A New Day Read Online Free PDF

older now and it’s time she had some help.’
    ‘In that case you’ve got something worth saving for.’
    ‘Oh, yes. It’s our dream and we’ll make it come true. I must start my letter to her tonight. I’ve got so much to tell her.’ He frowned and sighed. ‘I feel guilty about being so happy. I hope she’s all right.’
    ‘I’m sure she will be. She sounds a sensible girl.’
    ‘Of course she will, but I can’t help worrying.’ Jack cleared his plate and pulled a face. ‘Silly of me. We’re both away from the orphanage now, and that’s what we always wanted. If the job she’s got doesn’t work out she’ll get something else. My Hanna’s strong and determined.’
    ‘I’d like to meet her one day.’ Bill slapped Jack on the back, and called to Frank, ‘What’s for pudding?’
    ‘Spotted dick with syrup.’
    ‘Oh, smashing.’ The smile was back on Jack’s face.

Four
    Movement on her bed woke Hanna up, and in the gloom she saw a small boy sitting beside her. ‘Is something wrong?’ she asked, pulling herself upright.
    ‘I’m hungry. Is it breakfast time yet?’
    After switching on the bedside lamp, she looked at the clock and shook her head. ‘It’s only four o’clock. Would you like me to go and get you a glass of milk?’
    ‘No.’ He wriggled until he was sitting comfortably beside her, then he gave her an engaging grin. ‘Will you tell me a story?’
    There was a patter of little feet as the other twin came into her room, climbed on to the bed and settled the other side of her, then leaned across to his brother. ‘What are you doing here? We told Hanna we were good at night.’
    ‘It isn’t night! It’s nearly morning. Look.’ He pointed to the clock on the bedside table. ‘It’s four!’
    ‘You can’t tell the time.’
    ‘Yes I can. See the big hand is there and the little hand down there. That means it’s four o’clock!’
    Hanna watched in amusement as the twins argued about how to tell the time, and decided that was something she would start to teach them. One child was holding the small clock, and the other stretched across her legs to get a good look. Their mother had said that the twins were very different in nature, and she was beginning to see that for the first time. She decided to put it to the test.
    ‘Put the clock down, David, and I’ll tell you a short story. But then you must go back to bed.’
    Two pairs of eyes fixed on her, and she knew from their expressions that she had been right.
    David put the clock back and said, ‘I’m Andrew.’
    ‘No, you’re David.’
    Andrew giggled and pushed a lock of hair away from his eyes. ‘How did you know?’
    ‘Aha, that’s my secret.’ She reached out for the book on her bedside table, and knew that she was going to have to gain their trust and affection quite quickly, or these two little imps were going to have her running around in circles. They were very bright, and more than that, it was clear that this little episode in the early morning was a way of testing her. They were trying to find out just what they would be able to get away with. Well, they would soon find out that their innocent looks didn’t fool her one bit.
    ‘Told you she was smart,’ Andrew said, sitting back and looking at her expectantly, waiting for the promised story.
    Later that day, when the boys were tucked up for their afternoon nap, Mrs Harcourt sent for Hanna.
    She knocked on the sitting-room door and walked in, a smile on her face. The smile vanished in an instant when she saw who else was in the room, and her heart raced in alarm. Her gaze was unwavering as she looked at them, knowing that she must stay calm and not show the slightest hint of fear. They couldn’t touch Jack. She glanced at Mrs Harcourt, who gave her an encouraging smile, coming to stand beside the policeman, showing her support for Hanna.
    ‘I told this officer that you would soon be able to clear up any misunderstanding, Hanna,’ Mrs Harcourt said.