The Secret Orphan

by Glynis Peters

  ‘I’ve missed you so much,’ Elenor whispered into his neck as she planted kiss after kiss.

  ‘I’m here now and have a forty-eight-hour pass. Can I stay or would you rather I holed up in the village for Rose’s sake?’

  Elenor released her arms and stood back to look at him. Jackson had lost weight, and he looked exhausted. There was no way she was going to let him walk away from her until he had to, he needed her comfort and care. She replied with a kiss loaded with enough passion that he understood her meaning.

  A tap on the door from Susie reminded them they weren’t alone in the house and they stepped away from one another.

  ‘Elenor, Rose wants to say goodnight. She’s upstairs waiting. Dottie has gone to Tom’s, and Titch is already asleep, I swear it’s a hobby with her, and I’m heading up now, it’s been a busy night. Night both.’

  Susie gave an exaggerated yawn and Elenor burst out laughing. She pulled open the door.

  ‘Don’t let us chase you off, Susie. Sit and keep Jackson company until I come back down. I won’t be long.’

  When she’d finished saying goodnight to Rose, Susie slipped into the room.

  ‘Your man is asleep. I bored him that much,’ she whispered and giggled.

  ‘Silly goose. Poor man is worn out. I’ll see to him, you take yourself off. Night.’

  ‘Night. And Elenor, I’m glad he made it home to you. It’s a precious thing, love. Especially nowadays. Ron says …’

  ‘Ron?’ Elenor ushered Susie out of the room and pulled the door closed. ‘Ron who’s got the eye for you?’

  ‘You know who I mean, and yes, we’re a couple. He had a cuppa at Mum’s. She approved. Life’s too short to waste.’

  ‘It is, Susie, I’m pleased for you. Night,’ Elenor said and gave Susie a hug goodnight.

  She tiptoed downstairs ready to give herself freely to the man she loved. It amused her to think she had shed all guilt and wondered how many other couples were making the most of their time together that night. And although she knew Jackson was exhausted, she also knew he would want her to wake him and not waste a precious second of their time together. Tomorrow she would approach him about the situation with Fritz and Rose. Tomorrow she’d face her fears.

  Chapter 46

  Elenor padded around the kitchen mulling over what to say to Jackson. She had an inkling Fritz would arrive to push boundaries and she needed to be prepared. Today was her only hope of preventing him from telling someone about what she found – and what she now hid from the authorities. She’d broken the law and as much as it scared her, losing Rose frightened her more.

  ‘Morning,’ Jackson said and disturbed her train of thought.

  Tousle-haired he walked through to the bathroom.

  ‘I put your things in there, and the hot water is ready for you. I’ve a POW painting in there later, he made a start but has to finish off today. Coffee is waiting for you. Oh, and thank you for the goodies. I found them on the table. You spoil us, and we’ll let you, it’s been a long time since we’ve had soap and creams.’

  Jackson stood in the bathroom doorway and it took all her effort not to go to him and drag him back to bed.

  ‘I can’t have you smelling like a farmyard animal every day, now can I?’ he said and grinned at her when she threw a dishcloth his way.

  ‘Cheeky. Hurry now or the coffee will evaporate.’

  Chatter over breakfast felt natural. Titch had set out early to work with Dottie, and Susie prepared Rose for school.

  ‘If we get a microphone for the party, you can sing Elenor. With electricity we can do so much more,’ Susie said, and Elenor gave her a shy smile.

  ‘We’ll see,’ she said.

  ‘We could put my piano in there.’

  Elenor put her arms around Rose’s shoulders and gave her a hug.

  ‘I don’t think so, darling.’

  Jackson wiped his mouth free from the egg and bacon he’d just enjoyed and looked at Rose.

  ‘You have a piano?’ he asked.

  ‘I have, do you want to hear me play? Can I, Elenor?’

  ‘The whole world needs to hear you play,’ Susie said and collected up the plates.

  ‘I’ll let you off your pre-school chores if you play me my favourite piece,’ Elenor said.

  Rose tugged at Jackson’s hand.

  ‘Come on, it’s in the front room. You can sit next to me.’

  The first few notes of the ‘Moonlight Sonata’ drifted around the cottage.

  ‘That girl’s got talent,’ Susie said to Elenor as they washed and dried the dishes.

  ‘She’s played since she was two, it’s a natural talent. Classical pieces are her speciality, but this one is my absolute favourite. You must be bored of hearing it by now,’ said Elenor.

  ‘Not at all. It has a haunting sound, but I don’t know, does something to my insides, soul maybe. Whatever it is, the tune is powerful.’

  A rat-tat on the back door announced the arrival of a damp group of POWs, and Susie dashed to open the door before Elenor had a chance to dry her hands.

  ‘Ron,’ she said as she pulled it open. ‘Oh, it’s you.’

  She pulled the door wide and Fritz walked inside. Susie peered out into the yard.

  ‘Where’s the rest?’ she asked, but Fritz ignored her. He stood with his head cocked to one side, listening to the piano music now in full flow.

  ‘Go and find him, Susie. I’ll get nothing from you until I do. He can’t be far now can he, Fritz didn’t come on his own.’

  Susie wasted no time and ran through the yard.

  ‘Sit,’ instructed Elenor. She was determined to maintain the upper hand.

  Cocking his head to emphasise he was listening to the music, Fritz remained standing.

  ‘Gut,’ he said.

  ‘Yes, but you are not here to do nothing, and I have a friend sitting with her, so our conversation will have to wait.’

  ‘You know the music is Coventry?’ he said.

  Shocked by the mention of the city where Rose was born, Elenor stared at him.

  ‘What do you mean, is Coventry?’

  ‘Spies. Codes. Bombs. Coventry. I know these words very well,’ he said and sneered into her face.

  ‘Do not speak English. My friend is Canadian, he will hear you and report you. I don’t understand what you mean. Go and do the painting.’ Panicked by his words, Elenor pointed to the bathroom, and then changed her mind.

  ‘No, instead, come with me. I’ll do the bathroom myself.’

  She opened the back door.

  ‘Outside.’

  Fritz stepped out and leaned into her ear.

  ‘Bomb. Coventry. Music. Code. See, I understand English very well,’ he whispered and laughed a deep ugly laugh. ‘Her song was a code.’

  ‘Why are you like this? Yesterday, you were friendly enough, so why so hostile today? I never want to see you again. If you tell on Rose I’ll say you attacked me, understand?’ Elenor said, and hoped the anger overrode the fear in her voice.

  ‘Sergeant,’ she called out to Ron who was standing talking with Susie. They both turned and saw her pushing the POW along with her hand in the small of his back.

  ‘Move. And remember, say nothing,’ she said.

  ‘He’s finished. It took less time than we thought. I heard Joe the farrier needs a hand with heavy lifting. Fritz here will help. I got that he likes cake and cigarettes, and his name is Fritz. You’re right, he doesn’t care to learn English. I’ll get cake and cigarettes for him as a thank you. Will I have to bring them to the camp?’ Elenor said and looked at the POW to show him she’d protected him. She tried to communicate she’d found him another job he’d enjoy, and for him to keep quiet.

  ‘I’ll make sure ’e gets ’em,’ Ron said, and held up his hand. ‘Scouts ’onour.’

  ‘Thank you. I can trust you Ron, after all, I trust you with Susie.’ Elenor gave a laugh, then turned to Fritz.

  ‘Cake and cigarettes. For you. Ron give,’
she said in stilted English and pointed to Ron.

  ‘Danke. Coventry. Music,’ he replied and gave a half smile.

  Tempted to wipe it from his face with the back of her hand, Elenor turned away from him and spoke to Ron and Susie.

  ‘Oh, and he learned a couple of new words. Bye Fritz,’ she said and walked away.

  Each step she took made her heart beat faster. She’d put Rose’s future into the hands of the enemy, but would he see Rose as a fellow countryman and keep quiet? Trust. Was it a word he lived by? She could only hope.

  By the time she reached the back door, Jackson was waiting for her.

  ‘Not painting today?’ he said and pointed up to the group in the field.

  ‘I asked if he can come another day. It’s the tall guy with the black hair, he stands out from the group, see.’

  Elenor wanted Jackson to know who she was talking about when she told him her secret, but she hadn’t wanted the two men to meet.

  ‘We need to talk, Jackson. I have something to tell you. It’s to do with Rose. Susie is going to walk her to school and do some shopping for me, it will give us more time together.’ She called for Rose.

  ‘Say goodbye to Jackson. He might not be here when you get home. Susie is going to walk you to school today and see what’s available in the shops for the party.’

  Elenor looked at Jackson who gave her a puzzled glance.

  ‘I’m on a forty-eight-hour pass, don’t forget honey,’ he said.

  Elenor didn’t respond. She called Susie away from Ron and explained what she needed in the village.

  When they’d left Jackson snuggled into her neck from behind. ‘Why wouldn’t I be here, Elenor? Are you done with me, have I overstayed my welcome, or shall we …?’

  The warmth of his breath sent shivers down her spine and Elenor had to pull away before courage failed her and she gave into his suggestions.

  ‘We need to talk, Jackson. I’m going to pray I know you well enough to trust you with a secret. When I’ve finished I need you to walk away, I can’t have you implicated in any way. Can I trust you with something which could affect Rose’s life and alter mine forever?’

  Elenor twisted her hands and fingers with anxiety. Telling Jackson he had to leave broke her heart, but she felt he deserved to know the reason why.

  Jackson took her hands in his.

  ‘Listen sweet girl, if you are going to tell me Rose is your child, I do not care. You do not have to tell me your secret, or who the father is, but please, do not tell me to walk away from our love.’

  Jackson put his arms around her and held her close. Elenor allowed herself a minute of his comfort then moved to the seats by the fireplace. She pointed to the seat opposite and beckoned him to sit.

  ‘My concerns for you are due to the correspondence between you and George Sherbourne. Telling you what I know could put you in danger as I am not certain of your relationship with him, but I know you, the man, and feel you were duped like me, and are not part of his, and Victoria’s world.’

  Leaning forward in his seat, Jackson’s body language indicated intrigue and Elenor continued and told him all she knew.

  When she’d finished she sat in silence with her hands in her lap. Jackson raked his fingers through his hair and rose to his feet. Her jaw ached where she’d jammed her mouth shut and fought against screaming and crying. Jackson was leaving. Whatever happened now was down to him and Fritz. Elenor had exposed herself and Rose to the truth.

  ‘Jeez, sweetheart. You knew all this and held it close? Do you know the danger you are in? You love her that much?’ Jackson said as he eased himself beside her on the small sofa.

  ‘You know I do. What would you have done? My mistake was asking Fritz about the village name, a nightmare of a coincidence. How was I to know he was connected to them? Rose is my world, and I’ll do anything to save her, but I can’t do it alone. I am about to adopt her, but what if the authorities find out who she really is? As I said, you must walk away, but I wanted you to know why I have to let you go. There’ll be no one else in my life, you know that, don’t you?’ Elenor continued to twist her fingers and dug her nails into her palms. Her lungs burned inside and the dam she’d built broke down. Tears fell, and her resolve crumpled.

  ‘Just go, Jackson. I’ll go to the police about this, but I won’t say George and you were pen-pals, it’s not fair. I have to face the consequences of what I’ve done. Fritz wins. Him and his Coventry, bombs and codes. I hate him!’

  Elenor felt hysterics rising within her, but could not restrain them. Jackson ran to the door, and she heard him pull the bolt across. The next thing she knew he pulled her to her feet and held her tight.

  ‘I’m going nowhere. We can deal with this together. You’ve trusted me, and I will repay that trust. Let me deal with the German. That man has won nothing, you keep it together for Rose. Promise?’

  He said and kissed the top of her head. ‘I’ll get my pass extended. I’ll go to the doc, he’ll sign me off with exhaustion.’

  Elenor went to protest but he put up his hand to stop her. ‘I’ll sort this for our sakes. I love you both and will not lose you. What we have is special, real. Trust me. I’ll be back on Saturday to hear you sing.’

  Moans of fear and sadness released themselves from her body, and Elenor, drained of all energy, sank into the seat. Jackson went to her and lifted her to her feet. He smothered her face in kisses.

  ‘Trust me, Elenor.’

  ‘I do,’ she whispered.

  ‘You concentrate on Rose. Tell her I’ve had to go back to work and I’ll see her on Saturday. She’s got to dance with me. It will be fine honey, Jackson’s here for you, don’t be scared.’

  With no fight left, Elenor allowed his lips to seek out hers and they sealed a pact of trust and love, but deep inside Elenor feared the enemy would destroy them with words over bombs.

  Chapter 47

  For two days Elenor walked around in a daze. Each time she anticipated the reaction of the residents of Summercourt against Rose she clenched her fists, digging her nails into her palms until they were sore. Elenor had been born in this village, a village which considered Rose as her child, but if the truth came out, their hatred of the enemy would override their feelings. All she could do was wait for the knock on the door which would bring her world crashing down around her.

  She snapped more than once at the girls and Rose. One morning she overheard Susie comforting Rose, saying Elenor was out of sorts because of Jackson, and she knew she had to stop living in fear.

  ‘I’m sorry you two,’ she said and gave them both a hug. ‘With Jackson being recalled like that, I’m a bit of a grump. We have a party to organise. The barn looks fabulous. Bunting and hay bales makes it look so pretty. Thank your mum for me, Susie.’

  ‘She’s a dab hand with the needle is Mum, always happy to teach someone,’ said Susie with pride in her voice.

  ‘She can make your wedding dress when you marry Jackson,’ Rose said and attempted to sneak away before Elenor could chase her, but she was too late and squealed for help when tickled.

  ‘Now there’s a dress waiting to be made if you ask me,’ Susie said.

  Elenor did not respond. Instead, she started scrubbing the endless pile of potatoes in readiness for the evening. The party would not be a lavish one owing to the ration situation, but Tom’s cloam oven would be hosting endless baked potatoes. Scrubbing another potato, she thanked goodness the guest list wasn’t a large one. True to her word, Susie had tracked down a microphone, and rounded up five musicians not on civilian duties for the night. A heavy mist rolled across the fields and it more than hinted a thickening fog was promised for the evening. As it thickened it became the focus of conversation when people arrived. A fog might prevent Jackson arriving. Elenor thought it ironic he could fly a plane in fog but driving on the ground could prove to be far more dangerous.

  Although the party was in full swing, Elenor couldn’t relax. Susie told Elenor Rose was going to
sleep at Tom’s with Dottie once she’d heard Elenor sing.

  ‘I’m going to stay up late tonight. Dottie is camping at Tom’s house,’ Rose said.

  She looked angelic in a pretty lemon dress.

  ‘You lucky thing. Don’t keep Dottie awake all night with your chatter though,’ Elenor said.

  Caving into the demands of the room, Elenor sang a medley of songs and enjoyed a dance or two, but all the time her eye was on the door.

  After the last song, she spotted Joe in the corner and took him a drink.

  ‘Cheers Joe. How’s the POW I sent down to you working out?’

  The old man raised his glass.

  ‘Cheers. Many happy returns. POW? No one came my way. Nice of you to think of me though, thanks.’

  Chinking her glass against his, Elenor moved on to speak with Ron.

  ‘Joe said Fritz never arrived. Any reason? I’ll send Tom to help him out tomorrow. I owe him a favour.’

  ‘’E’s gone. Moved off somewhere in the middle of the night. I think he’d brewed trouble for himself. I said, didn’t I, he was acting a bit odd,’ Ron slurred his words.

  ‘Ah, there’s my answer,’ she said and moved away.

  Now what? Where had he gone? What had he said? Her thoughts ran rampant.

  By the time the eating had finished, and the drinking was well under way, Jackson appeared, flanked by three friends. Titch declared she was in heaven and moved in for the kill. Elenor danced with Rose, then Jackson stepped up to claim his dance. Rose hugged him. She’d never seen Rose react with her own father like she did with Jackson, a virtual stranger. She despised Victoria for conning her into believing she was a timid woman, when all along she was a spy, and in all probability, a trained killer. Her anger deepened at how they’d deceived her aunt. A call for her to sing was declined with the excuse that she needed some air, and she left Jackson dancing. When she heard the music stop, she stepped back inside.

  ‘Rose darling, I think it is time for bed. Dottie’s over there.’

  ‘Will I see you in the morning, Jackson?’ Rose asked and smothered a yawn.