The Forgotten Family (31 page)

It was nearly the end of March now but the weather was reluctant to loosen its grasp. The cold rain was coming down in torrents. Ellie sighed and returned to her chair, picked up the book she had been attempting to read and flicked through the pages, unable to concentrate. James and Augusta had stayed for two weeks, but had returned to London yesterday. They wouldn’t be returning until Ted and Dorothy’s wedding in four weeks’ time. It seemed a long time to wait, for Ellie was missing James already, but they had decided not to spend this summer in Yorkshire, so they wouldn’t be far away.

She turned the beautiful diamond and ruby ring round and round her finger. It had belonged to James’s grandmother, and she’d been thrilled that it had been given to her. He’d presented her with it just after they’d ridden
out to choose a place for their house. They had found the perfect spot. The house would stand on a rise with wonderful views from every window. James would bring some plans with him next time for her to consider.

When she sighed again, Albert laid down his book. ‘What is the matter, Eleanor?’

‘I wish it would stop raining. I don’t like being inactive.’ She stood up. ‘Perhaps I’ll go to the stables and see if there is anything there to do.’

‘I doubt there is. And if Silver Princess sees you she’ll expect to be taken out. It’s a quagmire out there and not safe for either of you at the frantic pace you ride.’

‘You’re right. I wouldn’t want her to slip and hurt herself. Perhaps there is some bookkeeping to do?’

Her father laughed. ‘You are desperate. I’ve never known you to offer to do that. And I’ve already dealt with it.’

There was a knock on the door and the butler entered. ‘There’s a young naval gentleman here asking to see you, sir. He says his name is John Fletcher, but he won’t state his business.’

‘Really?’ Albert frowned.

‘He insists it’s most important, sir.’ The butler hesitated. ‘Shall I tell him you are not available?’

‘No, I’ll see what he wants. Send him in please, Dobson.’

‘Would you like me to leave, Father?’

Albert shook his head. ‘No, I’m sure this won’t take long.’

Curious about the unexpected caller, Ellie sat on the window seat. It was a secluded spot and she often sat there
out of the way when her father had business to attend to.

The butler soon returned with a man dressed in uniform. Ellie didn’t know what the rank was, but it was clear that he wasn’t an ordinary seaman. He was quite tall, with a smart military bearing. That was all she could see because he had his back to her as he greeted her father.

‘It’s good of you to see me, sir. And I apologise for calling without an appointment, but Sir Joshua Hargreaves gave me your address. He would have come with me, but he’s embroiled in a difficult case at the moment.’

‘You know Joshua?’

‘I only met him today.’

‘And he sent you here?’ Albert was intrigued. ‘You had better explain.’

Both men were still standing, and Ellie was sitting on the edge of the window seat, eager to hear what this was all about. She couldn’t imagine why Uncle Joshua had sent this man to them.

‘I’ve been at sea for some time, sir, and on my return I happened to see an old newspaper. I understand you are looking for Harry Bonner.’

Ellie shot to her feet, but did not speak or make any other movement. Her heart was pounding. Was there news at last?

Albert nodded. ‘My daughter has been trying to trace him. Didn’t Josh tell you?’

‘All Sir Joshua told me was that you were eager to find the man and, after I’d told him I knew something, he said I was to come here and meet you.’

‘Do you know where Harry is?’

‘I can’t answer that question until I know what this is all about.’ The sailor glanced around the elegant room. ‘Why would your daughter be looking for someone like Harry Bonner?’

Ellie could stand it no longer. If this man knew something, then he must tell them. Who was he, and why was he so reluctant to say what he knew? And he must have reliable information or Uncle Joshua would never have sent him here. Dreading that the news was going to be bad, she said softly, ‘Because he’s my brother. Do you know where he is?’

The young man spun round at the sound of her voice, seeing her for the first time. All the breath rushed out of her lungs as she scrutinised his face. Eyes blue, hair fair, and a mouth that was used to smiling … But his name was Fletcher …? Emotions warred within her as she tried to understand what her eyes and heart were telling her. ‘Harry?’ she whispered.

The visitor stared, his brow furrowed as he concentrated on the girl in front of him. The only movement he made was to clench and unclench his hands. When he spoke his voice was husky with emotion. ‘Hello Queenie.’ He held out his arms and she rushed into them. They held each other tightly as their tears mingled in joy.

Harry held her away, unashamed to be showing such emotion. ‘Oh, I’m so relieved you’re safe. I’ve never stopped worrying about you. You’ve grown into a lovely young woman, but I’d have known you anywhere.’

Albert had been standing back as brother and sister greeted each other, but now he intervened. ‘If you really are Harry, why are you calling yourself Fletcher?’

Ellie turned to her father, noting the doubt in his voice. ‘I know he’s Harry. As soon as he faced me I recognised him.’

‘I think we
both
have some explaining to do, sir.’

Albert frowned at Harry’s abrupt manner, but chose to ignore it. ‘You’d better sit down, young man. I’ll order refreshments, for we have a lot to talk about.’

Ellie couldn’t take her eyes off Harry, hardly being able to believe that this was happening. She sat opposite him where she could study his face. The brother she had loved as a child had turned up when all hope had been abandoned.

‘You will dine with us this evening,’ Albert wasn’t asking a question, he was giving an order. ‘And stay overnight with us if you don’t have to return to your ship immediately.’

‘I’m on leave for a few days, but I can find lodgings nearby.’

Ellie gazed from one man to the other. They sounded quite hostile towards each other. That mustn’t be so. Not with these two people she loved so much. ‘Please stay, Harry.’

Her brother’s stern expression softened as he looked at her. ‘All right, Queenie.’

‘Eleanor, go and see that a room is made ready for our guest. And we’ll have afternoon tea in here.’

‘Yes, Father.’ Ellie hurried out of the room, anxious to deal with this as quickly as possible and return to hear what had happened to Harry over the years. No wonder they hadn’t been able to find him; he was using a different name.

As soon as the door closed, Harry turned his gaze to Albert, his eyes frosty. Albert spoke first, ‘Let us deal with whatever is making you angry, young man. I will not have my daughter upset by your obvious dislike of me.’

‘How else do you expect me to feel?’ Harry’s voice was full of fury. ‘You took a young child away from her family. You bought her! I’m only staying in your house because my sister asked me to. What you did was despicable.’

‘You don’t know what really happened.’ Albert was determined to clear this up before Eleanor returned. ‘You ran away and abandoned the rest of your family.’

Harry leapt to his feet, bristling with indignation. ‘Watching Queenie being driven away tore me apart. I couldn’t stay in that house. Mum didn’t even know where she was going. All they cared about was the money.’

Speaking quietly, Albert said, ‘That money kept you all out of the workhouse. Sit down and let me explain.’

As quickly as he could, Albert related the whole story. When he finished the anger had drained away from Harry.

‘I didn’t know. I should have stayed and tried to help.’ Harry hit the arm of the chair in disgust at his action all those years ago.

‘There’s no point in harbouring regret.’ Albert understood just how Harry was feeling at that moment. ‘Your parents acted out of desperation, and I gained a much-loved daughter.’

Harry’s eyes were full of remorse. ‘I have misjudged you, sir. I apologise.’

‘Apology accepted.’

At that moment Ellie returned, happier once she sensed
the hostility had vanished. A maid followed with a trolley laden with tea, bread and butter and cakes. ‘The room is being made ready.’

When they were settled, Ellie said eagerly, ‘Will you tell us why you are using a different name?’

‘Now Mr Warrender has explained what really happened, I feel ashamed of the way I acted. I was devastated when you were taken away. I couldn’t understand why.’ Harry gazed at Ellie with affection. ‘I did try to find you by questioning everyone at the pub Dad went to, but no one knew anything. I was so full of hatred for what they’d done that I never wanted to see or hear from them again. I was so scared about what happened to you, Queenie.’

Ellie reached out and grasped her brother’s hand, the action feeling so natural to her. ‘I’ve had a happy life.’

He nodded. ‘I can see that now, and it has lifted a great weight from me.’

‘Carry on with your story,’ Albert urged.

‘Well, I had no money or anywhere to go, so after a couple of days sleeping rough, I joined the navy to give me a roof over my head and food. I was so angry that I didn’t want the name of Bonner, so I changed it. I discovered I liked the life, and over the years I’ve worked my way up to Petty Officer.’

‘You’ve done well.’ Albert studied the man carefully. That strain of Bonner intelligence was evident with Ted and Jack, but Harry seemed just that little bit sharper than the others.

‘Thank you, sir.’ Harry acknowledged the compliment. ‘You’ve heard my story and now I would like to know what
has happened to Queenie since she was brought here.’

Albert nodded and began to relate in detail about their lives over the years. Harry soon began to laugh when he learnt of Ellie’s bad language and tendency to fight. He listened intently, never interrupting Albert, eager to hear everything. He looked dismayed when he heard what had happened to some of his siblings.

When the story came to an end, Harry gave Ellie a wry smile. ‘You didn’t know what you were letting yourself in for by searching for the Bonners, did you little Queenie?’

‘I couldn’t have done it without my father’s help.’

‘No, I see that,’ Harry said, turning to Albert. ‘You’ve been kind to my sister, sir.’

‘I’ve loved her from the moment she asked me if we eat the fish in the pond.’ Albert grinned at Ellie.

Harry watched the affectionate interplay between them and gave a slight nod of satisfaction. ‘She always was irresistible. You said Ted was here, sir. I would like to see him.’

‘Of course.’ Albert stood up and pulled the bell rope. The butler arrived at once. ‘Send someone to The Orchards and ask Ted to join us here as soon as he’s free. Tell him it’s urgent.’

The butler left and Ellie began to ply Harry with questions about his life in the navy, and it seemed no time at all before Ted had arrived.

‘I came as soon as I could, Mr Warrender. Was …’ He stopped mid-sentence when he saw the sailor standing there. For a moment he didn’t move, unable to believe his eyes. ‘Harry? Harry, you bugger, where have you been?’

Ellie gave her father a watery smile as the brothers launched themselves at each other, hugging and slapping backs in joy. The talking never stopped right through dinner and into the night as they tried to catch up with everything that had happened to each other.

The next morning Ellie took Harry in to see Nanny. The elderly woman now needed constant nursing. The doctor had declared only a week ago that he couldn’t understand how she was still alive.

‘Nanny, look who arrived yesterday.’ She pulled her brother forward.

Nanny subjected him to a thorough scrutiny, then nodded, holding out a shaking hand. ‘Ah, you would be Harry. It’s about time you turned up, young man.’

‘Hello Nanny.’ Harry gently took hold of her hand, stooping down in front of her. ‘I hear you’ve taken good care of our Queenie. Thank you for that.’

‘She was no trouble at all.’ Nanny gave a rattling chuckle. ‘Took a time to stop her using bad language though.’

‘I’m not surprised,’ Harry said. ‘She heard that kind of
swearing from the moment she was born, and she was a fast learner.’

Nanny still held on to Harry’s hand, leaning her head back and closing her eyes. ‘I’ve been waiting for you to show yourself. Our little girl called for you constantly and I knew she would never be completely happy unless she found you again. Now I can go in peace.’ She opened her eyes again, smiled at both of them, and promptly fell asleep.

Ellie’s father had been standing in the doorway and she turned to him in alarm. ‘Father?’

‘I’ll get someone to sit with her all the time now. We won’t leave her alone, Eleanor.’

‘Come, Eleanor.’ Her father touched her shoulder. ‘We have a lot to do today and Nanny would be upset if we didn’t carry on with what has to be done.’

Nodding in agreement, Ellie walked out of the room with her father one side of her and Harry the other.

After breakfast, Albert ordered a carriage to take them to the station, collecting Ted on the way. It was time to unite Harry with the rest of his family.

Once in London, Albert ordered them a cab for the day, and another for himself. ‘I’ll go straight to Augusta’s and warn her that you will be arriving sometime this afternoon. You can meet Maggie then, Harry. Visit Jack and Pearl first. After that you can go to Whitechapel.’

When they were on their way, Harry sat back and grimaced. ‘I’ve got some apologising to do to Mum and Dad.’

‘Don’t worry, Harry,’ Ted said, ‘they’ll be so relieved to see you’re still alive. And you’re too big for them to thrash now.’

‘That’s true.’ Harry wiped imaginary sweat from his brow. ‘I’ve never forgotten that last hiding I got from Dad. He damned near killed me. The discipline and tough conditions of the navy were easy after that.’

Ellie could only guess at the harshness of their childhood. She had led such a privileged life. ‘I think it’s Hilda and Fred who owe you an apology, Harry.’

He shrugged. ‘Perhaps it would be better if we forgot the whole episode and just be happy that everything has turned out well in the end?’

‘By far the best thing to do,’ Ellie agreed. ‘I think it’s time the past was put behind us.’

When they arrived at Whitechapel, Fred was walking towards the house on his way home for lunch. He stopped, and stared in amazement as two cabs disgorged their passengers. Harry’s meeting with Jack and Pearl had been ecstatic, and Dave had insisted on managing the shop on his own while they all went to see Hilda and Fred. They hadn’t all been able to squeeze into one cab so they had hired a second one. They were in high spirits at being reunited with Harry.

Ellie could see that Harry was apprehensive about meeting his parents, so she slipped her hand through his arm, and said, ‘You’re a coward, ’Arry.’

He roared with laughter as he remembered her saying exactly that to him when she’d been a tiny girl. It was enough to break the tension, and Ellie felt him relax.

Hilda had rushed out of the house and stopped dead, staring at Harry. Her lips began to tremble as she recognised
her son. ‘Harry,’ she gulped. ‘Oh, thank God, you’re alive.’

‘Hello, Mum.’ Harry walked towards her and laid his hands on her shoulders.

‘Where’ve you been, Harry? I thought your dad had hurt you bad and you’d died out there somewhere all on your own.’ The tears were now running down her face, but she swiped at them hastily, not used to showing her feelings.

‘I managed fine, Mum.’

‘What the bloody hell—’ Fred had reached them. ‘Harry? Where have you been? You’ve caused us all a lot of worry.’

‘And whose fault was that?’ Harry didn’t move to greet his father. Then seeing that his dad was about to open his mouth and argue, Harry held up his hands. ‘I’m not going to have another fight with you. That’s in the past and all done with, so don’t start anything, Dad.’

Fred eyed his son up and down. ‘You’re right. If you’re ready to forget, then I’ll do the same. Them was bad times, but we’re through them now. You joined the navy then.’

‘And real posh he looks too.’ Hilda blew her nose and turned to her husband, who was still studying his strong-looking son with a wary look in his eyes. ‘I think you owe Harry an apology, Fred, no matter what he says about forgetting the past.’

‘There’s no need, Mum.’ Harry held up his hands. ‘I know the whole story now and I understand, but you should have told us why you sold Queenie.’

‘Wouldn’t have made any difference,’ Fred said. ‘You’d still have been mad. She was your favourite.’

‘Agreed.’ Harry’s smile was wry. ‘But if I hadn’t walked
out I’d never have joined the navy. It’s a tough life, but it suits me.’

‘Come in, all of you.’ Hilda ushered her children into the house. ‘I’ll make a nice pot of tea and some sandwiches.’

They stayed for nearly two hours. Fred reluctantly returned to work after an hour, but left whistling happily as he walked away.

It was nearly four o’clock when they arrived at Augusta’s house, and Ellie smiled proudly as she introduced her brother.

‘James, send for Maggie at once,’ Augusta said. ‘Harry must be anxious to see his sister again.’

‘Thank you, madam,’ Harry said to their hostess.

Ellie was bursting with happiness. Harry was so polished in his manners and was obviously used to mixing with all classes. Already she could see why they had been so close. He only had to look at her and she could guess what he was thinking. There was a bond between them that the lost years had not diminished. How dreadful it would have been if she’d never found him again.

‘You wanted me, madam?’ Maggie came into the drawing room and smiled when she saw her brothers and sisters were also there. Then her gaze rested on Harry, puzzled for a brief moment. ‘Harry! It’s you, isn’t it?’

‘Hello, Maggie.’ He held out his arms and she rushed to him. ‘Where on earth have you been? We tried so hard to find you when you left home, but you just disappeared. Queenie’s been going frantic trying to trace you.’

‘I’m sorry I caused you all such a lot of worry. I’ve been at sea for most of the time.’

Albert watched the excited scene as the brothers and sisters all tried to speak at the same time, with Eleanor in the thick of things. It was clear that this brother had been greatly loved by all of them, and their joy at being reunited was there for all to see.

James also watched happily, unable to get a word in. Ellie winked at him, leaving her family and going to stand by him. James grabbed his chance during a lull in the chatter, and caught Harry’s attention. ‘Will you be returning to sea soon?’

‘Not for at least six months. I’m waiting for a new ship, but she isn’t ready yet.’

‘That’s wonderful,’ Maggie said. ‘Does that mean you’ll be able to come to our weddings?’

‘I’m sure I can arrange that. Queenie has already given me the dates.’

James placed an arm around Ellie. ‘As you know, Harry, I’m the happy man who’s going to marry your imp of a sister next year. I’d like you to be my best man, if that’s possible?’

‘Oh, James, that would be lovely.’ Ellie was touched by this kind gesture. James had realised just how important it would be to her to have this brother at their wedding.

Harry shook his head. ‘I don’t know where I’ll be once I return to sea.’

‘Sir?’ James turned to Albert. ‘Would you give us permission to bring our wedding forward to August? It would mean a lot to us to have Harry present.’

‘Please, Father!’ Ellie pleaded.

After only a slight hesitation, Albert nodded. ‘Very well.’

Pandemonium erupted as Ellie and James were congratulated. Harry gave Ellie a hug and whispered, ‘I’ll try not to cry at your wedding.’

Ellie tipped her head back and laughed with happiness. ‘You’re still daft, do you know that ’Arry?’