Mr Cavell's Diamond by Kathleen McGurl

poor mite, being left all alone in the world.’ She reached down and stroked Franny’s hair.
    ‘ She was not all alone,’ Caroline protested. ‘She had me, her loving aunt. And now she shall come to live with me. Well, if you’ve drunk your tea, girl, we should start for home. Frances does not walk very fast and we may have to carry her part of the way.’ She stood up, and held out her hand to Franny who was still playing with her doll, trying to remove its clothes. ‘Come, let’s go to your new home. Shall we go by the beach, so you can see the fishermen and all their boats and nets? Are you ready, do you have your dolly? Come, then.’
    Ann started to protest again but Caroline ignored her. Her mother had always made it clear she couldn’t wait to get rid of the child, and now she’d got her wish. W ithout a backward glance, Caroline led the little girl out of the house and down the road towards the sea front. She kept up a happy chatter all the way, pointing out a cat playing with its kittens on a sunny doorstep, a bright red curtain blowing wildly out of an upstairs window, a cloud that looked like a horse’s head. Frances skipped happily alongside, holding her doll high so that she could see the sights as well.
    They were half way towards the sea when Jemima caught up, holding the basket with both hands in front of her. She was out of breath.
    ‘ Ma’am, sorry, I came as fast as I could, your mother kept me talking a minute more,’ she panted.
    ‘ Memima!’ squealed Frances in delight. Caroline scowled. She would have to teach Frances not to be too familiar with the servants. Maybe she would employ a nursemaid – then she could keep Jemima Brown away from the child. Later, of course, they would need a governess, so Frances could learn all the accomplishments a young lady of her class – her new class – could be expected to have. Piano and singing, embroidery, drawing, French and poetry. She smiled as she imagined how people would compliment her on her daughter’s achievements, grace and beauty.
    ‘ Oh oh,’ said Frances, tugging at Caroline’s hand. ‘Look, dirty.’ Caroline looked down. The child had trodden in some dog mess.
    ‘ Franny, couldn’t you have been more careful? It’s not ladylike to have dirty shoes,’ she scolded. ‘Kick your slippers off, and come to me. I shall carry you from here.’
    Jemima bent to retrieve the child’s shoes, but Caroline shook her head. ‘Leave them. She shall have new ones.’ She hoisted Frances onto her hip and continued walking. Soon they arrived at the Marine Parade house.
    ‘ Look, Franny, here’s your new home!’ she said. ‘What do you think, isn’t it a fine house? You shall have your own bedroom, and a maid to keep it tidy for you and to dress you and brush your hair. You shall be a lady, what do you think of that?’
    Frances buried her head against Caroline’s neck in reply. Caroline took a deep breath, and ascended the steps to the front door. Her plan was going well, but the most difficult part was still ahead. But whatever happened, Franny was in her arms and there was no way she would take her back now.
     

Jemima
     
    My heart was jumping about like a spring hare as the Mistress entered the house carrying the little child. What would the Master do when he heard she’d brought home a baby? But the Mistress looked determined, and she put her lopsided smile on her face as she went into the sitting room where the Master was sitting drinking his tea, with Sultan at his feet.
    I scurr ied off towards the kitchen but the Mistress called me back and said she needed me in the sitting room and to bring the basket with all the things she bought today. I went in and set the basket down, glad to be done with the weight of it.
    The Master look ed at the child. His eyebrows raised a little. ‘Who is the child?’
    The Mistress put the little girl down then, and Franny ran to me and hid her face in my skirt, a -feared of the dog. I stroked