Mothering Sunday

by Rosie Goodwin

  Her suspicions were confirmed when Miss Frost tapped at his door, then followed Lavinia inside.

  ‘My dear Lady Huntley.’ Mr Pinnegar rose and offered his hand, ushering her towards a chair.

  ‘I’m so sorry to call unannounced,’ Lady Huntley apologised. ‘Miss Frost has pointed out how remiss it is of me but I wanted a word with you.’

  ‘Nonsense. It is a pleasure to see you at any time,’ he assured her, much to Miss Frost’s disgust. Then, ‘You may leave us now, Matron.’

  Miss Frost twirled about and stalked from the room in a sulky display that would have been better suited to one of the younger residents.

  ‘Now, how may I help you, ma’am?’ he asked when the door had closed noisily behind her.

  ‘First of all I thought you might like to know how well Sunday Small is doing in her new home.’

  She saw a quick spark of interest flame in his eyes and swallowed her disgust.

  He didn’t really need her to tell him that, if truth be known. He saw the girl each Sunday at church and just the sight of her could still make his loins tingle, especially now she was dressing in pretty clothes and developing into a young woman. However, his voice was polite and impartial when he answered, ‘But of course.’

  ‘She has settled into her new position very well, which leads me to a proposition I have been asked to put to you.’ She hurried on to explain what Mrs Spooner had suggested and the man stroked his moustache thoughtfully as he listened intently. Meanwhile it was all Lavinia Huntley could do not to lose control and scream at him, knowing what he had done to Cissie. But her time would come, she promised herself, and when it did, she would expose him for the perverted, lecherous scoundrel he was.

  When she had finished, he strummed his fingers on the desk. ‘I suppose there could be no harm in what you are proposing. I would home another two orphans, which will please your fellow guardians. But you are aware that one of the children you are talking about is not fourteen yet?’ he enquired. ‘It is usual for us to start finding them positions then.’

  She nodded. ‘Yes, I am aware of that, but you may recall that Sunday herself wasn’t quite fourteen either when I placed her with Mrs Spooner and she’s done extremely well. So I really think if the positions are there for these two, it is worth considering at least?’

  He hesitated for another moment or two then smiled. ‘In that case, how can I refuse, dear lady? I’m quite sure it would be in order – and of course we must put the interests of the children first. I have always found it difficult to say no to a pretty face.’

  Lavinia Huntley squirmed as she stared into his repulsive face. Did she detect a hint of relief in his voice? The man was an absolute menace but for now at least she must try to keep on the right side of him. ‘Then perhaps we should put the proposition to the children, and if they are happy with the idea they could maybe go to their new placement early next week. Would that give you enough time to get the necessary paperwork ready? I shall of course sign it myself again.’

  ‘It would give me more than enough time – and don’t trouble yourself about speaking to Thomas and Daisy. I’m sure they will be grateful for such an opportunity. And now may I offer you some refreshments?’

  Lavinia shuddered at the thought of taking tea with him. She would rather have supped with the devil.

  ‘Thank you, but no. I’ve taken up quite enough of your time as it is,’ she told him as she began to pull her gloves back on. She could hardly wait to be away from this place now. ‘Unless I hear from you to the contrary I shall be here to pick the children up at eleven o’clock sharp next Monday morning, and then I shall personally escort them to Whittleford Lodge. Good day, Mr Pinnegar.’

  He raced ahead of her to open the door and as she passed him, the rank smell of him assailed her nostrils. But at least her mission had been successful and she could hardly wait to tell Sunday and Mrs Spooner the good news.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Sunday was so thrilled to hear Lady Huntley’s report from the workhouse that she did a little dance on the spot.

  ‘I shall start to get their rooms ready straight away,’ she said joyously, then added, ‘But only when I’ve done the rest of my jobs, of course.’

  ‘It’s only a trial though, remember, young Sunny,’ Mrs Spooner warned, wagging her finger although her eyes were smiling. The house had been a happier place since the girl had come to live there.

  ‘Oh yes, I understand that, but I’m sure Daisy and Tommy won’t let you down,’ Sunday said hastily. She didn’t want the woman to think that she was taking advantage of her good nature.

  ‘Very well. Then go and make yourself useful and fetch me and Lady Huntley a tray of coffee.’

  ‘Yes, ma’am.’ Sunday skipped from the room; she was so happy that she would have walked over hot coals for either of the women at that moment. She burst into the kitchen to share the good news with Annie.

  ‘We’ll have ’alf the workhouse ’ere at this rate,’ the old woman commented, but she was pleased to see Sunday looking so excited.

  That night when all her chores were done, Sunday set to on making two more of the rooms up in the attic habitable for Daisy and Tommy. She hummed contentedly as she worked. In just a few short days they would all be back together again! She put a bed for Daisy in the room next to hers. At Mrs Spooner’s insistence, Tommy would be right at the end of the landing. The very last room in the attic was full of old furniture that had been abandoned and stored there over the years, and after Mrs Spooner had told her to help herself to anything that might be needed, Sunday managed to make their bedrooms very comfortable indeed; she could hardly wait to see their faces when they came up here. Once she was done, Sunday rubbed her hands down her apron and sighed with satisfaction. The rooms could by no means be called luxurious, but after sharing dormitories in the workhouse she was sure her friends would be pleased with them. Of course, she was aware that before their parents had died they had lived in a loving family home and so had probably known better, but she had done the best she could for them. Now all she had to do was somehow contain her anticipation until they arrived.

  Over the last few weeks, Mrs Spooner had sent her into the market each Wednesday with a list of food to buy. Annie had accompanied her for the first couple of times to make sure that she knew her way and to show her the cost of things. Having never had to handle money before, Sunday had no idea of prices but she had been a willing student and Annie felt that she was capable of going alone now. Today she set off with a large wicker basket slung across her arm. She was getting to know her way about a little better now and could never get enough of walking through the fields and marvelling at the wildflowers and the wildlife. Jacob had pointed out some of the birds that landed in the garden and told her what they were called, and for the first time in her life she had seen a real live fox. Sometimes she felt as if she had been set free from prison and was making the most of every moment.

  Her happy mood continued as she walked amongst the market stalls with her list clutched tightly in her hand. She loved the atmosphere there although she wasn’t so keen on the cattle market. She always felt sorry for the animals that were being sold there and had to stifle the urge to open the pens and set them free. There were chickens squawking indignantly and cows, sheep and pigs crammed side-by-side in pens. They were prisoners, she thought, just as she had been in the workhouse. She purchased the fruit and vegetables that Annie had asked for and was just heading for the butcher’s when suddenly a large figure loomed up in front of her and her heart skipped a beat.

  ‘Why, Sunday, what a pleasant surprise. What are you doing here? And looking very pretty, may I add.’

  Sunday stared up into Mr Pinnegar’s hated face feeling like one of the caged beasts she had just passed.

  ‘I’m just doing some shopping for Mrs Spooner,’ she answered calmly although she was quaking inside. There was no way she would let him see how afraid of him she was; her pride would not allow it.
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br />   ‘I hear you have settled in very well,’ he went on, as if they were the best of friends.

  She nodded and began to inch away from him but suddenly his hand shot out and his fat fingers grasped her arm as he leaned towards her.

  ‘You don’t have to work there, you know.’ His tongue flicked out to lick his lips. Just being close to her had made his manhood harden. She was like a drug that he couldn’t get out of his system. ‘If you were to let me set you up in my little cottage you could be a lady of leisure and I’m sure you’d come to care for me in time.’ He was careful to keep his voice down so that no one could hear him as Sunday yanked her arm from his grasp and stepped away from him.

  ‘I would rather die than ever let you set your hands on me again,’ she spat as her eyes flashed fire, then turning about she hurried away. The day was spoiled and now all she wanted to do was get back to the safety of Whittleford Lodge.

  She did the rest of the shopping as quickly as she could, frequently glancing across her shoulder to make sure that Mr Pinnegar wasn’t following her, then she set off for home, feeling far more shaken than she cared to admit.

  When she arrived in the kitchen, Annie glanced up from the pastry she was rolling on the table and frowned. ‘What’s up, lass? Yer look a bit pasty. Are yer not feelin’ well?’

  ‘Oh, I’m fine.’ Sunday managed to raise a smile as she plonked the heavy basket down on one of the kitchen chairs. ‘I was able to get everything on the list. Shall I start to peel the vegetables for dinner?’

  ‘If you’ve a mind to.’ Annie was watching her closely. Sunday didn’t seem to be quite her usual cheery little self at all. Normally when she arrived home from market she was full of what she’d seen and would chat away fifteen to the dozen, but today she seemed very subdued. Still, I suppose everyone has their off days, the old lady thought and turned her attention back to the pie she was baking.

  At Treetops Manor that night, as Zillah was helping Lavinia to prepare for bed, they heard a commotion downstairs.

  ‘Sounds like his lordship has rolled in drunk again,’ the maid said wryly as Lavinia glanced anxiously towards the door, praying that her husband would be too drunk to demand his rights.

  All too soon the bedroom door banged inwards and Ashley stood swaying in the doorway.

  ‘Ah, nice to see the little woman ish all ready for me,’ he slurred – and something in Lavinia suddenly snapped.

  ‘No, Ashley, I am not ready for you,’ she informed him coldly. She normally never denied him, but she was not about to risk anything going wrong if there was a chance of a new little life growing inside her. She looked very pretty standing there with her blonde hair tumbling about her slim shoulders and he felt aroused as he advanced into the room. He was unsteady on his feet and the smell of brandy preceded him, making her wrinkle her nose in distaste.

  ‘You’ll do ash I say,’ he announced as his hand dropped to his belt but she stood her ground.

  ‘Not tonight I won’t,’ she defied him. ‘Nor any other night in the near future if it comes to that. You see . . . I think I may be with child and until I have had it confirmed I’m not going to risk anything.’

  He came to an abrupt halt.

  ‘So could you kindly leave me in peace?’

  His lips curled back in a sneer. ‘Gladly, my love. But if you are with child it had better be a boy this time.’ He seemed to have sobered up very quickly, she thought as he turned and left the room.

  Zillah, who had been holding her breath, let out a long sigh. Her mistress was usually so subservient that it was nice to see her standing up to that bullying husband of hers for a change. ‘Well, that told him,’ she said with a chuckle. ‘But now I think we really should get the doctor to examine you. Ashley is going to be none too pleased if this proves to be a false alarm.’

  ‘I’m fairly certain it isn’t,’ Lavinia confided as she sat down at the dressing table and waited for Zillah to brush her hair. ‘My breasts are quite tender and I’m feeling very sickly all of the time now, although it’s worst in the mornings.’ She turned to her trusted maid with tears brimming in her eyes then. ‘I so long for a child yet I’m so afraid of what could go wrong.’

  ‘We’ll do all we can to make sure that nothing does go wrong,’ Zillah soothed. ‘But now come and hop into bed and drink this warm milk. It’ll help you to sleep and at least you know you won’t be disturbed now.’

  Monday morning finally rolled around and, as promised, Lavinia Huntley arrived at the workhouse spot on time to collect Daisy and Tommy, who were waiting wide-eyed in the entrance hall for her.

  ‘Mr Pinnegar has the release papers ready for you to sign,’ Miss Frost informed her, tight-lipped, then glaring at the children she ordered, ‘Stay right where you are until we return.’

  Daisy and Tommy glanced worriedly at each other. No one had bothered to inform them where they were going and their imaginations had been working overtime, although they were at least grateful that wherever it was they were going, they would be staying together.

  Daisy slid her hand into her brother’s and he squeezed it reassuringly. Although Tommy was only two years older than Daisy he now towered above her and had taken on the role of her protector as best he could from the boys’ section of the workhouse. Neither of them had known a single happy day since they had been admitted to this hellish place but whenever they snatched a moment together Daisy seemed even more on edge than usual and she looked gaunt and frail.

  ‘Don’t worry, I’ll look after you,’ he whispered when Frosty was well out of earshot.

  ‘But what happens if they take us to Hatter’s Hall?’

  ‘Lady Huntley would never allow that,’ he said strongly. ‘So let’s just wait and see, eh?’ And so they stood close together as the minutes on the grandfather clock in the foyer ticked away, clutching the bundles of clothes and the few possessions with which they had arrived.

  Lady Huntley was back in a surprisingly short time and she smiled at them kindly as she ushered them towards the door. ‘Right, that’s the paperwork all done and dusted so now let’s go and get you settled into your new home, shall we? Sunday is so excited, she can hardly wait to see you both.’

  ‘Sunday?’ Tommy paused on the workhouse steps to stare at her in confusion.

  ‘Yes. Surely someone has told you where you’re going?’ Lady Huntley said with a frown as the door to the workhouse clanged shut behind them.

  When the two children looked at her blankly she tutted with annoyance as she led them to the waiting carriage. George was standing with the door open and he gave the children a friendly smile as they clambered inside and looked back at the Nuneaton Union Workhouse for one last time, praying that they would never have to go through its doors again.

  Once they were rattling along, Lady Huntley explained what was happening. ‘You are going to live and work with Sunday’s employer, Mrs Spooner – I know Sunday has told you all about her – and I’m sure you’re going to be very happy.’ She was gratified when their faces broke into broad smiles.

  ‘Daisy, you will be helping Sunday with cleaning duties about the house, and Tommy, you will be a sort of odd job man, outdoor work mainly, gardening, repairing anything that needs attention, painting, et cetera, which I’m sure will suit you very well. I can’t believe that no one bothered to explain to you,’ she finished crossly. ‘But then I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised. Anyway, let’s hope that this is the start of better times, eh?’

  Daisy and Tommy nodded eagerly.

  They received a rapturous welcome from Sunday when the carriage drew up outside Mrs Spooner’s residence. The girl was standing on the steps waiting and flew down to greet them. Biddy was watching the proceedings with an indulgent smile on her face and she eyed the youngsters up and down when they came indoors.

  ‘Well, the lad looks strong enough,’ she commented. ‘But the lass looks like you could knock her over wi’ one finger.’

  ‘Oh, Daisy is stronger than she looks
, really she is,’ Sunday said quickly in her friend’s defence.

  Meanwhile, Daisy and Tommy were staring at their new employer in amazement. They had seen her from afar at church but never so close up before and didn’t quite know what to make of her although she seemed to be kindly enough.

  ‘Come on, I’ll take you up and show you your rooms so you can put your things away while the ladies have morning coffee,’ Sunday offered brightly and following a nod from Mrs Spooner she took them through the kitchen to the stairs that led to the servants’ quarters, introducing them to Annie, who was busy baking bread, on the way.

  ‘I can’t believe we’re really here,’ Daisy said as she stared about her new room. She looked at Sunday with tears on her cheeks. ‘We won’t ever have to go back, will we?’ she whispered.

  ‘Not if I have anything to do with it.’ Sunday gave her a warm hug and as she did so, she felt the small mound on Daisy’s tummy. She stepped away from her in shock as the girl stared back at her from frightened eyes.

  ‘Oh, Daisy, what’s happened to you?’ Sunday breathed.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Daisy lowered her head in shame and began to cry.

  ‘Oh, cor blimey!’ Sunday’s hand flew to her mouth as comprehension dawned. She had only ever felt one mound like that before and that had been on Cissie before she had been carted off to Hatter’s Hall.

  ‘It was Pinnegar, wasn’t it?’ she said and Daisy’s head bobbed miserably.

  ‘It . . . it was just after you left. He started to make me go to his office,’ Daisy hiccuped. ‘An’ then he . . . he did bad things to me. He hurt me but when I told him I’d tell, he said he’d send Tommy to Hatter’s Hall.’

  Sunday was in a quandary. What should she do now? If she were to go down and tell Lady Huntley and Mrs Spooner of her discovery, Daisy could possibly suffer the same fate as Cissie had. She just couldn’t take the risk.

  ‘Look,’ she said, making a hasty decision, ‘we’ll say nothing for the time being. If you carry on wearing that loose dress for a while no one will notice and it will give us some time to decide what we’re going to do. Don’t cry, Daisy, we’ll think of something, I promise.’ She wrapped Daisy protectively in her arms and felt the girl’s heart hammering. She was very thin apart from her slightly swollen stomach, and Sunday was sure she could feel every bone in her body. She could have cried at the injustice of it all. Pinnegar had caused poor Cissie tremendous heartache and now it looked as if Daisy was going to have to suffer too.