Minnie's Orphans

Lindsey Hutchinson

Description

Let bestselling author Lindsey Hutchinson transport you back in time to Marshall’s Children’s Home, for this heart-warming and unforgettable tale from the Black Country.

The Fitch children are finally safe, after they and their friends were rescued from the grim orphanage Reed House by Minnie and Billy Marshall. Their children’s home Marshall’s is full of love and laughter, and a world away from their terrible ordeal of being sold to Una Reed for five shillings.

There are many more children who still need a home, especially in a world where the workhouse is the last option for desperate families, and so Minnie makes it her mission to build Marshall’s into a refuge for all the waifs and strays.

But kind hearts can be taken advantage of, and before long, Marshall’s in under attack. Can Minnie and Billy keep their family together and keep all the children safe, or will they be torn apart again

The Queen of the Black Country sagas is back with a heart-warming, unputdownable and unforgettable tale of triumph against the odds. Perfect for fans of Val Wood and Lyn Andrews.

Praise for Lindsey Hutchinson:

'A great story with a great mix of characters, well written and keeps you hooked with each page turn!' Sarah Davies, NetGalley.

'A wonderful read ... The author writes so well, it's a really hard novel to put down!' Grace Smith, NetGalley.

'Make sure to read this book where you won't be disturbed because once it gets going, you won't want to put it down' Andrea Ruiz, NetGalley.

'A very poignant, feel-good-factor novel' Shelia Easson, NetGalley.

'Excellent story!' Stephanie Collins, NetGalley.

'The story will linger in your mind long after you finish it!' The Avid Reader

Sujets

• Vie de famille
• Parentalité et Éducation des Enfants
• Soutien psychologique et conseils familiaux
• Alternative History
• Mashups
• 20th Century
• Siblings
• Historical
• Women
• Motherhood
• Midlands Occidentales
• Inglaterra
• Friendship
• Historical romance
• Sibling
• West Midlands
• General officer
• Parenting
• Historical fiction
• Woman
• The Women
• City Life
• General
• Sagas
• Family Life
• Romance
• Warwickshire
• England
• Saga
• Midlands de l'Ouest
• Fiction

Informations

• Publié par: Boldwood Books
• Date de parution: 01 octobre 2020
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781838893927
• Langue: English

Extrait

Minnie’s Orphans


Lindsey Hutchinson
For my late father, Ralph Hutchinson, who encouraged me right from the start. 'You'll get there, just keep trying'. Words to live by.
Contents



Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Chapter 40

Chapter 41

Chapter 42

Chapter 43

Chapter 44

Chapter 45

Chapter 46

Chapter 47

Chapter 48

Chapter 49

Chapter 50

Chapter 51

Chapter 52


More from Lindsey Hutchinson

About the Author

About Boldwood Books
1

Adam Fitch and Billy Marshall stood waiting at the front of Stafford Gaol as they had done once a month for the last five years.
The door in the huge brick-built gatehouse was firmly locked and was flanked either side by a tall concrete wall.
Adam’s eyes glanced over the women leaning against the wall, awaiting a visit to their menfolk inside. Dressed in rags, some had scruffy children clinging to their worn skirts. Others stood alone as if trying to hide from the stigma of being a convict’s spouse. No one spoke. They simply waited patiently for the echoing sound of the key grating in the lock which heralded that their visit time was imminent.
Shuffling from foot to foot, Adam was eager for the wrought iron gates to swing open. He shivered. The spring sunshine gave very little warmth, but Adam realised it was anticipation which was making him shake rather than the cool air.
Lifting his flat cap, he pushed his dark hair back before replacing it. He heard a whisper from a small girl hiding behind her mother.
‘Is he a peaky blinder?’
‘Don’t be so daft!’ the woman scolded, but she eyed Adam warily nevertheless.
‘Won’t be long now, lad, and then we’ll not be coming again, God willing,’ Billy whispered as he laid a hand on the boy’s shoulder.
Adam nodded and glanced around again at the small group of people who were also waiting. Young men with their own flat caps pulled low over watchful eyes, everyone keen to see whoever it was they had come to the prison to visit.
As he attempted to quell his excitement, Adam’s mind ran swiftly over the last few years of his fifteen-year-old life. His natural father, a pugilist, had been killed in the boxing ring. Adam and his sister were sold to Reed’s Orphanage by his stepfather, who died by the hand of his brother James in a freak accident. When Polly was then sold again to a wealthy family, Adam and his friends broke out to rescue her.
Feeling strong fingers squeeze gently at his arm, Adam glanced at the big man at his side. Billy Marshall, champion pugilist, now retired, had taught him how to box and so defend himself if and when the need arose. Billy had married Adam’s mum Minnie four years previously, and they had bought a massive property in Major Street, which was now a children’s home.
Whilst on the run from Reed’s, Adam and his friends had met up with three boys who were living together, thieving and scavenging to survive. Two of them, Echo and Flash, had joined Adam’s ever-expanding family; the third had been apprehended by the police, which was the reason for their visit here today. Adam and Billy were awaiting the release of Digit, who had served five years for theft.
So lost in his thoughts was he that Adam had not heard the warder come to unlock the doors. The squeal of hinges drew his attention and he again glanced at Billy.
‘They will let Digit out today, won’t they?’ he asked in barely more than a whisper.
Billy nodded confidently, and the two watched the small group of people shuffle forward into the yard. Then the huge wooden doors began to close and Adam felt his stomach lurch. Where was Digit? Had something happened since they had last seen him? Was he ill – had he died? Adam pushed the thought aside as he stared at the huge wooden doors, willing them to open.
‘Bloody hell, Digit – come on!’ Adam muttered.
‘Patience, lad – all in good time,’ Billy said.
Suddenly the door opened, and a young man stepped out into the yard. Toby Hanley, aka Digit, stood for a moment with the sun shining on his thick black hair, which was long and lank and badly in need of a wash. His dark eyes blinked at the bright sunlight, then they searched for the two friends who had promised to be there on his release. His clothes hung on his frame which had once been thickset and muscled but now after five years in gaol, appeared to have lost a little of that mass, although there was still strength beneath the bedraggled appearance.
The warder gave him a shove in the back and Digit lurched forward. Adam’s hands clenched into fists at the rough treatment of his friend. When they reached the gate, the warder pushed Digit through it before dragging it closed again and locking it securely.
‘Blimey, we thought you were never coming out!’ Adam said as he shook hands with the now smiling Digit. The handshake turned into a warm hug. Adam felt his friend’s body shaking and knew he was trying to hold onto his emotions.
Feeling his own eyes tearing up, Adam let go of Digit, who then extended a hand to Billy, saying, ‘I want to thank you both so much. If it hadn’t been for you two, I’d have gone mad in there.’
‘Come on, time to go home,’ Billy said with a warm smile.
‘God, Digit, Echo’s driving everyone insane with his constant “when’s Digit coming?”’ Adam said with a laugh.
‘It will be good to see everyone again,’ Digit said quietly.
The three sat on the steam train bound for their hometown of Wolverhampton in the heart of the Black Country. The puffs of smoke plumed before drifting across the platform. Ladies in fine dresses took a step back lest their expensive attire be marked. Some held a lace handkerchief to their noses to fend off the smell of the soot laden smoke. Gentlemen in top hats tapped silver-topped canes impatiently as they awaited their train to another destination. Voices were heard as people passed along the corridor seeking what they thought were the best seats. Ironically, all the seats in third-class carriages were the same – hard wooden benches. They chatted, and Adam updated Digit on what their friends were doing now.
Digit had earned his sobriquet because of his light-fingered picking of wealthy pockets. Thick black hair cascaded over dark eyes, which twinkled as he listened. An only child, Digit had taken to thieving after his mother died and his father went to the same prison he had just left. They had never met again as Hanley senior had lost his life in a knife fight shortly after being incarcerated.
Billy smiled as he watched the two boys converse before turning his gaze out of the window to soak up the countryside. Before he knew it, they were passing rows of identical filthy brick houses. Each was covered in a thick layer of grime from chimneys both industrial and domestic.
Wolverhampton, in the Black Country’s centre in the middle of England, was much the same as any other industrial town. Factories and foundries worked day and night, belching out steam and smoke, which lay in a thick pall over the houses. Ragamuffins played on the cobblestone roads as their mothers stood on doorsteps canting the hours away. Huge Shire horses pulled dray carts delivering casks of ale to the numerous public houses. Carters vied for space on the narrow streets as people meandered around them.
Laughter drew Billy’s eyes back to the two sat on the wooden bench of the third-class carriage of the train. After a quick mental calculation he realised Digit was now twenty-one years old – he was a young man now. Billy wondered how he would fit in with the others and whether he would ever find work in the poverty-stricken town. Would anyone employ a light-fingered convict? Would Digit revert to his previous trade if no jobs were forthcoming? Had he learned his lesson by being in jail? Billy hoped so, but only time would tell.
The train slowed as it pulled into Monmore Green Station, and they heard the steam as it was released to float past the windows in great clouds. The great iron beast ground to a halt and they got to their feet before jumping down onto a crowded platform. Pushing through the throngs of people, they made their way to the exit, where Billy hailed a cab. Climbing aboard, they were all excited to be undertaking the last leg of their journey.



Whilst Digit was being greeted and escorted to his new home, Minnie Marshall had been planning a welcome party.
Mabel Elliot, the cook, and Dilys Linton, the maid, had come to them after deserting Reed’s Orphanage, as had Ruth Ashby and Celia Brock. Ruth had taken on the duties of accountant and administrator and Celia had brought her teaching skills to the new children’s home, and both were more than happy to be away from the spiteful Una Reed.
Mabel’s mob cap wobbled atop her grey hair as she bustled around the large kitchen issuing orders to Dilys like a sergeant major.
‘Come on, gel, they’ll be back any time now!’ she urged as she pushed a plate of sausage rolls into the girl’s hands.
Dilys rushed to the dining room and placed the plate at one end of a long table, either side of which were wooden benches. Dashing back to the kitchen, Dilys collected plates of fresh bread, cheese, cold meats, pork pies, and two by two they were transferred to the table.
Polly Fitch, Adam’s sister, had now arrived to help and a moment later her friend May Johnson joined them, closely followed by Echo.
The two girls had met at Reed’s and had become firm friends. May and her brother Arthur