Two Strangers (30 page)

‘I’m surprised he didn’t throw you out.’ He burst into laughter. ‘Are you gonna keep going there?’

‘Oh, yes. He’s very good and I’ll be able to learn a lot from him. I’ll just ignore his funny ways.’ She studied Jack carefully. He was relaxed and smiling now. ‘So, what have you been learning this week?’

‘How to write properly and do sums.’

‘Do you enjoy the lessons?’

‘I do.’ He sounded surprised to hear himself say that. ‘I like Mr Bill the best. He don’t shout or tell you off if you don’t get something right. He goes through it with you until you understand. Do you know what he did the other day?’

‘No, tell me.’

‘Well, one kid kept hitting the boy next to him and calling him names. Mr Bill stopped the lesson and propped himself on the desk, all casual like. Instead of giving the bully a thump, he asked him why he was acting like that. Was it because it made him feel big to pick on someone smaller than himself? Well, the kid didn’t know what to say, so Mr Bill kept talking to him – quietly like. He didn’t tell him off or anything, just talked, and soon the kid was crying and saying he was sorry. He’s been much nicer since then.’

‘It sounds as if it was a good lesson for everyone.’

Jack nodded. ‘Made us all think, I can tell you. After the class, I asked him if I could talk to him. He took me to the dining room and we had a cup of tea. I told him about my sister and how she died because she had tried to protect me.’ Jack looked up at Vicki. ‘I always blamed myself, you see. We talked for a long time, and Mr Bill made me see it wasn’t my fault. He was right, and the same thing would have happened to me if Mr Harry hadn’t got me away from there.’

‘I’m so pleased you went to him. He’s a very understanding and clever man. If it hadn’t been for him, I wouldn’t be where I am today.’

‘Dave told me about that. Mr Bill’s good at helping people. He took me to see Mr Harry, and, do you know, it was easier to talk about it again. It’s like a weight has gone off me. I wanted to tell you, but you didn’t come.’

‘I’m sorry, Jack.’

‘That’s all right. You explained and I understand.’ He grinned. ‘Race you to the trees!’

They sprang into action, laughing, both happy to be running free in the open countryside.

By the time they arrived back at the school, the other children had finished their ride, and Jack happily joined them for a game on the sports field.

Harry and Charles appeared and came to greet Vicki. ‘I thought you were at your place, Charles?’

‘We came back to see you,’ Harry told her. ‘I saw you with Jack.’

‘He was telling me how he talked to you and Bill.’

‘That was a big step forward for him, and he knows now he can come to us any time and we’ll listen to him.’ Harry looked at his watch. ‘We had better get going, Charles.’

‘Pearl said you were going to the Harmonds’. Could I come with you, please?’

‘Are you sure you want to?’ Charles asked. ‘This could be a distressing and difficult meeting for Manton and his parents.’

‘That’s exactly why I would like to be there. Mr and Mrs Manton have met me, and I might be of some help.’

‘You could be right.’ Harry nodded. ‘But Bill has asked that he meet his parents in private, and that’s the way they want it as well. Mr and Mrs Manton have been very good by agreeing to wait until their son asked to see them.’

‘That must have been hard for them.’

‘Very, but they understood it was for the best.’

They drove first to collect Mr and Mrs Manton, who were delighted to see Vicki.

Mrs Manton kissed Vicki’s cheek. ‘We must thank you, my dear, for giving us back our son. If it hadn’t been for your determination, we might never have known he was alive.’

Vicki didn’t know what to say. The Mantons were obviously very emotional about seeing their son again.

‘Don’t look so concerned,’ Mr Manton told her when she remained silent. ‘Harry has explained that our son is unlikely to recognize us, but the fact is he is alive and well, and that is enough for us.’

‘Is everyone ready?’ Charles glanced at the clock. ‘The car is waiting outside.’

When they arrived at the Harmonds’, Vicki held back, allowing the Mantons to enter the house first with Harry.

After quick greetings, Harry took Bill’s parents to the study, and five minutes later he came back with Peter. Vicki took the chance to ask Peter how Bill was.

‘He’s doing fine.’ Peter smiled at her. ‘He might not remember us, but I’ve spent a lot of time with him, and he is the same person I grew up with.’

‘That’s good to hear.’ Vicki relaxed a little then, and for the next hour joined in the general conversation.

When Mr and Mrs Manton came into the drawing room, they were smiling. Mrs Manton had been crying, but they had been tears of joy by the look of her happy face.

‘Everything all right?’ Harry asked.

‘Yes, thank you, Harry.’ Mr Manton took the drink being offered to him. ‘He didn’t know us, but that is our son. He hasn’t changed in any other way.’

‘Where is he?’ Peter wanted to know.

‘He’s gone out the back for a walk. I think he wants some time on his own.’

‘I’ll go and see if he’s all right.’ Peter stood up and began to make for the door, but Harry stopped him.

‘Peter, if you don’t mind, I think Vicki ought to go to him. They do share an experience that isn’t from his past.’

‘All right. If you think that’s best.’

‘I do.’ Harry guided Vicki out of the room. ‘What I want you to do is just go and stand beside him. Talk if he wants to, or come back if he needs to be alone. Will you do that?’

‘Yes.’ Vicki went to the study and out of the doors leading to the garden. She saw Bill’s tall figure immediately. He was leaning on a fence, watching horses graze, head bowed.

He didn’t hear her approaching, and, without a word, she rested her arms on the fence beside him. He looked at her. The strain on his face tore at her heart, but she managed a gentle smile. ‘Tell me to go if you don’t want company.’

Draping an arm across her shoulders, he said, ‘Walk with me.’

They strolled in silence for some time, and when they came to a large open area, Bill stopped and swept out his hand. ‘That’s what it’s like inside my head. Empty. It’s a terrible thing to be told by two distressed people that you are their son, and you don’t even remember seeing them before.’

Vicki reached up and clasped the hand resting on her shoulder. ‘I can’t imagine how painful that must be; no one could who hasn’t experienced it. But they are overjoyed to know you are alive, and by seeing them today you have given them the greatest gift possible – the son they thought lost to them for ever.’

‘A son who doesn’t remember them!’

‘You will.’

‘I wish I could believe that.’

‘Take another look at the view, Bill. You said it was empty space, but that isn’t what I see. It is full of wild flowers, birds, insects, rabbits and many other small animals. That space is teeming with life. I don’t believe your mind is an empty space. For some reason, it has shut down until you are ready to deal with whatever is locked in there.’

Bill gazed at her. ‘Do you know, Vicki, what you’ve just said has made me feel better. I’m so glad you came today, and I’m wondering how someone so young came to have so much wisdom.’

Seeing the tension leave his face and a slow smile appear, she said jokingly, ‘I’ve grown a bit since we first met. I’m seventeen now.’

‘Really? I don’t know how old I am.’

‘Twenty-nine or thirty.’

‘I’ll take the twenty-nine,’ he laughed. ‘We had better get back now.’

As they walked towards the house, he kept his arm across her shoulders, but now she could feel that he was relaxed. In a small way, she had been able to help him today, and that was good to know.

Thirty-One

The weeks from summer to autumn had flown by, and there was a hint of the coming winter in the weather. Working with Mr James was now interesting and enjoyable. She was a quick learner, and he was even allowing her to assist him instead of just watching. There were two girls he used as models and he let her practise on them. Her skills were growing and it was exciting.

‘You are an excellent pupil,’ he told her as they shut up the shop.

‘Thank you, sir.’ Wrapping a scarf around her neck to protect her from the cold wind, she hurried to the station, pleased with the compliment. He didn’t hand them out lightly.

When she arrived home, Charles was there. ‘Oh, it’s lovely to see you. How is everyone?’

‘They are fine.’ He kissed her cheek.

‘Had a good day?’ Bob asked her.

‘Very, and I’ve learnt a few more things we can try out on our customers. As long as they will let me, of course.’

‘Jeannie Baxter is coming in tomorrow and she’s quite happy to try new hairstyles.’ Flo put a cup of tea in front of her.

Vicki smiled her thanks, and then turned her attention to Charles. ‘Are the Mantons still with you?’

‘Yes, I’ve told them they can stay for as long as they like. They are all coping well, and Bill is spending time with them and Peter. I’ve arranged a big firework display for this Sunday, Guy Fawkes Night. The boys have been helping to build a huge bonfire, and we will be disappointed if you don’t all come and enjoy the fun.’

‘We’ll be there.’ Bob told him. ‘Wouldn’t miss it for anything, and we can stay the night because we have decided not to open on Mondays in future.’

‘Perfect. Come on Saturday evening if you can.’ He looked at his watch. ‘I mustn’t miss my train. Sorry I can’t stay for one of your excellent meals, Flo.’

When Charles had left, Vicki asked, ‘Why did you decide not to open on a Monday? Is it because it’s a slow day?’

‘That’s one reason; the other is that it will give us a longer break, and when we go to see everyone at the school, we won’t have to rush away. We can stay longer with the boys. They are like family to us now.’

‘Yes, they are.’ Vicki smiled, pleased about spending more time at the school.

They did as Charles had suggested and caught the train on Saturday evening. They hadn’t stopped for a meal, but had sandwiches with them to eat on the way. Vicki couldn’t wait to get down there. The school was turning out to be a huge success and it was always so lovely to see everyone.

There was great excitement when they arrived, and Dave and Alfie were allowed to stay up a little later for once so they could see them. ‘My goodness, how you’ve grown in the short time you’ve been down here,’ Flo said as she hugged them.

‘That’s plenty of good food, love and exercise,’ Pearl told her, ruffling Alfie’s hair affectionately.

He giggled, a broad grin on his face. ‘We’re going to have a bonfire and lots of fireworks tomorrow when it gets dark.’

‘So we’ve been told. That’s why we’ve come early,’ Vicki told him, ‘and we won’t be leaving until Monday afternoon.’

This news was greeted with howls of delight.

‘Mr Harry said we can have Monday as a holiday,’ Dave declared. ‘So we’ll have lots of time together.’

‘And now it’s time you were in bed, boys.’ Edward held out his hand to Alfie. ‘You need your rest before the excitement of the bonfire party.’

After they had given everyone a hug and a kiss, the boys went obediently.

None of the boys had ever seen anything like the fireworks shooting into the sky, bursting with a loud bang and spraying out many colours, and neither had many of the older people gathered in the field. The doctor was there with his family, the Harmonds and Bill’s parents were also there, and, of course, Charles and every member of the staff and their families. It was a huge gathering and they had been busy all afternoon preparing the food to feed so many.

The light from the bonfire was flickering over smiling faces as they watched the fireworks exploding above them. All the children were being watched carefully to make sure they stayed at a safe distance.

Vicki was totally absorbed in the display when something caught her attention. Jack was rushing through the crowd towards them, panic on his face. Then she heard what he was shouting: ‘Matron! Doctor! Mr Harry!’

‘Come quick!’ he gasped when he reached them, tugging at the doctor’s arm. ‘Oh, please, you gotta come!’

Harry caught hold of the distressed boy. ‘What is it, Jack?’

‘Mr Bill’s sick! He fell down and I couldn’t pick him up. He’s bad. Please!’

Checking to make sure Dave and Alfie were safe with Pearl, Vicki hurried after Harry and the doctor, her heart thudding.

Jack ran into the school dining room, with the rest of them on his heels. The sight that met them stopped Vicki in her tracks. Bill was on his feet, gripping the edge of a table for support, head bowed and perspiration streaming down his face.

‘What’s happened?’ Peter rushed in, took one look at his friend and tried to get near him, but the doctor kept him at a distance.

‘Shut the door, Vicki,’ Harry ordered. ‘We don’t want anyone else bursting in here for the moment.’

She did as asked, but she doubted anyone else had noticed. There was too much noise and excitement going on out there.

Jack had thrown his arms around Bill’s waist, trying to support him.

‘Leave this to us, everyone,’ Harry ordered gruffly, making them all move back. ‘Don’t get in the way.’

Vicki nodded and watched anxiously as the men eased Bill into a chair. Elsie already had flannels and was wiping his face, talking quietly. When he tipped his head back, Vicki could see he was ashen and trembling. She stifled the urge to cry out in distress. What had gone wrong? Was it that head injury causing pain?

‘I got the doctor for you,’ Jack told him, still holding tight.

Dr Saunders moved Bill’s hair out of the way to examine the injury to his head, making Jack gasp when he saw it and bringing tears to his eyes. ‘How’d he get that? Make him better! Please make him better!’

Bill reached out and put an arm around the distressed boy. ‘I’m all right, Jack. Just give me a moment.’

Just then, Mr and Mrs Manton rushed in a side door and went straight to their son. ‘What’s happened? What’s wrong? Shouldn’t he be taken to a hospital, Doctor?’

‘That isn’t necessary, Mother.’ Bill’s voice was raw with pain.