The Secret Orphan

by Glynis Peters

  ‘I bet she’s seeing a married man. She’s so secretive about him,’ Susie said.

  ‘Wouldn’t surprise me in the least,’ replied Elenor.

  1942

  Chapter 53

  Elenor battled through the rain and wind into the village with her arm looped through Jackson’s. Christmas was long forgotten but today was his opportunity to celebrate with them, albeit seven weeks late. They went to collect Rose from school together.

  ‘She’ll be so happy to see you, Jackson.’

  Sure enough, Rose ran into his arms with such excitement Elenor had to calm her down.

  ‘Let’s get him home and dry, Rose. Jackson’s tired and needs quiet, so we are going to enjoy a family feast. We have a lot to celebrate.’

  When they got back to the farm Elenor pushed open the back door and Susie stood staring at them, her eyes wide.

  ‘Are you feeling all right, Susie? The baby. You look pale,’ Elenor said and went to go to her side.

  Susie flicked her eyes towards the bathroom and in the shadows of the kitchen Elenor could see Fritz. She shuffled backwards out of view and turned around to face Jackson making a play of pulling off Rose’s boots.

  ‘Take Rose to Tom and Dottie. Say nothing, get help. He’s here. I’ll keep him occupied, go!’ she whispered, while pushing him backwards out of the door. She held her finger to her lips.

  ‘I’m not feeling well, Elenor. Maybe a cold,’ Susie said to cover the sounds of Jackson and Rose shuffling out of the doorway.

  Jackson nodded to Elenor, told Rose to be quiet as Susie was sick, and stepped away as quietly as his boots would allow. Elenor made a great pretence of banging mud from her own boots to cover the sound.

  ‘I’m sorry to hear that. We can’t have you ill. Maybe you should return to your mother for a bit of home comfort. I can manage here,’ Elenor chattered on and made a fuss of hanging up her coat, all the time trying to judge when Fritz would make his appearance.

  ‘I’m starving. Bread and cheese will go down nicely. Want some?’

  Susie shook her head.

  ‘Sit down and rest,’ Elenor said.

  When she clicked the door shut Fritz moved fast from his hiding corner.

  ‘You are alone. Where is the child?’ he asked.

  Making no surprise sounds or movements, Elenor walked to the table.

  ‘Fritz. You look tired and hungry. Join us,’ she said, gripping her hands against her hips to stop them trembling.

  ‘I’ve come for the child.’ he said, his voice low.

  ‘What do you want with her? What’s he on about, Elenor? And how long has he spoken English?’ Susie looked from one to the other.

  Elenor shook her head. ‘I’ve no idea,’ she said and pointed to the food. ‘Eat. We know you’ve run away, Fritz. And you’ve been hiding in the woods. I could have reported it to the authorities, but I know you mean us no harm. Rose is due home later, so rest up and you can hear her play the piano before she goes to bed.’

  She glared at him, trying to communicate with her eyes that Susie had no idea about their secret. His shone back with realisation.

  ‘I am here to take her back to Germany.’

  His words hung in the air and felt heavier and more threatening than any bomb.

  Swivelling around to face him, Susie held out the bread knife. ‘Over my dead body,’ she shouted.

  Elenor saw Fritz make a move forward, and she held up her hand.

  ‘Susie. Calm down, put the knife down and let’s eat. Fritz, sit.’

  She rushed to the dresser and pulled down plates, then grabbed the food. To her relief, he sat down. She pushed food in front of him and he snatched it up and crammed it in his mouth.

  Nudging a frightened Susie to the end of the table, away from him, Elenor pushed a sandwich towards her.

  ‘Eat up, Susie,’ she said in an over the top cheery voice. ‘I’m famished. It’s hard work running the farm. What did you used to do before the war, Fritz?’

  He continued to eat and said nothing. His eyes flicked around the kitchen in nervous anticipation.

  ‘Do you have a child? It is important children are protected during times of war. After all, not everyone believes in fighting it out,’ Elenor chattered nonstop whilst he ate. ‘I’m sure you must worry. It would worry you if someone broke into your home and threatened to take your child to another country. You say take Rose back, yet she has never been. Just because you miss your child doesn’t mean you can take mine.’

  Fritz stopped eating. His face twisted into a raged expression. Elenor could see his temper rise and her heart pounded against her ribcage.

  ‘She is not yours. She is a daughter of Deutschland.’

  ‘He’s crazy, Elenor. Call the guards.’ Susie’s voice raised a few octaves.

  Worried about Susie, Elenor spoke to Fritz.

  ‘Susie’s going to sit in the parlour. She is pregnant. Food makes her sick.’

  ‘She stays here,’ Fritz said.

  Taking a sneak glance at her watch Elenor knew it would not be long before help arrived.

  ‘How about she sits in the parlour? She can listen to the wireless.’

  Susie pushed back her chair.

  ‘Go. We will hear Germany has defeated you, then I will choose my room,’ Fritz cackled out a laugh before cramming more food into his mouth. Elenor shuddered and put her hand into her overall pocket. She checked the small knife she’d hidden away was still there.

  For the longest ten minutes she’d ever known, Elenor sat making small talk whilst Fritz ate their week’s rations. She gave him a half bottle of brandy and he gulped it down.

  ‘Seems to be a lot of activity on the front lines, Elenor,’ Susie called out, and then entered the kitchen. ‘All in our favour at the moment,’ she said and moved to the sink in the pretence of washing her hands.

  ‘That’s good. Oh, hear Seth, the chickens are teasing him again. Let him in, Susie – have more cheese, Fritz.’ Elenor pushed a plate of meat and cheese towards Fritz distracting him from Susie running to the door. She pulled it open and stepped outside. With what appeared to be one movement, Jackson and five soldiers entered the room and rushed to Fritz. He gave a shout and tried to push the table over but the heavy pine proved too much of a barrier for him.

  ‘The child is a German. Her parents are spies. German blood.’ He ranted and raved out the words as the soldiers tackled him to the ground and bound him.

  ‘Why is he so obsessed with Rose and saying she’s German?’ Susie asked.

  She stood with her hands on her hips while she watched him being manhandled away to a truck.

  ‘He seems convinced she is German, and what was he on about, her parents are spies? Elenor, is there something I should know? What is going on?’ Susie’s voice became louder as she demanded a response from Elenor.

  Jackson went to her. ‘The man is drunk,’ he said.

  ‘No. I am sorry Jackson, but you weren’t here. Elenor’s hiding something.’

  Both Elenor and Jackson stared at her. Susie had never shown any sign of having a temper, but she gave off a mood which gave Elenor great concern. Suspicion had set in, and it would take a lot of skill to distract her away from the truth.

  ‘It’s all very confusing, Susie. The man’s clearly homesick and missing his child. Look how he said he wanted to take Rose back to Germany when she’s never been,’ Elenor said, keeping her voice calm and soft.

  ‘Ah, but how do I know that? We are told to keep our ears and eyes open, and that man seemed clear enough in what he said. His English is perfect. You didn’t blink an eye when he spoke it, Elenor. You are not telling me the truth. Something’s not right.’

  Susie continued to stare and kept her hands on her hips. Elenor’s nerves jarred as she tried to keep control.

  ‘Did the soldiers look concerned? Are there any out there waiting to take Rose – or me – away? No. They didn’t take his rantings as fact or serious. Just calm down, Susie. We’re both s
haken up by what has happened,’ Elenor said and went to her friend. She put out her hand, but Susie pushed hers into her overall pockets.

  ‘Maybe you’re right, I’m being hysterical. But I do find it a bit odd he’s become obsessed. When he broke in, he said he’d come to return property belonging to the rich or something.’

  ‘Reich,’ said Jackson. He stood by the door, and Elenor wondered if it was to prevent Susie from running before she’d calmed down. ‘It’s a word like an empire.’

  ‘Rose belongs to an empire?’ Susie said with a frown. ‘What, she’s a princess? A German princess?’

  Jackson gave a loud sigh of impatience and Elenor held her breath. Susie glared at him.

  ‘What was that for, you think I’m ignorant or silly? I tell you that German seemed pretty convincing to me. I think you need to explain yourself, Elenor. Who is Rose? Where are her parents? The Canadian’s in on this too?’

  ‘Right! That’s it,’ Elenor shouted and banged the table.

  Susie flinched, and Jackson stood upright with shock.

  ‘If the Germans haven’t won the war yet, they soon will if this is how we are to behave. We’ll be at each other’s throats with them sowing seeds of suspicion. We are not spies, Rose is not the daughter of spies, and any doubt you’ve had is propaganda tosh brought through the door by a violent criminal. Jeepers, Susie, you’ve known us long enough. Why are you more convinced by him – a stranger – than by us your closest friends?’

  A loud sob burst from Susie and Jackson turned to comfort her. Elenor let him guide the girl across the room and then she put her arms around her.

  ‘It’s going to be fine, Susie. You were brave and scared. I’m sorry I shouted. Now we must get back under control before Rose returns. We are her rock, all she has in life. We cannot crumble.’

  Susie stepped away from Elenor.

  ‘I’m fine. You’re right, we have to stop bickering and being suspicious. It’s the shock.’

  ‘I’ll go and fetch Rose from Tom’s, and then we’ll settle down a bit more. We’re all in shock, but I think Tom might be more so with Rose landing on his doorstep,’ Elenor said and added a light laugh to lift the tense atmosphere.

  Chapter 54

  Tension in the home was something Elenor disliked and that evening Titch brought more when she heard about Fritz. Dottie tried to lighten the atmosphere, but in the end she went back to the cottage. Titch continued to pester and badger Elenor.

  ‘Why did ’e want Rose? Is she ’is? What’s so special about ’er?’ she asked Elenor. With Rose playing in the front room, Elenor didn’t want to continue the conversation.

  ‘It is all a misunderstanding,’ she said.

  ‘Strange that, ’cos I think I understand well enuff.’

  ‘What do you mean, Titch?’ Susie asked.

  ‘I mean, there is something dodgy goin’ on. Are you German?’ Titch said and turned to Elenor.

  Elenor burst out laughing. ‘Really? You think I’m German and am hiding a German POW’s daughter. Give me strength. I’m a Cornish farmer with more on my shoulders than I’d like.’

  ‘Nah. There’s something. I’ll find out, trust me.’

  ‘I’ll try,’ said Elenor with sarcasm. ‘But trust me, there is nothing dodgy about me or Rose.’

  ‘So you say,’ Titch muttered. ‘I’m off out. Not sure I want to be around a Jerry lover.’

  ‘Take that back!’ Elenor shouted.

  ‘Ah, now there’s a guilty answer if ever I heard one.’

  ‘I think it’s time you left Tre Lodhen. I’ll make a call and you won’t have to live in fear any longer,’ Elenor said with angry passion.

  ‘Suits me. But don’t think I’m done ’ere. I know there’s more than you’re lettin’ on.’

  Elenor turned and left the room. She sat on her bed trying to calm down. Titch’s mean streak was back and Elenor had a feeling bribery would follow.

  Jackson sent word he’d managed to get a forty-eight-hour pass, and tickets for the local Valentine’s dance. Elenor was excited but at the same time her nerves failed her. She’d convinced herself that Titch was spreading rumours. Susie said her mother had mentioned something about Rose’s parentage after Titch had planted the seed that Rose might be Elenor’s, and her father a German teacher from Coventry. Susie had quashed the story as a jealous fantasy and explained about Fritz hiding on the farm. She hinted that Titch had also accused Elenor of hiding his child. Susie’s mother had scoffed at the accusations and things settled down, but the situation made Elenor uncomfortable.

  Jackson offered his and his sister’s help. He convinced Elenor his sister was more than capable of giving Rose a good life in Canada, if they needed to get her to safety. It worried Elenor she should have to think along those lines but agreed it would be ideal and they’d discuss it before his leave was finished.

  ‘Elenor, are you there?’ Rose called through Elenor’s bedroom door.

  ‘Yes darling, I am. Come in. Let me see your dress.’

  Jackson and Elenor promised Rose she could join them at the dance. They agreed two hours’ dancing and home by nine. If Elenor hadn’t felt the need to keep things relatively normal, she’d have stayed at home. However, they wanted tonight to be special. All papers were prepared and ready to be signed for Rose’s adoption, and she wanted to talk with her about it after the dance. Elenor had signed so many papers that day, her head was in a spin.

  ‘Oh my word. You will be the prettiest girl in the room.’ Elenor clapped her hands and made Rose give a twirl in a pretty pink dress with daisies around the neck.

  Her own dress was the one she’d worn for many of the village dances, and Jackson always said it brought out the colour in her cheeks. She considered it her favourite dress as when she wore it she always shared special moments with him.

  Susie had chosen to dress at her mother’s house, and Elenor suspected it was down to Titch tiring them both out with her sly comments.

  A beep of a horn alerted them Jackson was waiting and Rose whooped with glee.

  ‘Hurry Elenor, come on. Are you going to sing tonight?’

  ‘No, not tonight. Remember, two hours and we are home.’

  Once they were through the village hall door, Rose raced to meet with her friends.

  Elenor and Jackson joined Susie and Ron across the opposite side of the hall. Ron encouraged them closer as he spoke above the music.

  ‘Watch out for Titch. Dottie and Tom are with her now. She’s drunk and blabbin’ on about Fritz, and Rose being ’is daughter. Most folk are laughing it off, but you know what some of them are like round ’ere. Susie’s worryin’ herself silly.’

  Jackson squeezed Elenor’s hand.

  ‘We’ll ignore it and as you say, she’s drunk.’

  ‘I’ll go out and see what’s happening. You stay here,’ Ron said. Elenor and Jackson kept Susie company, reassuring her all was well. Ron returned a few minutes later.

  ‘Tom and Dottie have taken her back to theirs. She’s in no fit state to be out and about.’

  ‘Oh, no. What a shame. They’ll miss the dance,’ Elenor said.

  ‘Dottie’s instructions are you should stay here and enjoy the evening. She won’t take no for an answer.’

  ‘In which case I will look for a girl to dance with,’ Jackson said and made a pretence of looking around the room.

  ‘Oh, here’s a girl for you. Your Valentine for the evening,’ Elenor said as Rose skipped towards them.

  ‘Freddie said he’s my Valentine, but I told him to go away ’cos he’s a silly boy,’ Rose said.

  ‘Come on my sweet Valentine girl, come dance with me,’ Jackson said and scooped Rose into his arms.

  As Susie and Ron took to the floor, Elenor looked around the room and noticed a small cluster of women looking her way. They whispered behind their hands. The gossip had spread. She headed over to the group.

  ‘It’s a good turn out, and the fundraising for the troops is such a good idea,’ she s
aid.

  ‘For our troops, yes,’ one woman said, and her insinuation was not lost on Elenor.

  ‘You need to be careful keeping those POW sorts on your farm. It doesn’t pay to be friends with the enemy.’

  Shocked by their words Elenor gained control and smiled.

  ‘Ah, but our lads keep a close eye on them for me. We have nothing to worry about other than a gossiping drunk who can’t find a husband. She’s a handful and loves to spread rumours. She talks about local women having affairs when their husbands are away fighting, but we all know it’s fabrication.’

  Elenor held onto hope the small snippet of gossip she’d heard in the post office about the woman who’d challenged her was true and going by her face, Elenor had struck lucky.

  ‘Oh, I do understand, Elenor. But we can’t be too careful nowadays. Your farm has a wonderful reputation, but you are open to gossip and we can’t control who has already heard it.’ The woman glanced at the brother and sister who’d report their own family. They’d call the authorities and rally up a lynch mob.

  At that moment, Elenor knew her days in Summercourt were numbered. For Rose’s safety it was time to leave Tre Lodhen.

  Chapter 55

  Back at the farm they called in to see Dottie and Tom. Titch was asleep in their spare room.

  ‘She’s gunning for you two. I’m convinced she’s had a nervous breakdown,’ said Dottie. ‘She was rambling on about her and Fritz being lovers. She’s dangerous with that tongue. Anyone who’d listen got told her bit of gossip.’

  ‘We’ll keep her here overnight and sort it tomorrow. Did you enjoy the dance, Rose?’ said Tom.

  Rose relayed her evening and entertained everyone with stories of boys chasing her for a Valentine’s kiss. She ended her story with ‘all boys are silly’.

  When they got back to the house they settled in the parlour. The fire glowed and a sense of peace washed over Elenor. She and Jackson curled up on the couch with Rose performing dance moves she’d learned that evening.

  ‘Am I silly, Rose?’ Jackson asked in a serious voice.

  Rose stopped skipping around and looked at him with her head to one side. Her rosebud mouth pursed in thought.