Chapter Fourteen #2
‘Actually, we have three girls who are deemed old enough to leave once they have positions. but as I said, I think I might have just the one for you. Her name is Nancy Dewis and she’s fifteen years old.
She finished school some months ago and has been working in our nursery with the babies, so I’m sure she’d be perfect with your little one.
The nursery staff speak very highly of her and she’s a bright girl.
Nancy was born here after her mother signed herself in, but sadly she died before Nancy was a year old, so she has been here ever since and is quite popular.
She’s quiet but she has a very sunny disposition.
Would you like to meet her? If so, I’ll take you to the day room where you can have a chat and see how you get on. ’
‘Yes please. She sounds perfect.’
Mrs Latimer led Annie into what had once been one of the school rooms. Now chairs and tables were dotted about where the residents could sit and chat to their visitors, were they lucky enough to have any.
There was a bookcase with some books on it, and some old magazines scattered on the tables.
Annie took a seat with Adam napping on her lap and anxiously watched the door.
Finally it opened and Mrs Latimer appeared with a young girl beside her.
The girl looked very young for her age, with mousy hair scraped back into a ponytail, and Annie noticed that she had quite a bad limp.
She was painfully thin and as their eyes met, she eyed Annie suspiciously.
‘Nancy, this is Mrs Taylor-Lloyd,’ the housemistress introduced them, and Annie smiled at her, although Nancy didn’t respond.
Her eyes were already fixed on Adam. ‘I’ve explained to Nancy what her position would be,’ the woman went on.
‘And Nancy would be happy to come with you if you think she might be suitable. As you know, even when the young people leave here, we are responsible for them until they are eighteen years old so should the position not work out, we would expect Nancy to return here until another position could be found for her. Now, why don’t I leave you two to get acquainted while I go and make us all a nice cup of tea.
’ With that she left the room, closing the door quietly behind her.
Annie patted the seat at the side of her. ‘It’s nice to meet you, Nancy. Why don’t you come and sit here by me? And don’t worry, I understand how nervous you must be feeling. I lived here once too.’
Nancy looked astounded as she took in the lovely clothes Annie was wearing. She looked like one of the toffs that she saw in the church each Sunday, but she seemed nice.
Cautiously she limped across and sat down.
‘This is Adam,’ Annie went on. ‘He’s a year old now and one of your duties would be caring for him when I’m at work.
I own a shop in the town. Your other duties would involve helping about the house, but I promise it wouldn’t be all work.
You would live with me, Adam and my husband as part of the family and when I was at home you would be welcome to go out and about just so long as we know where you are going so that we are sure you are safe.
You would have your own room and of course we’d give you a small wage each week and supply your clothes. How does that sound?’
It sounded like heaven to Nancy – almost too good to be true – so she nodded as her eyes fastened once again on Adam.
He stirred and when he opened his eyes he gave her a beaming smile, which brought forth the first smile from her.
It quite transformed her face and Annie thought she could be quite pretty if she had the right clothes and paid some attention to her hair.
And Nancy seemed to cope very well with the limp.
Tentatively, Nancy reached out to Adam and when his fingers closed around hers, she seemed to come to life.
‘I like babies,’ she said solemnly. ‘Now that I’m older, I help out up in the nursery. That’s my favourite job. I can’t cook though.’
‘I’m sure I could teach you.’ Annie smiled. ‘I couldn’t cook either when I left here, although I was very good at peeling vegetables and preparing food.’
The housemother reappeared carrying a loaded tray and after pouring out the tea she handed a cup to Annie.
‘Why don’t you hold the baby for Mrs Taylor-Lloyd while she has her drink?’ she suggested and Nancy willingly held her arms out.
As Annie and Mrs Latimer chatted, Annie was pleased to see that Adam was quite at ease with the girl and she was very clearly taken with him, which she took as a good sign.
‘Right, well, why don’t I go away and leave you to decide whether you’d like the position?’ Annie said to Nancy. ‘And if Mrs Latimer allows it, perhaps you could come to my home to see it and meet my husband?’
When Nancy nodded, Mrs Latimer smiled. ‘I think that would be perfectly acceptable.’
‘In that case I could come and fetch you tomorrow?’ Annie knew exactly how Nancy was feeling.
She could remember how she had felt when Maggie turned up and took her away.
She’d had no choice in the matter back then and she didn’t want Nancy to feel that way.
This place had been Nancy’s home for her whole life and although she was probably longing to make a new start outside it, it was still a daunting prospect.
‘Shall we say I come at three o’clock? My husband can come too and take you home in our car – just to see it, of course. And then the decision will be entirely up to you.’
Annie left with a spring in her step. She’d liked what she’d seen of Nancy and had high hopes of a happy outcome that would suit them both.