Diamonds in the Dust (18 page)

There was a new air of purpose and determination about Dora as she made her way to Wandsworth the next morning. Her discussion with Tom yesterday had cleared her mind. They were on their own now and had to move on with their lives. As frightening as that was, they had each other, and that was a great comfort. The main priority was to find a cheaper place to live. Once that was done they prayed that the police would be able to find out what had happened to their mother. They missed her dreadfully, and knew that it wasn’t going to be easy to recover from the distress her disappearance had caused. The fact that the police were having so little success only added to their agony. She would give them a couple of days to talk to the solicitors, and if they didn’t find out anything she would visit them herself.
Not that it would do much good, but at least she would feel as if she was doing something. And the need to find somewhere else to live was now urgent. Their little sister was going to be upset. They all were, but the move was unavoidable.

Dora was pleased to see the doctor’s car already parked outside the house, and she headed straight for his office.

‘Ah.’ He looked up and smiled when she walked in. ‘Good morning, Dora. You’re nice and early this morning.’

‘Yes, sir. Would it be all right if I left at two o’clock today?’

‘Of course you can.’ His eyes narrowed as he studied the strain showing on her face. ‘Sit down, my dear. You’re tired. Is there anything I can do for you? Is there news of your mother?’

‘No, there’s no trace of her, and we can’t afford to stay where we are. I need the time off to find somewhere else for us to live.’

‘Finding it hard, are you?’

‘Impossible is the word I’d use.’ Dora had always found it easy to talk to him. ‘I had no idea how expensive it was to live in that nice house. Even if I still had my other job I would have found it too expensive. I don’t know how Mum managed.’

‘Is the move urgent?’

‘I’d say so. We can’t leave it much longer. We’re pawning things every week now in order to pay the rent, but it’s silly to keep doing that. We must assume Mum isn’t coming back, and we’ve got to learn to take care of ourselves.’

Dr Burridge looked thoughtful for a few moments, and then he stood up. ‘Come with me.’

Dora followed him up the stairs to the top of the house, a place she had never been before. He stopped by a door and unlocked it, then led her along a wide passage with a series of rooms either side.

‘This used to be my grandmother’s private flat when my family lived here. There’s a kitchen, bathroom, sitting room and three other rooms that could be used as bedrooms. The place needs a good clean, of course, it hasn’t been used for years.’

‘Erm … it’s very nice.’ Dora was almost afraid to ask, but she did anyway. ‘Why are you showing me this?’

‘I’ve come to rely upon you, Dora. You’re efficient – in fact the best help I’ve ever had – and you’re good with the men who come here. You see past their injuries and they appreciate you being so natural with them. You make them smile, and some of the poor devils have little to be cheerful about.’

‘I enjoy helping them.’

‘That’s obvious, and I’d be a fool to let you go. So, I’ll make a deal with you. Work for me full time, here and at the hospital, and you and your family can live here rent free. I shall, of course, increase your wages, but they’ll still be rather low. However, if you don’t have to find rent each week, then you should be able to manage better. What do you say?’

Say? Dora just stared at him as the full import of what he was offering her struck home. She had come to work this morning feeling that their lives were in ruins, dust at
their feet, and this wonderful man had wiped out their desperate need. Not only was he offering them a home – and a very nice one at that – but he was offering her full employment.

He was waiting patiently for her answer, and she grasped his hand and shook it. ‘Oh, thank you, sir. Thank you. You won’t regret this. I’ll work very hard for you.’

‘I know that.’ He smiled and glanced around the room. ‘And it will be good to have a family living in the old house again. Now, let’s go and see who’s arrived. John is still having difficulty walking and needs lots of encouragement.’

There were already six men in the main room, including John, who appeared very dispirited this morning. Nevertheless, he brightened up when they walked in.

‘Good morning, gentlemen.’ The doctor’s gaze swept over every face in turn, missing nothing.

‘Morning, Doc. Morning, Dora.’

‘I’m here for most of the day,’ he announced, ‘so if you have any problems come and see me. And I have some news. Dora and her brother and sister are moving into the rooms upstairs, but they are in a state of neglect. If any of you feel able to help Dora make the place habitable, she would be most grateful.’

The men were immediately standing and smiling, even John. ‘What do you want us to do, Dora?’ he asked eagerly.

‘Well …’ She glanced at the doctor, not sure this was right. When he gave her a sly wink, she realised what he was doing. He was showing the men that they were
needed. She winked back and said, ‘The place needs a good clean, and some paint to brighten up the rooms.’

John grabbed his sticks and began moving with more ease than she had seen before. ‘Let’s get the place cleaned up, and then Dora can tell us what paint she wants. How old is your sister?’

‘Six.’

‘Ah, that would be pink for her room, then?’

‘I don’t think Lily would argue with that.’ Dora laughed, suddenly more light-hearted than she had been since their mother’s disappearance.

John gave a boyish grin and began to organise the men, allotting them different tasks.

‘Better show them where to start, Dora.’ The doctor was looking at the activity with satisfaction. ‘Then come down and leave them to it. I need you this morning.’

There was much banging and crashing going on upstairs as Dora worked, and the sounds were accompanied by the men’s laughter and whistling. During the morning others arrived, disappearing upstairs to join in the fun. At one point she stopped to gaze up at the ceiling, picturing the men working upstairs. ‘I wish the government would do more to help these men find proper jobs. It would give them a purpose in life again.’

The doctor nodded, his eyes reflecting his inner sadness. ‘They need to feel useful, and so many of them have lost their self-respect because they can’t provide for their families. Alan is one of the lucky ones. He has family connections to ease his way back into normal life.’

‘He is,’ Dora agreed. ‘He’s studying hard and looking
forward to following his father as a lawyer eventually.’

‘He’ll do well. Are you still going out with him?’

‘We only went out a couple of times when he needed to find his feet, so to speak. He appreciated support from someone who understood. Now he’s making a new life for himself. No doubt he’ll soon find a suitable wife.’

‘And he’ll have plenty of choice. So many young men were killed in that madness, and that means many girls will have little or no chance of marrying.’

Dora sighed. ‘The women outnumber the men and many will remain spinsters.’

‘And what about you, Dora? Would you like a family of your own one day?’

‘I would like to marry one day, of course, but if I don’t it wouldn’t be too bad for me.’ She smiled. ‘I already have a family to take care of. They’re going to need me for quite a while. And another thing, I can’t imagine a man wanting to take on a ready-made family.’

‘Oh, I’m sure there must be a man out there who would be delighted to have such lovely youngsters to care for.’

She pulled a face. ‘You’re an optimist, Doctor.’

‘If I wasn’t I would never get up in the mornings.’ He glanced at his watch, fished in his jacket and handed Dora some money. ‘Those men are going to be hungry, so go and buy some food. Then prepare a hearty meal for all of us. I’ll eat here today as well.’

Dora ran all the way to the shops at the top of the street, where she spent every penny Dr Burridge had given her. Then she ran back, holding the parcels tightly to make sure she didn’t drop anything. As she tumbled
through the door, Dobbs began relieving her of the food.

‘Oh good,’ she gasped. ‘You’re here. I need your help.’

‘What?’

‘Come with me,’ she yelled, and then rushed into the kitchen, leaving him to follow her. ‘What’s going on?’

‘We’re going to cook a meal for everyone here today. I’m moving in upstairs and they’re cleaning the place up for me.’

‘Ah, that’s what all the racket is.’

She stopped pulling pans and dishes out of the cupboard, giving Dobbs an incredulous glance. ‘I thought you were deaf?’

‘Eh?’

‘I thought you were Mutt and Jeff,’ she teased, raising her voice.

He smirked. ‘’Ow many up there?’

‘No idea. We started with six but more have arrived, so will you go and check for me?’ Dora stared pointedly at him, daring him to say ‘What?’

This time he just chuckled and headed for the stairs.

Three pans were soon full of sizzling sausages, and Dora was peeling potatoes as if her life depended upon it.

‘There’s twelve of them.’ Dobbs had returned, highly amused. ‘They’re making a right mess. There’s water everywhere. They’re right fond of you, girl. Now, what do you want me to do?’

‘Help me peel these potatoes. Hope I bought enough. With the doc and us, that makes fifteen to feed.’

Dobbs got stuck in. ‘Who paid for all this grub?’

‘The doctor. Have we got enough plates?’

‘There’s some more under the sink.’

Dora found them and tossed them in the sink to give them a good wash.

They worked together well with Dora giving the orders, and they soon had a long table laid out. She had even found a couple of tablecloths – not as clean as she would have liked, but they would do.

‘Go and call them,’ she told Dobbs, as she dished out the hasty meal of sausages, onions and mash, with large chunks of bread and butter to help it down.

Once they were all seated she served them, and it was one of the liveliest times this fine house had seen for some years. The simple meal was demolished with obvious enjoyment.

As the men settled to enjoy a cup of tea and a cigarette, John raised his cup. ‘My compliments to the cooks.’

‘What’s this? A party?’ Alan arrived, swung another chair to the table and sat down.

‘You’re too late, mate,’ Dobbs told him. ‘We’ve eaten it all. But you’re welcome to a cup of tea.’

‘Thanks.’ Alan handed round a packet of cigarettes, smiling at Dora. ‘Going to tell me what this is all about?’

‘Our Dora and her family are moving in upstairs.’ John tossed the empty packet back to Alan. ‘We’re helping to get the place ready for them.’

The amusement left Alan’s eyes, but he didn’t question Dora in front of the others. Instead he stood up. ‘Show me, Dora.’

Once upstairs, Alan surveyed the chaotic mess of steps and buckets everywhere. ‘This must have been a fine house at one time.’

Feeling that Alan disapproved, Dora explained. ‘The doctor’s kindly going to let us live here rent free, and I’m going to work for him all the time.’

‘The job’s good, but couldn’t you stay in your own house?’

‘I’m afraid not. It’s too expensive. We’re broke, Alan.’ She saw little point in denying it.

‘I can help you out—’

‘No.’ She stopped him before he could finish. ‘That’s very kind of you, but we’ve got to deal with it ourselves. This isn’t a temporary difficulty, Alan, it’s permanent, and we must make adjustments, however painful.’

‘But what are Tom and Lily going to say?’

‘Tom’s in agreement, though he doesn’t know about this place yet. And we haven’t told Lily about moving. She’s going to be upset, but we don’t have a choice.’ She looked up into his face, her eyes troubled. ‘This is something we’ve tried to avoid. But we never realised how expensive it was to live where we do. I have no idea how Mum managed to afford it.’

‘Oh, hell! I’m so sorry, Dora. Does Stan know yet?’

‘No, we’ll tell him tonight.’

‘He isn’t going to be happy.’

Dora was well aware what Stan was going to think. He would probably explode when he knew, but this was their life and they had to live it as best they could. It was up to them – nobody else! She changed the subject. ‘How are you getting on? We haven’t seen much of you lately.’

‘I’m working and studying hard, but I love what I’m doing. When I got back from the war I thought my life
was over, but it isn’t. Things are beginning to work out well for me.’ He fell silent, staring at nothing in particular. ‘I’ve met someone, Dora. She’s a friend of the family and doesn’t seem to mind the injuries …’

‘Oh, I’m so pleased for you, Alan. Are you going to marry her? What’s her name?’

His laugh was one of relief at her obvious pleasure. ‘I haven’t got that far yet, and her name is Sybil.’

‘But it’s serious?’

He nodded, studying her smiling face. ‘I wasn’t sure how you’d take this. We went out a few times …’

‘As friends when you needed support to get back to normal. And I hope we can remain friends.’

‘Always.’ He bent and kissed her cheek. ‘You’re a remarkable young woman. You take pleasure in other people’s happiness, feel their sorrow, and yet you have terrible problems of your own. It hurts me to see you suffering so much and no matter how brave a face you show to the world, I know you are suffering. I wish I could wipe away all your unhappiness.’

‘Only finding our mother alive and well would do that. But you mustn’t worry about us, Alan, there are good, kind people looking out for us.’ She touched his arm in an affectionate gesture. ‘You have a happy life from now on.’

Dora was home early and waited impatiently to tell Tom and Lily about the flat. Now the decision had been made, she wanted to get away from this house with all its memories. It would be a fresh start, and that was just what they needed. They had to let go of the past by carving out a new life for themselves. And what better place to start than Dr Burridge’s house? She had explored the area and it was close to schools and everything else they could need.

‘You’re home early.’ Lily ran to hug her.

‘Yes.’ She nodded to Tom as he walked into the room. ‘I’ve got some good news. Sit down and I’ll tell you all about it.’

As Lily scrambled onto a chair, Dora whispered to her brother, ‘I’ve found somewhere for us to live.’

He said nothing, but pulled his chair close to his little sister.

‘First, Doctor Burridge has offered me a full-time job with him. I’ll be working at the hospital some of the time and spending the rest at the Wandsworth house.’

‘That’s wonderful.’ Tom smiled as Lily clapped.

‘The pay isn’t quite as much as I was getting in my other job, so that means we’ll still find it hard to manage.’ She sounded this note of caution before explaining about the move. ‘You know the house in Wandsworth is big. Well, it belongs to the doctor, and he said we could have the whole of the top floor to live in – rent free! Isn’t that wonderful?’

‘It certainly is!’ Tom was clearly pleased. ‘What do you think about that, urchin?’

The little girl’s face crumpled with distress at the news. ‘But we can’t leave here! What about Stan, and school, and …’

‘There’s a nice school in the next road, and one only twenty minutes away for Tom. And we’ll still be able to see our friends. They won’t be far away.’

Lily’s eyes filled with tears. ‘Can’t we stay here, Dora? What if Mum comes back? She won’t know where we are.’

‘Sweetie, we’ve got to accept that she isn’t coming back. We haven’t got enough money to pay the rent on this house any longer.’

‘We’re broke,’ Tom explained. ‘It isn’t fair to put all this worry on Dora. She’s had a struggle trying to keep us in the life we’ve been used to, but she can’t do it any longer. There are three of us to feed. Can you understand that?’

‘You could sell my dolly. We’ve still got that,’ she sniffed, a tear trickling down her cheek.

Dora reached across the table and took hold of her sister’s hand. ‘That’s so generous of you, sweetie, but it wouldn’t be enough. Why don’t you both have the day off from school tomorrow and come with me. Lots of men are helping to get it ready for us. Alan came as well.’

‘Does Stan come?’ Lily swiped a hand across her eyes.

‘Of course he does. Once he’s well again I’m sure he’ll come lots to see you. And as soon as we get it looking nice we’ll have June and Winnie over for tea, shall we?’

Lily drew in a ragged breath. ‘Is it a very big house?’

‘Enormous!’ Relief raced through Dora. Her sister was coming round to the idea much faster than she’d dared hope. ‘This house would fit in it at least three times.’

After thinking about this for a few moments, Lily said, ‘We’ll see it tomorrow. Can I go and tell Stan now?’

‘Yes, we must do that.’ Dora glanced at her brother, receiving a nod of approval.

Stan’s smile of pleasure faded as soon as he saw the expressions on their faces. ‘What’s happened?’

Gulping back tears as they threatened to spill over again, Lily said, ‘I won’t be able to look after you any more, because we’ve got to move.’

His face turned to thunder and he rounded on Dora. ‘What the hell is she talking about? I told you not to move! I said we would work something out if it came to this!’

‘Don’t you shout at my sister!’ Tom glowered at Stan. ‘She’s only doing what she thinks is best for us.’

‘Best for you?’ He was furious. ‘Where are you going? Back to the slums?’

‘Do you think I’d do that to my family?’ Dora was
hurt and angry at Stan’s accusation. And why was he carrying on so? This was their business, not his! As much as she loved the man, she wasn’t going to put up with this. Turning sharply she walked out of the house.

Once back in her own home she leant against the closed front door, shutting her eyes tightly.
She loved him
. He was stubborn, infuriating, kind and strong at the same time – and she had fallen in love with him. What a stupid thing to do. Didn’t she have enough problems without adding to them?

‘Now look what you’ve done!’ Tom stared at the door his big sister had just closed firmly on her way out. ‘Do you think this is easy for her? I hear her walking up and down during the night as she worries about finding enough money to feed us and keep us together. And worse than that is to hear her crying quietly – she’s worried sick. Oh, she tries to fool everyone that she’s all right, but I know different. She’s trying to protect us from the worst of this disaster and she’s taken the whole bloody mess on her shoulders. We’re trying to help and support her in any way we can, but she’s the eldest and she has all the responsibility. Isn’t that right, Lily?’

The little girl nodded, her face drained of all colour.

Stan was stunned. Lily slipped her hand in his, looking up at him, pleading for understanding. ‘We’ve got to go. We’re broke. The doctor’s giving us a place in the big house. Don’t be angry with us, please.’

If he could take back those harsh words Stan would have given everything he owned, but the damage was
done and he’d hurt the people he cared about. ‘I’m sorry, sweetheart, I’m not angry with you – I’m angry with myself.’ He reached out and squeezed Tom’s tense shoulders. ‘I apologise, son. My sharp tongue – it’s always been a problem. But I never meant to hurt you. Stay here with Lily while I go and beg Dora to forgive me.’

‘She might not,’ he muttered, still upset. ‘I’ve never seen her walk out on anyone before.’

Stan didn’t waste time getting to Dora’s house. The front door was shut when he arrived. After receiving no reply to his repeated knocking he really thought Tom was right and she wasn’t going to give him a chance to put things right between them. ‘Let me in, Dora, please!’

He breathed a sigh of relief when the door opened. ‘May I come in?’

She stepped back, and without a word turned and walked to the kitchen. Stan followed.

Dora was looking out of the window and didn’t face him. ‘I’m sorry. You don’t deserve to be spoken to like that.’

‘No, I don’t!’

‘You must do what you feel is right, and I’ve got no right to question your decisions.’

‘No, you haven’t.’

‘You’re not making this easy for me.’

‘Should I?’

‘I suppose not. Win always said my bad temper would get me into trouble.’ When she didn’t speak this time, he propped the crutches against the wall, and being careful to put all his weight on his good leg, he
reached out and drew her towards him. ‘Forgive me, please?’

When she still said nothing, he couldn’t take any more. ‘Turn and face me, Dora!’

‘Temper,’ she murmured, as she turned in his arms.

He lifted her chin so he could look into her face, shaking his head in disbelief. ‘Are you laughing at me?’

‘Of course not, but you do apologise nicely – when you’re able to hold your temper in check.’

He shook his head in disgust. ‘And that isn’t for long, is it? Saying I’m sorry isn’t something I’ve been used to doing, until I met you,’ he joked, relieved she was talking to him again.

‘And I hope you’re not standing on that leg,’ she said severely.

‘No, I’m using you to prop myself up. Now, if I promise not to shout at you, will you tell me about the new home you’re planning?’

‘Sit down then.’ After helping him to a chair, she explained about her arrangement with Dr Burridge.

They had been talking for a while when Lily’s anxious face appeared round the kitchen door. ‘Are you friends again?’ she whispered. ‘Can we come in now?’

‘Of course you can.’ Dora held out her hand and Lily rushed towards her, smiling.

Tom followed and sat at the table. ‘Has Dora told you?’

Stan nodded. ‘It sounds like a good arrangement, the doc’s a fine man, but I’d still be happier if you stayed here. I’d help you.’

‘We know you would, but you can’t help us for the rest of our lives,’ Tom explained.

‘We’ve got to make our own way, Stan.’ Dora spoke with determination. ‘We’ve been very lucky to have been offered such a nice place to live.’

‘Nice?’ Stan was astounded. ‘That house is a mess!’

‘It won’t be when we’ve finished, and we’ve got plenty of help. I only wish we could pay the men for the work they’re doing.’ Dora sighed deeply and changed the subject. No matter what they said, Stan would not be happy about them moving. ‘Did Reg see the solicitors today?’

‘Yes, but as expected, they wouldn’t say anything about Mrs Duval unless there was proof she was dead. They insisted she might just have gone away on holiday.’

‘It would be a long holiday!’ Tom gave a snort of disgust and stood up to make some tea. ‘And anyway, I still don’t believe this mysterious woman is anything to do with our mum.’

‘I don’t know how you can sound so sure,’ Stan said. ‘The name’s in the front of the notebook you found.’

‘Along with a lot of others,’ Tom pointed out. ‘Are you looking for all of those as well?’

‘Don’t be sarcastic, young man. Think! There was a Duval at the factory too.’

‘Coincidence.’ Tom didn’t apologise for being sceptical. He slipped the cosy over the freshly made pot of tea. ‘And what about that notebook? Have you any idea what it’s all about yet?’

‘No, it doesn’t make sense,’ Stan admitted.

He was right about that, Dora thought. Nothing had
made sense from the time of their mother’s disappearance, and all these other things just made it downright confusing. It should have been a case of searching for a missing person, but the investigation appeared to be going in all directions except the right one. She could understand her brother’s frustration. In many ways he was much like Stan, not known for his patience. The uncertainty was driving them mad. ‘We haven’t found Mum and Dad’s marriage licence. How would we go about getting a copy?’

‘The police will do that, Dora. They’ll let us know as soon as they have one.’

She glanced at Tom. ‘We’ll leave that with them for the time being, shall we? We’re going to have enough to do with moving.’

‘All right. We’ll concentrate on the new flat first.’

Stan went back to his own house still unhappy that they were moving, but perhaps the move wasn’t such a bad thing. The investigation was going along lines that were disturbing, and at least this would keep them occupied for a while.

Reg was waiting for Stan when he arrived back.

‘Where the hell have you been? You’re supposed to be resting.’

‘Don’t you start on me, I’m in the mood for a fight! I’ve been at Dora’s.’ He sat down and leant back his head, closing his eyes. ‘They’re moving. I didn’t want them to do that. I would have helped them, but they won’t let me.’

‘Of course they won’t, Stan. They’ve got to plan for a future without their mother. Dora’s got a lot of pride
in her quiet way, and she’ll do whatever she can for her brother and sister. Maybe you could have helped for a short time, but you can’t support the three of them for years to come.’

‘That’s what they said.’ Stan opened his eyes. ‘And I know you’re right. But I hate to see them struggling like this.’

‘Dora and Tom aren’t stupid, and they know what they’ve got to do to survive.’ Reg poured Stan a whisky and handed it to him. ‘They’ve got more intelligence than you’re crediting them with. Don’t treat them like children, Stan. Only one of them is still a child and that’s Lily. The other two have grown up quickly – they’ve had to. We’ll still keep an eye on them. Where are they going?’

Stan told his brother-in-law about the arrangement they had made with Dr Burridge.

‘Well, what are you worrying about? That sounds ideal for them.’

‘It could have been worse.’ Stan sipped his drink. ‘We ought to get hold of a marriage certificate. Have you got one yet?’

Reg took a swig of his drink. ‘We’ve only just started on that line of enquiry. At first, what happened that long ago didn’t seem relevant to tracking a missing person, but knowing her maiden name might help. So far we’ve found nothing. I don’t think they were married, Stan.’

‘Oh God!’