Cathy Sharp - The Boy with the Latch Key

However, she found it harder than she’d imagined to look into Archie’s eyes and explain he was being sent to the country, not because it was better for him, but because she didn’t have the room to keep him and his sister indefinitely.

‘I am truly sorry, Archie,’ she said, ‘and I want you to know that we shall pay for your fares to visit your mother when an order becomes available. Sergeant Sallis won’t give up trying, and if a permit comes through he will contact you. I shall make sure you have the fares – and I think you will like it at Halfpenny House. They have playing fields and more facilities for sport than we have here …’

‘I don’t want to go. I’ve got to stay here,’ Archie said. ‘I’ve got a job on the market on Saturdays and I’m savin’ for when Mum gets home. She’ll need some money to get started …’

‘I’m sorry, Archie. You have to go. I really don’t have a choice – but my promise to you is that you will be able to see your mother if that permit comes. And it might be better for your sister to get away, don’t you think?’

Archie looked rebellious and she thought he was going to refuse. She was wondering if she could possibly manage to keep them on when she saw his slight nod of acceptance.

‘It would be better if June wasn’t here,’ Archie admitted. ‘She hates it at her school, because they bully her, and she won’t listen to what I tell her. If we’re away from here she might settle down and not run wild …’

‘I’m glad that you are so caring towards your sister,’ Beatrice gave him an approving nod. ‘You will be leaving tomorrow, both of you – and please feel free to write to me if you have any worries. I am always here for you; do you understand?’

‘Yes, Sister,’ Archie said. ‘May I go now? I have to talk to June, make sure she understands …’

‘Of course,’ Beatrice said. ‘I’m very pleased you’ve behaved so responsibly and I shall do whatever I can for you in future – should you wish to return to London, as I’m sure you will once your mother is home. After all, yours is only a temporary situation, is it not?’

‘Yes, Sister …’

Archie inclined his head and went out. Beatrice looked at the closed door and wondered. Had she done what was best for the boy and his sister? She didn’t really have much choice given the situation at St Saviour’s. True, she would have two free beds when they’d gone, but she needed them for emergency admissions.

If only the new wing hadn’t been leased to the Children’s Welfare Department. She’d never had this worry once the new wing was built, because it provided a lot of much-needed extra space for her children, but the Board had decided that the future lay in moving the children out of the East End, nearer to the country where the conditions were better and the air was fresher, and Beatrice was only one voice. It meant that once again she was often short of beds for emergencies and had to pass her charges on sooner than she would like. Was she the only one who saw that some of these children could never belong anywhere but the streets where they were born and bred? At least here she’d been able to help many of them into good jobs and better lives than their parents had known.

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