A New Day (4 page)

Bill laughed. ‘The storm has blown itself out. Move it, lad, or you won’t have time to eat. You must never be late for duty.’

After a quick slosh with water, Jack was ready in ten minutes. Thank goodness he didn’t have to shave yet. If Bill noticed his lack of morning whiskers he didn’t say anything, but he was certain the sailor knew he was under age. That was probably why he had taken him under his wing straight away, and for that he was very grateful.

No more than half an hour later he had received his duties for the day. The ship was huge, but everyone was very friendly and helpful as he tried to negotiate himself from one job to another. Every part of the ship he was sent to he bombarded the men with questions. The knowledge he gained was meticulously recorded in a notebook he had in his pocket. He was determined to be a good sailor.

It was late afternoon before he had a moment to himself, and after grabbing a cup of tea he headed for the deck. The sea was calm now and he leant on the rail, gazing at the huge expanse of water.

‘Like what you see?’ Bill joined him.

‘Oh, yes,’ he sighed. ‘Look at the sun glistening on the water. I always thought the sea was either blue or grey, but it isn’t, is it? There are so many colours. It’s breathtaking.’

‘I never get tired of looking at it. Not only does it have many colours, but also many moods. Sometimes, like now, it’s gentle, other times it’s boisterous, and sometimes violent and cruel. The sea is ever changing, Jack. Love it, respect it, but never trust it. Have you finished your tasks?’

‘Yes, I’m free now until tomorrow morning. I haven’t actually done much today, I’ve just been told to watch and learn, but I hope they let me start working soon.’

‘You’ll be doing jobs on your own from tomorrow, I’ve no doubt. I’m free for the rest of the day, so let’s get some food.’ He glanced at Jack’s too-thin body. ‘We need to get you fattened up a bit. You look as if you haven’t had a decent meal for ages.’

Jack grimaced. ‘That brute ran me ragged, and he wasn’t very generous when it came to feeding me.’

Bill’s mouth set in a grim line. ‘We’ll soon put that right.’

The scene in the galley was very different from the previous night. It was crowded. Men were eating, talking, and there was a serious game of cards going on. Bill and Jack squeezed in at the end of the long table.

‘Hey, lad, want to join us?’ one of the card players asked.

‘No, thanks. I don’t know how.’ He looked at the pile of coins on the table and shook his head. ‘I haven’t got enough money anyway.’

‘We’ll show you, and we’ll take markers until you get paid.’

‘No, I don’t gamble.’

‘That’s sensible.’ Bill gave the men a stern glance. ‘This boy’s got more sense than to let you take his money.’

‘He might win. Beginners are often lucky.’

Bill gave a dry laugh. ‘Not against you lot they’re not. Biggest load of cheats I’ve come across in twenty years at sea.’

Jack grinned at the roars of protest and good-humoured banter. Everyone was laughing by the time Jack and Bill had plates of sausage and mash in front of them.

‘Don’t let them entice you into playing cards with them,’ Bill warned.

‘No fear. I’m going to save my money for my sister. She’s going to make sure we have a place of our own.’ A wistful look crossed his face. ‘I was only a nipper when we were sent to the orphanage, and I don’t remember what it was like to have a proper home. Hanna told me to enjoy the voyage and spend my money, but I’m going to save some because I’m not going to let her do this on her own. I’m older now and it’s time she had some help.’

‘In that case you’ve got something worth saving for.’

‘Oh, yes. It’s our dream and we’ll make it come true. I must start my letter to her tonight. I’ve got so much to tell her.’ He frowned and sighed. ‘I feel guilty about being so happy. I hope she’s all right.’

‘I’m sure she will be. She sounds a sensible girl.’

‘Of course she will, but I can’t help worrying.’ Jack cleared his plate and pulled a face. ‘Silly of me. We’re both away from the orphanage now, and that’s what we always wanted. If the job she’s got doesn’t work out she’ll get something else. My Hanna’s strong and determined.’

‘I’d like to meet her one day.’ Bill slapped Jack on the back, and called to Frank, ‘What’s for pudding?’

‘Spotted dick with syrup.’

‘Oh, smashing.’ The smile was back on Jack’s face.

Movement on her bed woke Hanna up, and in the gloom she saw a small boy sitting beside her. ‘Is something wrong?’ she asked, pulling herself upright.

‘I’m hungry. Is it breakfast time yet?’

After switching on the bedside lamp, she looked at the clock and shook her head. ‘It’s only four o’clock. Would you like me to go and get you a glass of milk?’

‘No.’ He wriggled until he was sitting comfortably beside her, then he gave her an engaging grin. ‘Will you tell me a story?’

There was a patter of little feet as the other twin came into her room, climbed on to the bed and settled the other side of her, then leaned across to his brother. ‘What are you doing here? We told Hanna we were good at night.’

‘It isn’t night! It’s nearly morning. Look.’ He pointed to the clock on the bedside table. ‘It’s four!’

‘You can’t tell the time.’

‘Yes I can. See the big hand is there and the little hand down there. That means it’s four o’clock!’

Hanna watched in amusement as the twins argued about how to tell the time, and decided that was something she would start to teach them. One child was holding the small clock, and the other stretched across her legs to get a good look. Their mother had said that the twins were very different in nature, and she was beginning to see that for the first time. She decided to put it to the test.

‘Put the clock down, David, and I’ll tell you a short story. But then you must go back to bed.’

Two pairs of eyes fixed on her, and she knew from their expressions that she had been right.

David put the clock back and said, ‘I’m Andrew.’

‘No, you’re David.’

Andrew giggled and pushed a lock of hair away from his eyes. ‘How did you know?’

‘Aha, that’s my secret.’ She reached out for the book on her bedside table, and knew that she was going to have to gain their trust and affection quite quickly, or these two little imps were going to have her running around in circles. They were very bright, and more than that, it was clear that this little episode in the early morning was a way of testing her. They were trying to find out just what they would be able to get away with. Well, they would soon find out that their innocent looks didn’t fool her one bit.

‘Told you she was smart,’ Andrew said, sitting back and looking at her expectantly, waiting for the promised story.

Later that day, when the boys were tucked up for their afternoon nap, Mrs Harcourt sent for Hanna.

She knocked on the sitting-room door and walked in, a smile on her face. The smile vanished in an instant when she saw who else was in the room, and her heart raced in alarm. Her gaze was unwavering as she looked at them, knowing that she must stay calm and not show the slightest hint of fear. They couldn’t touch Jack. She glanced at Mrs Harcourt, who gave her an encouraging smile, coming to stand beside the policeman, showing her support for Hanna.

‘I told this officer that you would soon be able to clear up any misunderstanding, Hanna,’ Mrs Harcourt said. ‘I know you haven’t done anything wrong.’

Talbot looked smug. ‘Didn’t think I’d find you, did you? It was easy. I followed you when you left the orphanage. I’ve come for your brother, and this officer is here to see you tell us where you’ve hidden him.’

The odious man was about to say more, but the policeman stopped him. ‘I’ll handle this, sir. Now, Miss Foster, will you tell me where your brother is and why he ran away from Mr and Mrs Talbot?’

‘He ran away because Mr Talbot is a bully and beat him regularly.’ She spoke clearly, looking the policeman straight in the eyes.

‘Lies!’

‘No, it’s the truth, as anyone who knows him will tell you, and my brother said that he hits his wife as well. That’s why she’s so frightened of him. You might want to look into that, as well, Officer.’

‘Don’t listen to her! She’ll say anything to protect her brother.’

Hanna immediately picked up on the word ‘protect’. ‘You’re right. I would do anything to
protect
Jack, but I don’t need to lie because you can’t touch him now.’

‘Officer! Arrest her. She’s done something bad to that boy!’

‘I told you I’d handle this, Mr Talbot.’ The policeman silenced the irate man, and turned his attention to Hanna. ‘You had better tell us what you mean by that, Miss Foster. Mr Talbot has reported his disappearance, and it is our duty to find him. He obviously isn’t with you, and as a minor, we must make sure he is safe.’

‘Minor?’ Hanna frowned.

‘Yes, at twelve years old he is considered as such.’

If the situation hadn’t been so frightening, Hanna would have laughed. ‘Is that what he told you? Who is telling lies now, Mr Talbot? My brother will be sixteen on the second of November.’

‘Can you prove that, Miss Foster?’

‘Yes, if you will allow me to go to my room?’

The policeman nodded, and Hanna sped up the stairs, opened the wardrobe and retrieved an old battered tin box, then hurried back to the sitting room. She opened the box in front of the policeman and handed him Jack’s birth certificate.

After studying it for a moment, he turned to the man beside him. ‘It seems you were mistaken about the boy’s age, sir.’

The smug look had gone from Talbot’s face. ‘It don’t matter how old he is. I want him back and it’s your job to find him.’

‘Mr Talbot is right, Miss Foster.’ The policeman gave her an apologetic smile. ‘I do need to know where your brother is. I can see that you love him too much to have caused him harm, but I have to file a report.’

‘I understand.’ She took some more papers out of the box and handed them over, watching the corners of the policeman’s mouth twitch as he read.

When he looked up there was a gleam of laughter in his eyes, and she couldn’t help smiling broadly at him. Now she looked closely he had a nice face and eyes with a touch of green in them. She immediately felt comfortable with him, and knew this was a man she could trust. All her worry and apprehension disappeared.

‘What’s going on? What you got there?’ Talbot made a snatch at the papers, but the policeman moved them out of his way and handed them back to Hanna.

‘We owe these ladies an apology for taking up their time with something which is not a police matter.’ He turned to Mrs Harcourt first. ‘Thank you for allowing us into your home, Mrs Harcourt. I know you told me that the boy was safe, but I had to talk to Miss Foster to be certain of that.’

‘I understand. I knew Hanna would as well, and that is why I agreed to this interview.’

He turned to Hanna. ‘I apologize for subjecting you to this ordeal, Miss Foster. No law has been broken here.’

‘What do you mean? Where’s the kid?’

‘Jack Foster is now in the merchant navy and on his way to New Zealand.’

‘But he can’t be!’ Talbot spluttered. ‘He’s too young.’

‘It isn’t unusual for boys to go to sea at an early age, and by the time he returns he will be past his sixteenth birthday. You have not adopted him legally, so you have no claim on the boy, sir.’

Talbot glared at Hanna, but she ignored him. The policeman was satisfied. The law was on their side, and Talbot now knew that he couldn’t do anything about Jack leaving. The relief was enormous, but years at the orphanage had taught her to keep her deeper feelings to herself.

The policeman wrote in his notebook, tore out the page and handed it to Hanna. ‘I want you to contact me should you have any future problems, Miss Foster, but you shouldn’t hear any more about this matter.’ He looked pointedly at Talbot. ‘Will she, sir?’

‘This is a bloody disgrace!’ Talbot was red in the face with rage.

‘Watch your language, sir. There are ladies present. Now, you will need to accompany me to the station.’

‘Oh, I’ll do that all right! And I’ll have a word with your superiors about your handling of my complaint.’

‘That is your right, sir.’ He smiled at Mrs Harcourt and Hanna. ‘Thank you again for your patience.’

The maid was waiting outside the door to show the two men out, and when they were alone, Hanna let out a ragged breath. ‘I do hope that young policeman doesn’t get into any trouble over this. Mr Talbot is a very unpleasant man.’

‘He won’t. He handled everything quite properly, and I shall write to the chief of police telling him so.’ Mrs Harcourt gave a wry smile. ‘He happens to be a good friend of ours.’

The last vestige of worry left Hanna, and she laughed freely. ‘Oh, Mrs Harcourt, I bless the day you came to the orphanage. For the first time in my life I feel as if there might be a guardian angel looking out for us. I’ve been wondering if Mr Talbot would try and make trouble, but he can’t now. Can he?’

‘No, Hanna. If he comes anywhere near you we will be able to get him arrested, and he knows that. The policeman made it clear to him that he had no claim on your brother. Talbot is absolutely furious, but there isn’t a thing he can do about it. You and your brother should now be free from this unpleasant business.’

‘It’s a relief to know it’s all over and Jack is safe from his brutality.’

‘This has been a terrible worry for you. Sit down, Hanna, and we’ll have a much needed cup of tea.’ She rang the bell and ordered refreshments for them. ‘What did the young man write on the paper he gave you?’

‘Oh, I haven’t read it yet.’ Hanna unfolded the note. ‘It’s the address of the police station and his name – Alan Rogers. He says I’m to ask for him if I have any more problems.’

‘That was kind of him.’

‘Very.’ The tea arrived and Hanna poured for them, then sat back, feeling quite drained.

‘You have told me a little of what happened to you after your parents were killed, but would you mind going into more detail for me? You were so young. How did you manage in those early years, and why did you agree to let Jack go to Talbot, after fighting for so long to keep him with you?’