The East End Girl in Blue

by Fenella J Miller

  ‘I got in touch with Mrs Arkwright and she told me in confidence. I think she’s rather ashamed of foisting such a difficult family on the doctor without any warning.’

  ‘No, I reckon she did the right thing. If Violet’s not well then the best place for her is with him.’

  Having been forewarned about what to expect Nancy didn’t react badly when she saw the pitiful young woman huddled in a chair by the range. She was even thinner than her children but dressed in fresh clothes she didn’t look too bad.

  ‘Mrs O’Brien, I’m Mrs Smith, but you can call me Nancy. I’ve come to take you back to your children. They’ve been bathed and fed and are now sleeping but they could wake up at any time and Doctor Denny has his surgery to do.’

  Violet didn’t speak, didn’t even nod, but pushed herself upright and waited to be told what to do next. Nancy put her arm into hers and guided her through the house and out into the street. Anyone seeing them wouldn’t know how bad things were, that her companion was hanging on to her arm, barely able to support herself.

  11

  David was unsurprised when one of Sally’s boys appeared with a hastily scribbled note saying that she was no longer able to work for him. His receptionist saw him read it and guessed the contents.

  ‘Surely Sally hasn’t handed in her notice? I thought she was so happy here and was certainly an improvement on Ava.’

  ‘To say I’m disappointed is an understatement. She didn’t like the evacuee family because they were lousy and filthy. Nothing a bath and a nit comb couldn’t sort out.’

  ‘It was the same thing for two of the families that took in evacuees last September. Just look at the children now. You wouldn’t know they hadn’t been born and bred here. They’re going to find it hard going back when the war’s over.’

  ‘I can’t come into the surgery until Mrs Smith returns – hopefully with Mrs O’Brien who, it seems, wandered off and ended up in the church.’

  ‘Why don’t you ask Mrs Smith to be your official housekeeper? As long as she lives at the vicarage then I’m sure no one will comment.’

  ‘I intend to do so. From what I’ve been told Mrs O’Brien is in a bad way mentally and I’m certain won’t be able to cope with her children for a while. Mrs Smith was exceptionally good with the little ones and I’m sure she’ll be happy to help out in that department as well.’

  The telephone rang shrilly and Jill hurried off to answer it. He checked his watch – the children had been asleep for almost two hours and were bound to wake up soon. His first patient was due in twenty minutes so hopefully Nancy would be back by then.

  He dashed upstairs to check and all was quiet in the bedroom. He reread the note and frowned. Sally had asked for her wages for the days she’d done this week, which he was disinclined to give her. She should have given him a week’s notice and, both legally and morally, he could hold back her money in lieu of notice.

  It might be his right, but he wouldn’t do it. Sally needed the money and he sincerely hoped she’d find herself some other employment to make up the deficit. The pitiful amount she got from the government wasn’t enough to feed a growing family. A serving soldier gave up a portion of his wages and this was paid directly to his family. It was up to the soldier how much he parted with and from what he remembered about Sydney Arbuckle, he would put himself first every time.

  There was the crunch of footsteps on the path outside the kitchen window and his missing guest was led into the kitchen. The young woman, scarcely more than a girl really, was blank-eyed and he wondered if she might be better off in an asylum, but then decided she’d recover quicker with her children nearby, even if she didn’t wish to interact with them at the moment.

  ‘Sorry I’ve been so long, Doctor Denny, but you can see how things are. I think Mrs O’Brien, Violet, might be better on her own at the moment. What do you think?’

  ‘I agree. I don’t have time to go into details but would you be prepared to take on the role of housekeeper and so on? I’m really going to need your help and so is this unfortunate family.’

  ‘I’d be happy to. The family comes first – I’m afraid everything else will have to take second place.’

  ‘Absolutely. Sorry, I’ve got a patient coming any minute and have to read their notes before they arrive.’

  He watched her lovingly escort poor Violet into the bedroom opposite the one that her children were in. He no longer thought of it as Julia’s room.

  There was no time to worry about what was happening upstairs. He couldn’t do his job efficiently if he didn’t concentrate on what was in front of him. By seven o’clock he’d seen his last patient, Jill had written out the invoices and he was ready to venture back into his house. He’d kept the communicating door shut so if there’d been trouble with either of the children or their mother, he wouldn’t have heard it.

  ‘Out of the seven patients you saw tonight, Doctor Denny, only two of them will pay you actual money for your services. Over the next few days you’ll receive rabbits, poultry, jam and vegetables. You really should be firmer with those people.’

  ‘They give me what they can afford and it means less has to be spent on food. Now I’ve got three extra in my household, being paid in rations will be ideal.’

  She smiled, said good night and, after pulling on her gloves and pinning on her hat, she left to return to the home where she lived on her own with only three cats for company. Jill had worked for him since he’d bought the house twelve years ago and, if he was honest, she seemed happier now she was a widow than she’d been as a wife. She was about his age and he had to tread carefully where she was concerned as he was pretty sure she had a soft spot for him.

  There was an appetising aroma drifting down the hall. However, the house was worryingly silent. Where was everyone?

  He walked to the kitchen window and his hands unclenched. There was no sign of Violet but Nancy was in the garden playing with the children and the dog was joining in. Betty could toddle around unaided and was squealing with excitement every time Polly came over and licked her. Not very hygienic but it didn’t matter as long as the children were content.

  The table was laid for two adults and two children and there was a tray ready to be taken upstairs. A highchair had mysteriously arrived during his absence and this would make things so much easier. He headed outside to join in the fun.

  ‘Doctor Denny, the children have never had any contact with dogs or cats. Polly’s kept them entertained for ages.’

  ‘She loves little ones and would never bite them, whatever they did to her.’ He gestured with his head at the bedroom window with the drawn curtains.

  ‘She’s still asleep. I got her to drink a cup of tea and eat a sandwich. So far she’s not said a word, shown no interest in Billy or Betty. I’m really worried about her.’

  He checked the children were occupied and couldn’t overhear their conversation. ‘Most doctors would have her sent straight to an asylum but as long as she’s not dangerous I want to keep her here. I don’t know a great deal about mental illness but I’ll do my best. It certainly won’t do her any harm to sleep undisturbed in a warm, comfortable bed for a change.’

  ‘When I got them up I took them in to see that their ma was back. I told them she’s not very well and that I’ll be looking after them instead. I don’t know how we’re going to manage this, David, because I can’t stay here overnight and you might get an emergency call.’

  ‘I could have asked my receptionist but…’

  ‘But she’s after you herself so it wouldn’t be a good idea to have her here any more than it would to have me living in.’

  He grinned. ‘You’re very observant and absolutely right. If I get called out tonight can I ring you? Would you be prepared to come over and stay here until I get back? I’ll try and sort out something more satisfactory as soon as I can.’

  *

  ‘I remember me brothers had me – had my ma up and down half a dozen times some nights. I reckon thes
e two might get you up. Billy will probably wet the bed and Betty might want something to drink. Who’s going to do that?’

  ‘I’ll do it until I can find someone else. I’m quite capable of changing a wet sheet and finding a baby something to drink. I’m a medical man – not a nitwit.’

  ‘I don’t know any other bloke who’d be prepared to do women’s work like that. You’re a saint, and no mistake, David. But you need your sleep and it isn’t your job to tend to Violet’s children in the night. She’s supposed to be looking after them.’

  ‘The only alternative is to get Mrs Arkwright to hand the children over to someone who will put them in an orphanage. Do you want me to do that?’

  She didn’t like being asked that sort of question. It wasn’t any of her business and it wasn’t fair of him to put her on the spot like this.

  ‘It’s your decision, not mine. I’ll do what I can, but unless I’m living in, which we both agree isn’t a good idea, I can’t see that you can keep Violet or the children here.’

  Betty fell flat on her face and screamed and she rushed across to pick her up. ‘There, nothing hurt, baby, so no need for all that noise. Shall we go in and have our tea? Are you hungry, Billy?’

  He stared at her as if she was talking nonsense. Then he sidled up to her and grabbed her hand. ‘We had somethink to eat earlier. Do we get another feed today?’

  She blinked back tears. It wasn’t fair that these two had had such a hard life. Children shouldn’t have to go hungry. ‘Whilst you’re here, Billy, you get three meals a day. You get breakfast when you get up, lunch in the middle of the day before you have a nap and tea before you get ready for bed.’

  ‘What, Mrs Smith? Every day?’

  David overheard him. ‘Yes, young man, nobody goes hungry under my roof. Something really delicious is cooking in the kitchen. Shall we go in and see what it is?’

  Nancy thought she might have to feed Betty but the toddler crammed the food in with her hands and Billy would have done the same if David hadn’t stopped him and showed him how to use the knife and fork.

  She’d taken up the tray and woken Violet but the girl had just turned over and gone back to sleep, ignoring the food.

  After tea she removed the food stuck all over the children’s faces. It was almost dark and she was pretty sure children of this age should already be fast asleep and not eating their tea so late. Hopefully, things would settle down after a few days and they wouldn’t sleep for so long in the afternoon.

  ‘It’s time for bed now. I’m going to take you upstairs to have a nice wash and clean your teeth. Then I’ll tell you a story once you’re in bed.’

  The children settled down quickly and she crept out to collect the uneaten food from the other bedroom. There was something she needed to ask David about her own situation. He was in the kitchen and had made two mugs of cocoa and used all milk and no water. That was a real luxury and no mistake.

  She waited until they were sipping the lovely warm, sweet, chocolatey drink before asking her question.

  ‘Why haven’t I been feeling dizzy like I did last week? Does it mean I’m not actually expecting? Shouldn’t I be feeling sick and all in the mornings now? It’s been almost three weeks since I missed my monthlies.’

  ‘Are your breasts tender? Are you having to urinate more often?’

  She choked on her cocoa and the heat rushed from her toes to the top of her head. How could he ask her something so personal when they were just sitting at the kitchen table?

  He ignored her coughing and just sat there looking professional, waiting for her to recover from her embarrassment and be able to answer.

  ‘Yes to both of them questions. A right nuisance having to run to the bog all the time.’

  ‘Then my original diagnosis remains the same. It’s quite possible your dizziness was caused by not eating. I’m sorry to tell you that morning sickness doesn’t always start in the first weeks and you could still suffer from it.’

  ‘Am I likely to have twins like me ma?’

  ‘It’s quite possible, I’m afraid. They do run in families.’

  ‘Blimey, it’s going to be hard enough with one, let alone two babies.’

  ‘Let’s not worry about it now. I’m beginning to think our arrangement isn’t good for you even if it suits me. I think I might have come up with a satisfactory solution but I’d still like you to be my temporary housekeeper, if you don’t mind.’

  Should she tell him that she was relying on his money? He didn’t understand what it was like for ordinary folk – he obviously had plenty if this house is anything to go by.

  ‘I need the work, David, especially as I might be expecting twins.’

  ‘If you’re sure you want to continue then I’d be delighted to make the job permanent. When you have your child you can bring it with you – there’ll be no need for you to stop work.’

  ‘What’s your solution then?’

  ‘A colleague of mine, who works at St Thomas’s in London, has found me a couple whose house was destroyed and they’re looking for live-in employment. Mrs Brooklyn has worked as a nanny and I thought she could look after the children and their mother, and Mr Brooklyn can take care of the garden. They will be arriving sometime tomorrow.’

  ‘Just the ticket – that means there’ll be someone here of a night. I’m happy to cook for everyone but I reckon you’ll have to eat separate like, in the dining room. I’ll eat at the vicarage and them – those new people – can eat in the kitchen with the children.’

  ‘You don’t have to worry about feeding Billy and Betty, or their washing and so on. Mrs Brooklyn is going to be employed to take care of everything to do with Mrs O’Brien and her progeny.’

  ‘Doesn’t make sense to have two cooks in the kitchen. She can make their breakfast and tea and I’ll do their hot meal at lunchtime.’

  ‘As you wish. We need to make this official, Nancy. Your wages will be the same as I gave Sally. Did I hear you say that you’re a seamstress?’

  ‘I am. Part of me duties – my duties will be to take care of your mending.’

  ‘Good God, I didn’t ask because of that. People have been donating all sorts of things for the children and Violet but none of them are the right size.’

  ‘Don’t worry about that, I’ll soon alter them to fit. Mrs Stanton has got a lovely treadle machine and I’m going to use that to make my own clothes. I’ll do what’s needed for the children and Violet first.’

  ‘Another thing, as the Brooklyns will be living in then we can continue your lessons here in future.’

  ‘Righty ho. I’ll be off now. I’ll take those clothes and get on with that tonight.’

  *

  David had only told her half the story. His friend, Toby Sotheby, the doctor who was sending him the Brooklyns, had also suggested that Dr James Rankin could take over the Chalfont Major practice. Rankin, a bachelor, was in his sixties and finding working in the casualty department too much for him. David was going to London to discuss this possible exchange of duties once things were sorted out here.

  Working in a big teaching hospital where injured servicemen and civilians were being treated was the perfect compromise. No one could say he was shirking his duty as he would be in constant danger from the bombs being dropped every day with such devastating results.

  He’d spent two years in a busy casualty department, had completed half his surgical training, before he’d met and fallen in love with Julia. She hadn’t wanted to live in London so he’d bought this practice and whilst she’d been alive, he’d not regretted his decision.

  Fortunately, he got no emergency calls that evening and didn’t have to ring the vicarage and ask Nancy to come and sit with the children. He worked late sorting out his paperwork, making sure his patients’ notes were up to date so Rankin, or someone else, would be able to take over without difficulty.

  He jerked awake the next morning, his heart racing, thinking he’d forgotten to do something essential. The childr
en – it was after seven o’clock and he’d not even checked on them. He tumbled out of bed and dashed, still in his pyjamas and bare feet, down the passageway.

  The room was empty. He checked on Violet and she was fast asleep. He could hardly go downstairs as he was. Then he smiled. Nancy was here and the children were in the kitchen with her. He’d stop panicking as he could hear them chatting and laughing.

  He nicked himself twice when shaving in his rush to get ready. He was downstairs within fifteen minutes of waking up and he thought that might be a record.

  ‘Good morning, Doctor Denny, just in time for tea and toast. The children are having porridge first – would you like some?’ Today Nancy wasn’t wearing Julia’s old frock but something floral. It fitted her perfectly and was much more her style than navy blue with white spots.

  ‘Good morning, Mrs Smith. Good morning, Billy, Betty. I can’t believe you didn’t wake up in the night.’

  Billy answered with his mouth full of porridge. ‘I found the po and never wet me bed at all.’

  ‘Well done, I’m very impressed. I’ll have tea and toast, please, Mrs Smith. I’m not an aficionado of porridge even with sugar and cream.’

  ‘Are you telling me you don’t like it? You use such funny words I don’t understand you half the time. Tea and toast coming up.’

  He could hardly believe two such traumatised children had settled in so quickly and were apparently content. ‘I’ll take up something for Mrs O’Brien when I’ve finished. I want to try and persuade her to eat and take an interest in her surroundings.’

  ‘She got up to use the bathroom. The chain hadn’t been pulled when I went to empty the pot.’

  ‘Excellent. Maybe things aren’t quite as grim as we feared.’

  ‘I’ll not be able to do much housework as I’ll be looking after the kiddies. I’ll have a quick rush around when they have an afternoon kip. I’ve got plenty in the pantry for the next couple of days. I found a bag of vegetables and a couple of rabbits on the doorstep when I came in.’