The Boy With the Latchkey

by Cathy Sharp

  Sandra was thoughtful as she began to mix the first batch of creamy sweet drinks for the children. Wendy thought of St Saviour’s as her home and both Tilly and Kelly had been here a long time. Perhaps she could find a life here for June and herself. Archie seemed determined to live his own life and she couldn’t force him to go back to the arrangement they’d had before she went to prison, so it might be for the best. Sandra had never wanted her children to be latchkey kids, but she hadn’t had a lot of choice. What else could a widow with two young children do?

  ‘I can’t tell you how pleased I am that you’ve finally decided to stay with us,’ Sister Beatrice said when Sandra told her of her decision the next day. ‘You can have June to sleep with you in your room, if you wish – or she can go back to her old dorm …’

  ‘For the moment she wants to sleep with me,’ Sandra replied. ‘I enjoyed doing Kelly’s work last night, Sister, and I think June and I will be very happy here with you for the time being. Archie has decided to live at his friend’s house in the holidays and to sleep there on Friday and Saturday nights, and since they seem respectable pleasant people, I cannot forbid it … though I should have liked to have a home for us all again …’

  ‘Perhaps you will one day. These things have a habit of working themselves out, my dear.’

  ‘Yes, and you’ve been such a good friend to me, Sister. I feel I shall be helping you out by working here for a while.’

  ‘Your typing is excellent and I do find writing those reports such a chore. With you combining your duties it will be so much better for us all …’

  ‘Yes,’ Sandra looked at her thoughtfully. ‘Kelly was so distressed last night. I wonder what she will do now?’

  ‘She came to see me early this morning. It seems that her father has urged her to marry her young man – and that is only fair, because he’s been patient for several years. Now that his siblings are grown up, he’s going to live at Mr Mason’s house, and Kelly will be cutting her hours so that she can keep house for them both, but she is happy to give us a few hours a week for the moment …’

  ‘So you will be losing Tilly when she has the baby, and Kelly will be working less hours … you are going to need some more help soon, Sister.’

  ‘Yes, a new girl,’ Sister Beatrice sighed. ‘I’ve been spoiled. At one time the staff was always changing, but we’ve had a settled period for some years. I suppose I shall have to look for someone …’

  ‘Would you like me to visit the employment offices and ask if they have anyone suitable they could send along?’

  ‘Oh yes, would you? I’ve recently had the offer of another good nurse, but carers …’ Another deep sigh, then, ‘Ah well, I shall have to interview them in person, Sandra, but I’d value your opinion as a woman of the world …’

  ‘I’m sure you have far more experience, Sister, but I should be pleased to help. I’ve arranged to visit Ted Hastings and his daughter this weekend for Sunday tea – and Archie is most insistent that I meet his friend Ikey this evening … though I’m not sure about him …’

  Sister Beatrice laughed. ‘You must not be prejudiced, Sandra. Ikey is remarkable in his own way. I jumped to the wrong conclusions at first – but since then I’ve realised he is intelligent, brave and resourceful, even if his methods are somewhat unorthodox.’

  ‘To say the least … it was a wonder he wasn’t arrested for what he did …’ Sandra frowned. ‘You haven’t heard anything more about those vile people?’

  ‘Mr and Mrs Bailey have not been found, but Mr Hendry told me the police think they used false names to leave the country. Had Ikey not acted promptly, as he did, June might have disappeared, never to be found again … and I dread to think of the life she would then have had …’

  ‘Oh, my God!’ Sandra’s heart caught and her eyes stung with tears. ‘She is still having bad dreams over what happened and Mr Adderbury told me it may take years of consultations to help her come to terms with her experiences, though he says because she was so innocent she doesn’t truly know what that foul man did to her …’

  ‘It may hit her harder when she is older and understands, but you understand, Sandra, my dear – and you suffer for her. I never push my faith on anyone, but God is always there for us, you know. You may find help and consolation in prayer …’

  ‘I can’t pray,’ Sandra said. She knew the nun meant well, but her throat was tight with emotion, little shudders taking her as she remembered the despair she’d so recently experienced. ‘I was branded a thief and a liar; they put me in prison for a crime I didn’t commit, subjected me to humiliation and left me vulnerable to abuse, and they took my child into care – except that she was abused instead. What kind of a god does that, Sister Beatrice? I know you believe and you are a good woman. I honour you for your work and your compassion, and I’m grateful to you and all those that helped me … but I cannot pray or believe in a loving god …’

  ‘Then I shall pray for you,’ Sister Beatrice said gently. ‘Archie will make his own life, but I shall pray that you find peace and that both you and June will be happy again …’

  ‘I’m pleased to meet you again, Mrs Miller,’ Ikey said and offered his hand. Sandra shook it, feeling hesitant, because although he looked respectable his clothes were clearly old and much worn, though his shirt looked clean and he’d shaved, but his dark, ash-blond hair was too long. Something irritated her about his calm air of authority when she knew he spent his life living rough. ‘I’m only sorry I couldn’t manage it before but I’ve been working on something important …’

  ‘More important than my son’s welfare,’ she said feeling hostile, though quite without reason. She saw his greyish-blue eyes narrow and realised that he’d picked up her mood. ‘Forgive me, that wasn’t fair. I know you helped Archie a great deal.’

  ‘Ikey doesn’t need to bother about me now, Mum. You’re out of prison and I’ve got a good job and lots of friends …’

  ‘Your mum has a right to be anxious, Archie.’ Ikey’s calm voice sent little prickles down Sandra’s spine. He was obviously a very thoughtful man and she didn’t know why she felt so uneasy in his presence. ‘It’s all right, Mrs Miller, I’m not offended, but as it happens, what I’m working on now could still affect your son’s future …’

  ‘What do you mean? How could it affect my son’s future – I thought Mr Hastings was a respectable man.’

  ‘Ted is one of the best, everyone will vouch for that,’ Ikey said, a smile lurking about a mouth that Sandra had just realised was distinctly sensual. ‘Unfortunately, there is some unease brewing in the East End, Mrs Miller. I do not want to alarm you or Archie or his friends unnecessarily – but I believe a certain unpleasant person is intent on trouble.’

  ‘You mean Billy’s old boss,’ Archie said, eyes bright with excitement. ‘Ted said Connolly’s itching for a fight. He owns a lot of market stalls and he hates the independents, wants to take them all over … or make them pay protection money …’

  ‘Archie!’ Sandra said sharply. ‘Please don’t interrupt. I want to hear about this – because if you’re in danger I’m not sure I can allow you to live and work with Mr Hastings …’

  ‘Mum! We’ve had all this over.’ Archie threw her an agonised look.

  ‘I don’t think you should panic or go back on your word, Mrs Miller. I assure you that if Mr Connolly does decide to make trouble, the police – and a few others – can manage it …’

  ‘That is your considered opinion?’ Sandra’s gaze narrowed. ‘Give me one good reason why I should believe in you, sir?’

  ‘There isn’t one,’ Ikey said and his eyes were cool now, like an icy mountain pool, she thought irrelevantly. ‘On the face of it I am the last one you should listen to, Mrs Miller. However, there are people who do trust me and if my friends are in trouble I will risk everything to help and protect them – and I consider Archie to be my friend.’

  ‘Ikey’s done more for me than anyone,’ Archie said but was quelled by a look
from those cool eyes. Sandra thought ruefully that this man who stirred her hostility without cause could control her son without lifting a finger while she had no influence over him whatsoever. ‘Mum, please listen … remember that you’ve only got June back because of Ikey …’

  ‘Yes …’ Archie’s words were so true and Sandra realised that she was behaving like a schoolgirl rather than a grown woman. Her cheeks burned and she knew she had to apologise. ‘Forgive me, Mr … is it Ikey? I know what you did and I am grateful, but I love my children and I don’t want them to be hurt – Archie is still very young, even though he’s had to grow up too soon since his father died …’

  ‘You don’t have to apologise to me ever,’ Ikey said and now his calm voice had warmth again and his eyes smiled. ‘I promise you that I shall look after Archie as if he were the son I never had …’

  Sandra’s eyes met his then, and something started to melt inside … the ring of ice around her heart eased a little and her eyes pricked. ‘Thank you … I don’t know what to call you? Ikey isn’t your real name, is it?’

  ‘It’s Ikey these days, Sandra,’ he said. ‘I used to be someone called Nathaniel Blake, and I was a police officer, an inspector – my friend Jonathan is also a police officer, of higher rank than me, and he took up your case because Edward Hendry asked him to help.’

  ‘And why aren’t you still in the force, Mr Blake?’

  ‘Ikey please,’ he said and looked straight into her eyes. ‘My wife died in a terrible car accident – and I drank myself half to death. I had to resign for the sake of the force and only friendship brought me back from the brink of despair.’

  Sandra saw echoes of that despair in his eyes and her heart caught as she felt some of the pain he must have endured. ‘I could say I’m sorry, but I will just say thank you for telling me, Ikey.’

  ‘You needed to know,’ he said simply and suddenly Sandra was ashamed of having doubted the man who had done so much for her and her children.

  ‘I should have trusted you,’ she admitted. ‘You’ve proved yourself and I am grateful for all you’ve done … Can you forgive me?’

  ‘Friends don’t need to be forgiven,’ he said and the smile on his lips made her heart leap and everything was suddenly so much brighter. ‘Archie tells me that you’re living and working here at St Saviour’s for the moment, Sandra. Are you content with that?’

  ‘Until I can find a home for us all,’ Sandra said. ‘I don’t want a dump like we had before, but eventually I hope to be offered a council flat …’

  Ikey nodded but looked thoughtful. ‘If I were you I should stay here until June has settled again. She couldn’t be left alone in a council flat or anywhere else. Wait and see what happens when you’ve got the compensation Mr Hendry is trying to get for you … and then, well, I may be able to help …’

  ‘Yes, I shall stay here for a while,’ Sandra agreed, because she knew he was right. June was too fragile to go to school alone and let herself in at night. When she was able to go to school again, it would be better if she came back to St Saviour’s with the other kids. Sandra could give June tea and spend a little time with her before getting on with her work again. ‘A woman alone is vulnerable, Mr Blake … I mean, Ikey. Without a husband it’s hard not to neglect your children. Archie was right when he complained that I had to work all hours and put June’s care on his shoulders, and I’m going to make things better for my daughter in future.’

  ‘Remember that if you need help, I’m your friend,’ Ikey told her with a smile. ‘And now, I have to go to work …’

  Sandra watched him leave, wondering why she felt disappointed that he’d had to go. She hadn’t expected to like him but she did.

  ‘I told you Ikey is all right, didn’t I?’

  Archie’s voice brought her gaze round to him. ‘Yes, love, you did,’ she said, ‘and you were right.’

  CHAPTER 27

  ‘I’m sorry it’s not a gold ring with diamonds,’ Billy said as he slid the little silver friendship ring on the third finger of Mary Ellen’s left hand. ‘I promise I’ll get you one as soon as I’ve got a bit of money saved again.’

  ‘I love this, Billy,’ she assured him and kissed his lips. ‘Keep your money for the time being and spend it on making our home nice … I can wait for a fancy ring.’

  ‘You’re a special girl, Ellie,’ he said and held her close. They were in the rooms over the workshops, and Billy had almost finished painting the walls in the colours they’d chosen together. He still had all the white gloss to do, which would take weeks, because he didn’t get much time these days, and Mary Ellen was going to make their curtains, but she could only do half an hour or so in the evenings, because she was either working for Sam or reading up for her exams. She’d already taken one lot and was waiting for the results; if she got the marks her tutor said she ought, she needed to take one more and then she could apply to take a post as a pupil teacher and attend college two or three days a week. ‘I love you more every day …’

  ‘Oh, so you didn’t love me as much yesterday as today,’ she pouted at him. ‘I’m not sure I like that, Billy Baggins. Why didn’t you love me as much yesterday – and did you only like me a week ago?’

  ‘You’re a right minx with your teasin’,’ Billy said and responded by giving her such a burning passionate kiss that she was left breathless and consumed with longing. ‘My Ellie … I can’t wait until you’re all mine …’

  ‘It’s what I want too,’ Mary Ellen said and looked at him with love. ‘Now that we’ve got our own place and you’ve got a good job it isn’t fair of Rose to stop us getting married. I’m going to tell her tonight that I want to be married on Christmas Eve.’

  ‘Oh, Ellie,’ Billy grinned. ‘I just wish I thought she would say yes – but you know what our Rose is …’

  Mary Ellen stroked his cheek with her fingertips. She liked the way that he tolerated her sister, who was often rude to him, calling her ‘our Rose’ and not being nasty or impatient. Billy was such a lovely lad, and Rose must be blind if she couldn’t see it. She made up her mind that she was going to tell Rose tonight that if she didn’t let them get married, she’d just move in with him and let people gossip all they liked …

  Rose glared at the man facing her across her desk in the office at the hospital. She’d been such a fool to fall for the registrar in the first place, because she’d known what a philanderer he was and she had only herself to blame, but he was refusing to take no for an answer.

  ‘You know you want to …’ Mike Bonner said, coming round the desk to pin her against the wall. He slid his hand down her thigh and began to edge her skirt up. ‘Come on, Rosie, just a quick one …’

  She brought her hand up sharply and slapped him hard across the face. ‘Don’t you dare talk to me like that – and don’t call me Rosie,’ she said. ‘I’m Sister Rose to you and don’t you forget it … and keep your hands to yourself.’

  ‘You weren’t like this in the back seat of my car,’ he reminded her with a sneer. ‘You just pretend to be a prude; underneath you’re a dirty little whore like all the rest.’

  Rose brought her knee up sharply and made him yell with pain as she connected with his private parts. His face twisted with anger and he slapped her back, making her gasp.

  ‘You’ll pay for that,’ he said, turning away to bend over as he felt the pain. ‘I’ll get you sacked, you little bitch …’

  ‘It’s all right, I’m leaving anyway. I can’t wait to get away from you.’

  She picked up her jacket and bag and walked away, leaving him staring after her in anger. Rose knew that she’d burned her boats as far as this hospital was concerned and it was very likely she would be blacklisted at other hospitals too. Her only hope was that Sister Beatrice still wanted her at St Saviour’s …

  ‘Don’t quarrel with Rose, love,’ Billy said and kissed the end of Mary Ellen’s nose as they stood outside the door of the flat she shared with her sister. ‘Tell her we’re engaged a
nd we’ve got a place to live and say we’d like to be wed as soon as possible … but don’t fall out with her. She’s all the family you’ve got …’

  ‘I know.’ Mary Ellen sighed. ‘You know I’m fond of her in my own way, Billy, but I’ve had enough of her saying things about you and she’s always bossing me about. I know what I want … and that’s to be your wife and to learn to be a teacher. Why can’t she accept that I know my own mind?’

  ‘Maybe she will,’ Billy said, ever the optimist. ‘In you go then, love, and I’ll see you tomorrow in your break at work.’

  ‘Yes.’ Mary Ellen was warmed by the thought. Now that Billy worked full time at Sam’s they saw quite a bit more of each other during working hours, which was lovely, because neither of them had a lot of spare time otherwise. She was working hard for her final exam and Billy wanted their home to be as perfect as he could make it. ‘I’ll be careful, Billy. Don’t worry …’

  ‘You’d better go in then,’ he said and kissed her slowly, sweetly, letting her go with a sigh as she clung to him, her body clamouring with all the impetuosity of youth for more. ‘I’ll be dreamin’ of you, Ellie love …’

  Mary Ellen gave him one last hug and turned away, letting herself into the flat. Immediately, she heard the sound of crying and entered the living room tentatively, because she wasn’t sure what she would find. She saw Rose sitting on the sofa, her head bent and her hands covering her face as she wept. She looked up as she became aware of Mary Ellen and there was such despair in her eyes that Mary Ellen ran to her and flung her arms about her.

  ‘What is it, Rose love?’ she asked. ‘Are you ill? Has something terrible happened?’

  ‘Yes, I’ve been stupid …’ Rose wiped her face on her handkerchief. ‘I’ve assaulted the registrar for making a pass at me and he’ll get me sacked, because he’s a selfish pig.’

  ‘Oh, Rose, as long as you’re not ill …’ Mary Ellen smiled. ‘You’ll find another job – and if he upset you, he deserved it. Surely Matron will understand that?’