by Linda Finlay
‘I still don’t think Miss Green should get away with treating Edith so harshly,’ she said, turning to the master.
‘She won’t,’ Higgins replied. ‘As I said earlier, Miss Green has connections, but as Mrs Daws is always fond of saying, there is more than one way to skin a cat.’ He smiled gently.
‘I’ll take your word for that then, Master Higgins.’
He nodded then stared directly at her. ‘Couldn’t you call me Harry when we’re alone?’ he suggested.
She smiled, remembering him making a similar suggestion before her godfather died. ‘Very well, Harry, but only if you call me Sarah. When the children aren’t present, though, or they might get the wrong idea.’ She laughed, then could have bitten off her tongue. He was staring at her in a speculative way, a little grin tugging at the corner of his lips. Why on earth had she said such a ridiculous thing?
‘Well, I managed to get that blinking coal dust off Edith’s dress, but I’ve had to put it out for Mrs Laver to wash,’ April announced, bouncing into the kitchen. ‘Oops, not interrupted something, have I?’ she asked giving a mischievous grin as she stared from Sarah to the master and back again.
‘No, of course not,’ Sarah replied quickly, thankful to see Mrs Daws reappearing with a loaf of bread.
‘If you say so,’ April said sceptically. ‘Well, I’ve numbered that other one Edith’s wearing. Right cock-a-hoop, she is, to think she’s got an extra frock to her name.’
Harry quirked a brow at Sarah, and she smiled, getting his meaning. He was right. Children were more resilient than she gave them credit for.
‘Well, this isn’t getting those forms sorted,’ she remarked, getting to her feet. ‘I’ll see you at supper. You don’t need any help, do you, Mrs Daws?’ she asked.
The housekeeper shook her head. ‘No, the soup’s almost done, and April here can see to the bread and scrape. You get on with that paperwork. Sooner it’s done, the sooner that frown will disappear from your face. We don’t want you getting wrinkles, now do we?’ she chuckled.
Harry watched Sarah leave the room and sighed. He didn’t think for one moment she understood what she’d taken on with Red Cliffs. She was competent enough to cope with what she was doing and had her heart in the right place, of that he had no doubt, but there was a naïvety about her that troubled him. She didn’t seem to understand their financial predicament or realize the place took a lot more than fresh air to run it.
17
‘Good morning, Sarah,’ Harry said, poking his head around the office door. ‘May I come in?’
‘Goodness, is it time for school already?’ she asked, looking up from the form she’d been reading and blinking at him.
‘I thought I’d make an early start, though not as early as you by the look of it,’ he said, frowning down at the papers strewn across her desk.
‘What with the comings and goings of all the children, I seem better able to concentrate either first thing in the morning or after supper,’ Sarah smiled, not wishing to admit that since moving into her uncle’s room, sleep had eluded her. Even Monday hadn’t sought the comfort of her bed these past few nights, and Sarah had missed the warm little body beside her, although of course, it was good the little girl was feeling more settled.
‘Ah, a crepuscular creature, eh?’ he grinned.
‘A what?’ she asked, staring quizzically at the schoolmaster.
‘It means one who is more active during the hours of dusk and dawn,’ he smiled.
‘Well, you must forgive my ignorance,’ she laughed.
‘Not at all. How boring life would be if we weren’t constantly learning. It’s blowing a right old gale out there,’ he added, rubbing his hands together in an effort to get them warm. ‘That’s one of the reasons I wanted to speak with you.’
‘Sounds serious. Why don’t you take a seat,’ Sarah invited.
‘Thanks,’ he said, straddling his long legs over the leather chair in front of her. ‘Come winter the children are unable to spend much time outdoors, so we devote the extra hours to craftwork. In previous years, the pupils have made things to sell at the Christmas Fayre that St Nicholas’ hold, with some of the profits going to the church and the rest into school funds. Your godfather was keen the children should give to others less fortunate and …’ He trailed off.
‘You wondered if I’d be agreeable to you continuing?’ she finished for him. He nodded and looked at her expectantly. ‘Of course, I think it’s a splendid idea. What do they make?’ she asked, trying not to be distracted by the gleam sparking in his hazel eyes.
‘The boys fashion simple things from wood, toy boats, whipping tops, stilts, diabolos and containers for spills, that kind of thing.’
‘Splendid. And the girls?’ she asked.
‘They help serve the refreshments and wash up on the day,’ he replied.
Sarah’s eyes widened. ‘But surely they make things to sell as well?’
‘Actually, they don’t. Mrs Daws hasn’t the time to oversee craftwork as well as teach them the household skills they’re required to learn,’ he explained.
‘But sewing is Miss Green’s remit and …’ Remembering the samplers, Sarah broke off.
‘Precisely,’ Harry replied, as ever quick to follow her train of thought. ‘The doctor did mention it but she told him they weren’t capable of making anything worth selling.’
‘Surely it is the teacher’s job to encourage competency?’
He nodded. ‘I agree. However, the doctor was too busy to pursue it.’
‘But I am not, Master Higgins,’ Sarah replied. ‘I was going to speak to Miss Green about the way she conducts her classes, anyway. Do you know why she locked Edith in the coal store?’
Harry opened his mouth to reply but before he could say anything, she went on. ‘It was because she said she was bored with doing cross stitch and dared to ask if she could learn something new. You’d think any teacher worth their salt would encourage such enthusiasm. Miss Green completely overstepped the mark, and I will not tolerate such behaviour,’ she burst out, throwing her pen down on the desk. To her consternation, she saw the master’s lips twitch.
‘You think that is funny, Master Higgins?’ she asked.
‘No, I don’t. It’s just refreshing to see someone as passionate about the pupils’ education as I am. And it is Harry when we’re alone, remember?’ He stopped and sniffed the air appreciatively. ‘Smells like the porridge is ready. Come along, you must be famished after your early start.’ Sarah sighed and shook her head.
‘I’ve a meeting with Mr Fothergill this afternoon and have a mountain of forms to go through before I see him.’
‘Very well, I’ll get April to supervise the girls if you promise to eat some breakfast yourself?’ he asked, staring at her until she nodded.
Sarah tried to concentrate, but her grumbling stomach kept reminding her she was hungry. By the time she went through to the kitchen, breakfast had already been served.
‘It’s hard to think there’s twenty or more children in there,’ she said to the housekeeper, inclining her head towards the dining room, where they were all eagerly tucking into their porridge.
‘Only time they’re quiet, the little loves,’ Mrs Daws clucked. ‘You sit yourself down at the table and enjoy yours in peace. The master said you’ve been slaving away since dawn. And don’t think I didn’t hear you creeping downstairs afore it were light.’
Sarah grimaced as she watched the woman go over to the large pot. ‘Thank you, Mrs Daws,’ Sarah said moments later when the woman placed a steaming bowl in front of her.
‘Master Higgins was telling me about the Christmas Fayre. Before I speak to Miss Green about it, I wondered if Edith had suffered any ill effects after her ordeal the other day.’
‘I’d lock that woman in the coal store and throw away the key, if I had my way,’ the housekeeper snorted. ‘April said Edith’s had a couple of night traumas since. Apparently little Monday crept into her bed and cuddled her
’til she stopped screaming. Bless her. And although Edith didn’t cry out last night, when April went to get them all up this morning, there they were, snuggled up together like a couple of dormice.’
So that was why Monday hadn’t crept into her bed, Sarah thought, tucking into her porridge.
‘April said she’s almost certain she heard Monday say sshh, although she couldn’t swear to it ’cos Edith was making such a racket. Even so, if the little ’un is thinking of others, that’s a sure sign she’s turned a corner herself.’
‘Let’s hope so, Mrs Daws. It was a terrible thing for her to experience.’ She was quiet for a few moments, remembering the day her godfather had found Monday on the beach. Then she shook herself. ‘Now, about this Christmas Fayre. I was thinking the girls should make something to sell this year. Do you think aprons, purses and peg bags would go down well?’
The housekeeper gave her a level look. ‘Happen they would, Miss Sullivan, but you’d have to use unmarked or even new material if you were going to sell them and we don’t have any, nor the money to purchase some neither.’
Sarah smiled. ‘Leave that to me. As you know, I really think the girls should be tackling something more constructive than samplers. I had a mind to get them adapting the donated clothes, but this might be a better way to get them started. If they feel they are making a contribution to the school funds like the boys do, it will help to boost their morale.’
‘Well, it makes sense, but if you’re hoping to get that Miss Green to help, I wouldn’t hold your breath.’
‘Carpe Diem, Mrs Daws,’ the master said, appearing by their sides.
‘What’s fish got to do with anything, Master Higgins?’ the housekeeper frowned. ‘Honestly, how you can be thinking of your stomach straight after breakfast is beyond me.’
‘It means “to seize the day” or make the most of the opportunity, Mrs Daws,’ Harry explained, winking at Sarah.
‘Well, why didn’t you say so?’ the housekeeper muttered.
Harry raised his brow then looked serious. ‘May I suggest you get Mrs Daws to send Miss Green to your office when she arrives, Miss Sullivan? If you speak to her in the schoolroom she will be on her own ground and think she has the upper hand.’
‘Oh, yes, I hadn’t thought of that, Master Higgins,’ Sarah replied, but he’d already turned away and was ushering the children from the dining room.
‘Right, those not on kitchen duties, run three laps around the grounds then make your way straight to the schoolroom. Now get a move on and no stopping,’ he shouted.
‘Goodness,’ muttered Sarah.
‘Can’t swim in this weather, Miss Sullivan, they’d get pneumonia. This way they’ll only catch a cold,’ he grinned before jogging after his pupils.
Suppressing a smile, Sarah turned to the housekeeper. ‘Would you send Miss Green to my office when she arrives, Mrs Daws?’ she asked.
‘It will be my pleasure,’ the housekeeper grinned. ‘Now, come along, Maisie and Monday, those dishes won’t get themselves clean.’
Sarah had only been back at her desk a short while when there was a knock at the door and Mrs Daws appeared.
‘That new young verger wonders if you can spare him a moment, Miss Sullivan.’
Suppressing a sigh, Sarah nodded. ‘Show him in, Mrs Daws.’
‘Miss Sullivan, lovely to see you again. I do hope I’m not interrupting?’ Jack Wise asked.
‘You’d like a cup of tea, Mr Wise?’ the housekeeper asked.
The verger looked at Sarah and then at the pile of papers in front of her. ‘Thank you, but no,’ he replied quickly. ‘The vicar asked me to call in to see if you knew about the Christmas Fayre. What with us both being new, he thought …’ His voice trailed off, and Sarah could see he was struggling to put his thoughts into words.
‘That we might need apprising of the event?’ Sarah asked. ‘The master was talking about it only this morning, Mr Wise.’
‘Could you, er, I mean, if you would like to, er … Mr Wise makes me feel ancient, so could you call me Jack? I mean, if you wouldn’t mind,’ he finished awkwardly.
‘Yes, let’s be forward and use first names, Jack,’ she said, giving him a wicked grin. He looked so delighted, Sarah went on quickly. ‘Master Higgins has already got the boys started on their woodworking projects, and I would like to get the girls making things to sell too. I just wondered …’ She let her voice trail off.
‘Yes?’ he asked eagerly.
‘Well, I know how the good ladies of the church admire you.’
He raised his brows in shock. ‘They do?’ he squeaked.
‘Indeed they do, Jack, so I was wondering if you could use your charm on them for me?’
‘My charm? How?’ he asked, raising his brows until they met his hair.
‘The Misses Snooper, Prior and Middle are most generous ladies, are they not?’ Jack frowned, opened his mouth to say something then thought better of it. ‘They were only saying recently that they wished they could do more for Red Cliffs,’ she told him, crossing her fingers behind her back. ‘To be honest, they could, and you’d be the perfect person to point out what it is they could do. You see, I am eager for the girls to make some items to sell. Obviously the school will provide the materials, well, I say obviously but really I mean hopefully,’ Sarah paused. ‘What I really mean is the school doesn’t have funds to actually buy any cloth …’ She shrugged helplessly. Just as she’d hoped, Jack smiled.
‘I’m sure the good ladies could help there,’ he assured her. ‘What kind of cloth, exactly?’
‘I was thinking cotton. You know the sort with checks? I think they will sell well, thus generating a fair amount for church and school funds. Regrettably, we cannot run to any decoration, like ribbon, buttons, braiding, but …’ She shrugged and let her voice trail off again.
‘Leave it with me. I’m sure I can persuade those ladies to help.’
‘That would be such a relief, Jack,’ Sarah gushed.
He flushed with pleasure, stared up at the plaque above her and read aloud, ‘Love never faileth.’ Then, realizing what he’d said, he flushed even redder and bounded towards the door. ‘I’ll go and see them straight away.’
Surprised at her audacity, Sarah shook her head, then returned to her paperwork. An image of Rodney flashed before her. Whatever would he have thought of her boldness, she wondered. Immediately, the picture of her smiling betrothed was replaced by an angry-looking Rodney. Yes, he would have been horrified, but then, he wasn’t here, was he? Besides, she’d changed a lot since they’d last met.
She was trying to fathom out the jargon of an official form when she was interrupted by the door banging open. Looking up, she saw the schoolmistress glaring at her.
‘Apparently you want to speak to me. It will have to be quick because I’ve a lot to do,’ the woman declared self-righteously.
‘Yes, Miss Green, that is correct. Come in and close the door behind you,’ she replied, remembering the schoolmaster’s advice. The woman swung the door shut, then flounced down on the chair in front of Sarah.
‘I want to speak to you about something serious,’ Sarah began, staring her in the eye.
Miss Green glared back, her chin lifting defiantly. ‘If it’s about that Curdy child, I’ll have you know she is a rude, arrogant, high-and-mighty little …’
‘Child, Edith is a young child, Miss Green. And whilst you are in the schoolroom she is under your care.’
‘Now, look here!’
‘No, Miss Green, you look here. The welfare and morale of the children is my responsibility and …’
‘Well, isn’t that lucky,’ the schoolmistress sneered. ‘Seeing as this is my afternoon for teaching them moral issues,’ the woman said haughtily. ‘Now, if there’s nothing else …’ She began, getting to her feet.
‘There is, actually, Miss Green, and whether you wish to stand or sit, you will not leave my office until I have finished what I have to say.’ The woman sniffed but sat
down again. ‘Firstly, I would like your assurance that nothing like that dreadful incident with Edith will occur ever again,’ Sarah demanded.
‘Children need discipline, Miss Sullivan. You ask old Higgins, he’ll tell you,’ the schoolmistress replied, chin in the air.
‘Discipline, yes, cold-hearted cruelty, no. I have spoken with Master Higgins, and he assures me he uses deterrent rather than deeds.’
‘He would, he’s all talk,’ Miss Green scoffed. ‘There’s other schools that would be happy to have me. I don’t have to stay here and listen to this, you know.’
‘Well, naturally Red Cliffs would be sorry to lose you, but if you feel it would be better to leave then …’ Sarah paused.
Miss Green’s eyes widened, and she sat bolt upright. ‘Here, I never said I was leaving,’ she cried.
‘Well, then, do I have your assurance that you will never treat any child so cruelly again, Miss Green?’
The schoolmistress sighed. ‘Very well,’ she said, getting to her feet.
‘Secondly, Miss Green, can you confirm that you are qualified to teach needlework at a level suitable for girls up to the age of thirteen?’
‘Of course I am,’ she snapped.
‘Good. You will understand, then, that in order to make a garment of any note, one needs to be able to sew more than a single style of stitch.’ Sarah paused and waited for the mistress to answer.
Miss Green narrowed her eyes. ‘Well, of course, any fool knows that.’
‘Then that is what is required of you, Miss Green. From today you will be teaching the girls how to over-sew and hem.’ The teacher opened her mouth but Sarah put up her hand. ‘I am sure you will want everyone who attends the church Christmas Fayre to see perfectly finished aprons on the Red Cliffs stall.’
‘Aprons? Who said anything about aprons?’ Miss Green asked.
‘Oh, did I not say?’ Sarah smiled sweetly. ‘The girls will be selling aprons along with other simple items they have made during your lessons.’