Orphans and Angels

by Linda Finlay

  ‘Why of course it is. We’ve only just started so why not collect your sewing from the desk at the front and show me what you’ve done so far?’

  ‘I wasn’t at the last lesson, miss, so I haven’t started anything yet,’ she said, looking worried.

  ‘Then let’s go through the clothes box and choose you something to work on,’ Sheena said enthusiastically.

  However, when the girls realized that making their dresses wasn’t going to be as easy as they’d thought, their excitement turned to frustration. Although Sheena gave guidance and endless words of encouragement, she could see it was going to take every lesson between now and Easter to make the dresses anything like wearable. While Miss Sullivan’s intentions were commendable, they were at the very least, ambitious.

  By the time the shadows lengthened, the girls were despondent. Keen to cheer them up, Sheena lit the lamps and told them to put their sewing things away.

  ‘Now gather round the fire and I’ll tell you what the little folk have been up to,’ she invited. Whoops of excitement replaced sighs as they quickly formed a circle on the rag rug. April looked at the clock and her face fell.

  ‘I’d love to join in, miss, but Mrs Daws said I had to be back in time to cook the vegetables. She’s been in a right old paddy since her precious gong was taken, so I daren’t be late.’

  Knowing how hard it was to miss out on anything, Sheena’s heart went out to the girl.

  ‘That’s all right, my angel, you run along. I haven’t forgotten your face powder. I’ll put some on for you later,’ she promised.

  ‘Coo, April, that’s what them women of the night wear. Are you goin’ to become one of them?’ Kitty cried.

  ‘No, I am not,’ April gasped, then promptly burst into tears.

  ‘That wasn’t very nice, Kitty,’ Sheena said, putting her arms around April’s shoulders.

  ‘That’s a horrible thing to say to someone,’ Edith shouted, glaring at her friend.

  ‘Oh my Lor, I was only joking,’ Kitty gasped. ‘I didn’t mean to upset you, April.’

  10

  ‘Is everything all right in here, only the bell’s gone for the end of lessons?’ Harry asked, appearing in the doorway. Seeing the sobbing girl, he quirked a brow enquiringly at Sheena. ‘Problems?’

  ‘Just a misunderstanding, nothing that can’t be sorted,’ she replied, trying to look more composed than she felt.

  Harry gave her a knowing look. ‘Right, you little lot, take yourselves off to the kitchen,’ he ordered.

  ‘But we haven’t had our story yet,’ Maggie protested.

  ‘Well, it’s too late now. Hurry up, it’s snowing and you don’t want to freeze in your tracks, do you?’ he said, shooing them outside. ‘You, too, Kitty,’ he added as she stood there hesitating. With a last despairing look at April, she slunk from the room.

  ‘Need any help?’ he mouthed.

  Sheena shook her head. ‘April and I are just going to have a little chat. Perhaps you’d be good enough to tell Mrs Daws we won’t be long?’

  He nodded and followed after the girls.

  ‘Sorry, miss,’ April murmured, her sobs turning to hiccups.

  ‘Well, now, that was a very naughty thing Kitty suggested, but as she said, she only meant it as a joke.’

  ‘I know,’ April whispered. ‘But with me face like this, no fella’s ever going to be interested in me, even like that, are they?’

  ‘Any man would be very lucky to walk out with you, April. You’re a very pretty young lady, both on the inside and out. No, don’t look at me like that. I mean it.’

  ‘Miss Sullivan said that, too.’

  ‘Well, then, we can’t both be wrong, can we?’ Sheena asked, smoothing the hair back from the girl’s forehead. ‘Now, I’m guessing that when you look in the mirror your eyes go straight to your scar?’

  ‘I try and avoid looking in the glass other than to check me cap’s straight.’

  ‘It might surprise you to know, but to others it is hardly discernible. However, you know it’s there and it obviously bothers you so let’s see what we can do with this, eh?’ Sheena reached into the pocket of her skirt and drew out a little pot. Taking off the lid, she lifted a fabric pad and sprinkled on some of the fine powder. Then she gently dabbed it onto April’s face, paying extra attention to blend it along the jagged line.

  ‘Now take a peek,’ she said, passing over a little pocket mirror. April glanced at herself, her eyes widening in surprise.

  ‘But you can hardly see it, miss,’ she cried. ‘I can’t believe that’s me.’

  Sheena smiled at the girl’s delight. ‘Better pop this in your pocket then,’ she said, holding out the pot.

  ‘I can’t take this, miss. I’ve got no money to pay you.’

  Sheena chuckled. ‘You can show me how to make those feather-light dumplings of yours that Mrs Daws was telling me about. Mine always sink to the bottom of the pan.’

  ‘Really?’ April asked.

  ‘Truly,’ Sheena replied. ‘Now come along, before she thinks I’ve kidnapped you.’ Throwing her coat around her shoulders, she ushered the girl from the room.

  Outside huge fluffy flakes were falling, cloaking everywhere in a silvery white blanket.

  ‘Jeez, it’s cold. Here, you wear this,’ Sheena said, handing over her muffler.

  ‘I hope Shanksy’s all right,’ April laughed, wrapping it around her.

  ‘You don’t believe in Shanksy?’ Sheena gasped, clutching her hand to her chest.

  ‘Mrs Daws explained what shanks’ pony means, but don’t worry, Miss O’Reilly, your secret’s safe with me.’

  Pleased to see the girl happy again, Sheena patted her shoulder. ‘Just don’t let the little people hear you say that,’ she winked.

  As they opened the door to the kitchen, huge clouds of steam billowed out. Mrs Daws was juggling pans on the range and two of the older boys were busy counting out forks and knives from the dresser.

  ‘Something smells delicious,’ Sheena said, sniffing the air appreciatively.

  ‘Ah, there you are,’ the housekeeper said. ‘April, you go upstairs and check on the dormitories, please?’

  ‘But surely you need help in here?’

  ‘I’d prefer it if you made sure the beds are dry, dear. You know what these scallys are like – any excuse to delay going to bed – and I’m dying for some peace and quiet.’ Seeing the girl dither, Sheena gently nudged her towards the hallway.

  ‘I’ll help here,’ she murmured, shrugging off her coat again. ‘Right, Mrs Daws, give me an apron and tell me what needs doing,’ she added, walking over to the range.

  ‘If you’re sure, dearie, the spuds are ready for mashing.’

  Moments later, a vast pinafore covering her clothes, Sheena stood at the table, happily pounding a huge bowl of potatoes.

  ‘Gosh, this takes me back to my mother’s scullery, Mrs Daws,’ she cried.

  ‘And where would that be exactly, Miss O’Reilly? I understand you are from Ireland.’

  ‘I am indeed, from the south-west. Ten of us to a weeny cottage in a wooded hollow Father grandly called Dingle Dell,’ Sheena laughed.

  ‘Ten, you say? No wonder you’re used to preparing large meals, Miss O’Reilly. And by the way you’ve taken our April under your wing, good at caring for people, too.’

  Sheena smiled at the approval in the woman’s voice.

  ‘That’s why when Nanna had her accident they asked me to come and look after her. Although I reckon they thought it was a good opportunity to get me away from …’ her voice trailed off.

  The housekeeper waited but when Sheena said no more she went back to her pan.

  ‘What was the problem with April, if you don’t mind me asking? Master Higgins just said Kitty appeared to have upset her.’

  ‘Well, she didn’t mean to, of course. Just hit a raw nerve, so to speak. Anyhow, I hope it’s all right but I’ve given April some powder to tone down the redness of her scar.’

&n
bsp; ‘That’s kind of you. She’s right fixated about that, though I tell her no one notices. Still, it’s what she sees, I guess.’

  ‘To be sure, it is. Why, hello,’ Sheena said, turning to the boy who was glaring at them from the doorway. ‘Now you’ll be Solomon, I’m thinking?’ she asked brightly.

  ‘What’s it to you?’ he growled.

  ‘As we’re both the new ones here, I was hoping we might be friends. Help each other find our way around.’ The boy narrowed his eyes and Sheena continued her mashing.

  ‘I knows my way round already,’ he grunted.

  ‘Well, you must be cleverer than me then,’ she replied without looking up. ‘I was telling Mrs Daws that I come from a weeny cottage and this place has so many rooms it’s easy to get lost.’

  The boy snorted. ‘Couldn’t be that small ’cos you’ve got an ’orse.’

  Sheena heard the housekeeper smother a laugh. ‘Ah, but it’s a teeny tiny one.’

  ‘Well ’ow’d you ride it then with a big bottom like that?’

  ‘Solomon Smith!’ Mrs Daws cried.

  ‘Ah, but I fear he’s only telling the truth, Mrs Daws. Did my mother not tell me I’d regret forever sampling her cooking before she’d dished up,’ Sheena sighed down at the bowl and waited. ‘But that was the bit that always tasted the best.’ Sure enough the boy inched closer.

  ‘I likes mash,’ he said, eyeing her hopefully.

  Sheena scooped a small mound onto a spoon and held it out. ‘Now, I’d be pleased to know if I’ve added enough salt.’ In a flash he’d whipped it from her hand and gobbled down the contents.

  ‘’S good,’ he announced. Then before Sheena could reply, he ran from the room.

  ‘The young scally,’ Mrs Daws muttered. ‘Ah, April, everything all right upstairs?’

  ‘Yes, all dry, Mrs Daws.’

  ‘Good. Perhaps you’d call everyone in for supper, dearie. I’m lost without my gong, I don’t mind telling you.’

  ‘Grub up. Come and get it,’ April bellowed. Moments later there was a stampede as children appeared from seemingly nowhere.

  ‘Gawd love us, they’re just like a herd of blinkin’ elephants,’ Mrs Daws muttered as they swarmed through to the dining room, jostling and pushing in their haste to get to the tables.

  ‘We’ll supervise, shall we, Mrs Daws?’ April asked as Pip appeared. ‘Miss Sullivan and Master Higgins said they’ll serve themselves later as they’ve got something important to discuss,’ she added, lifting one of the big serving dishes.

  ‘Them spuds look nice and creamy,’ Pip said, licking his lips.

  ‘Well, you can thank Miss O’Reilly,’ Mrs Daws told him. ‘Just let me take this through then we’ll have a cuppa before you leave,’ she said, turning to Sheena.

  ‘I’ll pour,’ the teacher insisted, noticing the housekeeper looked weary.

  ‘Let’s put our feet up for two minutes,’ Mrs Daws said when she returned. ‘Well, April’s looking right pleased with herself thanks to her new powder. And do you know that’s the most Solomon’s said since he’s been here? Seems you have the knack of getting on with children, Miss O’Reilly. I do hope you’ll be staying.’ Sheena let out a sigh. ‘Oh my, you’re not thinking of moving on already?’ the housekeeper cried, setting her cup down with a clatter.

  ‘I do hope not, Mrs Daws.’

  ‘But?’ the woman asked, eyeing her shrewdly.

  ‘I’m not sure I’m up to the job. Miss Sullivan wants the girls to have their new outfits ready in time for Easter, and with their limited skills …’ she shrugged. ‘Adapting clothes to fit properly takes time.’

  ‘But you can sew?’

  ‘Goodness me, yes, with all my younger siblings, hand-me-downs were the norm and always needed altering.’

  ‘Well, the girls sounded keen when they came in.’

  ‘They are. Well, most of them,’ she laughed. ‘The trouble is they need a lot of help and supervision. I’m not sure that three afternoons a week will be enough. I don’t want to let Miss Sullivan down. Perhaps I should just resign now,’ she said sadly.

  ‘That would be a shame, Miss O’Reilly,’ Mrs Daws said, picking up her cup and sipping thoughtfully. ‘Miss Sullivan has high standards and wants the children to be a credit to Red Cliffs, which is admirable,’ she said finally. ‘However, she is realistic. I’m sure if you explain your worries she’ll come up with a solution. She’ll not want to lose a good mistress like you.’

  ‘Oh, Mrs Daws, you’ve made me feel a lot better,’ Sheena cried. She looked up with a start as the little clock chimed the hour. ‘Goodness, is that the time? I should have been home ages ago.’ Jumping to her feet, she threw on her coat, then almost collided with Harry in the doorway.

  ‘Goodness, Miss O’Reilly, what are you still doing here?’

  ‘She’s been helping me, Master Higgins,’ Mrs Daws called.

  ‘You’re not walking home by yourself?’ Harry asked.

  ‘It’s a lovely clear night so I’ll be fine,’ Sheena smiled.

  ‘I’d feel better if you’d allow me to accompany you,’ he said.

  ‘Thank you but there’s no need.’

  ‘I insist,’ he said, snatching up his coat. ‘Tell Miss Sullivan I’ll see her in the morning, Mrs Daws.’

  They walked together down the road, their feet crunching on the thick white carpet. It had stopped snowing and a bright moon lit their way.

  ‘Nature’s diamonds,’ Sheena cried, staring up at the velvet sky where myriad stars twinkled brightly.

  Hearing the excitement in her voice, Harry laughed. ‘Anyone would think they don’t have stars where you come from,’ he teased.

  ‘Well, it rains a lot more in Ireland so the sky’s not usually as clear.’

  ‘How have you settled into Red Cliffs, Miss O’Reilly?’

  ‘’Tis a grand place. Everyone is lovely and the girls are very bright.’

  ‘Too bright sometimes,’ he laughed. ‘I understand the altercation was between Kitty and Edith. They were still arguing all the way indoors.’

  ‘Unfortunately, Kitty cracked a joke about April becoming a lady of the night, then Edith turned on her. Thought she was the quiet one, too.’

  ‘Ah,’ Harry said. ‘Edith’s mother was, well, one of those women. Used to lock Edith in the basement while she worked.’

  ‘Jeez, the poor angel. No wonder she went berserk.’

  ‘It helps to know people’s backgrounds. Edith was loud and aggressive until Kitty arrived and befriended her.’

  ‘Well, they are usually as thick as thieves, though when it comes to sewing they couldn’t be more different. Edith’s stitches are delightful and she’s an eye for the end result. Kitty, on the other hand, has no interest. I’ve given her some easier material to work on but even so, she glares and mutters. Said she’d much rather be working on the farm. I take her point, mind. It’s a lovely time of year with the animals preparing to give birth.’

  ‘You like animals?’

  ‘Ah, Mr Higgins, was I not always helping the farmer with his sheep on the hills around us?’

  ‘Really?’ he asked in surprise. ‘In that case, you’re welcome to join us on our weekly visit to Farmer Jim’s on Saturday afternoon.’

  ‘That’d be grand,’ Sheena cried, her green eyes shining like a cat’s in the darkness. Harry felt his pulse race. She really was a very attractive young lady. Lost in their thoughts, they continued down the road then turned onto the seafront.

  ‘Would you smell that cocktail of spray and seaweed, is it not magic?’ she cried. He laughed and wrinkled his nose. ‘Back home we have the mountains and lakes but not all this,’ she added, gesturing around the sweep of the bay. ‘Why, you can even see the white horses riding the waves, and would you look at all those boats.’

  ‘So where exactly does your grandmother live?’ he asked politely, tearing his gaze away from her animated face.

  ‘Along here past all those grand places,’ she said, gesturing to the
houses hugging the cliff. ‘I could hardly believe it when Nanna told me they are people’s holiday homes. Do you know, whole families decamp from London during the winter months to take advantage of the air?’ she cried, staring at him incredulously. ‘They send their servants down first with all the household goods to prepare for their arrival. Jeez, how the other half live, Master Higgins. What do they do to pass the time, I wonder?’

  ‘Have you not seen them out promenading beside the new sea wall or on the Princess Pier in all their furs and finery?’

  ‘To be honest, Master Higgins, I’ve mainly been indoors looking after Nanna since I arrived. Although now she is recovering, I hope to spend more time exploring.’

  ‘And there’s a lot for you to see. Times are changing for everyone here, Miss O’Reilly. Since the Corporation took control of local developments, the town is fractured between those anxious to preserve a genteel environment in which to reside and those determined to create a more commercially attractive and profitable holiday resort. Larger hotels are being called for and many of the big houses are being bought up by developers.’

  ‘You sound as though you disapprove of the latter, Master Higgins. Oh, this is me,’ she cried, drawing to a halt outside a house with lamplight casting a welcome over the path. ‘Thank you for seeing me home. If it’s all right with my grandmother, I’d love to visit the farm with you all.’

  ‘See you on Saturday then, Miss O’Reilly.’ He gave a wave and watched as she made her way safely indoors. What a delightful mixture she was, he thought, whistling happily as he wended his way home.

  11

  ‘Sergeant Watts said they’ve questioned Tyler, er, Slater but haven’t found any of our things. When I asked if they’d searched his lodgings he muttered something about circumstantial evidence,’ Sarah told Harry.

  ‘I suppose we didn’t actually catch him taking anything?’ Harry murmured, peering down at the school gates.

  ‘No, but it couldn’t have been anyone else, could it? Why do you keep looking out of the window?’ Sarah asked. It was half-past noon on Saturday and they’d just finished drinking their tea while the children cleared away the luncheon things.