“It has come to my attention that a certain young man sitting with us was responsible for the rescue of a number of people from the East River. From what I hear, the ice was cracking and people were at serious risk of drowning yet this young man didn’t think of his own safety. His actions were recognized by the New York police force. I also have it on good authority that he presented his ma with two more children to care for.”
Everyone was staring at him. He wished the ground would open up and swallow him. His ma was in tears and there was a suspicious glint in his da’s eyes too.
“Stand up young man.” Paul stood as Mr. Prentice continued. “I have someone here who wants to present you with an award. Come forward please.”
Paul walked forward, his stomach in his mouth. The sweat trickled down his back. He rubbed his hands on his pants.
“Now Officer Griffin, could you come up please?” Mr. Prentice asked.
Paul stared at the police officer dressed in his best uniform. He knew the man, he was both a neighbor and the father to one of Jamie’s friends. But he had never seen him all dressed up. The man walked slowly up to where Paul stood beside Mr. Prentice.
“Paul Headford, in addition to this cash award for bravery you have also been selected to start your training as a police officer as soon as you reach eighteen years of age.”
Paul stared at the police officer. Was he joking? He looked around at Mr. Prentice, the older man was smiling. His ma and da came forward to congratulate him but before they could reach him, the policeman added. “I assume you can stay out of trouble for the next four years, son?”
“Yes sir,” Paul practically shouted.
“Well let’s make it a little easier for you, shall we?” Mr. Prentice offered. “Mrs. Murphy keeps telling me she can’t get decent staff to stay. I think some may find her a little difficult to work for but with an adopted gran like Carmel Doherty, I am sure you are used to bossy women.”
Paul wasn’t sure how to respond to that one. If he agreed he was likely to have his ears boxed by Gran Doherty. To his surprise, everyone laughed again as they looked at Carmel who pretended to shake her fist at Mr. Prentice. Adults were funny sometimes.
He stood to the side as he listened to his parents talking.
“Oh Mr. Prentice, that would be wonderful. Thank you on Paul’s behalf.” Ma was almost bowing as she looked at Mr. Prentice.
“Mrs. Headford, I believe you now have two young lodgers following the blizzard.”
“Yes Mr. Prentice, my wife and I took in the two boys our Paul saved. Mark and Kevin can’t remember their ma and they didn’t want to go into the orphanage. The wife will be lonely without our eldest lad so the young’uns will keep her busy.”
Paul knew it wasn’t only his ma who’d miss Jamie. Mr. Prentice coughed before he continued. “What many of you don’t know is that I grew up in an orphanage and it is not an experience I would wish on any child. So I would like to sponsor the two boys Mr. Headford. Before you protest,” Paul’s da closed the mouth he had opened. “I know you are a hard worker and can provide for your own, but two extra growing mouths to feed can put pressure on any family. I would like to do this as a gesture of my thanks on behalf of the city for the bravery of both your sons. Paul undoubtedly saved people on the East River. Jamie also saved Mitch Griffin from what Doc Erin has told me. Please let me do this.”
Paul smiled. Mr. Prentice hadn’t given his da the option to refuse.
Chapter 37
“Mr. Byrne, or Michael as I would prefer. We haven’t yet met but I believe you are the younger brother of two of these formidable women.”
“Sure am. Can’t you see my hair is grey because of it?” Michael stood and showed Mr. Prentice his full head of black hair, making everyone laugh again.
“Are you going to Clover Springs too, Mr. Byrne?”
“I was tempted to guv but to be honest, New York is looking more attractive these days.” Michael stared at Lily as he spoke.
“Uncle Michael, get your own girl. Lily’s spoken for.” Charlie Doherty burst out.
“This could get very interesting. Do you have your doctor’s bag Doc Erin, just in case there are injuries?”
Lily wasn’t listening to Mr. Prentice teasing the boys. She looked at both Charlie and Michael with horror. Excusing herself quietly, Lily lifted her skirts and moved as fast as possible out of the room. She was dimly aware Erin was following her but she didn’t want her friend to see her crying.
“Lily, darling, don’t cry. It’s natural for two men to be interested in you. Not only are you stunningly beautiful in your new clothes but you also have an air of authority about you. Some men love strong women.”
“You know I ain’t interested in men,” Lily croaked, her accent slipping.
“You weren’t, but it is only natural that as time goes on and you become more comfortable with your new life, that may change.” Erin smoothed the hair away from Lily’s face. “Lily, listen to me. You have to let the past go. Don’t let it define you.”
“I don’t know if I can.”
The doc inhaled. “Lily Green, you can and you will. You are braver than anyone I know. What happened to you wasn’t your fault. Now you have a chance of happiness if you stay here in New York. But you got to grab that chance with both hands. If you don’t, Dickinson will have won.”
“Oh Erin, I wish you were staying here.”
“And I wish you were coming home with us to Clover Springs. Maybe someday you will.” Erin hugged Lily as she sobbed. After a few minutes, they went to their rooms so Lily could wash her face and recover her composure.
“I’m sorry Erin, it all got a bit too much for me.”
“I don’t think too many people noticed. They are all quite caught up in the moment. Mr. Prentice is so kind isn’t he? I don’t think he has left anyone out,” Erin said quietly. “Now why don’t you take a deep breath and put a smile back on your face. We don’t want to upset our host. Are you coming?”
Although phrased as a question, Lily knew Erin wasn’t looking for an answer. Lily had to face everyone now or it would be harder to do it in the future.
When they returned to the dining area everyone was chatting. Mr. Prentice gave Lily a questioning look. She nodded in response. She took a deep breath and counted slowly just as Erin had shown her in the past. It helped to control her nerves.
Mr. Prentice stood up again. “I know you are all sick of hearing from me, so I would like to introduce Miss Lily Green to you. Lily has replaced Mr. Floyd as manager of this hotel but she will only hold that position for a short period of time.”
Erin sent her a look of concern but Lily smiled back hoping to reassure her friends, all would be well.
“When Lily first came to me with this idea, I wasn’t one hundred per cent convinced it was a good one. But then Robbie and Nora got involved. These remarkable young people had an idea of how to improve things not just for the New Yorkers we know, but for others in the city. I will pass you over to Miss Green now.”
Lily stood up and smiled, although her hands were shaking. “As many of you know I came from Clover Springs with Doc Erin, Alicia and their families. I love them as my own. I lost my ma when I was young and not having anyone to turn to led me to some unfortunate decisions. If it weren’t for Mick Quinn, Doc Erin and the rest of the people of Clover Springs, I doubt I would still be alive today.”
There were gasps all around the table and murmurs, but Lily kept going.
“I have always wanted to be able to help those who really need it. The children society doesn’t want. Those who are most vulnerable and fall prey to animals such as Ned Duffy.” Everyone in the room knew who Duffy had been, the type of man he was and the operations he ran. Lily took Stella’s hand in hers. “Stella was a victim of Duffy as was our friend Mattie. Unfortunately, Mattie is no longer with us. Even with Doc Erin’s talents, it was too late for her. But thanks to Mr. Prentice and Alicia Higgins, we are going to start a salvation house right
here in New York. The house will be a refuge for any child or young woman needing help. Once we find someone suitable to take over the hotel, I will move on to manage this house, with Stella’s help.”
The silence in the room was deafening. Most of the people, with the exception of the younger children, knew what type of employment Stella and, by implication, Lily, had held. They stared at Lily, some in shock, some horrified at what she must have endured and others because they simply didn’t know what to say.
Lily watched as Erin stood up and started clapping. She was soon joined by Mick, Aaron, Alicia, Ruth Doherty, Nora and then slowly and surely everyone else followed. All apart from Charlie Doherty. Lily gave him a quick glance but his face was set in stone. It suddenly dawned on her, he hadn’t known. He had either subconsciously or consciously ignored all the signs telling him of her past and it had all hit him tonight. Her mouth dry, she looked at him again. But instead she found an empty chair where he had been sitting. She looked back to her friends who were still clapping, and felt lonelier than she ever had in her whole life.
Chapter 38
Charlie glowered at Lily but he couldn’t leave the room. Mr. Prentice was still talking.
“There is one last surprise and this is one that I would ask Doc Erin to take her time to believe what she sees. He’s been waiting a long time for us to finish,” Mr. Prentice announced. Charlie glared at Lily but she wouldn’t meet his gaze. Instead she went outside the room and came back into the room, a man in his early thirties by her side.
“Who’s he?” Charlie asked, trying not to sound jealous.
Erin didn’t answer, she was staring at the man, a shocked expression on her face.
“Thank you everyone, for letting me join your meeting. I’ve not met any of you, with the exception of Miss Green, Mr. Prentice and a very fine lady doctor to whom I owe an enormous apology.” There were murmurings but nobody spoke aloud. He moved toward Erin, hand outstretched.
“Doctor Cooper…”
“Quinn is her name now,” Mick said.
The man coughed. “Of course, my apology. Doctor Quinn, Erin, I know we spoke briefly when I was treating young Mitch Griffin. But I wanted to apologize to you publicly. I am so sorry for not supporting you last year at the hospital. I have regretted my lack of courage ever since. I wondered how I could make it up to you but feared there was nothing I could do to repair our friendship.” The man turned to Lily. “Then Miss Green came up with her idea of the sanctuary and I offered her my services.”
“But Eric, your career…”
“Erin, my career meant nothing after you left. If being a doctor means you do not stand up for what is right and treat those who need you most, then it is not a career I want.”
“Oh Eric, thank you.” Erin stood and clasped Eric’s hand.
“Does someone want to introduce this man who seems very familiar with my wife?” Mick asked.
Erin put her arm through Mick’s. “Darling, this is Doctor Elmwood. We worked together at the hospital. He is a very fine doctor and will be a credit to the sanctuary.”
“Nice to meet you,” Mick said, not sounding entirely like he meant it.
The doctor colored slightly before moving back to stand beside Lily. Charlie’s hands itched. Was this another one of Lily’s friends?
“What is the sanctuary going to be called?” Carmel Doherty asked.
“Well I had a chat with Katie, your granddaughter, and she suggested we call it Carmel’s Mission,” Mr. Prentice answered.
Charlie looked at his gran’s face, she had gone white. He moved to her side hoping she wasn’t going to pass out.
“I thought that was fitting as it is your fault we are all here in this room. Doc Erin came to New York to find you and the rest, as they say, is history.”
Charlie couldn’t remember it ever happening before: Carmel Doherty couldn’t find any words.
Chapter 39
“Why didn’t you tell me, Lily?”
“How could I? It’s not something you bring up in polite conversation and anyhow it’s none of your business.”
He wanted to put his hands around her neck and strangle her. She was driving him to distraction. He’d never met a woman who dominated his thoughts every day. Who infuriated him with her comments, her thoughts, and her insights. Who warmed his heart with her care for others even when putting her own safety at risk. And now to find out she had a past…
“I think I was entitled to find out in a different way to being told in front of my friends and family. I am a right laughing stock now.”
He knew immediately he had said the wrong thing. Now she looked like she wanted to throttle him. She stood taller, her eyes flashing.
“Excuse me for not thinking of your feelings when I was opening up my past for all to scrutinize and make comment on. I apologize for not protecting you, but, quite frankly, you were the last thing on my mind. You and I have nothing. We aren’t walking out together. We barely know each other. Frankly, I have no interest in getting to know someone as…”
“As…” he prompted, taking a step toward her.
“As self-centered and flighty as you. I’m not the only one with a past, Mr. high and mighty Doherty. I’ve heard stories about you. How you flit from one woman to the next, taking your pleasure where you find it with nary a care in the world.”
“Of all the crazy arguments I ever heard you cannot compare my past to yours. How you earned your living. You got paid.”
“Paid? Can you hear yourself? I didn’t earn a single penny from the life I lived. I was a slave to the man who owned me, body and soul. I had no more choice in the matter than Stella. I was thirteen years old, Charlie. Thirteen. Nobody came and helped me. I tried to run away. I did many times but each time he caught me and the punishment was worse than the last. Eventually I gave up. I was too cowardly to take the other option available.”
He clenched his fists as realization struck him. She was as much a victim as that poor, broken child they had rescued from Duffy. The thought of anyone harming this wonderful woman was too much to bear, yet she had lived through it and survived. She hadn’t taken her own life.
Now, when she had a chance to walk away into a future where nobody knew about her past, she had discarded it. Not because she was proud of her past, but because she wanted to help others.
“Lily, I…”
“Save it for someone who cares. Goodbye Mr. Doherty.”
With one last glance at his face, Lily turned and was gone before he could react. Darn it. He had just lost the best thing that ever happened to him and he had no idea what to do about it.
“Well that’s a fine mess you made of that, lad.”
Charlie groaned as his gran’s voice hit him. How much had she heard?
“I heard enough,” she said before he could ask.
Charlie didn’t even question the fact his gran seemed to read his mind as it was something she had always been able to do to him and Nora. Even as kids.
“Gran, I didn’t, what I mean was I…”
“You got away lightly lad. If I had been Lily Green, I would have slapped your face for you. Maybe I should anyway. How dare you judge that poor girl?”
“But Gran, you heard her. She more or less admitted to being a woman of the night.”
“She admitted to being a victim of abuse. A child kidnapped by a vile monster just like Duffy. A young girl alone in the world with nobody to help her or protect her. What would you have had her do?”
“I know it wasn’t fair, Gran, but well…I can’t marry her.”
“No, you can’t.”
Relief filled Charlie. As least his gran understood. But the relief didn’t last, he had still lost Lily.
“You can’t marry a girl who you don’t respect. The woman Lily has become is brave, charming, hard working, kind, generous and so many more things that any man with two brain cells would love to have as his lifetime companion. Only those who worry more about appearances would care about
her past.”
His gran suddenly looked older than her years, her face lacking her usual smile, her large eyes full of sadness. He took a step toward her to give her a hug, but something in her face stopped him.
“I always knew you had a high opinion of yourself, your looks and your fancy ways of dressing. I turned a blind eye when you failed to come home to check on your mam or give her extra when she needed it. But you have removed my blinkers Charlie Doherty. I am ashamed to call you my grandson.”
Devastated, he stood watching her back as she walked toward the hotel. His gran was his favorite. He loved her more than his mam and da. How could she say those things?
Chapter 40
Lily paced back and forth trying to get herself together. She was upset and annoyed with Charlie but she had to put those feelings to one side. She had to give the performance of her life tonight; the success of the sanctuary depended on it. She caught a glance of herself in the mirror. Alicia and Nora had picked out the dress. She had asked for Nora’s help as she didn’t want Alicia picking out something too wealthy looking. She wanted to look like a well-bred young lady. Not someone who had woken up with a silver spoon in her mouth.
The ladies had chosen the most wonderful creation. The dress was simply cut with a high neckline. The sapphire blue made her skin glow, or was that just happiness? She had to pinch herself this was all happening. Less than a year ago, she’d been under the control of a monster being made to do despicable things but now, here she was. She was free and, more importantly, she could pursue her dream of helping to prevent any other young girls from falling into the hellish life from which she’d escaped.
Mr. Prentice came out of the dinning room. His eyes widened when he saw her.
“Lily, my dear, you look absolutely amazing. I don’t think anyone will be able to concentrate on your speech.”
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