The Orphan's Dream (21 page)

‘I can't thank you enough, Captain,' Alf said humbly. ‘I'd forgotten what Christmas meant until you was kind enough to take me on. I promise to serve you faithfully.'

Hubert shook his hand. ‘I know you will, Coker, and it was a pleasure to entertain your children.'

‘I'll be here first thing in the morning with my pa,' Tilda said as she stepped outside. She twirled her scarf around her neck and adjusted her woollen hat. ‘I could walk miles in the snow I'm so warm and cosy now. Ta ever so, missis.'

Mirabel blew her a kiss. ‘You're very welcome, Tilda.' She watched the family troop out into the starlit night. ‘I hate to think of them going home to that awful place, Hubert.'

He slipped his arm around her shoulders. ‘Fond as I am of you, Mrs Kettle, I am not adopting Coker's family or inviting them to live here.'

‘I wouldn't dream of suggesting it,' she said, chuckling at the thought. ‘But we might be able to find them somewhere more suitable. You haven't seen their home, but I can assure you it's truly awful.'

He closed the front door and stood staring down at her with a thoughtful expression. ‘Finding Coker has made it possible for me to plan ahead in the knowledge that I have someone I can rely on to keep the boiler going and tend to the plants in my absence.'

She looked up at him in alarm. ‘You're going away, Hubert?'

He smiled. ‘I haven't given you your present yet, my dear. Can you guess what it is?'

HUBERT'S SMILE LIT
up his normally serious face, and his eyes shone with enthusiasm. ‘I plan to take you on a plant-hunting trip to Florida.'

Mirabel stared at him in astonishment. ‘You're going to take me to America?'

‘I am indeed. It's long been my ambition to find a ghost orchid and we'll do it together, Mirabel.'

The thought of travelling to such an exotic place seemed too good to be true. ‘The ghost orchid,' she repeated, mesmerised by the image the name conjured up in her mind.

‘It was first discovered by Jean Jules Linden in Cuba about forty years ago, but it was found more recently growing in the Fakahatchee swamp in Florida, which as I believe I've already told you, is one of the most inhospitable places on earth.' He grasped her hands in his. ‘Ever since I heard of their existence it's been my dearest wish to see them in their native habitat, and bring specimens home. I never imagined I could do it, until I met you, Mirabel. You've given me hope for the future.'

Looking into his eyes, Mirabel caught a glimpse of the young man who had loved so ardently and lost so tragically, and she was humbled by his trust in her. ‘That's the best Christmas present anyone could have, Hubert,' she said softly. ‘When do we leave?'

He released her, turning his head away as if overcome by emotion. ‘The orchids flower from May onwards. The trip will take a lot of planning and preparation, but I hope to book a passage to America in late March or early April.'

Mirabel could hardly contain her excitement. ‘How wonderful. I can't believe this is really happening.'

He shot her a sideways glance, taking off his misted spectacles and polishing them on a spotless white handkerchief. ‘I'm so pleased you feel this way, my dear. But there is a lot to do, and you will need suitable clothing for such an expedition.'

‘I suppose I'll have to call on Miss Standish,' Mirabel said thoughtfully. Somehow she did not relish the idea of inviting the dressmaker into her home, where no doubt the embittered woman's sharp eyes would be on the lookout for telltale signs of cracks in what she obviously considered to be a doomed relationship.

‘No, that's not what I had in mind.' Hubert shook his head. ‘There are outfitters who specialise in providing pith helmets and garments suitable for tropical climes. It will be rough going, Mirabel, and it will be dangerous.'

‘Really?' She clasped her hands, her pulses racing. ‘What sort of danger?'

‘Wild creatures,' Hubert said vaguely. ‘Alligators and venomous snakes, and that's just for a start. Then, of course, there's the risk of disease.'

‘I'm not afraid. It will be the most wonderful adventure, just like the ones I dreamed of as a child.'

He moved to a side table and filled a glass with port, holding it up to the gasoliers and studying the ruby glow. ‘Will you join me in a toast to our expedition, my dear?'

She held out her hand. ‘How could I refuse?'

The next few weeks were filled with preparations for the voyage to America. Hubert made many visits to Thomas Cook's head office in Ludgate Circus, discussing itineraries for the trip and the various routes by which they might reach their destination. Mirabel's time was taken up with domestic matters and pleasurable visits to various department stores, including Gamages in Holborn, the Civil Service Store in the Strand and Harrods, where she purchased the list of items that Hubert had made out for her. Back in the privacy of her own room she had a dress rehearsal, donning the divided skirt which was daringly short and only just covered the tops of her boots, a safari jacket and lastly, the crowning glory, a pith helmet. Gertie was suitably impressed and asked if she might try them on.

‘No, you may not,' Mirabel said, keeping a straight face although she wanted desperately to giggle.

‘Oh!' Gertie's cheeks flamed and she cast her eyes down. ‘I'm sorry. I shouldn't have been so bold.'

Mirabel relented immediately. ‘You may not try these on, but you may try on your own outfit.' She reached under the bed and pulled out a cardboard box which she laid on the coverlet. ‘There you are. Open it, silly. You didn't think I'd leave you out, did you?'

Gertie stared at her open-mouthed. ‘For me?'

‘Yes, of course. Hubert insists that I have a maid to accompany me, which is fortunate because I would have refused to go without you.'

‘I dunno what to say.' Gertie stared at the box as if expecting the lid to pop open of its own accord.

‘Go on. It won't bite.'

Gertie opened the box and examined the contents, exclaiming in delight at what she found. She held the jacket up against her, studying her reflection in the cheval mirror. ‘I never expected nothing like this. Am I really to go with you and the master?'

‘Yes, indeed you are. Hubert has booked our passage on the
Servia
, the newest Cunard liner. We sail from Liverpool at the beginning of April.'

Gertie slumped down on the bed, clutching the safari jacket to her bosom. ‘Well, I never did. I'm at a loss for words, Mabel. What will Bodger say when he finds out?'

Mirabel smiled, shaking her head. ‘I haven't the faintest idea.' She unbuttoned her top, frowning thoughtfully. ‘There's just one thing I must do before we go. I promised Alf I'd find them somewhere better to live, but so far I've been unsuccessful.'

‘It ain't easy to find somewhere cheap and decent.' Gertie stood up and began packing her outfit back in its box. ‘It's even harder for a large family.'

‘I know.' Mirabel stepped out of her travel garments and slipped her merino gown over her head. ‘I've had an idea, but I need to speak to Hubert before I do anything.' She glanced at the discarded clothes lying in a heap on the floor. ‘Will you put these away for me, Gertie? I'll go and find him now.'

‘Yes, ma'am,' Gertie said meekly.

Mirabel shot her a curious glance. ‘Why so formal all of a sudden?'

‘Just practising, ma'am. If we're going to travel with the toffs I can't go on calling you Mabel. It wouldn't do at all.'

‘You're right, of course,' Mirabel said, laughing. ‘But when we get to the Fakahatchee swamp you can call me what you like. There'll only be alligators and the like to hear you.' She left Gertie to tidy up and hurried downstairs to look for Hubert.

She found him in his study poring over a map. ‘Might I have a word with you?'

He turned his head, peering at her as if dragging himself back to the present with difficulty. ‘Yes, of course, my dear. What is it?'

She pulled up a chair and sat down beside him. ‘I've been thinking about Alf and his family. They can't go on living in that hovel, and I rather rashly promised to find them somewhere else to live.'

He sat back in his chair, eyeing her thoughtfully. ‘What had you in mind?'

‘You'll be leaving him in sole charge of your precious collection, won't you?'

‘Yes, indeed.' He frowned. ‘It's a big risk but one I'm prepared to take, and Coker is a good man. I think I can trust him.'

‘Then why not let them stay here while we're away? You'll know that your plants are being cared for and there's plenty of room.'

‘I can't have all those children rampaging around my home. They'll smash everything and drive poor Mrs Flitton to distraction.'

‘We could let them have the attics, Hubert. They're unused at present and Alf would have to make sure that the children didn't wander into our private rooms. Tilda would see to that too. She's very conscientious.'

‘But Mrs Flitton might object.'

‘I'm sure she would prefer to have Alf living in the house to protect the property, and I've seen her filling baskets with food for Tilda to take home for her brothers and sisters. Mary isn't as hard-hearted as she likes to make out, and she might enjoy the company.'

Hubert held up his hands in submission. ‘My dear, if you can persuade Mary Flitton to share the house with Alf and his family it will be a miracle.'

‘But you have no objections, Hubert?'

‘None at all. On consideration I think it might be the sensible thing to do, but what do we do on our return? I don't want to share my home with the Coker family forever.'

‘That won't happen. Alf will be able to save some of his wages while he isn't paying rent, and he can look round for somewhere better to live in the meantime.'

‘I can't argue with the logic of that, Mirabel. If Mrs Flitton is willing, I am too.'

 

Mary Flitton folded her arms, her brows furrowed and her lips pursed. She shook her head slowly. ‘I don't know, ma'am. It's not for me to say, of course, but has the master thought it through?' She paused, taking a deep breath. ‘I mean, all those youngsters living here. Just think of the cost of feeding them, let alone anything else.'

‘The boys work and they'll contribute to the housekeeping,' Mirabel said hastily. ‘And Mr Coker will have his wages too. I'll tell him that he and Tilda must see to their meals so that you aren't bothered.'

‘I don't want people interfering in my kitchen, ma'am. I don't mind cooking for them, just as long as they don't take advantage of my good nature.'

‘That's very kind of you, and I'm sure they would be very grateful.'

‘I draw the line at doing their laundry. Where would they all sleep?'

‘You have your quarters on the ground floor, so I thought that the disused attic rooms would be more than suitable.'

‘I daresay they would,' Mrs Flitton said doubtfully. ‘But my rheumaticky knees won't cope with all those stairs.'

‘You won't have to do a thing. The cleaning women will do anything that's necessary and Alf can do the rest.'

‘Then I suppose it will be all right, ma'am. To tell the truth, I'd feel safer with a man about the house than if I were left on my own.'

‘Exactly,' Mirabel said, trying not to sound too relieved. ‘Now all I have to do is convince Alf that it's a good idea.'

It was more difficult to persuade Alf than Mirabel had expected. He was a proud man, and although she had tried to convince him that she was not offering charity, his initial reaction was to refuse. She was not going to accept defeat so easily and she enlisted Hubert's help, hovering outside the study door while the two men discussed the matter in private. She was never to know what passed between them, but Alf emerged from Hubert's study with a grim smile on his craggy features.

‘Is it settled?' Mirabel asked anxiously. ‘Will you stay here and look after things, Alf?'

‘Yes, ma'am. Captain Kettle values them plants above everything. They need tending to as if they was little babies and I'll see to it that they come to no harm.'

‘You'd best go upstairs and inspect the attics. You'll need beds and bedding, but just let me know your requirements and I'll see that they're met.'

‘Thank you, ma'am.'

‘And you must move in as soon as the rooms are habitable. I hate to think of the children spending the rest of the winter in that damp cellar.' She headed for the stairs, beckoning him to follow. ‘I'll come up with you and see for myself what's needed.'

Mirabel pushed ahead with arrangements for the Coker family to move their few belongings into their new home. She was, as she had told Alf, concerned for their welfare during the worst of the winter weather, but in truth she was eager to see them settled in case Hubert or Mrs Flitton might undergo a change of heart.

The cleaning women were duly sent up to the top floor and the contents of the attics, which consisted mainly of cabin trunks and assorted items of luggage, was removed and stored in a box room on the floor below. Then there was the more pleasurable activity of purchasing everything that the family needed to make them comfortable. With Gertie at her side Mirabel visited a warehouse in Wapping, where she purchased beds and enough furniture to make the space habitable. Another warehouse provided bedding and towels and yet another supplied drugget matting to cover the bare boards. Having suffered at the hands of her stepmother Mirabel was determined to make the Coker family feel welcome in their new home, even if it proved to be only temporary. If she were to be honest, the prospect of having children in the house fulfilled a need that she could not easily explain. She thought she had come to terms with the fact that she would never bear a child of her own, but Christmas spent with the young family had made her realise what she was missing. Such thoughts were disturbing and must be pushed to the back of her mind. Hubert had given her a home and status and she vowed never to let him see the secret yearning for a life that she could never have, or the constant and painful grief she felt for a dead man. She had tried to convince herself that to have such feelings for a man she hardly knew was ridiculous, but in her heart she knew she had been lost from the first moment she had set eyes on him.