‘He doesn’t know I’m here, Mr Hunter, and he’s still carrying a lot of hurt around with him. He’s settling in well, though, so perhaps in time . . .’
‘Of course.’ Alf couldn’t hide his disappointment; he was desperate to make things right between them, but it would have to wait. ‘At least I know he’s doing all right.’
‘You have a courageous son, Mr Hunter.’ A smile crossed Captain Russell’s face. ‘He wanted the job on my estate very much, but he didn’t hesitate to tell me that I shouldn’t drink so much, even though he was sure I would throw him out.’
‘But you didn’t.’
‘No, and I haven’t touched a drop of alcohol since that first meeting with your son. To have this young boy telling me not to drink was a shock,’ he told them. ‘It was the expression of pain in his eyes that got to me.’
‘You had more sense than me, sir. He felt he had done all he could for me and had to leave. That brought me to my senses. It isn’t easy. Each day is a struggle, but I’ve got a job now, and I’m not going to throw that away by taking another drink.’
‘Neither am I.’
There was a tap on the door and Ruth looked in. ‘Mum said would you like some more tea, and a piece of cake? She’s just taken it out of the oven.’
‘That would be excellent. And perhaps you would all join us?’ Captain Russell suggested.
Ruth smiled. ‘Thank you, sir.’
‘The Coopers are a good family,’ the captain remarked.
‘The best neighbours a man could have. I wouldn’t have got through the sobering-up without them. Ruth and my boy have been friends since they were born. She adores him, and has always defended him when he’s been in trouble.’ Alf pursed his lips. ‘And that was quite often. He’s always been quick to anger, and outspoken, Captain, and some people don’t like that, but he has a good heart.’
The door opened and the entire Cooper family came in, all carrying something for their tea.
John made straight for the captain again. ‘Dad just told us Bob’s with you. Will you tell him to come back because I’ve got a new storybook and it’s ever so hard to read. Dad reads it to me, but he’s not as good as Bob.’
Everyone laughed.
‘Oh, thanks, John,’ Steve said, a broad smile on his face.
‘Bob’s always wanted to be a teacher,’ Ruth told the captain as she handed him a piece of freshly baked fruitcake.
‘Really? I didn’t know that. And what do you want to do?’
‘Er . . . well, I help with the children, but Bob thinks I ought to be a nurse.’
‘And what do you think about that idea?’
She became thoughtful for a moment, and then her smile lit up the room. ‘Well, Bob’s usually right, but I’m not sure.’
‘How old are you?’
‘Fourteen, sir, but I’ll soon be fifteen.’
‘Ah, you are a little young for training at the moment, but you should seriously think about what you want to do.’
Ruth sighed. ‘Mum said it’s hard for us to get decent jobs because we live in the slums, and people think we’re not worth employing. But we’re not daft, sir. Bob said we are as good as anyone else, and quite capable of doing something with our lives, if we only get the chance.’
‘He’s quite right.’ He found himself intrigued by this young girl.
‘He’s special, and very clever. What’s he doing at your place?’
‘Working with horses, and he’s learning to ride.’
‘Have you got a horse big enough for him?’ young Eddie exclaimed.
‘Just one.’ Captain Russell told them about Midnight, and had them all roaring with laughter.
Alf slapped his knee with delight. ‘Oh, this news has made me feel like a new man.’
They talked until the teapot was empty, and only crumbs of the cake left.
On his way out, Captain Russell stopped and asked Alf, ‘Is there anything I can do for you?’
‘You’ve already given me news of my son, and that’s all I needed. Just look after him for me.’
‘It will be my pleasure.’ The captain turned to Steve Cooper. ‘May I have a word with you outside?’
Steve nodded and followed him out.
‘Do you agree with the idea of your daughter training to become a nurse when she’s old enough?’
‘She’s ideally suited to the profession, but as she said, she’s not sure that’s what she wants to do.’
‘Hmm.’ The captain looked thoughtful. ‘I’d like to help her. Would you object if I tried to find her a suitable position somewhere? But it would almost certainly mean she would have to leave home.’
‘We only want what’s best for our children, Captain Russell, and we’d be grateful if you could do something for her. She hasn’t got much chance around here.’
He nodded. ‘Leave it with me and I’ll see what I can do. No promises, though.’
‘Understood. It was good of you to come and let us know Bob’s all right. It will help his father.’
‘I wish his son could see him now, but I fear that if he ever finds out I’ve been here he will never forgive me. If there is anything I can ever do for Mr Hunter will you let me know?’
‘He’s doing well now. But thanks. We keep an eye on him.’
‘Of course.’ The captain watched as a man walked by on crutches, and then he looked at Steve. ‘There’s still so much suffering from that bloody war. It makes a man feel helpless. What on earth can those of us who escaped relatively unscathed do?’
‘If we can help just one man – one family – then we are doing something,’ Steve said quietly.
‘You’re right, of course. It’s been a pleasure meeting you and your family, Mr Cooper.’ Captain Russell shook hands with him, and then walked up the road.
‘What did he want to talk to you about?’ Daisy asked as soon as her husband came in the scullery.
‘He was asking about Ruth.’ Steve smiled at his daughter. ‘He said he’d try to get you a good position somewhere. It would be worth considering, Ruthie, because he’s a wealthy man with good connections. He said he’d try – no promises though.’
Ruth smiled and nodded. ‘I expect he’ll forget all about it when he gets home, but I like him, he’s a real gent.’
‘I pegged him for an officer as soon as saw him,’ Alf said. ‘Bob’s done well to get in with him. It’s taken a load off my mind, I can tell you.’
They all agreed with that, and the kettle went on again to make a celebratory cup of tea.
Nine
‘Are you and Midnight friends yet?’
Bob glanced round, and then winked at Lilly who was standing next to her father. ‘We tolerate each other.’
‘Good enough. Saddle him up and come with us this morning.’
After standing the broom against the stable wall and dusting off his hands, Bob gave a soft whistle. Midnight answered and stamped his feet impatiently. ‘He gets excited when he thinks he might have a chance to throw me off.’
Captain Russell’s laugh was infectious. ‘Better not keep him waiting then. Sounds as if he’s about to break down the door.’
‘Sir.’ Bob strode over to the stall and disappeared inside.
‘Does he need any help?’ the captain asked Jim.
‘No, they’ll fight and struggle with each other, but Bob usually wins.’
‘Usually?’ he asked as a commotion broke out in the stall. ‘I’d put my money on Midnight.’
Jim grinned and nodded. ‘I think that animal actually likes him, but can’t resist trying to make things difficult for him. No wonder we got that animal at a reasonable price; no one else wanted him.’
‘Pack it up!’ Bob’s voice rose above the racket. ‘We’re going for a ride whether you like it or not. It’s no good you complaining.’
Then there was another sound, and Lilly tipped her head to one side, listening. ‘What’s he doing?’ she asked.
‘He’s singing to Midnight,’ Jim
told her. ‘The daft animal loves it.’
The commotion stopped, and Bob soon appeared leading the horse towards them.
‘Good heavens!’ The captain was smiling with amusement. ‘That’s some trick. I’ve never seen Midnight look that docile.’
‘Oh, he’ll revert back as soon as I try to ride him.’ Bob rubbed the horse’s nose. ‘Won’t you? You crafty beast.’
Midnight lowered his head and gave Bob a hefty shove.
‘Better start singing again,’ Jim laughed. ‘I think he only plays up so you will serenade him.’
The other two horses were waiting in the yard, and the girl tugged at Bob’s hand. ‘Sing to my pony. She’d like it too.’
‘I’d better not while Midnight is here. He might get jealous.’
Lilly pulled a face as she studied the large animal. ‘That wouldn’t be good.’
‘It certainly wouldn’t.’ He lifted the little girl into the saddle, and then, after a bit of a tussle, managed to get astride Midnight.
As soon as Bob had gained some kind of control over the horse, they set off at a gentle canter. This was the first time Bob had seen the extent of the estate, and couldn’t believe that one family could own so much land. There were fields with cows and sheep grazing, pigs, chickens, ducks, and more fields with all manner of crops growing. And that wasn’t all – there were orchards, strawberry fields and rows of soft fruits too. ‘This is a glorious place,’ he said in awe, when they stopped for a moment.
‘It’s been in my family for generations,’ the captain told him. ‘And I love every acre of it.’
Bob nodded. ‘You are blessed, Captain Russell.’
‘I agree, but for a while after I came home I forgot that.’ He turned and smiled at Bob. ‘But then came along some cheeky sod and reminded me how lucky I was.’
Over the next couple of weeks this early morning ride around the estate became a regular thing, and Bob loved every moment of it. Then one morning, instead of the captain and his daughter arriving at the stables, the butler appeared, looking unusually flustered.
‘Bob, the master wants you at the house immediately.’ And then Green turned and hurried back.
In a couple of long strides Bob caught him up. ‘Is anything wrong?’
‘The mistress has gone into labour. Lillian’s nanny is busy with Mrs Russell and her tutor is not here today. You know how inquisitive she is, and they don’t want her getting in the way.’
The captain met him at the door. ‘Keep Lilly busy with her lessons today, will you? She’s already in the schoolroom at the top of the stairs – second door on the right. Show him, Green.’
The room was bright, with books lining one wall and more shelves piled with enough paper and pencils for a whole class of pupils. A magnificent globe of the world was next to a single desk, and the girl sitting there was spinning it with one finger.
When Lilly saw him she smiled. ‘Daddy said you would be my teacher today because everyone else is busy. I’m having a baby brother.’
‘It might be a sister,’ Bob said as he walked over to where a blackboard was standing on an easel.
‘No.’ She shook her head. ‘I don’t want a sister, and nanny said Daddy needs a son, so it’s got to be a boy.’
‘We shall have to wait and see. Now, show me what you have been working on.’ He wasn’t sure how this would go, but he’d do his best to find something to interest Lilly. He didn’t think it would be too difficult for she had a lively mind.
She held out an exercise book, looking at him expectantly. ‘I like writing, but I’m not very good at sums. I can draw and I love learning about all the old Kings and Queens.’
‘You like history?’
She nodded, slipped off her seat and went over to the bookshelf. ‘I’ve got some picture books. Would you like to see them?’
‘Yes, bring them over and we’ll spend the first hour on history.’ This was Bob’s favourite subject and would be a good way to start.
The morning flew by. Not only was Lilly a bright child, but she continually bombarded him with questions. Her reading was good for one so young, and he realized she must have an excellent tutor. Although he had never met him, Bob hoped one day to have a talk with him. It was a challenge keeping a lively child’s mind off what was happening, but he felt he was doing a reasonably good job. Perhaps he should see if he could become a teacher after all. He knew he was reaching for the impossible because he had only received an elementary education at school, but it didn’t hurt to have something to reach for. One teacher had encouraged him by taking the trouble to give him homework on subjects not covered in class. Not many teachers working in the slum areas bothered very much with the children, and he would always be grateful to that man. School would have become boring for him otherwise, because he was always way ahead of the other children. The extra work kept his mind stimulated.
They took a break when lunch was brought up to them, and they were just about to resume lessons when the captain entered the schoolroom.
Lilly rushed up to her father. ‘Is my brother here yet?’
‘Yes, darling.’ The captain swung his daughter up, smiling broadly. ‘Your mother and the baby are resting now, but they are both well, and it is a boy.’
She grinned at Bob as her father put her down again. ‘I told you, didn’t I?’
‘You did. Congratulations, sir.’
‘Thank you, Bob, we are both delighted. Now, Lilly, have you been a good girl and studied your lessons?’
‘Yes, Daddy. We’ve had a lovely time. Bob knows ever such a lot of things. He’s the best teacher I’ve ever had – just like you said he would be.’
Bob frowned. He hadn’t questioned why he had been called upon to teach Lilly, because someone had to keep the girl occupied and they had always got on well together, but now it did seem strange that a stable boy had been given the task. ‘How did you know I could do this, sir?’ he asked quietly.
‘Your daddy told him,’ Lilly burst out, gazing up at her father. ‘Can I see Mummy and the baby now?’
The little girl’s excited chatter faded into the background. ‘Has he been here, sir?’ Bob asked.
‘No. I told him I didn’t think it would be a good idea for you to meet yet.’
‘You tracked him down?’ Bob didn’t want to believe that, but when he looked in the captain’s eyes he saw the truth – and it hurt. He had liked and respected this man, but he had no right to interfere in this way. He should at least have told him what he’d wanted to do! Without a word, Bob walked out of the room, down the stairs, and out of the house. And he kept on walking.
‘Green!’ Ben shouted at the top of his voice, and the butler arrived out of breath. ‘Look after Lillian for me.’ Then he was running down the stairs, intent on catching Bob.
He was nearly at Mrs Trent’s lodging house before he saw the boy, and called for him to stop.
Bob turned to face him, his expression thunderous. ‘I only told you about my family so you would see the damage excessive drinking could do. You had no right to do this without telling me. I trusted you to keep what I’d told you to yourself, and you’ve broken that trust.’
‘You asked, but if you remember, I never agreed. But trust – that’s the important thing to you, is it?’
‘Yes. I believed that when Dad came home he would take care of Mum. I’d done my best during the war, but I was only a kid, and he was big and strong. The man I remembered never came back.’
‘We were all changed,’ Ben told him quietly.
‘I soon realized that, Captain, but I couldn’t trust him to stay sober long enough to get a job so we could pay the rent. When Mum died I felt he had betrayed both of us.’
‘It must have been devastating for a young boy, but I’m not going to apologize. I met some very kind people who care deeply for you. They had a right to know you are safe.’
‘And you thought you had the right to tell them?’
‘Someone had to. You haven’t e
ven sent a note to the Coopers to let them know you are safe. You’re father is sober and working, but he’s had a rough time, and has been worried about you. Don’t you care?’
‘I’m glad he’s managed to pull himself together, but as far as I’m concerned, it’s too late. Goodbye, Captain Russell. Take good care of your lovely family.’
‘Where the hell do you think you are going?’
‘I really don’t know.’ Bob turned and walked towards the house where Mrs Trent was standing at the door.
The captain tried one last plea. ‘Lilly will miss you. She will be upset.’
Bob’s long stride faltered for a moment, then lengthened again. He didn’t look back.
‘Dammit, Bob, you don’t have to do this!’ But his plea went unanswered as he followed him into the house.
‘All right,’ he called to the boy, taking the stairs three at a time. ‘I should have asked your permission before going to see your father, but you helped me and I wanted to do something for your family in return.’
A door closed upstairs with a thud and Ben sighed. ‘That daughter of mine has big ears, Mrs Trent, and she remembers everything we say. What’s he going to do? Go back to digging ditches?’
‘What’s happened, Captain Russell?’
He told her and she nodded her understanding. ‘That boy is in a mess. He clearly loved his mother very much, and watching her suffer has damaged him.’
Ben’s expression was grim. ‘I don’t want him to go, but I can’t stop him.’
‘No, you can’t, Captain. He’s got to work this out for himself.’
Bob came down the stairs with his bundle of clothes over his shoulder, and the captain stepped up to him. ‘I know you feel you can’t stay now, but if you ever want to come back there will always be a place here for you. And for God’s sake come to me if you are ever in any trouble or need a helping hand.’
‘And your room will be waiting for you,’ Mrs Trent told him.
Battles Lost and Won Page 6
