An Orphan in the Snow

by Molly Green

  ‘Lastly, I thank you for welcoming me to this marvellous Dr Barnardo’s home.’ He glanced around the library again and sat down to more clapping, this time a little more enthusiastic, thanks to Iris, who, June was amused to see, had started it off loudly.

  Throughout his speech June had glanced at her friend more than once, noticing Iris was listening attentively to every word. All attention was on Mr Cannon, and then Matron, with some difficulty, stood up.

  ‘To mark Marjorie’s retirement and to welcome Mr Cannon, I’ve organised a little celebration. Cook’s made some cakes and biscuits … and we’re going to have a glass of wine,’ Matron added unexpectedly. She moved towards the window where a smaller desk stood, and with a flourish like a conjuror, whipped a white sheet away to uncover three bottles of wine, glasses, and Bertie’s wonderful treats. She expertly uncorked the bottle, poured a glass of red wine and handed it to Mr Cannon, who was still quietly seated. He took it and thanked her, shyly looking over at the others who were queuing for cakes and drinks.

  I wonder what’s going on in his head, June thought, getting up to join the others. I hope he doesn’t think he’s made a terrible mistake. She looked round for Iris and to her surprise saw her friend hadn’t moved from her seat. She went over to her.

  ‘Iris? I thought you’d be first in the queue,’ June teased.

  ‘What? What are you saying?’ Iris looked dazed, as though she’d had too much sleep and had just woken up.

  ‘So do all introduce yourselves to Mr Cannon.’ Matron bustled around, being the hostess.

  ‘Come on, Iris. I’ll join you for a glass of wine,’ June said, holding out her hand to pull Iris to her feet.

  ‘Oh, yes … all right.’

  Having David Cannon amongst all the women has put a sparkle in their step, June thought, highly amused, as she watched Barbara, Athena and Kathleen gather round him, glasses in hand, chattering and laughing as though they were at a party. Matron was smiling and circulating as though she were hostess in her own home. June was disappointed to see that Iris had left. She was sure her friend had enjoyed Mr Cannon’s speech and would go over to talk to him. So where was she?

  ‘I couldn’t bear watching all that simpering over the new man,’ Iris confided later to June in the common room – now empty because the small party in the library was still going on.

  ‘Matron’s certainly gone very girlish all of a sudden,’ June said, poking the fire to try to whip the glow into some proper flames.

  ‘It makes you sick.’

  ‘He does seem very nice though,’ June said, giving Iris a sideways glance.

  ‘I’m sure he’s nice enough,’ Iris conceded. ‘But I don’t have any confidence in his chances here. Soon as he gets the measure of us he’ll see just what it’s like facing all us women every day, every evening. It won’t be easy. He’ll need to be a strong person and not allow himself to be bullied. But at the moment Matron seems to be showing another side of herself – flirtatious, if you ask me.’

  ‘Oh, do you think so?’ June immediately became fascinated at the change Mr Cannon might bring to all those at Bingham Hall.

  ‘I do. Anyway,’ she said, her back to June as she boiled the kettle for the cocoa, ‘I’m not interested in the sort of music he’s talking about. It’s jazz for me. So I shan’t be looking in on any of his music appreciation classes.’ She turned round and her eyes met June’s. ‘How about you, Junie? Will you go?’

  ‘Definitely.’

  ‘Really?’ Iris sounded surprised. ‘I didn’t put you down as a music buff.’

  ‘Not sure what you mean by that,’ June said with a smile, ‘but I love classical music. Aunt Ada introduced me to it when I lived with her and was doing my nursery training. We’d go to concerts quite frequently, and I must say I miss them.’ June gave Iris a knowing smile. ‘This might be a good substitute. Why don’t you come with me, Iris? You might just learn something.’

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  ‘Miss Lavender?’

  ‘Yes, Joachim?’

  ‘I would like to listen to the music with Herr Cannon this evening.’

  June looked at his eager face, his eyes shining. She remembered how he’d sung ‘Silent Night’ in German on Christmas Eve, in perfect tune, his clear young voice making her almost want to weep, it was so moving.

  ‘You are supposed to go to his class in the daytime. The evening is for the staff members and older children.’

  ‘It’s baby music in the day. “Peter and the Wolf”. Learning the different sounds of the instruments. I know already the name of all instruments and their sounds.’

  June looked at him in surprise. He was tall for his age and she had to remind herself that he was only nine. She glanced at her watch. ‘It doesn’t start for another hour and a half and you’ll be getting ready to go to bed. And Mr Cannon said you had to be twelve.’

  ‘Just this one time.’ Joachim’s eyes were pleading. ‘It is a Beethoven concerto and I would very much like to hear – but Mrs Pherson say – says I cannot attend.’ He refused to use the term Matron no matter how many times Matron admonished him.

  ‘Why? Did she give a reason?’ June said.

  ‘I told him it’s not for children, unless they’re twelve or more.’

  June felt the heavy presence of Matron behind her. How did she have this uncanny knack of coming up behind you just at the very moment you didn’t want her to hear what you were talking about?

  She reluctantly turned to find Matron giving her the usual glare. She’d begun to get used to them by now – not take them to heart. It was just Matron’s way, she told herself, excusing the woman. But this time she had to bite back her anger.

  ‘He can’t study every minute of the day, Matron. Sometimes one has to do something for the soul, like reading poetry or painting … or listening to music.’

  ‘One has to do no such thing,’ Matron said, her eyebrows drawn together in a heavy frown. ‘There’s no possibility for him to do music when he hasn’t grasped all the other subjects – English in particular. He needs to catch up with the others. When he’s passed his exam, we’ll see.’ She said the word ‘music’ in a contemptuous tone, quite different from the one she’d used when she’d first introduced Mr Cannon.

  ‘Ich hasse Ihnen.’ Joachim threw Matron a fierce look and stormed off, hands deep in his pockets, leaving June alone with her.

  ‘I’m sure Mr Cannon – if you agreed,’ June hurriedly added, ‘would make an exception for Joachim. I believe he does have a special interest in music and—’

  ‘And I’ll thank you to keep your opinions to yourself, Miss Lavender. I’m not at all certain you’re a good influence on the children. I’m not sure what Woolfes just said but his tone was most disrespectful. You are not to take him into the library this evening. I’ll be keeping an eye on you, so don’t disobey me.’

  She marched off leaving June staring after her.

  Matron was ordering him not to have a little bit of enjoyment with all he’d been through. And June was determined that he would.

  Over the next hour, she began to form a plan that might solve Joachim’s problem and engage in a little bit of subtle matchmaking. She smiled. It ought to work if everyone was willing to play their part, except she couldn’t actually give them their lines.

  ‘Iris, are you doing anything this evening?’ June asked her friend when Iris emerged from a long afternoon in the sick room.

  ‘No, why do you ask?’

  ‘I’ve got to catch up with some letter-writing or I’d go with him myself,’ June added a little slyly, hoping Iris wouldn’t notice.

  ‘Go with whom?’ Iris demanded. ‘And where to?’

  ‘Mr Cannon is going to play – or rather, put a record on of one of the Beethoven concertos this evening. It starts at seven and Joachim wants to listen to it. He’s asked Matron if he might attend, but she’s put her foot down as usual and forbidden me to take him in. But she hasn’t forbidden you.’ June looked ste
adily at her friend. ‘Would you take him in?’

  ‘What, and listen to some German composer for two hours? Haven’t we got enough trouble with them in this war?’ Iris said.

  June was about to protest when Iris threw her head back and laughed.

  ‘Caught you well and truly, didn’t I? You fell for that. Yes, ’course I’ll take him and try and maybe pick up a bit of culture myself at the same time.’ She threw June a sharp glance. ‘That’s what your aim is really, isn’t it, Junie?’

  Their gaze flicked one to the other, and then they both collapsed into laughter.

  ‘And you’re not doing any letter-writing,’ Iris said, still chuckling, ‘so you can jolly well come with me. I’m taking Woolfie, and you’re just going along for the ride.’

  June went to find Joachim and tell him the news. She was rewarded by a smile so wide it nearly split his face in two.

  ‘Nurse Marchant is taking you in with her so you need to tell her about your special interest in music, and explain to Mr Cannon. Tell him although you’re not twelve you are very serious about music.’

  ‘Are you coming too, Miss?’ Joachim’s eyes were anxious.

  ‘Yes, I’ll be there as well, but Nurse wants to listen to the concert with you close by. It’s the first time she’s ever heard any classical music and I think she feels a bit nervous. She thought it might help if you were there with her.’

  Joachim looked surprised but didn’t say anything more. He just nodded.

  ‘Danke – I mean, thank you, Miss.’

  ‘Don’t go in until the last minute. Nurse will be in the hall waiting for you. And don’t tell any of the other children.’

  ‘Yes, Miss – I mean, no, Miss.’

  He dashed off like a normal schoolboy who’d been given an unexpected tuckbox. Maybe to him that was exactly how it felt, June mused, as she watched him run.

  As arranged, June went into the library a few minutes before seven. It was empty except for David Cannon, who looked up from searching through his records and gave her a smile.

  ‘Thank you for coming, Miss Lavender,’ he said.

  ‘Oh, do call me June.’ June returned his smile as she chose a seat. ‘We use Christian names when we’re off-duty.’

  ‘Then I’m David,’ he said. ‘I hope there’ll be a few more people.’ He glanced at his watch. ‘I like to start punctually.’

  ‘It’s not yet seven,’ June said. ‘I’m sure there’ll be some others.’

  ‘Do you have any particular favourite composer, June?’

  ‘I like so many,’ she answered sincerely. ‘My aunt used to take me regularly to concerts when I lived with her in London. She was a real classical devotee and taught me how to enjoy them. I miss the music, so I’m really looking forward to this evening and am quite happy with anything you choose.’

  ‘I’m delighted you’ve already been introduced to some of them,’ David said. ‘What about opera? Have you—?’

  He was interrupted by Barbara and, to June’s amazement, Hilda.

  ‘Good evening, ladies,’ he said. ‘Do take a seat. We’ll be starting in just a couple of minutes.’

  ‘Don’t start without us,’ Iris’s voice came from the doorway. She nipped in, followed by Joachim who was looking suitably serious.

  June noticed the boy had changed clothes and was wearing his best trousers and shirt.

  ‘You’re looking very smart, Joachim,’ she said.

  ‘It is an important evening for me,’ Joachim explained. ‘I have been many times to a concert with Papa and Mutti when I am young. Is it all right for me to listen, Mr Cannon?’

  ‘I’m delighted to see you both,’ David said, his eyes lingering on Iris. ‘Take a seat and we’ll get started.’ He bent over the gramophone and guided the needle to the edge of the record.

  ‘I’m afraid you won’t be doing anything of the kind, Mr Cannon, until Joachim comes out.’

  All heads looked round at Matron, standing in the doorway, red with temper.

  ‘I specifically told Miss Lavender she was not to take Woolfes into the library tonight. He has English homework to do.’

  ‘Perhaps you could make an exception for the boy for once,’ David Cannon said, a wary look coming into his eyes.

  ‘I’m sorry, I cannot.’ Matron flounced in and turned to Joachim. ‘Come with me this instant, Woolfes. You know very well I told you not to attend this evening.’

  Joachim looked from Matron to David Cannon, a beseeching expression in his brown eyes.

  ‘I’d like the boy to stay,’ David said firmly. ‘He’s had a rough time, I imagine, and music is a balm for the soul. I think it will help him more than studying English at the moment.’

  Matron’s mouth twisted. ‘I’m sorry, I can’t agree. Maybe when he’s further along with his studies.’

  ‘Matron, just this once.’ Iris stood up and faced her.

  ‘I’ll ask you to mind your own business, Nurse.’ Matron gave her a withering look. ‘And you, too, Miss Lavender. I’ll be speaking to you both later.’

  ‘June had nothing to do with this,’ Iris said. ‘I took Woolfie – Joachim in with me.’

  ‘Then he should have told you I did not give permission.’ She turned on her heel and swept out of the door.

  ‘I will come.’ Joachim gave Iris and June a sorrowful look and got to his feet.

  ‘Perhaps another time, Joachim,’ the music teacher said.

  Barbara and Hilda had sat quietly all this time but now Hilda spoke up.

  ‘Are you or aren’t you going to play the record?’

  David Cannon gave her a steady look. ‘You know, I don’t feel much like listening to Beethoven after all.’

  ‘I’m going then.’ Hilda stalked off.

  ‘I’m getting tired of Matron’s dictatorial manner,’ Barbara commented, flushed with annoyance. ‘The sooner we can put a stop to this nonsense, the better. Anyway, I’m off. Shame, as I was looking forward to a relaxing evening but it seems impossible under her roof.’ She turned and smiled. ‘Goodnight, everyone.’

  ‘I feel embarrassed on your behalf,’ Iris said to David as he put the record carefully back in its paper sleeve. ‘But I’m afraid it’s typical of Matron. She rules with an iron rod.’

  ‘Don’t worry about me. I’ll see the boy on his own tomorrow. Find out where his interests lie in classical music.’

  ‘I suddenly feel tired,’ June said, stretching up and pretending to smother an exaggerated yawn. ‘I think I’ll go to bed early and read.’ Iris got up to follow but June waved her down. ‘You stay, Iris. Maybe David will play you a record and you can listen to it quietly.’ She sent her friend an innocent smile, and softly closed the library door behind her.

  ‘You left us alone on purpose,’ Iris said to June accusingly, but the amused light shining in her sapphire-blue eyes was plain to see.

  It was Monday, June’s day off, and Iris was due to work the night shift. The two had decided to go to Liverpool and even maybe have a quick look at the docklands. Iris said it was important to keep up with all the damage – that Bingham Hall was so institutionalised that they were cushioned from the outside world.

  They were sitting in the same café Murray had taken June to. It was the first time they’d had a chance to talk since Joachim’s dismissal from the library.

  ‘Oh, I wouldn’t say that,’ June said with a laugh.

  ‘I would.’ She threw a mock glare at June. ‘If I didn’t know better I’d go so far as to say the whole thing was a set-up.’

  ‘That’s a terrible thing to say.’

  They both giggled.

  ‘But he is rather sweet, June.’ Iris had gone misty-eyed. ‘And he’s talked to Woolfie. Told him he would play a record especially for him today – this afternoon, after lessons. Matron can’t possibly grumble at that.’

  ‘She’ll find something,’ June said. ‘I’m getting tired of Matron saying no to everything.’ She looked at her friend and smiled. ‘But it’s wonderf
ul that David’s taking such an interest in him. It’s exactly what he needs.’

  ‘David’s learned quite a lot about Woolfie in his chat with him.’ Iris looked up, her eyes now moist. ‘I feel so sorry for him. He came over from Germany on the Kindertransport – you know, the children’s train. I read about it in some newspaper ages ago. David says they sent several thousand Jewish children to England for safety but the train’s stopped now. Probably because it was run by Jews and they’ve been arrested.’

  ‘Are they putting other foreign children in similar homes?’

  ‘Yes, but it’s not an easy transition, if you ask me.’

  ‘Where are Joachim’s parents?’

  ‘Nobody knows. His sister is still in Germany. Matron said she was too young to come with her brother but he’s hanging on to the fact that she might be old enough in another year or so.’

  June shivered. From what she’d heard about the Jewish people in Germany – and they might be rumours but somehow she didn’t think so – there wasn’t much hope. People were being sent to camps; made to do hard labour with little food in their stomachs. She’d heard that people were literally starving to death. It was imperative that Joachim shouldn’t hear these stories and maybe they were exaggerated anyway. Even if they weren’t, he was upset enough as it was.

  ‘He’s been in England over a year,’ Iris continued, ‘with foster parents, but they wouldn’t allow him to eat with the family. He had to have his meals in his room and they treated him like a servant. From what he said to David, he didn’t get enough to eat so no wonder he’s so thin. He ran away and was picked up off the street by – would you believe? – a Dr Barnardo’s inspector. And here he is. Bingham Hall. For better or worse, poor little blighter. I feel sorry for him.’

  ‘He’s passionate about music,’ June said, thoughtfully. ‘Let’s hope our lovely new music teacher will be able to overcome Matron’s decision and let the child listen next week, when maybe he’ll be able to play his records without her interfering.’