No Ocean Too Wide Read online

  “Open it and see.”

  Grace wiped her nose on her sleeve and pulled off the paper, revealing a currant bun inside. Her eyes lit up. “Where did you get it, Garth?”

  “Jacob gave it to me while we waited for his dad to bring the wagon ’round.” He took another bun from his pocket and held it out to Katie.

  Her stomach contracted, but she pushed it back toward him. “You eat it.”

  “I already had one. This one’s for you.”

  A wave of gratefulness flowed through her. She slipped the bun out of the paper and took a bite, savoring the sweet, buttery treat. “It’s really good.”

  Garth’s mouth tipped up. “Jacob is kind, like his mum.”

  Katie nodded and took another small bite, wanting to make the bun last as long as she could.

  Garth frowned toward the small clock on the shelf. “It’s late. We should try to get some sleep.”

  Katie glanced out the window. “I guess you’re right.”

  The sky was dark except for the moon’s faint glow through the shifting clouds. She yawned and finished the last bite of her bun. Her eyes felt gritty, and her neck and shoulders ached. She’d lie down with her sister in the bed they shared, but she doubted she’d be able to fall asleep. Too many troublesome thoughts tumbled through her mind tonight.

  How long would Mum have to stay in the hospital? What would it cost? How would they get along without her? What if she didn’t get well? Would they be left alone to face the future as orphans without a home? She’d seen children begging on the street and others who turned to stealing to survive.

  She closed her eyes, trying to block out those painful images. That would never happen to them. Everything would be all right in the morning. Mum would get better, she’d come home, and they’d all be safe and happy together.

  * * *

  Katie stared out the rain-streaked window, searching the street below, but saw no sign of Garth. She glanced at the small clock on the shelf above the sink and bit her lip.

  Where could he be? When he’d left that morning, he’d told her he would come home as soon as he finished making deliveries for Mr. Davies. On Saturday he usually finished by one or two o’clock at the latest, but it was almost three now. Why was he so late? Had he convinced Mr. Davies to give him his pay and then stopped to buy some food on the way home? She blew out a deep breath. Yes, that must be the reason.

  She walked over to the table where her little sister sat drawing on the back of an old wrinkled flyer. Grace hummed while she worked on her picture, looking lost in her imaginary world. Katie laid her hand on Grace’s shoulder, as much to comfort herself as her sister.

  Grace looked up, her blue eyes soft and innocent. “When’s Garth coming?”

  “I’m sure he’ll be here soon.” Katie forced a smile. “Tell me about your drawing.”

  Grace pointed to the stick figures. “This is me and Mum, and this is you and Garth. We’re at the park, by the lake, feeding the ducks.”

  Katie nodded and swallowed. “Very nice.” She blinked her stinging eyes. Oh, to be young and feel safe and believe everything was going to be all right.

  She’d spent the day trying to keep busy and not worry about Mum. As soon as the dress shop opened, she’d gone downstairs and told Mrs. Palmer that Mum had been taken to the hospital. The stern woman seemed more concerned about who would do the hand sewing than about Mum’s illness. Katie offered to take Mum’s place, but Mrs. Palmer wouldn’t hear of it. Mum had been teaching Katie how to do the intricate stitching, and she was becoming quite skilled. But Mrs. Palmer didn’t believe it.

  The dressmaker sent her off with a warning that she would not let them stay in the rooms over the shop unless Mum got well and came back to work soon. Katie slowly climbed the steps with the woman’s harsh words ringing in her ears. Back in the flat she’d written a letter to Laura, but she had no stamp or money to buy one. She set it aside and read a story to Grace before tidying up to prepare for Mum’s homecoming. Surely she wouldn’t have to stay at the hospital too long.

  At noon she fried the last of the potatoes and the onion and gave Grace the largest portion. She’d thought about saving some for Garth, but Mrs. Davies usually slipped him a small meat pie or slice of bread and butter before he left to make his deliveries. Grace hoped that was the case today. If not, Garth would be hungry.

  Someone knocked, and Katie quickly crossed the room and opened the door.

  Mrs. Graham waited in the hallway, her basket over her arm. “Hello, Katie. May I come in?”

  “Yes please. Have you been to the hospital? How is Mum?”

  Mrs. Graham glanced at Grace and gave her a slight smile. “Hello, love. I’ve brought you a treat.” She took a small orange from her basket and handed it to Grace.

  Her sister’s face brightened. “Thank you!” She accepted the orange, sat down at the table, and started pulling off the peel.

  Mrs. Graham motioned Katie to move away from Grace, then lowered her voice. “I’m just on my way back from the hospital. There’s no change in your mum’s condition.”

  Katie gave a slight nod. It wasn’t the news she’d hoped for, but Mum was still alive and that gave her hope.

  “I spoke to the doctor,” Mrs. Graham continued. “He says she has pneumonia. She’s weak but stable.”

  “Can we go see her today?”

  “That’s a long way, love, and they wouldn’t allow Grace to go in. She’s too young.”

  Katie sighed and nodded. She wasn’t sure why she’d asked. They couldn’t afford to pay for a ride across town, and it would be too far to walk.

  “Now, you mustn’t worry. Your mum is getting good care, and with time I’m sure she’ll get well.” Mrs. Graham reached in her basket and took out another orange. Her eyes glowed as she handed it to Katie. “The Lord will take care of her. You just keep a good eye on Grace and say your prayers.”

  “I will.” Katie accepted the cool, smooth orange, and her mouth watered.

  Jumbled voices sounded below, and then heavy footsteps pounded up the stairs.

  Mrs. Graham glanced toward the door. “Gracious saints above, who is that?”

  The door burst open and a policeman hustled in, tugging Garth by the arm.

  Katie’s heart lurched, and her gaze darted from the policeman to Garth. Her brother’s face burned red, and he set his mouth in a grim line. As soon as he met Katie’s gaze, he clenched his jaw and looked away.

  The officer glared at Mrs. Graham. “Are you Mrs. Edna McAlister?”

  “No sir. I’m Mrs. Ruby Graham.”

  Katie fisted her hands. What had Garth done? He could be headstrong, and he liked to tease, but he’d never been in trouble with the police.

  Mrs. Graham’s face paled. “What happened, Officer?”

  “This lad was caught stealing a loaf of bread from Pinkham’s Bakery.” The officer jerked Garth’s arm. “He said his family was starving and that he only wanted to bring them something to eat, but no one here looks to be starving.”

  Heat rose in Katie’s face. Oh, Garth, you know Mum would never want you to steal anything, no matter how hungry we are.

  “I shouldn’t have taken it.” Garth looked up at the officer, a challenge in his eyes. “But I’m not lying. Look around. You’ll see I’m telling the truth. We’ve no food.”

  The policeman dropped his hold on Garth’s arm and strode across the room. He pulled open the cupboards and searched the empty shelves. He huffed, then turned around, glaring at Mrs. Graham. “Is it true their mother is in the hospital?”

  “Yes sir. We took her there last night. But I didn’t realize the children had nothing to eat. They never said as much to me.”

  The bobby frowned and scanned the room, his gaze eventually resting on Grace. “How old are you, young lady?”

  Grace darted a fright
ened glance at Katie and shrank down in her chair.

  Katie placed her hand on Grace’s shoulder. “She’s seven.”

  “And you?”

  Katie lifted her chin. “I’m fourteen.”

  “The same age as your brother?”

  “Yes sir. We’re twins.”

  The policeman narrowed his eyes. “You don’t look like twins to me.”

  Katie would’ve laughed if it hadn’t been such a serious situation. “No sir. We’re fraternal twins, not identical.”

  “Well, three children can’t be staying alone in a place like this with no food. You’ll have to come with me.”

  Panic shot through Katie, and she tightened her hold on Grace’s shoulder. He couldn’t really take them away, could he?

  Garth crossed the room and stood beside Katie. “Our mum will be coming home from the hospital any day. We can’t leave.”

  The bobby turned to Mrs. Graham. “Is that true?”

  The woman hesitated. “Well, we hope she’ll be coming home soon, but there’s no way to know for sure.”

  “I can’t leave young children on their own with no food and no parents to watch over them.” He lowered his voice. “Can you take care of them until their mother returns?”

  Mrs. Graham’s eyes widened, and she lifted her hand to her chest. “Oh…I’d like to, but I don’t know what Mr. Graham would say. We have six children of our own and barely enough room for our family.”

  “All right, then.” The officer stepped toward Garth. “I’ll take them to the Grangeford Children’s Home.”

  “No! Please, we want to stay here.” Garth gripped Katie’s hand. “I have a job delivering for Mr. Davies, the butcher on Layton Street, and Katie does piecework for Mrs. Palmer, the dressmaker downstairs. We’ll be paid soon. That will give us enough money to buy food until Mum comes back.”

  “Sorry, lad. You need to come with me.” The policeman stepped toward Garth.

  “What if we refuse?” Katie wrapped her arm around Grace’s shoulders.

  The policeman narrowed his eyes and studied her. “Then I’ll have to arrest your brother for stealing that bread and take him to jail.”

  She looked at Garth, trying to read his thoughts, but for once she couldn’t. Maybe he felt as confused and panicked as she.

  The bobby crossed his burly arms. “You only have two choices. All three of you must come along with me now, or I’ll take the lad to jail, then return and take you girls to the children’s home.”

  Garth shot a fearful glance at Katie. Then resignation filled his eyes. He looked back at the policeman. “We want to stay together.”

  “It will only be until your mum gets well.” Mrs. Graham forced a slight smile. “You’ll have plenty to eat and a safe place to sleep. Your mum can come and fetch you when she’s well.”

  Katie’s stomach roiled, and a dizzy wave swept over her. It all sounded reasonable, but what if Mum didn’t get well? What would happen then?

  * * *

  Laura McAlister slid Mrs. Frasier’s burgundy silk dress off the ironing board and held it up to make sure she’d pressed out every wrinkle. Sunlight streamed through the laundry room window, making the black beads on the bodice sparkle. She turned the dress slowly, checking the back and sides. Satisfied with her work, she tucked a hanger into the neck of the dress, draped the long skirt over her arm, and headed out to the lower hall.

  It was almost noon and time for the servants’ midday meal. She’d take the dress upstairs and hang it in her mistress’s room, then join the rest of the staff in the servants’ hall. Perhaps the morning post had arrived, and she’d find a letter from Mum waiting for her. She usually received letters from home once or twice a week, but for some reason there had been no word for almost two weeks.

  Anxious thoughts rose in Laura’s mind, and her chest tightened. If she didn’t hear something soon, she would ask for a day off so she could travel to London and check on her family.

  It was painful and worrisome to be separated from them, but after Dad died, Laura needed to find work to help support her family. Through a friend she heard about Mr. and Mrs. Harrington, a wealthy family in London who were looking to hire a new maid. She’d gone to the interview and been hired that same day.

  Everything had gone well at first, but then their nephew, Simon, came to stay. He’d made her life miserable with his suggestive comments, which had quickly progressed to cornering her in the hallways and finally to grabbing her on the back stairs. She’d escaped that last time with a torn dress. But she was so frightened she’d left that afternoon without giving notice.

  Laura shuddered, pushed those sickening memories away, and started up the servants’ stairs. It was a miracle she’d found a new position working for the Frasier family only one week later. Mr. and Mrs. Frasier lived a quiet life with few visitors. Mrs. Ellis, the housekeeper, and Mr. Sterling, the butler, kept a good eye on everyone, and they didn’t allow any carrying on between members of the staff.

  She felt safe at Bolton House, and she was grateful for her position.

  When she reached the main floor landing, she saw Millie, her friend and a housemaid, standing by the green baize door, peeking into the entrance hall.

  “What are you doing?” Laura whispered.

  Her friend gasped and spun around. “Laura! You scared me.”

  “Sorry. What’s happening out there?”

  Millie grinned, and dimples appeared in her rosy cheeks. “Come and see for yourself.”

  Laura joined her friend and leaned close to the door. Tipping her head, she looked through the crack, and her breath caught in her throat. A tall, handsome young man stood at the bottom of the staircase, speaking to Mrs. Frasier. He wore a stylish gray suit that was perfectly tailored to fit his slim build. His blue paisley tie stood out against his white starched shirt and tanned face. From this distance she couldn’t tell the color of his eyes, but he had light brown hair and a square jaw. Pleasant lines creased the areas around his mouth and eyes as he smiled and greeted Mrs. Frasier.

  Laura pulled back and kept her voice low. “Who is he?”

  “Andrew Frasier, Mr. and Mrs. Frasier’s son.”

  Laura’s stomach dropped. “Has he come to stay?”

  “I hope so. Isn’t he handsome?” Millie leaned closer. “He’ll be the master of Bolton one day.”

  Laura bit her bottom lip and peeked through the crack once more. Mrs. Frasier had mentioned she had one married daughter and a son. But she said the son lived in London, and she didn’t see him as often as she’d like. “What do you know about him?” Laura whispered.

  “He’s twenty-four, and he’s training to be a solicitor.”

  Laura’s shoulders tensed. How long would he stay at Bolton? Was he an honorable man or dangerous like Simon Harrington? She searched Andrew Frasier’s face, trying to read past his smile, but it was impossible to discern his true character.

  She would have to be very careful and stay far away from him.

  Andrew handed his hat and coat to the footman. “It’s good to see you, Mother.” His voice carried easily through the entrance hall.

  Mrs. Frasier looked up at him with shining eyes. “This is such a wonderful surprise. I wasn’t expecting you until next week.”

  “We finished our business early, and when we heard there was a ship departing in two days, we decided to leave straightaway so we could be home in time for Easter.”

  “I’m so pleased. We’ve missed you, Andrew.”

  “And I’ve missed you as well.”

  Mrs. Frasier slipped her arm through his. He patted her hand, and they walked toward the drawing room together.

  Laura turned to Millie. “It sounds like he’s been away on a journey.”

  Millie nodded. “He’s been in Italy for the last two months.”

  Laura’s
eyes widened. “Italy? Oh my, I didn’t realize.”

  “Yes. Doesn’t it sound wonderful?”

  “What was he doing there?”

  “He went with another man for their work.” She squinted and tapped her chin. “I think his name is Mr. Dowd. He’s the one training Mr. Frasier to be a solicitor.”

  “Why would Andrew Frasier take a position like that when he’s the heir to Bolton?”

  Millie shrugged. “His father could live another twenty or thirty years. I suppose he wants to be useful and do something with his life.”

  “Still, it seems odd for someone in his position to go off to London and work in a law office.”

  “Not all wealthy men like to lead idle lives.”

  “I suppose you’re right.” Laura glanced toward the door through which Mrs. Frasier and her son had disappeared. “I wonder if he’s just here for the Easter holiday or if he plans to stay longer.”

  Millie grinned and got a dreamy look in her eyes. “I hope he’ll be staying for a good long while.”

  A shiver raced up Laura’s back. If Andrew Frasier did plan to stay at Bolton past Easter, she might be looking for a new position very soon.

  “What are you doing?” Mr. Sterling walked down the stairs toward them, a scowl lining his face.

  Laura pulled in a quick breath and straightened. “Nothing, sir.”

  He narrowed his eyes. “The staff at Bolton are concerned about their duties and do not eavesdrop on the family. Is that clear?”

  “Yes sir,” Millie and Laura said in unison.

  “Now, off with you, and don’t let me find you lurking on the servants’ stairs or peeking through doorways!”

  “Yes sir.” Laura gripped the hanger and dress and started up the stairs.

  Millie caught up and chuckled under her breath. “Mr. Sterling is such an old windbag.”

  “Don’t let him hear you say that.” Mr. Sterling was in charge of all the staff along with Mrs. Ellis. He could sack her and send her packing if he wasn’t pleased with her work or behavior. It was best to keep her mouth closed, keep her mind on her work, and be respectful of those above her.