by Cathy Sharp
‘Good morning, Mr Thompson,’ Gwen said as she turned and smiled at the man she sometimes played cards with at the friendship club they both belonged to. ‘It is a little warmer today, don’t you think?’
‘Yes, it begins to feel like spring now,’ he said. ‘Well, we’re now in April so it should.’ His eyes dwelled on her and she was glad she’d put on a good skirt and her best red jacket. ‘Shall we see you at the club tomorrow evening?’
‘Yes, I think so,’ Gwen told him. ‘Ned and Charlie are going to their Boy Scouts meeting so I shall drop them off there and pick them up later – we usually get some chips as we walk home which we all enjoy, though Ned can only have them once a week. It’s his special treat and the doctor said he must only have a half portion. Charlie says he’ll have the same – they’re such good friends so I buy a packet and let them share.’
‘You’re good to those boys, Gwen.’ Theo looked at her appreciatively.
‘Thank you, Theo.’
Just as he was about to say more, a young lad darted up and tried to grab her purse from her hand. Gwen was taken by surprise and the boy would have succeeded in snatching it if Theo hadn’t put out a hand and caught his arm, jerking it back firmly but without hurting him.
‘What do you think you’re doing, lad?’ he asked gruffly. ‘If you steal purses, the coppers will put you in prison so it’s a bit silly, isn’t it?’
The boy struggled but Theo held him tightly. ‘I’m ’ungry, mister!’
‘Why didn’t you ask for food?’ Theo said sternly. ‘Thieving isn’t the right way. What’s your name, lad?’
‘Ron.’ The young boy’s eyes flashed defiantly. ‘If yer one of them perverts I don’t want nuthin’!’
‘I’m not – and nor is this lady.’ Theo took the purse from Ron’s hand and returned it to Gwen, while still gripping his arm.
‘Let me go sir,’ Ron said. ‘I ain’t a thief – I was just hungry and no one would give me a job.’
‘I’ll give you half-a-crown,’ Theo said. ‘Open your hand.’
Ron did so and a half-crown was deposited on his palm. Theo let go of his arm and the lad darted away. When he was far enough off, he turned and looked back, calling, ‘Thanks, mister. I’m sorry I tried to pinch yer lady’s purse!’ Then he was gone, disappearing into the busy market where he would no doubt buy or steal food.
Gwen looked at Theo and smiled. ‘I wouldn’t have thought you would just let him go, but I’m glad you did. There are only a few shillings in this purse. I never bring much with me, just in case, and I’ve spent most of it, but Sarah gave me the purse and I shouldn’t like to lose it – so thank you, Theo.’
‘It was nothing,’ he said and smiled. ‘Just luck I spotted him loitering and guessed what he meant to try.’
She hesitated, then, ‘I was wondering whether you would like to come to supper one evening. Meet my boys …’
Theo’s face lit up. ‘I should like that very much, Gwen,’ he replied. ‘It is very kind of you to ask me.’
‘It will make a nice change for us all,’ she said. ‘I’ll ask Sarah to pop round later if she can.’ Gwen looked thoughtful. ‘She’s having her first baby, you know, so she doesn’t often come out at night and I don’t like her walking home in the dark.’
‘I could always run her home in my car if that would help – any time …’
‘You’ve got a car?’ Gwen looked at him in surprise. It was the first she’d heard of it.
‘It’s just a small Morris – and a few years old, but I keep it nice and it’s useful. It might come in handy if your daughter needs to get to the hospital quickly when the baby is due.’ He took a white card from his breast pocket. ‘That’s my telephone number, Gwen. If you ever need help just ring me – I’m home a lot of the time since I retired from my office.’
‘Thank you,’ Gwen put the card into her coat pocket and smiled. ‘I’m going to have a cup of tea and a bun when I get home – if you wanted to come back with me for a little chat now.’
He looked so pleased that Gwen nodded to herself. She’d been reluctant to take the friendship further because she wasn’t sure whether she knew him well enough. After seeing the way he’d acted with the young boy who had tried to grab her purse, Gwen felt he was the kind of man she wanted to know better. Had he hit the boy or shouted and threatened, she would have been put off but he’d been fair, firm and kind, and that meant she could trust him.
‘We’ll go in my car,’ Theo said. ‘If you’ve finished your shopping?’
‘Yes, I only wanted a couple of things,’ Gwen confirmed. He nodded and took the heavy basket from her. ‘You’re a kind man, Theo, and I like that.’
‘And you’re a lovely lady, Gwen,’ he replied. ‘I hope I’ll always be around when you need a little help.’
CHAPTER 13
Danny moaned a little as he woke but then realised that he didn’t hurt as much as he had. Sister Rose came up to him as he struggled to a sitting position and asked him how he felt.
‘I’m all right, Sister,’ he told her and managed a grin. ‘It’s a bit sore still but lots better than it was.’
‘Doctor did tests as you know, Danny,’ Sister Rose told him. ‘He says you were lucky – the bruising was bad but it hadn’t done too much harm internally so you’re not damaged permanently.’
‘Thanks, fer lookin’ after me so good,’ Danny said. He hesitated, then, ‘What will happen to me when I’m better? When me mum got better, she went ’ome but I ain’t got no home ter go to.’ He looked so anxious and vulnerable that her heart went out to him and she sat on the edge of his bed.
‘Matron is arranging something with Lady Rosalie – perhaps a foster family, as I told you before. She will let you meet the family and if you like each other you will go to live with them.’ She touched his hand. ‘Is that all right, Danny?’
‘Yes, if they’re nice,’ Danny said. ‘I just wish I had a mum, Sister Rose – someone like you, someone kind and gentle who would love me …’ His face was white and strained, filled with yearning, and she felt the pull on her heart strings. This young boy was special to her and she couldn’t deny it.
‘I would certainly love you,’ Sister Rose said, ‘and I promise I’ll always be your friend, Danny. If you’re ever in trouble, I’ll help all I can.’
‘Thanks, Sister Rose.’ Danny grinned at her. ‘If I don’t like ’em I’ll run away and come back here.’
She smiled. ‘I’m just so glad you’re feeling better, Danny. Can I get you a drink of squash or some cocoa and a biscuit?’
‘Thanks, Sister.’ Danny hesitated and then put out his hand to touch hers. ‘Do you know what happened to the others?’
‘Matron told me that two of the boys were in a special ward being cared for while their families are traced – if they have any. Marjorie is back with her parents and Ron … well, he ran away.’
‘Yeah, he would,’ Danny said and frowned. ‘I’d only been on the streets fer a while but he ran away from an orphanage six months ago ’cos he was ’urt by someone there. They tried to interfere wiv him and beat him when he fought ’em orf.’
‘Yes, Matron thought it might be something like that.’ Sister Rose hesitated, then, ‘You don’t know where he could be, Danny? Only Lady Rosalie would make sure that he was sent to live with a good family who would look after him if he came here to us.’
‘Nah, I didn’t know ’im until that devil caught me,’ Danny said and frowned. ‘I reckoned me dad were a devil until I met them others – but he’s just a drunk. He was all right until Mum died. He used to get drunk now and then but she kept him in line.’ A smile lit his face. ‘I loved me mum, Sister – I dream sometimes that she comes back and everything is all right again.’
‘Well, I can’t promise to bring your real mother back, Danny,’ Sister Rose said, ‘but perhaps Lady Rosalie can find you a mother you can learn to love.’
‘If she was like you, I should love her,’ Danny said and grinned. ‘Y
er all right, Sister Rose. If I were ten years older, I’d marry yer!’
‘Maybe I’d marry you,’ Sister Rose said and winked at him. ‘I’ll go and fetch that cocoa and a biscuit for you!’
Danny lay back against the pillows after she’d gone. He was glad Marjorie was back with her parents but sorry that Ron had run off. He knew Ron didn’t want to go in an orphanage and Danny didn’t blame him – his mum had never thought much of them – but a foster mum might be lovely, especially if she was as nice as Sister Rose.
‘Is something wrong, Marjorie?’ Mrs Lacey asked, sitting down beside her daughter on the rug. ‘You’re not upset again, are you? I’m so sorry for what happened to you, my darling, but you’re safe now. I’ll make sure those horrid people don’t come near you again!’
‘Mummy …’ Marjorie looked up at her. ‘What happened to Danny?’
‘Who is Danny?’ Helen Lacey asked. ‘Is he a friend of yours, Marjorie?’
‘He was there.’ Marjorie breathed deeply, because it still frightened her when she thought of being grabbed, thrown in the back of a van and driven to that house. She’d been terrified the whole time until Danny arrived and then he’d looked after her. ‘He was kind to me – I should like to see him, to know if he is all right.’
‘I’m not sure …’ Marjorie’s mother frowned. ‘Perhaps it’s better you just try to forget what happened, darling. The police took those poor boys away and someone will look after them.’
Marjorie nodded but was thoughtful. ‘Danny doesn’t have a mummy – and his daddy used to hit him. He ran away because he was frightened but he protected me.’
‘You’re all right, Marjorie. Nothing bad happened to you – the police told me they arrived in time.’ Her mother looked uncomfortable, as if she was embarrassed to talk about what had happened to her daughter. ‘Danny will be looked after, I promise.’
‘Will you ask Daddy to find out please, Mummy?’ Marjorie said looking up at her pleadingly. ‘He was my friend and I’m worried about him.’
Her mother hesitated, then reached out to touch her cheek. ‘What a funny little thing you are, Marjorie. Yes, if you want, I’ll ask Daddy to find out what he can – but I shouldn’t set your heart on seeing him again.’
‘Just as long as I know he is all right …’
‘All right, I promise,’ Helen said and smiled. ‘Shall I make you a glass of orange squash and fetch a nice piece of sponge cake?’
‘Yes, please,’ Marjorie said.
After her mother had gone, she sat thinking and a tear slipped down her cheek. She’d always wanted a brother and Danny had been just like a big brother, telling her not to be frightened and comforting her when those bad men came. Marjorie knew she would have been very frightened indeed had Danny not been with her and she wanted to see him again, to tell him she would like him to be her brother always.
The other big boy, Ron, had been all right, but he hadn’t been as kind or protective as Danny. The younger boys had clung to each other and cried most of the time. Marjorie had felt sorry for them but she hadn’t known how to comfort them and the things they said about what had happened to them made her frightened. She hadn’t told anyone about that – not even Mummy. She’d asked Danny what they’d meant and he’d told her she should just forget it but the pictures came to her mind of those men hitting Danny and the other boys and it made her afraid to go out. She didn’t want to play in the street anymore in case those men tried to snatch her again. Mummy said she was all right now but Marjorie was still nervous of being alone.
She looked up and smiled as her mother brought her cake and squash. She hoped her mother wouldn’t forget to ask Daddy, because she really did need to know that Danny was all right.
CHAPTER 14
Sarah opened the door to her mother and smiled. She asked her to come in and led the way through to the kitchen, glancing over her shoulder.
‘It’s lovely to see you, Mum. I was coming over later …’
‘I’ve come to invite you to supper,’ her mother replied. ‘You and Steve if he can manage it – but just you if not. Don’t worry about getting home afterwards, Theo will bring you back in his car …’
‘Theo?’ Sarah’s eyebrows rose as she looked at her, noticing that she was wearing her hair brushed back in a new style and a good skirt and jumper. ‘Is that the rather good-looking man I saw you playing cards with at the social club?’
‘Yes. He is quite attractive,’ her mother replied smiling slightly, ‘but he’s nice and that is what matters more to me.’
‘Yes, of course. I agree,’ Sarah confirmed. ‘So, you’ve invited him to supper then?’
‘Yes.’ Her mother hesitated, took a deep breath and told her what had happened in the market. ‘So, he took me home afterwards and he stayed for coffee and cake.’ She looked a little self-conscious as she finished her tale. ‘He was firm but kind to that young boy and I liked that, Sarah.’
‘Yes, I do too – it’s what Steve would have done,’ Sarah said, a smile in her eyes. ‘He often deals with young tearaways at the club he runs.’
‘I know.’ Sarah’s mother looked thoughtful. ‘I don’t think this lad was really bad. He tried to take my purse and it was the one you gave me so I should have hated to lose it, but Theo grabbed his arm and took the purse back. When he asked the boy his name, he said it was Ron and that he was just hungry.’
Sarah frowned. Something her mother had said sounded familiar. She thought Steve had talked about a young boy called Ron who had absconded from the hospital where he’d been taken. Could it possibly be the same one? She wasn’t sure but she would certainly speak to her husband when he came home.
Smiling at her mother, she put the kettle on and they sat down to enjoy a cup of tea and one of the delicious rock cakes her mother had brought in her tin. Their conversation turned gradually to other things – baby clothes, Sarah’s health and the amount of times the baby had kicked that morning.
‘You’re probably carrying a boy,’ Sarah’s mother said looking at her thoughtfully. ‘Will Steve be pleased with a boy or does he want a girl?’
‘He doesn’t care as long as we’re both well,’ Sarah said, ‘but I’d like a boy this time. A boy first and then a girl.’
Her mother laughed. ‘Well, you’ll get what you get, sweetheart. I’m with Steve, I don’t mind whether you have a boy or a girl as long as you and the baby are well.’ They looked at each other fondly, content to be together and contemplating a happy future for them all.
‘We’d love to meet your friend, Mum,’ Sarah said, realising she hadn’t given her mother an answer. ‘I’m very pleased you’ve found someone you can be friendly with and he sounds really nice.’
After her mother had gone, Sarah finished her housework and then made herself a cheese and salad sandwich and poured a glass of orange juice, taking it into the sitting room. The sun was pouring in at the window and it was pleasant to look out at the garden. Steve didn’t have much time to work in the garden but he’d cut the lawn on Sunday and the flowerbeds were neat. Sarah would enjoy being out there and keeping it tidy when her baby had been born, but at the moment Steve had forbidden her to do any gardening.
She ate her lunch and then washed her hands before starting her knitting. She was beginning to quite enjoy her quiet afternoons when she sat and relaxed and dreamed of the day when her baby was born.
Steve smiled when Sarah told him that her mother had asked them to supper to meet her new friend Theo but he looked serious when she explained about the incident in the market.
‘It sounds as if it might be the same young lad that ran off from the hospital,’ Steve told her. ‘The name is certainly the same and if Gwen thought he was more in need of help than punishment, it could be him. Danny told me he’d learned a little about Ron’s past. His mother and both grandparents died of diphtheria about eighteen months ago and he was put into an orphanage, but he was ill-treated and ran away. Danny thought he’d been living rough for months an
d he’d got caught the same way as happened to him.’
‘Mum wanted to help him,’ Sarah said. ‘Perhaps, if you see him on your beat, you could bring him back to us? We could look after him for a while and I know Mum would give him a home.’
‘She already has two young lads to look after,’ Steve reminded her. ‘She has a big heart, Sarah, but she can’t help all the orphans in London.’
‘I know.’ Sarah smiled sadly. ‘What he really needs is a foster family but there is always another young child needing a home.’
Steve went to hug her and hold her close. ‘Don’t be upset, love,’ he whispered close to her ear. ‘If Ron is in the area, I’m bound to come across him one of these days and I’ll try to get him to the Rosie then Matron and Lady Rosalie will look after him.’
Sarah nodded, knowing that if Steve found the runaway, he would do his best to see he was taken in and found a good foster family. Yet the thought of a young boy alone on the streets sent shivers down her spine. Ron had escaped one set of villains but there were always others ready to prey on vulnerable youngsters.
Ron had found a spot under the bridges away from the down-and-outs that habitually gathered there at night. He’d been lucky enough to stumble across an old Army coat and haversack that had been abandoned on a piece of waste ground. The haversack looked as if it had been an old soldier’s and he’d looked inside eagerly but it was empty. Any valuables or money that had been inside were long gone.
He wished there had been something he could sell to buy food. The half-a-crown that bloke had given him in the market was gone and although he’d managed to pinch a currant bun from one of the stallholders that morning, he’d scoffed that down in seconds. His stomach ached and he hugged himself to ward off the nagging hunger. Living on the streets was hard for a lad of fourteen, though he’d managed to find work a few times, but it was getting harder and harder. Folk looked at him in suspicion and he knew his appearance didn’t help; his boots were worn down and scuffed and his clothes were dirty. The hospital had tried to give him clean ones but he’d been too suspicious to let them take his old things and the nurse had been too busy to fight him.