Forgotten Children

by Cathy Sharp

  Her thoughts were interrupted as the telephone rang and she answered it.

  ‘Is that Mrs Morton?’

  ‘Yes, it is. How may I help you?’

  ‘This is Michael Browne, from the department for children’s welfare. I wanted to pass on the good news. Your Sister Beatrice has been badgering us for an answer on our decision about Billy Baggins. In view of the news about his brother being in custody and her opinion that he has turned a corner and will now benefit from remaining where he is, we have decided to give him the benefit of the doubt. If you could pass that message on please, Mrs Morton? I’ve tried to phone her twice this morning, and of course you will receive the official letter but not until the New Year. These things take time and I knew she was anxious …’

  ‘Yes, she will be delighted with the news. We are very busy at the moment and Sister has been overseeing the admittance of a young boy who has been in hospital for a long time. He was the victim of a terrible illness and she wanted to receive him herself, because he is going to need special care for some while.’

  ‘Yes, of course. Your Sister Beatrice is a wonderful woman, as I’m sure you know – very persuasive when she sets her mind to it.’

  ‘Yes, I do know. Thank you – and Happy Christmas, Mr Browne.’

  ‘Is anything wrong, Alice?’ Michelle asked as they joined the rest of the staff gathering in the hall for the Christmas carols that evening. ‘You’ve been quiet recently – and I haven’t seen much of you. I’ve been meaning to ask, would you like to come to us for Christmas Day? Mum said I could have a friend and you’re my best mate – or you were. You haven’t fallen out with me, have you?’

  ‘’Course not,’ Alice said and summoned a smile. It wasn’t easy and she knew she’d been avoiding Michelle recently, because of the mess she was in. Her period still hadn’t come and she was sure she was having Jack’s child. She couldn’t deny it even to herself now, but she didn’t know how to tell her friend she’d been such a fool.

  ‘I’ve been busy,’ she said, ‘but I’d love to come to yours on Boxing Day, if your mum will have me. I’m working over Christmas Day.’

  ‘Poor you,’ Michelle sympathised. ‘I’ll ask Mum about Boxing Day – it will probably be cold meat and bubble and squeak, but she’ll save you a few mince pies and a bit of cake.’

  ‘Lovely – and we’ll go to the flicks soon,’ Alice said.

  ‘And perhaps we can have a cup of tea somewhere later?’

  ‘Why not tonight, after we finish here? Mum will expect me when she sees me and I should like to spend some time with you. I’ve got a little present for you.’

  ‘I’ve got something for you,’ Alice said. ‘Not much – but you are me best mate. That’s why I want you to know that I’m havin’ Jack’s baby – and no, he won’t marry me, although he promised to, but he won’t because he’s gone and I haven’t heard from him for ages.’

  ‘Oh, Alice love, I thought it might be the case, but I kept hoping I was wrong. I shan’t scold you, because it’s too late – but what will you do now?’

  ‘I’ve decided to keep the baby. I’m going to work for as long as I can, but then … I don’t know what I shall do when it’s born. I just know I can’t murder it. I loved Jack even if he is a rogue …’

  ‘What do you mean, is? Everyone thinks he is dead, Alice. They hinted as much in the paper. Surely you’re not hoping he got out of that fire?’ Michelle looked at her sadly. ‘Oh, love, you’ve got to let him go – you have to.’

  ‘I think he did get out, Michelle. How, I don’t know and I can’t explain why, I think he did, but I’m not the only one that thinks it. I’m not sayin’ he’ll come back for me. He’s gone and I’m on my own, I know that … but somehow I’ll manage, and I’m goin’ to keep the baby whatever happens.’

  ‘Good for you. You know I’ll help you all I can,’ Michelle said and hugged her arm. ‘We’ll talk about it later, love. I think they’re going to start the carols now.’

  ‘Yes, Mr Adderbury has lowered the lights.’ She was suddenly silent as children and staff bearing lighted candles in little holders entered the room. The effect of the steady flames with the sound of their voices joined in praise of God brought the magic of Christmas and its true meaning to them all.

  ‘I have to leave now,’ Andrew Markham said, looking at Sally with regret as the carols ended. ‘I wish I could stay longer but I have an evening engagement with colleagues – and I’m going home tomorrow. I shall see you when I come back after Christmas, Sally. I should like to meet your parents one day quite soon.’ He reached out to stroke a finger down her cheek, then bent his head and kissed her softly on the lips. ‘You are a lovely person, Sally Rush. I had thought I should never find a woman I felt I could spend my life with – but I’ve changed my mind.’

  ‘Andrew …’ Her protest was mild, Sally’s cheeks glowing with a delicate rose blush. ‘You don’t really know me yet. I like you so much … perhaps more than that but … it’s much too soon to think of … well, marriage.’

  ‘Yes, of course it is,’ he said and smiled. ‘I just wanted you to know that you mean a lot to me. It’s too soon, of course, but I’m hoping you feel the same way?’

  ‘You mean a lot to me too,’ she assured him, looking shy. ‘I know there is a wide gap between us, Andrew. Yes, there is, you mustn’t deny it, because it is true. My father works on the Docks and I’m just a carer – though I want to train as a nurse when I can afford it. Dad has been on short time recently so I’ve had to help at home, but he’s trying to find more work and he will, because he’s a hard worker. Someone will give him a regular job soon. I want it to be right for us but you have to be sure … we both do.’

  ‘Yes, I understand that,’ Andrew said and touched her cheek with his fingers. ‘But you mustn’t let class stand between us. I shan’t, my love.’

  ‘My mother may and my father will be conscious of the fact that he is just a dock worker.’

  ‘What does he do actually?’

  ‘He is a carpenter. His real trade is fitting ships’ interiors but he’ll turn his hand to anything – why?’

  ‘Oh, just wondering,’ he said and sighed. ‘We’ll find a way through this, Sally. I promise you that I shan’t let prejudice stand between us.’

  ‘It isn’t you … it’s my family.’

  Andrew smiled and nodded. ‘I know they have their pride and we shan’t trample on it, I promise you – but I’m determined never to let you go. After Christmas I’m going to take you to lovely places, the theatre and dancing – and to meet my friends, who I know will welcome you. I don’t have that many but those I do are good people I can rely on. And now, my love, I really have to leave. Go back to the party and enjoy yourself. You’ve worked hard to make it happen, all of you.’

  ‘Thank you.’ Sally reached out and hugged him impulsively. ‘Happy Christmas, Andrew.’

  He reached into his jacket pocket and took out a small parcel. ‘Happy Christmas, Sally. I shall come to see you as soon as I get back.’

  ‘Thank you … thank you so much.’ She took the parcel, a little shyly because of course she hadn’t dared to buy him anything. ‘I’ll open it tomorrow and think of you.’

  ‘I shall be thinking of you too.’ He leaned forward and kissed her cheek, then walked away.

  Sally stood where she was for a few moments, then turned and went back to join the children and staff, who were just trooping into the dining room to have their special tea. She had slipped the parcel into her uniform pocket to open later when she was alone.

  Sally was glowing all over and she wondered if people would notice the difference in her. She was, she thought, truly in love for the first time in her life. Yet she still had a few reservations. Andrew might not think the divide between them too great, but Sally was aware it was there. He was a clever, highly educated man holding down a responsible job, but there was far more to it than that: his family background was so different. The world he moved in was far above
her and that frightened her a little.

  He’d spoken of taking her to the theatre and out to dinner – but Sally knew her clothes were hardly good enough to wear to the kind of places he was used to. Even if she did love him, and she believed he was serious about her, there was a gulf to overcome.

  Then there was the question of her training. She had planned on applying next summer if she could save enough money by then, but … no, she wouldn’t raise obstacles. Andrew was taking her out after Christmas. She would take things slowly and not worry about silly things like clothes. Michelle would probably lend her a dress if she asked – and Angela certainly would, because she was always giving her things to the ‘bring and buy’ sale.

  Sally took a small glass of wine from the tray and began to follow the others into the dining room.

  She was going to enjoy Christmas and think about the future when it happened next year …

  ‘Sally, do you know where Sister Beatrice is, please?’

  She turned as Angela came down the stairs towards her. She was wearing her coat as if about to leave, but looked excited, and Sally sensed that something had happened.

  ‘I think she is still in the dining room. I believe she was having a sit down and a cup of tea with Cook.’

  ‘I’ve got some good news for her. I really ought to tell Sister first.’ Angela hesitated, then, ‘Keep it to yourself for now, but I know you’re fond of those two …’

  ‘Billy and Mary Ellen?’ Sally guessed, sensing Angela’s excitement. ‘They’re going to let him stay here?’

  ‘Yes. I had the phone call just now. I should have missed it had I not stopped to sort a few papers. Mr Browne from the children’s department rang me because they’ve decided Sister Beatrice is the best person to have charge of him now.’

  ‘Is it really settled?’ Sally guessed that Angela was bubbling over with excitement but trying to keep it inside.

  ‘Yes; they say if Sister is prepared to vouch for him, and of course, she is, he can stay here permanently. You mustn’t tell them yet, because it isn’t official until Sister gets her letter, which will not come until after Christmas, but Mr Browne says it’s certain.’

  ‘They will be so pleased,’ Sally said and smiled at her. ‘I think that’s the best present you could have given me – though the nylons and scarf were wonderful. I never have enough nylons.’

  ‘Does anyone? I thought all the girls would enjoy a couple of pairs,’ Angela said. ‘I started buying all I could find weeks ago. I’m glad you liked them.’

  ‘I loved them.’

  ‘You are very welcome, Sally. Happy Christmas! I’ll see you after the holidays …’

  ‘Happy Christmas!’

  Sally watched as Angela set off in search of Sister Beatrice. It was wonderful news about Billy Baggins and made Christmas all the more special, even if they couldn’t tell the children until it was official.

  Wishing her friends and colleagues a Happy Christmas over and over again as she went to fetch her things from the staff room, Sally reflected on how lucky she was to be here and to have a job where she was respected and liked. She didn’t know what the future would bring, whether her father would find better paid work or if she would ever manage to train as a nurse, but she did know she was happy and content at this moment.

  Christmas was going to be good for her family, because between them they’d scraped together enough money to buy food, a bottle of sherry and a few small presents. As far as Sally was concerned, the coming year was the start of something new and exciting and she had a nice warm glow inside as she nursed her secret.

  She was loved and she loved, and what would be would be.

  FORTY-FOUR

  ‘Do you think they will let you stay here now?’ Mary Ellen said as they sat on the back stairs with their arms about each other, heads together. She’d been telling Billy about Ma and shedding a few tears, but somehow with his arm about her the first sharpness had eased.

  Going out with Rose had been all right, but the shadow of her sister’s news had hovered at her shoulder even as she laughed at the antics of the pantomime characters on stage, and she’d felt tears on her cheeks when the choir had sung Ma’s favourite carol – ‘Away in a Manger’.

  After the present giving and tea, Billy and Mary Ellen had crept away to sit on the stairs and talk.

  ‘It’s rotten her tellin’ you today,’ Billy said. ‘She’s spoiled everythin’ for you, Mary Ellen.’

  ‘No, because I’ve got you and Marion and my friends,’ she said and offered a chocolate biscuit. ‘I always knew, Billy, even though they told me Ma would get better. I knew she wasn’t ever coming home. I wish Rose had told me what was going on sooner but she thinks I’m just a kid and wouldn’t understand.’

  ‘Bloody grownups …’

  Mary Ellen nodded and shifted closer to her friend. He was her rock and she couldn’t imagine what she would do if they sent him away.

  All the excitement of the carol service and the present giving was over, and tomorrow things would be back to normal. On Christmas Day Sister said it would be prayers and a good dinner, but she believed it was a Holy day and should be spent quietly. ‘They won’t blame you because Arthur came here?’

  ‘It were my fault in a way,’ Billy said. ‘Arthur wanted to get his own back on me and he knew I care about people here, Mary Ellen. I couldn’t bear it if you and Marion and the others were hurt.’ There was a faint shimmer of tears in his eyes and she hugged him. ‘You’re all I’ve got – me whole family now.’

  ‘It’s all right, we’re safe now. I keep thinking about when I was little; Ma was always lovely to me, a good mother, and I miss her lots. You and Marion are my family too. We all have to look out for one another.’

  ‘I know.’ He gazed at her solemnly. ‘I’ll always be your friend and look after you and Marion too, if she needs me. I’m just glad they’ve put Arthur away. I hope he goes down for the rest of his life.’

  Mary Ellen nodded, her face grave. She offered him the Cadbury’s chocolate fingers Rose had bought with her sweet coupons and he took one, biting into it with a look of ecstasy on his face.

  ‘These are me favourites.’

  ‘Yes, I know – that’s why I chose them.’

  ‘You’re a good friend, Mary Ellen. When we grow up I’ll be a train driver and marry you.’

  She smiled at him. ‘You’ll have to study hard at school to be a train driver, Billy. You have to be clever to do that, Pa told me so. He worked on the Docks and said if he’d got a proper education he could have been a crane driver and earned twice as much as he did for labouring. He told me to study if I wanted to be better than him and me ma were.’

  ‘You won’t have to work. You’ll have me to look after you.’

  ‘I’m not going to marry for years and years. I want to be a teacher and look after the little ones.’

  ‘But you’ll marry me one day, won’t you?’

  ‘You’ll always be my best friend, Billy. If you ask me when I’m old enough I’ll give you my answer then – but not until I’m a teacher. I want to make something of my life, not be like me ma, forced to live in a slum when Pa died.’

  Billy frowned over that, because Mary Ellen was the most important person in his world and he wanted to mean the same to her. She offered him another biscuit and he hesitated, wanting it but knowing there weren’t many left.

  ‘Rose gave you those for Christmas. You keep them.’

  ‘Have another one. Rose took me to a pantomime instead of giving me a present, and the biscuits were instead of pocket money, because she doesn’t bother with sweet rations and saves them for me. I wanted to share them with you – you’re my best friend, Billy.’

  He grinned at her, his confidence returning as he took another of the delicious chocolate biscuits and bit into it. ‘I’ve got you a Christmas present, Mary Ellen.’

  ‘How did you manage that? You don’t get much pocket money, do you?’

  ‘No, only the th
reppence everyone gets on Saturday, but Constable Sallis gave me a couple of bob for helping him, and I nipped down the shop while you were out and bought something – but I shan’t give it to you until tomorrow.’

  Mary Ellen had spent most of her pocket money on buying him drink and sweets when he was in hiding so she hadn’t been able to get him a scarf as she’d planned. Instead she’d bought him a set of coloured pencils. They hadn’t cost her much but it was all she’d had left from the allowance Rose had left for her with Sister Beatrice.

  ‘You shouldn’t have spent your money on me, Billy.’

  ‘It’s what I wanted. I ain’t interested in anything else – and we all got a present from Father Christmas, but I shan’t open mine until Christmas Day.’

  ‘Nor shall I – I like the suspense,’ Mary Ellen smiled in the darkness. Most of the other kids had torn their parcels open the minute they got them, but she’d kept her little hoard of three brightly wrapped parcels: one from Father Christmas, one from Sally and the other carers, and one from Miss Angela. ‘Do you believe in Father Christmas?’

  ‘Nah, ’course not, but we have to pretend to ’cos some of the little kids think he’s real. I know it’s Mr Adderbury ’cos I ’eard Sally and Angela talkin’ about it.’

  ‘I don’t care who it is,’ Mary Ellen said and smiled. She hugged his arm. ‘It’s nice being together here, Billy. I just hope they won’t send you away after Christmas.’

  ‘If they do I’ll run away and come back here. If I keep doing it they’ll get fed up and let me stay.’

  Mary Ellen laughed. She hoped he was right, because she had to stay here until Rose had finished her training. St Saviour’s was warm and comfortable and there was always enough to eat, and more importantly she felt safe here. Outside the ancient walls of the old fever hospital the streets were dark and dangerous and the vulnerable could die of hunger, cold and neglect … and in the shadows evil lurked. The kind of evil that she had never known, but sensed was there waiting for the unwary.