Erin’s Child

by Erin's Child (retail) (epub)

  ‘I can manage, John, thank you.’ Belle alighted, lifting the children out one by one. ‘Here we are, you can run along home now.’ When they had dispersed she turned to Lol. ‘Right, young man, back in you get.’ He looked askance. ‘Don’t you want to come home with me, then?’ she asked lightly. Such was the volume of his enthusiasm that the scab at the corner of his mouth split open and trickled blood. ‘D’yer mean forever?’

  She laughed. ‘Yes, for as long as you want anyway.’ It had not occurred to her to consult her family over this. No one had voiced their objection to Lol on his last visit.

  ‘Oh, miss!’ He made to grab her, then thought better of it and jigged about on the spot, unable to contain himself.

  ‘Come along then.’ She prodded him into the carriage. ‘Let’s get home and pick out a room for you.’

  A room of his own! Lol couldn’t believe it. He crowed with delight and hurled himself into the carriage. Belle was about to climb in too when a woman accosted her, dragging one of the children whom Belle had just entertained.

  ‘Are you the lady what give her these?’ The woman flourished an apple and orange.

  ‘Yes,’ Belle smiled, anticipating gratitude. ‘Your little girl had a lovely time, didn’t you, dear?’

  ‘Oh, did she? And what sort o’ time do you think these children’s mothers have had when they look in the street and have someone tell ’em a lady’s driven away wi’ their bairns? What if I were to come to your street an’ drag all the children off? What would you think?’

  Belle’s lips parted in surprise. ‘I would consider myself fortunate that someone had taken an interest in my children’s welfare.’

  ‘You think we aren’t concerned with their welfare?’ More women were wandering out of their houses with the noise. ‘You think because we have to live on fifteen bob a week an’ can’t afford fancy clothes that we don’t care what happens to our children?’

  Belle was less sure of herself now; the woman was so hostile and a crowd was gathering. She felt the river closing over her head once more. ‘I was simply trying to bring them a little happiness.’

  ‘Happiness? And how happy will they be now you’ve given ’em a taste of how the rich folk live, then clear off an’ leave ’em to their own devices? Tell me that. You come sailing in here in your shiny carriage patronising us with your wealth an’ tellin’ us we don’t know how to care for our own children. I’d like to see you feed a family of seven on fifteen shillings a week.’

  ‘I assumed they were neglected,’ protested Belle.

  The woman was furious. ‘Does it take posh clothes an’ a full pantry before a mother can show love?’ She thrust her face into Belle’s. ‘I think you’d better go, lady, before I really lose my rag. Go on, get out of here.’ She flung the fruit at the would-be philanthropist. ‘An’ take your charity with you.’

  Belle climbed hurriedly into the carriage as the crowd of women closed in on her. The phaeton moved off to the accompaniment of dull thuds as the oranges bounced off the paintwork. Lol looked at her but said nothing. Belle too was silent, waiting until she was home to erupt.

  ‘Of all the ingratitude!’ She complained strenuously to her grandfather after relating all that had happened. ‘And so contrary. Having the gall to complain about their circumstances, then throwing good food to waste.’ She could still picture herself flinching in the carriage as the missiles made contact.

  ‘Maybe they thought you were patronising them,’ offered Patrick.

  ‘Patronising? If I was it isn’t just a failing of the better-off. I’ve discovered the lower classes can be patronising, too. They appear to think they have the monopoly on suffering; never spare a thought that one doesn’t need to be poor to be able to understand the emotion.’

  ‘Not self-pity from you?’ responded her grandfather surprisedly.

  ‘O-oh, I’m just so angry!’

  ‘Ah, ’tis all my fault,’ sighed Patrick, picking up the bonnet she had thrown to the floor and laying it on the table. ‘I should never’ve allowed ye to take those children without their mothers’ permission. Here, come sit down an’ cool your temper in a glass o’ lemonade.’ He picked up the jug and poured two glasses, looking at Lol as he did so.

  Belle caught his meaningful glance and, picking up one of the glasses, handed it to the boy. ‘Here, Lol, take your drink out in the garden. I’ll be out to join you shortly.’ When the child was out of earshot she turned to Patrick. ‘I couldn’t leave him there, Gramps. I just couldn’t. And after all, we do owe him something; he did save my life.’

  ‘What’re ye trying to tell me, dear?’ asked the man, reseating himself with a glass of whiskey.

  ‘I’ve told him he can live with us,’ she revealed, then went on hurriedly, ‘I mean there’s plenty of room, isn’t there? It’s not as if one extra mouth is going to break the bank.’

  ‘It might when it’s built like the Grand Canyon.’ Patrick swilled his drink round the tumbler.

  ‘Oh, you aren’t angry, are you?’ she asked in a pained manner.

  ‘Sure, I don’t see why that should worry ye when ye never thought to ask my opinion on the matter.’

  ‘You are angry. Oh, Gramps, I’m sorry, I didn’t think.’

  ‘That’s your trouble, Belle, ye don’t think. Ye go storming into a situation like a bull in a field o’ heifers, never give a thought to the consequences. That child’s mother was right to chastise ye for what ye did. Just ’cause you live a comfortable life doesn’t mean ye can take it upon yourself to label those less fortunate as neglectful of their children. Your grandmother and me were poor once but that didn’t stop us from loving your mother, from doing the very best we could for her. Those folk can’t show their love in the same way as we might now, by making sure their family has good food an’ nice clothes, but make no mistake those children are loved whatever their outward appearance. If ye viewed every dirty child as neglected an’ wanted to pull it off the street ye’d need a house the size o’ ten Buckingham Palaces to hold them all – an’ even that’s probably an underestimate.’

  Belle was forced to admit she had been wrong about the others. ‘But Lol’s a different case, Grandfather. You must see that. He has no one. Please, you aren’t going to throw him out, are you?’

  Patrick filtered the whiskey through his teeth. ‘Ye know me better than that. I just wish ye hadn’t dropped him into me lap without prior warning. I could’ve used the time to talk your grandmother around. Oh, God, will y’ever look at the child? He’s not even housetrained.’ He pointed to the garden where Lol was urinating quite openly.

  Belle took no notice. ‘But can he stay?’ she pressed urgently.

  ‘As far as I’m concerned, yes, he can stay,’ allowed Patrick. ‘But I can’t speak for the others.’

  ‘You’re the head of the house, Grandfather,’ flattered Belle slyly. ‘The others will just have to do as you tell them.’

  ‘Like you do, ye mean?’ Patrick finished his drink. ‘Now look, if I take this lad on I don’t want to have any repeat performances of this afternoon.’

  ‘Don’t worry,’ said Belle. ‘I realise I was mistaken in my assessment of those people. Next time I’ll make certain I only pick the most deserving cases.’

  ‘Next time,’ groaned Patrick, and quickly poured himself another drink.

  * * *

  The atmosphere at the table that evening was tense. It was difficult to speak frankly in the boy’s presence without upsetting him, but they might just as well have done for Lol felt the waves of ill-feeling attacking him from all fronts. Apart from Thomasin’s displeasure, Erin was most unhappy about her daughter’s behaviour. ‘I’m sorry Belle has put you in this position, Mother,’ she said as the tense meal came to an end and Helen started to collect the plates. ‘She’ll be disciplined, of course.’

  ‘Why?’ demanded Belle.

  Erin turned to her coolly. ‘I did not address you, young lady. Please be quiet.’

  Crossly, Belle gra
sped a peach and began to slice it. Lol stretched his hand out too, but was stopped by Thomasin’s disapproving glare. His hand returned, empty, to his lap. Belle simply pushed the plate of sliced peach in front of him and countered her grandmother’s stare with defiance.

  Thomasin decided to be blunt. ‘So what do you propose we do with your friend, Belle?’

  ‘In what respect, Grandmother?’

  ‘In the respect of work. If the boy’s to live here he must contribute the same as everyone else.’

  ‘Well, I had hoped to offer him a little education first, then later we could provide him with a job. I wouldn’t’ve foreseen any difficulty there with all your businesses.’

  ‘Perhaps he could manage the Leeds store,’ muttered Nick under his breath to Rosie, who grinned.

  ‘Are you suggesting I take him into my employ?’ Thomasin’s voice was tight.

  Belle matched it. ‘It seems a sensible proposition.’ Then she dropped the coolness. ‘Please, Nan, don’t be difficult. Lol’s not asking much.’

  ‘Lol, as I’m aware, isn’t asking anything. He’s being manipulated like the rest of us.’

  ‘I’m sorry,’ Belle had become aloof once more, ‘it was rash of me to suppose that my fellow-feeling would be endorsed by the rest of this family. I must apologise to Lol for leading him to believe he would find charity here.’

  ‘Stop it, Belle!’ snapped Erin. ‘Just cease. ’Tis you who’re wrong here. Ye had no right to bring anyone into this house without consulting your grandparents. Ye’ve placed them in an impossible position. There are societies to deal with children like Lol. Ye oughtn’t to assume so much responsibility at your age.’

  ‘If there are societies then why aren’t they doing anything about those children?’ asked Belle hotly. ‘That’s the trouble with too many people, they think: oh, it’s nothing to do with me, there’s a society to prevent that sort of thing!’

  Erin made a growl of annoyance and obviously found great difficulty in forming a reasonable response. Patrick entered the argument but kept his voice level. ‘If there’s any blame for this it shouldn’t go to Belle alone. I let matters get out of hand. Lol,’ he said kindly at the boy’s downcast face, ‘don’t think all this is directed at you.’ Thomasin softened too. ‘Mr Feeney’s right, Lol, this isn’t to be taken personally. It’s just the manner in which our grand-daughter chose to act that’s not to our liking.’

  ‘So it was wrong of me to practise charity, was it?’ said Belle relentlessly. ‘Tell me, Nan, if I hadn’t done this thing which you all seem to regard as a cardinal sin, would you – or any of you for that matter,’ she cast her eyes round the table, ‘ever have thought to do the same? Does anyone among you ever spare a thought for children like Lol?’

  ‘Belle, I think ye’ve caused enough upset for one day,’ replied Erin. ‘Be silent or go to your room.’

  ‘I will not be silent! It’s too pressing a matter. There’s thousands like Lol. All right, perhaps it was wrong of me to tell the boy he had a home without consulting anyone, but can you tell me in all honesty that if I had said to you, Mother, or you, Nan, will you give a home to a loveless, needy child, that you would have given your consent unreservedly? Can you? I think not. You’re all too busy thinking about yourselves to worry about children like Lol. All except Grandfather. He’s the only one besides me who seems to care.’

  Patrick moved his head sorrowfully. ‘No, no, Belle, ye do your mother and Nan a great injustice. They care, too.’

  ‘Do they? I think you pay them too much credit, Grandfather,’ she replied sullenly. ‘There’s Grandmother and Nick immersed in making money, Mother concerned only with my brain and Rosanna with her string of shallow-minded beaux. None of them gives a damn. If they can truly say they care about these children why isn’t this house filled with such as Lol?’

  Rosanna tutted and asked, ‘May I be excused from listening to this slander?’

  ‘Oh, go on, that’s right!’ shot Belle as her cousin was granted permission. ‘Run away like you always do.’ Instead of being angry Thomasin appeared subdued. ‘Well…’ a false lightness, ‘it’s certainly an evening for enlightenment.’ She crumpled her napkin.

  ‘Belle,’ Erin rose. ‘Go to your room at once.’

  ‘No,’ Thomasin wearily motioned her to sit down. ‘Since when was a child in this house punished for speaking the truth?’

  ‘Truth? ’Tis downright impudence.’ The skin of Erin’s face was mottled.

  ‘No, Erin, I’ve never shared the belief that young people should only speak when spoken to. If Belle has a valid opinion she has a right to a platform.’

  ‘Oh, she has an opinion all right,’ said Erin. ‘A very high opinion of herself. And ’tis not just the rudeness I object to but the inaccuracy of her claim. Look at the people we help already through employing them. We can’t be expected to carry everybody.’

  ‘But what about the children?’ cried Belle. ‘Who is helping them?’

  ‘All right, Belle.’ Thomasin warded off another outburst. ‘I think you’ve made your feelings plain. Let’s have a bit of order and talk about this calmly. Now then,’ she laced her fingers. ‘Lol is welcome to stay with us if he so wishes. He can spend a few months learning his letters, then I’m sure we can find him a job somewhere.’ Lol’s face shone.

  ‘Thank you, Nan,’ replied Belle warmly. ‘I’m glad you understand.’ She swapped triumphant smiles with Patrick.

  ‘Aye, well, I shan’t be so understanding if it happens too many times.’

  The atmosphere lightened as coffee was brought in. ‘Well now,’ said Thomasin after putting the delicate china to her lips. ‘We appear to have sorted Lol’s future but no mention has yet been made of yours, Belle. Have you decided what sphere you’d like to work in? It’s a pity women aren’t welcomed into politics, I’m sure you’d do much better than the men, the way you’ve just knocked us into shape.’

  Belle wondered if this was the right time to launch her project, then decided, with a swift glance at her mother’s now passive features, to go ahead. She had won both her grandfather and Nan to her side and they were the ones who really mattered, the ones whose word counted. ‘I have decided, yes, Nan.’ She lipped the coffee cup and cast apprehensive eyes before going on.

  ‘Well?’ smiled her eager mother. ‘Are you going to let us in on the secret?’

  ‘I’ve decided…’ oh, God. ‘I’ve decided to dedicate my life to helping children like Lol.’ She put down the cup to face them bravely, waiting for her mother’s outcry.

  There was npthing, not a sound… no, that was not quite accurate; there was a collective chink of cups being dashed into saucers.

  ‘Just what exactly will this entail?’ asked Thomasin carefully.

  Belle hesitated. She must word this correcdy or she would lose them again. ‘I did a tour of the house yesterday. By my calculations there are two rooms more than you need, even when you have four guests to stay. I’d like your permission to use those and the old schoolroom.’

  ‘Do I interpret you correctly?’ said Thomasin. ‘You want to bring more children into my house?’

  ‘Yes. I think we could squeeze four into each room quite nicely.’

  ‘Quite nicely?’ Erin had found her voice at last. ‘What the hell are ye saying, child?’

  Belle thumped the table. ‘Mother, I do wish you’d stop calling me child!’

  ‘An’ what else are ye, might I ask?’ Erin rose to her feet, eyes hard in the pale face. ‘Playing your childish games…’

  ‘Not games. This is a deeply serious attempt to alter society’s views.’

  ‘Ye surely don’t think I’ve seen ye this far through university just to let ye throw it all up on a whim? Because that’s all it is. I know you. You’re only doing it as an act of rebellion. Ye’ll be bored stiff with Lol an’ his kind in a few weeks.’

  ‘It’s not a whim.’ Belle regained her patience and tented her fingers. ‘I shan’t get bored. I’ve given thi
s very serious thought. In fact I’ve already informed the university that I shan’t be going back to take my Master’s degree.’

  ‘What! Belle, I’m not going to allow ye to waste your life!’

  ‘I’m sad you feel that I’d be wasting my life on deprived children, Mother, but I’ve made up my mind.’

  ‘No!’ Erin hauled the girl to her feet. ‘I won’t sit by an’ let ye throw it all away. Don’t ye know how privileged ye are to be accepted at university at so young an age?’

  Belle gave up the defensive and sprang into attack. ‘Mother, I’m sick to death of hearing from everyone how privileged I am and how I’m not to throw it away. What is it for, if not for the good of others? Up until now I’ve allowed you to dictate my life because you’re my mother and I love you. But I can’t go on living out your fantasies for you. I’m not you, Mother, I’m me! Me!’ She thrust a savage jab into her chest.

  At Patrick’s attempted intervention Erin turned on him. ‘See what ye’ve done, Father? Where all your spoiling has landed us!’

  ‘Don’t you think I have a mind of my own?’ yelled her daughter. ‘Grandfather isn’t to blame.’

  ‘Isn’t he?’ cried Erin. ‘Who was the one who started all this by fetching that boy into the house in the first place?’

  ‘For God’s sake leave the poor child out of this.’

  ‘Don’t you use the Lord’s name in such a tone to me!’

  ‘Then stop using Lol as a whipping boy,’ returned Belle. ‘If there’s one person who’s totally innocent in all this it’s Lol whose only crime was that he saved my life.’

  Erin scowled. ‘But you told me…’

  ‘I know what we told you! That was because we knew how you’d react if you heard I’d been thrown in the Foss by a gang of thugs.’

  Erin snatched the table for support. ‘Jesus God,’ she whispered, then louder as she wheeled on Patrick, ‘God! Is this true?’