A Time of Peace Read online

  ‘Well, they’re council run, so you can leave your mother to deal with them. She knows how to get things done.’ Her father leant against the bench. ‘But if you can get some publicity going, it might help.’

  ‘I’m determined to,’ she told him. ‘Mum said there are probably lots of women who could spare a few hours a week to talk and play with the children. It would give the little ones individual attention for a while.’

  Her father pushed himself away from the bench and smiled at her. ‘You see what you can do about that. I’ll arrange for the outsides to be cleaned and brighten the places up with a lick of paint.’

  ‘And we can leave Mum to shake up the authorities.’

  ‘She’ll do that all right,’ he said.

  Kate listened to him chuckling as he went down the stairs.

  Pete was working in the darkroom when Kate arrived at work on Monday morning. He was making prints of some photos he’d taken over the weekend with his camera.

  The prints he showed her were competent, except for one of a tree with watery sunlight filtering through the branches. She held it up. ‘This is excellent.’

  ‘Thanks.’ His eyes were glowing with a sense of achievement.

  ‘Well done,’ she praised. Then she studied him thoughtfully. He was going to make a photographer and it gave her enormous pleasure to know she had helped him. ‘I’m just going to see the Chief. I have something here I think he might be interested in.’

  She headed for Andrew Stevenson’s office. In her head was the distressing memory of the overcrowded children’s homes, and in her hand photographs and an article. She’d laboured over it until two in the morning and was determined to have it published.

  Andrew glanced up when she tapped on his door. ‘What do you want?’

  Kate ignored the irritated expression on his face and stood in front of his desk. ‘I’ve got a story for you.’

  ‘Turned journalist now?’

  Kate had just about had enough of this man; he never had a civil word for her. She put the photographs and article in front of him. ‘I used to write a bit when I worked on the local paper. At least have a look at it.’

  He shuffled through the prints, glanced through her typed pages, then handed them back to her. ‘Not our kind of thing.’

  ‘I’ll take them to another paper, then.’ She moved towards the door.

  ‘You can’t do that, you work for me,’ he snapped.

  That was the last straw for Kate. He wouldn’t run the story and he was denying her the chance to give it to another paper, effectively killing the article. Well, she wasn’t going to let that happen! Whatever the cost to her she would see it was printed in any daily she could persuade to take it. The only thing that mattered was the welfare of these children.

  ‘You’ll have my resignation in writing within the next fifteen minutes,’ she told him. ‘You’ve got your way and finally driven me out, so you can tell that shadowy figure in high places how clever you are!’

  Taking a deep ragged breath, she looked him straight in the eyes, and then without another word left his office for the last time. She didn’t have to put up with this!

  She was halfway across the newsroom when he called her name. Kate made herself turn and face him.

  ‘Let me see that article again. Now that you don’t work for me I’ll buy it from you.’

  Ignoring his offer, she headed for her darkroom to collect her equipment. All she wanted to do was get out of there as quickly as possible.

  Pete had obviously heard everything and was waiting for her, ashen-faced. ‘Don’t leave,’ he pleaded. ‘I’ve been so happy working for you. Once you’ve gone, they’ll make me an errand boy again.’

  ‘No, they won’t.’ She tried to assure the unhappy boy. ‘You’ve proved yourself in this job and they won’t move you.’

  ‘They will, they will! I’ll be running around after everyone, being shouted at and insulted, and I couldn’t stand that again.’ He looked ready to burst into tears. ‘I’ve had a decent education, I’m not a fool, but they make me feel like one. It isn’t right. You’ve never made me feel like that. I won’t do it again …’ He ran out of breath and had to stop. ‘I’ll give in my notice as well.’

  Kate made him sit down on the stool. ‘You mustn’t do that, Pete. This is a good job and you’ll work your way up.’

  He shook his head vigorously and began to write out his notice. ‘I won’t stay here without you. Please take me with you.’

  ‘But I don’t know what I’m going to do.’ She chewed her lip anxiously, not wanting him to make a rash move, but she could see his point. From what she’d seen when she first came to the paper, they had treated him like dirt.

  ‘Then I’ll get a job somewhere else.’ His head came up proudly. ‘I deserve better than this, and so do you! You won’t make me change my mind.’

  ‘All right, if you’re sure?’

  ‘I’m positive.’

  ‘Give in your notice, then, and come with me. If I can get another job, I’ll try to take you with me.’ She watched the relief on his face and decided that she would pay his salary every week out of her own savings until they found another position. There was a lot of potential in Pete, but he would never be given a chance at the Explorer. And he was right, they both deserved better.

  8

  ‘You’re home early,’ Rose said when she walked into the kitchen.

  ‘I’ve left my job.’ She kept her tone bright as she pulled Pete into the room. The decision was made now and she wasn’t going to let the disappointment drag her down. ‘This is Pete.’

  ‘Hello, Pete.’ Her father pulled a chair out from the table, totally unperturbed. ‘Sit down and have a cup of tea with us.’

  The boy eased himself into the chair, never taking his eyes off Kate’s parents.

  ‘Have you left as well, young man?’ Rose asked.

  He nodded shyly. ‘I want to stay with Kate. She’s taught me such a lot.’

  ‘And what are your family going to say about your handing in your notice?’ Bill asked.

  ‘Er …’ Pete looked as if he hadn’t thought about this before. ‘I don’t suppose they’ll be very pleased.’

  ‘I’m going to pay his salary myself, Dad,’ Kate assured him. ‘Until we get another job of course.’

  Her father nodded approval, then smiled at the worried boy. ‘Where do you live?’

  ‘Fulham, sir.’

  ‘Well, you stay and have dinner with us, and then I’ll drive you home and explain to your family, shall I?’

  ‘Oh, thank you, sir.’ He looked very relieved.

  ‘I’m not sure you’ve done the right thing, Pete,’ Kate told him. ‘Mr Stevenson obviously doesn’t think I’m a good photographer.’

  ‘That’s nonsense,’ her father reprimanded.

  She pulled a face to hide the hurt she was feeling. Her father would jump to her defence: they were very close and he would be more than a little prejudiced where she was concerned.

  ‘Tell us what happened.’ Her mother, as expected, went straight to the point.

  Kate explained, and then told her mother, ‘But don’t worry about the article. I’ll get another paper to run it.’

  Pete had been sitting quietly drinking his tea, and then his cup clattered back into the saucer. ‘The Chief shouldn’t have spoken to Kate like that. She’s the best photographer on the paper.’

  ‘We know she is.’ Rose smiled, refilled his cup and then looked pointedly at her daughter. ‘What are you going to do now?’

  ‘First I’m going to sell the orphans story to another paper, and then we’ll have to find a job. Or I could open my own studio.’ Kate didn’t know where that idea had come from, it had just popped into her head, but it might be the solution. ‘Then I could work freelance for any paper who would buy my pictures.’

  ‘It’s a good idea, but it would be hard work starting up your own business,’ her father said. ‘Still, I’m sure you’d soon have plenty o
f clients.’

  She turned to her assistant. ‘What do you think, Pete? Do you reckon we could make a go of it?’

  He nodded vigorously. ‘I’m sure we could.’

  ‘You’ll need premises in London,’ her father said. ‘That could be expensive.’

  Kate chewed her lip as she tried to work out if she was going to have enough money for this step, then she nodded slowly. ‘I’ve still got the money Grandma Marj left me, and some savings of my own. Then there’s the money Grandpa George put in trust for me.’

  ‘That isn’t due out until you’re twenty-five, or marry.’ Her father looked concerned. ‘And as you don’t seem to have any intention of marrying yet, can you manage?’

  ‘Yes, I can.’ Kate sat up and smiled at her parents. She knew her father was eager to help her out, but her mother had always insisted that they make their own way, and mistakes, in life. She was incredibly lucky to have this money, and she wanted to do something brave with it, not fritter it away over the years. She would have to ask if she wanted their help, but she wasn’t about to do that. And they would both understand her need to do this on her own.

  ‘As soon as we’ve sold the story, we’ll start looking for a shop.’ The idea was growing on her all the time. Her mother had told her not to be afraid to change course if it seemed right.

  ‘Haven’t you spent any of the money Marj left you?’ her father asked.

  ‘Not a penny.’ Kate looked at the cup of tea in front of her, knowing that her dear grandma would be happy for her to use the money in this way.

  At that moment someone knocked on the front door, and Rose went to see who was there. She returned with Andrew Stevenson. ‘Kate, Mr Stevenson wants to talk to you. Take him into the sitting room.’

  ‘I’d rather stay here, Mrs Freeman.’ Andrew glanced at everyone in the kitchen. ‘I have some explaining to do and I’d like you all to hear.’

  ‘Sit down, then,’ Bill told him.

  Kate couldn’t believe he’d taken the trouble to come to her home, and Pete was amazed.

  ‘Shall I leave?’ he whispered to her.

  She shook her head, and he slid down in his chair, trying to make himself as unobtrusive as possible.

  ‘I have treated Kate badly,’ Andrew said as soon as he was seated. ‘But I was ordered to take her on by the head of the paper and I resented it.’

  ‘Why would he do a thing like that?’ Rose asked.

  ‘He said he’d met you both and he owed you, so if your daughter wanted a job with us, then we would give it to her.’

  Bill, usually placid, was clearly angry. ‘Who is the man? He had no right to do that without consulting us first.’

  ‘His name’s Perkins, and he only took charge a year ago.’

  Rose looked into space as if trying to bring the man to mind, and then she frowned at her husband. ‘We don’t know anyone by that name, do we, Bill?’

  ‘No, we don’t. Tell me why this man would insist that you employ our daughter.’

  Kate could see her father was not at all pleased about this, and neither was her mother. They had never interfered in her life, and they obviously didn’t like anyone else doing it.

  Andrew Stevenson seemed to diminish in size under the combined glares of Rose and Bill Freeman. ‘He wouldn’t tell me anything else.’ He shrugged. ‘I assumed it was because of your connections.’

  ‘What connections?’ Rose was losing her patience.

  ‘Well, there’s Grant Phillips, and it’s no secret about your father – ’

  ‘Sir George Gresham is dead, Mr Stevenson,’ Rose said sharply. ‘And as I was his illegitimate daughter, the title went with him. And I fail to see why our family history should be so important to the owner of your paper.’ She sounded exasperated and suspicious. ‘You’re talking nonsense, Mr Stevenson. What is the real reason for your visit?’

  ‘I’ve explained this because I want Kate and Pete to come back.’

  ‘No! I can’t answer for Pete, but I won’t work for you again.’

  ‘Neither will I,’ Pete told him without hesitation.

  As she saw Andrew Stevenson’s dismay, Kate felt a wave of pity for him. He was in a difficult position. After having been ordered to employ her, he now had the unpleasant task of telling his boss that he’d lost her. He must have realized how much she wanted the job and been sure she wouldn’t resign, no matter how badly he treated her. ‘You must understand how I feel,’ she told him. ‘I believed I’d won that job because of my skill as a photographer, but I now know differently. I couldn’t possibly come back to the paper.’

  ‘Kate.’ Andrew leant towards her, an earnest expression on his face. ‘I admit I didn’t want to employ you, and when you took my abuse without a word of protest, I thought even less of you. I knew who your mother was and I expected more fire from you.’

  ‘I was brought up to respect and obey my elders,’ Kate told him, ‘and not to answer back. I wanted that job very much and was afraid of losing it.’

  ‘You can still have it – ’

  Kate stopped him with a shake of her head. ‘I would never have been taken on without Mr Perkins’s orders. I wouldn’t be able to forget that. I know now that I’ve got a lot of work to do before I’m good enough for the World Explorer.’ It hurt her to admit that, but it was a fact that had to be faced.

  ‘I never gave you a chance, but you’ve proved to have potential as a photographer.’

  ‘I hope you’re right, but I think I set my sights too high too soon.’ Feeling inadequate was not something she was used to, but she would redouble her efforts to become the best there was. If she wasn’t good enough yet, she would make damned sure she soon would be!

  ‘I’m sorry.’ The Chief rested his head in his hands for a moment, then he looked up at Kate again. ‘Will you at least let me print the story about the children’s homes?’

  She glanced at her mother.

  ‘It’s your article,’ Rose said. ‘You’re free to do what you like with it.’

  Kate thought about it. The World Explorer was a respected paper, and it would be hard to find a better one. They needed wide coverage for the story, so it would be mean-spirited of her to turn down the chance just because she’d been hurt. Her feelings mustn’t come into this – the children must come first.

  ‘Very well, you may have it, but I shall expect the same payment you give your other freelance reporters.’

  ‘Of course.’ Andrew looked relieved. ‘Can I take it with me? I’ll run it in tomorrow’s edition.’

  Kate opened her bag and took out the papers.

  The Chief slipped them into his case and stood up. ‘If you ever change your mind, Kate, come and see me.’

  She gave a slight nod and watched as her father saw him to the door. ‘I didn’t want to take the money,’ she told her mother, ‘but I’m in business now. I suppose I have to think about the future.’

  ‘You did the right thing,’ Rose assured her. ‘It would have been wrong to let him have it for nothing. The labourer is worthy of his hire, Kate.’

  Her father came back and sat down again. ‘You’re certain you’re doing the right thing?’ he asked.

  ‘No, I’m not, but I can’t go back there, Dad.’ She looked at Pete. ‘We don’t have to sell the story now, so we’ll start looking for a shop first thing in the morning.’

  He nodded eagerly, giving a shy smile. ‘It will be better than taking fashion photos.’

  ‘It will.’ She looked at her parents and pulled a face. ‘You should see some of the clothes they’re making now. They look all right on the models but most ordinary girls couldn’t wear them. I think the designers make outrageous creations just to gain attention and put on a show for the catwalk.’

  Her father laughed. ‘Don’t you be too sure. It seems as if anything goes with dress these days. The clothes are becoming as outrageous as the music. If you can call all that wailing music! Whatever happened to the wonderful bands of the war?’

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p; ‘This is a new era, Dad.’ She gave him a mock stern look. ‘I hope you’re not calling Elvis and Cliff Richard wailers?’

  ‘What do you call them, then?’

  ‘Singers,’ she said together with Pete.

  ‘Really.’ Bill struggled to keep from smiling. ‘You could have fooled me.’

  ‘Oh, Dad,’ Kate gurgled. ‘You know you like them. I’ve heard you whistling their tunes.’

  Over dinner they discussed plans for her studio, and Pete, now looking more relaxed and at ease with her family, surprised them all with some very good suggestions for advertising. Kate decided she was going to put him in charge of that side of things.

  ‘Where are you going to look for a shop?’ her father asked.

  ‘I don’t know …’ She fiddled with the pepper pot.

  ‘If you’re going to do this, then do it properly,’ her mother said.

  ‘I’ll start with Kensington, shall I?’ Kate outlined her plans as far as they went, but a heavy feeling in her stomach was making it difficult to eat. Pete, however, did not appear to be suffering from such an affliction; his face was animated with enthusiasm as he tucked into his meal. She felt as if she were taking a backward step. She wasn’t, she told herself firmly. She’d always had a positive attitude to life, and she was damned if she was going to let this change her. Mr Stevenson and this shadowy figure of Perkins, whoever he was, were not going to destroy her confidence. She just would not allow it!

  After they’d finished their meal, Kate arranged to meet Pete in Kensington the next day. Then her father drove him home.

  She helped her mother with the dishes, and when the last was put away she tried to read, but the words were meaningless to her. Her mind kept going over and over what had happened today. Opening a studio of her own was a big step. Was she doing the right thing …?

  She leapt to her feet when her father returned. ‘What did Pete’s family say?’

  ‘They were very concerned. His father’s in poor health and out of work, and it appears that his mother relies on his salary. She couldn’t understand why he’d given up a secure job.’ Bill frowned at his daughter. ‘I assured them that he would be paid the same as he’s been getting at the paper. You shouldn’t have let him give in his notice.’