Two Strangers (17 page)

‘Lots of green grass. Nice.’

‘What about you, Dave? Would you like to live in the country?’

‘Cor, not ’arf! It’s smashing here.’

They pulled up outside the front doors, and as soon as they came to a stop Charles walked out to greet them.

‘Welcome,’ he said as they scrambled out of the cars, shaking hands with everyone. ‘You must be hungry and thirsty after your journey. Cook has prepared a snack for you. Follow me.’

The entrance hall was enormous. Vicki had only ever seen pictures of places like this. Both boys were also just as stunned and wide-eyed as they spun round and round in wonder.

‘Bloody hell!’ Dave exclaimed, and immediately began apologizing. ‘Sorry, sir, sorry, Mr Harry, but I ain’t seen nothing like this before.’

The corners of Charles mouth twitched as he controlled a laugh. Turning it into a gentle smile, he looked at Alfie. ‘I see you’ve brought your cane with you, young man.’

‘He don’t go nowhere without it,’ Dave told him. ‘He even sleeps with it in his bed at night so no one can pinch it.’

Alfie ran his fingers over the dog’s head and smiled up at Charles. ‘I like it.’

‘That pleases me.’ Charles took hold of the little boy’s hand. ‘Come into the library and see what cook has prepared for you to eat. You must be hungry after that exciting journey on the train.’

Alfie nodded, trotting along with the man he now believed wouldn’t hurt him. ‘And car.’

The library was huge, with books lining the walls almost to the ceiling. The carpet was like walking on springy grass, and the dark green colour in the pattern matched the sumptuous leather chairs. Beside the marble fireplace was a long table laden with food, and Vicki smiled to herself. Charles’s idea of a snack was more like a feast, and the boys obviously thought so as well because they ran over to the table and just stared in wonder at the array of delicacies.

‘This is beautiful,’ Vicki sighed as she gazed around, taking in every detail of the room.

‘It’s my favourite room. Now, help yourselves to the food. Cook will be upset if you don’t eat it all up.’ Charles began explaining what everything was to the boys so they could make a choice.

Once they had all decided what to have and were comfortably sitting down, Charles said, ‘We have a busy day ahead of us, and I suggest we inspect the house you can have as a school first. Then back here for lunch, and then the boys can explore the house if they want to. I have made arrangements for Harry and Vicki to visit Mr and Mrs Harmond. I have taken the liberty of explaining why you want to talk to them, and it seems they knew the Ashington family well. Their children used to play together. As they knew the estate so well, when it came up for sale they bought it for themselves and gave their own property to their son. They are looking forward to meeting you.’

‘That’s good news, Charles,’ Harry said, looking at Vicki. ‘That means they could well have some useful information for us. A glimmer of hope, Vicki.’

Seventeen

‘Oh,’ Harry gasped when he stood in front of the large house. ‘This would be perfect for the school.’

‘You haven’t seen inside yet. It has been neglected and will take work to make it suitable. You tell me what you need and I’ll instruct the workmen to start straight away. I’ll be pleased to see the place in good repair again and being put to such splendid use.’

‘Could we have a bit of land for a sports field?’ Edward asked.

‘How about down to that tree line? Would that be enough?’

‘That’s far too much,’ Harry protested, gazing into the distance at the wooded area. ‘We can’t take the house and so much of your land.’

‘Of course you can. The estate has a hundred acres. Some of it is parkland, and the rest put over to crops and cattle. This section here is not being used for anything.’

Vicki couldn’t believe what she was hearing and began to study the surroundings. The house in front of them was nowhere near as large as the mansion, but it was substantial, and she could see that it would make a perfect school. The land around it was clear and would need very little work to make it into a sports field, with ample room for anything else they wanted to do. The wooded area was in the distance, and over to the right of that she could just see the movement of animals grazing. She was finding it difficult to grasp that one man could own so much space.

There was a muffled sound of a horse approaching, and a man rode up, dismounted and came over to them.

‘This is my estate manager, Jim Baker,’ Charles introduced.

He smiled and shook their hands. ‘Sir Charles has told me what you are planning; it will be good to see the place come to life again.’

‘Can we fence off the area up to the tree line, Jim, and make the stables habitable for ponies?’

‘Yes, sir. I’ve already got men working on the stables. They haven’t been used for a long time and are in a bit of a mess. Do I have your permission to employ men from the village to erect the fence, sir?’

‘Go ahead, but ex-soldiers only, if you can. We must give them employment. Any with injuries can be given whatever tasks they can manage.’

‘Understood, sir.’

‘And see if you can find two men who know about horses. Tell them the jobs will be permanent.’

‘I have just the men in mind. They are both finding it hard to get jobs because of war injuries, but they will be quite capable of the work at the stables. I’ll go and see them at once.’

‘Perfect. I’ll leave everything to you then, Jim. Consult with Harry to see if he needs anything we haven’t thought of so far.’

‘My pleasure, sir.’

As the estate manager walked back to his horse, Vicki noticed that he had a pronounced limp, and her respect for Charles rose even higher. He was clearly wealthy, but there was no doubt he cared about others less fortunate, like the men who had fought in the war and who were still having a bad time. And a starving girl begging at a railway station. His generosity didn’t end there. He was now helping to set up a school for abused children – how they would love it here with all this space! It would give them a chance to grow and develop – a chance they would never have in the slums of London.

‘Now that’s settled, let’s go inside and decide what work needs to be done.’

Harry looked agitated as Charles ushered them into the house. ‘You’ve instructed Jim to employ two men for the stables, Charles. How much will that cost?’

‘Don’t worry about that. I have been making plans for the school to be financed by private donations. The staff won’t cost the school anything.’

‘How on earth as you going to manage that?’ Harry was now stunned.

‘I have many wealthy friends.’ Charles slapped Harry on the back, smiling broadly. ‘And, contrary to general belief, many of us do care about the plight of the poor, and especially the children.’

‘You are doing so much for us, and we don’t know yet if we will get permission to set up a school here.’

‘No problem. I’ve already seen to that.’

‘Do you mean it has been agreed already?’ Now Edward was astounded by this news.

‘Of course, and I have it in writing. As soon as the house is ready, you can move down here. And I don’t believe it will be long before the children start to arrive. They will be coming mostly from London, but there could be some from this area as well.’

‘My goodness, Charles!’ Pearl exclaimed. ‘You have been busy. How have you managed all of this so quickly?’

‘Can’t waste time when the need is great. I do use my status and influence when it is necessary.’ He smiled at Vicki and the two boys. ‘Mustn’t delay.’

The next hour was spent making a thorough inspection of the house and deciding on necessary alterations. From past experience, Harry and Edward knew exactly what was needed, and when they were satisfied that every detail had been covered, they returned to the mansion for lunch.

‘What a smashing place,’ Dave said to Vicki on the way back. ‘We really gonna live there?’

‘Yes, once all the work is done. Do you think you’ll like it?’

‘Not ’arf! All those fields to run around in, and Mr Harry said we’ll have ponies to ride. Alfie’s excited about that.’

‘Did he tell you he was?’

‘Nope, but I know because I heard him ask Sir what colour they would be.’

‘Did he?’

Dave nodded. ‘He likes Sir. He told me. See, he’s walking with him, quite happy. Never thought he’d do that after the way those brutes treated him.’

‘He’s making good progress now, and I’m sure living in this lovely place will really help him.’

‘Bound to, ’cause it’s miles away from those buggers in London. He’ll feel safe then.’

‘Language, Dave.’

‘Sorry, but when I think of them, I needs to swear. Do you feel like that about the way you was treated?’

‘I did at first, but not any more. I think people who act like that are very unhappy.’

‘Why do they do it, then?’

‘I wish I knew, Dave. It’s a complete mystery to me why some people need to hurt others weaker than themselves.’

‘You’re right.’ Dave was nodding. ‘It’s a mystery, all right. But do you know, there are an awful lot of nice people around as well. Like all of you. I was damned lucky you came by that day and found me.’

‘And we feel lucky to have found you and Alfie.’

‘Cor.’ His smile couldn’t have been any brighter. ‘No one’s ever wanted us before, ’cept Dad. He was smashing – used to play with us and everything – but Mum never cared. When Dad was killed in the war, she couldn’t wait to get rid of us. Did your mum want you?’

‘No, Dave. My parents wanted a son, not a daughter.’

‘Ah, that ain’t right, is it?’

‘No, it isn’t. But that’s in the past for all of us now, so we can forget it and look forward to a happy future.’

‘You bet. I like talking to you, Vicki, because you know what things are like. Ah, we’re back. Must keep my eye on Alfie now and see he don’t get frightened about being in such a huge place with strange people walking around in there. Sir’s got lots of servants, ain’t he?’

Vicki watched him rush to his young brother’s side and couldn’t help thinking that he was very mature for his age. He was also a sensible boy and thought deeply about things. An enquiring mind was surprising in a child with so little education. Harry was going to have a responsive pupil there, and it would be interesting to see him in a few years’ time.

The dining room was decorated in a beautiful pale peach colour, and the long table shone so much you could see your face in it. When they were all seated, Vicki noticed that Dave was studying the array of cutlery with a puzzled expression. And she had to admit that she didn’t know what some of the items were for.

Alfie was on her right and Dave next to his brother, so she leant across and spoke quietly. ‘Dave, just watch Sir Charles and copy what he uses each time.’

‘Do you know what it’s all for?’ he whispered.

She shook her head, making him grin.

Charles stood up. ‘There will be a varied selection of food, and I want you to choose whatever you like. And, boys, if you don’t fancy anything you are offered, then tell my butler what you would like and he will get it for you.’

Dave smiled and nodded.

During the meal Vicki tried things she’s never had before, such as smoked salmon, which she found very pleasant, and something called beef Wellington. She thought it was strange to put a lovely joint of beef in pastry, but she was enjoying the experience of tasting quite different food.

Flo was sitting next to Dave and she helped him, while Vicki looked after Alfie. They both struggled with some of the cutlery, but, with a little help, they did quite well. They also seemed to be enjoying the food and tried everything that was put in front of them. And they both behaved so well that she was proud of them.

‘Well done,’ she praised them as they retired to the sitting room where tea, coffee and soft drinks were waiting for them.

‘Harry, my driver will be outside when you and Vicki are ready, and he’ll take you to the Harmonds’.’

‘Thank you.’ Knowing Vicki was anxious about this visit, Harry stood up. ‘Shall we go now, Vicki?’

She finished the last of her coffee, trying to appear calm, but she was bracing herself for disappointment, knowing full well that this could be another dead end.

‘Good luck,’ Edward said, as they prepared to leave.

‘Luck has nothing to do with it,’ Pearl said. ‘If it is meant to be, then Vicki will find Bill.’

‘And if it isn’t meant to be?’ Bob queried.

‘Then no amount of searching will find him.’ Pearl smiled at Vicki. ‘But that won’t happen – you’ll see. As I’ve already told you, something will happen to set you on the right path.’

‘Pearl,’ Harry admonished, ‘we are just going to talk to the people who bought the house the book originally came from.’

‘I know. Enjoy your visit.’

Harry laughed. ‘You never change, Pearl. Always the optimist. Come on, Vicki, let’s go and see another beautiful house. Have you got the book with you?’

She patted her handbag. ‘In here.’

It was only a short drive to the Harmonds’, and Vicki thought they could have walked it. She couldn’t help being nervous and, as the butler escorted them to the library, she said to Harry, ‘I’m going to leave the talking to you.’

He smiled down at her but said nothing.

Mr and Mrs Harmond greeted them warmly, and the lady of the house offered them refreshments.

‘Thank you, Mrs Harmond, but we have just had a rather large meal.’

‘Please sit down,’ Mr Harmond told them. ‘Sir Charles has told us a little about your desire to see us, and we would be interested to hear more.’

Vicki chose a chair close to a beautiful grand piano, and Harry sat next to her.

‘It is very kind of you to see us,’ Harry began. ‘We are trying to trace a man who helped Vicki when she was homeless.’

‘That much we know, but what makes you think we can help you?’

Harry explained about the book, took it from Vicki and handed it to them. ‘Yes, that’s the Ashington crest, but we don’t have any of the books here. They took them when they moved.’ Mrs Harmond gave the book back to Vicki.