‘It’s all right, Mam.’ The boy tried to leave his bed.
‘Stay there,’ commanded Brian firmly, but then more softly, ‘Your mother will be recovered in a moment.’ He turned a disbelieving face to Belle. Her own expression mirrored his feelings. How could the boy show such loyalty to one who had treated him so barbarously? ‘What’re we to do?’
‘He can’t stay here,’ said Belle positively. ‘She may do it again.’
‘Oh no, ma’am, I wouldn’t, honestly,’ sobbed the woman. ‘Please don’t take him away, he’s all I have. His father’s dead and I’ve no other children. I swear I didn’t mean to do it. Everything just got on top of me. Please, please don’t report me.’
The doctor ran his hand over his hair, his expression communicating his indecision to Belle.
‘I don’t want to leave my mam,’ said Sam pitifully. ‘I love her. It wasn’t her fault, it was my naughtiness made her do it. I promise I’ll be good but don’t take me away.’
‘Well, I can’t think that removing the boy is going to help him,’ said Brian to Belle who nodded her agreement, though loathing what she had witnessed. ‘Pining for his mother won’t aid recovery.’
‘I’ve a suggestion to make,’ said Belle to both adults. ‘What if Samuel were to come to me – just for a holiday of course, until he’s better. It would give you time to put your affairs in order.’ This to the woman. ‘By rights we should report this. I find it totally unbelievable what you’ve done. It was a dreadfully severe punishment to inflict on a small boy however much he may have incited you. Terribly cruel. And if I thought that the boy would profit by my taking him away from you then believe me I shouldn’t hesitate… but Samuel’s obviously very attached to you, illustrating that this was probably an isolated event.’
‘Oh, it was, it was! I’m devoted to the child. I don’t know how I could’ve done it.’
‘Well, you have done it,’ replied Belle brutally. ‘And he’ll bear the scar for life. Don’t for one moment look upon my decision as weakness or gullibility. I’m not easily fooled. But for Samuel’s sake I’m willing to grant you the benefit of the doubt. He will come to me for three months until you’ve both had time to heal.’
‘Well, I don’t know…’
‘I’m not giving you a choice,’ retorted Belle. ‘He comes with me now or else he goes to the cruelty people. If it’s the latter you’ll doubtless never set eyes on him again. This way you have a chance, though I’m positive you don’t deserve it.’
It was agreed, though the mother did not like the plan at all. Samuel was wrapped up in blankets against the intense cold, though he cried out pitifully when his wound was chafed.
‘I’m sorry, old chap,’ said Brian, carrying him down the stairs. ‘You won’t be in discomfort for longer than we can help.’
‘I’m not going for good, am I?’ asked Samuel as his tearful mother waved goodbye and the trio marched up the slope towards Clifford Street to get a cab.
‘Of course not. Didn’t you hear me say so to your mother?’ asked Belle.
‘I thought you were maybe just saying that,’ the boy replied.
‘When you know me better you’ll understand that what I say I mean and what I mean I say. This is simply a kind of holiday to give your mother a rest. She’ll be able to visit you any time she likes.’
‘Hey, what’s that?’ Brian scooped something out of the gutter and dropped it into Sam’s blanketed arms. ‘There you are, a friend to keep you company while you’re away.’
Belle watched the small boy’s fingers dig into the kitten’s fur and rub it against his face. ‘Brian, you can’t do that, it might belong to someone.’
‘You’ve got it the wrong way round,’ corrected the doctor, scratching the kitten’s head with a finger. ‘Cats don’t belong to people, people belong to cats. And that one’s just adopted Sam. Look, they love each other already.’
‘It’s crawling with vermin,’ she complained. ‘It’ll have to be loused before it sets foot in my home.’
‘That’s nothing different,’ smiled Brian.
‘No, you’re right there.’ Belle closely examined Sam’s head. Fortunately this one seemed to be clean.
‘Can I keep it?’ asked Sam as they neared the thoroughfare.
‘It’s yours,’ answered Brian. ‘And he’ll make you feel less homesick. He’ll be away from home, too.’
Belle hailed a cab and allowed Brian to climb in with his burden. She closed the door after him.
‘Aren’t you coming?’
‘No, I have to wait for the children. Sally will let you in and show you where to put him. I’ll try not to be long but you know what they are. Might you still be there when we get back?’
‘Possibly. I’ll tend to the wound anyway and see him settled in.’ The cab rolled away and Belle went back to the river.
When she returned with her brood ninety minutes later she found Samuel tucked into bed, a large square of lint covering his wound and Brian at his side, storybook in hand. ‘What a bedside manner you have, Doctor. I hope that cat’s not in here?’ Brian told her it was in the yard being scrubbed. ‘Good. And how will you like it here, Samuel?’ she asked the patient. ‘Have you been made comfortable?’
‘Yes, thank you, ma’am,’ he replied civilly.
‘Call me Aunt Belle, the others do. You’ll meet them shortly I imagine. They were all for coming up straight away when they heard about the new boy but I thought you might be feeling a bit strange and didn’t want you to be overwhelmed. Are you hungry?’
‘No, ma’am – I mean Aunt Belle.’
‘I’m sure you are. Boys are always hungry. We’ve brought some fish and chips in with us.’
‘My, we are getting degenerate,’ exclaimed Brian.
‘I had brought a portion for you,’ she said loftily, ‘but I can see your fastidious tastes would forbid you to consume such lowly fare.’
The book snapped shut. ‘If that, in your own inimitable style, was an invitation to tea I should be delighted.’
She smiled at the boy. ‘Excuse us Samuel, while we eat. I’ll send Sally up with a tray for you.’
‘Right.’ Samuel lay back against the pillow.
‘Hello, Doc,’ shouted May at Brian’s entry. ‘Are you gonna stay an’ have some o’ these?’ She was helping to divide the fish and chips.
‘I most certainly am.’ He made to steal a chip and she slapped him. ‘Eh, none o’ that, till you’ve had your hands washed. I don’t know where they’ve been.’
‘May, that’s very rude,’ reproved Belle.
‘He’s a doctor, in’ ’e?’ said May. ‘Touchin’ all them sick people. Anyroad you’re allus telling us lot to get our hands washed.’
‘Get the plates handed round and don’t be so cheeky,’ commanded Belle.
‘No, she’s absolutely right,’ said Brian. ‘May I?’ He indicated the scullery and at Belle’s nod went through to wash his hands.
‘Is the kettle on, May?’
‘Tea’s made,’ said the girl, providing everyone with a plateful of fish and chips then sitting down herself. ‘I’ve just left it to mash.’
‘Wait until the doctor comes back,’ ordered Belle to the children who had started to tuck in.
‘Blimey, they’ll be cold if he doesn’t hurry up,’ said May. ‘Oy, Doc!’
‘May, be quiet.’ Belle sat down and when Brian returned the meal commenced. ‘If Great-grandma Fenton could see me now she’d have a fit,’ she laughed. ‘Fish and chips, indeed!’
‘They’re delicious,’ said Brian.
‘They are. They’re also quick and convenient. I only hope we can get rid of the smell before my pupil comes.’ She glanced at the clock. ‘Oh, Lord, half an hour!’ and tucked straight in.
After the meal had been consumed several plates of cakes were brought in. ‘Put some aside for Samuel,’ ordered Belle.
‘Why’s he got to stay in bed?’ asked Cedric.
‘I told you, because h
e has a nasty burn on his chest and he’s a bit wobbly with shock,’ said Belle. ‘You can play with him later.’
‘How’d he get the burn?’ asked May with jam dribbling down her chin.
‘Please don’t speak with your mouth full, May.’
The girl swallowed. ‘How’d he get the burn?’
‘His mother did it – not on purpose, so you must not imply to Sam that she did,’ explained Belle. ‘But because of a momentary lapse.’
‘What’s a momentary lapse?’
‘She reached the end of her tether, as I’m going to do if you don’t start behaving like a lady. Really, May, you do guzzle. One would think you came from a family of pigs.’
‘I do.’ May patted her stomach. ‘Cor, full as a pregnant elephant.’
‘I take it you’ve had enough?’
‘Yes – thank you.’
‘Brian?’ Belle handed the plate of cakes to him.
‘Oh, no thank you. Anything further and I’ll be calling for a doctor. You don’t believe in underfeeding, do you, Belle?’
There were two cakes left. Edward piped up, ‘Please may I have another?’
‘I really don’t know where you put it all, Eddie,’ chided Belle. ‘You had better ask if anyone else wants one first. We may have to divide them.’
‘May I have one?’ asked the boy’s sister.
‘Of course, dear. Anyone else? You’re sure? Then there’s one each.’
Edward looked at the plate. One of the cakes was much smaller than the other. Reaching for the plate he surprised Belle by offering it to his sister.
‘Why, you are a well-mannered young man, Eddie. I’m glad to see that someone takes notice.’ This was for May’s benefit.
Shortly May gave a cackle. ‘There! That’s how good-mannered he is. He knew he’d get an earful if he took the biggest an’ his sister was too polite to take the big’n, that’s why he let her choose first. Hah! D’you know, Doc, he’s got more wrinkles than me grandad’s prick, that’n. This after…’
‘May! Leave the table at once,’ commanded Belle in a shocked voice.
‘What’ve I said?’ The girl looked from an angry Belle to Brian who pretended to be blowing his nose.
‘Go to your room this instant and do not come out until you’ve learned how to be a lady.’
May went sullenly to the door and slammed it behind her. ‘I’m terribly sorry about that, Brian,’ apologised Belle. ‘She’ll never change.’
‘You wouldn’t want her to, would you?’ answered the doctor, having given way to his amusement.
‘I suppose not.’ Her bad temper collapsed into a smile of resignation. ‘May is May. But I really can’t have her coming out with such things. Imagine if I should invite my grandparents to tea. They’d wonder what sort of house I was keeping.’ She lifted the teapot. ‘More tea? No? Then I think we’ll do the washing up. Cedric, open that window, there’s a dear. Yes, I know it’s cold but we don’t want the smell of fish and chips sticking to the tapestries, do we?’
Brian stood. ‘Well, I’ll have to make a move if I’m to catch evening surgery.’
‘Isn’t it odd how when washing up is mentioned people start to exit?’
‘Pile them up,’ joked Brian. ‘I’ll do them tomorrow when I call.’
‘Oh, we’re to see you tomorrow then?’
‘I’ve a patient upstairs, Miss Teale.’
‘Ah yes, it was too much to hope that I would be the object of your visit.’
He paused at the door, smiling fondly at her. ‘You’ll always be the object of my visits, Belle.’
‘Now, now, you know I don’t allow sentimentality, Doctor.’
Brian laughed as he departed, ‘I’ll see you all tomorrow,’ but felt more than a twinge of frustration. How long did they have to keep up this pretence, this insignificant banter as though neither of them cared… but then maybe it wasn’t pretence on her part. Maybe it was just wishfulness that she cared as much as he did. In all the time he had known her she had never given any indication that his feelings were reciprocated. Indeed, if he so much as let the love in his eyes speak for him her caustic wit would come to the rescue.
There was no one else, he was certain – he had asked her once and had received a mouthful for his curiosity – so why would she not let him near her?
Chapter Thirty-Nine
He called at the house every day, ostensibly to benefit his young patient, but Samuel’s wound could have been adequately attended to by either Belle or the nursemaid, Sally. It provided a good excuse for him to have the pleasure of her company. Pleasure! That brought a smile. Not the word one might have selected when referring to Belle’s company. She scolded, she gibed, she bullied – but the young doctor was ready to bear all this for the sake of one smile from that dear face.
Today, thought Brian, standing by her fireplace, it had the appearance of a pastel sketch as she hobbled in from the yard. Her features were muted by the cold, as if viewed through a wedding veil, soft pinks and creams. He was greeted by laughter as she and the maid bore between them a sheet that had just been removed from the washing line. It stood on its own, a rigid board of frozen linen, the laughing women merely holding a fingertip to its upper corners as they presented it for inspection.
‘There you are, Ced, go put your sheet back on,’ said Belle playfully.
Cedric’s face dropped. He knocked on the sheet as at a door. ‘But it’s all frozen.’
‘I know it’s all frozen,’ rebuked Belle, though not seriously. ‘So are we, aren’t we, Sally? It’s bad enough having to wash once a week in this climate without some people making more.’
‘I’m sorry.’ Cedric hung his head. ‘I’ll try very hard tonight.’
Belle fingered his cheek in a rough caress. ‘Good boy.’
There was further amusement as she and the nursemaid tried to fold the sheet. ‘Come on, Brian, we need some tactical strength.’
The doctor gladly gave assistance and heaved exaggeratedly at the frozen sheet, the children joining in. When the creaking linen was folded Belle stood it like a birthday card in front of the fire. ‘Well, we don’t need a clotheshorse.’
‘Eh, look at this!’ May, who had been helping to get the washing in, came in from the scullery bearing a pair of frozen knickers. With a hand behind each leg she made them ‘walk’ across the floor.
Belle whipped them away from the girl and hurriedly secreted them from public view.
‘She’s only annoyed ’cause they’re hers,’ divulged May to a smiling doctor.
When everyone was ready to partake of a pot of tea and a plate of May’s warm scones Brian enquired where the patient was. Belle’s eyes toured her foster children. ‘There’s a question. Has anyone seen Samuel?’
‘May brayed him an’ he went off roarin’,’ submitted Eddie.
‘Why don’t you join the Secret Service?’ muttered the girl, filling her mouth with scone.
‘May, have I not warned you about being heavy-handed?’ Belle showed her annoyance.
‘He smashed one o’ your pictures,’ replied May.
‘That doesn’t give you leave to take over my responsibility…’
‘You’re always tellin’ me to look after ’em, aren’t yer?’ came the protest.
‘Don’t interrupt, please. If it was my picture he broke, then it’s my duty to chastise him, not yours. Which one did he break?’
‘It were your favourite,’ mumbled the other sullenly. ‘I were gonna take it to get some new glass put in before yer noticed.’
‘That was very thoughtful of you.’ Belle was chastened.
‘Well, yer needn’t trouble yerself ’cause I’m not now,’ retorted May.
Belle exchanged a look of helplessness with the doctor. ‘So where did Sam go to?’ No one seemed to know. Belle placed a saucer over her cup to keep the tea warm. ‘I’d better go look. He could be miles away for all they care.’
‘Shall I help?’ offered Brian.
‘No
, you sit there and have one of May’s scones, they’re delicious.’ She stole a peep at May to see if this token would gain forgiveness.
The girl mellowed. ‘Well… they’re not as good as Aunt Belle’s,’ she was telling the doctor as Belle went off in search of the boy.
Faced with the emptiness of all the other rooms Belle became slightly alarmed, but when Cedric said on her return, ‘Maybe he’s in the closet,’ she nodded sagely and went out to the back yard.
Someone – probably Eddie, thought Belle crossly – too idle to use the proper convenience, had piddled in the yard. She swore as her feet skidded under her. Righting herself with the aid of the clothesprop she continued to the lavatory and knocked on the door. There was no answer. Lifting the latch she hauled on the tongued and grooved door.
‘Samuel, why didn’t you answer?’ she asked at the appearance of the white face. ‘I’ve been looking all over… what are you doing?’ She followed his wide eyes to the ceramic bowl. ‘Oh, you’re not bunging it up, are you?’ The children, fascinated by the newfangled water closet which Patrick had insisted on installing for her, often shoved items down it just to see them flushed away. Then she looked a little closer. ‘Oh, Sam.’
In the six inches of water, its back end disappearing under the bend, the black and white kitten struggled for survival. Claws unsheathed, it scrabbled frantically at the porcelain, eyes filled with fear and incomprehension. Swiftly, Belle dipped into the lavatory bowl and seizing the half-drowned creature by its skinny neck plucked it to safety, summoning the boy to follow her to the house. Here she flicked a towel from the airer that hung over the range and wrapped the animal in it, rubbing briskly while the other children crowded round her.
‘There we are, no damage done.’ Belle finished rubbing and placed the fuzzy-headed kitten on the hearth where it ducked skittishly at the bright fire and ran under a chair. ‘How the devil did it get in there, Sam?’ she asked when she had told Brian the reason for the kitten’s soggy state.
The boy seemed reluctant to answer.
‘Why, you nasty little get, you shoved it down!’ accused May, bringing Belle’s wrath upon herself.
‘May, I will not have such talk!’ Belle then returned a puzzled glance to Sam, and suddenly realised that May was absolutely right. ‘Why, Sam?’ she breathed. ‘It’s such a wicked thing to do, especially to someone who’s never done you any harm.’
Erin’s Child Page 60