One Step at a Time (11 page)

‘No doubt, but did you notice how Ted was treating Amy with so much kindness? I would say she’s going to find a replacement mother and father here.’

‘She needs something like that.’ Howard nudged his friend’s arm. ‘And we could be her brothers.’

Ben nodded, still serious. ‘She’s going to need looking out for as she’s still only a child really. I don’t know what kind of a life she had before this double tragedy overtook her, but she doesn’t seem to have anyone, not even friends she could have gone to.’

‘You’re right, and I’m glad we were able to help.’ Howard shook his head sadly. ‘Poor little devil.’

‘We’ll keep an eye on her. Coming out for a pint?’ Ben stood up straight and stretched.

‘Do you feel well enough?’ Howard eyed his friend doubtfully. ‘And have you got any money?’

‘Yes, to both questions.’

10

The bed was lovely and comfortable, and Amy so exhausted after the trauma and grief of the last couple of weeks that she slept soundly right through the night. The chirping of the birds woke her up at seven-thirty, and she listened with a smile on her face. That was pretty. Her gaze swept around the room, and even in the half-light it was charming. She still couldn’t believe this was real.

But it was! Yesterday morning she had lost everything: mother, father and home. She had been drowning. Then by an incredible stroke of good luck she had been thrown a lifeline, which she had grabbed in desperation. It was now up to her to show how grateful she was by making a new life for herself and not giving these kind people any cause to worry about her.

Jumping out of bed she collected her soap and towel, then headed for the bathroom. It all looked very grand to her, with gleaming white porcelain and wallpaper covered with little forget-me-nots.

After washing and dressing she cleaned everything until it was once again as spotless as she had found it. Then she went to the kitchen to toast the last of her bread and make a pot of tea.

She was just wiping the sink and draining board down when Mr Andrews came in.

‘My goodness, Amy, you’re about early. The two boys never drag themselves out of bed until around ten o’clock.’

‘Good morning, Mr Andrews.’ She smiled shyly. ‘I’m usually up earlier than this, but I slept on.’

‘I expect you were tired out.’ He smiled when she nodded. ‘What are you going to do today?’

‘Er… well, I must get some shopping and then see if I can find a job.’

‘Would you come to my shop around lunchtime? It’s in the King’s Road. We’ll take my friend to see if he wants your furniture.’

‘Of course. Do you think he will?’ She didn’t think it would be worth much, as they hadn’t had anything of value, but it would be nice to get the rooms cleared out, and a few extra shillings would be welcome.

‘Bound to.’ He grinned. ‘Jake can sell anything.’

‘Thank you ever so much, Mr Andrews.’

‘It’s no trouble, and call me Ted, everyone does.’ He took a frying pan out of a cupboard and put some sausages in it when the fat was hot. ‘Have you had your breakfast?’

‘Yes, I had some toast.’

He gave her a horrified glance. ‘That’s no good for a growing girl. Sit yourself down and I’ll cook you something.’

She watched him put bacon and eggs with the sausages and her mouth fairly watered. It smelt delicious.

When he put the plate in front of her, she said, ‘I’ll buy the eggs and things today and you can use them tomorrow.’

‘You don’t have to do that.’ His eyes crinkled at the corners as he gave a smile. ‘I’m delighted to be sharing my breakfast with you.’

She swallowed a piece of sausage and shook her head. ‘You must let me repay you. You’ve all been so kind and I don’t want to be a burden to you. I can look after myself.’

‘I’m sure you can, and I can’t imagine you being a burden to anyone.’

That remark made her dip her head and concentrate on her plate, not wanting him to see the sadness in her eyes as she remembered. As soon as it had become obvious that she wasn’t going to be able to read or write, she had seen what a burden that was for her parents. They had been disappointed in her; not able to understand why their only child was so dumb. Well, she wasn’t going to let that happen here. Determination filled her, making her lift her head.

When the plates were empty, Amy stood up and began clearing the table. ‘I’ll wash up. You get off to your shop.’

‘That’s a fair swap for breakfast.’ Ted grinned and got to his feet. ‘I’ll see you around lunchtime then, Amy.’

‘I’ll be there, and thank you, I really enjoyed the food.’

He left with a wave and she set about washing up.
Then she went back to her room, made the bed and tidied up. She must buy some polish and dusters while she was out. Putting money in her purse, she was ready to start her day.

‘Morning, my dear.’ Mrs Dalton met her in the hall. ‘Did you sleep well?’

‘Oh yes, the bed was lovely and comfortable.’

‘Good, now here’s your front-door key.’

‘Thank you. Could you tell me where the nearest shops are?’

‘Go out of the door, turn left and you’ll find a corner shop at the end of the road. They sell just about everything.’

Amy was about to walk to the door when she stopped and turned. ‘Mrs Dalton, I was wondering if it would be all right if I went into the garden now and again, just to look at the plants. I won’t touch anything.’

‘Of course you can, Amy, we all use it. You’ll find a clothes line out there and a basket of pegs so you can dry your washing when you do it.’

‘Oh, that’s lovely. I was wondering what to do about my washing.’

‘There’s also a small sitting room on the next floor for all my tenants to use. There’s a wireless and gramophone there for you as well. You are not restricted to your room.’ She smiled. ‘Anything else?’

When Amy shook her head, the landlady went up the stairs. She was going to love it here, Amy thought as she hurried out of the door.

It was only fifteen minutes’ walk to the shops, and Amy bought everything she needed. She’d been quite extravagant, just this once, because she had to return the food Ted had given her, and she had bought a few tins as a standby as well.

Returning to the house she put everything away in the larder. As if by magic Oscar appeared and began his act of asking her to take pity on him, which she did, of course, by giving him a saucer of milk.

After licking the dish clean, he flicked his tail and stalked off.

‘I’m not going to make a habit of this,’ she called after him.

He didn’t bother to look round. The only indication he gave that he’d heard her was another flick of his tail as he disappeared, no doubt heading for the garden.

As she still had plenty of time before meeting Ted, she decided to see where the washing line was. She found it halfway down tied between two trees. There were all sorts of plants she had never seen before. Not many flowers, of course, they were all finished, but she could just imagine how beautiful it would be in the summer.

To her surprise the garden was much bigger than it looked from her window. There was a high hedge at what she had thought was the end of the garden, but there was a wooden gate and a large area behind it. In it was a very peculiar brick structure, all blackened as if it had been burnt. She touched it cautiously, but it was cold.

‘I wouldn’t advise you to do that when I’ve fired it up.’

She jumped and spun round, hand over her heart. ‘Oh, Howard, you frightened the life out of me. What’s it for?’

‘It’s a kiln. I make vases and dishes to earn a bit of money, and I need to fire – that means bake – them in there before I decorate them. There’s some in there now and I’ve come to get them out.’

‘Could I see?’ There was eagerness in her voice.

‘Sure.’ He began to remove bricks from the front to reveal an opening. ‘This is a bit crude, but it works all right.’

Peering over his shoulder to see what he was doing, she gasped in delight when he pulled out a tray with six vases on it. Crouching down beside him she took the one he was holding out to her. ‘What do you do with this now?’

‘I paint them different colours.’

‘Do you put flowers and patterns on them?’ She was completely fascinated.

He shook his head, laughing. ‘I’m a sculptor, not a painter.’

She turned the pot round and round in her hands. ‘This would look lovely in dark blue with yellow and orange flowers round the middle.’

‘That sounds too ambitious for me, but why don’t you have a go?’

‘Could I?’ Her eyes opened wide in excitement. ‘Oh, but I might spoil it.’

‘That’s all right. Look at this.’ He showed her a crack at the base. ‘That happens sometimes in the firing, so I’ll have to scrap it. You could practise on this one.’

‘I’d love to, but I can’t do it now because I’ve got to meet Ted at his shop soon.’

‘Come to my workshop any time, Amy. I’m in the basement.’

‘Thank you, I’d love to. Now, can you tell me how to get to the King’s Road?’

‘I’ll take you, Amy, I’m going that way.’

They both jumped at the sound of Ben’s voice.

‘I don’t know how anyone with feet as big as yours can move so quietly,’ Howard muttered, after nearly dropping the pot he was holding.

Standing with hands in pockets and grinning, Ben looked as if he’d never had a day’s illness in his life. ‘That’s the result of my mother yelling at me for years to be quiet. What time are you meeting Ted?’

‘He said about lunchtime.’

He glanced at his watch. ‘It’s nearly twelve now, so we’d better get going.’

Amy handed the pot back to Howard and stood up. ‘Thank you for showing me this.’

‘My pleasure, and don’t forget you’re going to paint one for me.’

‘I won’t.’ She had to trot to catch up with Ben, and they were soon on their way.

‘Are you feeling better today?’ She studied his face. He looked more like the person she’d met at the river, but she was still concerned about him.

‘I’m fine. Don’t take any notice of Howard and Mrs Dalton. They fuss too much.’ He shrugged his shoulders, dismissing their concerns.

Ah, Amy thought, a smile tugging at the corners of her wide mouth. He wasn’t an easy patient, and she could just imagine the trouble they must have had with him. ‘They only fuss because they care.’

‘I know.’ He grimaced. ‘I’m not used to being ill.’

She changed the subject. ‘What are you going to the King’s Road for?’

‘More paints.’ He pulled up outside the bookshop and turned to face her. ‘Amy, would you come and sit for me sometime? I’ve painted you from my sketches, but the portrait isn’t right.’

‘Well, yes, you tell me when you want to do it.’ She got out of the car, waving as he drove away. She felt a surge of wonder. Howard wanted her to paint one of his pots and Ben had asked her to his studio. It was all very exciting!

Ted was busy with a customer when she went in, so she wandered around looking at the shelves packed with books of every shape and size. The usual empty feeling inside her was there again. So many books, so many words, and all denied her. If only—

‘You’re early, Amy.’ Ted had finished serving.

‘Ben gave me a lift.’ She hoped she’d wiped the pain from her face as she turned.

‘I don’t close until one o’clock for lunch. Let’s go in the back and have a cup of tea.’

She went behind the counter and followed him
into a room with a rickety table, two chairs, and a small gas stove and sink. The rest of the space was crowded with books, piled up in every available space.

‘My goodness,’ she exclaimed, ‘you’ve got nearly as many books in here as out in the shop.’

‘I’ve just bought those and haven’t had time to sort them yet.’ He cleared a chair so she could sit down. ‘Do you take sugar?’

‘One please.’

He made the tea, gave her a mug and sat in the other chair. ‘Jake will be here soon and then we’ll see what he’ll offer for your things.’ Ted rummaged under a pile of papers and found a small tin. ‘Want a biscuit?’

‘Please.’ As she spoke someone came into the shop and Ted went to see what they wanted.

Amy finished her tea, but only took one biscuit from the tin because she thought it would be rude to take more.

‘Jake’s here, Amy.’ Ted looked into the room. ‘We’re going in his van. It’s larger than mine.’

The van was big enough to take all her furniture, including the beds. Jake was about Ted’s age, but whereas Ted was fairly tall and slim, Jake was short and rotund, with a cheery smile.

‘Let’s go and see what you’ve got, young lady.’

It wasn’t easy to get up the high step into the van, so Jake lifted her in, and from the ease with which he did it, it was obvious he was very strong.

‘That’s Jimmy, by the way.’ Jake pointed to someone in the back.

Amy swivelled round and saw a young boy, not much older than herself. He was sitting on a pile of old carpets and grinned shyly at her.

Ted directed him to Farthing Street, and once inside number twenty-three, it didn’t take Jake long to examine everything, with Jimmy trailing after him.

‘Hmm, tell you what, I’ll clear the place out for you and give you…’ He was muttering and doing calculations in his head. ‘Seeing as you’re a friend of Ted’s I’ll give you three quid.’

‘Five. It’s worth that, Jake. There’s a couple of good pieces here.’ Ted spoke sternly to his friend.

‘I’ve got to make a profit.’ He looked scandalized. ‘But seeing as it’s you, I’ll make it four, and not a penny more.’

Amy watched the two men haggling and pulled a face at Jimmy, making him giggle.

‘What do you think, Amy?’ Ted gave her a sly wink. ‘Will you take four pounds?’

She nodded dumbly. That was a fortune to her.

‘Done!’ Jake peeled the notes from a bunch he had wrapped in an elastic band, and gave them to her. ‘Right, Jimmy, let’s get this lot shifted.’

The boy leapt into action and Ted grinned, pulling her out of the way of the men intent on their work. ‘That money will tide you over until you find a job.’

‘It will last me for ages.’ She smiled gratefully. ‘Thank you very much. I would never have managed this on my own.’

‘It was a pleasure. Now tell me what kind of a job you’re looking for?’