The Secret Orphan

by Glynis Peters

‘Elenor, I am heart sore with what you overheard this morning. Please, think kindly on what I ask about a reference. I will stay to help until after the funeral, and then we will leave.’

  Elenor turned to her desk and picked up the letter for Mrs Green. She held it out to Victoria.

  ‘I have listened to what you have to say, and whilst I consider your request, please take this to Mrs Green at the department store. Stay for her response. Mr Andrews will be here when you return, and I would appreciate privacy until he has gone. I think the fresh air will do you good, and it is best I do not see you or George for a few hours.’

  Victoria took the letter and after a while Elenor saw her walk by the window accompanied by George. They parted ways at the bottom of the road, and she watched him drop a letter into the post box on the corner, then went back to her own letter writing. She was alone inside the house for the first time.

  She went upstairs to her uncle’s room and began clearing items she had no use for, then did the same in her aunt’s. She kept a hand mirror and hairbrush she’d always admired for herself. She wanted to have a family heirloom, and Elenor knew it had once belonged to her grandmother. A walnut jewellery box sat on the left of the dressing table, and Elenor hesitated before opening it; somehow it seemed disrespectful. Inside she found various pretty pieces but nothing she would wish to keep for herself, except a strand of black jade beads. Once she had filled several bags she set them aside to be sold at the local auction house. Elenor also kept two of the small silver items Rose had polished. She would give them to her when she came home from school. A gift from Aunt Maude.

  The dull thud of the door knocker announced the arrival of the solicitor.

  ‘Mr Andrews. Do come in.’

  An hour of paper signing followed, with the end result overwhelming Elenor. She’d never owned so much money. It would rent a property for several years if she was careful.

  The postman distracted her from reading formal papers the solicitor had left behind for her to read, and she watched the man amble along her front path. A solitary letter lay on the mat and it was addressed to George. What caught her attention was the postage stamp. It was two Angels hovering over the world, with an aeroplane between them. There was a number six and the word cent printed on the stamp, along with Canada. A letter from Samuel Fleming. If only it had been another from Jackson.

  Chapter 20

  Elenor moved around the house absorbing all that was hers. It seemed ruthless to consider such things so soon, but she needed to occupy herself.

  Movement in the kitchen meant Victoria had returned.

  ‘Elenor?’

  Victoria’s voice echoed in the hallway and Elenor went out to greet her.

  ‘Mrs Green is here. She wanted to see you and offer her condolences.’

  ‘Thank you, Victoria. Bring her in here.’

  Mrs Green put her arms out to Elenor and embraced her as a friend.

  ‘I am so sorry for your loss. Mrs Matthews was a fine woman.’

  Releasing her hold, Mrs Green moved to a seat. Elenor sat opposite comforted by the woman’s presence.

  ‘Thank you. I will miss her.’

  Mrs Green pointed to the packages on the table.

  ‘I selected two dresses and a black cardigan. Sally sends her condolences. Will you return to Cornwall?’

  Elenor shook her head.

  ‘I want to see what Coventry offers without Aunt Maude for a few months. My brothers don’t need me to help on the farm, so I am a free agent and will look for a job here. I’d like to work in Owen’s. Did I remember to ask you if you’d like tea?’

  Mrs Green rose from her chair and crossed over to Elenor. She took her hands.

  ‘My dear, I have to return to work. I know we are fully staffed at the moment but I will let you know as soon as a position is available. Look after yourself and when you are ready, come and see me.’

  Elenor watched her walk towards the door.

  ‘I’ll see myself out. Look over the dresses and if they are not suitable we’ll try again. Goodbye dear. Take heart in knowing your aunt was terribly fond of you.’

  ‘Thank you again, Mrs Green.’

  Elenor took the dresses upstairs and tried them on. They were a perfect fit and choice. Soft voices muttered from behind the kitchen door and she guessed George had returned home. The evening would be entertaining if all went to plan. She entered the kitchen and addressed Victoria unpacking shopping into a cupboard.

  ‘I will eat my meal in the front room, Victoria, not the dining room, and please join me. You won’t mind will you, George? It’s just to keep me company during this sad time. I need to talk to another female, you do understand.’

  She kept her voice soft and added a tired tone. Without fail, George pumped out his chest with importance.

  ‘Not at all Elenor. My wife can keep you company after our meal, by all means.’

  Adding a little tut, Elenor gave a smile.

  ‘Silly me. I thought I’d said, she’ll be eating with me, after she’s attended to you and Rose. As I said, I am in need of female company.’

  She held her head to one side emphasising sadness.

  ‘Of course.’

  George’s sharp reply made Elenor want to laugh out loud. She knew it was wrong of her to taunt him, but she couldn’t help herself.

  She held up a book.

  ‘Until then I am going to settle down to read. Enjoy your evening, George.’

  She watched him shift from foot to foot and knew he wanted to speak. He would be curious about the solicitor’s visit, but Elenor had no intention of telling him the outcome just yet.

  ‘Actually, in hindsight, maybe you would like to join us around seven-thirty.’

  George stroked his chin.

  ‘I do have a few papers to mark, but I should be free by seven-thirty and happy to join you both. The bedrooms will need to be aired in anticipation of your brothers arriving for the funeral. I can oversee Victoria and ensure they are suitable for them.’

  Oh, George. You have played right into my hands. Thank you.

  Time spent with Victoria was quiet and both ate very little.

  ‘This is cosy,’ Elenor said.

  ‘It is and thank you for inviting me to join you,’ Victoria replied.

  ‘I wanted to thank you for the care you’ve given my aunt over the years.’

  ‘She gave me the position when I was pregnant with Rose. George arrived a year after. He’d been abroad teaching.’

  ‘Really? I thought you came together.’

  ‘No. We were, um, separated for a while. His work. My duties. I …’

  A loud knock on the door interrupted the conversation, and George entered the room and Elenor ignored the way he helped himself to a generous brandy without asking.

  ‘Do you think the snow will linger? It will hold up my aunt’s funeral if it does,’ she said and curled up on the sofa. ‘Oh, by the way, did you find your letter, George? It has a very pretty stamp, and I see it is from Canada. Could I have it for my scrapbook please?

  George gave a slight shrug of his right shoulder.

  ‘Ah my friend, Samuel Fleming, I’ll save it for Rose’s project.’

  Elenor ignored the slight.

  ‘Of course. She’ll be pleased.’

  He took a large swig of the brandy and Elenor watched him swallow.

  ‘I take it you understood the meeting with the solicitor or do you need me interpret his jargon? It must be quite daunting. When will we know the outcome?’

  Another put down of her ability to understand things.

  ‘On the contrary, I understood everything. My aunt was most explicit with her wishes, and Mr Andrews explained them well enough.’

  George choked on his brandy and all eyes went to him.

  ‘Are you all right, George? Gracious, it must have gone down the wrong way.’

  He looked back at her with watering eyes and nodded.

  When George had stopped coughing, she swun
g her legs around and stood up.

  ‘You both must be worried about the future. I assume you do not earn enough as a tutor to provide a home for your family, George?’

  George shifted in his seat and Victoria went pale. She faced them both with her hands behind her back.

  ‘You will never know the outcome of the will as a whole, it is not your business, but I can tell you I have two options for you.’

  She looked to them both, first Victoria who sat with her hands in her lap and her brow creased with concern, and then George, who sat upright with his chest puffed out as usual.

  ‘Two options? I don’t understand what you mean?’ he said.

  ‘Oh, that part is easy, it means two choices George.’

  Elenor got the distinct impression that George might have choked on his drink again had he taken a sip. She was enjoying the moment although she realised it was not fair to torment Victoria any longer.

  ‘As Victoria is employed here, this is directed at her. Victoria, the new tenant of the house will be in need of someone to help run the place as you did with my aunt, and you are offered the position,’ she said.

  ‘George is also offered a job as a tutor. The offer only stands for both of you.’

  George grunted. He went to stand but changed his mind.

  ‘Ridiculous,’ he muttered.

  Elenor ignored him.

  ‘The other alternative is a sum of money in Victoria’s name to cover a month’s wages and rent whilst she seeks a new position.’

  An uncomfortable silence fell, and George looked at his wife.

  On his feet once again, George crossed over to her. His neck was red and his voice menacing.

  ‘I will not be told what to do or think by a farm girl from goodness knows where. One who has no idea of decent behaviour, or what her position is in life. Your return to the farm cannot come quick enough. Let the solicitor talk to us about our position in this house. Take your aunt’s money and leave us be.’

  ‘George!’

  Victoria tugged at his arm.

  ‘We need Elenor’s reference.’

  ‘You need her reference. I need nothing from her.’

  ‘George, you have said your piece and I mine. Sit down, be quiet and listen.’

  ‘I …’

  ‘George. Do as Elenor asks, please. It is getting late.’

  With a deep breath in and out, Elenor spoke in softer tones.

  ‘The loss of my aunt has been an upset to the three of us, but I am her beneficiary. My brothers have inherited nothing. I’m the new tenant, and if Victoria wishes, her new employer. The job on offer, George is to teach me book-keeping. The choice is yours.’

  George stared at her in disbelief. Elenor walked to the tray, picked up George’s glass and held it out to him. He shook his head and waved it away. Victoria went to Elenor and held out her hand.

  ‘Thank you for still considering us after my husband’s outburst. George?’

  He ran his hands down the front of his trouser legs and looked at Victoria.

  ‘As my wife said. Apologies.’

  He held out his hand and Elenor shook it.

  ‘Thank you. Here’s to a fresh start. I take it you have accepted my offer of employment?’

  George nodded, and Victoria gave a small smile.

  ‘We do have to consider Rose’s needs. Can I ask we also be allowed to visit our families as before?’ George asked.

  ‘George, I understand. Family is important. And talking of family, you will never meet my brothers and I do not want them let into this house. They do not know, nor will they need to know of my aunt’s death. Is that clear?’

  Elenor directed the words to George.

  George looked at her in surprise, and she knew she’d caught him considering making contact with them.

  ‘They are not welcome here. Your jobs depend on it.’ Elenor said and left the room with a sense he’d understood loud and clear.

  Chapter 21

  The morning of the funeral was a damp miserable one and Elenor was grateful for her warm coat. The funeral procession moved slowly away from the home and after an hour’s service, the cars brought them back to Stephenson Road.

  Victoria bustled about with cups of tea, but Elenor sat accepting condolences from a line of strangers. The day dragged on until three o’clock when she begged George to discourage more visitors. It was the loneliest day she’d ever experienced.

  Each day that followed she rose expecting to see her aunt seated in her favourite chair and a deep sense of loss engulfed her from morning to night. Her excitement at seeing Jackson again helped her through the grieving process, yet at times she felt it was disrespectful to her aunt.

  Victoria and George improved their efforts to get along, and tried to parent on a friendlier level, although Elenor noticed Victoria struggle. Rose walked through the house under a cloud of silence and black clothing, and it had a profound effect on Elenor each time she saw her.

  On the morning of the fifteenth, a dream of life-changing challenges woke Elenor with a start. She’d dreamt of crying by raging waters, then the waves eased and Elenor moved along the coast to meet her mother and aunt for a picnic by the sea. They’d watched a bird wrapped in colourful ribbons flying behind it as it swooped through soft clouds tinged with yellow sunshine. Her mother told her to chase and catch the bird. Her aunt told her to catch a cloud. Laughing, and encouraged by the warmth of their love she ran along the soft sand and a gentle breeze lifted her until she soared high, and she captured both. Once she reached the two women back on the beach, they smiled, waved at her, then held hands and walked away.

  She dressed quickly and ran downstairs.

  ‘Victoria, Rose,’ she called as she moved from room to room opening windows.

  The kitchen door flung open and Victoria hurried along the hallway.

  ‘What is it, Elenor? What’s happened?’

  Rose ran to Elenor when they found her in the parlour.

  ‘Are you hurt?’ she asked, her voice laden with worry.

  Rose bent down and hugged her.

  ‘No, darling girl. Today I feel alive. This house is gloomy, and my aunt would hate the sadness. Go and dress in your normal clothes. No more black. It is not disrespecting my aunt. I had a dream she and my mother were together. They were happy, and everything was so bright and beautiful. I think they were telling me it is time to move on with life. I’m meeting Jackson tomorrow, and will enjoy tea in pretty clothes, not a black mourning outfit.’

  Elenor drew breath and both Victoria and Rose stared at her as she moved around the room pulling open curtains, and opening windows. The cold air rushed in and the door slammed shut.

  ‘That scared me,’ Rose declared.

  ‘Me too. Are you sure you are feeling well enough to go out, Elenor?’ Victoria asked.

  ‘Yes. Yes. We need to air the rooms and brighten them with pretty things. My aunt loved me for being me.’ She swept her arm around the room. ‘This is not me! I cannot bear the gloom anymore. We will freshen up this home and live a better life. Sunshine on a gloomy day is the cure for sadness.’

  Elenor flopped into a seat and beckoned Rose to her.

  ‘What do you say young Rose? Doom and gloom or sunshine and happiness?’

  Rose jumped up and down and clapped her hands.

  ‘Sunshine and happiness,’ she said.

  With a loud laugh Elenor looked at Victoria.

  ‘Don’t be so shocked, Victoria. We have war knocking on our door. Gas masks in the hallway, and a future we are unsure of. It is time to step out of the darkness. We need joy in our lives again.’

  ‘Well, if it is what you want, I’ll help you work your way through your grief,’ Victoria said and folded her arms.

  ‘Don’t look so grumpy. Come on Rose, I’ll race you to my aunt’s room.’

  By the following morning a much happier Elenor had internal butterflies. Three o’clock could not come soon enough.

  A hazy mist washe
d over the trees in the street and the snow now turned to grey slush, but Elenor found beauty in the thaw. She vowed nothing would overshadow her senses. Death could not be allowed to control life.

  Dressed in her deep wine outfit with her hair loose and crowned by a wine beret, she sat at her desk. From there she watched Jackson stride along the pavement. Tall and straight-backed his physique could only be admired. Not wanting George or Victoria to break into the magic of the moment, she pulled on her coat and no sooner had he knocked on the door, she pulled it open.

  ‘Elenor. Are you heading out or in a hurry to greet me?’ Jackson said and stood with his cap in his hand.

  ‘Both,’ Elenor said. ‘We’ll come back here later, but I need to leave. To get outside of these four walls.’

  ‘I’m so sorry about …’

  Elenor placed her finger to his lips.

  ‘Ssh, don’t … save it for later. Happiness first.’

  She pulled the door closed and looped her arm through a bemused Jackson’s. Throughout their walk into town she chattered about many things related to the area, pointing out various buildings and their purpose. By the time they arrived at the tearooms, she’d covered each shop in the main street and realised Jackson had said nothing but yes or no, or interesting, at selected intervals.

  As they sat at the table and placed their order, she smiled and boldly took his hand across the table.

  ‘I’ve waited so long for this day. My aunt’s death has suffocated me – did suffocate me, until today.’

  Jackson made no attempt to remove his hand from under hers, even when the waitress brought their tea.

  ‘I am sorry for your loss. I enjoyed your aunt’s company.’

  ‘Thank you. I’m sorry I’ve jabbered on today, but I’ve been stifled by it all, and my daily companions – Rose aside – are hard work.’

  Jackson listened as he drank his tea and when she finished speaking she gave him an apologetic smile.

  ‘I’ve talked too much again, haven’t I?’

  ‘Not at all. It is better than crying. Do you know where you go from here? Will you stay in Coventry?

  Elenor nodded.

  ‘I’m not going back to Cornwall, and I would like to find work locally. Tell me your news.’