An Orphan's Dream

by Cathy Sharp

  The man spat at his boots but Constable Jones didn’t rise to the provocation. He knew the police doctor would question him rigorously about the man’s injuries. Glancing at the smaller boys, he felt shocked to his core that these men could take advantage of these vulnerable children in this way. They were cruel and heartless, using them for their own ends and ruining their young lives.

  ‘Tell your friends I’m sorry,’ he said to Danny. ‘Tell them they will be going to the hospital, where they will be safe and cared for.’

  ‘All right – what about me?’ Danny asked, his jaw jutting defiantly.

  Steve looked at him, smiled and nodded. ‘I’m going to take you to the police station and get a statement. After that I’ll give you a cup of tea and a bacon sandwich – and then we’ll see.’

  ‘Danny has been through a rotten time,’ Constable Steve Jones said to the matron of the Rosie three hours later. ‘I’ve left him with Sister Matthews. He’ll be all right with her, I know – but I thought I’d better tell you Danny’s history.’

  ‘He was one of the children they hadn’t physically abused,’ Matron said and the look on her face spoke volumes. ‘Why was that do you suppose?’

  ‘He said he fought them off and I think you’ll find he’s got a few fresh bruises – and some old ones. Danny was badly beaten by his father which is why he went on the run a few days ago. He couldn’t remember exactly how long, but he thinks it might be a week or a bit more.

  ‘How did he get picked up?’

  ‘He was hungry and a man offered him food – told him he would show him where the Sally Army Hall was and that they would give him a bed for the night. Danny trusted him because his mum had told him the Sally Army was all right, but they locked him in a house in a dingy alley with the others and then moved them to the warehouse to be taken away by someone on a ship.’ He shook his head. ‘They would have been sold overseas and that would have been the end of them.’

  ‘My God! It sticks in your throat,’ Matron declared, furious now.

  Steve nodded. ‘I wanted to kill them – but I’m trained to obey the law.’

  She nodded her understanding. ‘Could Danny tell you where the house was?’

  Steve nodded and smiled in satisfaction. ‘He’s a bright boy and when he realised what was happening to him, he started taking notice. He said the name of the alley was Treacle Lane and it was the fifth house down on the left and the window has a crack in it.’

  ‘Very bright boy,’ Matron said and looked surprised. ‘I don’t think many lads would have noticed that sort of detail.’

  ‘His mum told him always to take notice of things so he could tell her,’ Steve said, nodding. ‘I knew there was something special about him so that’s why I chose him to give evidence. His friend’s name is Ron and he’s been taken to another hospital while the little girl has been restored to her parents after a health check.’

  ‘I am very glad to hear it,’ Matron said. ‘At least we have one happy ending.’

  ‘Her mother cried. She’d been blaming herself for not watching Marjorie and I think her husband half-blamed her too – but they have their daughter back and they’re lucky. Had a conscientious docker not reported what he saw and heard, she might have disappeared forever.’

  ‘Poor little thing,’ Matron said and now she looked angry. ‘If I had my way men like that would hang.’

  ‘The law doesn’t allow for that – unless we can prove a child has died because of what they’ve done, but I know they will be put away for a long time. We caught them red-handed and we’ll make sure they don’t breathe fresh air again for years.’ His eyes took on a grim look.

  Matron nodded. ‘They deserve all they get. And you say the other children have been taken elsewhere?’

  ‘To the London Hospital, because they were in a bad way. The older one isn’t talking but I think he has been on the streets a while,’ Steve said. ‘We know there’s a gang trading in children – these brutes were planning to sell the children on to them, but when the buyer didn’t turn up, they took their anger out on the kids. I dread to think what might have happened if we hadn’t got there when we did.’

  Matron crossed herself. ‘Dear God, what is the world coming to? Men do such evil things sometimes – may the Good Lord forgive them and protect our children.’

  ‘It’s a terrible world, Matron,’ Constable Jones said. ‘It makes me sick to my guts sometimes – and this is the tip of the iceberg, believe me, though we manage to find some of the missing kids before it’s too late.’

  ‘I thought we had put that kind of thing behind us in Victorian times … Well, we’ll be glad to take Danny,’ Matron said shaking her head in distress. ‘It’s the least we can do – and you can be certain he will be safe here with us until Lady Rosalie can find a foster home for him.’

  Constable Jones put on his helmet and smiled at her. ‘We know that, Matron. My Sarah always says she knows you and Lady Rosalie will always do what you can for the kids round here. It’s the reason I brought Danny here. I’m not sure what will happen to the others, because some of them will need psychiatric treatment, but Danny has a good chance of getting over this so we thought this the best place for him.’

  ‘I’m glad you did,’ she said and nodded. ‘I’ll go and see how he’s doing shortly – and thank you for bringing him to us.’

  ‘No, Matron, it’s us that thank God for you.’

  ‘Well, it’s kind of you to say so – and don’t worry about young Danny. We will look after him.’ She smiled at him. ‘Give my good wishes to your wife. Tell Sarah we miss her at the Rosie but she is to look after herself and enjoy preparing for her baby.’

  ‘Thank you, Matron. I’ll be off duty shortly and I shan’t forget your kind words.’

  He was thoughtful as he went down the stairs. Danny’s history was a familiar one; abuse at home from a drunken parent sent the kids running from comparatively safe homes to the dangers of the street and those that didn’t perish often ended up as child prostitutes or thieves stealing for an abusive master, unless they were fortunate enough to be picked up by the law. The kids had no idea that the misery they endured at home could get a hell of a lot worse on the streets. Danny hadn’t wanted to go into an orphanage, but his experience in that warehouse had changed his mind. He could only hope the lad settled down now he’d got a chance of a better life. Some of them ran away again the first chance they got, but he had a feeling Danny might knuckle down and make something of his life. He was certainly in the right place to make it happen if he tried.

  ‘Well, you seem well enough to me apart from those bruises,’ Nurse Margaret said after she’d examined Danny. ‘I’m going to give you a nice warm bath and then we’ll put you in the isolation ward for a few days to make certain you haven’t got anything infectious – and we’ll give you something to eat.’

  ‘Constable Jones give me a bacon butty and it weren’t ’alf good,’ Danny said, ‘but I wouldn’t mind somethin’ ter drink, miss.’

  ‘I’m sure Nurse Anne will give you whatever you like; some orange squash and a piece of cake, perhaps?’

  Danny nodded. ‘Yeah, thanks. I ain’t ’ad proper cake fer a while, not since me mum died.’

  ‘Was your mum good to you, Danny?’ Margaret smiled at him kindly.

  ‘Yes, miss,’ he said. ‘We were all right until she died and then me dad took to the drink – you won’t make me go back to him, will you?’

  ‘No, Danny, I’m sure you will be allowed to stay here until a safe home is found for you. If your father asked for custody the magistrates would refuse because of what he did to you – but I don’t think he’ll ask, do you?’

  ‘Nah, probably wouldn’t want me if’n he knew where I was. Glad ter get rid, if yer knew the truth.’

  Margaret laughed and shook her head. ‘I’m going to give you that bath now.’ She gave him an encouraging look as he hung back. ‘The water is lovely and warm, Danny. Now, do you want me to wash your back, or do yo
u want to do it yourself?’

  ‘I can wash meself but I ain’t sure what ter do wiv the water – ain’t ’ad a bath in a tub like this afore,’ Danny said as she led the way into the shining clean bathroom and he saw the gleaming white bath with its steaming water.

  ‘You just pull the plug to let it go, but don’t worry, I’ll be here to help. I’ll leave you for a minute or two; I’m going to bring you some clean clothes and then we’ll take you to the isolation ward until the doctor takes a look at you. You’ll be by yourself for a while.’

  ‘All right, nurse,’ Danny said. ‘I itch all over. I reckon I got fleas – and Mum would go mad if she knew.’

  ‘Your clothes are filthy and torn, so we’ll throw them away and you’ll have new ones and once we’ve washed your hair with our special shampoo you’ll be rid of any creatures. Don’t worry, Danny, we have lots of children who have worse things than you. Just give yourself a good wash and you’ll feel a lot better.’ Nurse Margaret smiled at him as she prepared to leave.

  Danny wondered if he should tell this nice lady about the ache in his midriff. Some of the other bruises hurt more, but the ache was unpleasant and he’d had it for a while now – since a few hours after his father had kicked him, but it was gradually getting worse.

  Yet they seemed to think there was nothing wrong and he didn’t want to make a fuss in case they sent him off somewhere else. The other kids had gone to the big hospital and might end up anywhere, perhaps overseas for all Danny knew. He’d heard Mum complaining more than once about children being sent to Australia or Canada and he didn’t want to go to either place. It didn’t seem too bad here, and after his recent experience he wanted to stay where it was safe and warm for a bit, so he would keep quiet about the discomfort he was feeling and hope it would go away …

  CHAPTER 8

  ‘How are you feeling, my love?’ Constable Steve Jones asked his wife as she turned to look at him. She was wearing a pretty floral apron over her maternity dress and to him she glowed, her beauty increasing with every day that passed. ‘Matron sent you her love and said to take care of yourself.’

  ‘You look tired – was it a rough night?’ Sarah asked her husband. She went to put her arms around him and hold him, loving the strength and solidness of him and his smell. ‘I love you, Constable Jones.’

  ‘I love you, Mrs Jones.’ Steve smiled and bent to kiss the top of her head. ‘Something smells good.’

  ‘Bacon, egg, and bubble and squeak,’ Sarah said. ‘I know that’s your favourite – and a fried tomato, of course.’

  ‘You spoil me …’

  ‘I intend to,’ Sarah assured him. ‘You need something warming inside, Steve, after a long night on the beat.’

  ‘It was particularly rough tonight,’ he replied, frowning as he remembered. ‘We took some boys to hospital and there are now some rogues in the cells who should never be allowed out!’

  ‘Oh Steve!’ Sarah looked distressed. She didn’t need to be told what he meant in so many words. Having worked at the Rosie for years, she knew all about abused and damaged children. ‘I’m glad you caught those evil men.’

  ‘We had a tip-off from a docker,’ Steve said with a slight frown, ‘And I wonder if he’s in danger. The rogues we took in were only a small part of the abuse and I don’t think for one moment we’ve stopped it. We’ve cut off a few tentacles but of course they’ll just grow more.’

  ‘You do all you can,’ Sarah soothed. ‘That club you and your friends run does a lot of good, Steve – look at Jamie and his friends. He is doing so well in the police cadets and he can defend himself against the bullies these days.’ The previous year, Steve had helped a young lad who had been bullied to stand firm against the perpetrators and to make friends, too.

  He nodded, smothering his sigh. ‘Yes, we do what we can, same as Matron does what she can – and your mum. She took Ned in and Charlie lives with her now he has his apprenticeship. Gwen is a blooming marvel if you ask me.’

  ‘Mum is rather wonderful,’ Sarah said fondly. ‘Do you know, I think she’s courting a man from the friendship club she attends? She hasn’t said anything yet but there’s a look in her eyes – she’s having fun!’

  ‘Well, good for her,’ Steve said and grinned as his wife set the plate of hot food in front of him. ‘She deserves all the happiness she can get, love.’

  ‘She certainly does,’ Sarah agreed. ‘I just want her to be happy. She loved my dad but they weren’t always happy towards the end. He wasn’t well but he hid it from her and she thought he was skiving off work when he was in too much pain to do anything much.’

  ‘He should’ve told her,’ Steve agreed. ‘Whatever it is, it should never be a secret between husband and wife – not if they want their love to stay bright.’

  Sarah nodded, agreeing with him. ‘I hope this friendship turns out well for her. She hasn’t told me much yet – but that might be because she thinks I will criticise her for caring about someone else too soon after Dad’s death.’

  ‘You wouldn’t mind?’ Steve looked at her, a forkful of bubble and squeak halfway to his mouth. Sarah shook her head. ‘No, of course you wouldn’t – but perhaps she just isn’t sure yet.’

  His wife smiled. ‘I think you’re right. You know Mum well. She likes you so much, Steve. She would probably talk to you.’

  ‘I’ll pop round this evening on my way to work,’ he promised and tucked into his meal with gusto. It was hard work being a bobby on the beat in London’s East End and this would set him up a treat.

  ‘Three cases of measles?’ Sister Rose arched her delicate eyebrows when Margaret told her the news the next morning. ‘That is really unfortunate. Matron must be worried, because we could easily have a lot more of the children going down with it.’ Measles was a highly infectious disease that anyone could catch; it spread quickly between children and could be dangerous if the child was already ill from another underlying condition.

  ‘She’s imposed a strict quarantine on all wards,’ Margaret said. ‘She asked me to tell the kitchen girls to make sure to knock and leave the trolleys outside the door. Kathy came in and got sent off with a flea in her ear! All visitors are banned from the wards until the outbreak is over – and Nurse Anne’s mother telephoned to say she won’t be in this evening, because she’s taken it.’

  ‘Now that is serious; it means we’ll be short staffed again. Poor Anne, she will feel it having to stay at home when she knows we need her.’ Sister Rose sighed; it never rained but it poured. ‘And you say some of the adults have it as well?’

  ‘It seems that a gall bladder surgery case brought it into the infirmary,’ Margaret told her. ‘She was brought in as an emergency and operated on that same night but although her surgery went well, she was running a fever. Matron called Dr Clark out the other evening, because she was worried about her. He suspected some sort of prior sickness and advised Matron to move the patient – she’s called Edie Simpson – into isolation. She wasn’t showing any other symptoms then, but lo and behold, the spots have now come out.’

  ‘Poor lady,’ Rose said sympathetically. ‘It’s bad enough to have an operation on a gall bladder but then to have the measles on top! No wonder she wasn’t making progress.’

  ‘Yes, she was quite poorly but Matron was relieved when the cause showed itself. She’d wondered if the infection was internal – which might have meant there was not much chance for Edie then, but the measles will go and apparently the sponging and soothing drinks are now helping to take down that fever.’

  Rose nodded. Measles could be an extremely nasty illness, causing many unpleasant consequences such as deafness or fits in vulnerable patients but could also be quite mild.

  ‘Well, it’s a good thing all the sufferers are now in isolation and we must all be very careful about hand-washing and clean aprons, Nurse Margaret.’

  ‘Yes, Sister.’

  ‘Now, tell me, have we had any new cases brought in to our ward?’

  ‘Yes
, Sister.’ Nurse Margaret handed her the report Sister Matthews had written before she went off duty. ‘There is a young boy – well, he says he’s thirteen soon but although he’s very skinny he looks quite big and strong for his age. Nurse Sarah’s husband brought him in last night – he’d been snatched from the streets and beaten but he wasn’t abused like some of the other lads.’

  Rose frowned as the nurse recounted what Constable Jones had told her about the boys being abducted and abused and felt slightly sick. Disgust wouldn’t cover what she felt about men who could do that sort of thing – well, in her opinion, they weren’t men, they were evil monsters.

  ‘Poor child,’ she said now, feeling the sting of tears but blinking them back. ‘I hope they throw the culprits in the deepest darkest cell and throw away the key!’

  ‘That’s what my mum always says about that sort,’ Nurse Margaret agreed and then blushed. ‘Sorry, Sister …’

  Rose ignored her blushes. ‘Danny’s injuries – they are just bruises from the beatings?’

  ‘Yes, so Sister Matthews said. He is down for a visit from Dr Clark today but he seems quite perky. I was told he ate his breakfast this morning and wants to get up.’

  Rose nodded. Nurse Margaret had been on duty since six that morning while Rose’s shift on duty hadn’t started until half-past ten. She didn’t like this late start, because it always felt as if she had to run to catch up.

  ‘I’ll go and see him now – hear what he has to say for himself.’

  Danny Bryant was sitting up in bed reading an old comic and seemed absorbed when she approached him, but the moment she got close he glanced up and, briefly, she saw fear flicker in his eyes. It faded the moment he saw her smile and he grinned cheekily.

  ‘Mornin’, Sister,’ he chirped. ‘Yer a bit late in, ain’t yer?’

  ‘Yes, I didn’t start until half-past ten,’ Rose replied, feeling amused by his observation. He was a bright boy and she had no doubt he’d been subjected to long-standing abuse. That instant reaction to someone coming close wasn’t due just to his abduction – and she could see old bruises along with the fresh ones. ‘Do you mind if I sit on the edge of your bed and talk to you, Danny?’