Bridge House: A Toby Winter Story

By VEEGEE

A young child survives a plane crash, leading trying to find her family, this leads to an investigation into a huge sometimes global child abduction case involving some high profile people.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Balboa Press UK
• Release date: Sep 29, 2021
• ISBN: 9781982284282

VEEGEE

A retired widower in his seventies, living on the South Coast in England, this is the first book. I am hoping to do a sequel tp follow on from this one.

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Copyright © 2021 Veegee.

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ISBN: 978-1-9822-8427-5 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-9822-8428-2 (e)

Balboa Press rev. date: 09/23/2021

Contents

Chapter 1     The Sad Loss, New Job

Chapter 2     The Big Shock

Chapter 3     New Accommodation

Chapter 4     Christmas

Chapter 5     Unexpected Passenger

Chapter 6     New Year New Start

Chapter 7     More Space

Chapter 8     New Start

Chapter 9     The Mystery New Girl

Chapter 10   Who Is The Mystery Girl?

Chapter 11   Who Is Amy Masters?

Chapter 12   The Investigation

Chapter 13   The Whistle Blower

Chapter 14   Mr Big

Chapter 15   More Questions, Than Answers

Chapter 16   Some Answers

Chapter 17   New Daughter, More Answers

Chapter 18   More Answers

Chapter 19   Birthday Surprise

Chapter 20   More Happy Families

Chapter 21   New Residents

Chapter 22   Auction Shock

Chapter 23   The Big Plans

Chapter 24   Easter Break

Chapter 25   Isle Of Wight Surprise

Chapter 26   Back Home

Chapter 27   Cherry Tree House

Chapter 28   Easter

Chapter 29   Cherry Tree Gets A Makeover

Chapter 30   Cherry Tree Open And Ready

Chapter 31   Putting It All Together

Chapter 32   The Last Missing Piece

Chapter 33   It All Comes Together

Chapter 34   The Surprise Assessment

Chapter 35   The Last Lot To Auction

Chapter 36   The Search Room Is Ready

Chapter 37   The Search Begins

Chapter 38   Richie’s Operation

Chapter 39   Richie’s Progress

Chapter 40   More Loose Ends

Chapter 41   New Cases

Chapter 42   Could Be The Last Search

Chapter 43   Busy Week

Chapter 44   Florida

Chapter 45   The Mall Surprise

Chapter 1

THE SAD LOSS, NEW JOB

T hirty two year old Toby Winter an ordinary man the only surviving child of a wealthy business owner, he had a few troubled earlier years, but was now happily married to twenty nine year old Brenda his wife of ten years whom he met shortly after she started working in the office at the furniture factory on an industrial estate in Hampshire where Toby worked having worked his way up to a shop floor supervisor, they went out together for almost a year before getting married, they live in a small rented one bedroom ground floor flat on a quiet road about three miles from where they worked, just an average couple, they worked eight hours a day five days a week in the factory where he had worked for almost twelve years Brenda still in the office and Toby on the shop floor as supervisor making household items, his department made tables, chairs, stools and footrests and working with six people. After a few rumours about the factory closing, the entire factory staff of one hundred and twenty people were called together to be told by the Managing Director Martin Edwards that despite all the efforts to try and keep the factory going it was with a sad heart the factory was going to close due to lack of orders and the high cost of materials and he would do all he could in the effort to help them find other employment if he could and they would all receive some sort of redundancy package, also he would like to thank each and every one for the tremendous work they had put in to keep the factory on track for so long. Then on the following Friday in the middle of March 2008 the factory closed its door for the last time. Toby and Brenda then spent the next what seemed like long weeks looking for work, in the meantime two months after the factory closed Brenda was diagnosed with liver cancer despite all the efforts and chemotherapy and the care and dedication of the doctors and hospitals it quickly spread to other parts eventually to her lungs, sadly at the end of July 2008 Brenda passed away in Toby’s arms aged just after her thirtieth birthday, her last words to him were don’t worry I love you and I know you will be okay, his world was shattered he had no idea what he was going to do, no job and now he had lost his beloved wife, his companion and his soul mate, after the funeral service sitting alone with nothing to occupy his mind he never felt so lonely, he knew he had to try and pull himself together he also knew it was going to easier said than done, he knew he had to get a job any job would do he would drive around looking for work for most of the day go to the newsagent and get any local papers he would scan them all with no joy, after a few weeks and feeling very low and starting to give up, he spent the days looking and evenings sitting alone, same thing every day, Sundays he went to church then back to the same thing. It was in the second week of September 2008, Ali Monroe who owned the local newsagent and small store that gave him a small glimmer of hope, Ali said Toby I know you have been looking for work and I am not sure if it will help you, but I spoke to my sister at the weekend, she is matron of a private run home not sure of what sort of residence it is, but she is looking for a handyman to do some work in the home and garden, not sure if it is part time or full time, would you like me to give her a call for you now she has been looking for some time, Toby’s heart missed a beat could it be true after all this time there might be a little light at the end of the very dark tunnel, he said, yes please that would be great thank you very much Ali, so Ali called his sister who agreed to interview Toby, if he was free today and she gave Ali the address to give to Toby, after going home to get himself changed he drove to the address Ali had given him about two miles from where he lived, a large Victorian property set in its own grounds on the outskirts of a town on the Hampshire boarder he said to himself she may say yes or no be prepared either way, with metal gates which Toby thought needed a coat of paint and opening them a loud squeak needs a drop of oil too, thought Toby, he knocked on the door with the large knocker it sounded like an echo in a large hall, the door was opened by a lady around sixty with a huge smile, hello welcome to Bridge House you must be Toby, yes, Toby Winter, he replied, Ali told me you were coming, nice to meet you I am Ali’s sister Jean Monroe I am matron of this home please come in, and shook his hand, thank you, Toby said, and they went in, Jean showed him into her office, and told him to take a seat and offered him a cup of tea she pushed a button on her phone and asked for two cups of tea, a few minutes later a lady bought a tray in and poured out the tea, thank you, he said, okay, she said and left, the home we run here is a children’s home, we have at the moment eight children six girls who are orphans looking maybe one day to be adopted and twin boys here to give their mother some respite, what I am looking for is a sort of handyman driver you will if I agree to take you on have to have the C.P.S. check as you will be working with children, I take it that will not be a problem, Jean mentioned, Toby replied, no Miss Monroe that will not be a problem and I would not expect anything less we have to protect the children and the younger generation, now Toby if I may call you that, are you married and do you have any children, she asked, my wife died in July, we lost a baby she was still born eight years ago, after which the hospital had to remove her womb due to an infection so we could not have any more, he said, I am sorry to hear that, but I had to ask and thank you for being so honest, well I will show you round, she replied, after a brief tour, Jean said, okay let me show you out and I hope to be in touch very soon and let you know of my decision, thank you for coming Toby, they shook hands and he left, then Jean went to speak to Ellen the cook, join me for tea, Ellen did you see that chap I was interviewing, briefly why, Ellen replied, there was something about him I have this feeling he is the person I have been looking for in a long time, he had a lovely gentle warm handshake, if all the checks come back as I no doubt just know they will, I think he will be the light of this place and I feel more than just a handyman, she said, well Jean and after such a short meeting," Ellen said.

After still looking for work for another couple of weeks and feeling a bit despondent, the phone rang it was Jean Monroe, Toby I am sorry it took so long but I was waiting for the C.P.S. results and I would like to offer you the position if you are still available, she said, Toby could not believe what he was hearing and said, thank you Miss Monroe I am available when would you like me too start she said please call me Jean and if Monday about nine o, clock would suit you, I will get a work contract sorted out for you to read and sign, that is fine thank you Jean, I will see you on Monday morning after putting the phone down he looked at the photo of his beloved Brenda and said well I wish you were here with me but you said it would be alright I love and miss you so much, he had to go one place he had to go and thank Ali who was well pleased, Toby Ali said I am sure you and Jean will get along just great, and she has already called me and told she had offered you the post and to thank me for recommending you and good luck I hope it works out well for both you and Jean.

So on the first Monday in October 2008 Toby arrived back at the home ready to start his new job and not sure quite what to expect, he was welcomed at the door by Jean, so Jean said let me first of all show you the contract and if you agree would you please sign it for our records, to which Toby read it and signed it the contract was four days a week initially but could be changed if needed to be, Jean said the children are at school so we will go and pick them up later I will go with you a couple times and also introduce you to the head teacher so the school knows who you are, in the meantime let me introduce you to the staff we are only a small crew, Julie the nurse, Ellen the cook when he shook her hand she felt a warm gentle hand as Jean had said, and Margo the housekeeper, you may also meet the owners at some point they live in France but they leave the running of the home to me and come over on occasion to check on things as I said before we have at the moment eight children six girls and the twin boys the boys are only here for a small time the give their mother a bit of respite, we have the facilities to take up to ten, so have you any questions? well just one at the moment replied Toby I can see there is a lot of work that needs doing here if I might say do you have any tools or would I have to bring my own which will not be a problem, I have a few but in a small flat not much storage room, I am guessing you have equipment for the garden. Well Jean replied we have been trying to find the right person with not much success that is why there is a lot to do but I have a good feeling about you, we have a few tools here, we have all the tools for the garden not sure as to the worthiness of them, all of which we have are hopefully in the shed let me show you the shed and you can see what we have and if you feel we need anything more let me know, and I will see if we can sort them out for you, okay follow me oh have you any overalls? yes, I have in the car, he replied, okay take the keys one for the shed and the other for the back door I will also give you the front door keys and a bunch of others you will need like the minibus keys I see the first task I have noticed if I might say is the front gate needs oiling and a good rub down and some paint, do we have any materials for that said Toby, well I am not sure what there is in the shed I will leave you to sort that out, I see you have already been looking at a few jobs and I think on that point I will leave you too it anything you require just ask and I will see if I can sort it out. With that Jean left and Toby unlocked the shed and had a look at it, his first thought was what a mess this could take a while to sort out, first thing he did was closed the door went out the back gate to his car in the drive and took out a pair of overalls he had bought when he knew he had got the job put them on, I will need these he thought right let’s see what we have to play with, the first problem he found was where do I start then he got down to it making a start sorting the place out so much clutter and old wood and metal well he thought how can anybody work in here in such a mess after almost three hours it was finally looking like a work shop, he found hammers, screwdrivers, saws, a drill, three wire brushes all sorts of bits and pieces and a can of oil but alas no paint suitable for the gates, he turned around and there was Jean with a bunch of keys, sorry I have been so long he said to her but it was a bit of a mess, well she said, I am impressed I can actually see the floor they were both laughing rather loudly, there is a couple of things I would like to run by you if I may he said okay said Jean let us go in and get a coffee and a bite to eat Ellen will sort us out we can sit down have a chat, so Toby locked the shed and they both went inside, so what is on your mind well Toby said first of all we will need some paint for the gates I do have some primer paint at home I can bring here it is just sitting in my flat doing nothing and use that but we will need paint for the top coats whatever colour you would like me to use also I do not know if your budget will allow you to purchase a plastic coated shed just for the garden tools it will stop them from going rusty so much as a wooden shed holds the damp, I will also need to bring my own toolbox as I will need spanners to dismantle the lawn mower and roller to sort them out and oil them, and a few things I have in there such as a sharping stone, what do you think, I am well impressed said Jean you have come up with all that and you have only been here a few hours, I think the shed for the garden equipment is a really good idea I will have to consult with the owners, as for everything else I do not see that as a problem, she said well if I may I would like to look around inside to see what work might need sorting out, I will take my overalls of if I may, that will be fine Jean said we could have a look together and maybe I could point out a few things I have noticed before, we will have to watch the time as we need to leave here about half past two so I can introduce to the headteacher and also to meet the children, who I am sure will all like you, the girls might seem a bit shy for a start, so looking round the house a few of rooms needed decorating and some places needed painting a few small jobs nothing too major, Jean pointed out a couple of cupboards needed sorting light bulbs need changing, and if possible Ellen would like a few shelves put up in the kitchen not too bad Jean nothing we can’t sort out, so Jean looking at the time I will if I may get myself cleaned up and do you think we should get to the school and also you might have to point me in the right direction, I agree said Jean we should get on the road it is not that far and we have a parking space allocated for us which is a good help. They set off it took them about fifteen minutes oh, said Toby, I do not believe it you never told me the name of the school was Bailey Street I went here as a child may I ask the name of the headteacher? really said Jean the head teacher here now is Ann Jones she has been head for about nine years, well I cannot wait to have another look inside and meet the head oh and of course the children, right said Jean let us go and meet her, walking through the gates again after all those years seemed quite strange, the head was waiting to greet them hello Jean this must be Toby you mentioned nice to meet you if I may call you Toby and you can call me Ann, nice to meet you Ann, Jean will be here with me for a couple of days if I might say it felt a bit strange walking through those gates again I was a pupil here as a child it has changed a little, but I hope to get to see more as I go along if I may, I work as a handyman driver for Jean as you probably know so I am sure if Jean does not mind me saying, if you have any small jobs I might be able to help or advise you on I live alone so I have a lot of time on my hands, sorry I feel I have kept you too long, okay Jean should we get to meet the young ones, so they waited for the school to finish the children came to the matron hello children this is Toby he will be bringing you to school and picking you up you can introduce yourselves when we get back home, having got them in the minibus checked they were belted in properly and settled, on arriving home they all went upstairs to change, as they came down they told him their names hello I am Donna, I am seven hello I am James I am ten and this is my brother Tommy he is also ten, hello I am June, I am seven hello I am Toni I am six, hello I am Millie I am six, hello I am Pearl I am nine, hello I am Paula I am eight, well said Toby it is nice to meet you all you may have to remind me a few times before I remember all your names so please bear with me and forgive me if I do not get it right straight away and if you all wish you may all call me Toby, and before long it was time for Toby to head home telling Jean, that girl I think her name is Pearl, is she okay she seemed very depressed and low, he mentioned, I will see you all tomorrow and I will bring my tools and the primer paint, after saying goodbye to the children he left not looking forward to going home to an empty flat, back home he looked at Brenda’s picture I think I am going to like it there only four days a week for now, but it will help to cope and I miss you so much, he decided to do something to eat and a coffee sorted out his tool box and the primer paint he decided to put them in the car so he would not forget them, he was wondering about the girl I am sure her name is Pearl she seems very low I can relate to that, I wonder if I can help but think on it was only your first day, after a while he decided to call it night had a shower and went to bed.

Work was great the days passed to quick at work being busy but time seemed to pass slowly at home days filled with work were fine but the long winter nights and weekends even the day off would just drag by Sundays were the best with church and always looking forward to Mondays, work went well he got permission to get another shed the gates got oiled buffed and painted black was the chosen colour the garden was looking the best it could for the middle Winter on the first Monday of December 2008 he said to Jean Pearl still seems very low although I do get a smile now and then, and she is not like the others she barely talks to me, and I have noticed while I am working upstairs she spends a lot of time alone in her room after school, oh how do you spend Christmas if I might ask,? Pearl has had a few problems, she barely talks to anyone, now, and Christmas we normally put up a few decorations up and a small tree and we give the children a toy or a book each she said on a tight budget it is all we can do, she said, I understand would you mind if got them a little something I have never bought for children before and I feel I am getting to know them a bit better now, he replied, I think they would like that, Jean answered, I was going to ask you, if you would like to have Christmas dinner with us, to save you being at home alone, Jean asked it would be my first Christmas alone Brenda always loved Christmas, I would love too on one condition, he said what is that she asked, Ellen and I go shopping for the meal and I pay for it all, he replied I am not sure if Ellen would approve and that is very generous and I will have to ask Ellen her opinion, Jean replied, and we could even go in my car, he laughed would it be alright if I asked her I can be a bit persuasive, sometimes, he said with a smile oh and she does need some shelves up maybe if I do them first now I have the wood, he continued, they both laughed I will let you ask her, sounds like a bit of blackmail, she smiled, well best get the children to school, be back soon he said he got them in the bus checked their belts, they asked him about Christmas are you going to stay with us for Christmas, they asked him I do not think so it is my day off, oh they said with disappointment in their voices pulled into the school he let them out good bye have a nice day, and be good, he said, got back to the home, went to see Ellen, excuse me Ellen where would like the shelves putting I had them done special to match the others that is why it took so long let me show you, Toby said I like them, she said could I have them up there please, she continued sorry but you know I will have to do some drilling, it might be a bit noisy, did you want to leave for a while, it should not take that long, so Ellen left him to it a short while later he went to find her, all done Ellen, would you like to take a look, he asked they are great thank you, she said may I ask you something Ellen, he continued yes what is Toby, she said well Jean has asked me to have Christmas dinner here with you all, he said I knew she was going to ask you so what is it, well I would love to accept on one condition as I told Jean, only if you and I could go shopping together and I buy all the food you need for the day, he said if Jean had not asked me I would be alone, it would be my first Christmas without my beloved wife, he said with sadness in his voice, I will have to think about, was her reply she went to see Jean. Toby took the tools back to the shed having stripped the wallpaper a couple of rooms the boys have gone back to their mother one of the rooms was theirs he noticed needed sorting before they went, time to get the girls he thought, overalls off washed his hands, went on the school run, got them all safely strapped in back to the home, went to see Jean all back for you again, he said I have stripped the wallpaper of two rooms and painted one of them I will paint the other one tomorrow I will wallpaper one now and tomorrow the other one if all goes well I will finish one tomorrow and one on Thursday, he mentioned oh Ellen told me what you said she a was quite touched she said if I approved it would be nice no doubt she will tell you herself tomorrow, it would seem you are fitting in here nicely and I know the girls like you, she continued, they asked me if I was staying with them for Christmas but Pearl still seems a bit low I will have to see what I can do, I need to cheer her up somehow, he went to wallpaper the room noticed Pearl alone in her room, he mentioned it to Jean said good bye to them all and went home, he was thinking what could he get the children for Christmas he thought they are all girls so dolls perhaps I have not seen them playing with any, books, Jean said she sometimes buys them then he thought he would look online got the laptop out he might get some ideas he thought looked up jewellers and within an hour he had them all ordered Pearl a wrist watch, Milli, Paula, and Toni a bracelet each June, and Donna a necklace each with their initial on he bought Jean, Ellen, Julie and Margo a broach each everything in boxes perfect he thought he asked for them to be delivered to Ali’s he would always take his parcels in for him, made something to eat and a cup of tea, watched a bit a television washed up had a shower and went to bed, busy couple of weeks ahead preparing for Christmas.

Got up about seven washed had a cup of tea some toast for breakfast, went down to Ali’s he mentioned about a parcel if he did not mind him having it sent there that’s fine, Ali said I will let you know when it comes, thanking him Toby went home a quick read of the paper and off to work, good morning Jean he greeted her morning Toby, they are having breakfast, she continued that’s okay I am a bit early, so when do we get the decorations up, he asked whenever you wish, Jean replied, having a think Friday might be good for me because I have a room to paper today, and one on Thursday, he told her oh do we have a tree, he asked no, Jean answered, we normally get a fresh small one every year, Jean continued I will look into that if I may this year, he said but in the meantime I best get them too school they break up soon for the holidays I believe, he replied be back soon, he put the girls on the bus checked their belts and drove to school, when do you pack up girls, on the twentieth was the reply, the week after next, he said yes, said June on the Wednesday Toby, Pearl also asked a bit despondently when are you putting the decorations up we don’t have many? not sure yet I will see, he teased, okay off you get, he said as he opened the back door have a nice day, be good, back at the home he got back to his wallpapering for an old house the walls are pretty good he thought have this finished today the other one on Thursday then a straight run to get everything sorted out for Christmas feels like a plan to me he was just cleaning up and Ellen bought him a coffee, thank you Ellen, he said nice job she remarked and the answer is yes to yesterday’s question, if the offer is still open she teased thank you for the coffee and the offer is still open and if you wish I will even help you to cook it as well, just let me know when and where you wish to go the girls told me the school breaks up on twentieth, he remarked thank you and I will do, she said, he finished cleaning up drank his coffee and moved everything in the next room, took his cup down to Ellen thanked her again for the coffee, took the rubbish to the dust bin, went to find Jean in her office that room is all finished ready for use should you need it, he told her I take it the decorations are in the attic, I thought I might see what we have if that is okay, he continued yes we do not have many about two boxes that includes the tree decorations, she said where is the attic pole if I may ask, that is in my room out of the way of the children I will show you, he got the ladder down looked for the boxes took them into the room he had just finished put the ladder back up the pole back in Jeans room, right let me see what we have here few streamers some wall hangers a couple of bells one set of lights and a few baubles and a star he guessed for the top of the tree, he shook his head this will never do we will need more than that this for a big house looks like this is a job for me on Wednesday in town, he said to Jean there is not a lot there for such a big house, we only do the lounge, she explained well this year will be different you have forgotten one thing, he teased what is that, she asked, well you have me here now and I love Christmas, Brenda, loved it also, you will see I have a plan, the girls asked this morning when I was putting them up and they told me there was not many they seemed a bit despondent, he said, we do try our best but the budget is limited, she explained, I see, he said oh we have another ladder in the locked cellar, if you need it we keep it there out of the children’s way, she continued, okay I will remember that, well better get on I have taken up enough of your time and Ellen has agreed to my offer, he said and left the office. Right he thought let me have a quick look at all the rooms see what else needs sorting took note book and pen from the lounge, number one was Jean’s look from the door could do with a lick of paint he wrote, number two was Julie’s looks ok as he stood at the door number three, he just finished and number four, will be finished tomorrow, number five, Pearl’s room, maybe the ceiling could do with a touch of paint the rest not too bad number six Paula’s needs decorating, number seven Toni’s room, that looks good, number eight Milli’s room also looks good, number nine was Donna’s room also looks good number ten June’s room, needs decorating number eleven and twelve he had finished previously, he made notes airing cupboard needed a lick of paint and a new shelf strut, need to move Paula and June to other rooms for a while, went back to mention it to Jean, I took the liberty of looking at all the rooms, he mentioned and told her what he had found if I put covers over everything in Pearl’s room I could paint the ceiling that’s not a problem, but we will need to move Paula and June both their rooms need decorating, he mentioned I wish I had known you a long time ago never had a person so good I knew there was a lot needed doing and you do not seem to cut corners like some of the others, she said well Jean if a job needs doing it needs to be done properly, even more so where children are involved, he told her, well best get the school run must not keep them waiting he mentioned, excuse me, and he left went to get cleaned up and off to the school, hi girls did you have a good day, not bad was the reply checked their belts, let’s get you home, got back and said to Jean, they seem very low being so near to Christmas I thought they might be a bit excited, Jean explained Christmas is a hard time for children in their situation some remember Christmas with their parents the fun and games but as orphans sadly they see none of that we do our best here but things are limited and sadly the older ones like Pearl sad though it is, may never be adopted or fostered to feel that again, she explained well we will have to do something about that remember what I said you have me here now and I have plans this year will be different you have my word on that as I said I love Christmas and I don’t like to see sad faces on any children, and I have to do something about Pearl, I really worry about her, so depressed for one so young, Toby replied, he did a bit more upstairs, see you tomorrow, he left Jean wondering what on earth is his plan was, back home he said to Brenda’s picture darling I need to cheer those little ones up I know we can do it." He got changed made a bite to eat, and sat down with a coffee took out the laptop scanning a few sites not much inspiration on there I will be in town on Wednesday I will have a good look round there I might need to borrow some of the inheritance savings but it will be worth it I know you would approve darling he looked at Brenda’s smiling face in the picture that was his inspiration watched a bit of television washed up had a shower and bed.

Up around six thirty had a wash a bit of breakfast went to Ali’s read the paper when he came back, left for work at around seven forty five, he felt he needed to explain a few things to Jean, who was quite surprised to see him so early, I thought I would explain a bit of my life and why Christmas is so important if that is okay, he asked her I would like that please Toby sit down, thank you, Jean, well I was born not far from here loving father and mother went to Bailey Street school as I mentioned early life was good, I was five when my sister Karen was born I was a bit upset I wanted a brother, Jean laughed, but I soon got used her she was three when I got my wish with a brother James we were a happy family unit parents were quite wealthy we wanted for nothing, I was twelve when James was diagnosed with leukaemia despite the efforts of all concerned he died, life changed my parents never really got over it, then I was on the verge of leaving school at sixteen when I was told my parents and my sister had been killed in a car accident, my life fell apart having inherited everything I started drinking heavily after a really bad session at the age of, eighteen I ended up in hospital for almost three months, the only visitor I had was the local priest who visited most of the patients, on talking to me made me see some sense I left hospital determined to change I sold the large house with all its memoirs and moved into the place I live now with the help of the priest and the church I am were I am now and I have never touched a drop of alcohol since, sorry I feel I have kept you too long now you know why it is important to put smiles on the little ones faces, that is quite a life Toby I feel sorry for all your losses it must have been hard and I can understand what you mean, she replied well where are my little soldiers, he asked, Jean laughed having breakfast I think, she said, I will go and find them, Pearl reminds me a bit of my sister but I need to put a smile on that face I have to somehow turn her frown upside down, and he left Jean to think I can’t imagine what he has been through she was thinking and losing his wife, how are we doing girls he said time to get to school please wash your hands and let’s go he said cheerily, they went upstairs to the bathroom, came back down grabbed their school bags and got on the bus Toby checked their belts okay one week to go, no reply, he let them out at school see you later girls have nice day and be good. Went back and got back to his wallpapering I do like these walls makes life a lot easier just about on the last leg Ellen bought him a coffee, thank Ellen you spoil me he laughed but I like it, she walked off laughing putting the last pieces up stepped back looking pretty good he thought, drank his coffee and got the room cleaned up a quick sweep round picked up the tray and the rubbish went down gave Ellen the tray with a thank you, rubbish in the bin, back to see Jean he liked to keep her informed in case any new children arrived unexpected that is both number four and five all finished I will cover Pearl’s furniture and paint her ceiling might cheer her up a bit, he mentioned and went back upstairs covered everything over and set to work he was almost finished when he saw Jean standing, there just thought I would let you know we will be having a new girl after Christmas I don’t know all her details yet all I know is she is a black girl around eight or nine and she is in hospital in London as soon as I know more I will let you know as we may have to pick her up from the hospital in London, and she left Toby to it, he finished the painting put the lid on the paint washed the brush out under the tap it was only emulsion easily done went to remove the covers made sure it was tidy left the door ajar to dry the paint quicker soon be school time days go so quick here he thought overalls off wash in the bathroom got his list out of his pocket crossed of Pearl’s ceiling another job off the list a quick check on the time best get going can’t keep them waiting as he walked past the office Jean called him in just to let you know I have been told the new girl they think is called Mary she is not talking and she will be in hospital until the first week of January at least due to her injuries that is all I know, at the moment she explained okay he said she sounds in a bad way bless her, but when she comes here I am sure you will make her feel better, best go, he replied. He waited for the girls to come out still no smiles, hello girls did you have a nice day no answer got them all secured in back to the home, let them out Jean was watching from the window, they all went inside, Jean stopped him, I see what you mean they seem very low this year it might be as they are getting older, she noted that is why I have to pull out all stops and if I may do what I can, he replied I do not normally say this but whatever you can do I will back you up, that Jean is just the words I wanted to hear, trust me I will not let you or them down I will have this place buzzing and trust me it will be smiling faces all round, he left Jean wondering I hope I do not regret what I have just said, but something is telling me it was right, Toby checked the girls and told them I will see you on Thursday Pearl came to him, and said thank you for doing my ceiling it looks better, he took her hand and said you are very welcome, she felt a trustworthy warmth in his hand, he said good bye, and left.

Back home got changed made a meal it feels very lonely every night after coming from there, he made a coffee put the television on not really interested his mind thinking about tomorrow need some decorations a lot of decorations he thought and I need to think about more lights for the tree which will be bigger this year of that he was certain he would decorate the hallway the lounge the dining room need a tree in there as well and I have an idea got his laptop out where is the nearest Father Christmas going to be I will take them there I think they will like that I bet they have not seen him for a long time I will not tell them where they are going he looked at the picture of Brenda I am sure you will agree, right time for my shower and bed, I have a busy day tomorrow he thought.

Chapter 2

THE BIG SHOCK

U p at seven thirty washed changed had breakfast and a cup of tea but Toby was not prepared for what happened on his way to Ali’s shop he was shocked to see a young man trying to snatch a lady’s bags so early in the morning he stepped in and tackled the man down to the ground and with the help of a couple of other people on their way to work holding him down, Toby called the police who turned up with a paramedic then he made sure the lady was safe and she was checked over by the paramedic, the man was arrested he was also carrying a knife Toby never knew about, the lady was fine and Toby offered to take her home but she said I only live down the road above Ali’s paper shop she said, I was going there and waked with her carrying her shopping for her, asking her is she was okay, a bit shaken and thank you for helping me, she said, he was going to get his paper she was talking to Ali, Toby did not know she asked Ali to give him a Euro Jackpot Lottery ticket for that evenings draw, she left to go to her flat thanking Toby again before she left, before Toby left the shop Ali gave it to him Toby reluctantly accepted it telling Ali to thank her very much for it but he was just pleased to help her out and that she was okay, Ali said she did not know how to thank you so she got this for you, as long as she was well it was all that mattered, he said, he had never bought a lottery ticket not even sure how to check it he told Ali, so Ali said he would check it for him when he came in the following day, he put the ticket beside the photo of his beloved Brenda telling her what happened and mentioned it was bought for him, finally making sure he had everything sorted out for the places he needed to go shopping did not like to forget anything he loved working at the home and he needed to cheer the girls up but he still felt lonely at home in the evenings and weekends. After a quick read of the paper he drove to town visited shop after shop decorations lights baubles going back to the car twice to put the shopping in the boot then he found a lovely nativity scene I have to have that ideal for the mantel piece in the lounge he thought then he saw a notice in one shop window advertising Father Christmas in his grotto at the local garden centre, put the rest of the shopping in the boot paid the carpark and drove to the garden centre, and while he was there looked at the trees ordered a couple to pick up on Friday this looks perfect he thought just what I was looking for, he drove back home unloaded the shopping checked it all over tested the lights they will love it I am sure they will he looked at the picture my love I have it all sorted I think I will make their Christmas this year special for them I hope I can turn their frowns upside down that would make me happy. He read his paper and looked at the time have I been out that long time he made something to eat and drink, he opened the parcel Ali had accepted for him all there in their own boxes, need some wrapping paper I saw some in Ali’s I will get that in the morning watched a bit of television sitting there thinking I wonder if I could change my plans and put the decorations up tomorrow I will see what Jean says, well not much on here turned off the television had a shower went and bed.

Up early the following day after breakfast he got ready for work picked up the lottery ticket and went into Ali’s to pick up his paper and wrapping paper and asked Ali if he had any drawing pins I will need a lot about ten boxes of large one please, and handed Ali the ticket having checked it Ali told Toby you have won a prize you need to contact Euro Jackpot Lottery and gave Toby the phone number Ali said you can telephone them when you get back home after work, back home put the ticket back beside the photo of Brenda he made a cup of coffee read the paper, and loaded the car with Christmas bits, saw Jean in her office knocked on the door, morning Toby, she greeted him they are in the dining room, and you are right they need cheering up, she continued that is why I came to find you, firstly I have ordered a tree to pick it up tomorrow I would like to take the bus if I may, she nodded yes, and secondly will it be alright if I put the decorations up today instead of tomorrow, it might help if they see something positive happening, he asked that’s a good idea you have a point, Jean agreed it might take a while, he smiled and left, leaving Jean wondering what he meant, there is not that many, he went to find the girls all finished girls bathroom please they got their coats on, he opened the bus door made sure all safely belted in and drove to school, it will be a different Christmas this year, he told them, how, June asked, you have something different this year, what, June said well you have me here, he said with a smile, okay girls off you go, have a nice day and be good, saw them all go in as usual then left. Got back to the home unloaded his car boot, right let’s get this place ready for Christmas, went to the cellar grabbed the ladder, he started in the hallway streamers and bells all along it couple of wall posters that looks good, into the lounge nativity scene in the centre of the mantel piece, steamers and coloured balls a couple of bells some posters tinsel around the pictures and the door frame, that looks good he thought, the dining room streamers bells snowmen coloured balls and tinsel, stood the ladder up and went to get Jean, follow me, he said she looked at the hall then the lounge and the dining room what do think, I am speechless, she said have you got the receipts I will have to check the budget, Jean my budget is fine and I do not have the receipts I am afraid what I paid is all in here tapping his head and on that front I have memory loss, do you think the girls will like it and if I may borrow the bus I telephoned and I can get the tree today lets really make them happy shall we, he laughed, Jean still trying to get over the shock of it all agreed, be back soon. He drove to the garden centre, we have a six foot six no six foot until tomorrow I will charge you the same and the five foot six as you ordered sir, brilliant, he said, perfect, they got them in their sleeves and in the bus Toby also bought two large pots and a bag of compost, and drove back to the home out to the shed for a garden trowel, the small tree in the dining room the tall one in the lounge, planted the tall one first in the compost cut the sleeve off to spread the branches, into the dining room planted that one cut the sleeve off, back to the lounge to decorate it he put a fairy on the top he had bought in town baubles and tinsel switched the three sets of lights on looking great back into the dining room, decorated it put the star on top baubles and tinsel turned the two sets lights on perfect, he put the ladder back in the cellar and went to find Jean, showed her the lounge well what do you think? we don’t normally have one that big it is great, wait follow me, he took her in the dining room, it is like Christmas, she said well I did say you had something different this year, you had me, he laughed so you did, and was I not sure quite what you meant now I do, thank you Toby, well, let me go get the girls it is just about time see what they think shall we. He left for the school, hello girls did you have a good day no answer checked their belts, let’s get home, he let them out at home can you wait by the door for a second please, he locked the bus and joined them now let’s see what we have in here, Jean was by her door watching wow Toby, was the reaction then he opened the lounge door big smiles all round follow me please with Jean following he opened the dining room door, they all put their arms around Toby you said it would be different this year, said Pearl who took hold of his hand not unnoticed by Jean okay girls get changed please, did I not tell you I would turn the frowns upside down, he said to Jean I knew I had a good feeling about you when I first saw you, she smiled did a bit more work around the rooms see you tomorrow Jean. When he got home and before cooking his dinner he telephoned Euro Jackpot Lottery who asked his name and few questions the ticket number and where he bought the ticket and he got the biggest surprised at what they told him if it passes the check by Euro Jackpot Lottery he has won a major prize and would he be willing to come to the Euro Jackpot Lottery headquarters in London and that they would send a car to pick him up and any family members he wished to come with him, they said they would call him after the ticket check, this was all moving a bit too fast for Toby to take in, he tried to put it to the back of his mind still not believing what he had heard, thinking it was a joke he went about his usual afternoon chores doing odd jobs around the flat cooking a bit of dinner doing a bit of ironing to pass time watching a bit of television before going to bed wondering was he dreaming or it is really happening, will he be set to become the loneliest millionaire in Britain.

Up early the usual routine breakfast and down to Ali’s for a paper read that got changed and went to work morning Jean, morning Toby, how are the troops this morning, he said she laughed I think you can hear them today in the dining room, certainly can he said that is more like it don’t you think, he laughed I will sort that airing cupboard today on the landing first job, but I best get them too school if I can drag them away, he smiled into the dining room hi girls hands washed time for school please, yes Toby, was the reply all went upstairs to the bathroom, okay he said, on the bus please, he checked their belts closed the door and drove to school totally different mood today, not long now he said as they got off have a nice day and be good, he felt a hand in his it was Pearl thank you Toby, was all she said and followed the others, back at the home Jean caught him at the door, I have a bit more news on the new girl, she said she is the only survivor of a plane crash her mother and father and sister we all killed she is very traumatised and has a lot of stitches and could be scared for life, they called her Mary they do not know if it is her name but they found a red coat near her with Mary written on the label, poor little thing Jean we need to help her, he said Toby for first time since you have worked here you said we have to help her, oh sorry I meant you he answered I prefer the term we, she said at last you recognise yourself as part of the team, she smiled oh best get on, he finished the wallpapering, then to the airing cupboard emptied it out put the contents on to a the nearest bed removed the damaged strut and noticed another looking dodgy too he took that out as well went to see Jean I will need to go to builders wood yard I need two of these they have to be the right thickness and shape there is none in the shed I will take my car it will be easier to park is that okay, yes Toby get the receipt please, at the wood yard he mentioned it was for Bridge House oh Jean Monroe, the foreman asked yes I work there I thought I had seen driving the bus Jean Monroe is very respected around town there will be no charge tell her Billy Brown, sent them, thank you I will, and he drove back Jean asked for the receipt bit strange that, he said, the chap said there is no charge and to tell Jean Monroe, Billy Brown sent them, yes I do know Billy we were at school together, have not seem him in a while I will see if I have his number and call him to thank him," she