‘Have you given up, then?’
‘It’s always been a dream – a desire to do something useful, I suppose – without any hope of becoming a reality.’ Bob gave an amused grin. ‘Sister tells me that nothing is impossible because Fate guides our path.’
The professor gave a low rumbling laugh.
‘It’s no good you two making fun of me,’ she said, smiling at them. ‘Sometimes we think we should do a certain thing because that’s right for us, and then something comes along to change those plans, and we are led in a completely different direction. And that turns out to be what is right for us. I don’t believe chance comes into it.’
‘And you could well be right, Mary,’ James Morgan said, winking at Bob. ‘But we have to walk the path that is in front of us.’
‘Of course, I’m not saying we should sit around and see what falls into our laps.’
‘Indeed not.’
Bob glanced at the clock and quickly rose to his feet. ‘Please excuse me, sir, but I must get back to work. It’s been a pleasure to meet you.’
‘I’ve enjoyed our talk, young man.’
‘What do you think, James?’ Mary asked when Bob had left the office.
‘Considering his background he’s remarkably bright, and appears to have compensated for a bad education by reading a great deal of good literature. That teacher he told you about must have seen to that.’
‘That’s what I thought. I don’t like to impose on our friendship, James, but do you think you can help him?’
He laughed. ‘Mary, you know you wouldn’t hesitate to impose. Why do you want to help this boy?’
‘I like him.’
‘Not good enough.’
‘Oh, you are a difficult man. All right, I believe he has the potential to do something with his life, and I do not like to see talent wasted.’
‘Neither do I, but there is a problem with him. He’s carrying a lot of mental baggage around and it colours his attitudes and opinions. It could hold him back.’
‘I disagree with you. He has changed in the years he has been here, and quite honestly I believe he could achieve a lot now.’
The professor stood up. ‘I’ll talk with him again in a couple of weeks. Don’t let him go wandering off, will you?’
‘I’ll try, but I have the feeling he’s getting restless. His work here is excellent, and I don’t want to lose him, but all the time he has this idea of becoming a teacher, he’ll be unsettled, no matter what he’s doing.’
James Morgan stood up and kissed Mary on the cheek. ‘Then we’ll have to hope Fate takes a hand.’
They both laughed as he left.
Bob didn’t sleep much that night. Ever since he had left home he’d shut out the past, but after talking about it the doors had sprung wide open. He couldn’t help wondering what his father was up to now. And what about Ruth and her family?
He tossed and turned. Dammit, he wanted to know, but he couldn’t go back to Canning Town. Too much time had passed, and he didn’t think he could face them now. But there was one man who might be able to tell him, and Bob owed him an apology as well.
Decision made, he finally dozed off.
The next morning he headed straight for the office and was greeted with a bright smile.
‘Good morning, Bob. You’re in early this morning.’
‘Morning, Sister. I want to ask you if I could take a couple of days off.’
‘Of course you can. You are due a break so take a week if you want to.’ She studied him carefully. ‘Where are you thinking of going?’
‘Kent. There’s someone there I need to see, but two or three days will be enough. From tomorrow, if possible?’
‘That will be quite all right.’ She looked him straight in the eyes. ‘You will come back, won’t you?’
‘I promise.’
The house looked exactly the same, and pleasant memories flooded back, bringing a smile to Bob’s face. While he was standing there the front door flew open. ‘Well, you certainly took your time coming back, Robert Hunter.’
‘Hello, Mrs Trent, have you got a room I could have for a couple of days?’
‘Of course!’
Bob’s grin spread. ‘You’re just as beautiful as ever.’
‘Oh, oh, I see you’ve learnt the art of flattery while you’ve been away.’
He laughed and lifted her off her feet. ‘It’s wonderful to see you again, Mrs Trent.’
‘Come in,’ she said, as soon as her feet touched the ground again, ‘and tell me what you’ve been up to.’
After making a large pot of tea and producing her famous fruitcake, they talked for more than an hour. Mrs Trent demanded every detail of what he had been doing, but he managed to avoid telling her exactly where he was living, or the true nature of his work.
Finally, Bob sat back, accepted another slice of cake, and said, ‘Now it’s your turn. I want to know how Captain Russell and his family are.’
‘Just fine. He hasn’t touched a drop of drink and his family is growing.’ Her face lit up. The little boy is toddling around now, and Lilly is turning into a pretty girl, but is just as outspoken as ever.’
‘I’m glad she hasn’t changed,’ he laughed, remembering the lively child.
Mrs Trent studied him thoughtfully. ‘No, she hasn’t, but you have.’
‘I’m older.’
‘It’s more than that. It’s hard to explain, but there’s a softness about you that wasn’t there before.’ She tipped her head to one side, concentrating. ‘Am I right to feel that you have fought a few battles with yourself and found a measure of inner peace?’
‘You could say that.’ His smile was wry. ‘I was too quick to judge, and so sure I was right. I didn’t understand what Dad and men like him were going through. All I could see was that Mum was suffering, and I blamed him. I was wrong. Instead of helping I added to both their burdens. I’m not proud of that.’
She reached out and squeezed his arm. ‘You mustn’t blame yourself for what happened. You were so young, and the past can’t be changed, Bob, no matter how much we wish it could.’
‘I know, but it isn’t easy to let the regrets go.’
Mrs Trent stood up. ‘You’ve grown into a sensible young man. You can have the same room as before. How long are you staying?’
‘A couple of days, and then I must get back.’
‘Well, after you’ve put your things in your room, go and see Captain Russell. Jim’s still there and he’s married now with a nice little house on the estate.’
‘Ah, so you’ve lost a lodger. Is anyone else staying here?’
‘No, so that means I can spoil you. Off you go, but be back by seven for dinner.’
It was strange, but Bob felt as if he had come home as he walked towards the stable block, eager to see if Midnight was still there. He started singing softly as he walked through the door, and smiled when a horse started stamping in the stall. That was Midnight.
‘What’s the matter with you, Midnight?’ Jim called. ‘I’ll let you out in a minute.’
‘He knows I’m here.’
Jim spun round. ‘Bob! About time you turned up. Where on earth have you been?’
‘Working in Surrey.’ The two men laughed with pleasure at seeing each other again. ‘I hear you’re married now.’
‘Eight months ago.’ Jim shook his head at the racket coming from Midnight’s stall. ‘For heaven’s sake, go and sing to that animal. He’s been nothing but trouble ever since you left.’
Midnight was beside himself with excitement when he saw Bob, pushing, shoving and milling around in the small space. As soon as Bob began to sing, he calmed down, a dreamy look in his eyes.
‘Daft animal. We’ve all tried singing to him, but he didn’t like our voices.’
There was a sound of small feet running. ‘Is he here? Green said it was him. Where is he? Bob!’
The girl threw herself at Bob, and he lifted her high in the air, pretending to stagger under the
weight. ‘Who is this grown-up young lady?’
She laughed as he put her down. ‘It’s me, silly. Why have you been away so long? We thought you weren’t going to come back.’
‘Sorry, Lilly, but I’ve been busy and couldn’t come before. I’m only visiting.’
‘Hello, Bob.’
‘Captain Russell.’ They shook hands. ‘I hope you don’t mind me walking into your stables like this, but I couldn’t wait to see Midnight again.’
‘You are welcome anywhere on this estate. What brings you back after so long?’
‘I’d like to talk to you, sir. Can you spare me a few minutes some time? I’ll be here for two days.’
‘Let’s go into the house and we can talk now. I won’t keep Bob long, Lilly,’ he told his daughter.
Once in the library, Bob wasted no time. ‘I’ve come to apologize for walking out the way I did. You were only trying to help and I should have recognized that. You and your family had been good to me, and I’m sorry I was so ungrateful.’
‘No apology is necessary.’ The captain sat down, and waited while Bob did the same. ‘What have you been doing since you left?’
‘Oh, this and that,’ Bob said evasively. ‘I’ve been working in Surrey most of the time.’
‘But you won’t tell me where?’ When Bob shook his head slightly, he said, ‘Well, you look well fed, and that suit is expertly cut, so I must assume you are making a decent living.’
‘I am, and being so tall I can’t buy ready-made clothes, but because of where I work, I’ve found a sympathetic tailor.’
‘This place you work is special, then?’ Ben still probed.
‘I think it is,’ was all Bob would say.
‘Then it’s no good me offering you work here again?’
‘No, sir, I can’t stay, but thank you.’ Bob stretched out his long legs and relaxed. He hadn’t been sure of his reception, but everyone seemed to be pleased to see him. It was a good feeling.
‘You’ve changed,’ Ben said, studying him carefully.
‘So Mrs Trent tells me,’ he laughed. ‘I’ve grown up and learnt a few lessons along the way. I might not have done that if I’d stayed here.’ Ben’s smile was wry. ‘A very kind lady said Fate was guiding me. It’s a nice thought, but I don’t believe that. It was pure chance I ended up where I did.’
‘You like what you do then?’
‘It’s challenging.’ Bob knew the captain was still trying to discover where he was and what he was doing. ‘It’s no good you trying to find out because that’s all I’m saying. Anyway, you’d never believe me if I did tell you.’ He changed the subject. ‘I was wondering if you have any news of my Dad and the Coopers?’
The captain drew in a deep breath. ‘I have, but you’re not going to like what I have to tell you. Before I begin can I ask you not to storm off again? It happened more than two years ago, and all is well now.’
‘I don’t like the sound of this.’ Bob sat upright. ‘What’s been going on?’
By the time the captain had come to the end of telling him what had happened to Ruth, Bob’s hands were curled in tight fists. ‘I wouldn’t have let her be treated like that!’
‘Neither would I, but unfortunately for Ruth we weren’t here. I arrived back the next morning to find Steve Cooper here, in a towering rage, and determined to clear his daughter’s name, which we did very quickly.’
Sadness showed in Bob’s eyes. ‘Poor little devil. Being accused of stealing must have come as a terrible shock.’
‘It did, and I think she will be more likely to question people’s motive in the future. I did manage to persuade her to write to us now and again, and we do receive an occasional letter. I don’t think she will ever really trust us again.’ He looked steadily at the young man in front of him, and then said gently, ‘Or you.’
Bob actually flinched. ‘Is she all right now?’
‘I think so. She is putting her sewing skills to use making toys and children’s clothes, and has her own market stall now. Don’t you want to know about your father?’
‘Is he still off the drink?’
‘Yes; like me he’s never touched a drop again.’
‘That’s all I need to know.’
‘Are you going to see him?’ When Bob shook his head, he asked, ‘Will you give me permission to tell him I’ve seen you and you are all right?’
‘You can do that after I’ve gone.’
‘Thank you.’ Ben stood up, smiling for the first time. ‘Let’s see if you can still ride. Lillian will be getting impatient.’
For the next two days, Bob spent all his time on the estate, and Mrs Trent cooked his favourite food. He enjoyed every minute of his stay, but he had promised Sister he would return, and it was time to leave. But there was one more place he wanted to visit first.
Twenty-Two
After the green fields of Kent, this place looked even rougher than Bob remembered. The dirt and grime made him grimace in distaste, and wondered why on earth he’d come. But he was here now, so he might as well go in.
When he stepped inside he couldn’t believe his eyes, or ears. Children were running around screaming and throwing things at each other. Two teachers were trying to restore order, and another young woman was huddled in the corner with tears streaming down her cheeks. A little girl, obviously frightened, ran towards Bob, and he scooped her up, murmuring soothing words, but never taking his eyes off the chaos. It didn’t take him long to spot the ringleaders, and when one of them ran to the door intent on escaping for the day, he locked it and slipped the key into his pocket.
The ruffian tugged at the door in vain, then snarled, ‘What you do that for?’
Still holding the girl in one arm he caught the boy by the collar and lifted him over to the man who looked like the headmaster. ‘Get your cane ready, sir; it looks as if you’re going to need it.’
‘Put me down!’ the boy yelled, kicking his legs. ‘I’ll set my dad on you.’
Bob’s smile was gleeful. He was now at least six feet six inches in height, and could lift a grown man with ease. ‘Your dad can try.’
One of the other boys sniggered. ‘He’ll knock your dad into next week, Freddy. Just look at the size of him.’
Curiosity had stopped the noise and the kids were mostly silent, eyeing the newcomer with suspicion.
Bob handed the little girl over to one of the teachers, still holding on to the struggling boy. Then he pointed out three others. ‘It looks as if these are the four you have to deal with, Headmaster.’
The accused kids all began to shout and blame each other for starting the trouble.
‘Quiet!’ Bob towered over them. ‘You will all be disciplined in one way or another, so if the rest of you don’t want the cane you had better get back to your classrooms. And we don’t want to hear a sound from you.’
Subdued by Bob’s powerful presence, they filed quietly back to their classes.
‘Phew!’ One of the teachers – a man with greying hair – took a deep breath. ‘I’m getting too old for this. I don’t know who you are, but thank you for your timely arrival.’
‘How did this start?’
‘It was my fault.’ The woman who had been crying in the corner now dried her eyes, still shaking badly. ‘I can’t control them and they know it.’
‘We’ll talk about that later, Miss Greenwood.’ The headmaster then turned to Bob. ‘Help me with these boys, will you? My office is at the end of the corridor.’
Bob handed the key to one of the teachers so they could unlock the door again, then ushered the four boys towards the office.
When each one had been dealt with and was back in class, the headmaster thanked Bob for helping. ‘I’m Mr Edwards. Can I finally ask who you are and why you are here?’
‘My name is Bob Hunter and I used to be a pupil here. I was passing by and decided to have a look at the old place.’
‘Ah, that must have been before my time, but we are very grateful you happened to be
around at that moment. Miss Greenwood is afraid of some of the children and shows it. That’s all they need to start bullying her. It’s a shame because she’s a good teacher.’
‘Perhaps she would be better suited to a quieter area.’
‘Undoubtedly. Would you like to have a look around now?’ He gave a hint of a smile. ‘And perhaps you would like to look in on Miss Greenwood’s class before you leave?’
‘Might be an idea.’
The young teacher had bravely returned to her class and smiled hesitantly when Bob walked in with the headmaster.
‘Are they behaving?’ the headmaster asked.
‘Yes, sir, thanks to this young man.’
‘Good.’ He surveyed the class. ‘Now you all know that disorder of any kind will not be tolerated again. Mr Hunter was once a pupil here and he is going to talk to you.’ With that announcement he sat at a desk right at the back of the class, and nodded to Bob to begin.
This was rather disconcerting. Bob had only intended to have a look round the old place, but he understood the huge problem the man had, so he would want to listen.
He stood to his full height and looked at the sea of faces for a moment, then said, ‘As Mr Edwards told you, I was a pupil here and lived only a couple of streets away. Tell me, do you like living in the slums, never having quite enough to eat, and watching your parents struggle to keep a roof over your heads?’
‘Course not!’ one boy said forcefully. ‘It’s a bloody disgrace. My dad fought in the war and he can’t even get a job.’
‘Nor mine!’ several others chimed in.
‘They was promised a better life,’ Freddy said, ‘and what a joke that is. Those in charge sit on their backsides and do nothing about us.’
When they all began to mutter, Bob held up his hand for silence. ‘I agree that changes need to be made, and you are the generation who are going to see that those changes happen.’
‘How we gonna do that? No one takes any notice of us,’ someone shouted from the back.
‘Then make them. But not by fighting, shouting or swearing. Listen to the way Miss Greenwood speaks and copy her, then study hard. Read as much as you can, and I don’t mean rubbish. Your future is in your own hands, but if you carry on the way you are now you’ll either end up on the streets, or in prison. The choice is up to you. Is that what you want?’
Battles Lost and Won Page 15
