A Moment to Remember

by Dee Williams

  ‘What should I do?’ This food was the best Milly had ever had, and she was stuffing her face as fast as she could.

  ‘Slow down a bit, girl. Nobody ain’t gonna take it away from you.’

  ‘Sorry, but it’s so lovely.’

  ‘Thank you. Now, to answer your question. I’m in charge of running things here but we have a woman, Elsie, who comes in in the mornings to do the grates and fill the coal scuttles. She does the washing as well, and you can help her with that to start with. We’ll see how long Jane puts up with you, then we can go from there.’

  Milly let her spoon clatter on to the plate. ‘Does she bring home a lot of friends?’

  ‘They come and go. You ain’t the first. Her mother lets her have all her own way. The last one was a thief, so don’t let me catch you pinching anything, otherwise you’ll be out on yer ear before you can say boo to a goose.’

  Milly felt sad. ‘I like Jane.’

  ‘You have to call her Miss Jane.’

  ‘It’s such a shame she’s in a wheelchair. What’s wrong with her?’

  ‘She was born like that. She can’t use her legs.’

  ‘Why?’

  ‘I dunno.’ Betty looked a bit cross. ‘And don’t you go asking her.’

  ‘I won’t.’

  ‘Now, clear this table and start the washing-up. They’ll ring when they’ve finished. I’ll collect the crocks and you can wash them up as well, and be careful, we don’t want any breakages.’

  ‘And you look after this big house all on your own?’

  ‘When the master and young Richard is away I do. But I have more help when they come back.’

  ‘Where’s Mr Green?’

  ‘Nosy little cow, ain’t yer?’

  ‘Sorry.’ Milly busied herself with clearing the table. That was the best meal she had ever had in her life, and she knew she had to watch her Ps and Qs if she wanted to stay for a few more days. She looked over at Betty who had settled herself down in the wooden rocking chair next to the fire and closed her eyes. She seemed a nice, friendly woman, and Milly hoped that she liked her. How old was Betty? she wondered. And why did she live here? Did she have any family, and if so, where did they live?

  Milly was busy washing up and daydreaming when the sound of a bell made her jump. There were bells on a board on the wall, and each bell had the name of a room under it. Betty stood up, straightened her overall and hurriedly left the kitchen. She returned a short while later with a trolley piled high with dirty plates.

  ‘You start on these while I take ’em their coffee.’ With that she was off again.

  Milly knew she could be very happy working here and she would do her best to please everybody. At this moment she wasn’t sure if she still wanted to find her aunt. If she behaved herself and worked hard, perhaps she would be allowed to stay here for ever. But deep down she knew this was just a dream. Things like that didn’t happen to girls like her.

  Chapter 7

  OVER THE NEXT few days Milly quickly began to fit in with Betty and Jane’s routine, and she was more than anxious to please. Elsie, who came to do the fires, was a very quiet, smiling young woman. Betty had told Milly that Elsie had four children and a husband who was very poorly. In the morning Elsie would come up to the room that Milly had been given and wake her. Milly’s room was in the attic, with a low sloping ceiling that had a window set in it, and although it was very cold, she had a bed with clean white sheets, a pillow, a warm blanket and a lovely multicoloured bedspread, and to her this was heaven. At night when she went up to bed Betty gave her a stone ginger beer bottle filled with hot water to put her feet on. Milly had never known such luxury. There was a small table in the corner of the room for her knick-knacks, not that she had any, just the brush and comb that Jane had given her. The bed was against the wall and she could stand on it and look out of the sloping window. The garden below had grass and what looked like a lot of dead trees, though Betty had told her that come spring it would look a picture. But would she be here in the spring to see it? Milly wondered She was so happy, and she often had to pinch herself to make sure this wasn’t all a wonderful dream.

  After Milly had helped Elsie to clean out the fireplaces, light the fires and fill the coal scuttles, Walton, Elsie, Betty and herself would sit in the kitchen and have their breakfast, then Walton would take Jane for her walk before Miss Dance came and it was time for Jane’s lessons. Miss Dance seemed to be a nice young lady, but Jane told Milly that she was very strict.

  ‘I do wish Mama would let you come and have lessons with me.’

  Milly just smiled. She never replied, as she didn’t want to get in the way.

  After Jane had had her afternoon rest and walk, Milly always had tea with her and Walton. Milly learnt that Walton was a nurse who washed and dressed Jane and generally looked after her. During afternoon tea the girls would sit on the sofa laughing and talking while Walton read or did some sewing.

  ‘I am so happy you are here,’ said Jane.

  ‘And I’m happy I’m here.’

  Jane wanted to know all about the things Milly had seen, and Milly told her about the suffragette march.

  ‘I’ve seen pictures of them. Richard said all the boys at school thought they were very silly women wanting the vote.’

  ‘They looked so nice in their white frocks and hats with their white, green and mauve sashes.’

  ‘But some of them have been very naughty, chaining themselves to railings and breaking windows. I believe a few of them have even gone to prison. People don’t like that sort of thing.’ Jane shuddered. ‘I couldn’t do things like that.’

  Milly thought she had better get off this conversation, as she approved of women speaking up for themselves.

  ‘I do envy you,’ said Jane. ‘you must have led such an exciting life.’

  Milly didn’t tell her about the bad times.

  When the family went for their evening meal, Milly sat with Betty in the kitchen.

  ‘You’ve settled in very well, young lady,’ said Betty as she dished up another delicious supper.

  Milly wanted to ask if she could stay a bit longer but decided against that just yet.

  ‘Now what about this aunt of yours? I’ve asked all the traders and they don’t know a Doris. You sure she works round here?’

  ‘Me brother Billy found a letter and he said the postmark was Southwark.’

  ‘There’s a lot of big houses round this way, or she might have just posted it here.’

  ‘S’pose so.’

  ‘Don’t look so down. I’m sure we’ll find her one day.’

  At this moment Milly wasn’t so sure she wanted to.

  A week later Milly was busy helping to prepare the vegetables for the evening meal, when Mrs Green came in. She quickly stood up.

  ‘Sit down, Milly.

  Milly felt her legs turn to jelly. She looked at Betty, who glanced quickly away.

  Mrs Green smiled and sat at the table. ‘Don’t look so worried. I just wanted to enquire if you’ve heard anything about your aunt.’

  ‘No. I’m sorry. Betty’s asked all the men who call but they ain’t heard of a Doris.’

  ‘What are you going to do?’

  Milly looked down at her hands. ‘I dunno. Do you want me to go?’

  ‘Good heavens, no. I’ve never seen Jane so happy. No, what I’ve come to ask is whether you would like to stay here till you have news of your aunt. I’m sure Betty is keeping you busy.’

  Betty smiled. ‘I can always find her jobs to do.’

  ‘And is Milly good at what she does?’

  ‘I’ve got no complaints, and Elsie said she is very willing.’

  ‘That’s all I wanted to hear. Milly, as you know, it’s Jane’s birthday next week, and we shall be having a lot of young ladies here. Now, I shall want you to take their coats and put them into Jane’s room.

  ‘Betty, when we’ve got over the birthday, we must discuss Easter. Richard will be here, of course, so there will
be extra work. And Milly, Jane will have more free time, so I hope you’ll be able to keep her amused. Do you think you could manage to take her out sometimes, just round the outside of the house and in the garden? She needs some fresh air every day. Walton will go to her family for a few days and she will teach you how to control the wheelchair before she goes.’

  Although she was disappointed at not joining Jane’s birthday party, Milly wanted to jump up and throw her arms round this lady. This was the best news she could have heard. She was going to be here for Easter and spend more time with Jane. She couldn’t believe her luck, and she hoped she’d never find Auntie Doris.

  The day of the party arrived, and Jane looked lovely in her new dress and hair ribbon.

  ‘I wish you could come in to the party,’ said Jane. ‘I told Mama that you’re not a servant, you’re my friend, but she was worried that you might feel a little intimidated by her friends’ daughters.’

  In many ways Mrs Green was right. When Milly took the young ladies’ coats, they looked her up and down and she knew they were laughing at her as they walked into the drawing room.

  When she got into the kitchen she said to Betty, ‘They look like a right lot of stuck-up cows.’

  ‘Milly, kindly watch your language.’

  Milly blushed and looked at her feet. ‘I’m sorry, but they do.’

  Although Betty wanted to agree with her, she knew that wouldn’t do. She’d heard some of the things these so-called young ladies said when she’d gone into the room to take the tea trolley away.

  The week before Easter, Richard came home. He was tall and had a mop of unruly thick fair hair and eyes the same colour as his sister’s.

  Milly opened the door when he first arrived, and looking at her he enquired, ‘Who are you?’

  Milly curtsied and he burst out laughing.

  ‘Richard, don’t be so horrid,’ said Jane, coming from the drawing room. ‘I’ll tell Mama that you laughed at Milly.’

  ‘I’m sorry. It’s just that nobody has ever curtsied to me before.’

  ‘They might do if you are going to be in Parliament, so perhaps you should start to get used to it.’

  Milly stood almost open-mouthed.

  ‘Richard, this is Milly, my very best friend.’

  ‘And what park bench did she find you on?’

  Whenever Milly was embarrassed she would look down at her feet.

  Jane moved her wheelchair closer, almost as if she was going to run into him. ‘Now say you’re sorry.’

  ‘Sorry, Milly.’

  ‘That’s all right,’ she said softly.

  ‘Well?’ he asked.

  ‘If you must know, Milly ran away from home and I brought her here. She helps Betty and Elsie. Is there anything else you wish to know?’ Jane spoke with a very determined look on her face and the bow in her hair wobbled with every word.

  ‘No, that will do for now. Just as long as you are happy, little sis.’

  She gave her brother one of her beaming smiles. ‘I am very happy.’

  ‘Good. We’ll talk later, Milly.’ With that he picked up his bag and went upstairs to his room.

  ‘Please don’t worry about Richard, he always thinks he knows best.’

  ‘That’s what brothers should do. Look after their little sisters.’

  Jane held out her hand and took hold of Milly’s. ‘You are such a joy to have around.’ She smiled. ‘I think it is a little naughty of me, but in some ways I hope you never find your aunt. I want you to stay here for ever.’

  ‘And I would like to stay as well, but your mum might not want me around for long.’

  ‘As long as I’m happy, that is all that Mama worries about.’

  Whenever Richard took Jane round the garden, Milly went with them. She was very shy in his company and she wasn’t sure if she liked him. He always seemed to be teasing her, asking her the names of flowers that he knew she had never seen before. One day, when Jane said she wanted to go to the park, Milly said she didn’t want to go with them.

  ‘Why not?’ asked Jane.

  ‘It’s too cold.’

  ‘Well go and get that scruffy coat of yours,’ said Richard. ‘Not that it will keep you very warm.’

  Milly was on the verge of tears.

  ‘Richard, how could you be so horrid?’ yelled Jane.

  Milly had tried to clean her coat up when she went outside with them, but she knew Richard looked down at her, and up till now they had never left the garden.

  Mrs Green came to see what the trouble was.

  ‘It’s Richard, he’s being horrid to Milly. Mama, could you get my blue velvet coat for Milly?’

  Milly stood with her mouth open. ‘No, no, I can’t wear that.’

  ‘Why not?’ asked Jane.

  Mrs Green looked bewildered. ‘Will someone please tell me what is going on?’

  Richard was beginning to look very sheepish.

  ‘Richard will keep teasing Milly. Tell him to stop it, Mama.’

  ‘What have you been saying?’

  ‘He was being very rude about Milly’s coat.’

  ‘Richard, how could you?’

  ‘I’m sorry, Milly.’

  Milly only looked at her feet. She knew she didn’t fit in. He was like those rotten girls at Jane’s birthday party. ‘That’s all right,’ she said softly.

  Chapter 8

  AT LAST SPRING HAD arrived, and Milly marvelled at the garden, which was full of brightly coloured flowers. At Easter, Richard had laughed when she’d told him she’d never even seen some of them before, so she was determined to find out their names. Jane was willing to help her friend and went to great lengths to point out various flowers and tell her what they were called. She also gave her a dictionary, and between them they would sit and write the names down properly. The following morning after Jane had finished school, Milly would ask Miss Dance if she had got them right.

  This particular afternoon they were on their usual wander round the garden when Jane asked, ‘Why do you write the names down?’

  ‘I want to remember them. Besides, Miss Dance said it’s always good to do some writing every day.’

  ‘Miss Dance is very pleased with the way you are so eager to learn, you know.’

  Milly smiled. ‘I’ve got a lot of years to make up, and I enjoy trying to learn about things. I shall never be able to thank you enough for what you’ve done for me.’

  ‘And what about what you’ve done for me? My life was very boring stuck in this chair till you came along.’

  Jane had told Milly that the reason she couldn’t walk was because when she was born, she was pulled from her mother by the legs. Nobody realised her bones had been damaged until she first tried to walk, but by then it was too late. She would be in a wheelchair for the rest of her life. Her mother and father had never forgiven themselves, and that was why they granted her every wish.

  One afternoon in June, Milly was having tea with Mrs Green, Jane and Walton when Mrs Green said, ‘Milly, Jane and Miss Dance have asked me if I would mind you sharing lessons with my daughter.’

  Milly almost dropped the plate she was holding.

  Jane’s eyes were shining. ‘What do you say?’

  ‘I don’t know what to say.’

  ‘Please say yes,’ said Jane.

  ‘Yes. I would love to, but why?’

  Mrs Green was smiling. ‘Well, Miss Dance thinks you are clever, and it would help Jane. We know you can read a little.’

  ‘Yes, me mum taught me.’ Milly was very proud of that fact.

  ‘We know that you pick things up very quickly, and Miss Dance is most impressed with the way you ask her questions. She also thinks it would be good for Jane to have some competition.’

  ‘But what about me,’ Milly quickly corrected herself, ‘my chores?’

  ‘As you know, the lessons are only for a few hours in the mornings, so you will be able to help Betty after that. And we do have Betty’s full permission.’

 
Jane clapped her hands. ‘It will be such fun.’

  ‘Now I don’t want you two playing about. I’ve told Miss Dance to keep me informed of your progress, and yours, young lady.’ She wagged her finger at her daughter.

  Milly was so thrilled she wanted to dance round the room. She was going to get an education. She was living in this lovely house with wonderful people; could life get any better? Or would it all go wrong? She didn’t want to think about that.

  When she took the tea trolley into the kitchen she said excitedly, ‘I’m gonna have lessons with Miss Jane.’

  ‘I know.’

  Milly grabbed Betty and spun her round. ‘Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.’

  ‘Steady on. You’ll have me come all over funny. Besides, what have you got to thank me for? What have I done?’

  ‘If you’d said I couldn’t go cos you wanted me here with you, well, I would have been . . . what’s that long word that Miss Jane says? Devilstated!’

  Betty laughed. ‘You mean devastated, and from the little you’ve told me about your life, you deserve a break. After all, you’re a good girl.’

  Milly sat down at the table. ‘I promise I’ll do everything I can to help you.’

  ‘More to the point, you make sure you learn all you can. It will help you in years to come if you have a good education and can speak well.’

  ‘I’ll do me very best.’

  ‘That’s good. Now, let’s make a start on this washing-up.’

  As Milly filled the sink with water, her heart was pounding. She couldn’t believe she was going to be taught to read and write and to speak properly just like Miss Jane. As Betty said, it would help her get somewhere in life. Not that she ever wanted to leave here, but you never know what might happen in the future.

  Everybody except Milly was getting excited at Richard coming home for the long summer holiday. She was very wary of him and his ways.