A New Day (3 page)

‘You’ll tell me where he is, girl!’

She didn’t flinch or move away when he came close to her, even though his hands were clenched into fists. She knew he wanted to beat the information out of her, but if he did she would lash out as well. It didn’t matter now. Jack was out of his way, and she would be as well soon. ‘No! You’ll never find him.’

‘He’s mine and you’ll bloody well tell me where you’ve hidden him!’ He gripped her shoulders painfully and shook her.

‘Take your hands off me! You’re a bully. Are you really surprised that my brother wanted to get away from you?’

When his fingers bit into her thin shoulders she turned her head and looked at the woman who was in charge of the orphanage. ‘Call the police, Mrs Buxton, this man is attacking me.’

‘There’s no need for that,’ he snarled, stepping away from her and looking at Mrs Buxton. ‘You order this girl to tell me where the boy is. He can’t run away because we’ve adopted him. He’s mine and I want him back!’

‘You haven’t legally adopted him yet and he has every right to leave if he wants to.’

‘Hanna, you must tell us where Jack is. He’s too young to be out on his own, and he might not be safe.’ Mrs Buxton looked flustered.

‘He isn’t on his own, and he is safer than he was with Mr Talbot.’

‘I can’t force Hanna to tell us where he is, Mr Talbot. I’m so sorry.’

‘You haven’t heard the last of this, Mrs Buxton. If he doesn’t come back then you will owe me!’ he stated with menace. He stormed out and slammed the door with such force that the old building almost rocked on its foundations.

Taking a deep breath Hanna faced the woman she had always considered quite incompetent to be in charge of so many vulnerable children. ‘How could you have let that odious man keep my brother? I told you time and time again that he was beating Jack, but you did nothing. You’re not fit to be in charge of children, and I’m going to do my best to see that you are removed from this job!’

That brought a reaction. ‘Who do you think you’re talking to? Where is your brother?’

‘None of your business! And as soon as I’ve collected my bag I’m leaving as well. You won’t see either of us again.’

How Hanna climbed the stairs to her room she didn’t know. Her legs were shaking and her shoulders hurt where Talbot had gripped her, but she wouldn’t show any sign of weakness because Mrs Buxton was following her. Her bag was already packed, and she picked it up.

‘Where do you think you’re going?’ the woman demanded. ‘You are both being very foolish. If you think you can survive on your own then you are mistaken. You are only used to the institution, and will not be able to cope outside. That is why we persuaded you to let your brother go to Mr and Mrs Talbot.’

‘Yes, I did agree, thinking it would be right for my brother, but it was a terrible mistake. At least while he was here I could protect him, but there was little I could do to stop him being thrashed while he was in their house.’ She glared at the woman in charge. ‘And you did nothing!’

‘It was out of my hands. Jack made no effort to fit in with the Talbots.’

‘What absolute rubbish! No one would fit in with them. Talbot is a bully and a coward! You could have reported him and had Jack taken from him, but that was too much trouble for you, wasn’t it? Get out of my way.’

‘You won’t last long. You’ll soon be back begging me to take you in again.’

Shaking her head in disbelief, Hanna stormed out and walked quickly towards the bus stop. That wasn’t the way she had intended to leave. A polite, dignified exit had been planned, but there hadn’t been anything dignified about her outburst. She had always held her tongue in an effort to protect both of them from any unpleasantness, but that was no longer necessary, and her anger had spilled out. Well, that couldn’t be helped now. What was done was done, and couldn’t be changed. The past was behind them and they had a future to build.

The twins rushed to meet her as soon as she arrived at the house. ‘Did you see your brother’s ship?’ they asked.

‘Yes. And I watched it sail out to sea. The sun was shining on the water, and it was a beautiful sight.’

‘Father has gone, as well, and mother is visiting Grandma. She’ll be back soon, and she told us to look after you.’

Hanna studied the children, but could not tell them apart yet. She looked at the maid. ‘Do you know who is David and who is Andrew?’

‘No idea,’ she laughed. ‘Every time I think I’ve worked it out they play little tricks, and I’m confused again. They enjoy fooling people. It’s a huge joke to them.’

The twins were grinning.

‘Oh, I’ll sort you two out in no time,’ she teased.

They thought that was very funny, obviously sure she didn’t have a chance, and the two girls joined in with the laughter.

‘I’m Mary, by the way,’ the maid told her. ‘And I’m very glad you’re here. Come on, boys, let’s show Hanna her room.’

‘You’re next to us.’ Andrew and David spoke together.

‘You’ll get used to that,’ Mary explained as they climbed the stairs. ‘They seem to know what the other is thinking and often say the same thing at the same time. But it’s when they’re talking to each other you will have trouble. None of us can understand a word they say then. They seem to have a language of their own. Here we are.’ She threw open a door. ‘This is yours.’

When Hanna walked into the room she couldn’t believe her eyes. It was huge, and very beautiful. The decor of cream and pale pink took her breath away. ‘This can’t be right, Mary?’

‘This is your room.’ One of the boys caught hold of her hand and pulled her towards a door, while the other twin opened it. ‘We’re in here. You’re next to us in case we need anything in the night.’

‘But we never do,’ the other one told her. ‘Or not often. We’re very good.’

‘I’m sure you are, but I won’t mind you calling me in the night if you need to.’

The boys gave each other a knowing glance.

‘Now they’ve got you where they want you,’ Mary whispered in her ear, trying not to laugh out loud.

The rest of the day flew by. Mrs Harcourt arrived home at four o’clock, and insisted that they all have afternoon tea together. By the time the twins were fast asleep, Hanna was drained. It had been an emotional day and she was relieved to climb into her own bed, sinking into the luxurious comfort.

Tired as she was, sleep didn’t come at once. This was the first quiet moment she had had to herself, and her thoughts naturally turned to her brother. He would be well out to sea now, and she prayed that he was going to be all right on the ship. That man, Frank, had seemed nice enough, and she hoped he meant it when he’d said they would keep an eye on Jack for her.

For ten years she had looked after him, protected and worried about him. Now he was on his own in a man’s world. She didn’t try to stop the tears flowing, knowing she was going to miss him so much. It had been hard to let him go, but it had been the right thing to do.

‘Be happy, Jack,’ she murmured as she fell into an exhausted sleep.

‘Whoops!’ Jack slid along as the ship pitched, landing on his backside. Strong hands lifted him up, and he grinned at the sailor, wondering how he was managing to stay on his feet without holding on to anything. ‘Thanks. I’ve been told to get some grub. But that’s easier said than done. How do you stay upright?’

‘You’ll get the hang of it. Come and walk with me and I’ll give you a few tips.’

At that moment the floor fell away from under his feet and Jack was saved from falling again. He burst out laughing, finding the whole thing hilarious. ‘I certainly need some tips.’

The sailor grinned at him while holding him steady. ‘What’s your name, lad?’

‘Jack.’

‘Welcome aboard, Jack. I’m Bill. Do you feel all right?’

‘I’m skidding about all over the place and keep getting lost, but apart from that I’m all right. This ship is like a maze.’

Bill nodded and took a firm grip of Jack’s arm. ‘You’ll soon find out where everything is. Let’s get some food.’

The mess was nearly empty when they arrived. There were only two men sitting at the table clutching mugs of steaming tea and looking very sorry for themselves.

‘I hope you two want something to eat,’ Frank, the cook, said.

‘What you got?’ Bill asked, sitting Jack on a seat. ‘Stay there, lad, I’ll get your food.’

‘You’ve got pie and mash,’ Frank told them. ‘And you’re lucky to get that in this weather.’

‘Lovely.’ Jack rubbed his hands together in anticipation. ‘I’m starving.’

The two sailors already at the table looked at him in disbelief, and one groaned before saying, ‘Not another one with a cast-iron stomach?’

Bill put a plate of food in front of Jack. ‘Hold on to that or it’ll end up in your lap.’

‘Thanks, I’m ravenous. Must be the sea air.’

Frank burst into laughter. ‘I knew he was a born sailor the moment I set eyes on him.’

The other two men dragged themselves to their feet and staggered out of the mess. Then Frank joined them at the table with his own plate of food.

‘Smashing pie,’ Jack said, tackling his food with gusto.

‘You can have as much as you like. I’m not going to get many customers tonight.’

‘Why?’ Jack asked. ‘This pie is the best I’ve ever tasted.’

‘Quite a few of them won’t start eating until we’re through the Bay of Biscay, then they won’t feel sick any more.’

‘I didn’t think sailors got sick.’

Bill chuckled. ‘Some throw up every time they set sail, and bad weather lays out a few more. Admiral Nelson suffered with sea sickness all the time.’

‘Did he? Gosh, I didn’t know that.’

‘Looks as if you’re going to be like the two of us. The motion of the ship never bothers us.’ Frank picked up Jack’s empty plate. ‘Manage another helping?’

‘Yes, please, Frank. I haven’t had anything to eat since breakfast, and that was a long time ago.’

‘I’ll have some too.’ Bill held out his plate. ‘Shame to let it go to waste. How’s the tea pot?’

‘Been standing around a bit, so I’ll make us a fresh pot.’

‘What made you join the merchant navy?’ Bill asked, while they waited for their second helpings.

‘I’ve always watched the ships and wanted to sail in them.’

‘Your sister’s a pretty girl. Has she got a boyfriend?’ Frank asked as he served them the food and tea.

‘No.’ Jack shook his head. ‘She’s never had time to enjoy herself. We were sent to the orphanage when I was five, and she looked after me, refusing to let us be separated.’

‘She sounds like a good person.’

‘Oh, she is, Bill. I don’t know what would have happened to me if she hadn’t protected me. Now I’m going to be a sailor she can think of herself for a change. She’s got a nice job to go to today. This is a new day for both of us.’

‘You’re glad to be getting away from the orphanage, then?’

‘Very!’ Jack finished his tea and waited while Frank refilled his mug. ‘Er . . . I know we’re heading for New Zealand and this is going to be a long voyage, but do you know the other places we’ll be going to? I didn’t ask when I signed on.’

Bill gave him a studied look. ‘You were that desperate to get away from whoever was beating you? The bruises still show.’

Grimacing, Jack merely nodded.

Not probing any further, Bill changed the subject. ‘We’ll be going through the Suez Canal, on to India, Ceylon and Singapore.’

Jack gasped. ‘I’ve only ever seen those places on a map. Have you been to New Zealand before?’

‘We’ve been there a few times, and it’s a beautiful country. We usually have a couple of days’ leave when we arrive, so we’ll show you around.’

‘Will you?’ Jack couldn’t hide his excitement. ‘I’ve never been outside of London before. I must write to Hanna. Is there some way to send letters back home?’

‘We’ll be able to collect our post from the Port Agent when we stop, and we can post letters then.’ Bill stood up. ‘I’m on watch in twenty minutes, and you must get some sleep, lad. It will be a busy day tomorrow. Come on, I’ll see you safely to your bunk.’

Jack stood up with the help of the experienced sailor, still holding on to the table that was screwed to the floor. At that moment the ship dipped and then rolled from side to side, and if it hadn’t been for the two sailors he would have been the other side of the mess on his backside again.

‘Don’t fight the motion of the ship,’ Bill advised. ‘Widen your stance and go with the roll.’

Concentrating hard, Jack let go of the table and took a couple of cautious steps. He grinned for a moment and then yelped as the ship gave a huge lurch, and Bill stopped him again from crashing into the bulkhead. Laughing, he straightened up and insisted on trying to stand on his own. He planted his feet wide apart as Bill had told him, and managed to stand unaided, albeit with difficulty.

Nodding his approval, Bill slapped him on the back. ‘We’ll make a sailor of you in no time at all, lad. Come on, time you had some sleep.’

It was only when Jack climbed into his bunk that he realized just how tired he was. The day had been long, but very exciting, and the men were friendly. There appeared to be a comradeship between them, and he had been quickly included. Bill was a leading seaman with twenty years’ service, and Jack knew he couldn’t ask for a better man to give him advice. There was so much to learn, and he couldn’t wait to tell Hanna all about it, but writing a letter tonight was out of the question. The ship was pitching and rolling too much. He’d start a letter as soon as he could and have it ready to post at the first port of call.

‘Hope your day has been as good as mine, Hanna,’ he murmured, before falling into a deep sleep.

‘Jack! Wake up, lad.’

‘What?’ He shot up, banging his head on the bunk above him, wondering where the devil he was for a moment. ‘Ouch!’

The small space was full of sailors preparing for the day ahead, and as he slid out of the bunk he was slightly disorientated after sleeping heavily. ‘What time is it, Bill?’

‘Five. Get dressed quickly. We’ll have breakfast and then I’ll take you to the officer on watch. He’ll tell you what your assignments are for the day.’

‘Right.’ Jack reached for his clothes, and then stopped suddenly, a wide grin spreading across his face. ‘Hey, I can stand up!’