Two Strangers

by Beryl Matthews

  Another nod.

  Dave put his arm around his brother’s shoulder and turned Alfie to face him. ‘You mustn’t worry no more. I’m getting a job so I’ll be able to look after you, and no one’s gonna take us away from here. I won’t never let that happen. I’ll fight anyone who tries to do that. You’re safe now, Alfie.’

  Vicki had been listening carefully to this conversation as she made the tea. Dave was very aware how troubled his little brother was, and was doing his utmost to make him feel secure.

  She poured out the cups of tea and sat down at the table. ‘I’ve made some cheese and some ham sandwiches, so everyone help themselves. What would you like, Alfie – cheese or ham?’

  He just stared at her.

  ‘Have one of each,’ she said, putting two sandwiches on his plate, and then took the same for herself.

  ‘Eat up, Alfie,’ Dave said through a mouthful of bread. ‘They’re smashing.’

  While the boys were eating, Vicki spoke quietly to Harry. ‘What are you going to do?’

  ‘Keep them.’

  She had never seen Harry look so angry or so determined.

  ‘But what if someone comes looking for them? Alfie is very young.’

  ‘A friend of mine works on the local council, and I will damned well report this to him if it becomes necessary. They must never be allowed to go back to the people they were with. Do you know, they’ve hardly had any schooling! I can put that right.’ Harry sighed deeply. ‘I’m going to need help and I know just the two people for the job.’

  ‘I’ll do what I can as well,’ Vicki assured him. ‘I’ll even move in here to help with the boys, if you want me to.’

  Harry smiled. ‘I’ve been used to looking after a school full of children, so I should be able to manage two. And I think you had better cut the cake.’

  ‘My goodness,’ she exclaimed. The sandwich plate was empty. ‘You really enjoyed those, didn’t you?’

  The boys nodded, and Dave grinned. ‘Alfie had four and has drunk all of his tea.’

  ‘Well done,’ Harry said, putting a slice of cake on the little boy’s plate. ‘You try that. It’s the best cake in London. And another cup of tea, I think, to wash it down. Same for you, Dave?’

  ‘Yes, please, Mr Harry.’

  When it was time for the boys to go to bed, Dave insisted that Alfie could share his bath, and Harry agreed, knowing that would be the best for the little boy. He needed careful handling; he hadn’t said a word yet, or even smiled.

  As soon as Vicki got her hands on their clothes, she gave them a good scrub and then hung them in the kitchen to dry overnight. The boys each used one of Harry’s shirts to sleep in. She would need to go to the market and buy them more clothes. They only had what they were standing up in. When they had run away, it hadn’t entered their minds to bring anything with them.

  After she had made sure they were settled in their beds, Vicki went downstairs again. Harry was in the front room, and she sat in an armchair, sighing raggedly. ‘They are both tired, and I don’t think you’ll have a peep out of them tonight. You could be taking on a load of trouble, Harry.’

  ‘Maybe. To be honest, though, I’ve missed the children at the school since retiring. I’ve been mulling over an idea for a while now, and this has helped me to make up my mind.’

  ‘What idea?’

  ‘There are too many children being mistreated and lacking a proper education, like those two upstairs. There are five bedrooms in this house, and an attic not being used. With a bit of work, that space would make another two rooms. I’m going to turn this house into a boarding school.’

  Vicki gasped. ‘But how will you manage? And where will your pupils come from?’

  ‘I’ve thought it through very carefully.’ Harry laughed at her astonished expression. ‘My friends, Edward and Pearl Hunt, will jump at the chance to become involved. He was a teacher as well, and his wife is a cook.’

  ‘That sounds ideal, but how do you know they would be willing to help?’

  ‘Because I talked this over with them some time ago, and since then they’ve been urging me to do something about it. And to answer your other question, I’ll get the youngsters off the streets if I have to.’

  ‘But they won’t be able to pay anything towards their keep, and it will be expensive.’ Vicki was struggling to grasp just how Harry was going to do such an ambitious thing.

  ‘I’ve got enough, Vicki, and I might as well put it to good use. If I get short of money, then we will have to run some money-making schemes.’ Harry leant forward, his eyes shining with enthusiasm. ‘If I can help just a few to have a better life, then I’ll be a happy man.’

  ‘Oh, Harry, I think it’s a wonderful plan!’

  He nodded. ‘So do I. But this isn’t going to be easy and there will be some difficult times ahead. It also means that, for a while, I might not be able to spend as much time as I would like on finding your two strangers. It might take a little longer than we’d hoped.’

  ‘I’m not worried about that. Helping the children is more important. I’ve waited this long, and a delay won’t make any difference. You just tell me if you discover anything that might lead to finding Bill, and I’ll follow it up. You are going to have your hands full from now on.’

  ‘I know I am, but there will still be quiet times when I can do a bit of investigating.’

  When Harry smiled and relaxed back in the chair, she couldn’t help noticing that he looked ten years younger. Retirement hadn’t suited him, and now he had a purpose in life again. And that was doing something he loved – looking after and teaching children. She was happy for him and determined to give him all the help she could. Her job at the shop and her loyalty to Bob and Flo would come first, of course, but from now on her spare time would be spent here. ‘You’re not going to be able to work in the barber’s any more, are you?’

  ‘I’ll work that out with Bob when I bring Dave with me in the morning and explain what happened. I don’t think Bob has made much effort to find anyone because he could see I was enjoying being useful again.’

  ‘You’ll have to bring Alfie with you, as well. He can’t be left on his own.’

  ‘I wouldn’t do that. The poor child is traumatized enough, and at this point it would be cruel to separate him from his brother. Dave really cares for him. It must have been desperation that made him leave him behind when he walked out.’

  Vicki sighed. ‘Dave clearly didn’t have any choice, but he went back for him the moment you said he could live here. Has he told you the name of the people he was living with?’

  ‘Not yet, and I haven’t pushed him, but he has given me a couple of clues without realizing it. He puts on a brave face, but he’s still frightened they might be sent back there. It could take a while for that fear to go. I’ll find out eventually and then I’ll make sure the couple are dealt with. I’ll do everything in my power to see that Dave and Alfie never go back to them. The way they’ve treated those boys is criminal.’

  Vicki agreed, but she was still worried. ‘You might not be allowed to keep them, Harry.’

  ‘I know that, but I’ll get my friends to move in here. As a married couple, they will have a much better chance of being considered suitable to look after them.’ Harry smiled. ‘Don’t look so worried. I know what I’m doing.’

  ‘Of course you do.’ She stood up. ‘I’d better go. I’ll see you at the shop tomorrow.’

  Harry laughed. ‘All three of us. Bob and Flo don’t know what’s facing them.’

  ‘You should be on your way to Harry’s,’ Flo said when she found Vicki stacking the towels ready for use. ‘You’ve still got another day off, remember?’

  ‘Harry is coming here first so I thought I’d make myself useful while I waited. I’ve checked the appointments and you won’t be too rushed today, but the rest of the week is booked solid.’ Vicki walked to the window and looked up the road. ‘The clouds are breaking and it looks as if it will be a nice day. Yesterday
was dry, as well.’

  ‘Vicki! You’re chattering, and you never do that. Are you nervous about something? What’s going on?’

  Another glance up the road made Vicki smile. ‘You are about to find out. I hope you’re ready for a big surprise.’

  Twelve

  Bob and Flo studied the two nervous boys standing in the shop. Bob rubbed his chin thoughtfully. ‘Dave we know, but who is this little fellow?’

  ‘This is Dave’s brother, Alfie,’ Harry explained.

  ‘I see … And what are you doing with two children now, Harry?’

  ‘It’s a long story, Bob, but the short version is that I’m going to open that school I’ve been talking about for ages. It will be for children like these.’

  ‘Ah. I thought that was just a dream of a man who wasn’t happy with retirement.’

  ‘It was, but now I’m going to make it happen. These boys have given me the push I needed. And coming to know Vicki and what she went through, of course.’

  Everyone was lost for words, just staring at the children as if they couldn’t believe their eyes, and Sid was laughing quietly at the scene. Vicki could see this was making Dave and Alfie very uneasy, so she winked at them and grinned. Alfie then edged towards her, pulling his brother with him, The little boy caught hold of her hand, clearly needing some kind of reassurance that everything was going to be all right. She grasped it, still smiling.

  ‘Well, it’s a good thing this is a quiet day, because we want to know what you’ve planned, Harry. And I suspect this is going to involve us as well.’

  ‘Only as far as Dave is concerned, as we’ve already agreed. But I won’t be able to work here full-time any longer, of course.’

  ‘Of course.’ Bob turned to his wife. ‘Put the kettle on, Flo. This could take some time.’

  ‘I’ll do that,’ Sid told them, already heading for the kitchen.

  ‘There’s an apple pie in the larder, Sid. Get that out as well. I expect these boys are hungry.’ Flo then turned to the young child. ‘Would you like a nice big slice of pie, Alfie?’

  He tried to hide behind his brother without letting go of Vicki’s hand. His reaction made Flo frown. ‘You don’t have to be frightened of me, Alfie.’

  ‘He’s had a rough time,’ Vicki told her softly.

  ‘I can see that now. Come on, young man, and tell me all about yourself.’

  ‘He don’t talk much,’ Dave told her. ‘He can, but he stopped because the people we was with sloshed him if he opened his mouth. They was always telling us to be quiet, so he don’t say nothing now. But he’ll be all right soon – won’t you, Alfie?’

  There was no response.

  ‘Oh dear, Vicki,’ Flo said under her breath. ‘I know Harry has dealt with children all his working life, but I hope he fully understands what he’s taking on.’

  ‘I believe he does. He’s good with them, and, whatever happens, these boys must not go back to the abuse they have suffered.’

  ‘We ain’t never gonna do that!’ Dave’s mouth was set in a grim line. ‘I won’t let those monsters get their hands on my Alfie again!’

  Alfie whimpered. It was the first sound Vicki had heard him make, so she bent down to him. ‘It’s all right, sweetie, you’re safe with us now.’

  ‘You don’t have to be afraid no more.’ Dave hugged him and ruffled his hair affectionately. ‘I wouldn’t never have brought you to anyone who was cruel. These are all kind, like I’ve already told you. Mr Harry’s gonna look after us and teach us lots of things. We’ve got lovely beds to sleep in, we’re clean and have full bellies, and Vicki’s gonna see we’ve always got a good haircut.’ He laughed. ‘Won’t you, Vicki?’

  ‘Definitely!’

  Alfie seemed to relax a little, so Flo smiled. ‘We’d better go and get a piece of that pie before the men eat it all.’

  When the two boys had eaten every scrap of pie on their plates, Bob looked at Vicki. ‘I expect Alfie would like to see the shops. Why don’t you go with Dave and open up for us? Customers will be arriving soon.’

  ‘I’ll do that. Come on, boys, you can help me.’ Vicki stood up and held out her hand for Alfie. ‘I’ll show you where your big brother is going to work.’

  The little boy didn’t take her hand this time, but he did stay close to his brother as they made their way downstairs. Sid had already opened the barber’s, so she took them through the connecting door to the ladies’ salon. She could see that Alfie was looking very intently around as his brother explained everything. He was also near to tears.

  ‘Why is he so upset?’ Vicki asked Dave.

  ‘I fink he’s frightened I’m gonna be here while he’s alone. I ’splained he’ll be all right with Mr Harry, but he don’t trust no one but me.’

  ‘In that case, he had better come with you on the days you’re working in the barber’s.’

  ‘Cor, do you fink he could? Would Mr and Mrs let him do that?’

  ‘I’ll have a word with them, but I’m sure it would be all right. They are very understanding.’

  ‘That would be smashing, wouldn’t it, Alfie?’

  Alfie nodded, but his eyes were brimming with tears, so Vicki stooped down and wiped the moisture away with her clean handkerchief. ‘We know you’re frightened, Alfie, and it will take time for you to trust us, but we will not separate you from your brother. Do you believe me?’

  ‘She’ll keep her word,’ his brother assured him. ‘She’s all right. I told you, Vicki knows what it’s like to be bashed about and homeless. She won’t tell us no lies. Do you know what she did?’

  His brother shook his head.

  ‘She dressed as a boy so she could get a job here. What do you think of that?’ Dave grinned at his brother. ‘She’s clever, ain’t she?’

  ‘And it was a very good disguise,’ Flo said, walking into the shop and stopping in front of Alfie. ‘But she was starving and could hardly stand up. That won’t happen to you, young man, because your brother has found you both a good home. Harry will see you are not harmed again. We all will. Now, why don’t you both go and see if there is any of that pie left?’

  ‘Cor, thanks.’ Dave gave his brother a quick shove. ‘Race you for the biggest piece.’

  Alfie almost smiled as they raced out of the shop.

  ‘We’re making promises I hope we can keep, Vicki.’ Flo looked concerned.

  ‘We’ve got to! That boy is terribly damaged and must never go back to those people. Has Harry said what he’s going to do next?’

  ‘Not exactly, but he’s determined to keep them. Somehow he’s got to make it legal so they can’t be forced to return to an abusive home. We’ve told him we’ll help and support him. The rest is up to him and his friends.’

  Vicki sighed deeply and then fixed a bright smile on her face as the first customer arrived.

  The next morning, Harry was in the barber’s teaching Dave his duties, with Alfie shadowing his brother all the time.

  ‘Go and see how they’re getting on next door,’ Flo told Vicki. ‘If Alfie is getting in their way, see if he will come in here with us.’

  ‘All right.’ Vicki went through the connecting door to the barber’s and stood where she could see but not be seen. After a while, a smile of satisfaction crossed her face. Harry was showing Dave how to collect any used towels and put them in the basket, then make sure that Bob and Sid were kept supplied with clean towels. Alfie was also listening intently, and she saw him pick up a towel Sid had dropped, grab a clean one and hand it to him. Everyone in the shop, including the customers, were talking to the boys and ignoring the fact that Alfie never said a word.

  She quietly slipped back to Flo and told her what she had seen. ‘I think they are all enjoying themselves.’

  ‘Has Alfie said anything?’

  Vicki shook her head. ‘I don’t think so, but he doesn’t look quite so frightened. When is your next customer due?’

  ‘Eleven. Then no more until two. This is a quiet day, my dear, so you
don’t need to stay here.’

  ‘I know, but what else can I do?’

  ‘Come and meet my friends and help me get everyone settled in the house,’ Harry said, walking into the salon with the boys right behind him. ‘That will be all right, won’t it, Flo?’

  ‘Yes, take her away, Harry. Our girl works too hard and we have a difficult time trying to make her take time off.’ Flo looked at the two youngsters and sighed. ‘Go on, Vicki. Harry needs your help today.’

  Knowing it was useless to protest, she nodded and then held out her hand to Alfie, who hesitantly took it, still holding on to his brother with the other hand.

  Dave chatted happily as they walked to Harry’s house, telling her what he had been doing that morning. ‘And Alfie helped as well. He learns quick. Always has done. He’s real bright, aren’t you?’

  Not a word from the child in response.

  ‘You don’t have to stay quiet no more, Alfie. I told you that.’

  ‘Don’t push him, Dave,’ Harry warned. ‘Your brother will speak when he’s ready.’

  ‘I ’spect so.’ Dave frowned up at the tall man walking beside him. ‘But it ain’t right, and it worries me something rotten.’

  ‘That is obvious. I will start your lessons today, and in time Alfie might join in, but he will only do that when he is feeling more secure.’

  Dave was still frowning. ‘Can you help him, Mr Harry?’

  ‘I think I can. I’ve dealt with troubled children before.’

  ‘You hear that, Alfie? Mr Harry’s gonna help both of us.’

  Vicki could feel tightness at the back of her throat as she listened. Whatever it took, these boys must be kept safe. Dave might talk and joke with his little brother, but it was obvious he thought the world of him and was worried sick. So worried, in fact, that it had driven him out on his own in a desperate search to find a way to get him away from where they were living.

  Harry’s friends were waiting for them as they reached the house, and when the little boy saw them, he would have bolted if Dave hadn’t caught hold of him in time.