The Secret Orphan

by Glynis Peters

  As they entered the hallway, George stepped off the last stair. He walked towards the doctor with his hand out.

  ‘Ah, Elenor. You are needed upstairs. Thank you for assisting us at such a sad time, Doctor. Let me see you out.’

  The doctor placed his hat on his head, ignoring George’s hand as if he hadn’t noticed it, and opened the front door. He turned and faced Elenor.

  ‘I will return this evening. In the meantime, take care, Miss Cardew and my condolences. Mr and Mrs Sherbourne will be on hand to see to your comfort. Now go attend your aunt if that is what you feel you need to do.’

  Elenor resisted the urge to hug the doctor. He had blanked George and his pompous assumption he was head of the household.

  When they’d finished attending to her aunt, Victoria left the room and Elenor sat for a moment allowing the peace and calm to wash over her. Eventually, Elenor was ready to let her aunt go. She leaned forward and kissed her brow.

  ‘Goodbye Aunt Maude. Safe journey. I will never forget you.’

  Her quiet moment was disturbed by the sound of raised voices from George and Victoria. Annoyed at the lack of respect for a house in mourning she closed the door on her aunt and went downstairs. When she pushed open the kitchen door she found Victoria and George facing each other and it was evident there was no love lost between them.

  She glared at them, and Victoria had the decency to blush and hang her head in shame.

  ‘How dare you? Please show respect. Whatever your problem is with each other, please sort it out. I am fed up with the tension between you two and need you to stop this constant arguing. Where is your daughter? She will be upset and need comforting. Did you know she looked to my aunt as a grandmother?’

  Elenor noted the glance from George to Victoria and recognised his annoyance, but he kept quiet.

  ‘I am going to write letters to those who need to hear of my aunt’s death, and you two will both stay and help me through this, or you can leave. Either way I do not care. I am as unsure of my future as you both are, but I will not tolerate this nonsense whilst my aunt is still in her room.’

  She turned on her heel and walked away. A new chapter in her life had started and she needed to take control.

  Chapter 19

  At her desk she sat and stared out of the window. The snow fell, and the fire gave her little comfort. After writing four formal letters she pulled out a sheet of paper and wrote to Jackson.

  Elenor Cardew,

  11 Stephenson Road,

  Coventry.

  Dear Jackson,

  It is with deep sadness I write to you with news of my aunt. Early this morning before the dawn, she left us. It was a peaceful passing, but for me, a sad one.

  There is much for me to consider but until I know of what is expected of me, I will remain here. The doctor informed me my aunt’s solicitor will be visiting soon, and as the doctor is also an old friend of hers, she has asked him to organise her funeral, which I understand will be a week from today.

  It is a lonely day, but I am sure Rose will help me through it with her child’s view of life and death.

  Your letter has given me great comfort during these past few dark hours, and I accept your invitation to tea, providing I am still living here or free to do so. My future is uncertain, but I have plans to seek employment in Coventry. I have no intention of becoming dependent upon my brothers again.

  Please fly with care, your friendship is valuable to me.

  With affection, your friend,

  Elenor.

  Aunt Maude left her home at 4.32 in the afternoon. It was a dignified removal, and Elenor was grateful to all involved.

  Doctor Blake returned in the early evening and brought along her aunt’s solicitor. Victoria announced them to Elenor who sat in the front room.

  ‘Elenor. Allow me to introduce Nigel Andrews.’

  A middle-aged gentleman stood alongside the doctor, his face as sombre as his suit. He made Elenor nervous.

  All three shook hands and Elenor invited them to sit. Victoria hovered in the doorway.

  ‘It’s all right, Victoria. I’ll attend to my guests. You get some rest. Thank you for today.’

  ‘My condolences, Miss Cardew. Under normal circumstances I would not be asked to carry out duties so soon after a client’s death, but your aunt left strict instructions, and the doctor and I are honour bound to carry them out.’

  Elenor sat back down, and the men followed suit. Although he gave her a polite smile, the solicitor still unnerved Elenor. She sipped at the cordial she’d poured earlier in the evening.

  ‘Thank you, sir. Doctor, would you mind helping yourself and Mr Andrews to a drink? I am afraid my knowledge of what gentlemen drink is poor, and my hands have not stopped shaking since my aunt left us.’

  ‘We understand. Mrs Matthews was quite frank about your background, and of what will happen when you return to your home.’

  There it was. The ‘when you return home’ statement. Elenor took a mouthful of drink and screwed up her nose at the glass.

  ‘Doctor, would it be wrong to ask for the medicinal brandy so long after the event?’

  She looked to the man with kind eyes and they twinkled back at her, but they did nothing to lift the cloud which had settled over her head.

  ‘Well, at least I know what my future holds, Mr Andrews, and it is more than Mr and Mrs Sherbourne. I assume the items my aunt gifted to me are mine to keep? I am not sure I will be able to transport the wireless set back to Cornwall, but I will be able to carry the rest.’

  The solicitor drained the last of his glass and leaned over the arm of his chair and opened his briefcase. He held out a letter.

  ‘This is from your aunt. Her instructions are you read it alone tonight, and I will return tomorrow to assist you with the formalities. Doctor Blake and I won’t keep you any longer. Again, my condolences. I will call around eleven in the morning if that is suitable?’

  Elenor rose to her feet and took the letter from him.

  ‘Thank you. The time is perfect. Will you be here too, doctor?’

  ‘No, my dear. My work is done here unless you become unwell. That said, should you need me for any advice or help, please do not hesitate to ask. As I said, your aunt was a friend.’

  His smile warmed her heart, and she understood her aunt’s fondness for the man.

  ‘Thank you. I’ll see you both out.’

  She pulled open the door and was startled to see George standing in front of her, it displeased her to see he was just as startled. The man had been eavesdropping.

  ‘Gentleman, Mr Sherbourne is keen to assist, so I will leave him to lock up behind you. Goodnight, and again, thank you.’

  She did not wait for a response but took herself back into the front room and curled up on the sofa. She slit the envelope open and pulled out its contents. With a deep breath she unfolded the paper and looked down at the scrawled handwriting of her aunt.

  My Dearest Elenor,

  This letter is possibly easier for me to write than it is for you to read, in spite of my frail hands. I do hope you mourn me. Forgive my bluntness, for if you do not then I have misjudged you and our relationship.

  Your life has not been an easy one and I blame my brother-in-law and your siblings. You are probably worrying about your future in Coventry and the truth is, I am too. I have moved in haste with my instructions so soon after my death because I fear you will pack and run back to Tre Lodhen before considering your options.

  I have instructed my solicitor to write a formal will on my behalf, but for your benefit, I will lay out the basis of it here.

  I leave everything I own to you. Sell what you want and bank it for the future. The house is rented but is paid for until the end of 1940. Victoria and George can stay until then, and I have organised a salary until the end of the tenancy. George Sherbourne is to be offered the position of your tutor. He is to instruct you on how to handle your household accounts in exchange for his bed and board. You
will employ them both, never forget that, or to allow him to convince you otherwise. Should they decide differently, then Mr Andrews is instructed to give Victoria a small sum of money to see her over for a few months until reemployed. Mr Andrews will be your main point of contact for all things relating to the property.

  My bank manager will contact you at a later date. You will not be rich, but most definitely not destitute. Do not fall for the flattery of young fools who will waste away your inheritance once your name is theirs. I will add, I trust our friend the pilot.

  You are the daughter I longed for, and I begged your father to allow you to live with me after your mother died, but he would not hear of it. It saddens me we only had a short time together, but I want to thank you for bringing so much joy into my life. Elenor, I wish you every happiness for the future. I leave you with more than my material goods. I leave you with my love.

  Aunt Maude.

  Elenor reread the letter and slid it back inside the envelope. Her heart pounded behind her ribs and her breath came fast and heavy. She was to have money in a bank and she employed people. Her brothers would never see her again, and she could stay in Coventry. Overwhelmed and tired from the emotional events. Elenor took herself to bed and hoped her active thoughts would settle so she could get a good night’s rest.

  Noise outside her bedroom door alerted Elenor it was daytime. Sleep had come easier than she thought it might. Her aunt’s letter nestled snug under her pillow, reminding her its contents were not a dream. Once again footsteps outside her room distracted her, and she climbed out of bed, pulled on her dressing gown and pulled the door open.

  ‘George. Can I help you?’

  Her voice held no politeness. The last thing she expected to see was him loitering outside of her bedroom door.

  ‘Elenor. Good morning. We were wondering if you would be down for breakfast as usual.’

  ‘I shall and please tell Victoria not to bring me tea upstairs. I’ll have just toast for breakfast. Thank you.’

  George made no move to leave.

  ‘Something else, George?’

  ‘It is rather delicate and needs to be addressed sooner rather than later, Elenor.’

  ‘Well, as I am not yet ready to talk to you, and am in need of my breakfast, I will find you after I have finished.’

  Without giving him the opportunity to respond, she closed the door.

  She knew he wanted to find out about Victoria’s position and was quite within his rights to be concerned, but Elenor had no desire to discuss such important matters on the landing in her nightclothes at seven in the morning. Today was going to be a long one with many decisions to make.

  Entering the dining room flagged up one of her decisions to be made. George sat in her aunt’s seat reading a letter. His disrespect, assumption, and arrogance stared Elenor in the face and her mind was made up. He had to go even if it meant losing a hardworking woman like Victoria.

  He laid down the letter and looked up at her.

  ‘Ah, you’ve arrived just in time. Victoria will be returning with poached eggs and kippers. You need to eat more than just toast. How are you this morning, Elenor?’

  Not having made any move to sit at her seat, Elenor just stared at him. He wore a black cravat and braces, but no jacket. His shirt sleeves were rolled to the elbow, and he looked comfortable in his environment. Too comfortable.

  ‘Did Victoria cover the door knocker this morning, do you know?’

  His question threw her, and she glanced around the room, then back at George.

  ‘I beg your pardon?’ she said.

  ‘Mourning preparations. I forgot to ask Victoria if she had made a start. Ah, here she is now.’

  Still standing, Elenor turned in a daze towards Victoria entering the room. She wore a black skirt and blouse. It reminded Elenor her navy clothes were not suitable. Victoria’s outfit highlighted the dark rims under her eyes, and her complexion was paler than the previous day.

  Victoria set the tray onto the table.

  ‘Good morning, Elenor. George told me you have requested his company for breakfast. I understand you have things to talk about. I’ll leave this here and he can tell me when you’ve finished.’

  Elenor stared at George but he showed no sign of being caught out in a lie. The last man she would invite for breakfast would be George Sherbourne.

  ‘Victoria, select food for yourself and sit with us. I have something to ask you and besides, you look worn out and I won’t have you running around undernourished. Is Rose in school today?’

  ‘Yes, she’s just left. Thank you,’ Victoria said and went towards a chair.

  A movement from George caught Elenor’s attention, she saw him make a slight move of his head from left to right, suggesting he warned Victoria off from joining them.

  ‘George, are you not tutoring today? As you are not actually employed by the household, there is no reason for you to sit around here all day. I have the solicitor arriving at eleven, and a couple of things for Victoria to assist me with, other than that I won’t need anyone else watching over me. Kind thought it is though, thank you.’

  Elenor held back the barrage of abuse she wanted to hurtle at the snide male worming his way into her world.

  ‘Victoria. Sit. Eat with me, please.’

  Victoria looked at the spare seat next to her husband and then to him.

  ‘Forgive me Elenor, I have eaten my breakfast already, and have things in the oven which need watching.’

  ‘I understand.’

  Elenor pulled out her seat and sat down.

  ‘As I said, George, you can continue with your regular work, so please, do not feel you have to sit here and keep me company. I have the need for some time alone.’

  The dismissive tone in her voice worked. George said nothing; he didn’t need to, the redness from his neck and face told Elenor enough.

  He snatched up his letter and left the room, following his wife into the kitchen. Within a short while, Elenor heard raised voices coming from the parlour. Puzzled, she followed the sound.

  ‘Walking around as if she owns the place. She’ll soon have her brothers to answer to, and we’ll see how she likes that, three men to look after.’

  George’s voice filtered out into the hallway.

  ‘They might not want us to work for them, George. We need to consider that possiblity.’

  A thud told Elenor George had hit a piece of furniture.

  ‘Having Rose was a big mistake. We must find a way to sort out this mess. Careless.’

  ‘Careless? You forced yourself on me. I didn’t have a choice, keeping her hidden …’

  Elenor burst into the room, she’d heard enough. She’d been unwanted by her father but never her mother.

  ‘Have you no respect?’

  Victoria stood shell-shocked by her appearance. George stood open mouthed.

  ‘How dare you enter into such a personal squabble in this house? Get out, the pair of you. Go to the kitchen, compose yourselves and then come and find me in my study in ten minutes. I have something to say about this whole wretched situation. And George, hold your tongue against Victoria, understand me?’

  Elenor marched from the room without waiting for a response from either of them and back into the dining room. She poured herself a cup of tea and buttered two slices of toast. She heard the couple rush towards the kitchen and close the door. She bit into the toast, which was cold and tasteless but she ate it, nevertheless. The clock on the mantle ticked onto 8.45, and she sighed. Eleven couldn’t come soon enough. The tea was stewed, but she gulped down several mouthfuls, then made her way to her study.

  Picking up her pen she scribbled out a letter to Mrs Green informing her of her aunt’s death, and that the solicitor would deal with the closing of her account. She asked for Sally to assist Victoria in choosing a mourning outfit similar to her navy, or whatever Mrs Green felt suitable. Victoria would be given a suitable sum to cover the cost. Elenor knew she had enough allowance m
oney put away in her room.

  Outside the window Elenor could see the world drifting past. A woman walked by holding a child’s hand, an old man ambled along behind them. Across the road she could see a man polishing a car bonnet, and another cleaning windows. All unaware of the loss from inside her home, all going about their business unaffected by recent death, but she knew, if told, they would show more respect than George and Victoria.

  A light tap at the door meant the pair were waiting for her to call them into the room. She left it a few seconds to compose herself.

  ‘Come in.’

  She turned around to face them. George strode in first.

  ‘Our apologies.’

  Elenor put up her hand to stop him talking. She pointed to a chair slightly to the right of her.

  ‘Victoria, take a seat.’

  Victoria did as she was told, and George looked about for one for himself.

  ‘You won’t be staying long, George,’ Elenor said.

  He straightened his shoulders and she could see he was put out by her comment. The longer he stood in front of her the more her temper rose, and she was not going to allow him to goad her into failure.

  ‘As you were so vocal this morning, I could not help but overhear you. Thank goodness Rose did not do the same. Neither of you have a civil word to say to one another. It makes me uncomfortable in my own home.’

  ‘We apologise, Elenor. We have placed you in an awkward position, and our behaviour is unforgivable. When your brothers arrive to take over, we will be gone. Please, find it in your heart to write a fair reference for me, I understand it is a lot to ask of you given the circumstances, but I did work hard for your aunt,’ Victoria said.

  George’s head turned to her with such a speed Elenor feared he would break his neck.

  ‘Thank you for your apology both of you. George, you need to get to work, your pupil will not gain a good education if his master is not in attendance.’

  With her hands behind her back, Elenor smiled at him and waited for him to speak. Instead it surprised her that he did as she said and left. Victoria watched him leave and turned back to Elenor.