A Time of Peace (10 page)

‘The lad idolizes you, and you ought to have taken that into account. However, it's done now, but he's your responsibility and you must see that his family don't suffer.'

‘I will, I promise.' She chewed her lip anxiously, wondering just how long her money would last. They would have to set up the business as quickly as possible …

‘You know we're here for you if you need us,' her mother said. ‘But you're old enough to make your own decisions, and I think you're sensible enough to get over this disappointment.'

Kate gave a grateful smile. That was high praise from her mother, and she felt more hopeful about the future.

But later that night, as she watched the bedroom curtains rippling in the slight breeze, worry and doubt assailed her. Had she done the right thing? Should she have stayed at the paper? Could she make a success of her own business? And what about Pete? Her father was right, she should have persuaded him to keep his job. He'd given up safe employment for an uncertain future with her, and she did feel responsible for him. It was obvious that his family needed his salary, and she would make sure they didn't suffer, even if it took every penny she had.

She buried her head in the pillow and tried to shut out the worries, but they wouldn't go. Even as a young child she'd always been so sure of herself; sure she could handle anything. She'd longed to work on the
World Explorer
and had been delirious with happiness when they'd taken her on, but it had all been a sham. That was a great blow. This man Perkins had employed her against Andrew Stevenson's wishes. Her parents didn't seem to know him, so why had he done that?

Kate slid out of bed and shut the window. It was the beginning of October, and there was a nip of autumn in the air. She dived back under the covers. There wasn't any point in torturing herself like this, she must move on. Tomorrow would be a new beginning and it was time to let go of this particular dream. It obviously hadn't been right for her.

Exhaustion overcame her and she drifted off to sleep, determined to make a success of this new venture.

Downstairs Rose watched her husband enjoying his late-night brandy. He would normally be talking away, but
tonight he was silent, staring at the golden liquid in his glass. ‘What do you make of all this, Bill?'

‘Damned if I know. I've been racking my brains, but I can't think of anyone we know by the name of Perkins.' He tossed the drink back. ‘I think I'll go and see him tomorrow and ask him what the devil he thinks he's playing at.'

‘You mustn't do that,' Rose told him. ‘We've brought the children up to be independent and think for themselves; we mustn't go poking our noses in now. Kate's a grown woman and will sort this out herself.'

‘I know she will, but this job meant a great deal to her. All it's done is dent her confidence.'

‘She'll soon bounce back. You know Kate. Nothing's ever kept her down for long.'

Bill stood up, draped an arm around her shoulders and gave a tired smile. ‘You're quite right, but I can imagine just how disappointed she must be feeling. Let's get some sleep and perhaps we'll be able to remember who this man is when we're more refreshed.'

Rose slipped her arm through Bill's, and they walked up the stairs together. ‘I shouldn't worry too much – it will all come to light one day.'

To his credit, Andrew Stevenson did an excellent job with Kate's article and photographs. The whole of the fourth page of the newspaper was taken up with the story, and he'd included the most poignant pictures.

Kate's mother read it slowly and nodded approval. ‘This is really good. You've pointed out the shortcomings without criticizing the council or those in charge.'

Kate breathed a sigh of relief. This was the first time her mother had seen the article. She'd told her to write it in her own way, and that's what she'd done, pouring out her distress at the plight of the children.

Rose handed the paper to her husband. ‘That should provoke a response. If the words don't, then the photos certainly will. They're excellent, Kate.'

‘I'll say they are,' her father murmured. ‘Don't you dare believe anyone who says you're no good.'

Kate began to feel the hurt and disappointment fade. She had been silly to take it so much to heart. Things like this happened in life, and often they turned out for the best. ‘I must admit they do show the conditions very vividly.'

‘More than that,' her father said. ‘What comes across is the emotion you felt while taking the pictures. Look at the little girl – you've captured the loneliness and hopelessness the child feels. You couldn't have done that if you hadn't felt it yourself.'

‘Your dad's right. Your sensitivity is apparent in every word and image.' Rose gave her daughter a rueful smile. ‘When I was your age I dealt with far worse cases than this, but I rolled up my sleeves and fought for what I felt was right. You can do it in a quieter and, I believe, a more effective way with your camera.'

Her mother never wasted words, and Kate knew she was being told the truth. Her parents had just spelt out her dreams – dreams she had believed a short time ago to be unattainable. But they weren't, and, like her mother, she'd fight anyone who tried to stop her!

She lifted her head and said softly, ‘Do you think I've found my vocation?'

‘You might have, but only you can answer that.' Rose poured them all another cup of tea. ‘And after we've done what we can for these two homes, I'm definitely retiring, so you can take over as the crusader in this family.'

Bill smiled broadly. ‘Do you know, Rose, I've waited more than thirty years to hear you say that?'

She retrieved the newspaper from him and folded it up. ‘One more visit to a local council and I'm finished.'

Bill raised his eyebrows. ‘Poor sods!'

Kate watched her parents laughing, and once again counted her blessings. They knew, in a way she never could, about the hardships and dangers of life. Her problems were
very
small in comparison to the things they had faced. She drank her tea and stood up. ‘I'm off to meet Pete.'

She left the house with a spring in her step and a smile on her face. It had been silly to let Andrew Stevenson hurt her like that. She was far too sensitive – had been from a child. She would have to learn to curb that if she
were going to achieve anything worth while in this life. It was time she showed some of her mother's toughness and her father's courage.

Bill listened to the front door closing and his laughter turned to a deep frown.

‘Don't worry about her,' Rose told him. ‘She's got a good head on her shoulders.'

‘I know, but if I ever come face to face with this Perkins, I'll be tempted to wring his bloody neck.'

‘I believe Kate's over it already. She must learn to cope with a few knocks in life.'

He looked at his wife with troubled eyes. ‘Do you think we've protected her too much?'

Rose stopped clearing the breakfast table and sat down again. ‘You know she's had an independent streak from the time she was born and wasn't easy to bring up. She would sum up a situation; calculate the advantages or disadvantages before taking a certain action. Although that isn't so evident now, I believe it's still there. If things haven't turned out as she planned, she still knows exactly what she's doing.'

‘I'm sure you're right, Rose, but she isn't like most women of her age. She isn't interested in fashion, doesn't have loads of boyfriends, and with her beauty she ought to have. She appears to be interested only in photography.'

‘She loves it and is completely absorbed with becoming as good as she can, but she isn't obsessive. One day she'll discover there's more to life than the scenes she sees through the viewfinder of a camera.'

Bill sighed. ‘I hope you're right.'

‘It surprised me when Andrew Stevenson said she'd
let him rage at her without saying a word.' Rose chuckled. ‘That must have been a struggle for her.'

They were both laughing now, and Bill stood up. ‘As she's going into business for herself, she'll need a car. I'll go and see what I can find for her.'

Rose listened to Bill whistling as he walked up to the garage on the corner of the road. She was well aware that her husband loved and respected James, but he adored Kate. There had been a bond between them from the moment of her birth, but Rose knew her daughter well. She wasn't foolhardy, taking her time making decisions. She was also a determined young woman, and once her mind was made up, it took a lot to stop her. That was why she wasn't worried about her. A few disappointments wouldn't do her any harm. Her daughter was very loving and sensitive to other people's moods, but underneath there lurked a stubborn nature. And in that way she was like her mother.

Rose walked into the Wandsworth council offices, and the chairman, Mr Marston, met her all smiles. ‘Mrs Freeman, thank you for having that spread in the paper for us. We've already had two women come in with offers to help, and the bus company has said they'll take some of the toddlers out for the day to Southend.'

‘That is good news.' Rose was delighted; this was just the kind of response she'd been hoping for. It wasn't possible to do much about the homes themselves; the council was doing the best it could. But perhaps they could improve the children's lives a little. She hoped the new contraceptive pill they were talking about would cut down on the unwanted births.

A man was struggling to get through the door with a large box, so Rose went to hold it open for him.

‘Thank you.' He dumped the container on the counter. ‘Saw the newspaper this morning and we had these in the loft, so thought you might like them for the little ones.'

The box was full of good-quality toys, and Rose smiled at the man. ‘Thank you so much, the children will love them.'

‘That's all right, ma'am. Glad to put them to some use. Our children are too old for them now.' He gave a slight bow and then left.

‘I can see the children are being taken care of,' Rose told the chairman. ‘That leaves the condition of the buildings. My husband has offered to have the outsides repaired and painted and the insides spruced up. Would the council accept this as a gift from us?'

Mr Marston looked quite overcome. ‘That is most generous of you both, Mrs Freeman. We would be very grateful indeed for such a gift. We try to make the best use of the money we're allotted, but it isn't easy.'

‘I know that only too well, Mr Marston. I was a councillor once myself; a long time ago of course, but I don't suppose things have changed that much.'

She really was going to ease up now, Rose decided as she drove back to Roehampton. She could spend more time with Bill, and prayed that they had many more years ahead of them.

It took Kate and Pete most of the day to find suitable premises. There wasn't anything available in Kensington High Street, and it was too expensive anyway. She was
going to have to spend wisely or her money would run out before they'd started. They'd finally found a small shop only five minutes' walk from the high street.

‘Let's get something to eat,' she groaned to Pete. ‘I'm starving.'

‘There's a café a few shops along.' He grinned happily at her. ‘This is a busy street too, so we should get a lot of trade. Isn't it exciting!'

Kate had to admit that it was. She was glad to have Pete with her because his enthusiasm was rubbing off on her. This was going to be an adventure.

They sat at a table by the window, and, as it was too late for lunch, ordered scrambled eggs on toast and a pot of tea.

When they'd eaten, Kate sat back with a sigh. ‘That's better. We won't be able to get into the shop until next week, so could you come over to my house tomorrow?'

‘Sure. What we going to do for the rest of the week?'

‘We'll spend tomorrow printing photos to put on the walls and in the window of the shop, then we'll roam London looking for pictures we can sell to the papers and magazines.'

Pete's eyes were gleaming with interest.

‘I intend to take on as much freelance work as we can handle, so I'm going to need your help to run the shop.'

‘You show me what you want doing and I'll manage it.' He spoke with confidence. ‘What are we going to call the shop – Freeman's?'

‘No, I thought I'd use my mother's maiden name of Webster for the business. She does so much good for people in need that I'd like to name it in honour of her. Webster's. What do you think?'

‘That's a great idea. Are you going to use Webster for your business name as well?'

‘Yes, why not? A fresh name for a fresh start, eh?'

Kate noticed his clean plate and asked for some toasted crumpets. He proceeded to demolish them as soon as they arrived. In the few months he'd been with her he'd shot up and was now slightly taller than her. At five foot nine she was above-average height for a woman, and Pete still had some growing to do. He would probably top six feet by the time he'd finished. He'd also lost a lot of his awkwardness.

She had to make a success of this. He trusted her, and she didn't want to let him down. ‘How old are you now?' she asked.

He offered her the last crumpet and she shook her head. ‘I've had enough.'

He took a bite, swallowed, and then answered her question. ‘I was nineteen last week.'

‘I wish I'd known. I'd have given you a card.'

‘You've already given me a wonderful present.' He patted the camera that was always slung over his shoulder. ‘I've been practising taking pictures in Hyde Park and I think I might have some quite good shots of the trees.'

‘Wonderful. Bring the film over tomorrow and we'll see what you've got. Perhaps we'll be able to put some in the shop.'

He looked so pleased and proud that it touched Kate. Her father had told her his family were living in a poor area and times were clearly hard for them. If she could help to improve his lot in life, then it would be something
she
could be proud of.

‘Have you had enough to eat?'

‘Yes, thank you, Kate.' He put his hand in his pocket to pull out some money.

Kate stopped him. ‘You work for me now. I'll pay for our snack. You can tell your family that you'll receive your salary as usual, with an increase of two and six-pence.'

‘Thank you.' The shy smile was back. ‘That will help my mum.'

‘You're worth it,' she told him as she paid the bill. ‘We can finish for the day. Come about ten o'clock tomorrow. Do you think you can find our house again or would you like me to meet you at the station?'

‘I know where it is.' He waved and ran for his bus.

Kate headed for Wandsworth and Wilkins House. The children had just finished their tea when she arrived, and Mrs Green welcomed her with a broad smile of pleasure.

‘I've brought the photos for you.' Kate took them out of her bag as the children clustered round her, laughing when they saw themselves in the pictures.

‘These are wonderful!' Mrs Green and the other helpers were obviously thrilled.

‘I've mounted some in cardboard frames so that you can stand them up.' She showed them how to do it.

There was a tug on her trousers and she looked down at Eddie, his face alight with expectancy. ‘Did you bring my special one?'

‘Of course.' She squatted down to his level and gave him two prints in the frames. ‘One for you and one for your friend.'

He gazed at them in silence for a few moments. ‘Is that me?' he asked, squirming with pleasure.

‘Yes, that's just how you look when you laugh.'

He clutched them to his chest, turned to run away, then spun back, nearly toppling over his own feet in his haste. ‘Have you got any babies?' he asked.

‘No, I'm not married.'

Ed thought about this, then said quietly, ‘You're nice. When you get married, will you be my mum?'

Kate felt emotion well up in her as she looked into his earnest little face. How these children must yearn to belong to someone, but she couldn't lie to him. ‘I haven't any plans to marry yet, Eddie, but if you haven't been adopted by the time I find myself a husband, then I promise to think about it.'