Two Strangers (4 page)

‘I mean you no harm, young lady. I do not want anything from you. My only reason for doing this is to try to help you.’ He stood up. ‘Take the money, and give me the satisfaction of believing that I might have saved a life this day.’

‘You have, sir.’

He gave a slight nod of his head he walked out, and Vicki watched him get on the train just about to leave the station. When it had steamed away, Vicki turned to the man who had served them. ‘Do you know his name?’

‘Never seen him before.’ He studied her, a deep frown on his face. ‘He was angry to see such a young girl obviously starving to death. I gathered from the little he said that he had served in the war – an officer, by the look of him – and had seen enough suffering. If you have a family somewhere, then you had better go back to them before it’s too late.’

Vicki stood up, steadying herself on the table, and shook her head. ‘My dad threw me out and told me never to come back. He doesn’t change his mind when it’s made up, so I’ve got to survive on my own.’

‘Well, you’re not doing a very good job of it. Look at you! You can hardly stand.’

‘I know I’ve got to do something to get out of this mess, but do you realize how difficult it is to get work? Even men who have returned from the war can’t find work, so what chance do you think a mere girl has? Will you give me a job? I don’t care what it is.’

He shook his head.

‘No, I didn’t think so. Well—’ Vicki gathered up the bag of food and the money – ‘thank you for caring.’

The sun was still shining when Vicki walked back to the platform, so she sat on a seat, trying to gather enough strength to tackle the long walk back to the market. She now had enough food for two days if she was careful, and money to buy the clothes she needed. Then she would go back to the warehouse, cut her hair short and scrub herself until she was spotless. A bar of soap had better go on her shopping list.

She lifted her face to the sun, forcing herself to think clearly. Having a full stomach after such a long time had made her sleepy, and she began to drift off …

The noise of another train arriving woke her suddenly, and she sat up straight. She couldn’t sit here all day. There were things to do. She stood up and walked out of the station. Should she spend some of her precious money on a bus? Her decision was soon made and she began walking, knowing she had to be careful with every penny she had been given.

That evening Vicki lit a fire again, needing the comforting blaze for warmth and to dry her underclothes. As she watched the flames leap into life, she marvelled, not for the first time, that she had managed to keep this hiding place to herself all these months. It was a stroke of good luck she didn’t take for granted. She could always hear others in the building, but no one had ever bothered her.

She held her hands out to the blaze, trying to stop them shaking. She was exhausted, but the clothes had been bought, her hair chopped off short with the old scissors she had brought with her, and she was clean. Tomorrow she would clamber out of this room as a boy. She had to get a job – any kind of a job!

Pulling her knees up, she bowed her head towards them. She had been given a lifeline today, and it mustn’t be wasted. She owed that to the kind gentleman, and to Bill – two strangers who had reached out to help her. She couldn’t let them down – and she mustn’t let herself down!

Four

The day was overcast but thankfully not too cold, because the clothes Vicki had bought, though neat and tidy, were not very warm. They had been the cheapest she could find, because she had to keep as much as possible for food. There was no telling how long it would take to find a job, and it was important that she regain her strength. Being so weak was frightening.

There had been enough food from yesterday for her to have a cheese sandwich for breakfast, and it was helping. She wasn’t quite so shaky and in danger of falling down.

When Vicki reached the High Street, she leant against a wall, taking deep breaths to steady herself. Her head was spinning after the walk, and she must look bright and lively if anyone was going to take her on. Also, she was so nervous that her heart was thumping. She had done her best to look like a boy, but had she succeeded well enough to fool others?

Tucking the remains of her hair under the cap she had bought, she straightened up, fixed a bright smile on her face and began to study each shop, looking for any sign that they needed help. She would soon find out if her disguise was going to pass scrutiny.

It quite quickly became evident that no one was advertising for help, so the only thing to do was go in and ask. After she had tried a hardware shop, a gentlemen’s outfitter and a butcher, all without success, she found a low wall and sat down to rest. They had all turned her down, but they had appeared to accept her as a boy without question. That made her more confident, but she was now so tired her hands were shaking again. She couldn’t continue like this. There had been a small cafe down a side street a little way back, and it was time to use some of her remaining money. What she needed now was food and a chance to rest. A nice strong mug of tea would also prepare her to continue her search. She was absolutely determined to do all she could today, even if she collapsed with the effort.

The cafe was small but cheap, and as it was around the middle of the day there were quite a few people already in there. Vicki found a vacant table in the corner.

‘What can I get you, lad?’ a rather scruffy man asked as soon as she sat down.

‘The cheapest meal you’ve got, and a mug of strong tea, please.’ She smiled. He had called her ‘lad’ without hesitation.

‘That’ll be a small piece of fish and chips. All right?’

‘Fine. Thank you.’

In the comforting warmth and with the enticing smell of food, Vicki closed her eyes, the chatter of other customers slipping into the distance. A hand on her shoulder made her jump.

‘Here, drink your tea, lad.’

‘Oh, thanks.’ She nodded as he put the mug and a plate of food in front of her. ‘It’s nice and warm in here, and I nearly fell asleep.’

‘Tired, are you?’

‘I’m looking for work and have been walking all morning,’ she offered as a reason for her exhaustion. She smiled. ‘The fish and chips look lovely.’

‘I’ve given you a few extra chips, and if you need more tea just give me a nod. No extra charge.’

‘Thanks a lot.’

By the time she had finished her meal and downed two mugs of steaming tea, Vicki dragged herself out of the seat and went to the counter to pay. While waiting for change from the two shillings she had handed over, the scruffy man came over.

‘Did you say you were looking for work, kid?’

‘Yes.’ She looked at him eagerly. ‘Do you know someone who might hire me? I don’t care what I do.’

‘Well—’ he rubbed his hand over the stubble on his chin, making a rasping sound – ‘there’s a barber two doors down from here. You could try them. I’m sure I heard Bob say he could use a willing lad in the shop.’

‘Oh, did you? I’ll go there now.’ Vicki pocketed her change and hurried out, desperate not to miss any opportunity of work. The glimmer of hope gave her a much needed burst of energy.

There wasn’t a notice in the window, but it was a nice shop, and quite busy. That was a good sign. Straightening her cap, she walked in.

The middle-aged man cutting a customer’s hair looked up. ‘Can I help you, young man?’

Vicki politely whipped off her cap. ‘I’m looking for work, sir, and the man from the cafe said you might need someone. I’m a hard worker and will do anything, sir.’

‘Hmm.’ He looked her up and down, and then called, ‘Flo!’

A homely, but smartly dressed woman came from the back of the shop and smiled at Vicki.

‘This lad is looking for work. Have a word with him, Flo, and see if he will suit us. And while you’re at it, for goodness’ sake cut his hair. It looks as if it’s been chopped off with a blunt knife!’

She smiled broadly. ‘Had a go at it yourself, did you?’

Vicki nodded, not knowing what to say.

‘Well, we’ll soon put that right. What’s your name, son?’

‘Er … Jim … Jim Keats, madam.’ This was something Vicki hadn’t given any thought to, and she said the first name that came into her head. She had said her real surname, though. It was too complicated to change that as well.

‘All right, Jim Keats, come with me and we’ll have a talk.’

The back room was warm and comfortable. There was a fire burning in the grate, two armchairs, a small black leaded stove and a table and four chairs. The curtains were dark red with small roses embossed in the material, and a door opened on to a neat yard with a flower bed in the middle. Vicki thought it must look lovely in the summer, and her orderly mind noticed how clean and tidy everything was. Oh, she liked this place!

‘Sit down, Jim, and tell me about yourself.’

Vicki clasped her hands tightly. She was lying about being a boy, but she refused to do more than that. Anything she told this nice woman would have to be the truth, as far as possible, of course. ‘I’m fifteen, and willing to do any kind of work, madam.’

‘You can call me Mrs Howard, Jim. And where do you live?’

‘My mum and dad live in Poplar, but I’ve been on my own for nearly a year. My dad threw me out.’

‘And why did he do that?’ she asked, frowning.

‘I didn’t do anything bad,’ Vicki hastily added. ‘He mistreats my mum, and I stood up to him. He didn’t like it and told me to get out and never come back.’ Vicki drew in a silent breath, hoping she hadn’t ruined her chances. She had done her best to smarten herself up, but it was still obvious to anyone that she had been living rough.

Flo looked angry. ‘And where have you been staying?’

‘I found a safe place in an old warehouse.’

Flo surged to her feet and swept into the shop to talk to her husband. Vicki felt the tears gathering. Any hope of getting this job had just disappeared. They wouldn’t take on a vagrant – and that is what she was. Why hadn’t she come up with a believable lie? She was a fool!

When Bob came back with his wife, Vicki stood up, ready to leave quickly before disgracing herself by bursting into tears. Her weakness disgusted her, but if she was going to survive for much longer, she desperately needed a job.

The barber stood in front of her, blocking the doorway, so she would have to stay and listen while he told her she had wasted his time.

Flo had opened another door, and her husband waved a pair of scissors in that direction. ‘There’s a bed in there, and an outhouse just outside. I will expect you to keep your room and yourself clean. You will eat with us. I will give you half a crown a week for pocket money, and you can keep any tips you receive from customers. I shall expect you to be polite and cheerful to anyone who comes into the shop, and be prepared to work hard.’

Vicki stared at him, unable to believe what he was saying. ‘Do … do you mean I can have the job and live here?’

‘Those are my terms, young man. Do you still want to work for us?’

‘Yes, please, sir! I’ll keep everything spotless and work hard for you, sir!’ Her head was swimming with relief, and she grabbed hold of the back of a chair to steady herself. A job and a safe place to sleep! It must be a dream!

‘Sit down, Jim, before you fall down.’ The barber shook his head. ‘It is evident that you have had a rough time, but it is also very clear that you have been very brave. You speak well, and your manners are good. I believe you have the qualities I have been looking for.’

‘You won’t regret taking me on, sir.’ Vicki’s voice was husky with emotion. ‘I’ll be the best worker you’ve ever had.’

‘We shall soon see. I want you to go and collect whatever belongings you have and come straight back here. We will get you settled in today, and you can start in the shop tomorrow.’ Her nodded to his wife. ‘Give Jim a strong cup of tea and something to eat now, Flo. And for goodness’ sake, cut his hair before he leaves the shop. He’ll give us a bad reputation looking like that.’

Vicki watched them laughing together at the shared joke and marvelled that a husband and wife could look so happy together. It was not something she was used to seeing.

‘Have a look at your room,’ Flo said, when her husband had returned to his shop.

Vicki followed her on trembling legs. She had given up all hope of getting the job and, suddenly, she had more than she could ever have hoped for. The room was just large enough for a single bed, a small wardrobe and a cupboard beside the bed, on which a clock ticked rhythmically. The cover on the bed was a mass of tiny blue flowers, with matching curtains at the window. It was spotlessly clean and, to Vicki, looked like heaven. She closed her eyes tightly for a moment to keep control of her emotions. Then she managed a tremulous smile. ‘It’s perfect.’

‘Good, that’s fine, then. Now, I’ll make some tea. What would you like to eat?’

‘I’ve had my lunch, Mrs Howard, at the cafe up the road.’

She studied Vicki, a deep frown on her face. ‘You’re far too thin, Jim. We’ve got to build you up. Could you manage egg on toast?’

Vicki nodded. She really wasn’t hungry – a rare feeling these days – but it would be rude to refuse.

Flo smiled with approval. ‘Eat first, and then I’ll cut your hair properly. When we’ve done that, you can go and collect your things. I’ll come with you if you need any help.’

‘That’s kind of you, Mrs Howard, but I can manage. I haven’t very much.’

‘No, I don’t suppose you have,’ she said sadly. ‘I want you to come straight back so we can get you settled in, and then there will still be time to show you the work you will be doing in the shop.’

‘I can get to the warehouse and back in less than an hour.’

‘That will do nicely. Sit down, son. It won’t take long to cook you an egg and sort out your hair.’

There wasn’t anyone around when Vicki reached the warehouse, and she was able to squeeze through the window unnoticed. She didn’t want to give away her hiding place, as much as she hated it here, because she might need it again at some time in the future. She shuddered at the thought, but if Mr and Mrs Howard found out she was really a girl, then they would turn her out. This had been a safe place, and she didn’t want anyone else to find it. When her few possessions were wrapped in the old blanket and secured with a piece of string, Vicki tossed it out of the window and followed. She then put the pieces of wood across the window, making sure they were secure. The key to the outhouse she kept, just in case. All the exertion and excitement suddenly took its toll and she was very sick, her stomach not used to so much food. Propping herself against the wall, she waited for the sickness to pass. After ten minutes or so, she felt steadier, picked up her bundle and headed back to the shop, knowing she mustn’t be late or show any sign of weakness. Nothing must spoil this stroke of good luck!