‘It’s crawled back from Coventry.’
With slow, deliberate movements, Walter also rose to his feet. He studied Elenor through slit eyes. It made a comical sight but Elenor knew better than to laugh.
‘Hello brother. I see you both have been busy,’ she said with a hint of sarcasm.
‘Don’t bring that snobby tone round here. Get to your room before I give you a slap. Unpack and come down to cook us something.’
Not responding with words, Elenor handed them each a wrapped parcel. They stared at her, then at each other, then back at her.
‘Didn’t you hear me girl?’ Walter yelled at her.
Elenor kept her nerve.
‘Christmas greetings to you both. This is a brief visit. Much briefer than I’d anticipated in fact, as neither of you care I have returned as your sister; I will not be staying as your skivvy. The neckties are from our mother’s clothes, not that you will appreciate the sentiment.’
James threw his gift onto the chair.
‘Appreciate the sentiment? Who do you think you are, you la-di-da bitch? Do as you are told.’
He tottered a few steps towards her and Elenor could smell the fumes of unwashed clothing and alcohol. When drunk her brothers could become nasty, handy with their fists.
‘As I said, I’ll not stay. Thank you for the offer of a room though. Nice of you.’
She turned and opened the door.
‘Don’t wave me off. You’ll let out the heat.’
Unable to resist another stab of sarcasm, she walked away. With only one bag to carry, her physical load was lighter. Her emotional one was much heavier. In her naivety, she’d hoped her brothers might have missed her and welcomed her back.
The walk back into the village was a sad one. She turned to take one last look at Tre Lodhen and her heart broke. Her tears remained in full flow until she spotted the bus on a return trip. She ran without looking back and climbed on board and burst into tears.
‘What on earth is the matter gal? Come now. Where you headed?’ asked the driver.
‘Back to Coventry. I can’t stay here.’
‘I know your brothers. Pair of drunkards they’ve become. They owe money all over. Let’s get you to Plymouth, you are best out of their clutches.’ Elenor slumped into a seat and changed her boots for her city shoes.
On the train she watched Cornwall fade away as if curtains closing on a stage.
A young man in a uniform sat opposite and Elenor was reminded of more pleasant times. Her birthday tea with Jackson St John and his grandfather.
She wondered if she would be blessed with a man who loved her at some point in her life. So far, she’d only had negative or undesirable communications from her father and brothers. Men who were supposed to love her. She wouldn’t want a man like George in her life. A man full of his own importance and no respect for women. She wanted someone who would smile when she entered a room, a man who would appreciate her gifts. Forcing back tears that seemed to threaten when least expected, she directed her thoughts on the pleasant image of Jackson in the hay field. She closed her eyes and imagined touching his muscular arms. Embarrassed by her new thoughts and the feelings they encouraged, she opened her eyes and looked out of the window just as they were pulling into Coventry station.
On the platform she could see George.
‘George. How did you know I was on the train and returning home?’
A scarlet-faced George stared at her in bewilderment.
‘I, um … err … I …’
Elenor noted he had a suitcase by his feet.
‘Are you waiting for me or off on one of your trips?’
He opened the door of the carriage she’d just left.
‘Another work-related lecture, Miss Cardew. Victoria is off to see her family in the morning, so your aunt will appreciate your early return.’
The whistle and scream of the train about to leave blew away some of his words. Elenor caught he would return Christmas Eve.
Confused by the fact Victoria was leaving her aunt alone and had not mentioned she had any intentions of visiting her family before Christmas, Elenor did not wait to see him off, although she had a sneaking suspicion he might have liked the attention. She took a quick walk home and went down the side entrance to the kitchen with the intention of making a hot drink before she went to bed.
To her surprise as she switched on the light, Victoria sat at the kitchen table in her nightwear. The woman never moved as Elenor walked up to her.
‘Gracious Victoria, you startled me. Are you unwell?’
Victoria shrugged her shoulders but didn’t give an answer.
‘Why are you home so soon, Elenor?’
Her voice sounded tired and Elenor sensed a hint of sadness.
‘I’ve just bumped into George. He said he is off on another trip, and you are to visit your family tomorrow. Is that right, you are leaving my aunt unattended? Were you taking Rose with you?’
Victoria rose from her seat. ‘How come you are back so soon?’
‘That’s my business. I can appreciate you wanting to visit your family, but my aunt needs support.’
She waited for Victoria to explain her decision to leave her aunt, but Victoria appeared distracted by other thoughts.
‘Victoria?’
‘I have no choice, George insists. I must be away for two days. I explained to your aunt I would leave everything in readiness for her, and she agreed. After all, I am her housekeeper, not her nurse.’
Elenor pushed her cup to one side.
‘It is not up to George when my aunt is to be left unattended. We call you housekeeper, but you know your post means caring for my aunt in all areas. Leaving her for two days is simply unacceptable. You can go because I am here, but understand I am not happy about the situation. I’m off to bed. I hope your family visit is more successful than mine. Goodnight.’
Elenor left the kitchen in a state of agitation. As she snuggled under the comfort of her eiderdown her anger towards George heightened.
Chapter 13
The following day, Victoria sought out Elenor.
‘I apologise for last night, but I do have to return home.’
Elenor stared at her.
‘It is not up to George to suggest things which threaten my aunt’s well-being. I take it Rose is at school?’
Victoria nodded and stepped out into the drizzling rain.
‘Yes. A friend will bring her home.’
‘I’m surprised you are not taking her with you. All this to-ing and fro-ing by you and George needs to be addressed. It is happening more often than not lately.’
‘Rose needs to stay here.’
Picking up a basket, Victoria walked away, not waiting to continue the conversation.
Elenor sensed a change in the woman and stared out onto the garden. She couldn’t wait for spring when the flowers poked through the soil bringing promises of warmer days.
Setting up a tray for her aunt, she thought of how life might be if Victoria or George didn’t live with them. Thinking ahead, Elenor pondered on an idea. As George earned his own money and appeared to only spend it on trips away, Elenor might suggest they find a place of their own and ask Victoria to become a daily help rather than a live-in housekeeper. Then she remembered Rose. The girl lit up her life, and Elenor would miss her. She tucked the thought to the back of her mind and took the tray upstairs.
‘Good morning, Aunt. How are you this morning? Curtains open or closed?’
‘Good morning Elenor. Open. Why are you back so early?’
Elenor set the tray on her aunt’s lap.
Elenor relayed to her aunt about the upset in Summercourt. Her aunt finished eating and pushed the tray away.
‘Consider this your home now. You are surprisingly better behaved than I’d been led to believe. I enjoy your company.’
Selecting clothes from the wardrobe and drawers, it unnerved Elenor that her aunt appeared to not realise they may not have many years left t
ogether and Elenor’s future would need to be one of independence.
‘It is reassuring Aunt, thank you. I am an independent sort, so will seek employment for the future. There will be a time …’
‘Yes, yes. Come along, I do not want to stay in my nightgown all day.’
They spent the day talking about family members Elenor had never heard of, and Maude reminisced about when she had been the same age as Elenor.
‘You are very much like me. Fierce and independent.’
‘That is a compliment, Aunt.’
‘Ah, but you have the traits of your mother too. Quiet and loving. You have the qualities I would have wished for in a daughter.’
Elenor remembered the affection between the Canadian relatives and walked over to her aunt. She placed her arms around her neck and gave her a kiss on the cheek.
‘Thank you,’ she whispered.
By four o’clock the calm of the house had disappeared. Rose burst through the door bringing with her the damp fresh air.
‘Elenor. I missed you!’
She raced over and hugged Elenor’s body.
‘Gracious, I was only gone for a day,’ Elenor said with a laugh. She wiped her floured hands on a cloth and bent down to Rose.
‘Let’s get this damp coat off you and we can chat about your day. Sit at the table and I’ll make you a warm milk. My aunt is snoozing, so we’ll stay in here.’
The easy atmosphere gave Elenor comfort.
‘It is nice when Mummy and Daddy aren’t here,’ Rose said.
‘Rose. I’m not sure you mean that. It is different. I might not be as strict when they are home, but you will not get away with things while they are away, young lady,’ Elenor said but she was in silent agreement. The place had a calm feel, a natural rhythm.
‘Are you looking forward to Christmas? I am,’ Rose said.
‘Of course, who doesn’t like Christmas? This will be a special one for me,’ Elenor said.
‘Why?’
‘Because of you and my aunt. And your parents.’
‘Mine will be special ’cos of you. Can I go and read in the study?’
‘Yes, but don’t disturb my aunt.’
Rose scrambled down from the table and placed her cup in the sink. Elenor watched her leave and knew she loved the child. Her parents would have to stay.
Christmas Eve arrived and the smells from the kitchen wafted around the house. Elenor’s mouth watered in anticipation.
‘It is such an exciting time of the year, Victoria. We never celebrated after my mother died, and never with other members of the family even when she was alive.’
The pair sat at the table and snipped green foliage for decorations. Rose tied rag ribbons around the completed wreaths, and Maude applauded their efforts.
Midway through the morning, George arrived home. He instructed Rose to fetch his slippers and asked for a few moments of Victoria’s time. Maude noticed Victoria hesitate and shooed her away, giving her five minutes to reunite with her husband.
When they came back downstairs the atmosphere altered to a more subdued one. Rose sat in silence pencil rubbing over leaves on paper. Her face no longer wore its cheery smile.
‘I assume your lecture was an interesting one, George?’ Elenor asked in an attempt to ease the tension. Her aunt made excuses and went to her room for a nap.
Elenor and Victoria prepared and chopped vegetables between them. George sat on a chair by the back door polishing his shoes.
‘I gave the lecture. It was well received. The audience were receptive to my modern ideas when tutoring young men.’
Elenor wanted to laugh at his pomposity. His chest stood out prouder than a stuffed pigeon.
‘Interesting. So, what are your modern ideas, George?’
Elenor had no real interest but needed a conversation to focus on. Shaking his head, George gave a chuckle, as if addressing a young pupil.
‘Ah, I fear they are a complicated set of ideas, and there are far too many of them for me to spend the time relaying to you ladies today. Forgive me.’
With hackles now risen, Elenor was not going to let him get away with belittling both her and Victoria.
‘Not at all, George. I am always interested in complicated ideas. Why, I have them myself sometimes.’
George raised an eyebrow.
‘I doubt your idea of complicated and mine are the same, Miss Cardew,’ he said, and Elenor heard the sneer in his tone.
She shrugged off his rudeness knowing she would find a way to knock him off his pedestal. He was sly, and underhand but she was quick thinking and far from a silly airheaded girl. George never knew her brothers and of how Elenor had to outwit them on a daily basis. They’d given her a good education in that area.
‘Tomorrow will be fun. I suggest we enjoy music around the piano. A game of charades after dinner might be amusing.’
Victoria looked up from her task and smiled.
‘It has been a long time since we played charades. Remember when we were children and played them, George?’
Elenor turned to George as Victoria spoke. His face held a dark look, and she wondered if he was embarrassed by Victoria’s outburst. It was the most she had said all morning.
‘Oh, I didn’t realise you were childhood sweethearts. How wonderful!’
‘Not exactly sweethearts,’ George muttered.
‘Oh, you tease. He’s teasing you Victoria,’ Elenor said, and turned to the housekeeper as the woman, bright red in the face cleared away the vegetable peelings.
‘As he said, not exactly sweethearts. George and I grew up together, and this is where we are. No more, no less.’
Deciding their recent argument was still ongoing, Elenor changed the subject.
‘I am making traditional Cornish pasties for supper. My aunt asked I make them for her. Instead of you both eating out here, I invite you to join us in the front room where we will decorate a tree. My aunt mentioned she used to have a Christmas tree before the Great War, but never had one since. I saw one for sale and we will surprise her with it this afternoon. The tree is outside and needs bringing in, George, if you wouldn’t mind.’
She could see he did mind but ventured into the yard with no argument.
The pushing and shoving of the tree through the home brought about a light-hearted mood, with much squealing and laughter from Rose. Soon the odd atmosphere of the kitchen was forgotten. Her aunt clapped her hands as they pulled the tree into place, and all inhaled its pine perfume.
‘It is a fine tree,’ George said and stood back to watch the women add their decorations.
Once finished, Victoria took Rose and made her way back to the kitchen. George excused himself to completing various chores.
Elenor went to bake the pasties and decided George could distribute some to the needy in town.
‘Any idea where George is, Victoria?’
‘No, sorry.’
‘I’ll catch him at supper. My aunt sent a message, Rose, she’s making paper chains and asked for your help.’
‘Can I, Mummy?’
Victoria nodded in agreement.
‘I’ll be at my desk until you are finished here, Victoria.’
On entering the study, to Elenor’s annoyance George sat at her desk. He appeared to be studying a map. Her writing items and Christmas cards were set to one side on another small table in the corner. The room was awash with his pipe smoke. Not wishing to show how angry it made her, she chose a friendlier approach.
‘Caught you planning your escape from Christmas chores, have I, George?’ she said and laughed.
He turned around unamused. Hastily folding the map, he placed it in his pocket and made no move to stand up.
‘Important lesson preparation. Can I help you with something, Elenor?’
He spoke as if she was a member of staff, the old-fashioned master talking to his maid servant. The smoke spiralled from his pipe as he puffed at the tip. He crossed his legs and leaned back in the seat.
From his neck upwards George went pale. Elenor watched him flounder, then run his finger around his collar.
‘Are you warm, George? Might I suggest as Victoria is busy preparing our meal that you might fill the coal scuttles? Let Victoria relax for the evening. We will sing carols to start off the Christmas festivities, you can play for us. What do you think?’
With amusement she watched his Adam’s apple bob up and down as he swallowed. Not moving, she waited for his response. A beaded row of sweat formed across his brow and she knew he battled with his temper.
Biting into the side of her cheek and clenching her fists to stop an outburst of giggles, Elenor watched him stand up and adjust his jacket.
‘Now, I really must finish writing in my aunt’s card. If you would kindly return my items to my desk, thank you.’
She made a pretend fuss of moving a silver bird from one side of a cabinet to another and watched him return her desk to order.
‘Oh, and please leave the door open, I need to listen out for my aunt.’
She watched him stomp from the room and hesitate, pondering whether he dared slam the door. He left it open.
The afternoon was productive on her part, and the evening turned out to be a jovial affair. Each chose a carol to sing together, and Elenor chose ‘Silent Night’ to sing for her solo. Rose played several tunes, all with perfect precision. Elenor noticed neither parent praised her. They expected nothing but perfection. When the singing was over, Rose fell asleep on the mat beside the fire.
‘Ah, little thing looks like a contented kitten,’ Aunt Maude said. Elenor scooped her up and handed her to Victoria. As she kissed the top of the Rose’s head, she realised she’d never seen Rose’s parents show the same affection.
When the evening drew to a close, Maude called George to her and whispered something to him. He left the room and Elenor looked to her aunt who tapped the side of her nose and grinned back at her.
He returned carrying a large object covered in a sheet.
The Secret Orphan Page 7