Three Round Towers by Beverley Elphick Page B

than glance at me as we hurried through the streets.
    â€˜I think we deserve a tot of brandy child. I will warm it up and dip some sugar and cinnamon in it to warm us through.’ Later, as we sat in front of a cosy fire I told Mrs Makepiece about my family and the scourge of the great sickness. It was a relief to be able to talk freely once more. As we talked there was a loud knock at the door, my heart surged in my breast as fear clutched at me.
    A dark figure with a hat pulled down round his ears turned out to be poor Becca’s pa. He came in and put out his hand to me, a gesture of sympathy. ‘I be that sorry lass that I had to tell on thee but I didn’t know they would take thee up to blame.’
    â€˜You warned me that there would be no covering up of such a thing,’ I said. ‘I should have been prepared to tell on Coad at the outset.’
    Mrs Makepiece poured a tot of brandy for him as she asked whether he, as grandfather, would be taking the baby into his care. I was horrified at her words, I couldn’t give Beth up now. He swirled his drink and stared into it as he said, ‘I know Becca would want the nipper to be loved and cared for by her friend rather than be taken on by the parish or my wife, who would not care for her as she should. I would try and help with the odd bit of money, if I had some of my own that wasn’t spoken for by my wife.’
    I was flooded with relief as I thanked him. ‘If everything works out and the coroner releases me I promise to care for Beth as if she were my own flesh and blood.’
    â€˜There’s a long way to go yet,’ warned Mrs Makepiece. ‘You might be called upon to stake your claim as a grandfather whether you will or no.’ And, on this worrying note I withdrew up to my old room hoping to find some peace and sleep.

Chapter Fourteen

    The wheels of justice turn slowly and I was in an agony of worry for more than a week before I heard from the coroner again. I did not feel completely isolated as I had a visit from Cecilia, Beth and Farmer Elwood. They arrived during late morning and I was awash with tears and laughter at Beth’s antics, and gratitude at their support. Whilst they were taking a glass of Mrs Makepiece’s cowslip wine we had another visit from Becca’s pa. He could hardly take his eyes off the baby as she chortled and waved her little fingers at everyone. I took the child and unwrapped the restricting blankets before depositing her in his arms. ‘Take her,’ I said. ‘She is your flesh and blood and it is good for you to know her and God willing she will come to love you as she grows.’ Beth responded to this kindly man and touched his stubbly chin with her little fingers, blowing bubbles into his ear as he held her tightly to him. I think if Farmer Elwood had any doubts about me and my role in the events for which I had been taken they were dispelled in that moment. He left Cecilia with us and walked up to the town with Mr Franklin.
    Billy-alone had visited us every day of my stay in Lewes and it was from his ability to get himself into the kitchens of all and sundry that I learned what was going on.

Chapter Fifteen

    Billy-alone

    The overseer of the workhouse was a regular tyrant and I avoided the place when he was in his cups. Alice, his woman was nearly as bad and many’s the nipper I knew to have suffered at their hands or more’n likely feet. It was one such day when I thought to avoid such a punishment by disappearing. I had told Miss Esther that I lived all over but in truth it was mainly the workhouse, or when I was really pushed and the weather fine I would settle under a haystack even on occasion moving in with the pigs at Miss Wardle’s place. She was a funny one, she cared more for her poultry and sows than ever she did people. If she knew that I was nestled in with her prize beasts she never let on but I would occasionally find a few scraps of good