Matt held him back. May was comforting a sobbing Polly, and Echo was still screaming as he raced around the room pulling at his hair. Rodney was simply staring, unable to decide what to do.
Flash measured the floor with his length in a complete daze.
‘Quiet!’ Adam yelled and instantly silence fell. Dragging Flash to his feet Adam sat him on a chair. ‘Now then, this has been coming since Polly and I moved in and now it’s happened. Too many chiefs and not enough Indians. So, either we’re a democracy or we’re not. If not, then we’re moving on and…’ turning to Echo added, ‘if you want to come with us you can.’
Flash was rubbing his sore jaw as he listened to Adam’s little speech. His eyes burned into Echo as he spoke. ‘I saved you from yer mother, now you want to leave?’
‘…leave. I want to stay with Polly and May,’ Echo said innocently.
‘Flash, you did save Echo but he cannot be repaying that debt for the rest of his life,’ Adam said quietly but firmly.
‘Do what you like – I don’t care any more!’ Flash snapped, then jumping to his feet he dashed out of the door before the others could see the tears glistening in his eyes.
‘Bloody hellfire!’ Rodney said finding his tongue at last.
Digit chuckled low in his throat. ‘He’ll come back when he cools off.’
‘When he does, we have to decide where we all go from here,’ Adam said authoritatively.
34
The police station was situated where Walsall Street and Hill Street South converged and inside in a dimly lit room sat Prudence Kenton answering questions.
PC Philby was given leave to conduct the investigation overseen by Sergeant Slater, a burly man with handlebar whiskers.
‘Can you explain how this phial of Belladonna came to be in one of your drawers, Miss Kenton?’ Philby enquired holding up the bottle and being careful to remain respectful to the woman.
‘I have no idea. Someone must have put it there!’ Prudence answered sharply despite feeling sick to her stomach with fear.
‘Who might have access to your room, Miss?’
‘My door is never locked, Constable, although I’m thinking now that it should have been!’
Changing tack Philby said, ‘I believe you were the one who administered Mrs Bellamy’s medicine.’ More of a statement than question, Philby waited watching for any tell-tale signs of guilt.
Prudence nodded perfunctorily.
The constable exchanged a glance with his sergeant who stroked his bushy whiskers. ‘I have no doubt you are aware that Belladonna is a poison.’ Again Prudence nodded. ‘Are you also aware that Mrs Bellamy died due to ingestion of that very drug?’
Prudence clamped her teeth together and breathed deeply through her nose. Then she said, ‘Mr Bellamy informed me that a post mortem had been undertaken and there was something amiss with the findings.’
‘That something was the poison in Mrs Bellamy’s system which…’ Philby checked the Pathologist’s report on the desk, ‘had built up over a length of time.’
Prudence forced herself to sit perfectly still and remain calm but her heart was beating out of her chest. She ignored the sweat beginning to form on her palms despite the coldness of the room.
‘And?’ she spat.
‘Well, Miss, you can see how all this looks I’m sure,’ the constable answered.
‘I can indeed. Now I ask you to see how this looks. Although that phial was found in my room there is no proof it belongs to me. I did administer the mistress’ medicine prescribed by Dr Shepherd,’ Prudence deliberately emphasised the name in order to draw suspicion away from herself. ‘Also, both the maid and the cook could have been in my room at any time. Bridget cleans there – not very well I might add – once a day.’
PC Philby looked up from the notes he was taking as Prudence’s words halted.
‘So you see, Constable – and Sergeant – there are other people in that household,’ Prudence finished with a tight-lipped smile.
‘What about the daughter?’ Sergeant Slater asked.
‘Miss Cora is away at school in Scotland as you would know had you done your job properly.’ Prudence was becoming anxious and wanted to be out of the cold forbidding place.
‘Only recently though,’ Philby’s smile tilted up on one side of his face in a don’t-mess-with-me gesture.
‘Constable Philby, weren’t there another little lass living there an’ all?’ the sergeant asked.
Making a show of checking his notes Philby nodded. ‘Yes, a Pollyanna Fitch – came from Reed’s Orphanage.’
‘How old are these kiddies?’ the sergeant asked, his eyes never leaving those of Prudence Kenton.
‘Miss Bellamy – Cora – is ten and Miss Fitch is nine,’ Philby answered.
‘Unlikely then that either could be in a position to purchase Belladonna.’ The sergeant’s head rocked up and down imperceptibly.
Damn and blast! Polly would have been the ideal scapegoat! Prudence’s mind was working overtime, she had to convince the police of her innocence as well as point the finger in another direction.
‘Sergeant, I’m more than happy to answer any more questions you may have but I really must return to Mr Bellamy. I’m all he has now, you see.’
The sergeant pursed his lips, stretched his neck to look at the ceiling and scratched under his chin. Then suddenly he jumped to his feet.
‘Stay where we can find you, Miss Kenton, I don’t want my lads scouring the country for you if we need to speak again. Constable – let her go.’
Prudence shot out of her seat and walked briskly out of the room and then the police station heaving a sigh of relief as she went.
‘Sarg’?’ Philby asked.
‘I know, lad. You did really well in there,’ he tilted his head towards the room they had just exited, ‘don’t worry, she won’t go far. She thinks she’s off the hook.’
‘So, you think she did it then?’ the PC asked.
‘Definitely. All we have to do now is prove it!’ the sergeant said on an explosive sigh.
*
At the same time Prudence Kenton was being grilled by the police, Flash had returned to where the others waited for him. Digit was surprised to see the lad was still fuming over the earlier contretemps.
‘This democ-thingy ain’t working so I think you lot should leave!’ Flash spat nastily.
Adam nodded and turned to Polly, ‘Get your things.’
Polly and May rushed to collect their few belongings as Echo again began to pace the room in a fever. The orphanage children – all of them – headed for the door when Echo yelled, ‘Wait!’ Taking the stairs two at a time he was back again in an instant with the blankets in his arms. ‘Ladies, you’ll need these, cos it’s bloody cold out there and I don’t want you getting poorly!’
‘Hey! They don’t belong to the girls!’ Flash intervened trying to snatch back the blankets.
‘They ain’t yours neither!’ Echo snapped as he whipped them away from Flash’s outstretched hands.
Polly and May took a bedcover each and hugged the boy who had looked after them as well as he could.
Hot tears poured down Echo’s face as he watched Adam and his entourage leave the little cottage.
‘You’m a nasty bugger sometimes, Flash!’ he yelled then after a moment of glaring, Echo fled the room to join his new friends. Catching up to them, he carried the blankets for the girls as Adam clapped him on the back in welcome to yet another new family.
‘Where we going, Adam?’ Matt asked as the group trudged along Vane Street.
‘We need to find shelter before nightfall,’ came the reply.
‘And food,’ Joe pitched in.
Stopping at the intersection with Cleveland Road, Adam looked around him. ‘Right, market firs
t to scavenge, then we’ll head for the heath over by the railway – there’s bound to be a derelict building we can use. All agreed?’
With nods all round they set off full of high spirits at having yet another adventure. As they walked Adam was aware of the responsibility he seemed to have inherited. The others looked to him for leadership and decision making despite his endeavouring to keep the group as a co-operative. Now he worried he had taken them from a warm old cottage onto the cold streets. He was concerned they would not have enough to eat or indeed find shelter at the end of their long trek.
‘You ain’t to worry,’ a voice said quietly in his ear.
Turning Adam saw it was Rodney who spoke. ‘We trust you, Adam – we’ll follow where you lead.’
Adam felt the lump in his throat and tried to swallow it. ‘Thanks, mate, I hope I don’t let you down.’
‘You ain’t yet.’ Rodney laughed. Adam immediately felt better.
Reaching the market, they split up and went about their search for anything edible, agreeing to meet later outside the tramway depot. The Johnsons and Fitches went one way, and Joe, Matt, Rodney and Echo went the other. An hour later they met at the appointed place, Rodney and Echo carrying a wooden crate between them. Everything was placed inside and taking it in turns to carry it, they moved on towards the heath chatting happily as they went.
35
James and Peter had no luck finding their siblings. They had asked at all the shops and stall holders in the market to no avail. No one had seen or heard anything of Adam and Polly Fitch.
One frosty morning whilst her sons were coal picking and scavenging for food, Minnie wrapped up warmly and left the house. She wasn’t going to waste her time looking for a job as she knew fine well there were none to be had. She was going back to Reed’s. She was intent on finding her children and the orphanage would tell her where Polly had gone. The fire of anger in her veins kept her warm as she strode purposefully through the streets. Minnie thought at least it was a start. Increasing her pace as the cold air bit sharply at her nose, Minnie felt the stirrings of excitement rise in her. She knew her kiddies were no longer at Reed’s, but with God’s grace she might be one step closer to finding them.
Stepping around a carter’s wagon, Minnie heard the call of the rag and bone man, ‘Any old rags?’ She waited until his horse and cart had passed before resuming her journey along the tramway. Standing well back as the tram rattled along the iron rails, Minnie tutted her annoyance at being delayed.
Eventually arriving at the large building, Minnie rapped on the front door. It was opened by the same woman who had greeted her on her previous visit.
‘Oh Mrs Fitch,’ the woman said, completely taken aback at the unexpected arrival of Polly and Adam’s mother.
Minnie almost gagged at the smell of gin emanating from the woman’s breath.
‘It is and you shouldn’t be drinking so early in the morning!’ Minnie replied as she pushed her way through the doorway. ‘Now I need to see that Reed woman again.’
Ruth Ashby coloured to the roots of her hair at being called out on her drinking and merely nodded, afraid to open her mouth again.
Following along Minnie soon found herself in the office facing the officious Una Reed.
‘Mrs Fitch! This is a surprise—’ Una began.
‘I’ll bet it is.’ Minnie turned as Ruth left the room closing the door with a quiet click. ‘I want the address of the people you sold my Polly to.’
‘I’m afraid that’s quite impossible,’ Una said firmly.
‘No, striking a Lucifer on a jelly is impossible, finding that address is easy,’ Minnie said with a sarcastic grin.
‘You don’t understand, Mrs Fitch,’ Una said as she leaned back in her chair.
Minnie took a step and leaned her hands on the desk. ‘Erm, don’t take me for a fool, Una Reed, cos I ain’t. Now you give me what I want or as God’s my witness I’ll knock your head clean off!’ Minnie’s dander was up and she was determined to get what she came for.
‘Threats will get you nowhere Mrs Fitch and if you continue, I will be forced to call a constable!’ Una snapped.
‘Fair enough, but just so as you know – by the time that drunken blonde has gone for the bobby and brings him back here, I’ll have that address and you’ll have a black eye. I’ll be long gone by then an’ all. So, see sense and tell me where my little wench is at.’ Minnie was holding her temper – just.
Una Reed glared at the woman threatening physical harm then erred on the side of caution and dug out her ledger from the drawer. Dipping her pen nib into the inkwell she scribbled on a scrap of paper and passed it to Minnie.
Nodding Minnie read the address. ‘Horseley Fields – nice area at least.’ Seeing the surprise on the other woman’s face Minnie grinned. ‘Yes, I can read and write; know my numbers as well. Now in case you hadn’t noticed, that one who let me in is drunk. Gin for breakfast ain’t a good idea.’ Minnie waved the scrap of paper in the air and turned to leave. ‘Tarra a bit, I’m off to find my babbies.’
A lot of good it will do you, Una thought. She had known full well Polly had absconded as the constable had informed her, but spitefully she had kept this to herself. Let Mrs Fitch traipse across the town, it would serve her right for being so abusive!
Una Reed gave a long drawn out sigh as Minnie left her in peace. First a visit from Billy Marshall, then Mrs Fitch threatening her and now Ruth Ashby is drunk – again. Whatever next!
Una sat for a long while pondering her meeting with Billy Marshall the previous day. He was still as handsome as ever, his pugilistic profession having had no ill effects on his good looks. He had bulked out somewhat but it was all muscle; there was not an ounce of fat to be seen. Instinctively she ran a hand over her body assuring herself she was still in good shape also.
Billy’s eyes, the colour of cocoa, had retained their mischievous sparkle and now they crinkled at the corners when he smiled which added to his attractiveness. His voice was gentle when he explained about meeting Adam Fitch and how he went on to teach the lad how to box.
The two had talked at length about their chosen paths in life and Una felt again the sting of hurt she experienced at seeing Billy upset about Adam running away. More so, however, at the look of disappointment he gave her when she explained about Polly moving to Horseley Fields. She had not said in so many words the girl had been sold on, but she knew Billy had guessed.
It had come as a surprise to her to learn Adam and Polly’s father had been a friend of Billy’s and a pugilist like him. It appeared the man had begun an affair with Minnie Fitch and Adam and Polly had been the result. The two had planned to run away together taking the children with them but the man had died before the elopement could take place. Billy had lost touch with the Fitch family until that day Adam had turned up asking for help. Billy had said he could not refuse his friend’s son.
He had left her then saying he had no way of knowing how the lad was faring out on the streets in the bitter weather. Una told herself she didn’t care – and about Adam Fitch she didn’t, but she still carried that candle for Billy Marshall and his words made her feel wretched.
Pushing her mind forward, Una wondered how long Ruth Ashby had been drinking and more to the point – why? She had noticed a little while ago that Ruth was not herself and had debated confronting Ruth but she was concerned how the woman would react. She guessed there would be a scene and she was not sure whether Ruth would continue her gin imbibing or abstain at being accused of being a drunk. Besides, all this nonsense with the Fitch family had erupted and taken precedence.
The whole affair was distasteful to Una but she had never been afraid of a show-down, and the time had come now to have it out once and for all. She decided the best time to have words would be when the children were abed and the staff relaxing in the kitchen.
Una’s eyes returned to her account book that she’d been working on before that harridan Mrs Fitch had swept in laying down the law. Unab
le to concentrate now, she slammed the ledger shut, rammed it into the drawer and locked it with the key hanging on the chain at her waist.
The kettle would be boiling in the kitchen and what Una needed now was a strong cup of tea.
*
Minnie trudged through the town towards Horseley Fields – the posh area. The soot blackened buildings gave way to majestic red brick structures set in large gardens. Trees with spindly branches devoid of their foliage stood sentinel at stone gate posts. Hearing the tram steam whistle, she knew she was getting close. Clutching the scrap of paper tightly she felt the excitement rise in her. Stopping outside St James’ church she looked up at its embattled tower. Please let me find our Polly she prayed silently.
Stepping across the road Minnie began to wonder – if she found her daughter would Polly blame her for being sold to Reed’s? Would the girl hate her for it? What if she liked living here and wanted to stay?
Suddenly she was outside the house. Could she knock? Looking left and right she debated – was Polly better off with these good people? What could Minnie offer her except hunger and misery? Shuffling from foot to foot she prevaricated. Wanting her son and daughter home with her once more was all she’d thought about since they had been taken from her.
To knock or not to knock – that was the question.
36
‘Ain’t nobody at home, the mistress passed away and the master is at the funeral – Miss Kenton an’ all,’ Bridget informed the woman standing on the doorstep.
‘Sorry to hear about the mistress but I’m here about Polly Fitch. Is she here? I’m her mother y’see and I’ve come for her.’ Minnie said hurriedly bursting with excitement at seeing her little girl again.
Bridget shook her head. ‘Oh, Mrs Fitch – you’d best come in and see Miss Jellicoe, she’s the cook and in charge when the others are out.’
Bridget led Minnie to the kitchen and introduced her to the cook.
‘Sit yerself down and have a sup,’ Doreen Jellicoe invited as she nodded to Bridget to pour tea for the visitor.
The Five Shilling Children Page 21
