by Linda Finlay
There was a brisk knock on the door. ‘Blimey, that was quick,’ she whispered.
‘Can I come in?’ a bright voice asked.
‘Goodness, Josephine, what are you doing here?’ Sarah asked, staring at her friend in surprise.
‘Mrs Daws let me in. I’ve dug out some information on cottage schools and …’
‘Here we are; thought a cup of tea might go down well, Miss Harmon,’ the housekeeper said, depositing a tray on the desk. ‘Hope you’re not here to do another inspection,’ she asked, giving the woman a curious look.
Josephine laughed. ‘This is purely a social call, Mrs Daws, but that cup of tea will be very welcome, thank you.’
‘Sorry about that,’ Sarah said, when the housekeeper had left. ‘She does like to know what’s going on.’
‘That woman is a treasure,’ Josephine replied. ‘Besides, she has every right to wonder what’s going to happen to her job.’
‘I know. It’s such a responsibility,’ Sarah replied.
‘I’m sure Master Higgins will help, but before getting too depressed, I should read through this information,’ Josephine said, handing over a sheaf of papers. ‘Oh, and I found out why Miss O’Reilly was dismissed from her last post.’
‘So, her employment was terminated?’ Sarah groaned. ‘It seems I make a habit of taking people at face value.’
Josephine quirked a brow enquiringly.
‘It would appear Bertram J. Brightling only used me as his muse. He has alternative love interests,’ she said, making quotation marks with her fingers.
To her astonishment, Josephine hooted with laughter. ‘I’m sorry,’ she spluttered, ‘but I can’t say I’m surprised.’ Seeing Sarah’s indignant look, she went on quickly, ‘Now do you want to hear about Miss O’Reilly or not?’
‘Yes, of course,’ Sarah replied, taking a sip of her tea.
‘When Mr Mahon knew her previously it would seem she was having a fling with a married school teacher …’ Josephine began.
‘What?’ Sarah cried, spraying her drink over the blotting sheet.
‘As you can imagine, when the Local Authority were informed, they took an extremely dim view, and in the moral interest of the children she was removed from the school straight away.’
‘Goodness!’ Sarah exclaimed, replacing her cup on the tray and quickly wiping up the mess. ‘It would seem Master Higgins had a narrow escape. Hold on a minute, though, Mr Mahon said she’d been accused of theft.’
‘That, too. Apparently when the “affair” came to light, the wife reported her gold bangle missing. It was found in Miss O’Reilly’s desk.’
‘Really?’ Sarah replied. ‘Surely not?’ Then she recalled the day Miss O’Reilly had been seen leaving the school at the same time as Mr Slater. But that had been coincidental, hadn’t it? She wasn’t the sort to take other people’s property, was she? But in light of Sarah’s recent misunderstanding about Bertram, who was she to make a judgement about anyone’s character? She frowned. ‘It all sounds a bit convenient, though. Did she admit to taking it?’
‘She denied it, then ran away,’ Josephine said, then glanced at the clock on the mantel. ‘Time I wasn’t here, I’m afraid. I hear the NUWSS are becoming quite vociferous so we should be in for a good meeting on Saturday. Shall we meet at the café beforehand?’
‘Yes, and this time I’m having a Chudleigh with lashings of jam and cream,’ Sarah replied, lamenting her missed afternoon tea the previous weekend.
‘You look happier than you’ve been for a while,’ Sarah told Harry as they made their way to see Bess on Thursday evening. He smiled and tugged on the reins. The pony obediently turned into the driveway leading to the farm. ‘Must be something to do with that letter,’ Sarah persisted.
‘You can’t have been busy if you’ve had time to waste pondering my affairs, Miss Sullivan,’ he murmured.
Sarah turned towards him then saw the smile playing on his lips. The word ‘affair’ jangled her memory, but the farmhouse was looming ahead and she decided to tell him what Josephine had said on the journey back.
‘I’ll have you know, I’ve been occupied studying the notes about cottage schools, Master Higgins,’ she retorted.
His smile broadened to a grin but there was no time for further discussion as the door opened and the collie ran out to greet them.
‘Come in, my dears,’ Bess greeted them.
They stepped into the warm kitchen where a delicious aroma wafted their way.
‘It’s lovely to see you again, Bess,’ Sarah said, handing over the bag of freshly baked rolls Mrs Daws had sent.
‘Something smells good,’ Harry said. ‘And it looks as if I’m not the only hungry boy here,’ he chuckled as the dog stared hopefully at the pot on the range.
‘Don’t know what I’d have done without his company these past few days. Funny, he was always Jim’s dog before,’ she sighed. ‘Anyhow, you must be hungry so sit yourselves down while I dish up. How’s them lovely kiddiewinks doing?’
‘Lovely?’ Harry snorted, but they knew his word belied his fondness for them.
‘You’d be lost without them,’ Bess commented as she placed plates of mouth-watering casserole in front of them.
‘Yes, we would,’ Sarah agreed, realizing it was true. For all the headaches they gave, she would hate not to have them around. ‘Edith’s been working in the costume department of the Gaiety these past few weeks. She’s an expert little seamstress.’
‘Kitty’s taken to woodturning and metalworking, Bess.’
‘And to young Solomon, if I’m not much mistaken,’ the woman laughed.
‘Really?’ Sarah gasped. ‘Goodness, we’ll have to keep an eye on that.’
‘Well, they are growing up, dear.’
‘But they’re only ten and eleven,’ Sarah protested.
‘In years, maybe, but in experience …’ Bess shrugged.
While Sarah mulled that over, Harry told Bess what had been done on the farm whilst she’d been away.
‘Now if you’ve finished with your casserole, dears, I’ve a nice apple pie for afters,’ she said, getting to her feet.
‘I’ll clear these,’ Sarah said, taking their plates over to the sink.
‘You’re spoiling us, Bess,’ Harry said, as she poured thick custard over his pie.
The woman smiled. ‘It’s nice to have someone to fuss over. Who’d have thought I’d miss cooking for a hungry farmer, eh? Now, who wants a nice cuppa? I hear they serve coffee after their evening meal in those fancy hotels, but give me a good cup of Rosy Lee any day.’
‘I’m with you there, Bess. But let me make it.’ As Bess demurred, Sarah got to her feet. ‘It’s the least I can do after you’ve cooked us that splendid meal.’
‘I wanted to thank you both for looking after the farm. Not just while I’ve been away but over the years. Jim and I knew only too well, you didn’t just happen to be passing each Saturday afternoon, Harry.’
‘Well, I, er …’ he began. ‘The truth is the children love coming here and I do, too.’
‘And Miss O’Reilly, too. You started to say something when those little pitchers with big ears arrived,’ Bess prompted.
‘She’s had to return to Ireland to sort something out,’ Harry explained, ignoring the look of astonishment on Sarah’s face.
‘Oh, I see. Well, I hope she hurries back,’ Bess said, leaning back in her seat. ‘Now, dears, I want to thank you for all you’ve done,’ she went on, looking from one to the other.
‘You’ve already done that, Bess. And that was a splendid meal,’ Sarah assured her.
‘That’s not what I mean, my dears. As you know, Jim and I were never blessed with children and having you all coming here cheered us up no end, as well as helping with the chores. Poor Jim could never have kept going so long without that. Anyhow, this was always a happy place.’ She sighed and stared around the room. ‘Now Jim’s gone, it’s like an empty shell.’
‘You must come and share s
upper with us,’ Sarah said quickly.
‘The truth is, I’ve decided to sell up and go and live with Alice. We can share living costs and chores as well as keep each other company.’
‘We’ll be sad to see you go, Bess, but it makes sense. I’ll keep the fields and yard tidy till you find a buyer,’ Harry assured her.
‘You misunderstand me, lad. I’m offering this place to you both for a nominal sum. I know it will need some renovating but if you sell Red Cliffs, you’d have enough and more besides to do the work.’
‘But …’ Sarah began, then stopped as Bess held up her hand.
‘If you don’t want to give up Red Cliffs, Miss Sullivan, then you could sell here and keep the bulk of the money. It would certainly be enough to install those internal facilities or whatever. All I require is sufficient money to pay my share of the bills.’
‘That’s an extremely generous offer, Bess,’ Harry murmured, overwhelmed. ‘But sleep on it, eh? You really must make sure you’ve thought everything through.’
She patted his hand. ‘You’re a good man. Jim and I spoke about this a while ago, so I’m already sure. A shroud has no pockets so I can’t take anything with me, can I? Besides, what with you two having an understanding, it will help set you up.’
‘Sorry, Bess. I don’t know what you mean,’ Sarah replied, feeling her face growing hot.
‘That’s all right, Miss Sullivan, old Bess can keep a secret,’ she grinned and gave a sly wink. ‘I’ve already seen my solicitor, so no doubt your Mr Fothergill will be in touch shortly. Now, my dears, if you’ll excuse me, I must away to my bed.’
‘I don’t know what to say, Bess,’ Sarah cried, choked by the women’s selfless generosity. She threw her arms around her, ‘My godfather said you were the salt of the earth and he was right,’ she whispered.
‘Well, I don’t know about that. Whatever option you choose, it will give me a good feeling to know I’ve gone some way to repaying your kindness,’ the woman smiled. ‘And I’d be mighty glad of your help until this place is signed over to you, whatever you decide to do with it,’ she added, turning to Harry.
‘I don’t know what to say,’ Sarah murmured as they rattled their way back down the driveway.
‘It’s an extremely generous offer,’ Harry replied. ‘What will you do?’
‘Me? Bess made it clear it was to be a joint arrangement, although I don’t know what makes her think we have an understanding.’
‘Ah,’ he muttered.
‘Harry?’ she cried. ‘You’re keeping something from me. Stop the trap this instant.’
He did as she said. Then, looking over the darkening fields, he relayed what Sheena had told him.
‘So everyone, apart from me, thinks we have an understanding.’
‘Not now they don’t,’ he said, turning back to face her. ‘Apart from Bess. I was so stunned by her generosity, I hadn’t the heart to explain,’ he finished. ‘We’ll have to tell her, though; that’s only fair. But you know, somehow I don’t think she’ll be surprised. When Miss O’Reilly returns, we’ll go and see her together.’
‘She’s coming back?’
‘Yep. As soon as she’s cleared her name. I always knew she wasn’t a thief,’ he stated.
Sarah opened her mouth to ask about the other allegation then snapped it shut. He looked so happy and, after all, it was only a claim.
‘I knew that, too.’
‘You did? I thought you hadn’t taken to her,’ he said, in surprise.
‘My instinct told me she was an honest person, but the responsibility for who cares for the children lies heavy, Harry.’
‘I can see that and you don’t do a bad job, for a woman,’ he added, groaning as she jabbed him in the ribs. ‘I suppose you won’t sell Red Cliffs so it’ll have to be the farm.’
‘This hugely generous offer from Bess, coming out of the blue like this, has knocked me for six. I think we need to ensure she has thought everything through before we take things further.’
‘It sounds like she has, especially as she said she and Jim had discussed it,’ Harry replied.
‘Well, there’s also a lot for us to consider, Harry. We’ll need to go through everything in fine detail with Mr Fothergill before accepting. Come on, let’s go back to Red Cliffs and sleep on it.’
As Harry took up the reins, Sarah couldn’t resist peeking back at the farmhouse and surrounding outbuildings. It would be just perfect, she thought, her imagination going into overdrive.
‘I can’t help thinking this was meant to be,’ she said quietly.
‘Oh?’ he asked, turning to her in surprise. ‘What do you mean?’
‘Well, I’ve been reading about cottage schools, and the farm would really lend itself to being one. We could have one central school and convert the barns and outbuildings to make houses and workshops, engage house parents …’
‘Woa, girl, you have got the bit between your teeth,’ he cried. ‘I thought we were going to sleep on it?’
‘I know, and we will. But let’s face, we need to review our current practices and ensure we move with the times. We cannot remain in the past, Harry Higgins.’
‘Indeed we cannot, Sarah Sullivan,’ he said, gathering up the reins and heading for home.
Pern, your continued support is greatly appreciated.
Teresa Chris and everyone at Penguin, your guidance and expertise is invaluable
All my friends at BWC who encourage me to keep writing.
Pern, your continued support is greatly appreciated.
Teresa Chris and everyone at Penguin, your guidance and expertise is invaluable.
All my friends at BWC who encourage me to keep writing.
THE BEGINNING
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PENGUIN BOOKS
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First published in Penguin Books 2017
Text copyright © Linda Finlay, 2017
The moral right of the author has been asserted
Cover image: figures © Gordon Crabb;
background © Shutterstock
ISBN: 978-1-405-92878-6