The Boy with the Latch Key. Cathy Sharp

      ‘Will you leave June to me, Sergeant?’

      ‘Yes, of course. It’s why I’ve told you. We don’t have any proof she actually stole something. She was with Betty Goodge and that was enough to bring me here, but perhaps if you talk to her she will see the error of her ways.’

      ‘I think I may have to send the children away after all, for June’s sake,’ Beatrice said. ‘I shall tell Archie that if he wishes to visit his mother he may do so and St Saviour’s will fund his fares to the prison and back to Halfpenny House. It is not ideal, but if the girl is in danger of being corrupted the sooner she is moved the better, and I do not think separating them would be the right thing.’

      ‘No, I am certain it would not,’ he agreed. ‘Well, I’ll get off home then. I know I can leave it to you to sort things out …’

      ‘Here, shove it in your pocket, June,’ Betty hissed as she handed her a fistful of lipsticks she’d snatched off the counter in Woolies. ‘We’d better make a run fer it or they’ll nab us …’

      June giggled nervously. She was in awe of Betty, who was bold and daring and didn’t seem to fear anyone. She felt flattered that the older girl had noticed her and chosen her as her special friend. Betty was already leaving the shop when June felt the hand on her shoulder and was suddenly stopped in her tracks.

      ‘Betty …’ she cried piteously, but her friend looked back and grinned as she ran off, leaving June to face the anger of the shop manager by herself.

      ‘You’re in trouble now, girl,’ he said gruffly. ‘I’m holding you responsible for the theft of those lipsticks and you’ll sit quietly in my office until the police come … and it will be better for you if you tell me who the girl was that actually snatched them.’ He paused and frowned at her. ‘I saw what she did and I’ll tell Sergeant Sallis who was to blame – but you’re in serious trouble, girl, and she’s run off and left you to take the blame …’

      June looked at him, tears hovering. ‘I want my mum,’ she whispered miserably. ‘I want to go home to my mum …’

      ‘Oh no, not again,’ Sister Beatrice groaned as Sergeant Sallis pushed June forward and told the sorry tale. It was his second visit of the day and by far the most serious. ‘June, what have you got to say for yourself?’

      June hung her head but didn’t speak. Sister Beatrice sighed and looked at her sadly.

      ‘Don’t you know what kind of a girl she is, June? She isn’t your friend or she would’ve stayed with you and helped you – she got you into this trouble and you’re very lucky not to be sent to a remand home. If it happens again, I shan’t be able to stop the police bringing a case against you …’

      ‘I’m sorry. It was just a lipstick …’

      ‘At least four,’ Sister Beatrice shook her head. ‘Go along and have your tea, but remember this is your last chance …’

      She stared at the police officer in exasperation as the door closed behind June. ‘She isn’t a bad child – it’s that Betty Goodge.’

      ‘I’ve spoken to Miss Saunders about her and she’s having her sent on to the remand centre. Apparently, she gave her one last chance – and now she’ll have time to repent at leisure …’

      ‘Do some of them ever learn? I don’t think even we could have helped that girl – and she’s certainly had no understanding or love next door …’

      ‘Miss Saunders doesn’t see things the way you do, Sister. It will be a sorry day if her kind ever takes over completely – they don’t seem to know the meaning of compassion; it’s all morals and rules with that lot.’

      ‘Yes, I believe you may be right,’ Beatrice said. She was thoughtful as Sergeant Sallis took his leave. June would soon be leaving for Halfpenny House and out of the way of the bad influence from next door, but did she ought to visit the prison and tell June’s mother any of this? Mrs Miller surely had a right to know whatever she’d done … Perhaps she would wait until she had better news to pass on, when June was settled in Essex and doing better. Surely, it couldn’t help to give Mrs Miller bad news, because she must be worried enough as it was …

      Ruby replaced her telephone receiver and smiled in satisfaction. After what had happened today, Sister Beatrice wouldn’t have a leg to stand on if she tried to hang on to June Miller. Ruby had rung the Children’s Department as soon as she’d heard and told them she was moving Betty into secure care. Her call to Miss Sampson had turned out to be more worthwhile than she’d hoped, because her supervisor from when she worked in the Children’s Welfare Department had agreed with everything she said; they were alike in more ways than one, though Ruth was a few years older, but neither of them was interested in marriage or men. Ruby suspected that Miss Sampson’s reasons might be different from hers, but it did mean that they got on well, and Ruby took care to consult her about important decisions, even though she was in charge of her girls, within the Department rules.

      ‘I know that strictly speaking it isn’t my affair, but I felt in the interests of the child I should consult you. In my opinion she has been allowed to run wild for years and even if the mother were not in prison I believe she would be better with a decent family. Otherwise she will end in a remand home like so many others.’

      ‘You were very sensible to contact me,’ Miss Sampson said primly. ‘I have always thought that St Saviour’s would be better run by someone like you, Ruby – especially now that Angela Adderbury has retired. Sister Beatrice was kept there because a lot of influential people refused to move her, despite my advice. Sister Beatrice is well-meaning, I have no doubt, and I believe she is strict – but I think I shall look into this matter and quite possibly make an order for fostering.’

      ‘I’m so glad I rang you. I thought you might reprimand me for interfering?’

      ‘Not at all, Ruby. Did you have anyone in mind for foster parents?’

      ‘Well, I do know of a couple who have asked about fostering one of my girls. Mr and Mrs Bailey said they wanted to give a child a good home. I explained that my girls are here to be disciplined and could not be considered for fostering or adoption, but then I thought of June …’

      ‘What kind of people are they?’

      ‘She is a school teacher and he owns a grocery business; he helps to run a youth club in the evenings. They are both in their thirties and childless – and willing to foster older children, but they did ask for a girl.’

      ‘They sound ideal,’ Miss Sampson said. ‘Yes, give me their details in writing and I’ll make some inquiries. We are a little short of available foster parents at the moment, so they might very well be suitable.’

      ‘I am so pleased I rang you now. I was afraid you might think I was interfering in St Saviour’s business.’

      ‘Not at all, Ruby. You are a woman after my own heart and I trust your judgement. Please keep me informed of anything that attracts your notice.’

      Ruby glowed under her superior’s praise. It was exactly what she wanted – for Ruth to notice her and approve. Perhaps it was the first step to a relationship between them … but she still needed to be very careful; she must be sure her affection was returned before she made a suggestion. ‘I’m so glad you agree, because I am sure Sister Beatrice will not …’

      ‘Well you know my opinion there. Leave it with me, but as soon as I’ve verified this couple, I shall make an order for June Miller to be taken into custody …’

      Ruby was feeling elated when she finished her call; Ruth Sampson had thought she’d behaved properly, though Sister Beatrice would almost certainly be furious. She would believe that Ruby had gone beyond her remit and would no doubt be angry to receive an order for one of her children to be taken into care and then fostered. Ruby pushed the thought from her mind. She’d acted in the best interests of the child, which any bystander was entitled to do …

      Archie