The Pick-Pocket Orphans by Lindsey Hutchinson

Author:Lindsey Hutchinson [Hutchinson, Lindsey]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Friendship, Historical, General, Mashups, Sagas, City Life, Women
ISBN: 9781835188842
Google: RQHsEAAAQBAJ
Amazon: B0CLKY8QW6
Publisher: Boldwood Books
Published: 2024-03-21T00:00:00+00:00

27

Josie delivered a box of pastries to the police station and learned of BJ’s fate.

‘He went off yesterday to Liverpool, so I expect they’ll be on the high seas by now.’

Josie sighed heavily. ‘How long did he get?’

‘Seven years.’

‘Seven… Alice is going to be inconsolable. Thanks very much.’ Josie left the station, dreading having to tell Alice the bad news.

‘How did you get on?’ Alice asked as soon as Josie walked into the living room.

‘He’s gone, sweetheart. He got seven years in Australia.’ Josie had decided to tell her straight rather than trying to gild the lily.

Alice burst into tears and Josie wrapped her arms around her. As her crying finally subsided, Alice said, ‘All that time, Josie, I’ll be twenty-one years old when BJ is free. I’ll be old!’

‘Hey up, twenty ain’t old – I’m old.’

‘Sorry, I didn’t mean…’

‘I know, but think on this. You might meet a nice young man and get married in that time.’

‘I don’t want to.’

‘Why not?’

‘People die when they wed.’

‘Alice, folk die, married or not. Whatever made you say that?’

‘My mom died and my dad blames me.’

‘Blames? Alice, is your dad still living?’ Josie asked with a frown. Why had she never considered this fact? She had always assumed Alice to be an orphan. ‘I think you should tell me all about it.’

With a deep breath, Alice told Josie the whole tale of what her life was like under her father’s roof, and of meeting BJ and building their shelter.

‘Oh, my little love,’ Josie gasped when Alice had finished. ‘It’s not your fault your mom passed on, so you just remember that.’

‘I wouldn’t have survived the winter had it not been for BJ,’ Alice said.

‘I know how close you two are and I’m sure in time you’ll hear from him. It will take three to four months to get to Australia and then he’ll have to get settled in somewhere, but with luck he’ll send you a letter. Then, once you know his address, you can write back.’

‘It’s a long time to wait,’ Alice said sadly.

‘Yes, but it’s something to look forward to,’ Josie said positively. ‘Do your work in the bakery with Jethro and learn all you can and maybe one day you can have a business of your own.’

‘Josie, in seven years’ time, will BJ be able to come home?’

‘I don’t know, chick, it would take a lot of money, I think.’

‘I could get a job and save and send the money to him,’ Alice enthused.

‘What a grand idea. Maybe it’s time Jethro paid you a wage,’ Josie said with a grin. ‘Leave it with me and I’ll sort it out.’

‘Thank you,’ Alice said, giving Josie a hug before she wandered off to join Jethro.

Josie smiled sadly. It was her guess that Alice and BJ would never see each other again but she couldn’t tell the girl that. She had to leave Alice with some hope and one never knew, it could be that BJ might well find his way home eventually.

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