by Linda Finlay
‘Especially as she’s threatening to tell the authorities her position here is untenable,’ Sarah sighed. Then she remembered what Mrs Higgins had told her, but before she could tell him, there was a shout from above.
‘Finished up here. I’m coming down,’ Mr Collyer called, peering over the edge of the roof at them.
‘Right, I’ll steady the ladder then,’ Harry called. ‘You go on in, Sarah. It might not be raining now, but it’s getting cold, and we can’t have you catching a chill, can we? Besides, the children probably need supervision by now.’
As Sarah opened the door of the kitchen, she was met by the smell of wet laundry. Mrs Laver was helping the housekeeper hang the bedding on the pulleys, ready to be hoisted up over the range to dry. April and Pip were valiantly tackling the pile of luncheon dishes, whilst the children were standing around watching as they supped their afternoon drinks. When the last pulley was in place, Mrs Daws rubbed her hands on her tea towel then bent and opened the oven door. Immediately, the room was suffused with the fragrant aroma of baking.
‘Hey, ugly cakes,’ Bunter cried.
As the children clamoured excitedly around the big table, Mrs Daws waved them back. ‘Calm yourselves. These need to cool. Besides, as that nice Mr Collyer brought the dried fruit and sugar back with him, it’s only manners to wait until he joins us. I suggest you all go and wash your hands so you’re ready when he comes in.’
‘Did he bring my present?’ Monday asked.
‘If you run along with the others you’ll be back in time to ask him, won’t you?’ the housekeeper said, flapping her hands as she shooed them all outside.
‘I was thinking, Miss Sullivan,’ Mrs Laver said. ‘If this inspection is to be on Thursday, the kids will need bathing and shearing on Wednesday night, so do you want me to come in then?’
‘If you would, Mrs Laver, that would be helpful.’
‘Might give me a bit of extra for me Christmas box,’ the woman hinted.
‘Of course,’ Sarah agreed. ‘And we really do appreciate your help today.’ The woman grinned, her rosy cheeks flushing redder with delight.
‘We’ve made up the girls’ beds in your room, Miss Sullivan,’ April said, looking up from the dresser where she was stacking the dishes. ‘But where are you going to sleep?’
‘I had thought the back room,’ Mrs Daws said. ‘But I’m not sure how long Monday’s father will be staying.’
‘He isn’t,’ Mr Collyer said, appearing through the door with Harry close behind. ‘I’ve been mithering on what you said about Monday needing the security of routine, Mrs Daws. I had a chat with her earlier and can see she’s happily settled. She told me she wants to stay here. Quite insistent, she was.’
‘Well, Maisie is her friend,’ the woman replied diplomatically.
‘So she keeps telling me,’ he grinned wryly. ‘Then whilst I was fixing the roof, it occurred to me that keeping busy would be best for me an’ all. So, if you’ve no objection, I’ll return to my ship directly.’
‘Probably best,’ the housekeeper agreed. ‘But you’ll stay for tea and ugly cake, I hope. It’s rare to have a treat mid-week, so we’re mighty obliged to you, Mr Collyer.’
He stared at the cooling cakes on the tables and nodded. ‘Don’t mind if I do, but that cake looks mighty fine, so why is it called ugly?’ he asked, looking puzzled.
‘The children take turns in baking, and believe you me, the name often reflects the look of them,’ the housekeeper chuckled and they all joined in.
‘Well, it were hungry work and no mistake. Still, that patching should last you for a while, Miss Sullivan.’
‘I don’t know how to thank you, Mr Collyer,’ Sarah replied.
‘You already have by looking after my Monday. That name’s quite growing on me, by the way,’ he smiled. ‘If you agree to her staying, perhaps we could talk terms like. I earn a good wage so ’tis only right I pay for her keep. I’ll set about finding new lodgings then I can spend all my time with her when I’m on leave.’
At his words, Sarah’s heart lifted. Monday would be staying and spending time with her father. ‘That would appear to be the ideal solution,’ Sarah agreed. ‘And of course, we can review the situation as time goes on.’
‘Well, that’s a weight off me mind,’ he replied. Then his face clouded. ‘Tis goin’ to take some time gettin’ used to not having my Holly to come home to.’
‘If we can do anything to help …’ Sarah began but he was lost in his thoughts.
‘Well, young April, I can hear the kids returning, so come and help me slice up these cakes,’ Mrs Daws said. ‘I’m sure we’re all starving after the shenanigans we’ve had today.’
‘Did you get my present, Dadda?’ Monday asked, running ahead of the others and hurling herself at him.
‘Maybe,’ he replied, making an effort to pull himself together. ‘Then maybe not,’ he added, scratching his head.
‘Don’t worry, Maisie, he always teases me like this,’ Monday told her friend, raising her brows in an adult manner.
Seeing the others growing impatient, Mrs Daws clapped her hands. ‘I think you should all go through to the dining room and sit nicely at the tables.’
‘Off you go, pet, you can have your present when you’ve finished. We need to have another little chat anyway,’ Mr Collyer told Monday. The girl nodded then followed Maisie. Sarah saw him look wistfully after her, but Mrs Daws patted his shoulder.
‘Monday will be fine here,’ the housekeeper reassured him. ‘Now, sit down and have your drink. It’s a rare old treat to have tea that’s good and strong, and I for one appreciate it.’
‘Me too,’ Harry agreed. ‘It was thirsty work holding that ladder.’
‘How long do you expect to be away for, Mr Collyer?’ Sarah asked.
‘The next trip’s six months,’ he replied, then frowned. ‘Of course, that’s a long time to be away from Monday now that her mother … Will that be a problem, do you think?’
‘Sometimes, in circumstances like this, it is best for a child to have time to adjust,’ Harry pointed out.
Mr Collyer nodded thoughtfully. ‘Happen you’re right. Like I said, I’m that relieved Monday is happily settled. I’m willing to pay a fair price for her board.’
‘We would be grateful for a contribution, Mr Collyer, and as long as we pass the inspection next Thursday, there should be no problem with Monday staying until you return,’ Sarah assured him.
‘And if we don’t then God knows what we’ll do with them all,’ Harry muttered to Sarah.
34
After the upsets of the day, the children were late going to bed and then the girls were so excited with their new arrangements, they took ages to settle. Monday had been so thrilled with her present from her father, she’d insisted on sleeping with the little globe of the world under her arm.
‘What a day,’ the housekeeper said, stifling yet another yawn.
‘Up the wooden hill, Mrs Daws,’ Sarah urged.
‘I can’t deny the land of nod’s calling,’ the woman agreed, looking around the tidy kitchen. Marmalade purred at her from the chair beside the range and she smiled. ‘You’ve got the best place in the house, young man. Well, everything’s ready for the morning, and with any luck and a following wind, the bedding will be dry by then. Thank the Lord Mr Collyer was able to fix that leak, albeit temporary like.’
‘We can discuss what to do about that and everything else in the morning,’ Harry told her. ‘You go on up, Mrs Daws, you’ve had an exceptionally busy day.’
‘Goodnight, both.’
‘Goodnight, Mrs Daws,’ Sarah said.
‘Sleep tight,’ Harry added, straddling his seat. Sarah poured more tea into their cups then pulled her chair up alongside the range.
As she idly stroked the cat’s ginger fur, Harry smiled. ‘So, you’re an ailurophile like Monday, then?’
‘A what?’ she asked.
‘It means you have a love of cats,’ he explained,
giving his lazy grin before drawing a chair up beside her.
‘Master Higgins, I do believe you swallowed the dictionary when you trained to become a teacher,’ Sarah quipped.
‘And I still enjoy perusing a compendium,’ he replied, quirking his brow.
Sarah was too tired to rise to the bait. ‘It’s been a long day,’ she said, stifling a yawn. ‘Still, it’s good news Monday will be staying.’ As Harry shot her a knowing look, she hurried on. ‘Although I feel sorry for poor Mr Collyer. It must have been a horrible shock to find the police waiting when his ship berthed.’
Harry nodded. ‘Timely for us, though, for I don’t know how we would have stemmed that leak so quickly without his help. Did you see Mrs Daws’ expression when she went into the pantry and saw the provisions he’d left for her?’ Sarah smiled, for the housekeeper had been beside herself with joy. ‘How did you get on at Mrs Knight’s?’ Harry asked. ‘Did Mother pass muster?’
‘Goodness, so much has happened since then, I’d almost forgotten. Your mother was most congenial, but I fear it was me who was found wanting,’ she sighed. ‘Still, I’m sure you will hear her verdict when you return home.’
He looked at her enquiringly, but not wanting to elaborate on the shortcomings of her appearance and the comments about her friendship with the verger, she swiftly moved the subject on. ‘The ladies have made such a concerted effort with those smocks, I only hope they have time to complete them all and fashion shirts for the boys. I’ll have to pay another visit and let her know the inspection will be sooner than anticipated,’ she sighed.
‘I’ll get Mother to tell them. If Miss Green informs the local authority her position here is untenable, we’re going to be asked some rather awkward questions about staffing and will need to have our answers ready.’
‘I don’t see the problem,’ Sarah replied. ‘The girls can join the boys full time in the classroom for the time being, surely?’
Harry shook his head. ‘If it were up to me, then yes, of course they could. However, there are some subjects on the girls’ curriculum for which a female teacher is deemed essential. With the recent addition of Monday and Kitty, Red Cliffs now has more girls than boys in its care. We are up against it, Sarah, make no mistake about that. I’ve also noticed Mrs Daws is looking extremely tired these days,’ he sighed. ‘We need more help yet don’t have the funds.’
‘I’ll help Mrs Daws as much as I can,’ she assured him. ‘As for Miss Green, I can’t help feeling there’s something behind her behaviour,’ she mused.
Harry looked at her curiously. ‘What makes you say that?’
Sarah shook her head. ‘Women’s intuition plus something I heard today. I think that woman has an ulterior motive for wanting to leave her position.’
‘You’ll need to be more specific than that,’ he told her, his expression grave.
‘I need to ask some questions to clarify,’ she said, not wishing to elaborate until she was certain.
‘It’s just regrettable she took such a dislike to you. Not that it’s your fault,’ he added quickly. He let out a long sigh, and Sarah wondered, not for the first time, if she could have handled her dealings with the schoolmistress better. Yet the children’s welfare was paramount. It was an impossible situation, she thought, trying to blink back the tears that threatened.
‘So it will be my fault if the school fails,’ she sobbed.
‘Don’t cry, Sarah,’ he murmured, pulling her close. ‘Nobody could have worked harder than you.’
‘But it was me who upset Miss Green and if Red Cliffs has to close as a consequence, I will have let my godfather and everybody here down,’ she cried as the tears finally spilled over and rolled down her cheeks.
‘Oh, Sarah, don’t take on so,’ he whispered, staring at her tenderly. Pulling out his kerchief, he gently dabbed at the droplets. Overwhelmed by his sudden closeness, she stared into his eyes. He gave a groan then leaned forward and kissed her lovingly on the lips. But even as shivers of anticipation tingled through her, he moved quickly away.
‘Sorry, out of order there,’ he murmured. ‘Remember, we are in this together, Sarah.’ He gazed at her so warmly, the flecks in his brown eyes gleamed like liquid gold in the light from the range. Then, as if someone had snapped their fingers, his manner became brisk. ‘Go and get some sleep. We have a lot of planning to do tomorrow. I’ll come in early so we can work on our strategy for the inspection. Goodnight, Sarah dear.’
As Sarah lay in the narrow bed in the little room behind the kitchen, she felt warmer and more comfortable than she had for a long time. It must be because this room is cosier than the bigger one upstairs, she thought, her fingers straying to her lips. It was only as her eyelids fluttered closed that she remembered Mrs Knight had referred to their benefactor as being a she. It was a shame Mrs Higgins had sent her a warning look or she might have learnt more. Giving a yawn, she vowed to tackle Harry first thing in the morning.
Despite the upheaval of the day and her unanswered question, she fell into a deep sleep where brown eyes shone gold as warm lips met hers.
‘You’re late, Harry dear,’ his mother greeted him as he let himself into their home. As he bent to kiss her cheek, she gave him a knowing look. ‘I met your Miss Sullivan today.’
‘She did mention it,’ he replied.
‘Dorothy Knight is certainly good at getting the best out of those ladies of the church. They are the most dreadful gossips, you know, and gave the verger a terrible time.’
‘Oh, what about?’ he asked, settling into the comfy chair opposite her and holding out his hands to the fire.
‘Your Miss Sullivan, actually,’ she said, giving Harry another of her looks.
‘Spit it out, Mother, you look like a broody hen,’ he said.
‘Such a vulgar expression, son,’ she tutted. ‘The misses think Jack Wise is beguiled by Miss Sullivan and say the pupils of his eyes go heart-shaped whenever her name is mentioned.’
‘Really, Mother,’ he snorted. ‘That’s far-fetched even for you.’
‘I wouldn’t like to see you hurt, son,’ she murmured, staring at him fondly. ‘Oh, you might play the stern schoolmaster, but I know you’re soft on her.’ Harry frowned and she changed the subject quickly. ‘Dorothy Knight nearly let slip the identity of the Red Cliffs’ benefactor,’ she sighed. ‘Miss Sullivan wanted to know about her and I think she should be told.’
‘What?’ he gasped. ‘But we were sworn to secrecy.’
‘By the doctor, and you respected his wish whilst he was alive. But think about it, son. He left Red Cliffs to Miss Sullivan, so he must have had a high regard for her. Charlie was his special friend, without whose help, I might add, the school would have gone under long ago, so …’ She left her words hanging.
Harry stared into the fire and stroked his chin thoughtfully. ‘Perhaps it is time Sar … er, Miss Sullivan knew, especially as the roof has sprung another leak and it looks as though we shall have to go cap-in-hand again. Luckily, Collyer was able to effect a temporary repair.’ Then he stopped. ‘Oh, of course you wouldn’t know about him.’
‘Monday’s father, you mean?’ She grinned at his look of surprise. ‘The purser of his ship told the butcher, who told …’
Harry held up his hand. ‘So the Torquay turkeys have been gobbling as usual. That’s not all, though,’ he sighed. ‘We heard today the inspection is to be next Thursday, and as if that wasn’t bad enough, Miss Green is to inform the authorities her position at Red Cliffs is untenable.’
‘Goodness,’ Mrs Higgins muttered. Then she stared at Harry. ‘Next Thursday, you say? Why, that hardly gives us time to finish the smocks let alone begin making the shirts for the boys.’
‘Or for us to prepare,’ he sighed and stared mournfully into the fire.
‘I’ve promised to help with the sewing again tomorrow, so I’ll let Dorothy know when the inspection is to be, shall I?’
‘That would be helpful,’ he replied, remembering his promise to S
arah.
‘Harry, er …’ his mother began, then looked away, embarrassed. ‘I was wondering if we should make Miss Sullivan something to wear for the inspection. She looks so, well, what she wears hardly befits the proprietor of a school, and you know how important appearances are.’
‘She looks all right to me, Mother,’ he muttered, as a vision of her mane of wavy hair and eyes shining like conkers in the autumn flashed into his mind. ‘Well, I’d better turn in. I shall be making another early start tomorrow. Miss Sullivan and I have to plan our strategy.’
‘Oh goodness, Harry, I quite forgot to tell you, the Deaconess asked that you call by on your way to the school. She has something extremely important to ask you.’
Sarah woke full of joy that she would be seeing Harry first thing. She was certain that, despite all the obstacles being thrown in their way, they would work out a strategy together that would get Red Cliffs through the inspection. Although she was dressed and at her desk bright and early, Harry didn’t appear. Disappointment flooded through her and she snatched up the letter from the local authority and perused it thoroughly. Just as she’d suspected, the schoolmistress had been holding on to it, for it was dated some six days previously.
Determined to be on top of her game, she was jotting down ideas when the door opened and Harry came in followed by a pretty young girl of about ten. She was wearing a coarse grey woollen dress covered by a pinafore and was gripping a small bag as if her life depended upon it.
‘This is Miss Sullivan, Sally. I told you about her on the way here, didn’t I?’ he said gently. The girl surveyed Sarah curiously, then nodded. ‘Sally has come to stay with us for a little while, Miss Sullivan,’ he explained cheerfully. Sarah smiled at the shy little girl, then looked askance at Harry. After their conversation the previous evening, he surely wasn’t serious about taking in another female pupil? Before she could reply, Mrs Daws came bustling in.
‘I thought I heard voices. Hello, dear. What pretty ringlets you have. So what’s your name then?’ she asked, bending down and stroking the girl’s long fair hair.