Lewi's Legacy Read Online Free PDF Page A

timidly on the door, a scruffy woman would appear, holding a baby and with two or three other urchins hiding behind her skirts, filthy and dressed in rags. On occasions he would ask for the money and she would shake her head, and he would walk away empty handed. There were times when he ticked the entry in the book and paid it himself, not telling Mr Reynolds.
    What Louis did not know however, was that Mr Reynolds was aware of what he did. He went round himself to the non payer, get the money out of the man of the house, and then pass that money on to Henry. It was enough to make his father shed a tear, how could a boy like his be so kind, he often thought to himself.
    This particular Saturday Louis was trudging on his round early in the morning feeling a bit more tired than usual after his late night. All the time he had on his mind the old woman he had met at the Circus. Early on he couldn’t remember her name, then suddenly it came to him and he shouted out loud
    ‘Magda, that’s it!’
    ‘Magda? Who’s that you’re on about my lad?’
    One of his customers asked. He must have overheard him as he opened the door to take the Saturday paper.
    ‘Just thinking out loud’ he answered.
    He had made his decision to go and visit the old woman after his collection round in the afternoon, and started it early so that he would have time to get back. He did decide to pop in to Scattergoods and let his dad know where he was going, but so as not to worry him, he planned not to say too much until he had returned from seeing Magda.
    Louis had finished adding up his collection takings at the shop, and received his pay, pushing it carefully in his trouser pocket. It was just midday. He was about to enter Scattergood’s shop, then he caught sight of Danny and his sister across the High Street deep in conversation. He was about to shout to them but stopped himself. Louis bit his lip and really felt guilty for a moment, not calling, but he knew that if he had to explain to Danny where he was going, it could make him late. He decided to visit Danny on Sunday and tell him all about his adventure then.
    Fortunately the shop was quiet and he caught his dad leaving his counter just about to take his lunch break. Henry noticed that his son was a little agitated so he led him outside in the sunshine, around the corner and they sat together on a bench on the pavement.
    ‘Well son, what’s on your mind?’
    ‘It’s about last night at the circus, something happened.’
    Louis explained to his dad how he helped an old lady who was hurt by a horse that had gone out of control. The men were chasing the horse and he helped the lady by making a bandage for her leg that was bleeding.
    ‘Well done son’ Henry said proudly.
    ‘That’s not it dad I couldn’t stay with her as I went to see the circus, but before I left her in her little house, she made me promise to go and see her today. Is that ok dad?’
    Henry looked at his son, and then gave him the biggest hug. ‘I think you should go, if only to see if she is alright. If she offers you a reward, in this case I say you can accept it because of the kind help you gave her. You know what I told you about accepting rewards, I don’t like it but I think that this is a special case. Understand? The boy nodded. ‘Then go with my blessing.’
    Louis took a much quicker route to the site of the circus at Victoria Park, avoiding the steep High Street. In less that fifteen minutes the Big Top was in sight, although out of breathe he was relieved to be there with his father’s approval. The memories of the previous night came flooding back as he began to weave around the tightly parked caravans, taking no notice of the garish paintings on them. He had in his mind’s eye the small humble one that the old lady lived in. Having passed the fifth large van, he was aware of music coming from an open window. As he approached, the music compelled him to stop and listen, it was as if he had heard it