‘Is she?’ he said in astonishment. ‘Not backward, then, as we’ve been led to believe?’
‘No!’ Jenny said. ‘Most definitely not. But she has a condition that means she’s slower than other children at doing things and that frustrates her.’
They reached Thorngumbald and he insisted on driving her to the farm. ‘It’s rather boggy down there, and besides, it’s dark. You’re a town girl now, aren’t you? Used to street lights?’ he teased her.
‘I am, but I’m not afraid of the dark of the countryside. I was born to it, don’t forget.’
She invited him in when they reached the gate but he said he would get off home, for there would be a meal waiting. She thanked him for the lift and waved him goodbye as he turned the horse and trap round.
Her mother was dishing up supper and all the children were sitting at the table waiting for it, but with the exception of Robin they all got up and rushed to give her a hug.
‘Well, what an unexpected treat,’ her mother beamed. ‘Have you walked from Hedon?’
‘No,’ she said, unwinding her scarf and slipping off her hat and coat. ‘I saw Cousin Richard at the station and he gave me a lift. It’s a short stay, but, well, I wanted to come and discuss something.’
She turned back to the table. ‘Hello, Robin,’ she said. ‘My cousin Richard who gave me a ride home is your friend Ben’s father. He said how well you’re getting on together.’
‘Did he?’ Robin’s face lit up in delight. ‘Yes, we’re best mates. After the girls, I mean,’ he added hastily as Louisa and Molly turned to look at him. ‘It’s really, really nice to have so many friends.’
Jenny smiled at the best mates description. He had quickly picked up the local expression. She made a pot of tea whilst the children were eating; her mother said that her father and brother were in the barn repairing something and would be in later for supper.
‘What was it you wanted to discuss?’ Peggy asked.
‘I’ll tell you later,’ Jenny murmured, ‘when the children aren’t around.’
‘Please may I get down?’ Rosie piped up, quickly followed by Emma and then Molly.
‘You must wait until Robin has finished eating,’ Peggy told them, but Jenny interrupted.
‘I want to ask Robin something too, when he’s finished.’
‘So can we go and play for a bit while you’re talking?’ Emma asked.
‘Go on then,’ Peggy said. ‘You too, Louisa.’ Robin glanced cautiously at Jenny and then Peggy and put his knife and fork together.
‘Thank you,’ he said. ‘I’ve finished now. It was very nice.’
‘It’s all right, Robin,’ Jenny assured him after the girls had disappeared into the parlour. ‘You don’t need to be apprehensive. I want to suggest a treat for you.’
She sat at the table with him and her mother sat opposite, her arms folded across her chest. ‘What sort of treat?’ Peggy asked.
‘I wondered if Robin would like to come on a little trip with me tomorrow. It will be a sort of Christmas present.’
Peggy looked at her, and Robin beamed. ‘Oh,’ he said. ‘Thank you. Will I like it?’
‘I’m fairly sure that you will. We’ll be taking the train into Hull and you’ll get your present there.’
He glanced at Peggy, who was looking baffled, and then back at Jenny. ‘Will I be coming back?’
‘Of course!’ she said. ‘You’ll want to come back, won’t you? It’s just that there’s something I want you to see, a special kind of something.’
He glanced again at Peggy, but she shook her head and shrugged. ‘I’ve no idea,’ she said. ‘None at all. First I’ve heard of it.’
‘Well, it’s a secret,’ Jenny told them. She bent her head towards them and lowered her voice. ‘I’d like to keep it a surprise until we get there.’
Robin heaved a breath. ‘All right,’ he said. ‘Thank you. I feel very excited.’ He didn’t sound excited, she thought, but still rather anxious. He moved his chair back from the table and got to his feet. ‘I’d better see what the girls are up to.’
‘What’s this about?’ Peggy asked, when he had left the room.
Jenny blew out her cheeks. ‘I hope I’m doing right,’ she said, ‘and please, promise that you won’t tell Da or Jack. Not yet anyway.’
Her mother shrugged. ‘You always were one for intrigue,’ she said. ‘You’d better spit it out and tell me afore the men come in.’
‘We’re going into Hull,’ Jenny said carefully and quietly, ‘for Robin to see his mother.’
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Jenny reassured Robin several times on the train journey that they would be coming back. ‘What’s for supper tonight?’ she’d asked, and, ‘I expect you’ll miss Louisa and the other girls when they move to the other house after Christmas? You’ll still see them at school, of course,’ and so on, all remarks designed to reinforce his confidence that he would be returning to the farm.
‘I do like being at the farm,’ he told Jenny. ‘I love Granny Robinson and the girls, especially Louisa. She’s my very best friend.’
‘I’m very pleased to hear it,’ she said, and thought that of all the little girls Louisa was her favourite too, though she tried not to be biased. Perhaps it’s because she was my first niece, she pondered, or more likely because I don’t understand Susan’s attitude towards her, nor my brother’s either.
‘Here we are,’ she said brightly as the train pulled into the Paragon terminus. ‘Let’s go and find your present.’
‘Do I have to close my eyes?’ He reached for her hand and she gave his a gentle squeeze and thought she could become very fond of this young boy.
‘Not yet,’ she said practically. ‘You should look around and see the town. We’re not walking far, and we are a bit early, but I’ll tell you when to close your eyes.’
He looked about him as they walked through the railway station. ‘It isn’t as big as King’s Cross,’ he said. ‘But it has very long platforms.’
‘It was built more than thirty years ago,’ she said,
