Read Online A Time of Peace by Beryl Matthews - Free Book Online Page A

of loneliness. The institution was too big and impersonal. It wasn’t the staff’s fault; there were just too many children and not enough helpers.
    â€˜But what are we going to do with them? The council would never let us keep them here. We’re not equipped to deal with babies.’
    â€˜Then get equipped,’ he growled, ‘and leave the council to me. I’ll threaten them with a visit from Mrs Freeman
if they give me any trouble. But first I’ll have to go and report this to the police.’
    Mrs Green shook her head sadly. ‘Of course, I forgot about that. I’d love to keep them, but we’ll need more help and our budget won’t run to that.’
    He took all the money from his wallet and handed it to Mrs Green. ‘Take this for the moment. I’ll get you more today.’
    â€˜Well …’ She gazed at the banknotes. ‘My sister’s girl is out of work and she loves babies.’
    â€˜Get her and I’ll pay her wages.’
    The housekeeper’s eyes filled with tears. ‘You’re a good man.’
    â€˜No, I’m not; I’m a bloody furious one.’ He ran a hand distractedly through his hair. ‘Now, about Eddie, I think I know where he’ll have gone. I’ll find him first, then deal with the authorities.’
    There wasn’t a bus in sight, so he jogged to Wandsworth Common. The last time Eddie had run away he’d come here, and Jon was banking on him doing the same again. A forlorn little figure was sitting hunched under a tree, just as he’d expected.
    He went and sat beside him. ‘Hello, Ed.’
    The five-year-old turned a dirty tear-stained face towards him, looking utterly dejected. ‘I don’t know where to look for her.’
    â€˜Neither did I.’ Jon wanted to hug the boy but felt it wouldn’t be the right thing to do at the moment, so he talked as if this were a casual meeting.
    Eddie wiped his hand over his face, leaving another streak of dirt across his wet cheeks. ‘Did you try to find your mum as well?’
    â€˜Oh, yes, until I saw what a waste of time it was. I realized she didn’t want to be found.’ He smiled down at Eddie, who was now listening intently. ‘At least you’ve got a proper name: it was pinned to you, but my name’s made up.’
    â€˜Is it?’ Ed rose up on his knees. ‘Do you mind?’
    â€˜No, it isn’t a bad name. Now, you’ve got a home and family with Mrs Green and the others. They’re worried about you.’
    â€˜Are they?’
    â€˜Tom came hammering on my door at seven this morning, frantic because you’d gone.’ Jon stood up and held out his hand. ‘Shall we go back and show them you’re all right?’
    Eddie nodded and took hold of his hand. ‘I won’t run away again.’
    â€˜Good.’ He smiled at him. ‘I’m starving, aren’t you?’
    Ed trotted beside him, seeming quite bright now. ‘Yes, I only brought a chunk of bread with me and I gave that to the dicky birds. Mrs Green gives us boiled eggs for breakfast on Friday.’
    The council officer listened to Jon and then shook her head. ‘We can’t allow that.’
    â€˜Why not?’ He was determined not to lose his temper, but it was damned hard. ‘Standish House is full to capacity, and Mrs Green is willing to take responsibility for the twins.’
    â€˜Wilkins House is only for boys from five to ten years of age.’
    He clenched his jaw in irritation. He bloody well knew that! ‘Can’t you bend the rules just this once? Didn’t you
promise Mrs Freeman that no new children would be sent to Standish? I’ll have to bring her here again. She’ll soon sort it out,’ he threatened.
    â€˜I’m sure that won’t be necessary, Mr Devlin,’ the woman said with an offended expression. ‘I’m only trying to do my job. We want