by Linda Finlay
‘We will ensure the accounts are audited before the local authority inspection, Miss Sullivan,’ Mr Calculus advised her. ‘Once again, please accept our condolences on the sad loss of your godfather. He was a fine man.’
‘Thank you, Mr Calculus.’
Outside, Sarah dithered, wondering if she should pay a visit to Mr Fothergill. However, she didn’t have an appointment, and he would probably be busy, she thought. As she turned towards the sea front, the biting wind stung her face, and she was glad for the warmth of the coat she’d borrowed. She was musing on the miracle of Monday finding her voice, when she caught sight of a little figure darting into Rock Walk. Surely that was Kitty, she frowned.
Weaving between carriages and traps, she hurried across the road and made her way through the sheltered walkway. Designed for those with a fashionably pale complexion to enjoy a pleasant promenade, the trees afforded a dense cover, and Sarah had to squint hard before she caught sight of the little girl dodging between the bushes. Stealing along on tiptoe so as not to alert her, Sarah gently parted the branches to find Kitty kneeling beside a skinny child of about five. He was covered in grime and, despite the cold weather, wore ill-fitting breeches and a torn top.
‘I got you some bread and cheese, Luke,’ Sarah heard the girl mutter.
‘You bin so long, I starvin’,’ the boy answered, grabbing the food and stuffing it into his mouth. Then he caught sight of Sarah and froze. As he stared at her with bright grey eyes, Kitty spun around.
Her eyes widened in panic then she stood up and squared her shoulders. ‘You bin following me?’
‘No, I saw you from across the road and wondered why you weren’t in class,’ Sarah said gently.
‘I ’ad to feed Luke, and that housekeeper’s been watching the pantry like a hawk so I was later than usual. Oh,’ she said, putting her hand to her mouth as she realized what she’d said. ‘Suppose you won’t want me back now, miss,’ Kitty muttered, wrapping her hands around her bony shoulders as a sudden gust of wind whooshed up the walkway.
‘Why don’t we go back to Red Cliffs? You can tell me everything over a hot drink,’ Sarah said.
‘But I can’t leave Luke, miss. ’E’s got a bit of a fever and …’
‘We’ll all go,’ Sarah said gently, holding her hand out to the little boy.
He stared uncertainly at Kitty, who nodded slowly. ‘An ’ot drink would be nice, wouldn’t it, Luke?’ The little boy got to his feet and tentatively took hold of Sarah’s outstretched hand. ‘’E’s my bruvver, miss,’ Kitty explained. ‘I ’id him in the bushes ’cos it was warmest, but he’s been coughing somefink chronic.’
‘Let’s hurry back to the warm kitchen. I’m sure Mrs Daws will know what to do,’ Sarah reassured her. She could only guess at the little girl’s anguish at having to leave her brother in the gardens. It seemed the mystery of the missing bread and cheese had been solved, anyway.
‘Well, well, what have we here,’ the housekeeper clucked as Sarah ushered Kitty and Luke into the kitchen.
‘It would appear Kitty hid her little brother, Luke, in Rock Park,’ Sarah explained. ‘He seems to have a bit of a fever and must be hungry, for he’s been surviving on the scraps Kitty took him.’
‘And would that be my best bread and cheese, young lady?’ asked the housekeeper, narrowing her eyes at Kitty.
‘Sorry, Mrs Daws. I didn’t know what else to do when the copper took me away from the guv. Will you tell on me?’ she asked, turning to Sarah.
‘No, I won’t,’ Sarah promised.
‘April, love, can you come here a minute,’ Mrs Daws called. ‘It’s a bath and warm bed for you, young man,’ she told the young boy. He pulled a face and she laughed. ‘When you’re clean you can have a nice bowl of broth, how about that?’
The little boy’s face lit up, and Kitty turned to the housekeeper. ‘Can I have one too?’ she asked.
The woman nodded. ‘I dare say by the time this young man’s clean and tidy it will be time for luncheon anyway. Ah, April there you are. It seems we have another new boy for Master Higgins to school. First, though, he needs the usual carbolic treatment. Can you take him out to Mrs Laver for me?’
‘’Cors I will. What you called, then?’ April asked in her easy manner.
‘Luke Matthew Bawden,’ he replied.
‘Well, Luke Matthew Bawden, just you follow me.’
As the door closed behind them, Sarah turned to Kitty. ‘While Luke is being bathed, let’s have that hot drink and you can tell us how all this came about.’
‘I’d just made a brew when you arrived,’ Mrs Daws said, pulling the big brown pot in front of her and pouring out three cups of weak tea. ‘I’m afraid the leaves are past their best really, but …’ she shrugged.
‘Mam always said as long as it’s hot and wet then you was in clover,’ Kitty sighed, then took a large gulp of her tea.
Mrs Daws and Sarah exchanged glances.
‘You must miss her,’ the housekeeper said.
‘Not much good if I do, is it?’ The girl sighed again as if she had the weight of the world on her shoulders.
‘So, if Luke Matthew Bawden is your brother then you must be Kitty Bawden,’ Sarah said.
‘Kitty Alice Bawden,’ she replied.
‘Now, that is posh,’ Mrs Daws said.
Kitty looked shamefaced. ‘Sorry missus, I didn’ dare give you me full name in case you told that copper.’
‘Why would that matter? Sarah asked. ‘I mean, the police are here to help.’
‘You havin’ a laugh? The guv made me steal from them people who got off the trains and ’e said if I told anyone I’d be banged up as an ’complice. ’Cors, I was never allowed to keep anyfink. But he fed me – sometimes.’
The housekeeper gave a horrified snort. ‘Did he know about Luke?’ she asked.
Kitty shook her head. ‘He’s a bit slow, like. Mam said she could have called him Simon like the rhyme. Vat’s why I ’as to look out for ’im. Me middle name’s after Alice in Wonderland. Now, she was right pretty.’
‘Yes,’ Sarah replied. ‘Just like you.’
‘Now you are ’avin a larf,’ Kitty scoffed.
‘No, I’m not actually. Looking after Luke must have been a huge responsibility,’ Sarah said, sipping her tea thoughtfully.
‘Yeah, well, I weren’t much good at it ’cos we was almost always ’ungry.’
‘Tell me about this guv. Was he the brains behind the thefts from the railways?’
Kitty hooted so much she almost spilled her tea. ‘Oops, sorry, missus,’ she said, glancing quickly at Mrs Daws. ‘Na, he’s a drunk, does what he’s told by this posh toff. We dun the stealin’, gave the stuff to the guv, who sold it or passed it on to the toff if it was something ’spensive, like.’
‘And you never got caught?’ Sarah asked.
‘Nah, see, I worked with the flower seller on the station steps. When she had a customer choosing a posy, I’d nab his purse. Easy peasy,’ she grinned.
‘Goodness,’ Mrs Daws said weakly. ‘In all my years here I’ve never heard such a story. And this flower seller was in on the act?’
‘’Cors not, or she’d want a cut. Nah, I seed this toff lift a wallet once. Right posh he was. You’d never fink he’d need the dosh. Anyhow, it was all in the way he did it, see. He said somefink to this geezer, looking him straight in the eye while his fingers nab the purse.’
‘Then you copied this, er, toff?’ Sarah asked.
Kitty nodded.
‘But how do you know which pocket to go for?’ Mrs Daws asked.
‘By looking for the bulge,’ Sarah replied, remembering the day her purse had been stolen.
‘Coo, ’ave you dun it too, miss? I wouldn’t ’ave fort you was the type.’ Kitty said, looking Sarah up and down with something close to admiration.
Just then, the door opened, and Master Higgins came in, rubbing his hands together against the cold.
‘Ah, Kitty, I wondered where you’d got
to,’ he said. ‘I suppose you think you know everything, do you?’
‘Na, I don’t. But I bet I know somefink you don’t,’ she replied.
‘Oh, and pray what might that be?’ he asked.
‘Miss Sullivan is a fingersmith,’ she hooted.
27
At this revelation, Harry and Mrs Daws chuckled at the unlikely image of the prim Miss Sullivan skulking around, picking people’s pockets. Sarah was about to protest her innocence when Harry squatted down beside Kitty.
‘You shouldn’t judge everything by whatever has gone on in your past. That is all over, I hope. This is now your home, and as a pupil of Red Cliffs, it is important that you trust us. Along with Mrs Daws, Miss Sullivan is the most honest person I have met, understand me?’ he asked.
Kitty studied him gravely for a moment, then nodded. ‘I suppose you ’ave to be good to be in charge here.’
‘I’m glad you understand that,’ he said gently. Then the door opened once more, and April came in with Luke wrapped in a towel. Although he was shivering, his eyes were bright and looked even bigger now with his shorn head.
‘A new pupil?’ Harry asked, leaning over and feeling the little boy’s forehead.
‘Yes, Master Higgins. This is Kitty’s brother, Luke Matthew Bawden, all carbolicked and deloused,’ April chirped.
‘The word is carbolated,’ Harry corrected.
‘That’ll ’ave got rid of the itching and now yous can ’ave some grub,’ Kitty told him.
‘Right, young Kitty, you run along and get yourself cleaned up for luncheon, unless you want me to get Mrs Laver to pop you in the washing copper?’ Mrs Daws said, lifting the lid off the pan of broth so that the kitchen was filled with a tantalizing aroma. ‘Well, go along then,’ the woman urged.
‘I goin’, I goin’,’ the girl replied, disappearing outside.
‘Don’t leaf me,’ Luke wailed.
‘Kitty’s only going out the yard, young Luke. She’ll be back in a jiffy,’ April said, pulling a woollen shirt over the yawning boy’s head. ‘Now we’ll get you something to eat.’
‘If he stays awake long enough,’ Harry said as the boy yawned again. He pulled out the chair beside Sarah, and she was immediately aware of his nearness. Unaware of the emotions he was causing, he continued. ‘I’ll get Dr Hawkins to call in on his way back from surgery. That little boy looks like he’s running a bit of a temperature. Where did he spring up from?’ he asked, lowering his voice.
‘I spotted Kitty making for the Rock Walk on my return from the accountants. Apparently she’d hidden her brother there and was taking food from here to feed him,’ Sarah explained.
‘Ye gods, so that’s why the bread was disappearing. I have sorely maligned young Bunter,’ Harry replied, shaking his head. ‘So we have a full house now, then, as Monday will be staying. Do you know, that girl hasn’t stopped chatting all morning?’ He paused and smiled at Sarah. ‘You must be pleased?’
‘Oh, I am,’ she cried. Then, remembering her godfather’s warning, she quickly added, ‘As I would be for any of them.’
He gave her a knowing look. ‘How did you get on at the accountants?’
‘I handed the books over to Mr Calculus, signed a few forms. He confirmed that everything appeared to be in order and that the accounts would be audited before the inspection.’ She broke off as Monday came in followed by Kitty.
‘I’ve been doing sums, Miss Sullivan, and drawing,’ said Monday. ‘This afternoon we’re going to do stories. I love stories.’
‘Coo blimey, girl, fort the cat ’ad got your tongue,’ Kitty said, staring at the girl in surprise.
‘No, silly, he’s been hiding my voice,’ she laughed. ‘Oh Maisie,’ she said, as the door opened again. ‘I wondered where you’d gone.’
‘Wee wees,’ Maisie said. ‘As I bin a good girl, can I bang the gong, Mrs Daws?’
‘Go on, then,’ the woman said, laughing. ‘Right, you little lot, into the dining room.’ She winced as the reverberating gong was followed by the usual stampede. ‘Young Luke, are you going to sit here with me in the kitchen and have a bite to eat?’ she asked, turning to the boy, but he had fallen asleep in April’s arms.
‘I think he should be put to bed in the room behind the kitchen, Mrs Daws. It will be warmer in there, and I want Dr Hawkins to check him over before he mixes with the others,’ Harry said. ‘Come along, Sarah, it looks as though you’re supervising luncheon along with me. A word to the wise, though. It might be an idea to have Kitty sitting by you. It’ll help her settle now that she doesn’t have to worry about her brother.’
*
By the time the children had eaten and were exercising in the grounds, the verger and Mrs Knight had arrived.
‘We’ll go through to my office, shall we?’ Sarah invited, but Mrs Knight, sporting another fashionably trimmed bonnet, was staring thoughtfully at the children.
‘Do you mind if we stand here and watch for a few moments?’
‘No, of course not,’ Sarah said, trying not to show her surprise at the woman’s interest. ‘I can’t thank you enough for the beautiful material and accessories. I couldn’t believe it when Jack staggered through the door with it all.’ The verger beamed but before he could say anything, Mrs Knight was speaking.
‘It is my pleasure, and I’ve had an idea which might help you to prepare for the inspection. I hope you won’t think me presumptuous, but I’ve invited the good ladies of the church to join us, Miss Sullivan.’ She turned her candid gaze on Sarah, who forced her lips to remain smiling. Mrs Knight was watching the children with a gentle smile on her face. ‘Those little darlings remind me of starlings, the way they flit about,’ she observed.
‘Anything less like a murmuration, I have yet to see,’ Master Higgins laughed, coming up behind them. ‘More like a stampede of crazy elephants, Mrs Knight.’
‘Master Higgins, good afternoon to you,’ the woman smiled. ‘You might pretend to be stern but I can tell you are fond of them.’
‘Well, I always was a glutton for punishment,’ he quipped. ‘Good afternoon, verger.’
‘Good afternoon, Master Higgins,’ Jack replied.
‘Please excuse me, everyone, but I have to prepare the classroom so it’s ready for the onslaught, so I’ll bid you good afternoon.’
‘Remember me to your dear mother,’ Mrs Knight called after him.
‘I feel we should go inside, Mrs Knight,’ Sarah said, noting the rising wind and worried the woman would catch a chill.
‘Very well, my dear. I have seen all I need. Would you mind, Jack?’ she asked.
‘My pleasure, Mrs Knight,’ the verger responded cheerily and began pushing the chair towards the back door. ‘It’ll be easier this way.’
‘Now, before the others join us, I would like to outline my idea, Miss Sullivan,’ the woman said as Jack closed the office door behind them. ‘I know how much importance the local authority places on uniform these days, and I have to say I agree with the principle. It places all the children on the same level.’
‘But …’ Sarah began.
‘Just hear me out, if you would, Miss Sullivan. When I was looking out the gingham yesterday, I came across a quantity of heavy cotton material which could be used to make smocks for the girls and long shirts for the boys. Thus dressed, they would look uniform, would they not?’
‘Why, yes, they would and it’s a marvellous idea, Mrs Knight. However, that sounds like an awful lot of work, and we only have a matter of weeks before the inspection,’ Sarah pointed out. ‘Why, the cutting out and sewing alone would take many hours.’
‘Hand-sewing, yes, but I have one of Mr Singer’s wonderful machines at home and could run up the items in next to no time. It would be the trimmings and buttons that would take the time, and this is where the second part of my plan, the ladies, come in.’
As Sarah stared at the woman in surprise, there was a ringing of the front doorbell.
‘The good ladies have arrived,’ J
ack announced, waving from his position at the window. ‘Shall I let them in, Sar … I mean, Miss Sullivan,’ he amended darting a quick look at the older woman.
‘Do say you agree, Miss Sullivan,’ Mrs Knight urged.
‘Well, it’s a very kind offer and I can see how it would give a better impression if the children were dressed in some kind of uniform, but are you sure?’ she asked, thinking of the time constraints.
‘Leave it to me,’ she whispered, as Jack showed the ladies into the room.
‘The Misses Snooper, Prior and Middle,’ he announced grandly, bowing as he ushered them into the room. ‘Do make yourselves comfortable,’ he added, gesturing towards the chairs.
‘Ladies, thank you so much for coming,’ Mrs Knight greeted them effusively. ‘As I am sure you know, somebody has called for Red Cliffs to be inspected again.’ The ladies nodded in unison. ‘Being smartly attired ladies yourselves, I hardly need tell you the importance appearance plays in creating a favourable impression.’ The ladies nodded again, and Mrs Knight smiled. ‘I’m sure you will agree the children would look better uniformly dressed.’
‘Oh, indeed,’ they chorused.
‘Smart appearance, smart mind,’ Miss Snooper added.
‘Precisely, Miss Snooper, I knew a lady such as yourself would grasp the significance immediately,’ Mrs Knight replied. ‘So, ladies, we are all agreed that the pupils of Red Cliffs would receive a more positive reaction if they were similarly dressed?’
‘Goodness me, yes, Mrs Knight,’ Miss Prior replied, casting her beady eyes over Sarah’s dress. Thanking her lucky stars that it was the beginning of the week and her clothing was clean, Sarah smiled. ‘You only have to hear the comments in church on a Sunday to realize that local people would prefer the children to be smartly dressed. Not that we are ones to cast aspersions ourselves, of course,’ she finished, smiling superciliously.
There was a muffled snort from the corner, and as the ladies turned towards him, the verger hid his face in his kerchief.
‘I was just agreeing with Mrs Knight’s splendid suggestion when we hit upon a snag,’ Sarah said quickly.