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

what’s best for all the children. As you have rightly pointed out, we do have a problem placing children at the moment, and I’m sure they will be well looked after at Wilkins House, for the time being. I’ll send someone round to check that the babies are in good health, and then prepare the papers for Mrs Green to sign.’
    Once outside he gave a delighted chuckle. The woman had capitulated easily. Do you know that people in local government tremble at the mention of your name, Mrs Freeman? You really are something to behold.
    The next stop was his bank, and he withdrew enough money to pay the new girl’s wages for a month. He would have some more by the time it was needed. As long as he had enough to pay his rent and other expenses, then he would be fine. He spent most of his time abroad and lived simply when he was in London. Whenever he returned from a trouble spot, all he wanted to do was rest and spend time with the boys.
    It was ten o’clock when he arrived back at the house to find Mrs Green in a state of high excitement.
    â€˜Look at this!’ she exclaimed. ‘Mrs Freeman’s sent us a cheque for fifty pounds. This will cover our expenses for the babies. The police and the welfare have been round and said we can keep them until they can find a home for them.’
    â€˜That’s wonderful.’ Rose Freeman went up another notch in his estimation – if that was possible. He handed over the money he’d drawn out. ‘Take this as well. Buy the boys some sweets and a couple of baby toys for the twins.’
    â€˜I’ll do that.’ Mrs Green gave him an affectionate pat on the arm. ‘What are we going to call them?’
    â€˜I leave that to you.’
    He left the home and jumped on a bus heading for Fleet Street. He’d had a lot of holiday time due him, but now he’d taken it all. It was time to get back to work.
    Andrew Stevenson was in his office when he arrived at the newsroom.
    â€˜Ah, there you are, Jon. I’ve been trying to get hold of you. We’ve just heard that the army are taking over power in the Belgian Congo.’
    â€˜And you want me back there?’ Jon raised a brow in query.
    â€˜Yes, I’ve already made your travel arrangements.’ Andrew handed him an envelope.
    He took it and stood up. ‘Right. I’m on my way.’

6
    It had taken Kate two days to pluck up the courage to ask Andrew Stevenson for some time off, but all he’d done was tell her she wasn’t entitled to any yet.
    She wandered back to the darkroom, sat on a stool and stared gloomily at Pete. ‘The Chief won’t let me have any holiday yet,’ Kate grumbled.
    It was the middle of September and she was still taking fashion photos. It didn’t look as if he was ever going to give her anything interesting to do. She’d been patient and willing to do the work with a smile on her face, but if she didn’t get taken off it soon she’d explode. Watching models glide along showing clothes no one in their right mind would wear seemed pointless to her. She’d never been very fashion conscious and she was even less so now, even though trendy shops were springing up all over London. Youngsters with more money in their pockets were eager for anything new. Beth’s skirts were getting shorter every time she saw her. She had teased her friend, saying that she was embarrassed to go out with her, but Beth had only laughed, hitched her skirt higher and told her she was too old-fashioned.
    Pete gave her a sympathetic look. ‘I’d let you have some of mine if I could, but the Chief would never let me do that.’
    She smiled at him. ‘I wouldn’t take it from you, even if I could. You need your holiday, Pete. Haven’t you got
a girlfriend you can take out for the day now and again?’
    â€˜I haven’t got time for that,’ he laughed. ‘I want to be as good a photographer as you one