Two Strangers

by Beryl Matthews

  ‘This is beautiful,’ Vicki sighed as she gazed around, taking in every detail of the room.

  ‘It’s my favourite room. Now, help yourselves to the food. Cook will be upset if you don’t eat it all up.’ Charles began explaining what everything was to the boys so they could make a choice.

  Once they had all decided what to have and were comfortably sitting down, Charles said, ‘We have a busy day ahead of us, and I suggest we inspect the house you can have as a school first. Then back here for lunch, and then the boys can explore the house if they want to. I have made arrangements for Harry and Vicki to visit Mr and Mrs Harmond. I have taken the liberty of explaining why you want to talk to them, and it seems they knew the Ashington family well. Their children used to play together. As they knew the estate so well, when it came up for sale they bought it for themselves and gave their own property to their son. They are looking forward to meeting you.’

  ‘That’s good news, Charles,’ Harry said, looking at Vicki. ‘That means they could well have some useful information for us. A glimmer of hope, Vicki.’

  Seventeen

  ‘Oh,’ Harry gasped when he stood in front of the large house. ‘This would be perfect for the school.’

  ‘You haven’t seen inside yet. It has been neglected and will take work to make it suitable. You tell me what you need and I’ll instruct the workmen to start straight away. I’ll be pleased to see the place in good repair again and being put to such splendid use.’

  ‘Could we have a bit of land for a sports field?’ Edward asked.

  ‘How about down to that tree line? Would that be enough?’

  ‘That’s far too much,’ Harry protested, gazing into the distance at the wooded area. ‘We can’t take the house and so much of your land.’

  ‘Of course you can. The estate has a hundred acres. Some of it is parkland, and the rest put over to crops and cattle. This section here is not being used for anything.’

  Vicki couldn’t believe what she was hearing and began to study the surroundings. The house in front of them was nowhere near as large as the mansion, but it was substantial, and she could see that it would make a perfect school. The land around it was clear and would need very little work to make it into a sports field, with ample room for anything else they wanted to do. The wooded area was in the distance, and over to the right of that she could just see the movement of animals grazing. She was finding it difficult to grasp that one man could own so much space.

  There was a muffled sound of a horse approaching, and a man rode up, dismounted and came over to them.

  ‘This is my estate manager, Jim Baker,’ Charles introduced.

  He smiled and shook their hands. ‘Sir Charles has told me what you are planning; it will be good to see the place come to life again.’

  ‘Can we fence off the area up to the tree line, Jim, and make the stables habitable for ponies?’

  ‘Yes, sir. I’ve already got men working on the stables. They haven’t been used for a long time and are in a bit of a mess. Do I have your permission to employ men from the village to erect the fence, sir?’

  ‘Go ahead, but ex-soldiers only, if you can. We must give them employment. Any with injuries can be given whatever tasks they can manage.’

  ‘Understood, sir.’

  ‘And see if you can find two men who know about horses. Tell them the jobs will be permanent.’

  ‘I have just the men in mind. They are both finding it hard to get jobs because of war injuries, but they will be quite capable of the work at the stables. I’ll go and see them at once.’

  ‘Perfect. I’ll leave everything to you then, Jim. Consult with Harry to see if he needs anything we haven’t thought of so far.’

  ‘My pleasure, sir.’

  As the estate manager walked back to his horse, Vicki noticed that he had a pronounced limp, and her respect for Charles rose even higher. He was clearly wealthy, but there was no doubt he cared about others less fortunate, like the men who had fought in the war and who were still having a bad time. And a starving girl begging at a railway station. His generosity didn’t end there. He was now helping to set up a school for abused children – how they would love it here with all this space! It would give them a chance to grow and develop – a chance they would never have in the slums of London.

  ‘Now that’s settled, let’s go inside and decide what work needs to be done.’

  Harry looked agitated as Charles ushered them into the house. ‘You’ve instructed Jim to employ two men for the stables, Charles. How much will that cost?’

  ‘Don’t worry about that. I have been making plans for the school to be financed by private donations. The staff won’t cost the school anything.’

  ‘How on earth as you going to manage that?’ Harry was now stunned.

  ‘I have many wealthy friends.’ Charles slapped Harry on the back, smiling broadly. ‘And, contrary to general belief, many of us do care about the plight of the poor, and especially the children.’

  ‘You are doing so much for us, and we don’t know yet if we will get permission to set up a school here.’

  ‘No problem. I’ve already seen to that.’

  ‘Do you mean it has been agreed already?’ Now Edward was astounded by this news.

  ‘Of course, and I have it in writing. As soon as the house is ready, you can move down here. And I don’t believe it will be long before the children start to arrive. They will be coming mostly from London, but there could be some from this area as well.’

  ‘My goodness, Charles!’ Pearl exclaimed. ‘You have been busy. How have you managed all of this so quickly?’

  ‘Can’t waste time when the need is great. I do use my status and influence when it is necessary.’ He smiled at Vicki and the two boys. ‘Mustn’t delay.’

  The next hour was spent making a thorough inspection of the house and deciding on necessary alterations. From past experience, Harry and Edward knew exactly what was needed, and when they were satisfied that every detail had been covered, they returned to the mansion for lunch.

  ‘What a smashing place,’ Dave said to Vicki on the way back. ‘We really gonna live there?’

  ‘Yes, once all the work is done. Do you think you’ll like it?’

  ‘Not ’arf! All those fields to run around in, and Mr Harry said we’ll have ponies to ride. Alfie’s excited about that.’

  ‘Did he tell you he was?’

  ‘Nope, but I know because I heard him ask Sir what colour they would be.’

  ‘Did he?’

  Dave nodded. ‘He likes Sir. He told me. See, he’s walking with him, quite happy. Never thought he’d do that after the way those brutes treated him.’

  ‘He’s making good progress now, and I’m sure living in this lovely place will really help him.’

  ‘Bound to, ’cause it’s miles away from those buggers in London. He’ll feel safe then.’

  ‘Language, Dave.’

  ‘Sorry, but when I think of them, I needs to swear. Do you feel like that about the way you was treated?’

  ‘I did at first, but not any more. I think people who act like that are very unhappy.’

  ‘Why do they do it, then?’

  ‘I wish I knew, Dave. It’s a complete mystery to me why some people need to hurt others weaker than themselves.’

  ‘You’re right.’ Dave was nodding. ‘It’s a mystery, all right. But do you know, there are an awful lot of nice people around as well. Like all of you. I was damned lucky you came by that day and found me.’

  ‘And we feel lucky to have found you and Alfie.’

  ‘Cor.’ His smile couldn’t have been any brighter. ‘No one’s ever wanted us before, ’cept Dad. He was smashing – used to play with us and everything – but Mum never cared. When Dad was killed in the war, she couldn’t wait to get rid of us. Did your mum want you?’

  ‘No, Dave. My parents wanted a son, not a daughter.’

  ‘Ah, that ain’t right, is it?’

  ‘N
o, it isn’t. But that’s in the past for all of us now, so we can forget it and look forward to a happy future.’

  ‘You bet. I like talking to you, Vicki, because you know what things are like. Ah, we’re back. Must keep my eye on Alfie now and see he don’t get frightened about being in such a huge place with strange people walking around in there. Sir’s got lots of servants, ain’t he?’

  Vicki watched him rush to his young brother’s side and couldn’t help thinking that he was very mature for his age. He was also a sensible boy and thought deeply about things. An enquiring mind was surprising in a child with so little education. Harry was going to have a responsive pupil there, and it would be interesting to see him in a few years’ time.

  The dining room was decorated in a beautiful pale peach colour, and the long table shone so much you could see your face in it. When they were all seated, Vicki noticed that Dave was studying the array of cutlery with a puzzled expression. And she had to admit that she didn’t know what some of the items were for.

  Alfie was on her right and Dave next to his brother, so she leant across and spoke quietly. ‘Dave, just watch Sir Charles and copy what he uses each time.’

  ‘Do you know what it’s all for?’ he whispered.

  She shook her head, making him grin.

  Charles stood up. ‘There will be a varied selection of food, and I want you to choose whatever you like. And, boys, if you don’t fancy anything you are offered, then tell my butler what you would like and he will get it for you.’

  Dave smiled and nodded.

  During the meal Vicki tried things she’s never had before, such as smoked salmon, which she found very pleasant, and something called beef Wellington. She thought it was strange to put a lovely joint of beef in pastry, but she was enjoying the experience of tasting quite different food.

  Flo was sitting next to Dave and she helped him, while Vicki looked after Alfie. They both struggled with some of the cutlery, but, with a little help, they did quite well. They also seemed to be enjoying the food and tried everything that was put in front of them. And they both behaved so well that she was proud of them.

  ‘Well done,’ she praised them as they retired to the sitting room where tea, coffee and soft drinks were waiting for them.

  ‘Harry, my driver will be outside when you and Vicki are ready, and he’ll take you to the Harmonds’.’

  ‘Thank you.’ Knowing Vicki was anxious about this visit, Harry stood up. ‘Shall we go now, Vicki?’

  She finished the last of her coffee, trying to appear calm, but she was bracing herself for disappointment, knowing full well that this could be another dead end.

  ‘Good luck,’ Edward said, as they prepared to leave.

  ‘Luck has nothing to do with it,’ Pearl said. ‘If it is meant to be, then Vicki will find Bill.’

  ‘And if it isn’t meant to be?’ Bob queried.

  ‘Then no amount of searching will find him.’ Pearl smiled at Vicki. ‘But that won’t happen – you’ll see. As I’ve already told you, something will happen to set you on the right path.’

  ‘Pearl,’ Harry admonished, ‘we are just going to talk to the people who bought the house the book originally came from.’

  ‘I know. Enjoy your visit.’

  Harry laughed. ‘You never change, Pearl. Always the optimist. Come on, Vicki, let’s go and see another beautiful house. Have you got the book with you?’

  She patted her handbag. ‘In here.’

  It was only a short drive to the Harmonds’, and Vicki thought they could have walked it. She couldn’t help being nervous and, as the butler escorted them to the library, she said to Harry, ‘I’m going to leave the talking to you.’

  He smiled down at her but said nothing.

  Mr and Mrs Harmond greeted them warmly, and the lady of the house offered them refreshments.

  ‘Thank you, Mrs Harmond, but we have just had a rather large meal.’

  ‘Please sit down,’ Mr Harmond told them. ‘Sir Charles has told us a little about your desire to see us, and we would be interested to hear more.’

  Vicki chose a chair close to a beautiful grand piano, and Harry sat next to her.

  ‘It is very kind of you to see us,’ Harry began. ‘We are trying to trace a man who helped Vicki when she was homeless.’

  ‘That much we know, but what makes you think we can help you?’

  Harry explained about the book, took it from Vicki and handed it to them. ‘Yes, that’s the Ashington crest, but we don’t have any of the books here. They took them when they moved.’ Mrs Harmond gave the book back to Vicki.

  ‘Can you tell us if they had a son called William?’

  ‘They only had one son, James, and sadly he was killed in the war.’

  ‘He was their only child.’ Mr Harmond shook his head. ‘Terrible loss. Our son was devastated by his death. They grew up together, and James attended Harrow at the same time. We were lucky – our son came home, but so many didn’t. Peter lost his best friends.’

  When Mr Harmond began talking about the boys, Vicki’s attention wandered, and she began to look at the array of photographs on top of the piano. They were obviously family photographs, many of them of children laughing happily at the camera, and she wondered how many of them were alive now after that awful conflict.

  Suddenly, one caught her attention and she stood up to take a closer look. It was of a group of youngsters around twelve years old, she guessed. Waiting until Mr Harmond had finished what he was saying, she then asked, ‘Mrs Harmond, may I pick up this photograph?’

  ‘Of course.’ She came over and stood beside Vicki. ‘The boy in the middle is our son Peter; James is next to him.’

  ‘Who is this boy?’ She pointed to one of the group.

  ‘That’s another friend, Henry Manton, but we all called him Will, because he liked that more than Henry.’

  Harry had now joined them to study the picture. ‘What is it, Vicki? Does he look familiar?’

  ‘Yes, he does,’ she said, staring at the image.

  ‘Oh, he can’t be the one you are looking for,’ Mr Harmond told her. ‘He was also killed in the war. It was so upsetting for Peter to lose both of his friends, and he still misses them very much. Will was at Harrow as well, and had a fine mind. He had just started his teaching career and could have gone far in life. That war was such a waste of young lives. From what we heard, Will was serving with James, and they died in the same week.’

  Vicki was shaking her head. This boy was Bill; she was sure of it. There was something about the way he was leaning against the fence, feet crossed at the ankles. Exactly the same way he had been when she came out of that warehouse washroom.

  ‘He didn’t die,’ she said softly. ‘That’s Bill.’

  ‘How can you be sure?’ Harry wanted to know. ‘That’s only a young boy in the photograph. He was a grown man when you met him.’

  ‘It’s the way he’s leaning on the fence and the amused expression on his face. That’s exactly the way I remember him, and he’s taller than the other boys. It’s him, Harry! The reports of his death must be wrong.’

  ‘I admit there was a lot of confusion at the time.’ Harry didn’t look convinced, though.

  ‘Could you tell us where we can find the Manton family, Mr Harmond?’

  ‘I’m sorry, young lady, but we lost track of them when they moved out of the area. Our son told us that James and Will had been killed, and he wouldn’t have said that if there had been any doubt.’ Mr Harmond turned to his wife. ‘We should have a picture of the boys when they went into the army for Vicki to see.’

  ‘There’s bound to be one in the albums.’ She removed two large books from the shelf, handing one to her husband and opening the other herself.

  As they turned the pages, Vicki waited in anticipation. She was fairly certain that the young Will was indeed Bill, but a picture of him when he was older would help to confirm his identity.

  After what seemed an age, Mr Harmond excla
imed, ‘Ah, here he is! Have a look at this, Vicki.’

  When she saw the photograph of the young officer, her eyes misted with tears and she wiped them away quickly. ‘That’s Bill. You have been given the wrong information. He survived the war.’

  ‘You have no doubt that this is the man who gave you the book?’

  ‘No doubt at all, Mr Harmond.’

  ‘We must tell Peter!’

  ‘Hold on, my dear. From what we’ve just been told, it was some time ago and he was living rough. Peter was shattered by the reports of their deaths, so it wouldn’t be wise to raise his hopes yet.’

  Mrs Harmond sighed. ‘No, you are right, of course, my dear.’

  ‘What are you going to do now?’ Mr Harmond asked Harry.

  ‘Try to find out the truth about this. You are wise not to say anything to your son at this point. All Vicki knows is that he was moving on, and he could be anywhere. Tracking him down could take time.’

  ‘Providing he is still alive, of course.’ Mr Harmond gave Vicki a sympathetic smile. ‘I’m sorry if I sound as if I doubt you, but we only have your word that he is still alive.’

  ‘I understand that, but I know it’s him and I will do everything I can to find him.’

  ‘With no guarantee that you will be successful,’ Mr Harmond declared. ‘I would ask a favour. If you do find him, we would be grateful to be told where he is – and what condition he is in. He might need help. So many of the poor devils still do.’

  ‘We promise to contact you the moment we have any news.’

  ‘Thank you.’ Mr Harmond’s lips firmed in a grim line. ‘He grew into a fine man, and it makes me angry to think that he could be out there somewhere struggling to overcome lingering problems.’

  Mrs Harmond removed the photograph from the album and handed it to Vicki. ‘You take this. Will obviously means a lot to you.’

  ‘He does, and thank you. I will return it to you when I’ve been able to give the book back to Bill.’

  ‘Let’s pray that you are right and that day will come soon.’

  Eighteen

  ‘How did you get on?’ everyone wanted to know when they arrived back from the Harmonds’.