The Orphan Twins

by Lesley Eames

  ‘It was kind of you to lend books to my grandson,’ Gran said.

  ‘How have you been enjoying them?’ he asked Artie.

  ‘I like The Wind in the Willows best,’ Artie said, fetching the books from the cupboard.

  Lily nudged him and he added, ‘Sir.’

  ‘What about the atlas?’

  ‘I like that too. We’ve been finding different places on the maps.’

  ‘May I?’ Mr Alderton reached for the atlas and opened it. ‘Can you identify Persia for me?’

  Artie gulped then stood at Mr Alderton’s shoulder, peering at a map.

  It was upside down to Lily but Persia wasn’t hard to find.

  ‘It’s… um… It’s…’ Artie’s finger hovered. He looked at Lily who signalled him to move his finger forward and he breathed out thankfully as he spotted Persia. ‘There, sir.’

  Mr Alderton turned a page. ‘The West Indies?’ he asked.

  This was easier for Artie. He also knew the answers to Mr Alderton’s questions about the goods that came from both the West Indies and the East Indies. Sugar, spices, rubber… Artie had seen them being unloaded at the docks.

  Mr Alderton invited him to read out loud from the history book then said, ‘That will do for now.’

  He drank some tea, his expression thoughtful. ‘I was headmaster in a boys’ school for many years,’ he finally said. ‘That was a fee-paying school for boys in comfortable circumstances. However, I have long felt that education is vital to raise other boys out of poverty and to benefit society in all sorts of ways. Having retired and found myself somewhat under-employed, I have decided I might do something towards putting my ideas about education into practice. I’m unable to do anything on a grand scale but if I can help even one boy I shall feel… useful again.’

  He paused for a moment to be sure Gran was following then continued. ‘I wonder if Arthur might be that boy? He’s intelligent and I’m impressed with the fact that he’s taken the trouble of looking at the books I provided. That shows application. Diligence. No boy can advance in life without diligence, can he?’

  ‘No,’ Gran agreed uncertainly.

  ‘What I have in mind is that Arthur should come to me for additional study, perhaps on Saturday afternoons? My housekeeper, Mrs Lawley, will take good care of him.’

  Artie sent Lily a horrified look. Saturday afternoons were for marbles, exploring the docks, seeing what the tide had brought to the riverbanks, and playing football. Lily answered with a look that bade him to be still. Mr Alderton was offering him a wonderful opportunity.

  The elderly man fished a small silver box out of his pocket, extracted a card and passed it to Gran. ‘My address in Hampstead.’

  Lily had an idea that Hampstead was a good way from Bermondsey but Mr Alderton had thought of that. ‘I suggest Arthur travels to me by bicycle.’

  ‘I don’t have a bicycle,’ Artie pointed out.

  ‘Fortunately, I’m able to arrange the loan of one through my cousin. He’s a canon at Southwark Cathedral and can vouch for my bona fides if you have any concerns about the arrangement. I’d been visiting him when I first met Arthur and I’m on my way to visit him now. Shall I expect Arthur on Saturday? At one o’clock?’

  Gran looked at Lily who nodded keenly.

  ‘Yes,’ Gran said. ‘Artie’s a good lad and we appreciate your kindness.’

  ‘Excellent. I shall arrange for the bicycle to be delivered soon.’

  Mr Alderton rose. Lily showed him to the door and closed it after him, turning back to Artie. ‘I know you’re going to say you get enough book learning at school and at home with me, but this sort of chance could change your life.’

  ‘I like my life,’ Artie argued. ‘I like my Saturday afternoons.’

  ‘You won’t be ten years old forever. You’ve got to think of your future.’

  ‘Listen to your sister,’ Gran urged. ‘She’s more brains than me.’

  Lily was grateful to have Gran on her side because that meant Gran was on Artie’s side too – if you looked at the whole of his life and not just his Saturday afternoons of fun. Would Artie understand that, though? He was being offered a golden opportunity – one Lily would have treasured – but would he let it slip through his fingers?

  FIVE

  Artie was happier when a young clergyman from the cathedral delivered the bicycle along with a letter from the canon assuring Gran that Mr Alderton was a trusted and respected teacher with a conscientious housekeeper who’d take care of Artie. The bicycle wasn’t new but no one else in Jessy Street had one, not counting Peter Shaw who rode a bicycle with a basket on the front when he made deliveries for the grocer.

  Artie had never ridden a bicycle before but was keen to learn. ‘I’m going to try now,’ he said.

  ‘Remember it doesn’t actually belong to you,’ Lily said.

  ‘I’ll take care of it.’

  An hour later he called her out to watch him ride up and down Jessy Street. ‘Very good,’ Lily praised.

  The bike was undamaged but there was a graze on one of Artie’s knees. ‘Everyone falls off a few times when they’re learning,’ he said airily, and Lily hid a smile.

  ‘You should let me wash that before it turns nasty.’

  He rode the bicycle to the back alley, brought it into the yard and came into the kitchen. ‘Sid and Davie have asked for rides,’ he said.

  ‘Oh, Artie! ’

  ‘It’s all right. I’ve told them the bike belongs to someone else.’

  ‘I hope it won’t stop them from letting you take a turn with their marbles.’

  ‘’Course not. Sid and Davie aren’t mean.’

  A map with directions to Hampstead had been delivered too. Lily went over it with Artie several times to be sure he knew where he was going.

  *

  He spent Saturday morning out with his pals. ‘Don’t go far,’ Lily warned. ‘I’ll call when you need to get ready for Mr Alderton’s but I haven’t time to go looking for you.’

  ‘I’ll stay close,’ Artie promised, but would he remember if one of his pals suggested going to the river or searching for bits and pieces they could use to make a cart on wheels? Lily wondered yet again if she were doing the right thing in keeping Gran’s illness secret from him. He might take Mr Alderton’s lessons more seriously if he knew things were desperate, but it felt cruel to worry him sooner than was necessary. Besides, if he knew nothing, he couldn’t let anything slip accidentally.

  Fortunately, Artie was at the bottom of the alley when Lily called him though she saw his shoulders slump as he realised his playing time was over.

  ‘You need to wash and have something to eat. I’ve cut two slices of bread for you. Eat one now and I’ll wrap the other for you to take to eat later. Mr Alderton’s going to teach you, not feed you.’

  Afterwards she inspected him for signs of grubbiness. Satisfied that he was as smart as his raggedy trousers, shirt and shoes allowed – one shoe still with a hole in the sole – she joined him in the yard as he wheeled the bicycle into the alley. ‘Watch out for cars and carts!’ she called.

  Gran had come out to wave him off too, but she was obviously tired. ‘Go and lie down,’ Lily said. ‘Artie won’t be back for hours so you can have a proper rest.’

  ‘There’s all this washing to finish.’

  ‘It won’t take two of us.’

  ‘Perhaps I will have a little rest,’ Gran said. ‘But then I’ll be down to help.’

  Three hours passed before she reappeared. ‘You should have woken me, Lil. It isn’t fair that you’re doing all the work.’

  ‘I don’t mind. I’m going to make some deliveries and see if anyone wants errands running now.’

  Lily had already made up the parcels of washing. She put them into the big delivery bag and went out, passing Janet Flynn who lived at number sixteen. ‘How’s your gran?’ Mrs Flynn asked. ‘I haven’t seen her out and about in weeks.’

  Lily forced a smile. ‘You know Gran. Alwa
ys working.’

  ‘No one could call Maggie Tomkins a slacker,’ Mrs Flynn agreed. ‘Three mouths to feed and no man bringing in a wage packet. It’s hard.’

  ‘That’s why I’m helping.’ Lily patted the bag so Mrs Flynn would understand she couldn’t stand chatting for long.

  ‘Tell Maggie I asked after her. Maybe I’ll pop in for a cuppa one day soon. While I can.’ Mrs Flynn rubbed her belly. She already had six children and Lily supposed a seventh must be on the way.

  Smiling again, Lily hastened on. Gran had never been one for gossip, having neither time to waste nor a liking for talking behind people’s backs. But she’d never hesitated to help anyone in need and was known for her kindness far beyond Jessy Street. Perhaps it had been a mistake to encourage Gran to rest indoors so much if people were beginning to wonder about her. Might Gran walk to the corner shop one day next week just to get her face seen?

  Lily picked up a few errands as she delivered and collected washing, each halfpenny earned being sorely needed if they were to manage next week’s rent. She also bought carrots and potatoes cheaply as the greengrocer would be closed on the morrow.

  Artie returned at six and sat down at the table to get his breath back after the long cycle ride. ‘Cor blimey, Lil, you won’t believe what I’ve got to tell you about Mr Alderton’s house. It’s five floors high, just for one old man. And one woman who isn’t quite as old. Mrs Lawley. She keeps house for him.’

  Lily was relieved to see that, far from looking miserable, Artie looked like a boy who’d had an adventure.

  ‘Imagine having someone to make your meals, look after your clothes and clean the house as well,’ Artie said.

  Lily looked at Gran and they both burst out laughing. ‘Haven’t you got people to make your meals, look after your clothes and clean the house where you live?’ Gran asked.

  ‘Eh?’ Artie was puzzled but only for a moment. His expression turned wry. ‘All right. I know you two look after me.’

  ‘It’s my job to look after you,’ Gran said. ‘But I hope you don’t take Lily for granted.’

  ‘I don’t,’ Artie assured them, but then he frowned. ‘Do you think I don’t help enough?’

  ‘It’s more important for you to get an education so you can help Lily when you’re older,’ Gran said.

  ‘It’s a shame you can’t have lessons from Mr Alderton, Lil,’ Artie said.

  Lily smiled but it was rather a stiff smile. She didn’t begrudge Artie his opportunity at all but she couldn’t help feeling just a little envious. She would have cherished a chance to learn more than the school could teach her.

  ‘It’s a shame all right,’ Gran agreed. ‘But seeing as she can’t have lessons, you’ve got to learn enough for the pair of you.’

  ‘Was it easy to find the house?’ Lily asked.

  ‘I got a bit lost on the way but I asked a policeman for directions like you said I should, so I wasn’t late. Mrs Lawley let me in. I think she feared I was going to be a rough boy with no manners because she was strict at first. Not very friendly. She told me to leave the bicycle in the front garden and be sure to wipe my feet on the mat. Then she took me upstairs to a room at the back of the house. You’d have loved it, Lil. It was filled with books and there was a huge desk by the window where Mr Alderton sat.’

  ‘What books did you see?’ How thrilling to be surrounded by so much knowledge and adventure. Beautiful illustrations too, perhaps.

  ‘I knew you’d ask, but I couldn’t stand staring at them when Mr Alderton was waiting. I’ll try to look next time.’

  Lily was glad to hear there’d be a next time. It meant Artie had done well.

  ‘Mr Alderton had questions ready for me,’ Artie went on. ‘He said he needed to find out what I already knew before he could plan lessons. I don’t think I got even half the sums right nor half the questions about kings, queens and wars but he didn’t seem surprised. When I’d answered as many questions as I could he let me have a rest and Mrs Lawley brought a tray in.’

  Artie’s eyes brightened at the memory. ‘It wasn’t just tea for Mr Alderton and a glass of milk for me but cake as well. Three types! Mr Alderton didn’t eat any – no wonder he’s so thin – but he let me try all three kinds. I had a slice of what he called farmhouse fruitcake first. It was so tasty! Then I had a slice of cake which had jam in the middle. Something to do with the old queen…’

  ‘Victoria sponge?’ Gran suggested.

  ‘That was it. The last cake tasted spicy and I was told it was ginger. I wanted to bring some back for you two but didn’t like to ask even though Mrs Lawley was friendlier by then.’

  ‘Quite right,’ Gran said, ‘though it’s a shame Lily couldn’t have cake.’

  ‘Mr Alderton sent me into the garden to do what he called running the cake off, then he got me doing something called reading comprehension. That was hard too as it was all about different kinds of words. I’ve never heard of things like adjectives before. The last thing I had to do was write a story. You’d have written an amazing story, Lil. I wrote about a boy finding an old clay pipe by the river. It wasn’t really a story because it was about me finding that broken pipe last year, but Mr Alderton didn’t seem to mind. After that he said he’d see me next week and sent me home. He gave me more books to read, though.’

  Artie picked up an old brown satchel and put it on the table then took out three books.

  Lily picked one up: The Call of the Wild. ‘It’s about a dog,’ Artie told her. ‘This one’s Peter Pan. It’s about a boy who doesn’t grow up though I don’t see how you can stop yourself from growing up. This one looks the best. Tarzan of the Apes. It’s about a man who lives with monkeys in the jungle.’

  ‘Mr Alderton’s a kind man,’ Lily said.

  ‘He says it’s important for boys to read. I don’t know why he doesn’t think it’s important for girls to read.’

  ‘Men can be clever in some ways and stupid in others,’ Gran said. ‘It’s all very well thinking girls will get wed but not all girls get asked. Even if a girl does get wed she can be left a widow. Look at me. Still, Lily’s got you to look out for her, hasn’t she?’

  ‘’Course she has,’ Artie grinned.

  Smiling back at him, Lily got up to stir the stew she’d made.

  *

  She started reading Peter Pan that night but it was hard to see the words in what remained of the firelight and lighting the gas would cost money they couldn’t afford. Besides, it would be foolish to read late into the evening when she had to be up early.

  Lily didn’t forget her idea of taking Gran out so she could be seen by their neighbours. Returning from school for dinner on the following Monday, Lily was pleased when Gran announced, ‘I’m having a good day.’

  ‘If you rest this afternoon, you might be up to doing some deliveries with me later,’ Lily suggested. ‘We don’t want people beginning to wonder why you’re staying indoors.’

  ‘I’ll be up to it,’ Gran insisted, and Lily returned from afternoon school to find Gran had pinned her hair into a low bun at the back of her neck and brushed her drab brown coat.

  Lily packed the bag with the three deliveries that were closest to home. ‘Lean on me if it helps,’ she said as they stepped outside, but Gran was already waving to Janet Flynn who was taking a breather out in the alley.

  ‘Haven’t seen you out and about in a while,’ Mrs Flynn said.

  ‘I’ve had plenty to do indoors. Besides, I’m not the sort of fool who won’t make the most of having young legs willing to run the errands.’ Gran nodded at Lily’s legs.

  ‘She’s a good girl, your Lil. Who knows? Maybe I’ll have a girl this time.’ Mrs Flynn patted her belly. ‘I wouldn’t be without my six boys, but a girl…’

  ‘Here’s hoping,’ Gran said.

  She squeezed Mrs Flynn’s arm and walked on to Mr Beeton’s house. ‘It’s been a while since I last saw you, Maggie,’ he said, welcoming them inside.

  ‘I’ve got Lily here to do m
y running around these days.’

  ‘Young legs,’ he agreed. ‘Shall I put the kettle on?’ Mr Beeton was a widower and lonely.

  ‘Why not?’ Gran said, sitting down.

  Lily took out his parcel and unwrapped it while they waited for the kettle to boil. ‘This week’s washing is over there,’ Mr Beeton said, nodding to the corner where a small pile of shirts and underclothes sat.

  Lily put them into a sack. ‘Do you have any errands that need running?’ she asked.

  ‘You could fetch me some tobacco and a tin of shoe polish. Oh, and a rabbit if the butcher’s got one. I’ve a hankering for rabbit stew tonight.’ He handed her some money and Lily raced off, calling first at two of his neighbours in the hope of picking up more errands and being rewarded with a commission to buy margarine and fish paste for Mr Webb.

  Gran got to her feet on Lily’s return. ‘Thanks for the tea, Bert. It went down a treat.’

  Mr Beeton paid Gran for the washing and gave a penny to Lily instead of just a halfpenny. ‘Seeing as you had to go to two shops for me. Are you saving for something special?’

  Gran tensed but Lily smiled. ‘I like books,’ she told him, which was true even if it wasn’t the real answer to his question. Lily’s pennies would go in the old tea caddy along with Gran’s money.

  They made another two deliveries, Gran being welcomed warmly, then called in at the corner shop so more people could see her out and about. There were several women inside and all of them looked pleased to see Gran who laughed and spoke her mind with the forthrightness of old. ‘You tell your Reg he’ll be getting a piece of my mind if I hear he’s supped his wages away down at the Ship and Anchor again,’ she advised newlywed Mrs Linnet. ‘Reg needs to grow up and start acting like a man.’

  It was good to see Gran so respected and liked. She turned to the shopkeeper. ‘I’ll take a tin of corned beef, please.’

  She paid over the money then turned back to the other customers. ‘Better get on. Our Artie will be wanting his tea and you know what hungry lads are like.’

  Lily hoped she was the only one to notice that Gran’s face had turned the colour of the feathery ash that lay in the hearth after the fire had died down. ‘Lean on me,’ Lily urged when they got outside, and Gran needed no second invitation.