The Orphan's Dream Read Free

granted.’
    Mirabel made a move towards the door. ‘I’ll go to the kitchen and make sure Cook understands, Pa.’ She hurried from the room, unable to stand it any longer.
    Cook was hacking at a loaf of bread, cutting it into thick slices that were more suitable for a navvy’s dinner than afternoon tea. She glared at Mirabel as if daring her to criticise her efforts. ‘Whatever next?’
    â€˜Have you any jam, Mrs James? I’m sure Pa’s guests would appreciate something sweet.’
    â€˜Flossie, take a look in the larder. See if there’s any jam left in the pot, and fetch the fruit cake. I put a meat cover over it to keep it away from the blooming mice.’ Cook tossed a cloth at Flossie who was staring into space, having gone off in one of her trance-like states. ‘Do you hear me, you stupid girl?’
    She came back to reality with a start. ‘Yes, Cook.’
    â€˜That Mutton woman’s been here before, Miss Mirabel,’ Cook said gloomily. ‘She only comes when you’re at the soup kitchen, or if you’ve gone to market. Seems to me that something ain’t right, if you know what I mean.’
    â€˜I’m sure she’s a very nice person when you get to know her.’ Mirabel tried to sound convincing, but her first impression of Ernestine had not been favourable.
    Flossie bounded out of the cupboard like a jack-in-the-box. ‘The cake’s gone. Not a crumb left and only one pot of jam.’
    Mirabel caught Cook’s eye and had the grace to blush. ‘I’m sorry. I forgot to mention that I took the cake for the poor children at the soup kitchen.’
    â€˜Really, Miss Mirabel, whatever next?’ Mrs James puffed out her cheeks. ‘You’d see us all starve in order to feed those who ought to do an honest day’s work to pay for their vittles like the rest of us.’
    â€˜Not even a crumb left,’ Flossie said sadly. ‘I’m partial to a slice of fruit cake.’ She handed the jam pot to Cook, receiving a stinging blow round the ear for her pains.
    â€˜If I thought you’d pinched it you’d be in for trouble, my girl.’
    â€˜No, Cook, it weren’t me,’ Flossie howled. ‘It was her, she said so.’
    â€˜It was indeed, Mrs James. Flossie isn’t to blame.’
    â€˜It wouldn’t be the first time. That useless creature loves anything sweet.’ Cook peered into the jam pot. ‘If you’ve had your finger round the rim I’ll give you what for, Flossie my girl.’
    â€˜Let me help you,’ Mirabel said, stepping in quickly. ‘I’ll butter the bread if you’ll make the tea. Bread and jam will have to do; after all, we weren’t prepared for guests.’
    â€˜Guests?’ Mrs James dropped the bread knife with a derisive snort. ‘That one will have her feet beneath the table before you can say Jack Robinson. I’ve met her sort before.’
    Cook’s words proved to be prophetic. Within a fortnight Jacob and Ernestine were married by special licence in All Hallows Church, which was only a short walk from Catherine Court. The small party arrived back at the house to dine off the cold collation which Cook had laid out in the dining room. Jacob presided over the meal, seated as usual at the head, and Ernestine took Mirabel’s former place at the far end of the table. Mirabel was reduced to sitting next to Charity, with Prudence on the opposite side of the table, pulling faces at them both. Wiley had greeted Ernestine with an obsequious bow, bending so low that Mirabel thought he might topple over or snap in two. However, he managed to right himself and offered his congratulations to the happy couple. At the table he hovered between Jacob and Ernestine, pouring the wine and making sure that their glasses were topped up. Jacob’s cheeks flushed dark red and Mirabel was alarmed. She was used to her father’s