Lost and Found?

By Linda R Hall

Rosie was found lying in a ditch next to her dead mother. She was brought up in the workhouse in London, but at the age of ten, an opportunity opens up for her to work in a grand London home. Just as she is settling in her life, she is uprooted once more as she is called upon to help prepare the home for the mysterious Lady Helen who is returning to England from India after the death of her husband. Lady Helen tragically lost her child when she was a baby. The story tells how Rosie and Lady Helen are strangely drawn to each other. Are their past lives linked? After a fall in which Rosie is badly injured, Lady Helen makes a discovery that will change both their lives forever.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse UK
• Release date: Jun 7, 2012
• ISBN: 9781467896276

Linda R Hall

Linda Hall is a retired head teacher from infant schools in Warwickshire. She has spent over twenty-five years working with young children and has delighted in reading and telling stories to young children. She firmly believes that a book opens up a magical world for any reader.

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© 2012 by Linda R Hall. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 05/18/2012

ISBN: 978-1-4678-9626-9 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4678-9627-6 (e)

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

Chapter One

New Beginnings

Chapter Two

And So to Work!

Chapter Three

All Change!

Chapter Four

The Homecoming

Chapter Five

The Doctor Calls

Chapter Six

The Fall

Chapter Seven

Prayers are Answered!

Chapter Eight

More Bad News?

Chapter Nine

Treasure!

Chapter Ten

The Best Christmas Ever!

Chapter One

New Beginnings

Dawn was just breaking as Rosie stirred in her bed. The sun was sending its rays through the rags that were hung at the windows and dust was dancing in the air.

Outside the birds, the few that lived in London, were beginning to sing. Inside the dormitory was quiet all except for Hannah, the newest arrival to the workhouse. She was coughing and spluttering and pulling her covers tighter around her in an effort to keep warm.

My last day! thought Rosie. She could not believe that this was the final morning that she would wake in this bed and have to endure the thin watery gruel, the hunger and the harsh work conditions. For ten long years she had only known of the workhouse as her home. She had never ventured out into the big wide world. Her only possession was a small silver bracelet that had been left with her when her mother died. Yet she had not been so unhappy. At least she had a roof over her head and she had not been treated too unkindly. Then out of the blue her world had suddenly turned upside down. Rosie’s heart began to beat quickly as she thought of the circumstances which had brought about the change in her life.

It was only last week during her meagre lunch break that Matron had summoned her with her bony finger.

Come here at once! she had commanded.

It was with shaking knees that Rosie had followed her into her office. She had never ventured here before and quickly glancing around she had noticed all the little comforts that she had lacked like a warm fire in the grate, the remains of a bountiful lunch on the table and a bottle of ruby red port on the mantelpiece.

Go and wash your hands and face and be quick about it. You have a visitor coming to see you in five minutes.

A visitor for me! exclaimed Rosie. But I don’t know anyone.

Quiet girl and do as you are told.

Rosie bobbed a curtsy and ran quickly to the washrooms to wash her face and hands. She had no idea if she was presentable as there was no mirror to check her appearance. After a short while she found herself waiting outside the office door. Her heart was racing and her knees were still knocking. She tapped lightly on the door. A ‘smiling’ Matron asked her to kindly step inside.

Rosie found herself standing in the middle of the room facing a rather stern looking lady who was perched on the chair to the right of the fireside.

This is Mrs Morris, said Matron. She’s come to have a look at you.

Look at me! What for? enquired Rosie.

Hush! said Matron. Do as you are told.

Rosie stood patiently in the middle of the threadbare carpet and gazed at the lady perched on the chair and waited for her to speak. When she did speak it was quietly and politely. She was very well spoken.

How old are you child?

Ten Milady, replied Rosie bobbing a curtsy.

Are you a strong girl? Do you have good health?

"Yes Milady. I ain’t never been sick and I’m used to ’eavy lifting. I can read and write and do me sums too and I’m very good at sewing.

Turn around, said Mrs Morris.

Rosie turned slowly around until she was facing the formidable lady again.

Take your cap off and let me look at you properly.

Rosie untied her cap and shook her hair.

To the surprise of the two adults she had long curly black hair. It was dull and matted but nevertheless once washed it could look beautiful. Indeed, if she had been wearing different clothing she could have been mistaken for gentry.

Yes . . . said the lady in the chair. I think that she will do.

Do what? asked Rosie.

Mind your own business, said Matron. Be off with you now and you will find out soon enough.

Rosie scooted out of the room, her heart beating wildly. What was it that was in store for her?

*     *     *

Mrs Morris had searched in vain for a new scullery maid but all the girls she had seen were most unsuitable. She had almost given up hope when his Lordship had suggested that she try the workhouse. After all, wouldn’t it be most Christian to provide a young girl with a roof over her head and a decent wage?

Mrs Morris hadn’t cherished the idea of actually entering the workhouse but she respected his Lordship and so it was on Monday afternoon that she found herself in Matron’s Office.

Whilst the child was being summoned, Mrs Morris gazed around the room disdainfully. It was dirty and shabby. She ran her finger along the top of the mantelpiece and tutted to herself. If only his Lordship could see her now, perhaps he wouldn’t have encouraged her to come.

Eventually she perched herself on the edge of the armchair next to the fire and waited patiently. Her nose caught the unsavoury smell of cabbage water mingled with unwashed bodies and she dabbed her nose with her crisp white handkerchief.

Matron returned.

I have just the girl for you, she said. It’s our Rosie, she’s been with us for ten years and she’s never been any real trouble. She’s bright and willing and learns very quickly.

Do you know anything about Rosie and where she came from? enquired Mrs Morris.

"Rosie was found in a ditch lying next