The Secret Orphan

by Glynis Peters

  ‘Set it down over there, George. Careful. Gently does it.’

  Her aunt pointed to the object on the small table next to the Christmas tree.

  ‘This belonged to your uncle and now it’s yours. Tomorrow we will be able to listen to King George give his speech. We will be part of history.’

  Elenor jumped to her feet and pulled away the sheet. She clapped her hands in delight.

  ‘A wireless set. How wonderful. Oh, but how does it work?’

  ‘Fret not. When I couldn’t see it in your uncle’s bedroom, I asked George to look for it and get it serviced. He’s learned how to set it to the right frequencies.’

  Elenor could see by George’s face that was not the case and guessed he had hidden it away for his own use.

  ‘Thank you, George. It was most thoughtful of you, and now my aunt will be able to enjoy it on a day-to-day basis. I suggest after tomorrow you move it to the parlour. After all, that is where she spends most of her days.’

  His faced flushed just as she guessed it might. Elenor sensed his intention had been to use it whenever he wanted in the room her aunt rarely entered.

  ‘If at any time either of you wanted to listen in with us, I am sure you wouldn’t object, Aunt?’

  ‘Not at all, although it is yours, so maybe your study? That way, if I want to doze, you can still listen to your music. Talking of dozing, it’s time for my bed.’

  Chapter 14

  Squeals of laughter came from Rose as she pulled out the contents of her Christmas stocking.

  ‘Ah, Rose reminds me of you at that age, Elenor,’ said Maude.

  ‘Really? I was that noisy?’ Elenor laughed.

  ‘If she’s too noisy she can go to her room,’ George grumbled as he poked at the coals on the fire.

  ‘Not at all. It is a day for her to have fun. Goodness knows, there is little joy in the world at the moment. With preparation and talk of another war, we must focus on bringing happiness into our homes. If anyone retires to a room today, it will be me. Now, you four go about your business, and I’ll sit here quietly until dinner time.’

  Elenor gave her aunt a wide smile.

  ‘We won’t be long. I don’t think Rose will allow it.’

  The trip delivering her pasties took Elenor a little longer than anticipated, but she found it worthwhile despite George’s grumbles. Back home the table was soon laden with an array of tempting treats, and after they’d eaten, Christmas Day afternoon was spent discussing the King’s speech.

  George debated with her aunt about the horrors of the past, and of how the invasion of Austria was having an impact upon Britain. The threat of war threatened to dampen the mood for Elenor, but she battled against it by playing with Rose. After four games of hide and seek, she caved in and declared it was Rose’s bedtime. Victoria and George took the hint and went to their own rooms.

  When left together for the evening, Elenor and her aunt sat nibbling at a slice of Christmas fruitcake.

  ‘Do you think there will be a war, Aunt?’

  ‘I did think it was all hot air and males locking horns across the waters, but confess I fear there is more to the call for us to have gas masks and be prepared to evacuate children.’

  Elenor shuddered.

  ‘Rose gagged when I took her for her mask fitting. She screamed when she saw me in mine,’ she said.

  ‘You took her?’

  ‘Yes. George and Victoria were going on another of their visits. They asked me to take her. It was the week before I took you for your fitting.’

  Her aunt put down her glass and leaned back in her chair.

  ‘Why don’t they ever take the child anywhere with them? Aren’t the grandparents interested in the child?’

  ‘Victoria says nothing, but I wonder if the families don’t approve of her and George. I’m sorry, but if it was me then my child would always come first.’

  Maude sighed.

  ‘Enough of them. What about you, Elenor? What plans do you have when I’m gone?’

  The question threw Elenor into a frenzy of splutters after sipping her drink. She coughed into her handkerchief and looked at her aunt.

  ‘I think you will be here a while yet, aunt. I need you to tame me. I’m still a country bumpkin deep down.’ She giggled.

  ‘I’m serious, Elenor. Is there anything you’d like to do, to try? I won’t be around forever.’

  ‘I’d like to travel one day. Maybe visit Wales, and some of the places we’ve studied together.’

  ‘Ah yes, talking of that. The Canadian pilot’s grandson is paying us a visit tomorrow. George asked if he could invite him for a light lunch and drinks. Of course, I said yes.’

  Thankful she’d put down her glass, Elenor stared at her aunt in amazement.

  ‘Pardon me? George still communicates with the pilot?’

  ‘From what I gather, yes.’

  ‘Kind of him to invite him,’ Elenor said and hoped her voice sounded calm and steady.

  Inside her feelings raged around with great excitement. Jackson St John was to visit their home!

  Why does the man generate such emotion in me? Elenor wondered.

  ‘Aunt. Can I ask? When you met my uncle, how did you know he was the man you wanted to marry? How did you know you were in love?’

  Her aunt flapped her skirt away from her ankles and sat upright.

  ‘Why did mention of a young Canadian pilot visiting for lunch bring about such a question?’

  Grateful for the dimmed lights and her aunt’s inability to see far, Elenor made no effort to wave away the heat in her cheeks – cheeks which were probably flaming with embarrassment.

  ‘I … I meant …’ She shifted around in her seat and gave up trying to get out of the question. She picked at the corner of her handkerchief. ‘He made me feel special. That one time when we had tea. He didn’t appear to notice my flaws. My freckled face, and that my accent was different to the local people. He made me feel an adult in adult company.’

  ‘Ah, I see. Did he flatter you excessively? Sweet talk you?’

  Maude’s voice had a stern, urgent tone to it and Elenor felt the need to defend Jackson’s effect on her.

  ‘No. George barely gave him the opportunity to talk to me, but when he did it was as if he was interested in my company as me, not as a flighty woman he was trying to impress. My brothers have a different way they speak to the young women on the farm. It always embarrasses me. Jackson did none of those things. Does that make sense?’

  Her aunt rose from her chair and crossed over to her. Elenor stood up and her aunt took both her hands in hers. She leaned forward and kissed her cheek.

  ‘My dear girl. If he makes you feel special and treats you with kindness, then he will be the man for you. You will know, deep inside, you will know. My only words to you are this, and it is a delicate thing, but you have no mother to guide you. Do not be flattered into his bed before marriage. I suspect that is how George and Victoria came to have Rose. Do you understand my meaning? Their anger towards the child is quite obvious to us, isn’t it?’

  Elenor dropped her head to look at the floor.

  ‘It is. I do understand. I think I do.’

  ‘Good. Now, it’s been a long day and we want to be at our best for our visitor tomorrow.’

  Maude gave her hands a gentle, reassuring squeeze.

  ‘I need to meet the young man who has put my niece’s heart into a flutter.’

  Chapter 15

  ‘Drat.’ Elenor picked up the hairpin which refused to remain holding the curl behind another. The style was from a magazine spread out in front of her, and she soon realised no amount of step-by-step instructions would hold her soft hair in place. As she released the stray length of hair it fell in a flattering loop of its own beside her left ear. She shook her head and it held fast.

  ‘Different. You’ll do.’

  Her dress slid over her curves, feminine curves which had appeared since leaving the farm. Her scrawny body now had a shape
she appreciated. The skirt of the dress fell just below her knee, and she wore new woollen stockings and shoes. Both shoes and dress were in emerald green and sported bows. According to Sally they were all the rage and the season’s new arrivals to the store.

  Elenor skimmed the raspberry shade of lipstick across her lips, and mascara over her lashes. With a light puff of blush across her cheeks, she considered herself preened enough.

  Each time she thought of Jackson visiting their home and her confession to her aunt the previous evening, a nausea swept over her, followed by a flicker of excitement. She looked at her watch, a gift from her aunt’s jewellery box, and saw it was time for breakfast.

  Seated downstairs, she waited for her aunt to arrive. The clock ticked loudly in the room, but its hands never appeared to move. Elenor sighed, it was going to be a long day.

  The room door clicked open and her aunt entered. Elenor rose to her feet and pulled out her aunt’s chair.

  ‘Good morning, Elenor. I trust you slept well? The green suits you.’

  ‘Good morning and thank you,’ Elenor said and gave her aunt a peck of a kiss on the cheek.

  ‘Nervous?’ her aunt asked and gave a wide grin.

  Taken aback and enjoying the transformation in her aunt, she gave a loud laugh.

  ‘You wicked lady. Behave.’

  She gave another laugh when she realised she’d mimicked Jackson’s ticking off of his grandfather the day they first met.

  ‘Yes. I am nervous. Nervous of George boring him to death, and of you questioning him into running away never to be seen again.’

  Her aunt threw back her head and laughed louder than ever, and Elenor giggled through tears of joy. This was a Boxing Day breakfast she’d never forget.

  ‘Describe this young man to me. I’d hate to entertain some poor soul merely knocking on the door looking for work.’

  ‘You are a wicked tease, Aunt Maude. If you must know, he is very handsome. A little older than me, taller, much taller, and he has a dark head of hair. And his eyes are the deepest brown I’ve seen. His skin is tanned from working outdoors. He has broad shoulders. Strong arms.’

  Aunt Maude listened with patient interest and gave a fake swoon.

  ‘He sounds like a film star. I’ll assume you are guessing at how strong his arms are.’

  Sitting astounded by the antics of an aunt who’d shown no sign of humour when Elenor first arrived, she watched bemused at the elderly woman draping her arm across her forehead, mimicking many an actress.

  ‘What has got into you? Who took away my serious aunt?’

  Maude sat upright in the chair.

  ‘It’s your fault. You have brought the devil out in me. All this talk of young love. It has brought back memories; some need suffocating with humour, and others need to be embraced once again. Don’t try and impress your man, be yourself. If he is worthy of being in your life, he will see your beauty inside and out. I’ll distract George, you concentrate on gaining a husband.’ Maude chuckled and bit into her toast.

  ‘Wise words and thank you for the advice. Oh, and please do distract George or I’ll find it hard to be a lady in his presence.’

  ‘We will listen to the news and invite Rose in for a game of snap with her new playing cards, until our guest arrives.’

  After two loud games of snap, Elenor ventured into the kitchen to offer her help to Victoria. George sat at the table reading a newspaper. He peered over the top and raised an eyebrow at Elenor.

  ‘Rather overdressed for cooking lunch?’ he said and went back to reading the news.

  Victoria shook her head at Elenor, a warning to say nothing; yet again the atmosphere was thick with tension.

  ‘I’m preparing a cold lunch, Elenor. Your aunt’s instructions,’ she said. ‘You could set the table for me, which would help, thank you.’

  Elenor wandered into the dining room and busied herself with preparing the table and seating arrangements. On small cards she wrote out each name, careful to keep Jackson close to her.

  The clang of the front door knocker made her jump. Flustered she rushed across the hall into the front room and joined her aunt. Rose ran from the kitchen.

  ‘There’s somebody at the door,’ she called out to anyone who’d care to listen.

  George’s footsteps fell heavy down the hallway and Elenor stood holding her breath, waiting for him to let Jackson into their home.

  ‘Welcome. Merry Christmas. Do come in.’ George’s voice boomed out.

  ‘Happy Boxing Day, George.’

  ‘Mrs Matthews and her niece are waiting for us to join them in the front room. This door. Do go through.

  Elenor looked to her aunt who gave her a reassuring smile.

  Rose pushed open the door and ran to stand beside Elenor.

  ‘Daddy’s friend is here. He’s very tall,’ she announced in a loud voice.

  Jackson followed and gave Elenor a smile before he strode to her aunt and handed her a box of chocolates.

  ‘Mrs Matthews, I wish you a Merry Christmas. It is kind of you to entertain me today.’

  Elenor watched her aunt as she rose from her chair and shook Jackson’s hand.

  ‘Mr St John, it is kind of you to join us. We embrace our cousins from abroad. I believe you’ve met my niece, Elenor.’

  Jackson released her aunt’s hand and Elenor held out hers as he walked towards her. He was just as handsome as she remembered.

  ‘Miss Cardew. My pleasure.’

  ‘I’m Rose.’

  Rose peeked around from behind Elenor before she had a chance to respond to Jackson. She reached round and tugged out the smiling child.

  ‘Yes, and this is Rose Sherbourne. Our resident trouble maker.’ She tickled Rose who giggled.

  ‘Hello Rose. Trouble, eh? I cannot believe it, what with that bright smile.’

  ‘Don’t be fooled,’ Elenor said.

  ‘Indeed. She’s got the cheek of the devil, that one,’ Aunt Maude teased. ‘Ah, George.’

  ‘Rose, don’t be a nuisance to Mr St John, he has come to visit me for lunch. Go and fetch your mother, please. Do sit down, Jackson. Elenor, would you mind?’

  George pointed to the drinks tray he’d set out that morning, and sat opposite Jackson, and in the chair her aunt had vacated in order to shake Jackson’s hand.

  Maude stared at him, and Elenor looked at him in disbelief.

  At last you’ve shown your true colours in front of my aunt. Pompous ass!

  ‘Aunt, do sit down. George, please let Aunt Maude sit in her chair. I know it is Christmas and things get altered around, but she needs to be near the fire. Sit next to Jackson, after you’ve fetched them both a drink. I’ll go help Victoria with the meal.’

  George turned and looked at her, but before he had a chance to move, Jackson was on his feet.

  ‘Can I do anything to help? Mrs Matthews, please, take my seat,’ he said, and ushered Maude into his chair.

  ‘George?’ Elenor said, raising her eyebrows.

  She felt a tension in the room.

  What is your game?

  ‘Maybe you could offer our guest a drink, please? Jackson, sit on this chair, near my aunt.’ Elenor pulled a chair close to her aunt’s.

  Elenor left the room and went to fetch Victoria.

  ‘Is George unwell or merely extra ignorant today?’ she asked as she entered the kitchen and leaned on both hands at the edge of the table where Victoria was plating up slices of cold meat.

  Victoria looked at her with shock.

  ‘He is playing lord of the manor over my aunt. Behaving as if I’m his servant. If it wasn’t embarrassing enough, he has the cheek to sit in my aunt’s chair.’

  ‘Oh dear. He was in a strange mood this morning. I think he’d hoped to have his Canadian friend to himself. Are you ready for lunch? Maybe he’ll settle down when he realises it isn’t his place to play host. Although, to be fair, he did ask if Jackson could be his guest.’

  Elenor stood upright.

&nbs
p; ‘Yes, but it gives him no right to leave an elderly lady standing, and to order me to offer drinks. He should remember he has no position in this house. He is also a guest at our table. I’ll take these through and tell them to take their seats.’

  Victoria said nothing in reply and handed Elenor a tray filled with pickles and chutneys, and Elenor went to announce lunch.

  She returned to the kitchen and, with the help of Rose, she and Victoria joined them.

  When they entered the room, Elenor looked at the people seated at the table deep in conversation. George had altered them to keep him close to Jackson.

  Annoyed, Elenor slid into her seat. She glanced to the end of the table across at Jackson who surprised her with a wink.

  ‘Jackson. How’s the flying going? Put in any more hours since we last met? The last letter I received from Samuel indicated a change afoot. Are you heading back home?’

  Elenor looked at George, then to Jackson.

  Jackson laid down his fork and wiped his mouth on a napkin. He gave a frown.

  ‘You write to my grandfather? I didn’t realise. When we bumped into each other you didn’t say. Well, I’m not sure what is happening out there. I do know I’m only here for another six weeks. Shame. I’m enjoying the sights,’ he said and stared over at Elenor.

  ‘George mentioned flying hours. Do you have to achieve so many in a day, Mr St John?’ her aunt asked.

  ‘The hours vary, Mrs Matthews, depending on the plane. I’m flying a Blenheim next week. A much larger plane, and it has three in the crew.’

  ‘Interesting. The Hawker Hind is retiring?’ asked George.

  ‘Not at all. It is a valuable training tool. I am grateful to the RAF for allowing me the opportunity to fly a more modern plane.’

  ‘Modern? I thought the Blenheim was old-school,’ said George.

  ‘Let’s just say it’s had an overhaul,’ said Jackson.

  Elenor listened both with fascination and fear. She understood Jackson was a pilot but hadn’t considered the dangers he might be in when flying.

  ‘Will you fly if there is war, Jackson?’ she asked.

  ‘It depends upon our governments. The requirements at the time.’