The Five Shilling Children

by Lindsey Hutchinson

  Just then a woman cried out. Having just discovered her purse was missing from her basket she was yelling blue murder.

  ‘Time to go,’ Adam said grabbing Polly by the hand. Walking slowly so as not to draw attention to themselves, the siblings left the market. Then they ran.

  25

  Echo smiled as he saw the three brass balls hanging over the shop and he rushed inside, the two threepenny bits clutched tightly in his hand.

  ‘I need a mattress,’ he said to the man behind the counter.

  The pawnbroker pointed to a single mattress leaning against an old table.

  Echo went to inspect it, then he asked, ‘How much?’

  ‘A penny,’ the vendor answered.

  ‘Got any blankets?’

  ‘Over there, a halfpenny each.’

  ‘I’ll have two,’ Echo said with a grin and placed a coin on the counter top.

  The man nodded and picked up the money giving Echo a penny change.

  Echo wrapped one blanket around his middle tucking the ends in securely. The other he draped across his shoulders, then hoisting the mattress onto his back he gave his thanks and struggled his way out of the shop. He couldn’t wait to show Polly what he’d got for her.

  Back at the cottage, Adam, Polly and Digit were sitting around the small fire chatting.

  ‘Give us a hand,’ Echo puffed as he tried to manoeuvre his load indoors.

  Adam and Echo manhandled the mattress upstairs and Echo relieved himself of the blankets. ‘They’re both for Polly,’ he said proudly.

  ‘Thanks, Echo, I know she will be pleased,’ Adam replied patting the other boy’s back.

  Downstairs Echo grinned at Polly showing his dirty teeth. ‘You got a proper bed now.’

  ‘Ta, it was a lovely thing to do,’ Polly answered.

  Echo beamed at Polly’s kind words. ‘Oh and I got some change an’ all!’ Pulling out the coins, he showed them to the others. ‘I’ll put them back in the box.’

  ‘We saw you in the market today, Digit,’ Adam said.

  ‘It was a good haul,’ the boy replied as he emptied his pockets. ‘I got rid of the purse and wallet but held on to this.’ He placed the money on the small table just as Flash walked in.

  ‘What you doing in that box, Echo?’ Flash yelled as he saw the floorboard held in the lad’s hand.

  ‘I was just putting the change back,’ Echo said. He was clearly hurt that Flash had thought he was stealing.

  ‘Oh right, good on yer,’ the leader answered feeling a little guilty. ‘Looks like you did all right, Digit.’

  Nodding, Digit then dropped the money in the box and Echo replaced it in its hiding place.

  ‘How did you two get on?’ Flash asked as he turned to the Fitches.

  ‘Didn’t find much, it’s too early. The end of the day is better when the market closes up,’ Adam replied.

  Flash nodded and opened his jacket. Fruit and vegetables, half a loaf, an old tin jug and a packet of tea leaves were placed on the table.

  Echo jumped up and put the stuff in the cupboard before getting the cracked cups out ready for tea.

  ‘We’ll go over to the slag heaps this afternoon and pick some coal,’ Adam said.

  ‘Why do you keep that money under the floor?’ Polly asked out of the blue.

  ‘Keeps it safe don’t it?’ Flash said proudly.

  ‘No, I mean why don’t you use it to buy food?’

  ‘Why buy when you can filch?’ Flash frowned at the idea of spending their cache.

  ‘I think what Polly is wondering is what good is it doing lying there when it could be put to better use,’ Adam explained.

  Flash paced as he thought about the question.

  ‘Polly’s right,’ Digit said in his usual quiet way.

  ‘Hang on! I’m the leader and what I say goes!’ Flash rounded on him.

  ‘You ain’t any more,’ Polly said.

  ‘You shut yer mouth!’ Flash snapped.

  ‘Don’t you ever shout at my sister again!’ Adam’s voice held quiet menace as he pointed at Flash.

  ‘… again’ Echo repeated as he moved to protect Polly.

  ‘Look, this is all going wrong. We’m supposed to be…’ Flash began.

  ‘A democracy,’ Adam finished for him.

  With an explosive sigh, Flash threw himself into an old armchair.

  ‘I’m in agreement with the lass, that stuff should go to the pawnbroker and the money used to feed us,’ Digit said.

  ‘Do whatever you like, I ain’t bothered.’ Flash was angry as he saw his position being usurped by the newcomers.

  ‘He ain’t bothered,’ Echo said with a silly grin.

  ‘Echo for God’s sake stop it!’ Flash yelled.

  ‘Don’t shout at him, it ain’t his fault.’ Polly came to the boy’s defence as she saw his bottom lip quiver.

  Echo’s head bounced up and down on his neck in agreement.

  No-one spoke as they watched Flash stare into the fire. Then Adam said, ‘C’mon Polly, we’ll go for some coal.’

  Grabbing the pail, the siblings left the cottage and trudged over to the slag heaps.

  Little did they know that had they arrived ten minutes earlier they would have bumped into their mother.

  *

  Minnie carried her half full bucket home wondering how she would continue to feed her sons. Crossing the yard, she saw her back door swinging open on its hinges, the lock irretrievably smashed.

  Bloody hell Gerald! So, he was back again. No matter how many times she warned him, her husband would not heed her words.

  Stepping inside she pushed the door to behind her. At least it would still close properly. Taking the bucket into the living room she ignored Gerald sitting in his chair with a smile on his face.

  He’s gloating! she thought. Setting the pail in the hearth she went out to the standpipe in the yard to wash her hands. The water stung her fingers it was so cold; drying her hands on her apron Minnie took a huge breath before re-entering the house. Here we go again!

  ‘Now you’re back, get a fire lit. I’m frozen to the bone!’ Gerald spat.

  Taking no notice Minnie began to scrape a couple of potatoes.

  ‘Did you hear me?’ Gerald yelled from the other room.

  The whole bloody row can hear you! Minnie thought but kept her counsel.

  A moment later Gerald appeared in the doorway. ‘I told you to light the fire!’

  ‘Summat wrong with your arms that you can’t do it?’ Minnie asked without looking at him.

  ‘Hellfire and damnation!’ Gerald was furious but Minnie continued with her scraping.

  Suddenly Minnie felt herself swung round to face him, his eyes blazing their anger.

  Minnie raised the knife she was holding and watched as he glanced down at it.

  ‘Minnie – put it down and we’ll discuss this like adults,’ Gerald said as he slowly backed away.

  ‘I’ve done all the talking I’m going to,’ she answered.

  ‘Look, none of this is my fault…’

  ‘It never is, is it, Gerald? Nothing is ever down to you. The drinking; wasting money; seeing your family starve; selling the children.’ Minnie took a step towards him and he moved away from her.

  ‘They weren’t my kids!’ he yelled.

  ‘I can’t argue with that, but then you’ve reminded me of the fact every day of these last ten years.’ Minnie held her voice calm.

  ‘You never ought to have done it, Minnie.’ Gerald shook his head miserably.

  ‘Maybe not, but I did and nothing can change that now.’

  ‘How could you? We were happy, weren’t we? I took care of you and the boys. I worked hard to keep a roof over your head, and then you had to go and ruin it all!’

  ‘You still can’t say it can you, Gerald? I cheated on you! I had two kiddies by another man!’ Minnie’s voice was now cracking like ice. She watched the look of disgust cross his face and waited for what he would say next.

&n
bsp; ‘Yes, you did! Two byblows!’

  ‘He was more of a man than you’ll ever be, Gerald Fitch!’

  ‘Then why didn’t you go off with him then and take your damned children with you?’ Gerald’s features were a mask of hate.

  ‘Because he’s dead!’ Minnie yelled into his face.

  The words were like a sharp slap and Gerald stared at the woman he’d married. ‘I – I d’aint know.’

  ‘There’s a lot you don’t know cos you never took the time to find out,’ Minnie answered quietly as she dropped onto a kitchen chair, holding the knife in her lap.

  James and Peter had stood outside listening to the shouting match going on between their parents and now stared at each other at the revelation they had just overheard.

  *

  Over at the orphanage, classes had ended for the day and Celia Brock had joined Ruth for a pre-dinner drink.

  Each with a gin in hand the women clinked glasses. Ruth had lit a fire and the room was cosy and warm.

  ‘So, what’s the latest news?’ Celia asked.

  ‘A policeman came calling regarding the Fitch children,’ Ruth responded.

  ‘Oh, does he know where they are?’

  ‘No, in fact he didn’t know about Adam until Una opened her big mouth.’

  Celia giggled then sipped her drink. Everything in moderation; she didn’t want to be tipsy when going in for her evening meal.

  Ruth did not share those sentiments and topped up their glasses from the bottle on the table.

  ‘Nobody seems to know where those children are or how they’re faring,’ Ruth continued.

  ‘It’s such a shame, I think they were relatively happy here with us.’

  ‘I agree, but you’d best prepare yourself for another upset,’ Ruth said as she raised her eyebrows.

  ‘Why?’

  ‘Una is all set to sell May Johnson,’ Ruth answered.

  ‘No! Ruth, we can’t let her! Poor Arthur will go mad and he’ll probably try the same as Adam by breaking out. Oh dear, I made it sound like a prison,’ Celia said.

  ‘To all intents and purposes that’s exactly what it is – for all of us.’ Ruth shook her head. ‘But even if he tried, Arthur would never get away with it.’

  ‘Why not?’ Celia asked as she picked up the bottle and refilled their glasses.

  ‘Because Una’s wise to them now. She’ll be watching and waiting and unless something drastic happens, May Johnson’s days here are numbered.’

  Both women then drained their glasses in one go.

  Little did they know that Joe had had his ear pinned to the door throughout their conversation.

  Racing back to the others who were sat in the common room, he hurriedly explained what he’d heard. May began to cry and Arthur was irate.

  ‘That settles it, we have to do something now!’ Matt said quietly.

  ‘I know, but what?’ Rodney asked.

  ‘Looks like you’ll be picking the locks again, pal!’ Joe said with a grin.

  ‘Old Reedy will be on the look-out if she thinks we’ve got wind of it though.’ Matt’s sensible attitude brought their excitement of the prospect down to earth with a bump.

  ‘I want to stay with you,’ May sobbed as she clutched Arthur’s hand.

  ‘You will. We just have to work out how – and quickly.’ Then to Joe he asked, ‘When is all this supposed to happen?’

  ‘I don’t know.’ Joe’s titian hair dropped over his eyes as he shook his head.

  ‘Right, we have to get out sooner rather than later then,’ Arthur said.

  ‘I wish Adam was here, he’d know what to do,’ May muttered between sobs.

  ‘We can’t wait now, we have to find him!’ Rodney whispered urgently.

  ‘How? Wolverhampton is a big town – he could be anywhere!’ Matt retorted.

  ‘Old Reedy could be arranging to sell May as we speak!’ Arthur said in desperation.

  ‘Right then, we have to have another break-out – tonight!’ Joe said.

  *

  In the early hours of the morning, the children tiptoed to Joe’s room.

  ‘We have to be as quiet as church mice,’ Matt warned. ‘I’ll keep watch on the stairs, Rodney you unlock the door and gate, Joe watch the kitchen. You two ready?’

  Arthur and May nodded.

  It was a major risk but all felt it was worth it. No-one wanted to see Arthur and May have to go through the same pain as Adam and Polly had.

  One by one they descended the stairs and took up their positions as Rodney got to work on the lock. Having done it before, it was done in a moment then he, May and Arthur slipped through the door and ran down the drive.

  ‘Good luck,’ Rodney said as he closed the gate behind them.

  ‘Thanks, Rodney,’ Arthur replied then he and May raced off down the street, the snow muffling their footfalls.

  Rodney sped back to the house. He gulped as he stepped inside. Waiting for him was Una Reed.

  26

  ‘It’s time sir,’ Prudence said to Nathaniel as they sat in the parlour one evening. ‘If you wish to bring Cora out into society at the appropriate age, then she needs to be sent away to school.’

  ‘I know you’re right, Prudence, it’s just that she’s so young yet,’ he answered before sipping his whiskey.

  ‘Now is the best time. It pains me to say it as I love her as much as you do,’ Prudence lied, ‘but she’s a headstrong and wilful child. If this is not contained now, she may become uncontrollable.’

  ‘Yes, I’ve heard her tantrums on occasion,’ he admitted.

  ‘As her governess, it is my duty to advise you to seek out the best academic opportunity for her then she can move straight on to finishing school.’

  ‘I’ll look into it tomorrow,’ Nathaniel said, ‘though what her mother will say about it I have no idea.’

  ‘Mrs Bellamy will agree I’m sure,’ Prudence answered.

  ‘How was Lilith today?’

  ‘Not such a good day I’m afraid, but after a good night’s rest she’ll feel better.’

  ‘Is that new medicine helping do you think?’ he asked.

  ‘I’m certain it is,’ Prudence said with a smile. Very much so with my help! she thought as she watched Nathaniel nod.

  ‘I wonder if she wouldn’t be better off in hospital,’ Nathaniel mumbled into his glass.

  ‘I can’t agree. To move the mistress away from her family would make her pine, and that’s not conducive to helping her get well,’ Prudence said quickly.

  ‘I suppose you’re right – again. You’ve done a wonderful job with my wife and my daughter, Prudence – I can’t thank you enough, and you take care of me too,’ Nathaniel croaked.

  Prudence watched as the man she loved collapsed into tearful misery and in an instant she was by his side on the chaise longue. Taking his glass, she placed it on the occasional table then held his hands in hers. ‘I would do anything for you, Nathaniel,’ she whispered. It was the first time that she had dared to call him by his Christian name and at his nod she felt the warmth flow through her. ‘I can’t bear to see you so unhappy; life can be so unfair,’ she added as she thought only of herself and her own miserable existence.

  Then to her complete surprise, Nathaniel wrapped her in his arms and kissed her passionately. The blood in her veins turned to fire as she returned his kiss. All thought left her as she was consumed in the moment. Her eyes closed as she felt the softness of his lips on hers, and her heart raced.

  When Nathaniel pulled away from her, Prudence had such a deep feeling of loss it was like a physical pain. Had he felt guilty for kissing his daughter’s governess?

  ‘Oh Pru’…’ Nathaniel began.

  Unable to stop herself, Prudence placed her mouth on his and felt his respond once more. He didn’t love her she knew but as he began to undress her, she pushed the thought away. She wanted him now and for all time. Prudence was ecstatic as he made love to her on the parlour floor. Her raging passion coursed through
her at the feelings she had never experienced before.

  Both sated, they dressed hurriedly lest they be discovered and there was then an awkwardness between them.

  ‘Prudence, I’m so sorry, I should never have…’ Nathaniel said as he sat on the couch once more.

  ‘Hush, Nathaniel it was meant to be,’ Prudence said as she stroked his cheek. ‘I have loved you from afar for so long and I understand you have needs which can sometimes be beyond your control.’

  ‘I’m a married man, Prudence!’ he protested.

  Not for much longer! she thought but said instead, ‘I’m aware of that Nathaniel, but you need me as much as I do you. Please don’t feel guilty for your actions, for I certainly do not.’

  ‘What about Lilith? My God if she ever found out!’ Nathaniel dragged his hands through his hair.

  ‘She won’t. How could she? Nathaniel you cannot go through life with pent-up desires, they have to be released. Lilith can’t help you with that – but I can, and I will come should you call.’ Prudence then gave him a quick peck on the lips and left him to digest all that had been said and done.

  Prudence went to administer to Lilith and as she poured the medicine onto the spoon she thought, it’s time you left us, Mrs Bellamy. With the amount of Belladonna she added she was sure the woman would be dead come morning. Removing all evidence of her wrong-doing Prudence retired to her room at the top of the house. She was tired from the exertion of earlier and she was certain the morning would bring wailing and crying as well as the doctor and the undertaker.

  Prudence Kenton felt no remorse as she climbed into bed, she was finally about to get what she deserved.

  The following morning, as she dressed, Prudence waited for the inevitable scream. She pictured the scene. Bridget Swanson would take the mistress her morning tea. Placing the cup and saucer on the bedside cabinet she would open the curtains slightly then return to the bed to wake Lilith. Then the scream would echo all over the house at finding her mistress dead.

  As if on cue, the screech sounded loud even at the top of the house. Prudence casually left her room and descended the back stairs in time to see Nathaniel rush into his wife’s room.

  The evil smile which crossed her face disappeared in an instant as the maid exited the room and fled down the stairs.