Diamonds in the Dust

by Beryl Matthews

  ‘I’ll help.’ Lily raced for the kitchen.

  Dora watched her, then said, ‘She does love to have visitors. Can you stay and meet Stan’s sister, Doctor?’

  ‘Of course. It’s kind of you to let us invade your home like this, Dora, but Stan wants you all to hear what he has to say.’

  ‘It’s only right,’ Stan told her. ‘You came to me for help and I won’t be able to do that now. But Reg will take good care of you.’

  Dora’s hopes kept rising and falling. She couldn’t decide if this was going to be good news or bad. ‘I know he will.’

  Winnie arrived out of breath, with Reg following behind, carrying June in an effort to keep up with his wife. She burst into the room. ‘Stan, are you all right?’

  He raised his eyebrows.

  ‘I know. Don’t fuss!’ Winnie turned to the one person in the room she hadn’t met before. ‘You must be the doctor Reg told me was here.’

  He gave a slight nod of his head, waited for everyone to be seated, then glanced at Stan. ‘Do you want to explain, or shall I?’

  ‘Go ahead, Doc.’

  ‘Right, I’ll be brief. Stan has had a thorough examination by my medical team. He’ll be coming into hospital for treatment in two days’ time.’

  ‘You can help him?’ Winnie asked.

  ‘We believe so. There are no guarantees, but if we’re successful he should be able to lead a normal life.’

  ‘And if not?’ Reg spoke gruffly.

  ‘Stan?’ The doctor gave him an enquiring glance.

  ‘Tell them.’

  ‘Then his future is uncertain.’

  Dora felt a chill creep through her, and at that moment she knew her feelings for this courageous man had grown to more than friendship. In the midst of such distress she had fallen in love. And it wasn’t pity for him, or her need to have support, it went deeper than that – much deeper. One thing she knew for sure was that she must not let him know. It would embarrass him.

  ‘Meaning?’ Winnie demanded.

  ‘The doc means just that, Win,’ Stan told her, the tone of his voice warning her to leave it there. He smiled. ‘It’s going to be all right. I’ll be in good hands, and whatever happens I’ll be no worse off than I am now.’

  Listening to this exchange and studying the faces of Stan and the doctor, Dora saw beneath the casual attitude. What they were planning was risky, but then any medical procedure had risks. They would not have decided to operate unless the chance of success was reasonably high.

  While everyone was digesting this news, Dora stood up, went over to Stan and grasped his hand. It seemed a perfectly normal thing to do because he was more like family now to all of them. ‘When you’re well again you’ll be able to play football with Tom.’

  Stan held tightly to her hand and laughed. ‘You’d better get in some practice, Tom, I was pretty good.’

  Laughter eased the tension, and Stan gave Dora a grateful wink. ‘Did you say something about sandwiches? I’m starving.’

  Lily and June scrambled to their feet and ran to the kitchen, yelling, ‘We’ll get it ready!’

  The doctor only had a cup of tea, then left. The others stayed for another hour until Reg stood up. ‘I’ve got to take the car back to the station, but I’ll drop you and June off first, Win.’

  ‘Don’t worry, we can walk.’ Win helped her brother out of the chair. ‘Have an early night, Stan. You must rest.’

  He yawned, not protesting, clearly very weary. ‘Thanks for the sandwiches and tea.’

  ‘Any time,’ Tom said, rushing to open the door. ‘Everything’s going to be all right, I just know it.’

  ‘Of course it is. For all of us.’

  Later that evening Alan arrived. ‘I’ve come to see how you are, Stan.’

  ‘Tired. Come in, Alan. I’ve been pushed and prodded. My God! The doc was thorough.’

  ‘You’ll be in good hands. This man is considered the best, and he’s ahead of his time with some of the procedures he’s carrying out. If anyone can help you, it’s Doctor Burridge.’

  ‘If I had any doubts about that I wouldn’t let him near me.’

  They talked for a while, and then Alan consulted his pocket watch. ‘It’s eight thirty. Do you think Dora would mind if I called on her at this hour?’

  ‘I really don’t know, but she’ll be too polite to tell you if it is.’

  Alan smiled. ‘She’s a nice girl, isn’t she? Do you know they shared their picnic with me in the park? They all treated me so normally. It was like a breath of fresh air, I can tell you.’

  Stan eyed Alan through narrowed eyes. ‘They’re special people. Don’t do anything to hurt them because they’ve got enough problems at the moment.’

  ‘I wouldn’t dream of hurting them!’ Alan remarked rather sharply. ‘And what do you mean about them having problems?’

  ‘You don’t know?’

  ‘They told me they’d lost their father in the war, but apart from that they never talked about themselves.’

  Stan reached out for the newspaper and handed it to Alan. ‘Page two.’

  He read in silence, then looked up. ‘This is awful! What’s being done?’

  ‘Everything possible, but we’ve had no luck so far.’ Stan gave a worried sigh. ‘We might never find her, and they could spend the rest of their lives wondering what happened to their mother.’

  ‘Let’s hope you find her soon.’ Alan looked thoughtful. ‘Perhaps Dora would like to go out one evening?’

  ‘Perhaps.’ Stan knew he had no right to object considering the state he was in. ‘I’ll have Tom and Lily here if she wants to.’

  ‘That’s good of you, Stan.’ Alan stood up. ‘I’ll go and ask her now.’

  ‘One thing you should know before you go, Captain. If the doc puts me back together again properly, then you’ll have competition.’

  ‘Ah, like that, is it?’ Alan grinned. ‘I outrank you, Sergeant.’

  ‘Not out of the army, you don’t!’

  ‘True. In that case, may the best man win.’

  They shook hands.

  Lily was ready for bed when there was a knock on the door. Tom went to see who it was and returned with Alan.

  ‘Oh!’ Lily couldn’t take her eyes off him. ‘You’re walking!’

  ‘Dora told us.’ Tom was just as pleased. ‘You look good!’

  ‘Thanks.’ Smiling, Alan turned his attention to Dora. ‘I hope you don’t mind me calling so late, but I was with Stan and thought I’d pop in while I was here.’

  ‘That’s quite all right. You’re just in time to say goodnight to Lily.’

  ‘Dora!’ the little girl protested.

  Alan bent down and scooped her up, making her scream in delight. ‘Show me where she goes, Tom.’

  Dora listened to the laughter as they made their way upstairs. It was such a normal sound, but a rarity since their mother had disappeared. They had begun to refer to her in the past tense – even Lily. And really it was the only way they could cope with this terrible thing. If by some chance she was still alive and returned one day, Dora wondered if she would be able to forgive her for putting them through this horror. Their mother would have to have a very good reason before she did.

  Alan was soon back, leaving Tom to settle Lily down for the night. He was serious now. ‘I’m so sorry to hear about your mother. I only saw the newspaper this evening. If there’s anything I can do for you, please do ask.’

  ‘That’s kind of you, but we’re all right. Stan and his family are keeping an eye on us.’

  ‘That’s good, but I’ll be around if you need me.’ He smiled. ‘I was wondering if you would come out with me one evening. We could have a meal and then go dancing. I’d really like to try out this leg,’ he joked.

  ‘That sounds lovely, but I don’t think I could. It wouldn’t seem right considering what’s happened, and I couldn’t leave my brother and sister on their own.’

  ‘Stan said they could go in with him.’ Alan w
asn’t about to give up.

  ‘Did he?’ Dora didn’t know why, but that didn’t please her. ‘But he’ll be going into hospital soon.’

  ‘We could go out tomorrow.’

  Dora shook her head, smiling to soften the refusal. ‘Not at the moment, but you could ask me again when Stan’s had his operation. I might feel more like going out then.’

  ‘All right, I’ll do that. And I won’t take no for an answer.’

  Chapter Nineteen

  Two days later Stan went into hospital, ready for his operation on Monday. Nothing helpful had come from the newspaper appeal, and the rain was coming down in torrents on this Saturday morning, only adding to the Bentleys’ gloom and worry.

  ‘Is it ever going to stop raining?’ Tom complained. ‘What can we do in weather like this?’

  Dora watched the water running down the windows. ‘We can’t go out, but tell you what, let’s have a look and see what we can pawn. Then if it eases we can go and see how much money we can raise.’

  ‘Are we broke?’ Lily asked.

  ‘Not quite, sweetie, but our money’s going faster than I thought it would. Once Stan’s had his operation we can go and visit him, so we’re going to have fares to pay.’

  ‘Yes.’ She nodded eagerly. ‘What are we going to sell? You can have my doll. I don’t play with it now, I’m too big.’

  She was touched by her sister’s unselfish offer. She was small for a six-year-old and didn’t look her age, and there was no way she would take her doll from her. It was always on the chair beside her bed, and even though she said she didn’t play with it any more, Dora knew it was precious to her. It was the last gift their father had bought her – a father she didn’t remember much about. ‘Thank you, sweetie, but we have lots to sell before we need to consider your doll. We’ll get rid of some of Mum’s things first.’

  ‘She isn’t coming back, is she?’ Lily’s expression clouded.

  Stooping down, Dora rested her hands on her sister’s shoulders. ‘I don’t think she is. I could be wrong, but too much time has passed without word of her. We’ve got to think about ourselves now. Do you understand?’

  Lily nodded, throwing her arms around Dora to give her a quick hug, then she smiled. ‘There’s pretty things on her dressing table. We could sell them.’

  ‘Good idea.’ Dora stood up, relieved. It looked as if her sister was accepting the situation at last. Her biggest worry in all this was the little girl. She was missing her mother dreadfully and clinging to Tom and herself, but was trying so hard to be brave. Dora loved her all the more for it, and longed with all her heart that she could protect her from this distress. But, of course, she couldn’t.

  After an hour they had collected together several items, and as the rain had eased off, decided to go to the pawnbroker at once.

  He was only a short walk away in the High Street, and by the time they reached the shop the rain had stopped completely. There was even a tiny patch of blue to be seen.

  ‘Ah, hello.’ The shopkeeper eyed them with pleasure. ‘What have you brought me?’

  They put the dressing table set and two glass dishes on the table. ‘These are very pretty,’ Lily told him, standing on tiptoe so she could see over the top of the counter.

  He gazed down at her serious little face and even smiled. ‘So I see. And what do you think I should give you for them?’

  ‘Lots!’

  ‘Well, I don’t know about that.’ He was all business again now and picked up each item to examine it carefully.

  Lily couldn’t stand the silence. ‘We need lots because our friend is in hospital and we want to go and see him. The bus costs money,’ she told him, almost accusingly.

  Dora and Tom stood there saying nothing and fighting to remain serious. The pawnbroker obviously had a soft spot for children, especially Lily. They were quite happy to let her work her magic on him.

  ‘I see.’ He pursed his lips. ‘In that case I’ll give you three and sixpence for the lot.’

  ‘That’s no good, is it, Dora?’ She turned to her big sister. ‘They’re worth more than that, aren’t they?’

  ‘Definitely!’ Dora began to collect up the items. ‘I think we’ll find another pawnbroker, don’t you Tom?’

  ‘There’s plenty of them around,’ he agreed.

  ‘Just a minute.’ He wasn’t one to let trade walk out the door. ‘I’ll make it five bob, and that’s my final offer.’

  She laid the items back on the counter. ‘We’ll take it.’

  He shook his head ruefully. ‘You youngsters, I’ll be broke if I’m this generous with every customer. Too soft, that’s what I am.’

  Lily scooped up the money and handed it to Tom. All three of them left quickly, well pleased with the deal.

  On the way home they called in to see Winnie and June. The two little girls disappeared out in the garden immediately, playing ball and chatting away quite happily.

  ‘Hope you don’t mind us calling, Winnie,’ Dora said. ‘But Lily wanted to see June. This weather has been terrible and we haven’t been able to get out until now.’

  ‘You’re always welcome here.’ Winnie ushered them into the kitchen. ‘And you must stay for lunch. I’ve made a big saucepan of mutton stew, so there’s plenty to go around.’

  It smelt wonderful, but Dora was doubtful. ‘There’s three of us, Winnie. You can’t afford to feed us all.’

  ‘Of course I can. I’ve just bought a fresh loaf to have with it and soak up the gravy.’

  Tom almost groaned with pleasure, and Dora smiled, readily agreeing to stay and share the mutton stew.

  The following evening was nine o’clock before Reg finally arrived home. ‘Where have you been? It’s too late to go and see Stan now. It’s a good job Dora’s gone tonight. They’re going to operate tomorrow.’

  ‘Sorry, love, but I just couldn’t get away.’

  Winnie clenched her hands, unable to hide the concern she felt for her brother. ‘I’m going to the hospital in the morning and I’ll stay there until I know he’s all right. Dora and Tom have agreed to look after June for me.’

  ‘He’ll be all right.’ Reg placed an arm around her. ‘He’s a tough devil.’

  She smiled up at her husband. ‘Yes, he is, and wouldn’t it be wonderful to see him free of pain? I know he’s never said much, but the strain shows on his face.’

  ‘This doctor’s a good bloke, so if anyone can help Stan, it’s him.’ Reg looked preoccupied.

  Winnie handed him a cup of tea and made him sit down. ‘Have you found out anything yet?’

  ‘We keep coming across another name, but you know I can’t discuss it with you, love. And we don’t want a hint of this to reach those youngsters. We could be completely wrong and we don’t want to cause them any more distress than necessary.’

  ‘I can tell from your face you don’t believe you are wrong.’

  Reg shrugged. ‘Too many coincidences, and that makes me suspicious.’

  ‘Hmm.’ Win pressed for more information. ‘Do you think this is more than an ordinary woman running out on her children?’

  ‘We don’t know what to think at this point.’ He smiled at his wife. ‘How about getting me something to eat?’

  ‘Sorry love, you must be starving. It won’t take me long to heat up your dinner.’ Winnie busied herself with the meal, knowing he wouldn’t say any more about the case, but she didn’t like his reference to another name cropping up. She had a nasty feeling about Mrs Bentley, and it was growing with every snippet of information she heard.

  By the time she put his dinner on the table, her husband had a faraway expression on his face. He finished his meal in silence.

  She chatted away, telling him about them coming round today. ‘They’re decent youngsters, aren’t they? Whatever secrets their mother’s been hiding, she’s made a good job of bringing them up.’

  When Reg merely nodded, Winnie couldn’t help asking softly, ‘Are they in for unpleasant news, love?’
<
br />   He sighed, lit a cigarette and said nothing.

  Chapter Twenty

  Stan fought his way back to consciousness, vivid flashes like shells exploding around him – then awareness. He wasn’t in the trenches again, but in a clean, comfortable bed.

  ‘He’s coming round,’ he heard someone say. ‘Tell the nurse, Win.’

  Win? That was his sister. He moved his head from side to side in an effort to clear the muddle as panic swept through him. What had they done to him? He must have been crazy to agree to this.

  ‘Take it easy, my boy. It’s all over.’

  Dragging his eyes open, he peered at the man bending over him. Dr Burridge. He lifted his head from the pillow so he could look down the bed …

  ‘You’re still in one piece.’ The doctor held his wrist to check his pulse. ‘Everything went well, and we expect you to make a good recovery.’

  ‘Am I going to walk properly again?’ He managed to croak out the words.

  ‘That should be possible.’ The doctor smiled. ‘And I believe we’ve been able to safely remove the pieces of shrapnel from your body. But we’ll be keeping an eye on you for a while just to make sure.’

  ‘Thanks, Doc.’ Stan relaxed and screwed his eyes up tight, tears of relief threatening to spill over. Was he going to have a future after all?

  ‘You may stay for another ten minutes,’ the doctor said to Winnie and Reg. ‘Then you must leave him to rest.’

  Stan was already drifting off into a natural sleep.

  ‘We must collect June and tell them that Stan’s come through all right.’ Winnie slipped her hand through her husband’s arm as they headed for the bus stop. ‘They’ll be anxious for news.’

  They were right. The door of the Bentleys’ house was flung open before they had a chance to knock. Tom pulled them inside.

  ‘How is he?’ They all spoke at once.

  Winnie told them what the doctor had said and watched their faces light up. The three youngsters had obviously become very attached to her brother.