The Forgotten Family (8 page)

Ellie went over and kissed her cheek. ‘Thank you, Nanny.’

Henry sighed. ‘Well, if you are determined on this crazy scheme, then I’ll check to see if they are still living at the same address.’

‘Good, that is a start. You will do that today, Henry?’ Albert urged. ‘We wish to get on with this without delay.’

‘Yes, yes, of course,’ he muttered irritably as he walked towards the door. ‘Damned madness, that’s what it is.’

‘Can I come with you, Father?’ Philip called.

‘No, you can’t. It’s no fit place to take anyone.’

‘I believe it’s time we started our lessons.’ Mr Rogers ushered them out of the room.

Ellie caught hold of Philip’s arm. ‘Stop looking so grumpy.’

‘How can we concentrate on lessons with all this excitement going on?’ Philip eyed her with renewed interest. ‘You’re not my cousin after all.’

‘I most certainly am, and you’ll be asking for trouble if you say anything like that again.’

As they left the room she heard her father chuckle, and she turned round to wink at him.

Only when they’d all gone did Albert sit down next to Nanny. ‘Eleanor is making a valiant effort to deal with this and remain cheerful. She has courage, as we have always known, but this has caused her great distress.’

‘It was bound to, but she has found someone who understands how she feels. Employing that young man is turning out to be a blessing. Fortune was smiling on you that day.’

‘You could be right.’ Albert drained his second cup of tea and put it back on the table. ‘But there are going to be difficult times ahead.’

‘You will both come through this, scarred, no doubt, but stronger.

‘I hope you’re right, Nanny.’

Dinner was an informal affair on the evening Henry returned from London. Albert had insisted that Mr Rogers and Nanny join them to hear what he had discovered on his trip.

However, much to Ellie’s frustration, the Bonners were not discussed until the meal was over and they had retired to the drawing room. She could hardly contain herself, but knew better than to broach the subject until her father was ready to do so.

When everyone was settled with a drink, her father looked at Henry.  ‘What did you find out?’

‘I didn’t go to the house, of course, not wishing to arouse the Bonners’ curiosity, but the area is just as disgusting as I remembered. The landlord of the local hostelry told me that the Bonners are still at the same address, but the children have all left home.’

Ellie’s insides clenched in apprehension. So, she would be able to see them.

‘I’m not surprised the children have gone. They will be quite grown up after fifteen years.’ Albert turned to Ellie. ‘We shall pay them a visit tomorrow.’

‘Just a minute.’ Henry was on his feet in alarm. ‘You can’t just walk up to them and ask why they sold Queenie. It’s a damned rough street, Albert, and no place for a young lady.’

‘I am sure you exaggerate.’ Albert glowered irritably. ‘How are we to see them if we don’t go there? What do you suggest, that we summon them here?’

‘You know you can’t do that.’ Henry was clearly annoyed with Albert’s tone. ‘But it isn’t safe to take Eleanor there.’

‘There is a way, sir.’

All eyes turned to Mr Rogers.

‘If you go there pretending to be on official business, it should be safe enough. Tell them that the government is looking into the possibility of improving housing for the poor, and they will treat you with respect.’

‘That’s a splendid idea, Father.’ Ellie was enthusiastic. For a moment she had believed it wouldn’t be possible to go to Whitechapel. ‘I could pretend to be your secretary, or something.’

‘Hmm, it might work.’ Albert dipped his head, deep in thought, and then he looked up again. ‘I have no wish to have my daughter frightened. Mr Rogers, would you come with us just in case there is trouble? You could pass as my assistant, while Eleanor pretends to make notes.’

‘I would be happy to accompany you.’

‘Can I come too?’ Philip was fidgeting with excitement.

‘Not this time,’ Albert said kindly to soften the refusal. ‘But we may well need you when we trace some of the children.’

‘All right.’ Philip had a gleam in his eye. ‘Does this mean there won’t be any lessons tomorrow?’

‘I’ll leave work for you to do,’ the tutor told him. ‘You will be on your honour to study while I am away.’

‘Yes, sir.’ Philip pulled a face, disappointed. ‘It won’t be much fun stuck in the schoolroom on my own.’

‘You may bring your lessons to my room and keep me company for the day.’

‘Thank you, Nanny.’ He brightened at once.

‘Now that’s all settled, I suggest we make an early start in the morning. There is a train at nine o’clock.’

‘There’s one more thing, sir, it would be unwise to use your own name.’

Albert pursed his lips. ‘You are right. Now, what shall I call myself?’

‘Mr Higginbottom.’ Philip rocked with laughter.

‘Something a little less memorable, I think.’ Albert’s voice showed his amusement. ‘What about Smythe?’

‘That should do nicely.’ Henry nodded. ‘Is there anyone in Parliament by that name?’

‘At least two.’

‘Ah well, that should cause enough confusion if anyone makes enquiries about the government interest in the area.’ Henry actually laughed, more at ease about the scheme now. ‘I wish I could come with you, but the Bonners might have long memories.’

‘You can’t take the risk of being recognised.’ Albert helped Nanny out of the chair. ‘It is way past your bedtime.’

When Ellie came to the other side of Nanny, she smiled at both of them. ‘Thank you for including me in the discussions. I may be infirm, but my mind is still sharp. The young man has come up with a sound plan, but you all make sure you take care of my girl.’

‘We will, Nanny.’ Mr Rogers opened the door for them. ‘She will come to no harm, I promise.’

‘I shall expect a report as soon as you return home.’

‘I’ll come and see you at once,’ Ellie assured her.

With a nod and a grimace of pain, she allowed them to take her back to her room, where the maid, Molly, was waiting to help her to bed.

Surprisingly, Ellie slept well that night, but had difficulty eating her breakfast. Her nervous stomach would not take the array of cooked foods on the sideboard. The thought of what this day held was making her feel sick, and yet she
had
to know what the Bonners were like. She just had to.

‘Are you all right, Eleanor? You are not eating.’

‘I’m not hungry, Father.’ She glanced hesitantly at him. ‘I’m putting you to a great deal of trouble.’

Folding his napkin, he reached for her hand. ‘Are you having doubts?’

‘I’m full of doubts, but I must see where I came from. I feel incomplete, and it will plague me for the rest of my life if I don’t do this. But I am so very frightened.’

‘Don’t be.’ He squeezed her hand. ‘Mr Rogers and I will be with you the entire time. They won’t know who you are
unless you decide to tell them. Now, we must go or we shall miss our train.’

The tutor was already outside with the carriage to take them to the railway station. Out of respect for the family he was also in mourning clothes and Ellie thought the sombre dress would not cause too much attention in the poorer parts of London. Not that she could remember what that was like, of course, but she had read accounts of the hardship and poverty. And the fact that a frock was the only garment Queenie had been wearing drew its own picture. She still couldn’t imagine herself as that little girl. In her mind, Queenie and Eleanor were separate people, but perhaps that would change after today.

The weather was cold but dry when they arrived in London. Her mother had disliked the city, never wishing to visit, and so Ellie had never been here before. Even though she was extremely nervous, there was also excitement about the day ahead. Her father had arranged for a Hansom cab to be at their disposal for the day.

‘River Street, Whitechapel,’ he told the driver as they got in. ‘Let’s get this done first, and then have lunch. Would you like to visit the Palace of Westminster before returning home?’

‘Yes, please.’ Ellie had longed to do this for a long time, and once the visit to Whitechapel was over it would be something to look forward to.

‘Is that also agreeable to you, Mr Rogers?’

‘I would enjoy that very much, sir.’

The men continued talking, but Ellie took no part, she was watching the passing scenery: there were people
everywhere, carriages, horse-drawn buses and delivery carts, and even a few motor cars. They were rather noisy. In fact everything was noisy after the tranquillity of the countryside. She was beginning to understand her mother’s aversion to London. She had loved peace and quiet, and there seemed to be very little of that here.

Suddenly they came to a halt, and Ellie hung out of the window in wonderment. ‘Look, Father, women with banners are blocking the way. One says, “Votes for Mother”. It’s the WSPU. I wonder if Mrs Pankhurst’s there.’

‘Right in the front, I expect.’ He looked wryly at his daughter’s animated face.

‘Do you think they will succeed?’

‘One day, maybe, but it will not come quickly. Radical change never does, and there is a great deal of opposition to giving women the vote. Many men consider they haven’t the intellect and should continue doing what they do best – looking after their husbands and raising the children.’

Ellie spun back in her seat, indignant. ‘Women are just as intelligent as men, and in some cases more intelligent.’

Albert held up his hands. ‘I agree with you, but I am considered to have outlandish views on many subjects – for a man.’

‘Oh, you should not have given up your seat in Parliament. The government has need of men with vision.’

‘Thank you, Eleanor.’ He bowed his head in acknowledgement of the compliment. ‘There may come a time when I shall return to politics, but for the moment I need to be free.’

‘Of course.’ Ellie knew the decision must have been
hard for him, and once they were through this period of mourning, and their search for the Bonners was over, she would encourage him to return to parliament. She turned to Mr Rogers. He had fitted into their lives so quickly that it would be hard to imagine him not being with them now. He was so interesting to talk to, as well. ‘Do you believe that women should be allowed the vote?’

‘I am sure it will happen one day, but your father’s right, those women have a long, hard struggle ahead of them. But, to answer your question, I do believe they have the right to a say in things that touch their lives.’

Ellie smiled in satisfaction, then jumped up again. ‘Oh, we’re moving again. The constables have cleared the road.’ She settled back to watch the passing scenery again, her nervousness forgotten in the excitement. But it crept back as the views changed from fine houses and well-dressed people, to small dwellings, and ragged children playing in dirty streets. Was this how she had lived? It was shocking.

‘We’re almost there, Eleanor.’ Her father spoke gently. ‘Do you have your notebook at the ready?’

She nodded and whispered, ‘Is this really where I came from?’

‘Yes, but try not to let it upset you too much. Your time here was short.’

At that moment the cab stopped. Mr Rogers got out first, then her father, and finally Ellie stepped on to the street she must have known well as a small child. She lifted her skirt to avoid the worst of the dirty road. Everything looked grimy, even the people who were watching their arrival with suspicion.

‘’Ere, giss a penny.’ A small boy of about six held out his hand.

Ellie was about to open her purse when her father stopped her. ‘No, we shall be besieged if you do.’

She gazed regretfully at the urchin, who hadn’t missed the exchange.

‘Does you always do what he says?’

‘I most certainly do.’ She slipped into her role. ‘I work for him, you see. He’s an important man in the government.’

‘What’s a toff like him doing down here?’ The boy eyed him up and down, then wiped his nose on his sleeve. ‘What you all dressed in black for? The old Queen died ages ago.’

‘We have had a family bereavement.’ This scruffy little boy certainly wasn’t frightened of them.

‘Alfie, come away.’ A woman rushed out of a house, clipped him round the ear and dragged him inside.

A few men and women were standing by their front doors. They didn’t appear to be very friendly, and Ellie moved closer to her father, wondering if any of them were the Bonners.

Seeing they had an audience, her father began to explain why they were there, making the story sound plausible. He was, after all, a politician, and used to speaking to the public.

He caught their interest and the residents gathered round, eager to air their views. Ellie scribbled industriously in her book, and Mr Rogers walked around, talking to others who were keeping their distance. The subterfuge seemed to be working.

After about twenty minutes, Albert said, ‘You have been
very helpful. Would you be kind enough to tell me your names?’

Ellie made a list of the names, waiting all the while for one name. When it came she actually jumped, looking up sharply to study the man and woman talking to her father.

‘Would you mind if we had a look inside your house, Mr Bonner? It would help my report if I could actually describe the living conditions.’

‘If you wants to.’ Mr Bonner led the way with his wife close behind him.

The place was very small and Ellie wondered how they had managed to cram ten children into this tiny dwelling. Nanny had told her that she hadn’t liked sleeping in a bed on her own, so they must have all been crammed together. She drank in the scene, her heart hammering, but nothing was familiar.

‘Do you have any children?’ her father asked.

‘We had ten, but three died, and the rest have gone their own ways.’ Mrs Bonner scowled. ‘Don’t never bother with us now. Ungrateful lot after the struggle we had to bring them up.’

Albert ignored her outburst. ‘I’m sorry to hear that three of your children died. What were their names?’

‘It was Charlie, June and Queenie.’

Liar, was the word that ran through Ellie’s head as she looked at Hilda Bonner, but she made a note of the other two names, wondering if they had sold them as well. If they were dead then it made her sad to realise she had a brother and sister she would never meet.

‘And where do your other children live, Mrs Bonner?’ Mr Rogers asked.

‘A couple in Wandsworth and one in Hammersmith, but we don’t know where the rest are.’

‘I know Wandsworth well.’ Mr Rogers looked suitably interested. ‘Whereabouts do they live?’

‘Pearl is in Crondall Street. Married a bloke by the name of Greenway, and Jack’s in the same street. Doing all right for themselves.’

‘I’m pleased to hear that.’ The tutor nodded to Ellie to let her know he knew where it was.

They moved outside again, where an even larger crowd had  gathered.

‘You ought’ave charged them an entrance fee, Fred.’ One of the neighbours grinned, a cigarette hanging out of his mouth. ‘Surprised you didn’t think of that, Hilda.’

‘Shut your mouth, Joe,’ Fred Bonner snarled, ‘or I’ll shut it for you.’

Seeing there was danger of a fight breaking out, Albert and Mr Rogers urged Ellie towards the cab.

‘What do you want to do, Eleanor?’ Her father placed a protective arm around his daughter. ‘Do you want to leave without saying anything?’

Taking a deep breath, she turned to face the Bonners. She couldn’t think of them as her parents, that was very clear to her. ‘You said three of your children had died and one of them was Queenie.’

‘S’right.’ Fred Bonner lit a cigarette.

‘Then you are not telling the truth. Queenie didn’t die. You sold her to strangers for a few pounds.’