The Winter Orphan. Cathy Sharp

after.’

      ‘Good – then I may ask you to sign your name to a paper for me another day. Will you do that?’

      ‘Yes, sir – though I can write no more than my name.’

      ‘That will be fine, Bella.’ He put his hand in his pocket and brought out a florin. ‘This is for you – I would give you more but you might be accused of stealing it.’

      ‘I’ve never had a coin before but I’ve seen one of these – Florrie had one from the lady she works for and she bought some plums for us all and shared them.’

      Arthur nodded. ‘Is there anything more you can tell me, child?’

      ‘I’m not sure, sir.’ Bella looked puzzled. ‘Well, there was the boy that disappeared …’

      Arthur’s brow furrowed. ‘A boy disappeared?’

      ‘Yes, sir – a few months back, in the autumn last year. He tried to run away and the master caught him and brought him back. He said he would be whipped and told us it was a warning to us all, but we never saw him again.’

      ‘What was the boy’s name?’

      ‘It was a bit like yours, sir – Arthur Meaks. But he was not meek, sir. He was always in trouble and being punished, and then he was gone.’

      ‘Did no one tell you where he’d gone?’

      ‘The mistress said he’d been sent to work for a master but I do not know where, for I never saw him again after the master dragged him away – and when I asked Florrie, she was upset and said it was best not to speak of it.’

      ‘Thank you,’ Arthur said. ‘You have helped me, Bella – and if ever you need my help, you may send word to me here.’

      He handed her a small white card with some letters printed on it. The writing meant nothing to Bella but she tucked it inside her bodice with her precious florin. Other people knew how to read and something told her that one day she might want to contact this man again.

      ‘Thank you, sir.’ She hesitated but then did not ask for help, because where could she go if he took her away from here? Bella did not want to return to the workhouse and there was nowhere else for her to go. Here her master generally ignored her and Annie was sometimes kind; she thought there might be far worse places than the one she already had and so she held her thoughts inside.

      ‘Goodbye, Bella,’ Mr Stoneham said. ‘I will come to see you another day and if there is something you wish to tell me you may do so then.’

      Bella watched as he left the kitchen and then set about gathering another kettle and some clean linen. Annie would want to wash and she would need a cup of tea.