Two Strangers (11 page)

‘He helped me a while ago. If it is the man I’m looking for, he knows me as Vicki, and I would like to see him. I work at the Howards’ ladies’ hairdressing salon.’

The man nodded. ‘I’ll keep an eye out for him.’

‘Thank you very much.’

As a train steamed into the station, Harry said, ‘We can’t do any more here today, Vicki. Let’s go back to my place and see what we can do with this young man.’

Dave ambled along, chatting happily to Harry, leaving Vicki to her thoughts. She hoped the stationmaster would keep his word and let her know if the stranger turned up.

Ten

‘Turn round and show Vicki how well the clothes fit you.’ Harry smiled as he shook his head. ‘He’s almost as thin as you were.’

‘Er …’ Dave looked confused. ‘These are boys’ clothes … but you’re a girl.’

Vicki laughed at his expression. ‘Did you think we were going to put you in a frock?’

He smirked. ‘I was blooming well hoping you wasn’t, but when you said you was going to get some of your clothes for me, I didn’t know what to expect. You didn’t wear these, did you?’

‘Yes, I was desperate to get a job, and everyone wanted boys, so I cut my hair short and dressed as a boy. It worked and the Howards took me in.’

‘Gosh! You’re real clever, ain’t you? I wouldn’t have fought of such a thing.’

‘It wasn’t easy, and I couldn’t keep it up for long.’

He smirked again. ‘Don’t ’spect you could.’

Vicki studied the boy carefully. Now he was clean and wearing decent clothes he looked quite presentable, except for his hair. That was a mess, but she had collected her scissors as well. ‘Sit down, Dave, and I’ll cut your hair.’

He sat patiently while she worked. When she had finished, Harry nodded his approval. ‘Much better. Now, Vicki, didn’t you say I was invited to lunch?’

‘That’s right.’ She replaced the scissors in her bag, and then looked at Harry. He was enjoying himself, and she wondered just what he was planning to do about Dave.

‘Then we’d better get going. Mustn’t keep Flo waiting. Come on, young man, you’ll enjoy Mrs Howard’s cooking.’

‘Er … me too?’

‘Of course. I want you to meet your future employers.’

‘Um … s’posing they don’t want me?’

Harry visibly winced. ‘We’ll have to start work on your speech straight away. And of course they’ll want you.’

Dave sidled up to Vicki as Harry headed for the door, and whispered, ‘Are you sure this is all right? They might just chuck me out.’

‘No, they won’t, Dave. They took in a boy who was really a girl, and they didn’t turn me out when they discovered I had been lying to them.’ She smiled and hurried the boy after Harry. ‘And I’m still with them. They’re good people, so don’t look so worried. You’ll be fine.’

‘If you say so.’ He still didn’t look convinced.

Harry was the first up the stairs. ‘Set another place, Flo. We’ve brought you a guest.’

Dave was trying to hide behind Vicki, and Bob walked over so he could see the boy properly. ‘Those clothes look familiar. Come out, young man, so we can have a look at you.’

He shuffled out from behind Vicki, but still kept close to her.

‘What’s your name, young man?’

‘D … Dave, mister.’

‘Welcome to our home, Dave. I hope you’re hungry, because my wife is the best cook in all of London.’

‘Don’t take any notice of him,’ Flo laughed. ‘I’m only the second best, really. Sit down, everyone. Vicki, will you help me to dish up?’

‘Of course.’ She followed Flo to the kitchen.

‘Where did you find him?’

Vicki told her what had happened that morning.

‘Poor little devil!’ Flo shook her head, frowning in concern. ‘How many more children are out there trying to fend for themselves?’

‘Too many.’

‘Terrible.’ Then she smiled at Vicki. ‘Well, we saved one; perhaps we can save another one.’

‘Harry seems to have taken to him and is prepared to give him a room and food.’ Vicki tipped her head to one side and looked at Flo. ‘He’s only around twelve, but he appears to be a willing boy. All he needs now is a regular job.’

‘Well, that’s up to Bob. We know Harry wants more time to himself, and we do need a boy for the barber’s. He’s a bit young, though, but perhaps he could do part of the week – the busiest days.’

‘That sounds ideal. Could you suggest it?’

‘Let’s see how things go first. Now, they’ve had long enough to talk, so let’s get this meal on the table.’

The two men were in serious conversation with Dave when they carried the food in.

‘So, what do you think, young man? Shall we give each other a try?’

‘Yes, please, mister!’ Dave’s head bobbed up and down. ‘I’d like that and I’ll work real hard.’

‘I shall expect you to,’ Bob said. ‘Now, we can enjoy our meal, and then I’ll take you to the shop and show you everything. Harry will work with you at first. You watch carefully how he treats the customers.’

Dave’s head bobbed again. ‘I’ll stick to him like glue.’

The boy looked up at Vicki when she put his plate in front of him, and smiled. ‘I ain’t ’arf glad you come to the station today. I’d have been sleeping in a doorway somewhere, and probably starving hungry. Frightening out there, ain’t it?’

‘Yes, it is.’ Vicki sat beside him. ‘You do realize you’ve got to work well for Mr Howard, don’t you? He can’t have anyone in the barber’s who isn’t efficient and polite to the customers.’

‘I know that well enough.’ His expression clouded. ‘I’ll be good. I don’t want to go back on the streets again. I want to be like you – make somefin’ of myself.’

Vicki was pleased to see him smile again when she said, ‘I am sure you will.’

While Flo and Vicki cleared up, the men took Dave down to the shop, and they could hear his excited chatter.

‘I can help you in the salon tomorrow. There isn’t much else we can do, and Harry will be busy from now on. All we can hope is that the stationmaster will see the man and let me know.’ Vicki sighed.’ I don’t hold out much hope, though. In fact, I’m beginning to think my idea of finding both men is just a dream. I’ve involved Harry in an impossible task. If only I knew more about them.’

‘Didn’t you once tell me that when Bill took you to that cafe, they seemed to know him?’

‘Oh!’ Vicki’s eyes opened wide. ‘I’d forgotten that. He did speak to some of the men there as if he knew them. How could that have slipped my mind?’

‘You had just lost your home, Vicki, and I expect it was a confusing time. Why don’t you go there today and see if you can find out if they know his name?’

‘I’ll do that as soon as we’ve cleared up.’

‘Take your two days off, my dear, and don’t give up.’

Vicki hesitated outside the cafe, remembering the breakfast she had shared with Bill. That had been a time when she had been unaware of the horror of the months to come. Her stomach churned just as it had when she had tried to go in there later and beg for food. As desperate as she had been, she hadn’t been able to do it. The thought of all those faces staring at her dishevelled state had sent her slinking away in shame. She wasn’t begging this time, so there was nothing to be ashamed of, but the memories were vivid in her mind. Although her clothes were smart and she was clean, she could still feel the grime and dirt. She had sunk so low at that time, and if it hadn’t been for the Howards, she didn’t know what would have become of her. Seeing the place again had brought it all back to her, and it was disturbing.

Taking a deep breath, she opened the door and walked in, grateful that the cafe was nearly empty at that time of the day.

‘Can I help you, miss?’ a man asked, smiling.

She was relieved when she recognized him as the same man who had served them that day. ‘I don’t know if you remember, but around two years ago I came in here with a man called Bill. You seemed to know him quite well, and I wondered if you could tell me his full name or anything else about him?’

He was now staring at her in disbelief, taking in every detail of her fashionable clothes and appearance. ‘You’re that girl?’

She nodded. ‘Yes, I’m Vicki.’

‘Good Lord! I would never have recognized you.’ He led her to a table. ‘Sit down, Vicki, and tell me how you became such an elegant young woman.’

‘It’s a long story,’ she told him, as he ordered his helper to bring them a pot of tea. ‘I had a rough time for a while, but I was lucky.’

‘I kept looking for you, but you never came back, so I hoped you were all right. Why do you want to know about Bill?’

She then explained about the two strangers who had helped her. ‘So, you see, I want to find both of them if I can. Especially Bill. He gave me a book which has helped me, and I want to return it to him.’

‘Hmm, well, I don’t think I can be much help to you. He came in here for a few months, but we only ever knew him as Bill. We knew he was living rough, but he always had money to pay for his food. By his manner and speech, he was obviously a gentleman, and we assumed he was another casualty of that damned war – you know, having trouble coming to terms with the terrible things they had seen and done.’

‘An officer, do you think?’

‘Without a doubt. We never saw him again after he walked out of the door with you.’

‘He told me he was leaving.’ Vicki sipped her tea, disappointed. ‘I did so hope you would know more about him.’

‘Sorry. He never talked about himself, and we didn’t ask. Wish we had now, but it doesn’t do to be too nosy. If a man wants to keep his secrets, then we respect that.’

‘Of course. Thank you for talking to me. If he should ever come in here again, would you tell him I would like to see him? I live with Mr and Mrs Howard and work in their ladies’ hairdressing salon.’

‘I know the shop.’ He smiled and nodded. ‘I can see why you look so elegant. Bill would be delighted to know you’ve done well, so I will certainly tell him if he ever turns up again. I doubt if he will, though,’ he told her seriously. ‘It’s been too long, but I will ask around and see if anyone else has more details about him. Not much hope of that either – as I said, he never talked about himself. With nothing to go on, how are you going to find him?’

‘I don’t know, but I won’t give up.’ Vicki took out her purse. ‘How much was the tea?’

‘That was on me.’ He stood up and held out his hand. ‘It was lovely meeting you again, Vicki. I hope you do manage to track him down.’

‘So do I. And thank you for the tea.’

As Vicki walked away from the cafe, she stopped, turned and gazed at the shop, pleased she had returned there at last. She hadn’t gained any new information about Bill, but she had faced another part of her past, and that made her feel good.

Eleven

When Vicki arrived back at Harry’s, he was completely absorbed in searching through his books. He didn’t even know she was there until she spoke to him, and he only then looked up and smiled. ‘I didn’t expect you back today.’

‘I’ve just been to the cafe Bill took me to in the hope that they might know something about him, but they didn’t, I’m afraid.’ She sat down and looked around. ‘Where’s Dave?’

‘I left him settling in his room. I’ve put him in the room at the top of the stairs.’

‘Oh, right.’ Vicki stood up again. ‘I’ll go and see if he wants something to eat.’

‘Don’t expect so,’ Harry laughed. ‘He’s already polished off most of the cake Flo baked for me.’

‘I’ll see, anyway.’ Vicki ran up the stairs and knocked on the door. When there was no reply, she opened it a crack and looked in, calling the boy’s name, but the room was empty.

After a quick search of the house and garden, she went back to Harry. ‘He’s disappeared.’

‘What?’

‘Dave isn’t in the house. When did you last see him, Harry?’

He studied the clock on his desk and said, ‘About an hour ago. Are you sure he isn’t here?’

‘Positive.’ Vicki frowned anxiously. ‘I do hope he hasn’t run away already.’

Harry closed his book and shook his head. ‘No, I’m sure of that. He was so pleased with his room and said he couldn’t wait to sleep in a proper bed again. Perhaps he has some personal things somewhere and has gone to collect them.’

‘Maybe, but he should have told you.’ Vicki wandered over to the window, and after a moment said with relief, ‘He’s coming down the street now, and he’s got someone with him.’

Harry joined her and watched in disbelief. ‘Where on earth did he find him?’

‘Oh dear, Harry, I think you might have a problem.’ She looked up at him, laughter in her eyes.

He grinned back. ‘Well, I will say one thing. Life has become interesting since I met you.’

They hid their amusement as Dave walked into the room, pulling a reluctant young child after him.

‘Who have you got there?’ Harry asked.

‘This is my brother, Alfie. He’s eight. You bin so good to me, and when I saw that big room you said I could have … well. Two can sleep in that bed, easy. I couldn’t leave my little brother with those terrible people, now could I?’ He looked imploringly at Harry and Vicki. ‘Can he stay with us, please? We won’t be no trouble. Will we, Alfie?’

Alfie shook his head.

‘He don’t say much,’ Dave explained. ‘He got cuffed so many times for opening his mouth, so he just keeps it shut now. Can we stay? Please, Mr Harry. We’ll be ever so good. Promise.’

‘Of course you can,’ Harry said gently. ‘You can help me put another bed in your room for your brother.’

‘Oh, thanks!’ Dave’s worried expression disappeared like magic and he stooped down. ‘Do you hear that, Alfie? You can stay here with me and the kind man. You’ll be all right now. Just you wait till you see our room. It’s huge and ever so clean. You’ll like that, won’t you?’

The child nodded again, never taking his eyes off Harry.

The little boy was still holding tightly to his brother’s hand. Vicki bent down to his level, recognizing the fear radiating through the child. ‘We’re very pleased to meet you, Alfie. Your brother has brought you to a safe place, so there is no need to be frightened of us.’

‘That’s right,’ Dave said. ‘I told you I would find a good place for us, and I have. Those monsters won’t find us here, Alfie.’

The boy was still looking around at everyone, but said nothing in response to his brother’s assurances.