One Step at a Time (18 page)

‘We all are.’ Ben leant across the table and ruffled her unruly hair playfully. ‘When I saw you by the river I just knew you were special. There was something about you I couldn’t forget.’

‘I’m ever so glad you didn’t.’ Amy sighed. ‘I wouldn’t have found such a nice home with all of you.’

‘And we wouldn’t have found such a talented sister.’ Howard was serious, then he chuckled. ‘I’ve got loads of pots for you to paint.’

There were howls of protest from the others. ‘You and your pots!’

‘And I think it’s time we had those scones, don’t you?’ Mrs Dalton stood up as everyone round the table nodded in eager anticipation.

16

The next few days flew by. Howard was now making small dogs as well as cats and, with the decorated vases, they were selling well in the run-up to Christmas. Amy had shelved any thoughts of getting another job in order to help Ben and Howard. She was painting and delivering new stock to the couple of shops taking Howard’s work, and it was giving her enormous pleasure to see him earning some money at last. Ben’s paintings at the Fulham gallery were also selling quite well. Both boys were earning a good reputation for their excellent work. They insisted on paying her for the painting and running around she did on their behalf, and she was earning almost as much as the shoe shop had paid her. Added to this was the payment for the Saturday working for Ted. She loved watching the customers as they browsed the shelves for something special. They would often sit on one of the chairs Ted provided for his customers, absorbed in the book in their hands. How her heart ached to be able to do that. With Ted’s help and encouragement she hoped she would improve.

Ted had just found her another book, for an older age group this time, and as it was quiet in the shop
for a moment, Amy was leaning on the counter reading it. As she struggled the usual frustration raced through her.

‘Don’t do that, Amy.’ Ted had come up behind her and spoke firmly.

She glanced round at him. ‘Do what?’

‘Look at your hands.’

They were in tight fists. She uncurled them, laying them flat on the counter, bowing her head and muttering under her breath.

‘Take deep breaths,’ he ordered more gently this time. ‘I know it’s hard, Amy, and I know how much you want to be able to read like the rest of us, but you must try to control your frustration. You are really doing well.’

Her sigh was deep. ‘Am I ever going to be able to pick up a book and read it easily?’

‘I can’t answer that question because I don’t know what’s stopping you. I have asked friends in the teaching profession, and although some of them have come across a child with similar difficulties, no one knows what causes it.’ Ted closed the book in front of her. ‘One day they will discover what the condition is, and something will be done about it.’

‘It will be too late for me though, won’t it?’

He took hold of her hands as they began to clench into fists again. ‘I know you’re going to think this is a daft thing to say, but try not to let it mean so much to you. I believe it’s holding you back. If you could be pleased with every step forward you make, even
if very small, I think that would make you relax and give you more freedom.’

‘I’ll try.’ She smiled then, the tension easing away as it always did when he talked to her like this. He had gone to a lot of trouble to convince her that she wasn’t daft in the head and she knew he was right. Yet the taunts of her school days were still a vivid memory. What a miserable time that had been.

But it was behind her now. She was with people who accepted her for what she was and never belittled her, in fact they continually praised her for the things she could do well, especially her cooking!

‘That’s better.’ Ted gave a slow smile and let go of her hands. ‘You have such expressive eyes and I saw the tension leave you. What are you amused about?’

‘I was just thinking how much Ben and Howard like my cooking.’

He tipped his head back and laughed out loud. ‘Those two are always hungry. They spend more time in our kitchen than their own.’

‘I know, and I swear they’re getting bigger every day. Ben is a giant, and Howard isn’t far behind him.’

‘That’s because they’re eating regular meals now.’ He leant on the counter beside her. ‘Do you know, Amy, I believe they are going to make their mark in life; they are so talented. One day Ben will be able to paint what he likes without worrying about earning money, and Howard will not have to produce so
many vases in order to eat. He is a sculptor of exceptional ability.’

Amy nodded, agreeing with every word. How she adored these wonderful artists.

‘They’re only twenty and have got a good future ahead of them.’ Ted lifted her chin, making her look directly at him. ‘And so have you. Don’t you ever forget that.’

‘I’ll try not to.’

That was the end of their talk because the shop became busy again, and the rest of the day was hectic. Amy was once again happy, her frustration gone as she talked and joked with the customers. Many of them knew Ted personally and often asked him to find a certain kind of book for them, which he was always happy to do. She didn’t know what the future held for her, but if Ted said it was good, then she’d believe him. The more she got to know him, the more her respect for him grew. If it weren’t for her trouble with words her happiness would be complete. She couldn’t ask for more than she already had.

Mrs Dalton was waiting for her when she arrived home with Ted that evening.

‘Ah, there you are, my dear. It’s not long till Christmas and I wondered if you’d like to come shopping with me next Saturday. That’s if Ted will let you have the day off?’

Ben strode along the passage, smiling broadly. ‘Don’t forget I want to do another picture of you, and
Howard’s lined up dozens of pieces to be painted.’

‘You never want to paint me again, surely?’ Amy gasped. ‘Why don’t you find a pretty girl?’

‘I don’t want a pretty girl.’ He bent and whispered in her ear: ‘I want a beautiful one, and that’s you.’

‘Oh, you do tease.’ She laughed, pushing him away.

‘Why doesn’t she believe me, Howard?’ He turned to his friend who had just come up from the basement.

‘About what?’

‘I told her she’s beautiful.’

Howard walked over to Amy, put his face close to hers, studying the curves and structure of her face. ‘Hmm, you’re right, absolutely stunning. I think I’ll have to do a bust of her.’

‘What?’

Ben and Howard roared with delight at her expression of horror.

‘That means just your face and shoulders.’ Howard leant on Ben, doubled over with laughter. ‘Ever since Amy saw me doing a sculpture of a naked girl she’s afraid we’re going to ask her to take her clothes off.’

Mrs Dalton glared at them. ‘You had better not.’

‘Don’t worry.’ Ben composed himself with difficulty. ‘She’s already said she won’t, and anyway, we’re only interested in our little sister’s face. It’s fascinating.’

Amy placed her hands on her hips. ‘I think you both need glasses!’

‘Or something tasty for tea?’ Ben suggested hopefully.

‘Ah, I see what all the flattery is about. Come on then, let’s find out what we have in the larder.’

She was nearly tripped up in the rush.

The following Saturday morning Amy tipped out the old teapot to see how much money she could afford to spend. She wanted to buy a nice present for all of them and Mrs Dalton would be able to advise her. The only money she had spent over the last few weeks had been for food, and with the money now coming from Howard and Ted, she had been able to save quite a bit. Slipping four pounds into her purse she put on her coat, looking forward to the day.

‘Amy,’ Mrs Dalton called. ‘Are you ready?’

Amy met her by the front door. ‘Where are we going?’

‘I thought we’d try Oxford Street.’

‘Lovely.’ Amy held open the door for her. ‘I’ve never been there.’

‘You’ll like it; there are lots of shops.’

Mrs Dalton was right, and there were also crowds of people Christmas shopping.

‘You need a winter coat,’ Mrs Dalton declared, ushering her into a shop. ‘Let’s see what they’ve got in here.’

‘Oh, I don’t think—’

‘It’s no good you protesting. I’m buying you a coat for Christmas.’

Knowing it was useless to argue when Mrs Dalton was in this determined mood, Amy patiently tried on
coat after coat, until they finally decided on a lovely dark brown wool, as it wouldn’t clash with the red dress Mrs Dalton had bought her for her birthday. When she tried to look at the price tag it was taken out of her hands.

‘Don’t you worry about the cost.’ Mrs Dalton handed it to the smiling assistant. ‘We’ll have that.’

After that the day was a blur of activity as they searched each shop for suitable presents. While they were in one large store and Mrs Dalton was busy, Amy took the opportunity discreetly to visit another counter. There she sniffed loads of scents until she found one that smelt something like the one her landlady always wore, and after paying for it wandered back to rejoin Mrs Dalton.

‘What shall I buy the men?’ she asked. ‘I’ve got about three pounds to spend on them.’

‘I think Ted would like a pullover. It gets a bit chilly in that shop of his, and the boys could do with a decent pair of gloves each. I know their sizes.’

Much to Amy’s delight she found a lovely pullover and two pairs of leather gloves with a warm lining. The presents took every penny of the money she had, and Mrs Dalton tried to persuade her to buy cheaper gifts, but Amy wouldn’t hear of it. They were all special to her, and she wanted to give them something special.

They had lunch in a proper restaurant. Amy could hardly eat for excitement and her generous mouth was tipped up in a permanent smile, and she was glad
she’d put on her red dress. Everyone looked so smart.

It was gone four when they arrived home, loaded with parcels, tired, but pleased with what they had bought. Even Oscar hadn’t been forgotten. Amy had found him a small brightly coloured ball, soft enough for him to pounce on and chew.

Amy was disappointed when she heard that Ben and Howard would be going to stay with their parents over the holiday. But of course they would, and it had been selfish of her to think they would all be together. Ted would be staying though, as he didn’t have any family to go and see: he and his wife had never had children. Mrs Dalton had bought a splendid Christmas tree and would be cooking lunch for the three of them, with Amy’s help.

Early on Christmas Eve they gave out the presents, and Amy was relieved to see that she had managed to buy Mrs Dalton’s favourite perfume, and the pullover and gloves fitted perfectly. She already had the coat, but Mrs Dalton had bought her a scarf to go with it as a surprise. Ted gave her a cream-coloured cardigan, Ben had bought her a box of three tablets of lavender soap, and Howard’s gift was a set of delicate handkerchiefs with a different coloured flower in each corner. They were all such luxuries and she was thrilled with every gift, but more importantly to Amy, they were given with obvious affection.

‘Right.’ Ben stood up. ‘Get your coat, Amy.’

‘Er… Why?’

‘Because I’m taking you to meet my family. I’ll bring you back this evening.’

‘And you’re going to meet mine on the way to Ben’s.’ Howard began to collect up the torn wrapping paper.

She looked from one to the other of the two she loved as brothers. ‘But your families won’t want to meet me.’

‘Amy,’ Ben tutted, ‘you have such a low opinion of yourself. They’ve been hounding us for weeks to bring you to meet them.’

‘That’s right,’ Howard agreed. ‘My parents can’t wait to meet the girl who has finally helped me to make some money.’

‘Go on,’ Mrs Dalton urged. ‘Wear your new things.’

Amy sat in the car not at all sure about this, but she had been pushed into getting ready. Mrs Dalton had even dabbed a bit of perfume behind her ears and fussed with Amy’s unruly mass of hair until it was in some kind of order.

Howard’s family lived in Kensington, but she was too nervous to take much notice of the road or the house. She hung back as everyone greeted the boys, wishing she were back home.

‘You must be Amy. I’m Howard’s father.’ The man standing in front of her was quite youthful-looking without a sign of grey in his brown hair. There was a smile on his face, but she wasn’t sure if she could like him. From what she had heard, he had refused
to help his son when he must have known he was struggling.

‘And I’m Howard’s mother. It’s lovely to meet you at last.’

Ah, she could see whom the son took after; his mother had the same gentle eyes. All she could manage though was a ‘How do you do?’

Once in the sitting room she gazed round in admiration at the decorations strung across the room, and the most enormous tree: it nearly touched the ceiling. Then she nearly giggled when she saw one of her and Howard’s cats sitting on the mantelpiece looking completely out of place in the elegant surroundings.

Howard’s mother smiled when she noticed Amy looking at it. His father hadn’t missed her interest either.

‘Howard tells us they are selling well.’

‘Er… yes they are.’ When she glanced at Howard he gave her a sly wink.

‘My father’s relieved I’m no longer starving.’

‘Of course I am, my boy. I had hoped you would give up this crazy idea, but it’s obvious that isn’t going to happen, and nothing would please me more than to see you make a success of things.’

‘Ted says they are both very talented and have a good future ahead of them.’ Amy felt she should pass on that piece of information.

‘Ted Andrews,’ Howard explained.

‘Let’s hope he’s right.’

They stayed for only an hour and were then on
their way to Ben’s family in East Sheen. She was feeling a little more relaxed by now and took notice of the area as they arrived. The house was modest compared to Mrs Dalton’s, but Amy felt immediately at ease when she walked in. It was furnished for comfort, although elegant in a homely way.

‘Amy’ – Ben placed a hand on her shoulder – ‘meet my parents. And the lady sitting in state by the fire is my grandmother.’