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- Herausgeber: novum pro Verlag
- Kategorie: Gesellschafts- und Liebesromane
- Sprache: Englisch
A sleepy community in the Tyne Valley of Northumberland. On the surface, all is peaceful and tranquil. There is a dedicated pastor, a hardworking landowner who loves the farming life, a young couple who are newcomers to the area and are renovating their new house, a couple who have recently bought the local pub who discover there are ghosts in the attic, a gay couple who are deeply in love, and a grandad who thinks he's still a young boy. However, beneath the surface, some complex issues simmer; a boy with confusing gender identity, a sixteen year old girl who is raped, a boy who is struggling with his fine motor skills. Surprisingly, despite these traumatic issues, a strong undercurrent of love and community pervades their lives; which enables them to weather the storms that beset them.
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Seitenzahl: 573
Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2022
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Contents
Imprint 3
Characters 4
Part One 5
Chapter 1 5
Chapter 2 13
Chapter 3 21
Chapter 4 25
Chapter 5 31
Chapter 6 35
Chapter 7 44
Chapter 8 50
Chapter 9 56
Chapter 10 61
Chapter 11 69
Chapter 12 78
Part Two 82
Introducing new Characters 82
Chapter 13 83
Chapter 14 89
Chapter 15 95
Chapter 16 101
Chapter 17 116
Chapter 18 131
Chapter 19 144
Chapter 20 155
Chapter 21 163
Chapter 22 171
Chapter 23 185
Chapter 24 192
Part Three 206
Chapter 25 206
Chapter 26 218
Chapter 27 225
Chapter 28 234
Chapter 29 248
Chapter 30 255
Chapter 31 265
Chapter 32 273
Chapter 33 281
Chapter 34 293
Chapter 35 308
Chapter 36 320
Chapter 37 337
Chapter 38 349
Imprint
All rights of distribution, also through movies, radio and television, photomechanical reproduction, sound carrier, electronic medium and reprinting in excerpts are reserved.
© 2022 novum publishing
ISBN print edition: 978-3-99131-204-8
ISBN e-book: 978-3-99131-205-5
Editor: Hugo Chandler
Cover images: Gordon Bell, Victordenovan | Dreamstime.com
Cover design, layout & typesetting:novum publishing
www.novum-publishing.co.uk
Characters
The Macalister family
Jack Macalister. Parent and Grandparent, retired farmer.
James Macalister. Husband and Father, Farmer.
Rachael Macalister. Wife and Mother. District Nurse.
Scarlett Macalister. Daughter and Sister aged 9. School girl.
Cameron Macalister. Son and Brother aged 6. School boy.
George Crosby. Parent and Grandparent, retired Engineer.
Marian Crosby. Parent and Grandparent retired Psychiatric Nurse.
The Mayhew Family
Thomas Mayhew Reverend of Sleathwaite Methodist church.
Husband and Father.
Emily Mayhew. Wife and Mother, District Nurse.
John Mayhew. Son and brother aged 11, School boy.
Jamie Mayhew. Son and brother aged 11, School boy.
The Turner Family
Matthew Turner. Husband and landlord of the Hadrian Pub.
Caitlin Turner, Wife and Landlady of the Hadrian Pub.
Philip Marsden. ICT Consultant.
Patrick Hunter. ICT Consultant.
Part One
Chapter 1
Set on the banks of the River Tyne sits the village of Sleathwaite, which is between Corbridge and Hexham in the Tyne Valley, Northumberland. Here and throughout this county you will find the most iconic countryside set within Northumberland National Park. It was here that the Roman Emperor Hadrian came and settled with his army and built the Roman wall across Britain, also known as Hadrian’s wall, in AD 122, which still stands today, along with the ruins of the army camps.
Sleathwaite gets its name from a nearby slate mine which offers employment to the community andthwaitemeaning settlement.
In the village is the local school which has now been turned into an academy, a pub called the Hadrian, a surgery, shops and a church. It also has a rugby club where a lot of the villagers play, from children to adults; and there is the most beautiful park with lovely gardens full of floral displays, a bandstand, playing fields and the village also has its own bowling club.
On the outskirts of the village sits Sleathwaite hall once home to a local landowner called George Hamilton. His family were upper-class and belonged to the gentry, as he was the Duke of Northumberland. He had lived there with his family since the beginning of the nineteenth century when the hall was first built. Unfortunately, he passed away in the late 1990s. His grandson David now dealt with financial matters regarding the estate.
The Hamilton family still owns the hall and grounds, but the estate is run by Camden Leisure Complex. It is now a hotel with a restaurant, a bar, a swimming pool, spa and golf course, including a range of sporting activities.
The hall and grounds are as beautiful now as they were then. Although the hall has been extended to allow for the hotel, they have still kept the new buildings, in keeping with the style of the original hall.
***
Set higher up on the edge of the village is Brookfield Farm, where the Macalister family live, and it is here where we begin exploring the lives of these villagers.
It was very early in the morning in the Macalister household and James had not been out of bed long. It was Saturday and he was having a quick breakfast, a bowl of cereal and a glass of breakfast orange. He was getting his coat and shoes on ready to go out to feed the animals. As it was only five a.m. he had to be quiet so as not to wake the others who were still fast asleep.
James had inherited the farm from his dad Jack who now lived nearby in a bungalow but still often came to visit and helped out when he could. However, Jack was getting on a bit now, he wasn’t physically fit enough to do the heavy work. He was in his eighties and had a few health issues but still liked to do his bit,
James was a proud family man and believed in strong family values which came from his upbringing. He grew up on the farm and had helped since he was a small boy. He worked hard, and the farm was doing well. They got a lot of business supplying local businesses.
The farm had been in the family for generations. He wanted his children to have the same upbringing as himself and to grow-up to live independently and become well-rounded human beings.
James looked up. Suddenly, there was a noise on the stairs, sounding like buzzing?
“Brrrr, Brrrr, Brrrr, Brrrr.”
It was Cameron his six-year-old son, standing at the top of the stairs in his pyjamas.
“Hi Pal, how are you doing or what are you doing?”
“I am a bulldozer ready to crash into everything, BRRRR,” he said rolling down the bottom few steps.
“Shush you’ll wake Mammy and Scarlett. It’s very early. Don’t you want to get back into bed where it’s warm?”
“NO spells no,” said Cameron. “I came to help you.”
James thought for a moment.
“PLEASE!”
“Okay, just keep the noise down. Right first things first. Help yourself to cereal and then I want you wrapped up in a warm, hoody, jeans and coat. Oh, and put your wellies on. I’ll get the quad bike out of the garage.”
James headed out of the front door. He looked back at Cameron sitting and eating his Cheerios and watching the Simpsons on the telly. Bart was causing mischief with Homer.
He thought Cameron looked like a miniature version of himself with his blond curly hair. He suddenly thought back to when he was a boy sitting at the table having breakfast, getting ready to go out and feed all the animals with his dad.
He went into the garage and got out the quad bike. It was a big double garage, which he had built next to the farmhouse. He hoped to build above it one day and extend the upstairs of the house to make more bedrooms. Rachael had come up with the idea of doing bed and breakfast for holidaymakers, when they got nearer to retirement age.
He looked around the garage, gathered the feed he needed and put it in the storage area of the quad bike. He could hear Sammy banging the door of his kennel which he shared with his sister Kim. They were Border Collies and were kept as working dogs, but the children adored them, and they did go into the farmhouse, but they knew that their kennel was where their beds were and their own private place.
James let the dogs out and they wagged their tails in excitement and started to bark at the sight of their master. He gave a command and they sat up straight and became quiet. They were still quite young dogs and still got excitable, but also knew they had a job to do.
“Daddy, DADDY!”
“Okay, Cammy,” said James, using his nickname. “I know you are excited but remember it is only five-thirty in the morning.”
As he walked towards his son he couldn’t help smiling. There stood his little boy with his hat perched on the top of his head like the archbishop of Canterbury’s, his coat over his pyjama top. He had his jeans on, undone, and his wellies were on the wrong feet.
“I see you got ready then.”
“Yes, and I did it all by myself!” said Cameron proudly.
“Well done but let me help you a bit and then we’ll get off.”
James sat him down, put the wellies on the right feet and helped him with fastening his jeans and straightening his hat.
“You still have your pyjamas on under there,” James pointed out.
“I know. I want to be cosy when I get back, before my bath.”
“Okay son,” said James patting him on the shoulder.
Cameron felt his hand being licked and looked down and Sammy was there.
“SAMMY! KIM!” Cameron whooped for joy.
Kim nearly knocked him over in excitement.
“Right let’s all get on the quad and get going, it has taken a little longer to get organised this morning. Good job it is Saturday, and you don’t have school.”
“Silly Billy Daddy, it’s the summer holidays!”
“Of course, silly Daddy,” said James, putting the key in the ignition. The quad roared into life, and they were off down the dirt track road.
“Where to first Dad?”
“We’ll see to the sheep and lambs.”
“Goody.”
They arrived at the field where the sheep and lambs were. Some of the younger ones were in the lambing shed with their mothers in the next field, nearby.
James stopped the engine and turned around to Cameron.
“Right Cameron can you open the gate? You should be able to manage.”
“Yes, okay.”
Cameron jumped down from the quad and ran to the gate to open it to let his dad through but couldn’t resist having a swing on it while closing it.
“Wheee!”
“You love doing that don’t you?” said Dad.
“Yes, can we go to the park this afternoon, Please!”
“Well after your homework is done, okay?”
“Good.”
Sammy and Kim jumped down from the quad and ran off to round up the sheep.
James and Cameron walked down the field. As he held the small boy’s hand, he noticed he was skipping along.
‘Such a happy little boy,’ he thought.
James stopped and took out his whistle. “Come by!” Come by!”, he shouted.
The dogs had rounded up all the sheep and Cameron ran to open the gate but struggled with the rope keeping the gate in place.
“Oh!” said Cameron struggling to undo it.
“Hey, it’s okay, let me help,” said James gently.
He opened the gate and Cameron helped to get the sheep in.
“Can I give them some food Daddy?”
“Yes, I’ll lift the sack down and using the scoop you can fill the trough for them, but not too much.”
“Like this?” said Cameron eager to impress.
“Yes, let’s spread it out a bit, we’ll make a farmer out of you yet.”
“I like helping with the animals better than washing dishes,” said Cameron.
“Well, we all have to help with the domestic chores, because we all have a lot to do,” said James reproachfully. “However, I am glad you want to help and learn about farming.”
“I don’t want to be a farmer till I am older.”
“No, well.”
“I want to be an astronaut and live in space!”
James laughed. “I wanted to be a pilot.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Right is that them fed?”
“Yep, what’s next?”
“Lambs of course.”
James let the sheep back out to graze, they were fine in this field for the moment. He got dogs and boy back onto the quad and they went down to the lambing shed.
“Ahh! They are gorgeous,” said Cameron looking at the baby lambs.
“Would you like to help give some of the older ones their bottles?”
“Can I?”
“Of course, here give him this one. Tip it like this so he gets it all but not too much. We don’t want him to choke.”
“He’s hungry,” said Cameron laughing as the young lamb guzzled down the milk.
“Dad! Dad!”
James looked up and saw Scarlett running down the path towards them.
“Hello love, you’re up early.”
“I wanted to help; mum’s still asleep.”
“Oh, she’s probably still really tired. She did the late shift last night. She wouldn’t have got in till way past midnight.”
“Can I give the lambs their bottles?”
“Well, you can help. Cameron’s been doing a great job.”
Cameron beamed, he adored his dad and used to follow him everywhere when he was smaller.
“Ohh! They’re so cute,” said Scarlett, taking a bottle from her dad.
“Now just a little bit at a time. They tend to guzzle it, and I don’t want them to have wind.”
“I know.”
They finished off the feeding of the lambs and went off to see to the hens and collect the eggs.
“Right Cameron, you can do some counting. I want six eggs in each carton okay.”
“D’oh!” said Cameron playing Bart Simpson.
“I can’t open the carton!”
“Just try without ripping it, see,” said James opening the lid.
“Surely you can open a box Cammy?” said Scarlett in a superior manner.
“I am trying, there I did it!”
“Scarlett! He has trouble with things like that. Give him a break, okay,” said James quietly.
“Sorry!”
“One, two, three, oh sorry, I dropped one!”
“Don’t worry, there’s plenty more.”
“Four, five, six, done it, all finished.”
“We have six cartons to fill.”
They all worked together and soon got the job done.
“Race you back to the quad!” Scarlett shouted, and sped off before the other two had a chance to get going. She reached the quad and shouted. “I won!”
“That wasn’t fair!” wailed Cameron. He was starting to get tired and was ready for something to eat.
It was eight thirty when they walked into the kitchen where Rachael stood cooking bacon.
“Morning all, who’s up for a bacon barm and a brew?” she asked, smiling.
“Yes please!” They chorused.
“Well sit down. How’d it go? Did you enjoy yourselves?”
“It was fun!” Cameron shouted.
“Mum, the lambs are gorgeous,” said Scarlett.
“Aren’t they just!” agreed Rachael.
“They’ve worked hard,” said James proudly.
“Good, they’ll have worked up an appetite then.”
“How are you love after your late shift, still tired?” he asked, putting his arms around her and nuzzling into her neck, finishing off with a big kiss.
“Err! get a room!” shouted Scarlett.
“Hey, you!” said James laughing. “I don’t know where she gets it from.”
“I am still a bit tired; it was a busy shift last night with some difficult patients. Some also needed a lot of special care.”
Rachael worked as a band seven nurse in the district. She was the sister to several community staff nurses and health care assistants.
She was originally from Hebden Bridge in West Yorkshire, where her parents still lived. She trained at Leeds for her first year but then she met James when she came for a weekend to Newcastle on a wild girl’s night out, and they had kept in touch.
They met up every other weekend at either Hebden or Sleathwaite and eventually, she moved to Newcastle and transferred her training to Northumberland University, at Newcastle upon Tyne.
She worked at Newcastle Infirmary on the Cardiology ward, treating adults and elderly patients.
They eventually got married, settled down together and had a family.
They all sat down to a hearty breakfast.
“Right, you two,” said Rachael. “Baths, then homework, please!”
“Ohh!” both children protested.
Although it was the summer holidays, the school had set some homework for the children which wasn’t mandatory, but they had suggested that the parents encouraged the children to complete tasks and activities. Each child had received a list of suggestions. This was so the children didn’t fall behind in the six weeks off. Scarlett was writing a journal about her everyday activities. This included what she did on the farm and days out with family and friends; and also her two weeks holiday to her grandparents in Hebden Bridge.
Cameron had to practice his writing and numbers and was collecting treasures to stick into his scrapbook. They had been to York for the day, and he had got leaflets, stickers and masks from the Jorvik Viking Centre and the railway museum.
The idea was that the children could then talk about what they did in the holidays when they were back at school.
“And then, lunch, park and cinema!”
“Yippee!” they shouted.
Chapter 2
It was Sunday, a day of rest, family time, Sunday lunches, walks and drinks in the pubs.
Reverend Thomas Mayhew stood on the steps of Sleathwaite Methodist Church and thanked his parishioners for attending his service; shaking hands with them and saying, “Goodbye.”
“When they had all gone, he went back into the church, where it was cool and silent with a peaceful feeling. He slid into one of the pews and looked up at the altar trying to imagine it in times gone by. The church itself had been there since Saxon times.
He was always fascinated by the beauty of the church and its artefacts. The morning sun shone strongly through the stained-glass windows, making everything look like gold. The gold font seemed to glow as if on fire. There was a rainbow spectrum shining across from the stained-glass windows. He thought it such an awesome sight that he took out his phone to take some photographs of it. At home he had a digital camera with a telephoto lens and liked to dabble in taking pictures. He often took his camera when out on walks to get some good pictures. He had uploaded a lot of his work onto the internet and had had quite a lot of interest in them on Twitter. He had even sold a few prints in the local art shop.
He often liked to sit for a few minutes with his own thoughts and give himself time for reflection.
After leaving school, he had become involved in youth work and found that he loved to help people. For some time, he worked as a counsellor and people would tell him their problems. As he had always attended church and choir, he felt he must follow his faith and joined the church as a minister. He had also done missionary work in African villages. In Nairobi when he was helping at a village hospital he became reacquainted with Emily. She was doing voluntary work for UNICEF and gaining some useful and valuable experience.
After meeting Emily, the couple settled down and got married and she gave birth to twin boys. She was a district nurse, a Band 6 Junior Sister and worked with Rachael.
They had both met at university and worked at Newcastle Infirmary. Only Emily had worked on a children’s’ cancer ward. They now worked together out in the community.
It was a short walk home from the church as he lived practically next door to it. Their cottage was owned by the church and was made from stone and slate from the local slate mine, as a lot of the houses in the village were. From their back garden they had a beautiful view of open countryside across the Tyne Valley.
Tom was a tall gentle person; he loved his family very much and treated his parishioners with the upmost respect. He was well liked in the village and an upstanding member of the community. He often joined in on community events, especially with the rugby club, where he played himself, the school, the community centre and local pub fun nights for charities.
He entered the hallway; he could smell the lamb cooking in the oven, and it smelled delicious. Emily his wife was an extremely good cook and had won awards for cooking competitions. He walked past the kitchen and found her in the dining room laying the table.
She turned around as he came into the room.
“Hello Tom, how was church? Do you want a cup of tea?”
“Hello Ems!” he beamed at the sight of her. He had known her nearly all his life. They had grown up together here in Sleathwaite. They had played as children as they lived next door to each other. They had gone to the same schools and been together in some classes throughout school. They had been childhood sweethearts since the age of twelve.
“Church was good, the service went well, and a cup of tea would go down a treat. Have I walked into the wrong house, everything is spotless and tidy. Are we expecting guests?”
“No, I just thought it would be nice to have our meal in here as a family. It is pleasant looking out at the garden, rather than looking at dirty dishes in the kitchen.”
“So, it is. Have the boys helped?”
“No, but they promised to do the dishes.”
“What in the dishwasher?”
“Whatever; as long as they clean up and put the clean dishes away, it’s all right by me.”
“Okay sweetheart, you work too hard. We could have had Sunday lunch at the Hadrian.”
“That costs money, but you can take me for a drink later when the boys are at rugby? It’s a nice day and we could sit in the garden there.”
“All right, we’ll have lunch and then we can all take Charlie for a walk along the river. The boys can bring their bikes and then they can cycle up to rugby and we’ll go to the pub.”
Charlie their Cocker Spaniel barked at the sound of his name.
“Sounds like a plan, even Charlie agrees.”
Just then, they heard cheering from the living room, John was walking around with his football shirt over his head. They were playing the football game FIFA on the Xbox. John’s team Manchester United had won by three nil to Newcastle.
“Glory! Glory! Man United, Glory! Glory! Man United, and the fans go marching in, in, in!” he chanted. “I slaughtered you!” he continued.
“We’ll see about that after a replay, and I am going to buy some new players!” shouted Jamie.
“Hello boys! A lot of excitement going on in here.”
“I won Dad!”
“So, I hear. Well, done.”
Emily shouted. “Lunch is ready!”
They all piled into the dining room.
“Oh, wine as well, we are pushing the boat out.”
“I just want us to relax this afternoon for once.”
“Can we have some?” asked Jamie.
“Certainly not. You’re too young,” said Emily.
“Yes, you want to get the ball in a straight line if you get a try,” said Tom.
“There is only a week of the holidays left now and then you two will be starting school at the Academy. You might not be in the same classes like before.”
“I’m sure they’ll be fine Emily; they’ll learn to adapt.”
“Yes, we’ll learn to adapt Mother,” said John mimicking his dad’s voice. “Don’t worry, I will look out for little brother!”
“Shut up!” said Jamie.
John was three minutes older than Jamie and he milked it all he could.
“Mam, can I have new football boots and trainers? I want some like Messi’s.” asked Jamie.
“Well, we have to go into town or Metro Centre for new things for school. Anyway, you’ll both have the same amount spent on you, so it depends on how much they are.”
“I want some blue adidas ones,” said John.
“Well, we will see what we can afford,” said Tom.
They finished their main course of roast lamb, potatoes, parsnips, carrots, butternut squash, Yorkshire pudding and minted gravy.
“Right boys; can you clear up and then we’ll take Charlie for a walk,” said Tom.
“Hang on! Hold your horses. I’ve made Apple Crumble,” said Emily.
“Ooh Crimble Crumble!” said John doing high fives with his brother.
“I hope you two are going to be able to move after this delicious feast. I am ready for a sleep!” remarked Tom, feeling his tummy.
“What! They’re growing boys and we are all going out – sleep later, okay!”
“Woo!” said Jamie. “You going to be lucky tonight Dad?”
Tom blushed and squeezed Emily’s hand and gave her a kiss.
“Err! Jamie it’s Dad you’re talking to. Do you want us to leave you alone?” asked John jokingly.
“There is nothing wrong with showing affection as you’ll find out as you grow older,” said Emily, hugging Tom.
“I am not getting married,” announced Jamie. “Girls are yuk!”
“Thank you, Jamie,” said Emily.
“Apart from you Mam.”
“Oh, that’s all right then.”
The boys cleared away the dishes and put them in the dishwasher and Emily and Tom went and read the Sunday papers. After half an hour or so they were ready to go for their walk.
“Charlie, walkies!” shouted Emily.
Charlie came bounding towards her. He was still a puppy at six months old. She clipped the lead to his collar.
The boys got their bikes out of the garage and already had their rugby kits on.
It was a beautiful day and they walked along to Corbridge by the river. Everyone was friendly here and even strangers said, “Hello.” Northumberland was considered a tourist attraction and they often had holidaymakers staying in the village and surrounding areas.
The boys went ahead on their bikes; Charlie chasing after them along the river side.
Emily watched her boys. How tall they seemed to have grown in the holidays but compared to their classmates they were still smaller than they were. John had grown an inch and Jamie half an inch. They may seem bigger now but once they start at their new school, they would be the smallest again and the youngest.
“You look thoughtful?” said Tom. “Are you okay?”
“Yes, I was just thinking of the boys and their new school.”
“Look Ems, they’ll be fine. You have to let them go and give them space to grow.”
“I know, but to me they are still my babies.”
“Of course, they know you love them.”
“Even when I am shouting at them to do their homework or chores or to stop fighting?”
“Even then,” said Tom.
They had reached the bridge and Tom bought them all an ice cream. They sat at the riverside, eating them, while the boys went off to explore for a short while. It was blissful in the late afternoon sun.
Time was getting on and they needed to get the boys to rugby, so they turned around and walked back.
When they reached the village, the boys cycled up the road to the rugby club and Tom and Emily walked along to the pub.
The Hadrian was quiet and peaceful on this late Sunday afternoon. The gardens outside were so inviting and relaxing. The flowers were out in full bloom. Emily found a table under a parasol in partial shade and sat down with Charlie at her side.
“Right Em, what would you like to drink.”
“Erm, I don’t know, something cold and refreshing after that walk. I will have a pint of cider please.”
“Okay, coming up.”
Tom entered the pub which was cool and quiet apart from a few people from the village. He nodded to a few and said, “Hello,” to some of his parishioners.
The public house was an old Tudor style building with beamed ceilings, heavy oaked doors and woodburning stoves, which weren’t used in hot weather.
The pub had a new landlord and landlady called Matthew and Caitlin Turner, a husband and wife team. They had only been there just over a month.
Matthew was drying some glasses he had just removed from the dishwasher.
“Afternoon Reverend,” said Matthew. “What can I get you on this fine afternoon?”
“Hello Matt! Can I have a pint of cider and one of your special ales?”
“Yes of course we have golden plover by Allendale breweries, would you like to try a tasting?”
“No, actually it’s okay, I already have, I’ll have a glass of that please. It’s quiet in here.”
“Yes, I have just got rid of the lunchtime rush. It will soon start getting busy up towards teatime.”
“You are doing well then?”
“Yes, it doesn’t seem to have made a difference that we have taken over here. It is still just as busy.”
“The Hadrian has always been busy and the village folk always welcome new people.”
“The last owners had charity nights; do you think you would be interested? We had a committee, and everyone put ideas forward,” said Tom.
“Well, we are still finding our feet, but we welcome ideas and as it is a community pub, why not.”
“Good, maybe we could all get together later in the month?” asked Tom. “I was chairman of the committee, but we can put it to the vote.”
“Yes okay, I’ll supply the drinks and nibbles.”
“Tara.”
“Bye Tom, always a pleasure.”
Tom turned and was about to go out when he spotted James and Rachael at one of the tables. They waved, and he walked towards them.
“Hello, you two,” said Tom, genuinely pleased to see them both. He had known James since infant school and the four of them had been friends for a long time.
“Hi!” they both chorused in unison.
“Do you want to sit down?” asked Rachael.
“No, Emily is outside with Charlie, but you two are welcome to join us.”
“All right,” said James. And they both stood up and followed Tom out of the pub into the bright sunlight.
“Hello Emily,” called Rachael.
“Hi Ems,” said James.
“This is a nice surprise. Where are the boys?”
“Oh, they are at rugby,” said Tom. “They really enjoy it, but they are starting to like Footy as well.”
“How are the children?” asked Emily. “Where are they?”
“Oh, they’re fine,” Rachael replied. “James’s mam and dad have got them for an hour. We decided to pop out for a bit of peace and quiet. I wouldn’t be without them, but it is nice just to have some time to ourselves, even if it is just for an hour.”
“I know what you mean. Not long till school now?”
“No, we went and got the uniform and other things the kids needed the other week; it is so expensive!”
“Yes, it is. We are going this week, of course Jamie wants the latest football boots, like Messi’s. We’ll see.”
“So, how are the boys getting along with their rugby?” asked James.
“Oh, they’re doing fine; learning contact now. They’ve scored a few tries.”
“Have you thought about Cameron starting? He is at the right age.”
“Well, they are going to be doing tag rugby when he starts back in year one. I have been teaching him to throw and catch with an ordinary ball, but he finds it difficult. The ball is big enough; it could be his eyesight.”
Rachael looked up. “I am not sure I want my baby playing that rough sport. He might get hurt!”
Tom saw how worried she looked. “You sound like Emily. At that age it is all about playing games with them and them learning to be part of a team.”
James said, “You can’t wrap him up in cotton wool, Love. It might be good for him.”
“That’s just because you two play. That’s why you’re saying that,” said Rachael. “But it would be good for his ball skills. I x “Lt’s see how he gets on at school first and then we’ll talk about it.”
“By the way, the boys are playing at Hebden Bridge the weekend after next, Hebden Harlequin juniors. Be good to see,” said Tom.
“Yes, well isn’t that the same weekend us adults are playing at Hebden?”
“Oh yes. I had forgotten about that.”
“We are going down to see Rachael’s Mam and Dad anyway then perhaps we could all meet up after the games and go out for a meal?”
“Yeah, good idea,” said Tom. “Sleathwaite Warriors are going to win though! Although it isn’t all about winning. I of all people should remember that.”
“I’ll remind you of that if we lose,” said James grinning.
The four sat deep in conversation for the next hour or so and then decided it was time to go and meet their children. Charlie had fallen asleep and was now glad it was time to go.
Chapter 3
Matthew locked the doors after the last few stragglers and was glad to be able to get cleared up and ready for the next morning. He was tired and ready for his bed.
Caitlin was collecting glasses and cleaning the tables; and Matt started to cash up. They were a good team and had worked well together both professionally and personally. They had been married for five years now but had been together for eight years.
Caitlin was thirty and Matthew was thirty-two. They had no children yet but now that they had found a nice village to live in with a nice house attached, they certainly wouldn’t rule it out. When they had first came to Sleathwaite, they had decided that they wanted to move to a village that was well established with good schools for their future offspring.
They were both originally from Newcastle and had met in the licensing trade, working in a bar in Newcastle city centre. They had enjoyed the hustle and bustle of city life when they were younger. They became tenants of a public house just outside Newcastle in Throckley, but decided that they craved a more rural country life. Caitlin always knew that city life wasn’t really her, especially now she wanted to settle down and have a family.
Matthew’s grandparents lived in the Lake District and he loved to escape city life and go and visit them. They came from Newcastle originally and his parents still lived that way on the outskirts in Ponteland where Matthew had grown up. When he left school, he went to college to learn the chef trade and his dream was that one day he would open his own restaurant and public house, where he would do the cooking. He had earned his living working in different kitchens peeling vegetables, learning about preparation. He worked as a Sous chef, making sauces, and had worked in all areas of the kitchen before qualifying.
His parents were very proud and gave him some money in a trust fund, so he could start his own culinary business. They had been to see them and had enjoyed their stay at the Hadrian very much.
Caitlin was a university graduate; she had a passed with a BA honours in a history degree. She had specialised in the history of the Romans and their many artefacts. Her dissertation had been all about how the Romans left Italy and settled in England. Quite fitting that she lived in the Hadrian.
This was her favourite part of England and she loved to wander round the old Roman ruins and had taken part in archaeological digs. She was fascinated to come across some treasures.
She enjoyed working in the pub and meeting new people and wouldn’t change her life for the world, but she had always kept up with studying history and was even writing a book on life in the Industrial Revolution in the North East of England. She considered herself as a historian but knew she had to be realistic and was thankful for their family business which would pay the bills and put food on the table.
Her parents had moved to Hexham a few years ago so she already knew the area but had not been to Sleathwaite. They didn’t realise how beautiful the village was until they had been invited to a wedding reception at Sleathwaite Hall.
Her mam and dad were glad she was nearby and used to go to the pub for the odd Sunday lunch. It had always had good reviews and received five stars. Both sets of parents were proud when they moved in and took over.
“Well, it’s been a busy day hasn’t it?” said Caitlin yawning.
“Certainly, has love,” said Matthew. “But then it is the weekend and the summer holidays.”
“No doubt we’ll get some hikers through the week or people on holiday.”
“Yes, well I think we are on a winner with this pub, and we seem to have made the right decision. It’s a gold mine, you are happy aren’t you?”
“Of course, I love it here silly.”
“I know but your history career never really got off the ground because of me did it? You wanted to be a curator.”
“Yes, but I can still work from home, like I am doing, have you forgotten where we have moved to?” “I can’t think of a better place to live than not far from the Roman Wall”. “And I can still take part in organised digs”.
“I just wanted to make sure, because you gave up a lot for me.”
“And look what I have gained a lovely place to live, a thriving business and a gorgeous husband.”
“Well, I can’t argue with that.”
“Plus, I wouldn’t want to bring up our babies anywhere else.”
“Well, we should get some practice in then!”
“Ooh! Up those stairs landlord,” she said tapping him on the bottom.
They had finished their chores and were on their way to bed, Caitlin was tired and ready for some rest. She turned off the light and thought about her day.
She closed her eyes and seemed to be in the middle of a Roman army camp.
The ground felt muddy, and she looked down at herself, she was wearing a Roman dress and had bare feet and strapped sandals on. The camp was full of hustle and bustle, and she had her basket and was going out to collect ingredients off the land for the evening meal.
All around her men seemed to be building parts of the camp and it got bigger every day. The baths had just been built but a servant like her wouldn’t get the chance to use them.
She worked in the kitchen and cooked on an open fire with a metal mesh over it. The walls were made of wattle and daub, made with sticks and mud to cover it. The floor was muddy with oil coverings on it.
Caitlin was now in a deep sleep dreaming about ancient times and Matthew was so tired that he fell fast asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow. The country air seemed to have that effect on them.
The next morning Matthew went into the bar and started on his chores. They had just had breakfast and Caitlin was doing the washing up.
He suddenly felt as if someone was standing behind him, he thought he could sense breathing on his neck. The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end.
‘Must have had too much whisky last night’, he thought thinking it was his imagination. But then he noticed one of the chairs had been placed in front of the fire. Almost as if someone had been warming their feet. It wasn’t there last night he had checked everything and made sure everything was locked up. How could someone have got in? He went and checked the cellar door and noticed the lock was loose. He put it on his to-do list to get it fixed today.
Caitlin appeared and started putting out beer mats on the tables, and bar, getting out clean tea towels and setting up the tills. She then made a list of items she needed from the cellar.
“Matthew! Give me a hand with these bottles would you.”
She had called up from the cellar. Matthew appeared at the top of the stairs.
“Right, what do we need?” he asked.
“The list is here; look I’ve already got some stock together. I’ll take these boxes of crisps up.”
“I’ll bring these bottles then.”
They walked up and down the stairs taking stock up to the bar. Caitlin went back down she had seen some boxes in the corner of the cellar and thought they needed clearing away. They had dumped some boxes in there when they had moved, and they were probably left over.
As she bent down, she looked into the cardboard boxes and realised they were not their things. They were too old to belong to the last tenants they must have just disregarded them as old junk and not got rid of them.
She put her hand into the boxes and found old fashioned toys, there was a wooden plane and wooden train set, an old rag doll and teddy and an old-fashioned spinning top along with story books and games. They were quite dusty.
The other box had old papers in them. She pulled a handful out and on top was an old booklet with a drawing of a house which looked strangely familiar. It had the writing on the cover, and it read Sleathwaite Orphanage, established 1912.
Chapter 4
She couldn’t believe her eyes. It was the same address as the pub! It had information about how the orphanage worked and adoption processes.
Underneath was a black hardbacked book and it had names of children who had lived there. Admissions and discharges. There was also another book underneath that had children’s names, dates, crimes and punishments. The pages in these books were yellow with age.
One boys name was mentioned regularly, Jakob Schmidt, sounded German. He was five years old, and his punishment was the cane for stealing chocolate.
Caitlin was fascinated by all the books and items. She got out a cloth and polished and cleaned them all up.
“Caitlin! Caitlin!”
Matthew was calling her. She stood up and put the items back into the boxes and carried the ones with the books in it up the cellar stairs.
“Matt!”
“What have you been doing down there; I need to do some prep in the kitchen ready for Ian when he comes in.”
Ian was also a chef and did a lot of the cooking but Matthew still prepped and cooked dishes every day as well, depending on how many bar staff they had.
“Can you finish the bottling up?”
“Yes, erm.”
“What have you got there?”
“I found them in the cellar, I thought the boxes belonged to us.”
“What there’s more?”
“Yes, here Matt, look at this picture,” she said, showing him the book.
“What, looks like an old house, which must have been here in the village.”
“It is this place! Look closely.”
“Blimey!”
“It was an orphanage! Look at these books, information, admissions, discharges and punishments. There is a box of old-fashioned toys, games and books as well.”
“Really? Right well put them away, we need to get on for now.”
“Okay.”
“I need to put a new lock on that cellar door, it’s loose,” said Matthew.
“Right, we had better get on then,” said Caitlin, putting the books to one side and resuming her duties. She put it to the back of her mind, but she was going to look into this discovery.
They had a busy day serving walkers, holidaymakers and locals’ refreshments.
It was now 11:30 at night and they were tucked up in bed. Caitlin was looking at some of the books.
“I am really interested in this Matt. I can’t wait to find out about it!”
“You and your history,” muttered Matt sleepily.
“Aren’t you interested?”
“What? Well yes but it is very late.”
“This orphanage was here in our new home,” said Caitlin incredulously. “I am going to our local library and see what I can find out, there may be some local records on it, or I could go to the City library in town.”
“All right but just be careful.”
“Why? They were meant to be found by us.”
“Well, you hear of people discovering things and strange things happen.”
“What, like ghosts!”
“Well, you never know. Woo! “Wooo!” said Matthew. “It all started with the box of things and then whoosh out popped the ghost! Aargh!, Aargh,” said Matthew pulling at the duvet and lunging at her.
“Aargh!” screamed Caitlin laughing.
“Now can we please go to sleep?”
“Yes!”
They were just settling down when Caitlin felt a tugging on the duvet.
“Matthew! That isn’t funny.”
“What? I didn’t do anything.”
“You pulled the duvet from me.”
“No, I didn’t.”
“Strange.”
“It’s your imagination working overtime.”
But Caitlin did feel something. She was going off to sleep again when she thought she heard the pitter patter of footsteps. It could have been just night noises. It was a very old building, and she was still adjusting to sleeping there. They hadn’t been here very long. She tried to put it to the back of her mind but ended up having a very restless night.
Next morning when Matthew woke up, she was sound asleep, and he thought he would let her have another hours rest before waking her. It was quite late when he eventually drifted off and he still felt quite tired himself.
He pushed his feet into his slippers and pulled on his dressing gown. He saw the books Caitlin had found and had a look. It really was a miraculous find but he felt there was something amiss here. He had felt breathing on his neck yesterday, the chair had been moved and the cellar door was open when he knew he had shut it.
Before he made breakfast, he thought he would check on the bar downstairs. He entered the lounge and noticed that a glass had been left on the bar top, which hadn’t been there last night. Strange because he thought he heard glasses clinking through the night.
He went behind the bar and saw that the cellar door was open wide, he had definitely closed and locked it. He felt for the light switch, but the light wouldn’t turn on.
“Damn it, bulb’s gone.”
He fetched a torch and turned it on and went into the cellar to see if they had left some bulbs there. He noticed the box of toys Caitlin had been looking at.
He could see how she would be interested in this, but he hadn’t yet told her about his own experiences.
When he had been putting things away in the attic, he had found some old looking bunkbeds stacked up on top of each other. He would have to talk to her today, it was only fair. At the same time, he didn’t want to scare her. It was an old building he told himself and they just had to get used to it.
Even if there were such things as ghosts, they couldn’t harm you, could they? Matthew still remained sceptical about this sort of thing.
He got a bulb and replaced the old one. He went upstairs and started making some breakfast for himself. He would heat a croissant up and take a cup of tea to Caitlin in half an hour or so.
The pub was quite busy the next few days it was the last week of the six weeks holidays and things would be a little quieter but from what the locals had told them the pub always did well, even when it was not peak season.
The unusual occurrences had settled down and it being Friday it was Caitlin’s day off, and she was all fired up to do some research on their pub which used to be an orphanage.
Matthew had some spare time and thought this was as good a time as any to have a talk about their discoveries and what they each thought about it.
Caitlin was upstairs putting a notebook, pens and laptop into her backpack.
She seemed quite upbeat and eager to do some research.
Matthew appeared in the doorway.
“Oh Matt, there you are. You’ve remembered I am going to the library?”
“Are you really, I didn’t know,” he said mockingly.
She hit him playfully with a cushion off the settee.
“I know, it’s all you have talked about for the last few days, but if I can get a word in edgeways, there is something I have been meaning to talk to you about. It has been so busy lately we haven’t had a chance to catch our breath.”
“Yes, I know what you mean, it has been mad recently. Just the other …”
“Okay, let me speak please, this could be important.”
“Yes, what has happened?”
“Well, you know how you have found the box of toys and books about the Orphanage?”
“Yes.”
“Well, I have made a discovery of my own and had a few unusual occurrences.
“Like what? I’m getting worried now.”
“The last thing I want to do is frighten you but when I was in the bar earlier in the week I felt breathing on the back of my neck, it was early in the morning before we opened. A chair had been moved and a glass was left on the bar even though we had cleared up the night before. Two mornings in a row the cellar door was open even though I had shut it, and the bulb had fused even though I knew I had replaced it not so long ago. I put a new lock on the cellar door and things seem to have settled down.”
“Oh God! The other night when I accused you of pulling the duvet, I heard footsteps on the landing. I thought it was my imagination.”
“Look this all can’t be down to our imaginations, maybe there is some unrest here.”
“Well, what can we do about it?”
“I don’t know, I think we should just carry on here. I mean nothing bad can happen really can it. It is just an old building, and we are still adjusting but there is something else that you may wish to see before you do your research?”
“Well, I am happy here and I don’t want us moving out because of this. I think we should just stick with it, but what do you want me to see?”
“You know when we moved in about a month ago and we put some boxes in the attic?”
“Yes.”
“Well, I found some old metal bunkbeds folded down under some old grey blankets.”
Caitlin’s eyes widened. “Can I go and look? I haven’t even been up there yet. Why didn’t you say something?”
“I didn’t make the connection until you found those boxes. Let’s go up there.”
Matthew and Caitlin made their way up the attic steps and went in. It was cold and a little dark, apart from some light coming through the sky light. Matthew turned on the light and walked over to the bunkbeds, pulling back the blanket.
“Wow, they look old but still intact, obviously being metal they would not wear with age. I wonder what else there is?”
They had a quick look around but couldn’t find anything of great significance apart from an old school cap, an exercise book and a metal hula hoop with a metal stick.
“These must be very old; I have seen these in museums,” said Caitlin.
Chapter 5
It was quiet in the library when Caitlin arrived. She had decided to start her mission on finding out about the children’s orphanage at Hexham library.
The library was an old, listed building dating back to the early nineteenth century. It was built in stone and its interior had beautiful wood panelling with paintings by local artists. Some sections had more traditional style paintings and others had contemporary designs.
Caitlin sat down at a computer next to a painting of Hexham Abbey on the wall.
Normally when she went it was quite busy with students and school children.
She logged onto her library account which had links to various menus of the library’s website. There were two she could start with which were the archives and local history. She clicked on the link for archives and entered the name Sleathwaite Orphanage. A list of former businesses came up under different dates.
She scrolled down the page and scanned the list. She noticed next to the search button there was a section where she could put in dates. She entered 1912. Another list appeared. She looked down the A-Z of past local businesses found S and there, lo and behold, was Sleathwaite Orphanage. She clicked on the link. She had an adrenalin rush and felt excited about what she could find out. This was the historian in her and she loved to find out about past events and compare them to how things happened today.
The page began to load, up popped pdf files of the old orphanage. She rubbed her hands together excitedly. The list of pdf files was:
Sleathwaite Orphanage established 1912.
The Sleathwaite Orphanage Handbook.
Sleathwaite Orphanage Admissions Process.
Sleathwaite Orphanage Adoption Process.
Sleathwaite Orphanage Prospectus
Sleathwaite close of business 1948.
She set about going through each of the files; writing down information in the A4 paper pad. The first file showed all the architectural designs and plans for the building, and legal documents from the local parish council.
She opened the next file and it had been opened on 14 April 1912 by a married couple called Thomas and Emmeline Mayhew.
‘My goodness me.’ she said under her breath thinking of their local vicar Tom Mayhew. “I wonder if they are related.”
Using her mobile phone, she took a photograph of the pdf file to show Tom when she next saw him. She finished making notes and going through the files.
‘Right, I am going to find if there are any actual books and documents to look at.’
She walked around to the archives section of the library with her list of pdf files. The shelves were all labelled by subjects and filed alphabetically. Each shelf had codes on the books. She looked at her list she had printed and there was a code next to the file Sleathwaite Orphanage 1912. She scanned the shelves for the code and found the actual book which had been written about the history of the building. She excitedly opened it and there was an old photograph of her pub in its former glory! It looked much the same, only the building looked newer, even though it had been updated with a conservatory on the back, which led out to their gardens.
The next page showed the photograph of all the staff and children. The couple who ran the orphanage looked stern and the children looked almost scared.
‘I wonder if I can take this book out,’ she thought. She looked at the side of the book and it said for reference only. She took it back to the table and read it.
She walked up to the lady standing behind the desk she was checking through books.
She looked up when Caitlin approached her.
“Hi can I help?”
“Yes please, I am interested in local history and wish to find out about a past business called Sleathwaite Orphanage established 1912.”
“Right.”
“I found this reference book and wondered if you had any books I could lend?”
“You may find some books on Sleathwaite Village in our local history section.”
“Okay thanks.”
“Are you writing an essay?”
“Not exactly, I am a historian though, but I have just had the most amazing find.”
“Do you want to tell me? You look like you are about to burst with excitement.”
“We moved into the ‘Hadrian Pub’ at Sleathwaite about six weeks ago and I was clearing out the cellar when I found this old box containing old fashioned toys. I then found another box with books about Sleathwaite Orphanage, and when I looked at the photograph it was of our pub in its former days.”
“Really!”
“Yes, I came here and found pdf files stored on the library’s archives and the first one was a file based on this book. The orphanage was established in 1912 by a Thomas and Emmeline Mayhew.”
“Flippin heck!” she gasped.
“There is another curious find though I think the people that ran the orphanage could be related to our local vicar. He has lived in Sleathwaite all of his life and his name is Thomas Mayhew and even stranger his wife is called Emily.”
“Well, I never!”
“So, obviously I am interested to find out about these people and their relationship to Tom the vicar.”
“Right,” she said recovering from the shock. “That’s amazing!”
“Isn’t it …”
“My name is Lauren by the way, we do have some local books over here in our local history section,” she said leading the way. “As for information on those actual people you may have to go to the City Library in Newcastle. They have a larger archive section than us and an ancestry section on local pioneers.”
“Thank you.”
“Of course, you could just ask your friend if they have a family tree?”
“Yes, I was going to mention it to them anyway.”
“Well done with your find. You know it is quite amazing what you have uncovered. The BBC might be interested in your story once you find out about the link between the founders and your local vicar’s family.”
“Really, do you think I could contact them?”
“Why not? It will be good publicity for your pub and the village. I think a lot of people would be interested.”
“Do you know, yes you’re right why not, but I have more research to do first.”
“We do have some information on the history of the pub from 1952 that the solicitors sent, but nothing this far back.”
Caitlin suddenly remembered about the strange occurrences that had happened and went on to tell her about what they had found in the attic and the strange activity about the place.
Lauren couldn’t believe her ears. “Look I hope you don’t think I am being pushy, but if you need any help with all of this, I would be glad to offer my services. I too have an interest in local history.”
“No, not at all and yes if you’re interested we could do some work together.”
They exchanged telephone numbers and email addresses and Caitlin said she would be in touch.
“Good luck with it,” said Lauren. “And I will help where I can, okay?”
“Yeah, cheers and thanks.”
Caitlin had a quick look at the local history section and borrowed a book about Sleathwaite Village. She didn’t have time to look at it. The time had passed so quickly.
She walked out of the library feeling triumphant at her discoveries and even more so that she seemed to have made a friend. Working in the pub she didn’t have much time for socialising herself even though she saw regulars most days; but she hadn’t had time to make many friends in the village in the short time they had been there.
Chapter 6
It was Monday morning. The summer holidays had ended, and it was the first day of term. The family were in the kitchen having breakfast.
Rachael Macalister felt harassed to death as she was trying to get the children organised for school. She had to do the drop off and then go to work and go back to school for pick up. They were in after school club, so they would be ready an hour or so later, when she got finished with her shift. Scarlett sat quietly eating her cereal.
Rachael looked at her daughter. “You okay love?”
“Yes.”
“You’re quiet, you nervous?”
“No, I am fine, anyway it’s hard to have a conversation with noisy over there.”
Cameron had finished his cereal and had grown restless. He started running around the kitchen fiddling with electrical things. His eyes settled on the stereo, and he shouted.
“Moosic! Moosic!”
He pressed play and a CD started playing. It was Queen and Freddie Mercury’s voice came out of the speakers singing ‘We are the champions’. Cameron turned up the volume full blast.
Rachael went over to him. “No, Cam not now, we have to get to school,” she said turning it down.
“Moosic! Moosic, I want Moosic!” shouted Cameron.
“It’s too loud, I am turning it off!”
“NO!”
“Yes! Now get your book bag and you can put your lunch in it.”
“Ahh!”
“For god’s sake! Scarlett have you got your book bag?”
“Yes Mum.” Scarlett got up from the chair and got her lunch.
Cameron came back into the kitchen, trailing his book bag behind him on the floor. It was open, and the contents were falling out.
“Cameron pick it up, look everything is coming out. Give it here,” said Rachael trying to be patient with him. “Go and get your shoes on please.”
He went into the hall and put on his new school shoes; they were strap shoes from Clarks. When Rachael went through to the hallway Cameron was sitting on the stairs with his shoes on the wrong feet again.
“Well done for putting them on. Here let me help you. Right, you ready Scarlett?”
“Ready.”
Cameron reached for his beloved headphones.
“No Cam not for school.”
“But I want them.”
“School rules Cam,” said Scarlett.
“Oh, I haven’t got ttime or t’energy to argue with you, come on in ter car you two, I have to get to work.”
They got in the car and Scarlett helped Cameron with his seatbelt.
***
Across the village at the Vicarage, Emily was getting the twins organised.
“Right, you two, have you got everything you need?”
“Yes Mam,” said John.
“I haven’t got my dinner money,” said Jamie.
“I left it there on the bookcase, I did tell you.”
“Oh right, sorry.”
