Two Strangers (7 page)

‘Oh, you never know.’ Harry smiled. ‘I’d like to see it, though. If you don’t mind?’

‘I’ll get it.’ Vicki glanced at Bob. ‘May I be excused for a moment, sir?’

‘Of course, lad. Harry has a passion for old books.’

It only took Vicki a couple of minutes to return with the precious book, and Harry took it from her eagerly.

They watched the older man study it with great care, using a magnifying glass to make out every detail of the embossed coat of arms. Then he quickly turned the pages of a large book he had brought with him.

‘Hmm. Interesting. I believe you said the man was well-spoken, Jim. This book might have belonged to him – or his family. Would you like me to see if I can find out anything about it?’

Vicki hesitated. She knew this was a kind offer, and he obviously loved delving into anything historical, but she couldn’t start her search for Bill while she was still pretending to be a boy. It was most unlikely Harry would turn up anything of use, but she couldn’t take that chance yet. Her life had to be straightened out first. She reluctantly shook her head. ‘Thank you for your generous offer, sir, but the time isn’t right yet.’

‘Oh.’ Harry raised his eyebrows in query. ‘And why isn’t the time right?’

She shuffled uncomfortably. ‘I have things to sort out first. I … er … promised him I was going to make something of myself, and I haven’t done that yet.’

‘I see.’ Harry smiled. ‘Well, when you do feel the time is right, come and see me.’

‘Thank you, sir. I will certainly do that.’

‘Good. That’s settled, then. Take good care of that book, and I’ll have another look at it when you’re ready.’

When she had helped Flo to clear up after the meal, Vicki went downstairs again, her mind in turmoil. Had he guessed she was a girl? And, if he had, would he tell Mr and Mrs Howard? After all, he was their friend, and he might not like them being deceived like this. Vicki was all too aware that the deception couldn’t go on much longer, but the thought of owning up frightened her. She was happier now than at any time in her life, and it would break her heart to leave the Howards and the shop.

Keeping busy was the best way to calm her worries, so she went into the shop to make sure everything was ready for the next day.

‘Is your name Victoria?’

Vicki started at the voice behind and dropped the towels she had been holding. Trying to remain calm, she picked them up and turned slowly, her face ashen.

‘Don’t look so alarmed,’ Harry said gently. ‘I haven’t said anything to your employers.’

‘How did you know?’

‘After Bob told me they had taken in a young boy who had been thrown out of his home, I was so appalled by the story I made some enquiries. I have friends who live in Poplar and they told me a young girl had been turned out to fend for herself, but they didn’t know of a boy. The moment I saw you, I knew you were that girl. Tell me the reason for your deception.’

Knowing there was little point in hiding anything from this man, she began at the beginning. By the time she had finished, he was nodding his head. ‘So this was the only way you felt you could survive.’

‘I didn’t know what else I could do, sir.’ She cast an anguished look at him. ‘Are you going to tell Mr and Mrs Howard?’

‘No. That’s for you to do when you’re ready. But don’t leave it too long. They are not fools.’

‘I know, sir,’ she said earnestly. ‘They have been so kind, and it worries me that I’m telling them lies, but I’m terrified they will make me leave.’ She turned her back on Harry, shaking with emotion and fear. ‘I’m so happy here, and if I have to go back on the streets … Well, I couldn’t stand that again, sir. I couldn’t!’

‘That is unlikely to happen again, my dear. I gather they have become very fond of you. You have friends now, and that includes me. So I want you to come and see me when you need help. Will you do that?’

‘Thank you, sir. You’re very kind.’

‘I can hear a “but” in your voice.’

Vicki took a deep breath. ‘I have had to rely on myself most of my life, and I find it hard to do anything else, but I will promise to see you when it is time to try to find Bill.’

‘Good.’ He smiled. ‘I look forward to seeing you then. Take care of that book, because I will need to study it again.’

As he walked away, Vicki felt a huge surge of relief. He wasn’t going to reveal her secret. She had a little longer.

Seven

How quickly this year had flown! They had been such happy months, but Vicki knew she couldn’t put off telling Mr and Mrs Howard the truth about herself any longer. Christmas was only two weeks away and she had decided that the New Year would be the right time to own up to her deception. The Howards had welcomed her into their home and made her feel safe and cared for, for the first time in her life, so she wanted to buy them each a little present to show her gratitude. She wandered round the busy Christmas market, wondering what they would like. She mustn’t spend too much, of course, in case she needed money later. Her insides clenched in pain at the thought of being out on her own again, but it had to be faced. Harry had kept his word and not told them who she really was, but the deception was becoming very difficult to maintain. She looked like a girl. There was no getting away from that fact now, and she was too fond of the Howards to deceive them any longer. She had been saving hard, so she would at least have some money for a while, but how she prayed that she wouldn’t have to survive out there on her own again. Even so, she wouldn’t blame the Howards if they were angry and told her to leave.

She swiped a tear away from her eyes and took a steadying breath. But there was Christmas to enjoy first.

‘We’re getting more and more ladies wanting their hair done.’ Bob smiled at his wife. ‘And it’s all down to your skill, Flo. Word is spreading fast, and using part of the barber’s isn’t good enough.’

‘I agree. It can get a bit crowded, but I don’t see what we can do about it.’

‘I might have the solution.’ Bob pulled out a chair from the table. ‘Sit down and we’ll talk about it.’

‘I know that look in your eyes.’ Flo smiled as she sat down. ‘Just what are you planning?’

‘What do you think about expanding our business?’

‘Well, we’re certainly getting a lot of trade. But we haven’t got the space to expand.’

‘The shop next door will be vacant in January, so how about opening a ladies’ salon?’

‘I’d like that, Bob,’ Flo told him eagerly. ‘And that place would be perfect.’

‘That’s what I thought you’d say.’ He gave a knowing smile. ‘I’ve already said we’d take it.’

Flo laughed. ‘What if I’d said no?’

‘Then I would have had to talk you into it. Now, you’ll need a young girl to train and help you.’ Bob pursed his lips. ‘The choice is obvious, and that means I’ll have to advertise for a lad for the shop. Doesn’t it?’

‘Ah, you’ve noticed.’

‘Of course I have.’ Bob shook his head. ‘And so has everyone else, but we’ve kept our mouths shut. I believe she’s sixteen now, and it shows. How desperate the poor little thing must have been. How are we going to get round this, Flo?’

Flo sighed. ‘I don’t know. I’ve felt several times she was on the point of telling me, but each time she’s backed off. Let’s leave it a while longer and see if she comes to us. The last thing I want us to do is frighten her and make her run away. If she does that, we might never find her again, and I couldn’t bear that to happen.’

‘Nor me. I think it would help if we make it clear we are offering her a job with you in the new shop. But it would be easier if she came and told us herself.’

Flo nodded. ‘I believe she will.’

‘I hope you’re right.’ Bob stood up at the sharp rap on the side door. ‘That will be Harry. I asked him to drop round.’

‘Just in time for lunch.’ Flo smiled in amusement. ‘I swear he can smell the cooking right up the road. Good job I always cook too much.’

‘Well, he might have to pay for his dinner this time because I’m thinking of asking him to help in the shop until I can get a new lad.’ Laughing, Bob went down to let his friend in.

‘Smells lovely in here,’ Harry said, kissing Flo on the cheek as soon as he walked in.

‘Yes, you can stay for lunch.’ Flo poured him a cup of tea from the ever-ready teapot. ‘Sit down and tell us what you’ve been up to.’

‘Thanks.’ Harry looked round. ‘Isn’t your little helper in today, Bob?’

‘Gone to the market to do a bit of Christmas shopping, but he’ll be back in time for lunch. He isn’t in the habit of spending money, though. We know he’s been saving every penny possible.’

Harry nodded. ‘Terrified about being turned out again, I expect.’

‘That will never happen,’ Flo declared forcefully. ‘We were never blessed with children, and we’ve come to love her like our own.’

Harry narrowed his eyes. ‘You said
her
. Has she spoken to you, then?’

‘That was a slip of the tongue. I must be more careful.’ Flo regarded Harry with suspicion. ‘How long have you known?’

‘The moment I set eyes on her. As soon as Bob told me about his helper, I went to a pub I know in Poplar and got talking to some of the locals. When I brought up the subject of a young boy who had been turned out to fend for himself, they hadn’t heard of one, but they told me about a fourteen-year-old girl. Evidently, her brute of a father just kicked her out. As soon as I saw her I knew she was that girl.’

‘Why didn’t you tell us, Harry?’ Bob demanded.

‘Because deceiving you is worrying her, and she intends to tell you herself.’ Harry drained his cup, put it down and sighed. ‘I asked her why she was doing this, and she said it had been impossible to get a job because she was a girl, so she did the only thing possible and dressed as a boy. She was desperate.’

Bob’s mouth set in a grim line. ‘The kid who came into our shop that day was just skin and bones, and could hardly stand up. But what courage! We saw what it took for her to just stay on her feet, and it was a relief to see her slowly gain in strength. How could a man do that to his own child?’

‘There are some bastards around. From the tales I was told about her father, he must be nothing short of a monster.’

‘I don’t doubt that, Harry.’ Flo refilled their cups. ‘For the time being, though, we must go back to thinking and referring to her as Jim. When he’s ready he will tell us, and until then we mustn’t even give a hint that we know.’

‘That’s best,’ Harry agreed, ‘but remember, that kid is very frightened. He thinks the world of you both, and is sure you will be angry at his deception. He expects to be turned out again.’

‘Never!’ Flo and Bob said together.

‘We have plans, and that includes all of us – even you, Harry.’

‘Uh-oh, I don’t like the sound of this, but tell me anyway.’ Harry listened intently while Bob explained about the new shop.

‘That’s a wonderful idea.’ Harry was nodding enthusiastically. ‘And I’ll certainly help you out for a while if you’re stuck, Bob. Explain all that to … er … Jim, as soon as possible.’

‘We intend to.’ Flo listened as the door downstairs opened and closed. ‘Change the subject now. He’s back.’

Flo and Bob smiled at each other when they heard Vicki running up the stairs, full of life and energy. They well remembered when every step had been an effort. They had longed to help, but the determination on her face told them not to. She had been fighting to hide her weakness as much as possible, and they had watched with admiration as she struggled. Now it was a joy to them to see the difference.

‘Hope I’m not late, Mrs Howard?’ Vicki burst into the room, cheeks glowing from the cold wind blowing that day. ‘The market was so crowded you could hardly move.’

‘Lunch won’t be for another half an hour yet, and Harry will be joining us.’

Vicki nodded. ‘Hello, sir. It’s chilly out there, but it hasn’t stopped people doing their shopping.’

‘I expect they’re all rushing to buy their last-minute gifts. Did you manage to get what you wanted?’

‘Yes, sir.’ Vicki smiled, and then turned her attention to Flo, her eyes shining with excitement. ‘I saw a girl with an amazing haircut. It was very short, perfectly straight, and framing her face. Like this.’ She tried to pull her own hair into the shape, and giggled. ‘My hair is too wavy to show you, but it was almost like a cap, and so black it shone blue in the pale sunlight. She looked beautiful.’

‘I think I know what you mean, but will you draw it for me? Then we can try it out on one of our clients.’

Vicki nodded excitedly. ‘I’ll do that. Can I help you with lunch?’

‘Thank you.’ She smiled fondly. ‘What would we do without you? You’ve become part of our family now. It was a lucky day for us when you walked into the shop.’

‘I was the lucky one,’ Vicki said, her voice husky with emotion. She remembered that day so well. ‘You gave me a chance, and I’ll always be grateful to you for that.’

‘Ah, you don’t owe us a thing,’ Bob said. ‘You’ve worked hard, and we’re going to promote you next year.’

‘Oh.’ Vicki stopped what she was doing and spun round quickly.

‘Yes.’ Bob was smiling broadly. ‘We’re opening a ladies’ salon in the shop next door, and we want you to be Flo’s assistant.’

‘But … but …’ Vicki looked from one to the other and then said in a whisper, ‘Won’t you want a girl for that, Mrs Howard?’

‘What I need is you. You have a real flair for ladies hair, and I’ll train you to become a stylist.’

Tears began to stream silently down Vicki’s face.

‘What’s the matter, dear?’ Flo asked anxiously. ‘Don’t you want to do that? You can stay in the barber’s if you’d rather.’

‘Oh, no, it isn’t that. I would love to work with you and learn how to become a good ladies’ hairdresser, but I don’t deserve to be given such a job.’

‘Now, that isn’t true,’ Bob declared. ‘You’ve earned the chance. What on earth makes you believe you don’t deserve it?’

Vicki looked down at the floor, unable to meet their eyes. ‘Because I’ve been lying to you all the time. I intended to tell you after Christmas, but this changes everything. I wanted a few more happy weeks before you threw me out.’

‘Nothing you’ve done will every make us do that.’ Bob was on his feet now and made Vicki sit down. ‘Why don’t you tell us what’s troubling you?’