Read Online A New Day by Beryl Matthews - Free Book Online

it’s time for tea and buns.’
    The twins, who had been so quiet Hanna had forgotten they were there, jumped to their feet, eager for their treat.
    Rose smiled at them. ‘You’ve been very good, so I think we’ll have our tea in the café across the street. Would you like that?’
    ‘Oh, yes please!’
    ‘That’s settled then.’ Rose looked out the door and called, ‘I’ll be out for an hour, Betty.’
    With the boys either side of Rose holding her hands, they all trooped across the road.
    Later that evening, when the boys were fast asleep, Hanna began to write to her brother. There was so much to tell him, and she knew he would want every detail of her meeting with Rose Freeman. She didn’t doubt that something would be done at last, because when a woman like that said the problem would be dealt with, then it would be. Hanna had been in awe of the woman, and it was comforting to know that with her intervention some other children might be spared the brutal treatment Jack had endured.
    It was nearly midnight when the letter was finished. She had managed to buy a larger envelope so she could include Andrew’s drawing without folding it more than once. After sealing and addressing it, she put it on her bedside table ready to post in the morning.

Eight
    It had been July when she had waved goodbye to Jack, and now it was September. Hanna could hardly believe how quickly the time had gone. They had never been parted in their lives before, and she missed him so much that the ache was almost tangible at times. But he was happy – and so was she. They had finally been able to get away from the orphanage and into jobs they both enjoyed. That was all that mattered.
    Although autumn was fast approaching it was quite warm, and Hanna smiled as she watched the twins kicking a ball around the lawn.
    ‘Come on!’ David dragged her out of the chair. ‘You can be the goalie.’
    Laughing, she pretended to dive for the balls, allowing most of them past her. As always, she made sure each twin scored an equal amount of goals, though they did their best to confuse her, but by now she was very familiar with the differences in their characters and wasn’t easily fooled.
    Rolling on the grass in an effort to catch another shot, Hanna heard the boys start to shout with delight. She came to her knees and saw them running to a man and woman who had just come into the garden, accompanied by their mother. She recognized Mrs Freeman immediately and scrambled to her feet, hastily brushing grass from her skirt. Rose Freeman was about six feet in height, but the man with her was even taller. They made a handsome, impressive couple.
    The man lifted both twins without any trouble at all, and had them giggling with delight. Everyone was laughing and Hanna joined in.
    ‘Put those kids down, Bill,’ Rose said, smiling broadly.
    ‘Where’s Kate?’ Andrew asked the moment his feet touched the ground.
    ‘In school, where you will be soon.’
    ‘We can read already, Auntie Rose,’ Andrew told her proudly. ‘Hanna’s teaching us how.’
    ‘And we can tell the time,’ David said.
    ‘That’s very good.’ Rose turned to her husband. ‘Come and meet Hanna.’
    He stepped forward and shook hands with her, and she had a job not to tremble with nerves, but managed to smile. He was very handsome, with a few grey hairs at the temple, and the kindest eyes she had ever looked into. There was an easy-going manner about him, but she sensed that hid a very strong character.
    ‘I’m pleased to meet you, sir.’
    He smiled. ‘The pleasure is mine, Hanna. My wife has told me all about you. And the name is Bill.’
    She couldn’t call him Bill!
    ‘Play football with us.’ The twins were too excited to stand still.
    When Bill and Rose began chasing around the lawn with the twins, Jane Harcourt stood beside Hanna. ‘You don’t need to be afraid of them, my dear. Rose comes from the slums and had a dreadful childhood. But she was blessed with a