Chapter 1

Waterloo Station: England: Spring 1958

The mournful sound made by the train as it pulled out of Waterloo Station was the saddest thing Ella had ever heard.

She bit her lip, trying hard not to cry as London began to slide away into the hazy afternoon sunshine.

Mrs Hicks the Orphan Officer assigned to accompany Ella to her new foster-home was a big woman.

She had escorted many orphans to new homes but this was the first time with a coloured girl: attractive in a primitive way she thought and probably why she had been chosen by Lady Lydia.

Some of the girls had gone to sordid brothels but this girl Ella was a lucky one.

The buttons on Mrs Hicks blouse were in danger of flying off as her large bosom heaved with each sigh she made throughout the long train journey but eventually the train pulled into Petersfield Station.

“Here we are at last then Ella.” sighed Mrs Hicks, I’ll take your case; you make sure you leave nothing on the train my dear.” she said leading the way onto the platform.

Ella felt scared yet held out her chin saying a prayer as Mrs Hicks lead her up to the lavishly dressed lady who was there to receive them.

Mrs Hicks introduced herself and as they chatted Ella took in the lady’s stylish outfit; from the high-heeled brown and cream shoes up to the jaunty brown velour hat, spiked with a long feather; she looked every inch a movie star. Indeed the face beneath the hat could have been that of an actress yet although elegant was somehow detached.

Ella’s heart skipped a beat as the woman’s hazel eye’s scrutinised her own and although Ella had raised a smile, the woman looked away with seeming indifference. In fact she had looked away to hide her lust for the girl.

Mrs Hicks turned to her now asking, “How old are you now Ella?”

“I was fourteen last month Mrs Hicks.”

“Have you started your period’s yet dear?”

Ella’s face blushed. “Yes Mrs Hicks.”

“So do you use tampons dear?”

“Yes!” she said indignantly.

“Very well dear.”

Mrs Hicks took her by the shoulder saying, “Now Ella, being a coloured girl your very lucky to be taken in by your benefactor Lady Lydia, here; so what do you say to her?”

“I’m very grateful miss.”

The lady gave a slight nod.

“That’s right Ella and always be on your best behaviour with her Ladyship.”

“Yes Mrs Hicks.”

Lady Lydia now address Ella, “Follow me to the car would you child.”

She turned and with her heels tapping the concourse and hat-feather bouncing, it seemingly beckoned Ella to a waiting grey limousine.

She followed obediently but she shied as the chauffeur leaped forward to open the door.

“Please don’t loiter, just get into the Bentley.” Lady Lydia softly scorned.

The unfamiliar smell of leather combined with her gnawing hunger made her feel faint as she huddled into a corner closing her eyes on it all.

“Drive strait home Jackson, would you.” Lady Lydia ordered.

The car silently picked up speed upon leaving the village and Ella now looked out at the passing countryside. Lydia now drank in what she had acquired; the coffee coloured skin, the budding of her breast, the slim waist, the long slender limbs; she had netted a little beauty.

“Your very quiet for a teenager,” said Lady Lydia as she lit-up a cigarette she had fixed into a green onyx holder. She inhaled with obvious pleasure and exhaled slowly as she replaced the gold cigarette case and lighter into her bag saying, “ Mrs Hicks tells me you attended the Baptist Church on Sundays; are you a religious girl?”

“No, ... I just enjoyed singing the hymns Miss.”

“I see, well you should call me Ma’am not Miss.”

“Yes mis – Ma’am.”

Lady Lydia continued to smoke in silence, occasionally tapping the ash into a secluded ashtray.

Remembering it was rude to stare Ella gazed at the passing hedgerows and fields of ripe corn that were spiked with scarlet poppies and blue corn-flowers.

She had read about the countryside and even seen the flat fields of Essex; from the train window on an orphanage holiday to Southend but these rolling hills of Hampshire were so beautiful.

Later they sped passed a field of cows grazing on rich green grass. Eventually though the car slowed and turned into the entrance of the manor house.

Lowering the passenger windows, Jackson then drove the Bentley sedately along the tree-line drive. It so impressed Ella she forgot her shyness, “ This is just like the botanical gardens in London ma’am!”

“Oh really,” replied Lady Lydia sarcastically, “so pleased you approve.”

Ella smiled at having got a response from the movie queen. She spotted a small lake with an island in the middle and marble statue thing on a gentle slope. It was all so trim and green and posh! - But Jackson had bought the car to a sudden halt?

Suddenly a clatter of hooves; with the appearance of a horse alongside Ella by the open window! Ella screamed!

The horse snorted; its eyes rolled and nostrils flared; Ella covered her eyes and screamed again.

Then the strident voice of a young man. “ Good grief, who have you in there mother?”

But Ella dared not look up.

“Rufus! This is not the wild west. Get that beast away from the Bentley before it does some damage.” Lady Lydia screeched.

Rufus chortled, “Why mother! you’ve kid-napped a native-girl! How exciting!”

Ella, having risen before dawn to leave home; having eaten next to nothing throughout a day’s travel, at that point, simply fainted in the car.

“Good grief mother! the man laughed, “my presence has overwhelmed her!”

Closing the door of the night nursery where Ella was now peacefully sleeping Rufus made his way down to speak with the cook, Mrs Toon in the kitchen.

“Let the native girl sleep an hour or so before taking her some supper Mrs Toon. The tumbler of water I made her drink made all the difference and I laced it with a mild sedative. She was mostly dehydrated and exhausted.”

Doing as Mr Rufus had bid, Mrs Toon had gently awoken Ella over an hour later. Ella sat up in bed and gazed in wonder at her comfortable surroundings.

Mrs Toon explained how she had passed out upon arrival from fatigue. How Mr Rufus had carried her up here to the Nursery accommodation; how he’d given her something to help her rest a while.

Placing the tray on Ella’s lap Mrs Toon then left her alone with the meal.

Ella, eagerly enjoying the rich soup and bread, suddenly realised that someone must have undressed her before putting her to bed. Who? Mrs Toon or the gentleman?

It was just one of so many questions that were spinning in her mind.

The following morning saw Ella being called formally before the elderly Squire and Lady Lydia in the library.

Lady Lydia introduce her husband as Squire Edwin who seem a kindly gent but simply smiled from his armchair and welcomed her to Squires Lodge and asking if she knew how to play chess?

Lady Lydia went on to explain that since the Squire’s recent fall, her son Rufus now managed much of the estate.

But there was also her daughter Amber who lived in London with her husband and little boy Rupert.

However young Rupert often stayed here and now required two nurse-maids.

A day-nurse who came in from the village and a night-nurse who slept in the nursery.

A night-nurse’s duty could begin after five in the evening; round to nine in the morning.

Ella was trying to absorb all that Lady Lydia was telling her when suddenly Lady Lydia put a question to Ella, “ Did you find the night-nursery accommodation comfortable?”

“Oh, yes Ma’am, Very comfortable, thank you.”

“Now Ella, could you manage looking after little Rupert; as our night-nurse here at the Lodge?”

Ella’s eyes widened in surprise and she broke out a big smile, “ Oh yes Ma’am, I could!” For the first time in her life she was being offered a responsible job; and for a Lady no less!

“Very well, - but I will need your help with various other things in time; you do understand girl?”