The Secret Orphan

by Glynis Peters

  ‘Argh, he’s got smelly breath,’ she said but made no effort to move. ‘Sit down, and then I’ll stroke you, you crazy animal.’

  Elenor relaxed and sat on the sofa.

  ‘Hey you, you know you are not allowed on there. Off.’

  Seth slunk onto the rug and Rose knelt beside him.

  ‘I’m going to stroke you. Don’t make me jump.’

  Sitting back in her seat, Elenor watched the bonding of dog and child. By the time it came around for Rose to go to bed the pair lay stretched out on the mat. She gave herself a virtual pat on the back for leaping another hurdle. Another goodness knows how many years of hurdles were to be overcome, but for the moment Elenor was happy to settle for the ones she’d jumped so far.

  Chapter 37

  December whizzed by with nightmares, excited dog-and-child days, and tantrums, all of which Elenor learned to handle by luck more than judgement.

  By Christmas Eve, Christmas Day preparations were well underway and the house was filled with many creative activities. Rose, Dottie and Susie made paper chains from newspaper and Elenor prepared the vegetables.

  Old decorations were found in a tin trunk stored in one of the spare rooms. Threadbare tinsel gained new paper dolls hanging by cotton threads and Elenor found six wooden stars made by her grandfather when she was ten. They’d lost their colours over time and the wood had a sheen to it, but Rose insisted they should be repainted, and within an hour Elenor had six yellow star-shaped baubles drying on the window ledge. Susie was a godsend when it came to entertaining Rose. She had patience and sensed a wobble in the child’s emotions before they had time to erupt into heartbreaking sobs. Dottie had a no-nonsense approach and the balance worked well.

  Seth had been relegated to the pen because of his inability to stop tugging at the Christmas decorations, and Tom felled a small Christmas tree from a field Elenor’s father had planted several years before she was born, and it sat in a bucket of soil in the corner.

  ‘Righteo, that’s the cocoa fudge set well enough, and before you ask, no, you cannot have any, young Rose. It is for tomorrow. I gave up sugar in my tea for this, so I intend to eat at least one piece,’ Dottie said, and giggling, flipped away Rose’s hand.

  Christmas morning passed with several visitors dropping by to wish them a happy event, and Rose insisted on a new poem or verse from her children’s poetry book, a gift from Elenor, every hour. It was hard to say no to her pleading eyes.

  Elenor had invited Tom and a widower from the village to join them for Christmas dinner, and all doted upon the little orphan girl who’d melted their hearts with her Christmas prayer for peace. She’d learned the words from a wireless programme and lisped her way with only a few hesitations.

  Applause went out for the Christmas pudding as it sat with its brandy flame bringing warmth of friendship to the room.

  ‘To friendship,’ Elenor said and raised her glass of mulled cider.

  She looked to the faces around the table and wondered about their lives, their Christmases before her attempt to entertain them. Many in the village enjoyed rabbit instead of chicken or turkey, her table enjoyed the pleasures of beef, pork and rabbit. Carved with care she ensured there would be a generous portion for her guests to take home for the next day. Elenor knew she was one of the lucky ones, but she also knew she had responsibilities, and as a naïve twenty-year-old, felt her burdens were plenty enough for her to carry into the New Year.

  She’d moved the wireless into the front room ready to listen to King George’s speech, and Elenor watched Rose play with Annie-two in her new doll’s cot. Memories of the previous Christmas with her generous aunt, and Rose’s parents sitting listening to the King’s first message came flooding back. What would her aunt make of Elenor now, back to her country bumpkin ways with a child on her hands?

  Then she remembered how they’d sung carols around the piano, and of the first time she’d heard Rose play the ‘Moonlight Sonata’ with such perfection it brought chills to her bones. She decided to find a piano for Rose, she had too much talent to go to waste. She also needed to consider getting her into school, applying for new papers and registering her as a local resident with her own ration book. Alice told her when the solicitor had been killed in his office his papers were lost in the fires which followed. Today though, she took time out to relax.

  A brandy and cider steeped shepherd and her housemates roused themselves from their comfortable seats around four o’clock as a tired Rose curled up on the sofa. Seth, forgiven for his attempts to destroy the tree, enjoyed a plate of leftovers by the backdoor. Once done he snuck himself beside Rose. With the last of the dishes dried and away, Elenor slumped into her own chair. She handed Rose the precious orange from her Christmas stocking, now peeled and segmented on a plate.

  ‘Elenor. Do you think Mummy and Daddy had Christmas Day in Heaven?’

  Unprepared for such a question, Elenor took time to encourage Rose to eat a segment or two before answering. She knew each answer would be stored away as a fact, and she had to get it right.

  ‘I think they probably did, Rose. Along with my Aunt Maude, and I bet they are all watching over us and glad we had a good day too, that’s what I think.’

  Rose chewed on her orange deep in thought.

  ‘Do you think they were happy Elenor? I mean, laughing happy. I try to remember their faces, but they never have smiles on them. I can’t remember if they laughed like we laugh.’

  The little girl’s serious voice with its hint of worry stirred something inside of Elenor. Her three friends looked her way and for a second, Elenor floundered. Dottie gave an encouraging smile and Elenor chose her words with care.

  ‘It’s funny what tricks our memories play on us, Rose. I often wondered the same about my aunt. I came to the conclusion that it must be something to do with being a responsible grown up,’ Elenor said.

  ‘But you are a responsibubble grown up and you laugh.’

  Elenor watched Dottie and Susie smother their mouths, and Tom turned his head away.

  ‘Well, I’m a rare kind of responsibubble grown up my darling girl, and you coming into my life has made me very happy,’ Elenor said and had no choice but to give into the giggles brewing up inside. Rose joined in, losing her serious face, and Elenor felt relief her answer had satisfied. Dottie released her bray, and more laughter rang around the room.

  All chores done, Elenor persuaded a sleepy Rose to remain on the couch with Seth watching over her whilst the adults saw to the last jobs of the day outside. Elenor checked on the cowshed and welcomed the soft sounds from her animals. The laughter of children was a wonderful thing, but the pressures of enforced parenthood brought about headaches. A cow gave a soft moo, and thoughts of the Christmas carol ‘Away in a Manger’ came to her and she started to hum the tune. Peace couldn’t come soon enough.

  1941

  Chapter 38

  Seth alerted the household that their much-awaited visitor had arrived. Rose rushed outside and called him into his pen. The two were rarely separated. Rose adored the dog and he had abandoned Elenor for his new mistress.

  ‘This is it girls, extra hands, great start to the New Year. Let’s give her a warm Tre Lodhen welcome,’ Elenor said to Dottie and Susie.

  ‘Jeepers, I’ll need a ladder to speak with her!’ Dottie said and pointed out of the window to an exceptionally tall young woman standing by the gate waving to the back of a truck driving off down the lane.

  ‘Behave, and no laughing. We don’t want to scare her away,’ Susie said and waggled her finger at Dottie. ‘It’s enough she has to share a room with you and your snoring.’

  ‘Both of you behave. Ah, Rose come on, let’s go and meet her.’

  The woman leaned over the gate and unhitched the lock when she saw Elenor approaching.

  ‘Where’s the guvna luv? Gotta check meself in. Not what I was expectin’, pokey hole ain’t it? You been ’ere long?’

  ‘You must be Victoria Lewis. I’m Elenor
Cardew, the owner of this pokey hole, and this is Rose Sherbourne my ward. Dottie, as you can see, is LA, and Susie is in charge of farm welfare. Welcome to Tre Lodhen.’

  ‘Is that dog safe?’ the woman said and pointed to Seth. ‘I ain’t really been round many you see. I don’t ’ate em, just ain’t seen many in me time.’

  Rose interjected with loud enthusiasm.

  ‘My mummy’s name was Victoria, but she’s dead. Seth won’t hurt you, just don’t let him be the boss. I don’t think you’ll fit in your bed, you’re very tall.’

  Her matter-of-fact speech took Elenor by surprise and she raised her eyebrows at Victoria as an apology and gave Dottie a warning glance. Susie rushed inside declaring she’d left something on the stove.

  ‘I can’t add to that, except I’m sure you will fit into your bed, Victoria. And yes, sadly Rose lost both her parents. Her father, so I’m informed, was in London when he lost his life, your neck of the woods I understand.’

  Dottie took Victoria’s bags inside and joined Susie. Elenor had no doubts they were giggling behind the curtains.

  ‘Well, me real name’s Victoria but most folk call me Titch, ’cos of me bein’ so tall, see. Call me Titch, I ain’t used to the other name, and it feels a bit sad ’cos of the kid’s ma,’ Titch said, pointing to Rose.

  Both Rose and Elenor looked at Titch, and then to each other.

  ‘I think I know what you said. My daddy told me not to drop my ’aiches, but you can’t help it ’cos of being from London. They do round here, too. He told me once you all sound like that in London. He could talk like you sometimes. I think Titch is a silly name for a tall person,’ Rose said and kicked at a stone.

  ‘Rose, don’t be rude,’ Elenor chided.

  ‘Kid’s not rude, she’s tellin’ the truth. We Londoners are well known for our cockney accent. True Londoners that is, not these poncy fellas who run the country. And it is daft callin’ me Titch, but blame me old man, he was a laugh a minute.’

  Titch reached down and touched Rose’s head.

  ‘Sorry ’bout yer pa. Clever if he could talk like me, it’s a born gift to be a Bow Bells kid.’

  ‘Don’t be sad, I’ve got Elenor. She’s got a different accent, and so have I, so we are a real muddle of English.’

  Elenor smiled. She liked Titch, and felt she’d come in handy during the hay harvest – she wouldn’t need to use ladders.

  ‘Right, cuppa first then a tour of the farm. Susie and Dottie won’t go to work until they’ve settled you in and found out all about you. I will warn you, Dottie has a very unique laugh. She’s aware of it, but it can catch you out when you least expect it.’

  ‘She sounds like a donkey with hiccups. Your room faces the front, where you’ve just come from. Dottie sleeps in there too. She snores like a donkey, too,’ Rose said and ran ahead to open the door.

  ‘Rose Sherbourne, you cheeky monkey, I heard you,’ Dottie said and gave a snigger. ‘I’m in training to tone the laugh down. Come on, we’re parched.’

  ‘A cuppa is just the ticket, and I look forward to gettin’ me ’ands grubby. I ain’t no shirker, Elenor. I ain’t outta line by callin’ you Elenor, am I? Only I know some folk get a bit arsey when it comes ta bein’ a boss.’ Titch gave a grin.

  ‘Elenor is fine,’ Elenor said. ‘But I won’t have bad language around Rose. Understand?’

  ‘Lordy, me ‘n’ me big gob. I forget meself sometimes. I’m sorry, so used to bein’ around brothers who cuss. Ma was always cuffin’ me for me bad mouth.’

  Over the following weeks leading into February, it became obvious to all that Titch was not cut out for working the land. No amount of training she’d already had could be improved upon as the girl disliked hard work. She became a hindrance, and Dottie complained about unfinished jobs.

  Harsh words didn’t seem to bother her, and her bad language became a major problem. Rose had been heard telling Seth off in unsavoury terms on more than one occasion.

  Today, Titch was found sleeping behind the barn and Elenor was called from skinning a rabbit to have a word with her.

  ‘Not surprising with all the bloody work I ’ave to do round ’ere,’ Titch grumbled.

  ‘Have you been drinking?’

  ‘Nah, ’course I ’ain’t.’ She stood and staggered.

  ‘This won’t do, Titch. I don’t want to report you as a slacker. Take Rose and do something useful in the bean field. This is your last warning.’

  As she turned to head back to the potato field, Elenor spotted the POW gang walking through the fields.

  ‘Hello there,’ she called out to the soldier heading the group. ‘Could I have a word?’

  With instructions shouted down the line, the men stood still and all watched Elenor heading their way.

  ‘I heard you take the men to help with community work and wondered who I need to approach for a barn repair. Granted, it isn’t a bombed barn, so I am willing to pay into a food fund or whatever is required.’

  Elenor puffed out her words as she walked beside the soldier pacing up and down smoking his cigarette. He glared at a couple of the men and they dropped their heads to their chests. Elenor noticed how well fed they looked, and their clothes were suited to the season. She hoped the captured British soldiers were treated in much the same way.

  ‘I’ll have a word with the captain. This lot are workers, I’ll grant them. Couple could do with a hiding, but to be fair, they’re no different from my brothers back home.’

  ‘Thank you. I appreciate you taking the time.’

  She shook the soldier’s hand.

  ‘You’re lucky, they’re clean for once.’

  Both laughed, and Elenor laughed louder when a wolf whistle rang out as she walked away, and a soldier barked a respect order at one of his charges.

  ‘If you’ve got a job for them today, I could do with keeping them occupied,’ he said.

  ‘I’ve got a stone wall needing repair over on the far side,’ Elenor said and pointed to the left of the field. ‘Two fields over.’

  ‘Consider it done. Name’s Ron, by the way.’

  ‘Elenor, Elenor Cardew. I own the place. Thanks. I’ll catch you later.’

  Halfway down the field she met Titch sitting on the fence of the carrot plot.

  ‘Cor, there’s a few lookers in that bunch.’

  ‘They are out of bounds. Do you understand? They are prisoners of war and you are not to go anywhere near them.’

  Elenor stood with her hands on her hips. Elenor looked around but could see no sign of Rose or Seth.

  ‘And where’s Rose? I gave you instructions to start planting out the broad beans and look after her.’

  ‘Keep yer drawers on. She’s playing with that darn dog. Me back ached, and I went to stretch me legs. I ain’t her bleedin’ babysitter.’

  Titch had the decency to blush over her blatant lie, and Elenor’s temper exploded.

  ‘You left my girl on her own while you went sniffing around Tom like a bitch in heat. You know he’s Dottie’s man and he’s not interested. Get back to the field and do some work.’

  Elenor marched off down the field followed by a torrent of abuse.

  ‘I ain’t no bitch, so take it back. You’re the dried up prune. Frigid cow. I’ll go pack my bags now.’

  ‘You’ll do no such thing. If you want to eat, you work. You are here for a reason, now go. I have to look for Rose.’

  The farmhands worked a field at the right side of the farm on a top pasture repairing fencing, and she headed off with speed in the hope Rose had joined them.

  As she ran towards Tom’s cottage, a bark alerted her to behind the dilapidated barn, and she ran towards the sound.

  ‘Seth, where are you boy?’

  More barks rang out, sharp and excited yaps.

  As she turned the corner Elenor spotted Rose lying on the ground, and Seth laid out beside her.

  ‘Rose, Rose!’

  The child lay still on her front. Elenor lifted her with
care and two little blue eyes stared back at her as she cradled Rose in her lap.

  ‘Hello you. I can see you’ve bumped your head. Do you feel all right?’ She spoke softly, the relief flooding through her body.

  ‘Go find him, Seth. Fetch Tom. Tom! Tom!’ Elenor kept up her continuous calling for him, and Seth barked each time he heard Tom’s name.

  After what seemed a lifetime, but was really only minutes, Tom and Bess ran to her side.

  ‘Please, go and fetch the doctor. Take my bicycle. Rose is awake, but she’s had a fall and a bump. I want her checked over.’

  When the doctor arrived, Susie, Dottie and a humbled Titch rushed around preparing a makeshift bed on the kitchen table for the doctor to examine Rose.

  ‘She’s fine. A bit shocked but no broken bones. Keep an eye on her and rest her up for the day. No more climbing young lady,’ the doctor said and tapped Rose’s arm.

  ‘Yes doctor.’ Rose said.

  ‘Thanks doc, I’ll see you out,’ Dottie said and guided the man out of the door.

  ‘Titch, you go and finish your job. We’ll speak later,’ Elenor said.

  She went to Rose and stroked her forehead. Lifting her down onto the sofa, she made a fuss of kissing away her bruise.

  ‘Yuk. Stop it, you’re worse than Seth.’

  ‘You gave me a scare. What on earth were you doing on the old barn? You never disobey me, ever, so why go there? I take it you climbed too high.’

  Rose’s lip trembled, and her face paled.

  ‘Don’t be angry with me, Elenor. It was my fault. Titch said I was a scaredy-cat when I said I didn’t like to climb high. She got to the top.’

  Elenor sunk back on her heels. She was tempted to call for Titch’s blood, but she controlled herself.

  ‘I’ll never be angry with you, and Titch is wrong, you are the bravest little girl I know. We’ll say no more about it, and you rest up.’

  ‘That Titch is hard work. She’s upsetting Dottie and Tom. He’s flattered but really not interested,’ Susie said.