Orphans and Angels

by Linda Finlay

  ‘Oh? Whereabouts?’ he asked.

  Sheena frowned. ‘Well, that’s the thing. I was on my way to buy fish and thought I glimpsed her hanging around by the docks. Of course, I could have been mistaken,’ she added quickly seeing Harry’s mouth tighten into a line.

  ‘Hardly. You’re one of the most observant people I’ve met,’ he frowned, vowing to look into the worrying news as soon as he had time. For now, however, there was no time to continue the conversation for they’d reached the farm gate and the boys, full of high spirits, were all racing ahead like frisky lambs.

  ‘Be careful, boys. The place needs tidying up and there could be bits of fencing and debris scattered around,’ he shouted. Revelling in their freedom, they paid little heed, though. He raised his brows. ‘I don’t think Jim had been in some of those outhouses for years,’ he added, gesturing to the far side of the yard where run-down buildings were almost obscured by thick vegetation.

  ‘Well, children just love to explore so I’m sure they won’t come to any harm. It’ll do them good to let off steam,’ she laughed.

  ‘You’re right, of course. Let’s leave them running wild while we go and see how Bess is. Hopefully, she’ll have the kettle boiling,’ Harry said as they made their way towards the farmhouse.

  ‘Oh, you are kind, giving up more of your time, Master Higgins. You too, Miss O’Reilly. Do come on in,’ Bess greeted them at the door. Although looking pale, she seemed in bright spirits. ‘Alice has made the tea, if you’ve time for a cup?’

  ‘Never say no, Bess, you know that,’ Harry grinned. ‘The warmth in here is welcome after the cold outside.’

  ‘How have you been?’ Sheena asked, when they were sat around the kitchen table. As ever, although the place was clean and tidy, it had a cosy feel that reminded her of home.

  ‘Well, I’ll not deny I’m missing Jim. Nobody to moan at, see?’ she said, giving a wry smile. ‘Never thought I’d miss the smell of that old pipe, or his muddy footprints.’ She gave a sigh, her glance going to the fireplace.

  ‘It must be very hard,’ Sheena murmured, reaching over and patting the old woman’s hand.

  Bess nodded then smiled. ‘Still, it was a relief to hear the livestock had all sold, and for a fair price, too.’

  ‘That’s good news, Bess. And talking of livestock, I’ve left the boys running through the fields,’ Harry told her. ‘But as soon as I’ve finished my tea, I’ll get them tidying out the barns.’

  ‘And I’m happy to help in the dairy,’ Sheena added. ‘Not that you’ll have any churning for me to do, of course, but I can get started on the cleaning.’

  ‘You’re that kind-hearted, both of you. I can’t deny I’d appreciate it. The whole place needs a good clean before I go.’

  ‘When are you leaving?’ Harry asked.

  ‘As soon as we can,’ Alice cried, coming into the room. ‘Never seen so much muck and mess in all my born days. How you can live here, I don’t know,’ she told her sister.

  Bess chuckled. ‘You always was one for neat and order, Alice,’ she said, shaking her head and bending to pat the collie’s head. ‘Still, at least she’s agreed to let you come with me, boy.’ As if he knew what she was saying, the dog whined and put his paw in her lap. The old woman’s eyes misted over for a moment then she pulled herself together.

  ‘I can’t deny there’s always chores needing doing here. A nice rest will be welcome.’ She looked sad, though. ‘All the crops and vegetables Jim planted will just have to rot in the ground, I’m afraid.’

  ‘No need for that,’ Harry replied. ‘The boys and I will be keeping an eye on the place while you’re away so we can tend to them as well.’

  ‘But you’ve already done so much. I couldn’t impose like that,’ she protested.

  ‘It will be good for the boys to take on some more responsibility,’ Harry commented. ‘You know the ethos of Red Cliffs, Bess.’

  ‘I do, and it’s a sound one. The good doctor certainly knew what he was doing when he started the school.’ She sighed again, thinking of days gone by. ‘Well, Master Higgins, if you’re sure it won’t be too much trouble to see to things, I’d be really grateful. And, of course, you must help yourself to any produce as it becomes ready.’

  ‘Done deal then, Bess. Mrs Daws will appreciate the additional rations, and the rest we’ll store in the barn for you. Talking of which, I’d better rally the troops. See you later,’ Harry said, draining his cup and getting to his feet.

  ‘Such a nice young man,’ Alice observed, as he left.

  ‘Yes, he is, and he’s been very good to Jim and me over the years,’ Bess replied.

  ‘So would you like me to be cleaning out the dairy then?’ Sheena asked, thinking it prudent to leave the women to their chat.

  ‘If you would, dear, that would be such a help,’ Bess replied.

  But as Sheena drew the door shut behind her, she heard Alice say, ‘That lass would make a fine wife for the master.’ Her heart soared to the heavens, only to sink when she heard Bess’s reply.

  ‘That’s what I thought, Alice. I said the same thing to Miss Sullivan at Jim’s wake. Then I saw her expression and remembered she and the master had an understanding.’

  So, that was the way things stood, was it? Stupid girl, Sheena O’Reilly, she chided. A few smiles from the master and you think he likes you.

  Entering the dairy, she snatched up the broom and began sweeping furiously, all the time berating herself.

  And after last time, too. Did you not learn your lesson then? Was that not why you had to resign your last post?

  She swept until not a hair or speck of dirt remained, then attacked the wooden tops and utensils with the scrubbing brush.

  Didn’t Nanna Treasa warn you before you left home? ‘Learn the lesson from this, Sheena. Men talk the blarney to get their own way. They like to think their charms are irresistible. Let them treat you, flatter you, even fall in love with you, but do not love them back. That way disaster lies.’

  Well, from now on she would treat Master Higgins as a work colleague; no more, no less.

  ‘Have you finished in here?’ Sheena jumped, for just as if her thoughts had conjured him up, there he stood large as life in the doorway. ‘Goodness, this place looks like new. Bess will love you more than ever,’ Harry whistled, staring around the now gleaming dairy.

  ‘Well, if a job’s worth doing …’ Sheena muttered, rinsing the brush so she didn’t have to meet his gaze.

  ‘The boys are just finishing tidying the yard so shall we go and say goodbye to Bess and Alice?’

  ‘I’ll just finish here first,’ she said quietly.

  The boys were in high spirits following their afternoon in the fresh air as Harry led them back to the school. Not wishing to make conversation with him, Sheena dropped to the back of the crocodile.

  ‘Just look at the state of them,’ Harry chuckled as he urged the boys on, then fell into step beside her. ‘Good job it’s bath night.’

  ‘Yes,’ she muttered.

  ‘You don’t seem your usual bubbly self. Are you all right?’ Harry asked. ‘If you’re concerned about Bess leaving the farm then don’t be. I’ll keep an eye on the place and the boys can burn off more of their energy tending the crops.’ He frowned when she didn’t answer.

  ‘I’m just tired,’ she replied. ‘Tired of being taken in,’ she added under her breath.

  ‘Oh, that’s a shame. Sometimes I go into town for a fish supper on a Saturday night,’ he said, looking at her expectantly.

  ‘Well, I hope you enjoy yourself,’ she said, forcing a smile. ‘Now, if you’re sure you can manage, I’d better be making my way home.’

  ‘Oh, yes, of course,’ he replied, disappointment replacing the hopeful look in his eyes.

  As she turned towards the town, she could feel him watching her but didn’t look back. She had no intention of ever being taken in again. In fact, if she hadn’t become so attached to the children, she wasn’t even sure she’d re
turn to Red Cliffs.

  ‘How are you getting on with your sewing, girls?’ Sarah asked, looking around the classroom.

  ‘Fine,’ Edith replied. ‘You know, Miss Sullivan, when I’ve finished my dress, I think I’ll have enough material left to make a jacket to go over it.’

  Sarah smiled. ‘That’s a bit ambitious, Edith. I should complete your dress first and see how it fits,’ she replied, going over to the girl and studying her work. ‘Your sewing is very good,’ she added, marvelling at the neat stitching and the way she’d caught the line of the skirt perfectly.

  ‘So can I make a jacket next then?’ the girl pleaded.

  ‘Jackets are very complicated to fashion, Edith,’ Sarah hesitated, not wanting her to be put off if it went wrong.

  ‘I’m sure a short-sleeved one wouldn’t be too hard. I know, I’ll get Miss O’Reilly to sketch me a picture of one, then I’ll be able to follow that,’ she replied, breezily.

  ‘Well, that’s a good idea, but as she’s not here at the moment perhaps you could concentrate on what you’re currently doing.’

  But Edith was holding her garment up thoughtfully. ‘This shape’s good, but the whole thing looks a bit dull and dated. Probably like the person who had it first,’ she murmured. ‘I know, I’ll find some ribbon and make a sash.’ Her eyes shone at the prospect.

  ‘I wish I was clever like you, Edith. I’ll never be able to make something I can wear,’ April groaned, staring down at her puckered seam. ‘Besides …’ She stopped and frowned down at her work.

  ‘Look, it just takes perseverance,’ Sarah replied.

  ‘I dosen like persevera, I likes singing,’ June lisped.

  ‘The word is perseverance, June. It means you have to keep at it,’ Sarah explained kindly, seeing the girl’s perplexed look.

  ‘We could keep at it if you sang like Miss O’Reilly does,’ Monday said, staring hopefully at Sarah with her periwinkle eyes.

  ‘Miss O’Reilly sings during lessons?’ Sarah asked, looking surprised.

  ‘Yes, she says it helps set the rhythm,’ Ellen replied.

  ‘It really works, too,’ Sally said.

  ‘What does she sing?’ Sarah asked curiously, but even before she’d finished the question they’d begun chanting.

  Stitch, stitch, stitch, stitch, stitching. Sew a little stitch for me.

  Stitch, stitch, stitch, stitch, stitching. Sew a little seam for me.

  ‘Oh, I see,’ Sarah began, but they were so caught up in their song, they didn’t hear her.

  Hem, hem, hem, hem, hemming. Hem a little edge for me.

  Hem, hem, hem, hem, hemming. Hem a little fold for me.

  ‘Yes, well, that’s very good …’ Sarah said, but they were off again, their little faces aglow as they sewed.

  Trim, trim, trim, trim, trimming. Add a little bow for me.

  Trim, trim, trim, trim, trimming. Dresses for you and me.

  Sarah stared at the girls, amazed to see they were sewing as enthusiastically as they were singing. Not only that, they were working to the rhythm of the tune. Perhaps, Miss O’Reilly had something after all, she conceded, looking around the room. It was only then that she noticed April had slipped away.

  The sound of laughter outside roused her from her thoughts. Looking out of the window she was surprised to see the boys already returning. Goodness, where had the afternoon gone, she wondered.

  ‘All right, girls, leave your dresses out for me to inspect but tidy away the rest of the sewing things,’ she called.

  Immediately there was a flurry of activity as scissors, thread and pins were put back in the work basket. There followed a scraping of chairs and a surge towards the door.

  ‘Now, girls, what is the correct way to end our lesson?’ Sarah called.

  ‘Good afternoon, Miss Sullivan,’ they replied, then hurried from the room.

  Sarah shook her head then walked around inspecting their work. Edith’s was a delight and Sarah could see her wearing the dress. Sally’s stitching was neat but she still had a lot of sewing to do before her garment would be anywhere near ready. As for the others, well suffice to say they would need a lot of supervision. Sarah sighed. She’d asked the schoolmistress to come up with a proposal to ensure the outfits would be completed by Easter. It would be interesting to see what she had to say at their meeting on Monday.

  She was making her way towards the kitchen when she saw Harry approaching.

  ‘Hello,’ she called. ‘How did you get on at the farm?’

  ‘Very well. I’ve promised Bess we’ll look after things whilst she’s away and in return we can pick any produce we want. I’ve just finished helping the children shut the chickens in for the night,’ he said, grimacing down at his dirty hands. ‘Good job it’s bath night. Those boys look like they spent the afternoon rolling in the dirt, not sweeping it up,’ he laughed.

  ‘Goodness, is it Saturday night already?’ Sarah asked, feigning surprise in the hope that now good relations had been resumed between them, he might mention going out for supper. To her surprise, though, he looked uncomfortable.

  ‘Well, better go and wash up, then get home to Mother. I promised I’d cook something nice for tea tonight. See you in church tomorrow.’

  Sarah frowned and watched as he hurried over to the pump. Well, if that was how he wanted to play it, then he could jolly well get on with it.

  21

  For once, Harry was relieved to be away from Red Cliffs. He’d been worried Sarah was going to mention the roof repairs and didn’t want to admit he’d forgotten to call into Langham’s to arrange for the man to price the job. It wasn’t like him to be remiss, or even amnesic, he thought with a jolt. He let out a sigh for he knew it hadn’t been because he’d been preoccupied with salvaging the tools from the foundry the previous day. Oh, well, he’d just have to keep his fingers crossed it didn’t rain.

  Like Sarah, he was worried about the school’s finances. Having given the matter a lot of thought, he’d come up with an idea of how they could obtain extra funding from the Local Authority. He just needed to write down his proposition and present it to her first thing on Monday morning.

  Finally, he allowed his thoughts to turn to Sheena O’Reilly. One minute they’d been getting on really well, the next her manner had cooled. Then, when he’d mentioned that he might go into town for a fish and chip supper, she’d looked positively disdainful. He’d only been going to suggest he walk her home as it was on his way. Women, they really were an enigma.

  Turning into the road that led to the seafront, he heard laughter coming from the nearby tavern. Deciding some male conversation would be welcome, he ventured inside.

  The next morning Sarah and Mrs Daws were ushering the children from church towards the hall where they helped with the soup kitchen when the good ladies waylaid Sarah.

  ‘Good morning, Miss Sullivan,’ Miss Snooper greeted her. ‘The children are all looking very smart these days. However, we couldn’t help noticing that Solomon has looked a little out of place, so we’ve made him a red waistcoat the same as the others.’ Smiling graciously, she reached into her bag and drew out a wrapped parcel.

  ‘Oh, Miss Snooper, ladies, that is such a kind thought,’ Sarah said, taking it from her. ‘It is just what he needs to help him feel he belongs. Thank you so much.’

  ‘Talking of feeling one belongs, it is such a shame Jack Wise has seen fit to leave us, isn’t it?’

  ‘I noticed he wasn’t in church but didn’t realize he’d actually left,’ Sarah replied.

  ‘Last week. Said he couldn’t really continue when his heart is …’ Miss Prior began, only to be dug in the ribs by Miss Middle. ‘Well, we mustn’t detain you; need to heat the broth for the urchins,’ the woman added quickly.

  ‘And I give thanks every Sunday for your kindness,’ Mrs Daws said. ‘I do so enjoy being able to put my feet up for a couple of hours after church.’

  ‘Are you sure you don’t need us to supervise the children?’ Sarah aske
d.

  The women smiled at each other and shook their heads.

  ‘Oh, we good ladies of the Church manage perfectly, don’t we, Vicar?’ Miss Snooper smiled.

  ‘Indeed you do, Miss Snooper. Those unfortunate waifs have a lot to thank you for,’ the vicar replied. ‘Rest assured, Miss Sullivan, I shall ensure your pupils are delivered safely back when luncheon is finished,’ he said, turning to Sarah. ‘No Master Higgins this morning?’

  ‘Well, he has been even busier than normal this week helping Bess at the farm, so I expect he’s spending the morning with his mother.’

  ‘Very admirable,’ the vicar replied. ‘It is at times like this one needs a good friend to rely upon. Of course …’

  ‘If you’ll excuse us, we really must be getting back, Vicar,’ Mrs Daws said quickly. ‘Now behave yourselves, children, and see that you help and not hinder,’ she added, waving a finger at the little group hovering behind them.

  ‘We’ll be as good as the gods,’ Brown declared solemnly.

  ‘’Elpful as angels,’ Black chirped.

  ‘Cheerful as cherubs,’ Edith chortled.

  ‘Be sure that you are all those things or you’ll have the devil’s … Oh, please excuse me, Vicar,’ the housekeeper blushed. ‘You’ll have me to answer to, children, and that will be ten times worse,’ Mrs Daws warned them before turning and hurrying off down the path. With a quick nod at everyone, Sarah hurried after her.

  ‘Are you all right, Mrs Daws?’ she asked, staring anxiously at the woman.

  ‘Already had to listen to one of the vicar’s sermons this morning and I wasn’t going to have my precious free time taken up with another,’ she growled. ‘As for those scallywags, well, I was trying that hard not to laugh at the thought of them behaving like cherubs. Ferocious as fiends, more like,’ she chortled. Sarah shook her head. The usually prim and proper housekeeper could be quite incorrigible when the mood took her.

  They walked on in silence for a few minutes.

  ‘Don’t mind me, Miss Sullivan. Sometimes I just need to get rid of my pent-up emotions.’

  ‘Like Solomon, you mean?’ Sarah asked.