Orphans and Angels

by Linda Finlay

  Irked by his teasing, Sarah stirred her tea vigorously. In spite of her annoyance, she was pleased the girls had taken to the new mistress so well. It left her free to tackle the administration here and meant she could attend the Women’s Suffrage Society meetings. That women should be taken seriously was important to her and she couldn’t wait to make her voice heard.

  As for the new mistress, no doubt if she spoke to her about the importance of the sewing classes and her wish to have every girl wearing their new outfit by Easter, Miss O’Reilly would ensure her timetable was adhered to. After all, she was still in charge, wasn’t she? Which reminded her about her concerns for the new boy.

  ‘Has Solomon settled any better? I noticed he was still scowling at everyone and everything over supper,’ Sarah asked.

  ‘The only time he wasn’t angry was when he was helping rebuild the coops. I’m hoping another visit to the farm might help. There’s something about being out in the fresh air, don’t you think?’

  ‘Not in this cold weather,’ Sarah shivered. ‘Which reminds me, I had a visit from Mr Tyler this morning.’

  ‘Who?’

  ‘Tyler. He claimed he was the best roofer in the business.’ Harry eyed her sceptically and she hurried on. ‘Anyway, he said as snow was forecast, he’d be happy to patch up the roof until we can afford to have it done properly.’

  ‘At some extortionate price, no doubt.’

  ‘He did say it would cost more that way, but as we can’t afford to have the roof retiled and the weather’s changing, I didn’t have any choice. Coincidentally, I had a letter from Lady Chorlton inviting me to visit at the end of the month and …’ She trailed to a halt. ‘Why are you frowning, Harry? You know I’ve been dying to meet her.’

  ‘It’s not Lady Chorlton I’m worried about. It’s this Tyler. Can you remember what he looked like?’

  ‘Swarthy, yellow teeth and there was something about the way he leered …’

  ‘Tell me you haven’t given him the job?’ he interrupted, looking worried.

  ‘Well, he hasn’t actually done anything yet. He said he’d take a look around upstairs, then go and get the materials he needed.’

  ‘Did you get Pip to go up with him?’

  ‘No. Tyler said my godfather always let him get on with the job, then paid him when it was done.’

  Harry let out a long sigh. ‘That man is called Slater and your godfather wouldn’t even let him inside the building, Sarah.’

  ‘But he definitely said his name was Tyler and he offered to help …’

  ‘Like he offered to help the vicar with the church roof. Except the only one he helped was himself – to all the lead. He’s been in gaol these past three years.’

  ‘You mean I’ve been duped?’

  ‘I’m afraid so,’ he said, leaning forward and patting her hand.

  ‘To think I’ve allowed a criminal near the children,’ Sarah cried, her hand flying to her chest.

  ‘Oh, Sarah, don’t upset yourself,’ Harry said, crouching down beside her and putting his arm around her shoulders. ‘It’s really not your fault. You’re not from round here so you weren’t to know that Slater’s a con man. With luck, if he didn’t get any money from you he might have decided the job wasn’t worth wasting his time on. You didn’t give him any, did you?’ he asked, his eyes searching hers.

  ‘No, the cash box is completely empty.’

  ‘Well, no harm done then,’ he said, smiling at her reassuringly. ‘However, I will have a word with Sergeant Watts, put him on his guard, so to speak.’ She relaxed back against him, relieved to have someone share the burden and was just revelling in the warmth of his touch when they heard Pip cry out.

  ‘Here, the gong and candlesticks have gone walkabout.’

  9

  ‘Let’s go over this again,’ Sergeant Watts said, glancing around the kitchen table where Sarah, Harry and Mrs Daws sat gloomily staring into their cups.

  ‘You say you gave Mr Slater, alias Tyler, permission to go upstairs and look at the roof, Miss Sullivan?’

  ‘Yes, Sergeant, he introduced himself as Mr Tyler and said he had carried out work here before.’

  ‘And you didn’t think to check with Master Higgins, you being a wom … er, I mean being new to these parts?’ he hastily amended, seeing Sarah’s frown.

  ‘No, I didn’t,’ Sarah said, guilt making her speak more sharply than she’d intended. ‘The man sounded plausible, saying he needed to check what materials were required in order to effect a temporary repair.’

  ‘Hmm,’ the sergeant replied, managing to lend an air of disapproval to the word. ‘And you heard nothing, Master Higgins?’

  Harry shook his head. ‘I was in the classroom for most of the day, which as you know is accessed from outside.’

  ‘And I never knew the man was in the house. Knew nothing till I went to sound the gong for supper and it weren’t there,’ Mrs Daws cried. ‘The kids were in one of their excitable moods, frolicking around all over the place like blinkin’ puppies, so I thought they were playing one of their pranks. Wouldn’t be the first time they’ve hidden it. Anyhow, I yelled at the top of me voice that if they didn’t get to their seats pronto the food was goin’ for pig swill. That soon shifted them.’

  ‘I can imagine.’ Sergeant Watts gave a small grin. ‘Now do we know exactly what’s missing?’ he asked, his pencil poised.

  ‘Pip and April have taken a good look around and are in the front room making a list,’ Harry told him.

  ‘’Tis wicked stealing from folks who don’t have much,’ Mrs Daws declared. ‘If I get my hands on that ruddy roofer, I’ll throttle him.’

  ‘Now, now, Mrs Daws, to be fair we don’t know for sure it was him. Although the evidence does seem to point that way,’ the sergeant replied. ‘Ah, come in.’ He beckoned to April and Pip, who were hovering in the doorway.

  ‘We’ve made that list, sir,’ Pip said, handing over a sheet of paper to the sergeant.

  ‘Well done,’ he said, scanning it quickly. ‘I’ll get my constables to check out the markets and other places these villains use for a quick sale. Now, I had to ring the bell on the gate to gain entry, so presumably someone had to let Slater in?’

  ‘Yes, the gates are kept locked for the pupils’ safety,’ Harry agreed. ‘Did you let Mr Slater in, Pip?’

  ‘Yes, he told me he had an appointment with Miss Sullivan,’ Pip replied.

  ‘And you showed him to Miss Sullivan’s office, of course?’ Harry said.

  Pip looked uneasy and stared at Sarah. ‘I would have, but as soon as I opened the gate Solomon tried to do another runner. By the time I caught up with him, the man had left his barrow and gone inside. I’m sorry, miss, I didn’t think much of it ’cos he used your name.’

  ‘It’s not your fault, Pip,’ Sarah sighed. ‘It’s mine for taking the man at his word.’

  ‘Dangerous thing to do that, Miss Sullivan, if you don’t mind me saying,’ the sergeant replied. ‘And what’s this about escaping pupils?’ he asked, turning to Harry.

  ‘We don’t usually keep anyone here against their will, Sergeant, but you might remember Solomon’s the boy who lost his father in the foundry fire. He’s taken it extremely badly and hasn’t settled at all.’

  ‘Ah, bad job, that. They don’t even know what caused it, you know! Now back to the case in hand. Did you let Mr Slater out again, Pip?’

  The boy nodded. ‘Yeah, he followed that new mistress out. Waved and said, “Thanks, young man.” He were all polite; you’d never think he were a villain.’

  ‘Well, appearances can be deceptive. Now did he speak with this new mistress?’

  ‘Not that I saw, but then as soon as they’d gone through the gates, I locked them quickly in case Solomon was lurking.’

  ‘And the name of this new mistress?’ Sergeant Watts asked, turning to Harry.

  ‘Miss O’Reilly, but I’m sure she’d have nothing to do with a scoundrel like Slater.’

  ‘Well, you
never can tell,’ the sergeant replied, snapping his book shut and getting to his feet. ‘I think that’s all for now. Thanks for the tea, Mrs Daws. Don’t worry, I’ll get my men out looking first thing in the morning. In the meantime, don’t go letting any more strangers onto your premises, Miss Sullivan.’

  As if she would, Sarah thought. She felt humiliated enough as it was without his condescending attitude.

  ‘Don’t worry, I won’t, Sergeant,’ she said emphatically. ‘Thank you for coming out so promptly.’

  As the sergeant opened the front door, he was buffeted by a burst of hail.

  ‘Can’t say the man didn’t know his weather, though. ’Night, all.’

  ‘I’ll get the gates for you, Sergeant,’ Pip said, hobbling after him.

  ‘Poor Pip, he feels dreadful,’ April murmured.

  ‘He has nothing to blame himself for,’ Sarah sighed. ‘Which is more than can be said for me.’

  As Sheena was hurrying towards the classroom, trying her best to avoid the huge hailstones that were falling, she heard her name being called. Looking up, she saw Miss Sullivan beckoning her from the front door. Today the woman was dressed in a smart olive-green dress with an ivory lace collar at her throat. Wishing she had something as smart to wear, Sheena tugged her coat down further over her brightly coloured patchwork skirt and smiled warmly.

  ‘Good afternoon, Miss Sullivan,’ she said, beaming brightly. However, the woman stared so soberly back, Sheena’s heart fell. Whatever could she have done wrong?

  ‘Good afternoon, Miss O’Reilly. Do step inside out of this dreadful weather. I hope you have settled in well to Red Cliffs. How are you getting on with the girls?’

  ‘I have, thank you, Miss Sullivan, and the angels are just grand.’

  ‘Angels? Well, I’ve never heard them referred to as angels before. I hope your horse – Shanksy, isn’t it – is being safely looked after?’

  ‘Ah …’ Sheena blushed. So that was what had annoyed her. ‘To be sure, it was just a joke but then the girls wanted a story about him at the end of lessons and I didn’t see any harm in it.’ Seeing the woman frown, Sheena couldn’t help adding, ‘It’s just a bit of fun and finishes the afternoon on a happy note.’ Sarah opened her mouth to disagree, then, recalling the principles in Mrs Knight’s book, bit her tongue.

  ‘I’m sure you know best, Miss O’Reilly,’ she conceded. ‘How is their sewing coming along? I’m given to understand that at your last lesson you were debating the skills they might require in order to gain suitable employment. Bearing in mind their ages, wasn’t that a little presumptuous?’

  ‘I’m sorry if you don’t approve, Miss Sullivan. In my opinion it’s never too early for pupils to start thinking about their future. Sort of focuses the mind, I think. Besides, it was my way of getting to know each of them as a person. It’s much easier to teach pupils when you understand what makes them tick. However, I will ensure this afternoon is spent on their needlework.’

  ‘Thank you. While I agree the children need to think about their futures, at this moment raising funds for the school is our priority, which is where our deadline comes in. They will be representing Red Cliffs as well as earning some much-needed money at a concert, which is why their new outfits must be ready to wear by Easter.’

  ‘I shall make sure they are,’ Sheena assured her, keen to please the woman. When she still didn’t smile, Sheena wondered what on earth could be amiss. If she’d done something wrong, she wished she’d hurry up and say. She really didn’t want to be late for lessons.

  ‘Pip informed me that you left the premises the other day at the same time as a man wearing overalls, Miss O’Reilly. May I ask if it was someone you were acquainted with?’

  Sheena frowned and tried to remember.

  ‘There was a man pushing a barrow but I didn’t pay much attention to him. Pip asked me to hurry in case that poor Solomon tried to do another runner. He surely must be a very unhappy little boy, Miss Sullivan.’

  ‘He is, Miss O’Reilly, and we can only hope that when he comes to terms with his father’s death, he’ll settle down. In the meantime, can you confirm that you didn’t know the man who was pushing the barrow?’

  ‘I never saw him before then, Miss Sullivan. Why?’

  ‘We thought the man was carrying out work on the premises but after he left we found some of our household items were missing.’

  ‘I hope you aren’t implying that had anything to do with me,’ Sheena snapped. ‘Because I can assure you it did not.’ Aware that panic had made her voice shrill, she stared down at her boots.

  ‘There’s no need to get alarmed, Miss O’Reilly,’ Sarah replied, puzzled by her reaction. ‘Naturally the police have been informed, but if you see anybody suspicious lurking around the premises, perhaps you would let either myself or Master Higgins know?’

  ‘Of course, Miss Sullivan,’ Sheena muttered, relief searing through her. ‘I hope they didn’t take anything precious?’ she asked.

  ‘Candlesticks, brass lamps, trinkets, but most importantly to Mrs Daws, her dinner gong. Anyway, I won’t detain you any longer,’ Sarah said, opening the door again. ‘Oh, I can see the girls peering out of the classroom window; no doubt they’re looking for Shanksy,’ she added with a ghost of a smile.

  She really would have to be more careful about keeping her feelings under control, Sheena told herself as she hurried back to the classroom. Panicking like that had caused Miss Sullivan to give her a curious look and the last thing she wanted was to raise her suspicions. Obviously, the girls having their new clothes ready for Easter was an important issue so she’d do as she’d promised and ensure they spent the afternoon sewing. As she stood in the doorway, shaking the melting ice from her clothes, Master Higgins called to her from the workshop.

  ‘Good afternoon, Miss O’Reilly. I’ve heard such excellent reports about your last lesson, perhaps I should get you to teach the boys about the United Kingdom and its emblems.’ Sheena gave him a searching look lest he was teasing, but he seemed serious.

  ‘I love geography so I’d be glad to, Master Higgins,’ she replied. ‘Although I have been directed to get the girls progressing their sewing this afternoon.’

  ‘Well, good luck with Kitty, then. I understand from her it’s an evil punishment from the devil,’ he grinned. ‘But there again perhaps it’s the devil’s punishment for the mistress.’

  Sheena chuckled and made her way into the classroom.

  ‘Still no sign of Shanksy,’ Monday sighed.

  ‘Come away from the window, girls,’ Sheena said, hanging her coat, muffler and hat on the peg. ‘Now haven’t I told you he’s being well looked after?’

  ‘Yeah, by them little folk,’ Kitty chortled. ‘Perhaps you could ask them where the thief’s taken the school’s things?’

  ‘To be sure, the man’s sins will come back and haunt him,’ Sheena replied.

  ‘Coo, are these little people ghosts as well then, miss?’ Maggie asked.

  ‘Sure, they can spot someone rotten at a thousand paces. Now let’s get on with our lessons.’

  ‘So, what we doing this afternoon then, miss?’

  ‘Needlework, Kitty. I understand from Miss Sullivan she wants you all to have your new dresses ready to wear for Easter.’

  ‘Yeah,’ Edith cried. ‘Shall I get our things out?’

  ‘Yes, please, Edith,’ Sheena replied, watching as the girl skipped over towards the big old cupboard in the corner of the room and began taking out parcels of materials.

  ‘You needn’t look so blinkin’ ’appy, Edith Cordy,’ Kitty groaned.

  ‘Right,’ Sheena said, clapping her hands. ‘I’d like to see what you are all making, so please set out your work on the desk in front of you.’

  Sheena circled the room, looking at each girl’s materials and wondering how they were going to turn the shapeless used garments into wearable outfits. Still, they seemed to be quite happy repinning the cloth. Apart from Kitty, who was glaring at the
material in front of her.

  ‘Oh dear,’ Sheena muttered, following the girl’s gaze.

  ‘’Tis a blooming mess, ain’t it?’ Kitty sighed, holding up the yellow floaty voile with the hole in the bodice.

  ‘Perhaps it’s a bit ambitious to start with voile, Kitty. It’s not the easiest material to work on.’

  ‘Told you,’ Edith called. ‘But you knew better, clever clogs.’

  ‘Thank you for your advice, Edith,’ Sheena smiled. ‘Now, Kitty, let’s have a good look at our work.’

  ‘Mess, more like,’ the girl snorted, waggling her finger through the hole.

  ‘Tell me, why did you choose this dress?’

  ‘I liked the big skirt and petticoats. I thought it would make me feel like a princess. God knows what I was thinking, though, ’cos I wouldn’t wear it in a month of frig–’

  ‘Right, I think we should start again from scratch,’ Sheena butted in quickly. ‘This cotton dress has a lovely big skirt, too, and would be easier to work on. The bands of blue and pink would suit your colouring a treat.’

  ‘You reckon?’ Kitty asked doubtfully.

  ‘I do, my angel. Better than that yellow, which would make your lovely skin look quite sallow,’ Sheena said firmly. ‘Now, do you need any help unpicking the seams?’

  ‘Nah, I can manage that.’

  ‘As long as she uses the unpicker,’ Edith laughed.

  ‘Right, well, nobody is using it, Kitty, so you can make a start. Remember, girls, the success of your sewing depends on accurate measuring and checking the structure of the garment you have unpicked against the shape of your own body.’

  ‘What’s stuctor?’ June whispered.

  ‘You mean structure, June,’ Sheena gently corrected. ‘And it means the way the dress has been put together. But don’t worry, I’m here to show you what to do every step of the way. You are all going to look beautiful, my angels.’

  She was interrupted by the door bursting open and April rushing into the room.

  ‘Am I too late?’ she asked breathlessly. ‘Mrs Daws said as soon as I’d finished scouring the pots, I could come and work on my dress, as long as it’s all right with you, miss?’