The Secret Orphan
‘Elenor!’
‘George. Good afternoon.’
‘Many happy returns.’
Elenor made no effort to shake his hand using the pretence her hands were full with her shopping.
‘Miss Cardew. It is your birthday? Well, we really must treat you and your friend now he has arrived,’ said Samuel Fleming, before Elenor could mention George was not the friend she had been waiting for.
‘Happy Birthday, Miss Cardew,’ said Jackson St. John.
George stood with a grin she wanted to slap away from his face and introduced himself. He then followed through with a blatant lie.
‘Miss Cardew won’t mind, she was to have only me as company.’
Before Elenor could object, Jackson St John pulled open the door of the café.
‘Maybe you can point out a traditional English cake, we want to make the most of my grandfather’s last day,’ he said.
George jumped in with a reply before Elenor had the chance to open her mouth.
‘You must try a Kunzle cake. Shall we?’
All three stood to one side as Elenor stepped inside. She sensed George breathing behind her, his raspy breath expelling onion vapours. He was too close. Her skin tingled with displeasure, unlike when Jackson looked into her eye – then the tingling was due to nothing but pleasure. A new sensation.
Once seated at the table they placed their order and George set about holding a conversation which failed to include Elenor.
‘I notice you are both members of the Canadian Air Force, how fascinating.’
Elenor turned to Jackson.
‘Can I ask, does it take long to become a pilot?’
George cut in before the conversation developed.
‘Flying a plane must be exciting. Where are you based?’
For fifteen minutes George controlled the conversation, never allowing Elenor a moment to speak. Each time one of the other men answered a question, he fired them one more. Boredom set in and she allowed her mind to absorb the qualities of the younger Canadian. She heard them mention horse riding and imagined him sitting straight-backed on the farm horse her family had once owned. They’d have made a handsome pair. Her mind then wandered into the harvest fields. Glorious sunshine, bales of hay and Jackson, with rolled up sleeves pitching and exposing his muscles. She’d only ever once admired a male doing much the same – it was last year when a traveller had stopped to earn a summer’s wage. He was also young and handsome, but her brothers ensured she was so busy she never got time to speak with him, just admire from afar. This afternoon she was seated beside another handsome man, and she could see large arms and guessed they’d be firm. Arms she’d happily snuggle into on a dark winter’s night.
What was she thinking? He probably had a sweetheart in Canada. More than one. He was too good-looking to be alone.
Throwing her off-balance and distracting her from her daydream, George patted the back of her hand and she recoiled from his touch.
‘It is time for you to return home, Elenor. Victoria will need you to assist her with your aunt.’
He swung her a gap-toothed patronising smile. Smug and sure of himself, he’d managed to establish himself as the superior. He’d taken control. A man no different from the father and brothers she tried to forget. Men whom suffocated women with their superior arrogance. Didn’t they know the world had moved on, and women were equal?
Horrid little man. I despise you.
Elenor’s anger surfaced, and she was ready to lash out her objections, but the sudden movement of both Canadian men pulling back their chairs to stand, reminded her to remain calm. Despite her inner thoughts she gave a sweet smile. She didn’t want to give Jackson the wrong impression. She was no longer a country bumpkin. Her aim was to improve herself. George must not be her downfall.
‘Gentleman, George is correct. His wife will need assistance with my aunt. George is the husband of my aunt’s housekeeper and is quite right to remind me of my duties.’ She emphasised the word wife. Unsure why, she wanted Jackson to know George meant nothing to her.
‘Please, enjoy the rest of your afternoon, and have a safe journey back to Canada, Squadron Leader. I do hope when you return my balance will have improved and I’m no longer a danger to the public.’
‘It’s been my pleasure, Miss Cardew. You brightened my visit. I leave my grandson behind should you find the need to step on his toes or knock the wind from him once again.’ The man gave such a loud laugh heads turned and smiled their way. Jackson tapped his grandfather on the shoulder.
‘Hey old man, behave.’ He gave his grandfather a deep and loving smile.
Elenor admired their ease with each other, and of how the affection between the two men was public. Not hidden and constrained. She felt she wanted more of that in her own life.
Outside the café she drew a deep breath. George needed reining in, much like the old ram when it was first brought to the farm.
Victoria greeted her with a smile but gained nothing in return.
‘Your husband caught up with me and is now enjoying the company of two Canadian airmen. Don’t expect to see him for a few hours. He was in full flow when I left. How is my aunt?’
Victoria looked flummoxed by Elenor’s abrupt speech.
‘Ah, George, once he finds someone to listen, he’ll talk for years. Canadian airmen will definitely capture his attention. Your aunt is awake, in the parlour, and I am pleased to say, pain-free. Rose spent time reading to her but is driving me mad in the kitchen. I warn you, the child is excited by your birthday. Please come and see her before you go to your aunt or we will not hear the end of it.’
When Elenor stepped inside the kitchen Rose ran to her, her pigtails flapping behind. She greeted Elenor with a hug and proceeded to bounce up and down for Elenor’s attention.
‘Elenor. Elenor. You’re home. Happy birthday! Mummy helped me make a cake, and I licked the bowl.’ She stopped to draw breath and pointed to a thin sponge sitting on the table. ‘Can we eat it now? Can we?’
Victoria crossed the room and touched the top of Rose’s head, chiding her in a firm voice.
‘Leave Elenor to catch her breath.’
‘Rose Sherbourne, I think you have grown seven foot since I left this morning,’ Elenor said and laughed at Rose still bouncing up and down.
‘Let me speak to my aunt first, and then we will enjoy a slice of cake with a cup of tea. Thank you, Victoria.’
A frail Aunt Maude sat in her usual chair. The room was barely lit, and the shadows from the fire flitted around the walls. It was no longer a cold room in atmosphere or temperature, Elenor felt comforted and much calmer. She was cheered by her aunt’s presence.
‘I am pleased to see you are up and about, Aunt. Victoria informs me you are pain free, and young Rose has kept you company.’
‘Elenor. I am sorry I could not bear the light this morning. Rose is a good girl, but I can only take her in small doses. I do hope you have enjoyed your birthday. Sit, tell me about it, did you see Mrs Green?’
Elenor lifted out the present Mrs Green had prepared on her aunt’s behalf and sat down opposite her aunt.
‘I have, and I did, thanks to you. It was most kind of you. Mrs Green wrapped the gift, so you could have the pleasure of seeing me unwrapping it. I quite literally bumped into the Canadian gentleman and his grandson today. They – along with George – treated me to afternoon tea. George is still with them, but I confess on being keen to see what treat awaits beneath this tissue paper. You have spoilt me once again.’
‘Well, unwrap. I am as curious as you.’
From the paper Elenor lifted a long box, a round one, and a tiny black velvet bag.
Inside the long box was a fountain pen. Under a square of silk inside the round one was a strand of amber beads. Elenor held out the necklace.
‘This is the first piece of jewellery I have ever owned. It is beautiful.’
Pulling open the small drawstring bag, Elenor gasped with delight. She lifted out a lipstick container.
Her aunt lifted both eyebrows.
‘Well, we will leave it that Mrs Green achieved two out of three for me, and three out of three for you. Ah, at least it isn’t too bright.’
Elenor looked at the soft raspberry shade. It was perfect. The past fortnight had taught her so many things and given her so much in the way of affection and material items, it overwhelmed her. She started to cry.
‘Forgive me. I am such a lucky young woman, I just wished I could have showed my mother these beautiful things. I have days where I miss her terribly.’
Her aunt struggled to her feet and patted her on the shoulder.
‘Dry your eyes girl. Your face brought me joy, and your mother would have had great pleasure in watching you. Enjoy your gifts. Now go and put your treasures away but leave me the magazine to browse through. I have a sneaking feeling I need to update my visions of what a young woman wears these days.’
Laughing, Elenor left the room. As she did so, George walked along the hallway. She could see his intention was to enter the parlour.
‘Ah, George. Did you enjoy your time with our Canadian friends? I did. Please, do not disturb my aunt. I understand Victoria is cooking me a special meal tonight, we’ll see you then.’
Without allowing him to reply she went upstairs. She listened out to hear if he defied her, but she did not hear the parlour door open; instead she heard Victoria and Rose’s voices as he entered the kitchen. A small smile played on her lips. George would not win his power struggle with her.
‘Elenor Cardew you are ready to evolve. Be strong,’ she whispered to her reflection in the dressing table mirror as she applied a dab of lipstick.
Back downstairs she met with Rose.
‘Can we eat the cake now?’
She grabbed hold of Elenor’s hand and tugged her into the kitchen.
Victoria sat waiting.
Rose snatched something from behind her mother’s back.
‘Open your present. I made it with no help from Mummy. She told me it was wonky in places, but I said you won’t mind, you are not posh like some ladies.’
‘Rose!’
Rose was telling the truth and Elenor gave Victoria a smile to show she didn’t mind.
‘I bet it is perfect, Rose. Thank you.’
She undid the yellow ribbon and unfolded the paper. Inside sat a square of blue material. The stitching around the edges was far from perfect, but to Elenor the headscarf was beautiful.
‘It’s the perfect gift. Thank you. I’ll treasure it always.’
Her voice cracked. The gift was given with so much affection. She looked at Rose and hoped one day she’d have a daughter with a heart as big as Rose Sherbourne’s.
Chapter 12
Autumn cooled down and drifted towards winter with no hesitation. Rose turned five and Elenor organised a small tea party. Two school friends were invited, and an excited Rose made the effort all worthwhile.
At the end of the day Elenor handed her a gift; a simple ragdoll dressed in a blue dress. The doll had a wonky smile, neat pink nose and large blue eyes embroidered onto a cream face. With a whoop of excitement, the little girl snatched it from its wrapping into her arms.
‘Thank you. She’s beautiful. I’m going to call her Annie.’
‘Annie. It suits her,’ said Elenor.
‘Thank you for my tea. Mummy said you did it all.’
‘It was my pleasure and an extra present.’
Elenor didn’t like to point out her parents showed no interest in her birthday, and she was thankful Annie made up for their lack of gift. Even Aunt Maude had knitted her a red cardigan.
Christmas brought with it great excitement as Elenor chose gifts for her aunt and Victoria. She brought her aunt a new woollen blanket in shades of pink, and for Victoria a new recipe book. She’d also purchased George a sheet of piano music.
Buying Rose’s gift gave her the most pleasure. It was a wicker doll’s pram, something Elenor had dreamed of owning as a young child. With due diligence, she’d paid into a Christmas club set up by Mrs Green.
She asked to pay a visit to her brothers and made new neckties for them. She’d also bought chocolates, and two magazines related to motorbikes.
Her aunt paid for a return ticket and the week before the festivities planned in her Coventry home, she made the journey to the farm.
The bus pushed its way through the last of the sludge which laid around the village. Nothing had changed, only the season.
Her bags weighed heavy as she walked to the end of the lane in her newly acquired wellington boots. There was a mild wind, nothing like the cold chill she’d expected, yet still she shivered. The farmhouse came into view. Fences lay in ruins around the boundary of the bottom field surrounding the house. In the two months she had been away, Elenor could see the brothers had neglected the family home. It saddened her greatly as she still loved her home, just not the residents. Maybe the old saying of absence makes the heart grow fonder would be proved today.
She didn’t knock and pushed the door open.
Stale, sour aromas hit her and wafted from pails by the sink – pig swill, which had sat for days rather than hours.
‘Who the hell are you lady, just walking in here?’
The gruff voice of James spoke from a chair by the unlit fire. He lifted a bottle and took a swig of its contents. Walter lay sleeping in the opposite seat, snoring the sleep of a drunkard.
‘Lady? Why thank you, kind sir.’
Elenor opted for a jovial manner as her reply. Her words registered with James and he jumped to his feet but found the need to steady himself against the fireplace.
‘About ruddy time you came home. This place needs a darn good clean. You can start when you’ve taken off that coat. Who the ruddy hell do you think you look like? Oi, Walt, see what the cat dragged in?’
James kicked his brother’s foot, and the startled man swore back at him. Pointing his finger at Elenor, James spat into the fire.
‘It’s crawled back from Coventry.’
With slow, deliberate movements, Walter also rose to his feet. He studied Elenor through slit eyes. It made a comical sight but Elenor knew better than to laugh.
‘Hello brother. I see you both have been busy,’ she said with a hint of sarcasm.
‘Don’t bring that snobby tone round here. Get to your room before I give you a slap. Unpack and come down to cook us something.’
Not responding with words, Elenor handed them each a wrapped parcel. They stared at her, then at each other, then back at her.
‘Didn’t you hear me girl?’ Walter yelled at her.
Elenor kept her nerve.
‘Christmas greetings to you both. This is a brief visit. Much briefer than I’d anticipated in fact, as neither of you care I have returned as your sister; I will not be staying as your skivvy. The neckties are from our mother’s clothes, not that you will appreciate the sentiment.’
James threw his gift onto the chair.
‘Appreciate the sentiment? Who do you think you are, you la-di-da bitch? Do as you are told.’
He tottered a few steps towards her and Elenor could smell the fumes of unwashed clothing and alcohol. When drunk her brothers could become nasty, handy with their fists.
‘As I said, I’ll not stay. Thank you for the offer of a room though. Nice of you.’
She turned and opened the door.
‘Don’t wave me off. You’ll let out the heat.’
Unable to resist another stab of sarcasm, she walked away. With only one bag to carry, her physical load was lighter. Her emotional one was much heavier. In her naivety, she’d hoped her brothers might have missed her and welcomed her back.
The walk back into the village was a sad one. She turned to take one last look at Tre Lodhen and her heart broke. Her tears remained in full flow until she spotted the bus on a return trip. She ran without looking back and climbed on board and burst into tears.
‘What on earth is the matter gal? Come now. Where you headed?’ asked the driver.
‘Back to Coventry. I can’t stay here.’
‘I know your brothers. Pair of drunkards they’ve become. They owe money all over. Let’s get you to Plymouth, you are best out of their clutches.’ Elenor slumped into a seat and changed her boots for her city shoes.
On the train she watched Cornwall fade away as if curtains closing on a stage.
A young man in a uniform sat opposite and Elenor was reminded of more pleasant times. Her birthday tea with Jackson St John and his grandfather.
She wondered if she would be blessed with a man who loved her at some point in her life. So far, she’d only had negative or undesirable communications from her father and brothers. Men who were supposed to love her. She wouldn’t want a man like George in her life. A man full of his own importance and no respect for women. She wanted someone who would smile when she entered a room, a man who would appreciate her gifts. Forcing back tears that seemed to threaten when least expected, she directed her thoughts on the pleasant image of Jackson in the hay field. She closed her eyes and imagined touching his muscular arms. Embarrassed by her new thoughts and the feelings they encouraged, she opened her eyes and looked out of the window just as they were pulling into Coventry station.
On the platform she could see George.
‘George. How did you know I was on the train and returning home?’
A scarlet-faced George stared at her in bewilderment.
‘I, um … err … I …’
Elenor noted he had a suitcase by his feet.
‘Are you waiting for me or off on one of your trips?’
He opened the door of the carriage she’d just left.
‘Another work-related lecture, Miss Cardew. Victoria is off to see her family in the morning, so your aunt will appreciate your early return.’
The whistle and scream of the train about to leave blew away some of his words. Elenor caught he would return Christmas Eve.
Confused by the fact Victoria was leaving her aunt alone and had not mentioned she had any intentions of visiting her family before Christmas, Elenor did not wait to see him off, although she had a sneaking suspicion he might have liked the attention. She took a quick walk home and went down the side entrance to the kitchen with the intention of making a hot drink before she went to bed.
To her surprise as she switched on the light, Victoria sat at the kitchen table in her nightwear. The woman never moved as Elenor walked up to her.
‘Gracious Victoria, you startled me. Are you unwell?’
Victoria shrugged her shoulders but didn’t give an answer.
‘Why are you home so soon, Elenor?’
Her voice sounded tired and Elenor sensed a hint of sadness.
‘I’ve just bumped into George. He said he is off on another trip, and you are to visit your family tomorrow. Is that right, you are leaving my aunt unattended? Were you taking Rose with you?’
Victoria rose from her seat. ‘How come you are back so soon?’
‘That’s my business. I can appreciate you wanting to visit your family, but my aunt needs support.’
She waited for Victoria to explain her decision to leave her aunt, but Victoria appeared distracted by other thoughts.
‘Victoria?’
‘I have no choice, George insists. I must be away for two days. I explained to your aunt I would leave everything in readiness for her, and she agreed. After all, I am her housekeeper, not her nurse.’
Elenor pushed her cup to one side.
‘It is not up to George when my aunt is to be left unattended. We call you housekeeper, but you know your post means caring for my aunt in all areas. Leaving her for two days is simply unacceptable. You can go because I am here, but understand I am not happy about the situation. I’m off to bed. I hope your family visit is more successful than mine. Goodnight.’
Elenor left the kitchen in a state of agitation. As she snuggled under the comfort of her eiderdown her anger towards George heightened.
Chapter 13
The following day, Victoria sought out Elenor.
‘I apologise for last night, but I do have to return home.’
Elenor stared at her.
‘It is not up to George to suggest things which threaten my aunt’s well-being. I take it Rose is at school?’
Victoria nodded and stepped out into the drizzling rain.
‘Yes. A friend will bring her home.’
‘I’m surprised you are not taking her with you. All this to-ing and fro-ing by you and George needs to be addressed. It is happening more often than not lately.’
‘Rose needs to stay here.’
Picking up a basket, Victoria walked away, not waiting to continue the conversation.
Elenor sensed a change in the woman and stared out onto the garden. She couldn’t wait for spring when the flowers poked through the soil bringing promises of warmer days.
Setting up a tray for her aunt, she thought of how life might be if Victoria or George didn’t live with them. Thinking ahead, Elenor pondered on an idea. As George earned his own money and appeared to only spend it on trips away, Elenor might suggest they find a place of their own and ask Victoria to become a daily help rather than a live-in housekeeper. Then she remembered Rose. The girl lit up her life, and Elenor would miss her. She tucked the thought to the back of her mind and took the tray upstairs.
‘Good morning, Aunt. How are you this morning? Curtains open or closed?’
‘Good morning Elenor. Open. Why are you back so early?’
Elenor set the tray on her aunt’s lap.
Elenor relayed to her aunt about the upset in Summercourt. Her aunt finished eating and pushed the tray away.
‘Consider this your home now. You are surprisingly better behaved than I’d been led to believe. I enjoy your company.’
Selecting clothes from the wardrobe and drawers, it unnerved Elenor that her aunt appeared to not realise they may not have many years left together and Elenor’s future would need to be one of independence.
‘It is reassuring Aunt, thank you. I am an independent sort, so will seek employment for the future. There will be a time …’
‘Yes, yes. Come along, I do not want to stay in my nightgown all day.’
They spent the day talking about family members Elenor had never heard of, and Maude reminisced about when she had been the same age as Elenor.
‘You are very much like me. Fierce and independent.’
‘That is a compliment, Aunt.’
‘Ah, but you have the traits of your mother too. Quiet and loving. You have the qualities I would have wished for in a daughter.’
Elenor remembered the affection between the Canadian relatives and walked over to her aunt. She placed her arms around her neck and gave her a kiss on the cheek.
‘Thank you,’ she whispered.
By four o’clock the calm of the house had disappeared. Rose burst through the door bringing with her the damp fresh air.
‘Elenor. I missed you!’
She raced over and hugged Elenor’s body.
‘Gracious, I was only gone for a day,’ Elenor said with a laugh. She wiped her floured hands on a cloth and bent down to Rose.
‘Let’s get this damp coat off you and we can chat about your day. Sit at the table and I’ll make you a warm milk. My aunt is snoozing, so we’ll stay in here.’
The easy atmosphere gave Elenor comfort.
‘It is nice when Mummy and Daddy aren’t here,’ Rose said.
‘Rose. I’m not sure you mean that. It is different. I might not be as strict when they are home, but you will not get away with things while they are away, young lady,’ Elenor said but she was in silent agreement. The place had a calm feel, a natural rhythm.
‘Are you looking forward to Christmas? I am,’ Rose said.
‘Of course, who doesn’t like Christmas? This will be a special one for me,’ Elenor said.
‘Why?’
‘Because of you and my aunt. And your parents.’