The Orphan Twins

by Lesley Eames

  Lily hugged Hilda and Marion close when she left them. ‘Take care,’ she urged, because neither of them looked particularly robust.

  Life went on as usual then one day Phyllis had news for Lily and Elsie. ‘I’ve enrolled on a bookkeeping course.’

  ‘You already know how to keep accounts,’ Elsie pointed out, because Phyllis had been helping with the tea room and bakery accounts for months.

  ‘Yes, but the diploma I’ll receive for doing this course will prove I’m capable.’

  ‘Are you bored with working here?’ Lily asked.

  ‘Not at all. I’m just thinking ahead. The course is an evening class – one evening each week – so I’ll be working here as much as ever.’

  Lily was relieved, but she knew Phyllis was being sensible in looking ahead to the future. It was time Lily did the same by speaking to Mr Bax about his retirement plans. After all, he’d agreed she could open the tea room for a year and that year was almost over. If he planned to retire soon there’d be no job or home here for Phyllis and Lily, and no home for Elsie either.

  TWENTY-SIX

  ‘I have been thinking about retirement,’ Mr Bax admitted when Lily asked for a private word with him. ‘My sisters were talking about it only last night.’

  Lily fought down dismay but knew she had no right to feel disappointed. Mr Bax had kept to his end of the bargain and she had to do the same.

  ‘I’ve enjoyed running the tea room so much,’ she assured him. ‘I’m sure the experience will hold me in good stead in the future, even if I have to go into a different sort of job for a while, and I’ll always be grateful for the opportunity you gave me.’

  ‘You’re running ahead of yourself there, Lily. The thing is, I’ve enjoyed the tea room too. It’s given me a new lease of life, having three lively girls around.’

  ‘But your sisters…’

  ‘They brought the subject up because they don’t want me to retire without consulting them. They can see what a difference it’s made to me, and the tea room gives them a lot of pleasure too. They love hearing about what you’re doing and coming to visit. They want me to keep it going for a while.’

  ‘They’re not just saying that to be kind?’

  ‘The kindness is all on your part for putting new life into old bones.’

  ‘Another year, do you think?’

  ‘I do.’

  Lily kissed his cheek. ‘Thank you so much! Please thank Beatrice and Betty too.’ With that Lily rushed off to share the news with Elsie and Phyllis.

  ‘I’d been wondering what was going to happen,’ Elsie said, and Lily felt guilty that she hadn’t spoken to Mr Bax before. ‘I’ll tell Pierre he’s stuck with me for a while longer so he’d better watch his step,’ Elsie added.

  ‘Another year will be perfect,’ Phyllis declared. ‘It’ll give me a chance to earn my diploma.’

  She began her course three weeks later and came home looking deeply satisfied. ‘It’s going to suit me well as figures are where my talents lie. I’m not like you, Lily. You can imagine something and turn it into reality. I can never do that. The way I see it, a wise woman should be aware of her weaknesses while making the most of her strengths.’

  ‘My only talent is being tall and strong,’ Elsie said. ‘I’ll make the most of that by carrying those boxes of preserves upstairs.’

  ‘You’re helpful, hardworking and good at making people laugh,’ Lily called after her. ‘They’re excellent talents.’

  Phyllis’s enthusiasm for her bookkeeping course didn’t diminish. Every Wednesday evening she set out eagerly and returned looking pleased.

  One Wednesday evening Lily sat in the tea room reading the latest letter from Artie who assured her he was well. There’d been dreadful loss of life in the fighting around Passchendaele so as ever Lily was hugely relieved to hear from both Artie and Luke.

  Artie thanked her for the socks she’d sent him.

  Socks are always welcome. I’m feeling spoilt because Celia also knitted me a pair, while her sister, Violet, sent handkerchiefs. They don’t have brothers or cousins at the front so I seem to be the soldier they’ve nominated to benefit from their kindness.

  Celia again. Artie mentioned her often. Lily smiled at the thought of him being a little bit in love. Whether Celia was the right person for him or just a passing tenderness, Lily hoped he’d find happiness in marriage one day. He had so much love to give.

  ‘Well, this is interesting,’ Elsie said from where she was standing by the window.

  Lily put the letter down. ‘What’s interesting?’

  ‘Phyllis is being walked home by someone who looks like her twin brother, right down to the spectacles.’

  Lily got up to look.

  ‘Too late,’ Elsie reported. ‘They’re in the shop porch now.’

  Lily heard the street door open and close. Moments later Phyllis came upstairs. ‘Useful evening?’ Elsie asked her casually.

  ‘Very useful, thank you.’

  ‘It must be nice to be walked home afterwards.’

  Phyllis sighed.

  ‘It isn’t my fault I happened to be looking out of the window,’ Elsie protested. ‘A person is allowed to look out of a window, isn’t she?’

  ‘His name is Michael and he’s taking the same bookkeeping course,’ Phyllis told her. ‘He walked me home because he happens to live nearby.’

  ‘That’s all there is to it?’ Elsie asked.

  ‘Not that it’s any of your business, but yes,’ Phyllis told her.

  Elsie winked at Lily behind Phyllis’s back. Lily had spotted a faint tinge of pink in Phyllis’s cheeks too. Not that Lily had any intention of embarrassing Phyllis with questions.

  More weeks passed before Michael was mentioned again. ‘Going alone?’ Elsie asked innocently as Phyllis got ready to go to her women’s suffrage group.

  ‘If you must know, I’m going with Michael,’ Phyllis admitted.

  ‘It’s raining,’ Lily observed. ‘You should invite him in instead of leaving him waiting outside.’

  ‘I never keep people waiting.’

  ‘Then perhaps you could invite him in for a cup of tea when he walks you home.’ Phyllis looked accusingly at Elsie who put up her hands defensively. ‘No teasing. I promise.’

  ‘Hmm.’

  Phyllis did invite Michael in for a cup of tea but sent Elsie a scowl that dared her to tease him at her peril.

  He was just as Elsie had described him – uncannily similar to Phyllis, from his slim build and pale face to his straight dark hair and glasses. At first sight he looked to be a quiet, shy sort of man but that impression vanished the moment he stepped forward to be introduced, offering his hand without hesitation. ‘Michael Picton,’ he said. ‘Pleased to meet you, Lily.’

  His eyes were intelligent and eager. Of course they were. Phyllis wouldn’t be attracted to a fool.

  Elsie behaved herself when she was introduced but sent Phyllis a grin when Michael’s back was turned.

  Over a cup of tea he told them he’d been invalided out of the war due to shrapnel wounds to his chest. ‘My injuries are nothing compared to those many chaps have suffered but they’ve left me with a damaged lung so I can’t do hard physical work anymore. I used to work in a warehouse. Now I do clerical work which suits me better, but I’m keen to improve my prospects so I’m learning bookkeeping alongside Phyll.’

  ‘Michael would like to go into politics one day,’ Phyllis told them.

  ‘My spare time is limited at present, but yes,’ he said, ‘one day I’d like to go into politics to try to make Britain a better place for all of us.’

  ‘I can see Phyllis in Parliament too,’ Elsie said.

  ‘Women need the right to vote first,’ Phyllis pointed out.

  ‘They’ll get it,’ Elsie predicted.

  ‘Hopefully sooner rather than later,’ Michael said. ‘Depriving women of the vote is indefensible. All people should have a say in the running of their country.’ Passion blazed in his
eyes and in Phyllis’s too though their expressions softened when they looked at each other. What a promising relationship this was.

  Michael stayed long enough only to drink his tea. ‘It’s been a pleasure,’ he said, ‘but we all have work in the morning.’

  Phyllis walked him downstairs. Another few minutes passed before she came back upstairs, looking self-conscious. ‘No teasing,’ she insisted, glaring in Elsie’s direction.

  ‘I was only going to say that Michael seems nice,’ Elsie told her.

  ‘He is nice. But we haven’t known each other for long so don’t start imagining… Just don’t start imagining anything.’

  ‘Wouldn’t dream of it,’ Elsie said, smiling.

  Christmas was approaching and they all worked hard to put together parcels for Artie and Luke ‘It’ll be bitterly cold and wet in the trenches so socks, scarves and gloves are always welcome,’ Michael advised, having spent a winter in France himself. ‘So will some nice things to eat and a book of puzzles or a story or two. It’s terrifying out there, but there are also times of boredom.’

  Everybody contributed one way or another and the boxes became packed with fruitcake, tinned ham, chocolate, gloves, scarves, socks, soap, toothpaste, novels and puzzle books. Lily hoped they’d give both comfort and pleasure.

  For those still at home Christmas Day was celebrated in the tea room again. Mr Bax brought Beatrice and Betty, while Hilda and Marion came up from Hastings. Michael came too during the evening, having spent his day with his parents and brothers. Phyllis had spent the previous evening with Michael’s family. ‘But don’t make anything of it,’ she’d said, glowering at Elsie again.

  ‘As if I would!’

  They all drank a toast to Artie and Luke but kept other war talk out of the celebrations, not wanting to dampen spirits. Russia had left the war shortly before Christmas and Pierre had taken a pessimistic view of what that might mean. ‘If the Germans aren’t fighting the Russians in the east, they’ll have more men to fight our boys in the west,’ he’d predicted.

  Lily supposed that must be so, but as 1917 gave way to 1918 she refused to stop hoping for an end to the hostilities.

  January brought biting cold and cruel winds. In a lull between customers Lily glanced out of the window at people scurrying along in the darkness of late afternoon as though keen to get inside to firesides and hot drinks. Were there any firesides and hot drinks for Artie and Luke right now?

  She turned from the window and gasped. The tall man standing in the doorway was like an apparition. Unreal.

  But then he smiled.

  ‘Artie!’ Lily ran and threw her arms around his neck, uncaring if the customers in the tea room disapproved of such a public show of affection.

  ‘I’m sorry I didn’t let you know I was coming, Lil. I didn’t know I had leave until yesterday, and then I had to rush to catch the boat. I’ve come from the station in all my mess, I’m afraid.’

  ‘I’m just so happy to see you.’ Lily felt tears forming but blinked them away.

  ‘Well, look who’s here.’ Elsie came upstairs, smiling. ‘Phyllis told me you’d arrived, Artie. Take him away, Lily. I’ll help in here.’

  ‘Thanks.’ Artie squeezed Elsie’s shoulder then followed Lily into the serving room.

  ‘Hungry?’ she asked.

  ‘Starving.’

  She warmed soup and made a sandwich of cheese and pickle. Putting them on a tray, she carried them upstairs to her bedroom so he could eat undisturbed. There was only the bed to sit on but they needed nothing more.

  Lily let him eat, telling him about the bakery, the tea room, the chocolate shop and also Phyllis’s Michael. Only once he’d finished eating did she say, ‘Tell me about you. You’re very thin.’

  ‘This food is delicious compared to what we get over there. But I’m fine, Lil. I haven’t disgraced myself.’

  ‘I never thought you would.’

  ‘That’s because you’re always so strong. I’m… not so strong, but I’ve managed to be strong enough. I won’t pretend I haven’t been terrified, though, especially when we’re waiting to go over the top or someone thinks they can hear Germans tunnelling under our trenches to plant mines that’ll blow us to smithereens. The fear is like a living thing that jumps around inside a man. But I haven’t funked it, and that’s such a relief.’

  ‘I’m so proud of you, Artie. How much leave do you have?’

  ‘Less than a week, allowing for travelling.’

  ‘Then we should make the most of it. You must want a hot bath and shave next, though. You’re welcome to stay here if Mrs Lawley hasn’t had time to get the Hampstead house ready.’

  ‘I telephoned her from the station and she said she’ll be delighted to look after me. It may be her last chance to mother me before the house is sold. I’d better head off now but I’ll see you again tomorrow, if that’s all right?’

  ‘I’ll make sure it’s all right.’

  ‘I’m so glad we’ll be spending some time together. I have to see Mr Grover too as he’s keen for me to learn what I can about the business.’

  A thought struck Lily. ‘I imagine Mr Grover will be busy working, but why don’t you bring the Grover sisters and their mother here for tea? It would be a way of thanking them for their kindness.’

  ‘What a lovely idea.’ He got to his feet. ‘That was a delicious meal, Lil. Thank you.’ He’d left his heavy pack in the serving room. Heaving it onto his shoulder, he said goodbye to Elsie then continued down to the bakery to take his farewell of Phyllis and Mr Bax.

  ‘We’ll see you again soon?’ Phyllis asked.

  ‘Hopefully tomorrow.’

  He duly arrived the next day but came alone. ‘Mrs Grover sends her apologies but she and the girls have a previous commitment,’ he explained.

  Was that true? Lily felt a revival of her old concerns about Artie’s willingness to involve her in the life he lived when away from her. ‘You’re welcome to bring them another day.’

  ‘I’ll certainly try,’ Artie said, without any obvious awkwardness.

  ‘Don’t feel you have to entertain me today,’ he continued. ‘I’ll happily sit in the tea room and just watch the world go by. If I won’t be in your way?’

  He was clean and freshly shaven but the removal of dirt and stubble only exposed paleness and strain. She made him a cup of tea then sat him at a small table by a window while she went about the business of serving her customers.

  ‘You work hard,’ he observed, when she changed his empty tea pot for a full one.

  ‘Yes, but I enjoy it.’

  ‘You’ve always been a hard worker, Lil.’

  After a while he got up and helped her to clear a table, carrying the tray into the serving room. ‘You don’t have to do that,’ Lily told him.

  ‘I want to do it. This place feels reassuringly normal. Dear old England, going about her business.’

  He exchanged a few words with Mr Bax in the bakery kitchen and with Phyllis in the shop then went next door to see Elsie and Pierre. When he returned he was smiling. ‘Poor Pierre. He seems like a decent chap but Elsie bosses him mercilessly.’

  ‘She doesn’t have everything her way. Pierre knows how to fight back.’

  ‘He’s worried about his cousin. The Luke you’ve mentioned in letters.’

  It would have been odd not to mention him. Lily only hoped she hadn’t given away her feelings for him. Luckily, there was nothing in Artie’s expression to suggest she had.

  ‘Mr Bax lent me an apron so I can help,’ Artie said.

  ‘You should rest.’

  ‘I need a taste of normality.’

  It was lovely to spend time with him and she was reminded of the day when Luke had helped. Artie was shyer but equally charming. Once again, she thought that the two men would like each other if they ever had a chance to meet. Hopefully, one day…

  ‘I’ve enjoyed it,’ Artie said later. ‘Perhaps I’ll have time to help again but I’m promised to Mr Grover tomo
rrow. He says he doesn’t want to tire me, but the more familiar I can become with the business the more easily I’ll settle to it once I’m working there properly.’

  ‘I’ll see you before you return to France?’

  ‘Of course.’

  *

  Two mornings later he called into the tea room. ‘I’m taking Mrs Lawley to lunch today to thank her for looking after me over the years. This afternoon I’m bringing Celia here for tea, if that’s all right?’

  Pleasure gusted through Lily like a balmy breeze. It would be wonderful to meet the girl who’d clearly caught Artie’s eye. ‘Just Celia?’

  ‘Apparently, Violet and her mother have another appointment.’

  Was that true? Or had Celia manipulated the situation because she returned Artie’s regard and wanted to keep him to herself?

  Excitement fizzed inside Lily as she awaited their arrival. ‘Your visitors,’ Elsie finally announced, having agreed to bring them upstairs and help in the tea room so Lily could sit with Artie and Celia for a while.

  Smoothing her apron, Lily turned from where she was clearing a table. Her eyes widened. She’d expected a pretty girl but Celia was lovely, a fair-haired, blue-eyed beauty who was dressed fashionably and expensively in a cream skirt and jacket, frothy lace blouse and broad-brimmed hat trimmed with silk flowers. No wonder she’d caught Artie’s eye.

  Lily smiled a welcome but Celia didn’t notice because she was looking around. There was nothing wrong with taking an interest but Lily felt a faint stirring of unease because the expression on Celia’s face was bewilderment, as though she couldn’t quite believe such a homespun sort of place had anything to do with Artie. Oh, dear.

  ‘This is Lily,’ Artie said, and Celia roused herself to smile.

  Lily roused herself too, responding warmly as she shook Celia’s hand. How soft Celia’s fingers were compared to her own. Lily’s skin was work-worn. ‘I hear you’ve been very kind to my brother,’ Lily said. ‘Your family too.’