Clover Moon Read online

  ‘How much is he?’ I asked.

  ‘Well, seeing as you two have taken to each other I’ll be generous. He’s a very special breed, with a lovely nature as you can see, and if you took it into your head to go hunting you’d find him a great retriever. I dare say some folk would fork out a fortune for him, but I’ll give you a bargain price. Ten shillings! Can’t say fairer than that, can I, lads?’

  They all nodded their heads and declared the price extremely generous. Ten shillings! I had my five shillings and Mr Dolly’s loose change. I fumbled in the purse. Count the coins as I might, I couldn’t make them add up to ten shillings.

  ‘I don’t suppose you could reduce the price a little?’ I asked.

  ‘Come on, now, miss, don’t waste my time. I could get a sovereign for him easy, not to say a guinea. Reduce from ten measly shillings? You’ve got a cheek!’

  The chorus of lads shook their heads and echoed him. I stood up and stroked Brutus’s strong back. I wished he was even bigger so I could climb on that back and let him carry me far away.

  ‘I’m afraid I can’t afford ten shillings,’ I said.

  ‘There now, don’t look like that. Don’t break my heart! I’ve got my own little girls to look after. I have to make a living, sweetheart,’ he declared, shaking his head and clicking his teeth, and a couple of the lads shook and clicked too. Brutus seemed determined to join in the performance. He butted against me with his big head and looked up at me pleadingly with his soulful brown eyes.

  ‘Oh, I want him so!’ I said.

  ‘Then you must have him, my duck. You’re clearly made for each other. I can’t stand between girl and dog, not when there’s already such a bond between you. Tell you what. I’ll knock a bob off. Nine shillings! Can’t say fairer than that. I’m giving him away without a penny profit. Don’t you think it a generous offer, boys?’ he asked.

  They nodded and cheered and patted him on the back and then looked at me expectantly.

  ‘I’m sure it is a very generous offer, sir, but I’m afraid I simply haven’t got enough money,’ I said.

  ‘Come on, now, child, don’t play games with me. Look at you, with your smart little outfit. It must have cost a pretty penny,’ he said.

  ‘It was a gift, sir.’

  ‘And I’m giving you a gift, letting you have Brutus cut price. He’s got a lovely nature and will make a loyal guard dog. How can you resist? Especially when I can hear the tin clanking in that purse of yours,’ he said.

  ‘I’ve only got seven and six, and I should keep some of that for emergencies. I simply can’t afford your lovely dog,’ I said.

  ‘Then what are you doing wasting my time?’ he said, looking disgusted. ‘Be off with you. Brutus – to heel, sir!’

  Brutus took no notice, leaning against me lovingly. The man jerked his lead, yanking him so hard he choked.

  ‘You’re hurting him!’ I protested.

  ‘It’s nothing to do with you. He’s not your dog,’ said the man, and he wouldn’t even let me give Brutus one more stroke to say goodbye.

  I trailed sadly away, hoping that Brutus would realize I wasn’t deliberately rejecting him. I turned down a dank little alleyway, wanting to get away from the reek and din of the birds and dogs. Two of the lads ran after me. For one mad second I thought the dog-seller had relented and was going to let me have Brutus for my pocketful of change. But then one lad pinioned my arms while the other pulled the purse from my pocket. Then they gave me a shove into the gutter and left me lying there in the filth.

  12

  I WAS SO stunned I couldn’t move. I lay there, feeling like a fool. How could I have been so stupid, flashing my purse about like that? I wasn’t some country bumpkin fresh from the pigsties. I lived in London, for goodness’ sake. I should have known better. It was my own fault I’d lost every single penny, all of it from dear, generous Mr Dolly, which somehow made it worse.

  What about Anne Boleyn and Jimmy’s shawl? Oh my Lord, both were missing. I started crying then, unable to bear the loss of my two dearest possessions, my only possessions – but when I got to my knees and stood up unsteadily I saw the sack lying crumpled in a corner. I ran over to it, but it was empty.

  I started howling, blundering about in a stupor until I stepped on something soft. I gasped, terrified it might be some animal, but then I came to my senses. It was my beautiful blue shawl, balled up and cast aside. I clutched it to me and then started searching, hoping the lads might also have thrown away a little wooden doll.

  I wandered along the alleyway, feeling the loss of Anne Boleyn almost as keenly as that of my sister, and then at last I spotted a scrap of red and green in the gutter. I darted forward and snatched her up, my own dear doll. Her face was still smiling, her little wooden limbs intact, her cloak and dress still spotless.

  That was more than I could say for my own clothes. I was shocked when I came out of the dark alley into the sunlight. I had smears all over my coat, my stockings were torn and one of my felt boots was ripped at the side. I leaned against the wall, feeling sick. Oh, how I longed for Megs to come along and comfort me, winding her thin arms round my neck, rubbing her soft cheek against mine.

  What would Miss Sarah Smith think of me now, filthy and torn? Perhaps she’d take one look at me and send me packing, not wanting a dirty ragamuffin besmirching her establishment. After all Mr Dolly’s care and time and patience my beautiful outfit was ruined.

  I wanted to go and search for those two boys in the crowd and punch them hard, but what little common sense I had left prevented me. No matter how well I fought, two big boys were much stronger than me, and they’d likely have friends who would join in. I’d be left worse off than ever – this time they might trail my shawl in the filthy gutter or stamp on Anne Boleyn out of spite.

  So I made my way wearily away from the market, not even giving beautiful Brutus a second look. I imagined him padding along beside me on his big soft paws, teeth bared, ready to sort out any ruffian who so much as glanced at me, but it was hard work picturing him when I was so cast down. Every step I took made the rip in my boot a little bigger, and I wanted to weep at the sight of my coat. My dress was stained too, with the hem hanging unevenly below my knees.

  Now that I was in a much bigger street I looked around for a horse trough, wondering if I could find a rag and dab at the stains, but I couldn’t see one anywhere, though there was a constant stream of horses pulling cabs and carriages and huge omnibuses. I saw a boy holding a big broom and sweeping a clean path for the ladies when they made their way over the crossing. He wore a filthy shirt and ragged trousers, and no boots at all. When he ran, the soles of his feet showed hard and black, and the palm held out for a penny payment was black too from handling all the coppers. He didn’t risk putting his money in his torn pocket. He had a worn leather purse hanging on a string about his neck. The purse looked very full.

  Whenever a horse paused to lift its tail he dashed out into the street, busily sweep-sweep-sweeping with the big broom, though his arms were not much thicker than Anne Boleyn’s stick limbs and seemed just as likely to snap. I judged him to be a year or two younger than me, and maybe a little simple – because his mouth hung open as he toiled and his eyes were dull.

  I had always got on splendidly with simple children. Daft Mo treated me like a second mother and always came to me if he were troubled. Perhaps I could befriend this poor boy, and then maybe he’d spare me a penny.

  I stood at the edge of the pavement and he came up to me.

  ‘Was you wanting to cross, little lady?’ he asked, bobbing his head at me.

  ‘No thank you,’ I said, smiling at him.

  He could tell from my accent that I was no lady, just another London child like him.

  ‘Then what you staring at?’ He eyed me up and down. ‘You look a real guy in them clothes.’

  ‘Yes, I know. Some hateful boys pushed me over and stole all my money. I was wondering, could you possibly spare me just one penny so I could fin