The Orphanage Girls Come Home by Mary Wood

Author:Mary Wood [Wood, Mary]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-03-17T17:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eighteen

Ellen

Ellen hung on tightly to Ruth’s hand as they walked along Sardinia Street.

Everything seemed so familiar, and yet strange to her.

Her stomach muscles tightened as she neared the house. She knew Ruth, too, was feeling nervous as her hand quivered a little.

Suddenly she stood still. The house was in view and a young boy had come through the front door.

‘That’s him, Ruth! Oh, Ruth, he looks so like you.’

‘And you, mate. Don’t forget yer me twin.’ Ruth gave a nervous laugh. Ellen knew from old that Ruth dealt with most things by making light of them.

As they neared him, the boy glanced towards them. Ruth shocked Ellen by saying, ‘Hello, luv. You off out, then?’

The boy grinned. ‘I am waiting for my friend who’s coming to tea. I’m not supposed to be out here really. Mother would say that I will catch my death, but I don’t think I will.’

Ellen couldn’t speak, but Ruth said, ‘Yer might, it’s a bit nippy today.’

Now they were closer, the boy looked at them quizzically. ‘Do I know you?’

Ellen nudged Ruth, then quickly said, ‘No. We . . . We’re just visiting a house down the road. I’m Ellen and this is Ruth. Ruth’s always chatting to strangers.’

‘I think that’s good. I like to talk, but I don’t get a lot of chance.’

‘Oh? Don’t you go to school, Christopher?’

The boy looked shocked. Ellen felt Ruth’s eyes on her.

‘How do you know my name? Who are you?’

‘I – I . . . I’m sorry . . . I shouldn’t have . . .’

Ruth saved the day, though how she thought up what came out of her mouth, Ellen couldn’t think.

‘We came by here sometime last year and you were getting into a car . . . Well, at least yer should have been, but you were dawdling. We heard yer mum say, “Hurry up, Christopher!” We’re sorry, me mate shouldn’t have called yer by yer name. We’ll get on our way now. Have a good time with yer friend . . . Though it’s strange as we’ve been past a few times and not seen yer. We thought yer’d be at school.’

The boy relaxed. ‘It’s all right. I don’t know how you remembered me, but don’t worry. You just startled me, that’s all.’

Ellen felt relief flood through her. She held Christopher’s lovely dark eyes for a moment. She so wanted to hug him, to tell him who she really was, but knew she couldn’t. Maybe when he was a lot older. ‘Thanks. I apologize again. And maybe we’ll see you again when we come by. It’s been nice talking to you.’

‘Well, I don’t know if you will. I go to boarding school next year. Somewhere in the middle of England, a place called Rugby. It’s a very well-known school.’

‘Oh yes, I’ve heard of it. Are you looking forward to it?’

‘Sort of. A bit scared too, though.’

The door to the house opened. ‘Master Christopher, what are yer doing? Come on inside . . . Who are you? What are you doing here?’

‘Oh, we’re just passing by.

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