The Trouble with Polly Brown Read online

  SOME E-MAILS RECENTLY RECEIVED…

  A captivating, inspirational read with surprising twists and turns. A master at character development, Tricia Bennett produces another sure-fire winner!

  Tricia Bennett does it again! A gripping, inspirational tale—she’ll take you on an emotional roller-coaster ride through another stage in the life of Polly Brown. A rock-solid winner that would surely make a real blockbuster movie!

  A gifted writer, Tricia Bennett tells an incredible, imaginative tale. You’ll come away filled with hope and inspiration. A magical, compelling story you won’t ever forget.

  Polly Brown was amazing, and The Trouble with Polly Brown is sheer poetic genius! Yes, it is excruciatingly painful at times to witness what Polly has to go through, but there are also hilarious, wonderful moments of comic relief as well! I now look forward to bedtime, so that I can read another chapter.

  I’m in foster care now because some bad things were happening to me at home. I was having really bad dreams and my caseworker gave me Polly Brown to read. At night I would read Tricia’s book and not feel so scared and alone. I know how much something can touch my heart and she has. Thank you very much.

  As a mother of four and grandmother of nine, I was thrilled to be introduced to your wonderful book, Polly Brown. It was a heartwarming experience to read a book with traditional family values. I loved it so much I bought sixteen copies for my family and friends, and have just purchased another batch! I am anxiously looking forward to reading The Trouble with Polly Brown as soon as it is published.

  Tears of joy and sadness alternately filled my eyes as I read the adventures of this lovable orphan named Polly Brown. This spellbinding novel contrasts good and evil in a most amazing way. Polly Brown will motivate any reader to live a better life, with more courage and kindness. And I just adored the chapters of The Trouble with Polly Brown, which you kindly let me preview.

  Thank you for coming to our school to speak. You had a profound effect on our students sharing your insights on life, self-respect, and relationships, and thank you for personally reading excerpts of your book Polly Brown. You gave our students an experience they will treasure for a lifetime. It is my prayer and desire as a Reading Teacher that other students across this country will get the opportunity to hear you speak and to read your books. You are a great and noble author!

  I’ve just finished reading the draft copy of The Trouble with Polly Brown and it is fantastic, just brilliant! As I was reading it, I was imagining it as a movie! You have a talent most people could only wish for. The book from start to finish was superb, and I was honestly unable to put down. I actually stayed up almost a whole night to finish it.

  I am an avid reader with a Master’s degree in English, so when I say that you are truly one of the best authors, I really mean it. I can hardly wait for the second in the trilogy. You deserve a blockbuster.

  We’ve been to your Tearoom, Tricia, you are a wonderful person and author, and you truly deserve to have your own TV show. You are so warm and captivatingly funny, you truly come across to everyone you meet.

  I am a pastor of a large church and when I came across your book I decided to place a few copies in our church library. I was amazed by the response to Polly Brown. I had mothers ringing me up saying that reading this book made them want to be better mothers.

  The Trouble with Polly Brown tugs at the emotional heartstrings—you want to laugh, cry, and love Polly throughout, a desperate girl in a desperate world, dealing with many real life issues, bullying included. This book should be taken up by every school across the country. The ongoing painful world of Polly Brown is so beautifully written from the heart.

  THE TROUBLE WITH POLLY BROWN by Tricia Bennett

  Published by Creation House Books

  A Charisma Media Company

  600 Rinehart Road

  Lake Mary, Florida 32746

  www.charismamedia.com

  This book or parts thereof may not be reproduced in any form, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise—without prior written permission of the publisher, except as provided by United States of America copyright law.

  Design Director: Bill Johnson

  Cover design by Terry Clifton

  Copyright © 2011 by Tricia Bennett

  All rights reserved

  Visit the author’s Web site: http://www.hopeinyourheart.com

  The characters portrayed in this book are fictitious unless they are historical figures explicitly named. Otherwise, any resemblance to actual people, whether living or dead, is coincidental.

  Library of Congress Control Number: 2011928569

  International Standard Book Number: 978-1-61638-600-9

  E-book International Standard Book Number: 978-1-61638-931-4

  First edition

  11 12 13 14 15 — 987654321

  Printed in Canada

  I dedicate this book to my very dear brother

  Anthony, who while on this earth suffered much at

  the hands of others.

  *******

  He will wipe away our tears.

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  IT IS A well-known fact that writing an acknowledgment section at the beginning of the book is a most splendid opportunity to make mention and acknowledge all those amazing people who have come into my life and in doing so have made me richer as a person.

  There are too many wonderful people I should be thanking, and if your name does not appear, then please forgive me now.

  First, I wish to thank my husband, John, for all his encouragement and support. Then I have need of thanking my very special daughter, Antonia, along with Isaac, my little grandson. Antonia has been one of my chief fans. Then I must make mention of my two sons Reuben and James, whom I miss terribly as they reside back in England. I wish to also send my love to two very special foster daughters, Emma and Anna.

  My eldest son, Reuben, has just completed serving his second tour on the front lines in the British Army in Afghanistan. He lost a number of his mates on both tours. He is a paratrooper with the Second Battalion, and I could never be prouder than I am of him. I must use this occasion to honor all the special men from his regiment who up until this very minute have lost their lives or limbs fighting to maintain our freedom.

  I also wish to thank every American soldier, especially those fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq, and I weep for every mother who has lost a son or daughter in this desperately sad and prolonged war.

  Next I move on to my sister-in-law Stephanie, her husband, Gavin, and my four lovely and very special nephews and nieces—Jay, Dylan, Emily, and Eleanor. Stephanie has also spent many years fostering children as well as working with the local schools and their problem families. I love this woman with my whole heart.

  I must use this occasion to make mention of my favorite organization—Guardian ad Litem. These volunteer workers are the best. If they had been around when my brothers and I went through the system, I am sure things would have been very different. They will never know how much good they are doing by getting involved in the lives of vulnerable children in foster care.

  I want to thank the girls in the faith dorm at Lowell Correctional Institution in Ocala, Florida; these precious women have encouraged and inspired me to actively pursue my commission of being a mouthpiece for those who literally have no voice.

  It therefore gives me great joy to make mention of a wonderful children’s home that truly does love and care for orphaned children, many of whom would not have lived through their childhood let alone get to see their adult lives if it had not been for the dedication and devotion of Pat and Linda Manfredi. T
his couple is not daunted by challenges that many others would shun, and they run this home with absolutely no government assistance. These children are often in need urgent medical care when they arrive in America. I have therefore asked their permission to place their contact details just in case there may be some readers who would wish to help sponsor a child in their care. You may contact them through their website at www.TheCarpentersHouseofLakeCounty.com.

  I would also like to use this occasion to give a big thank you to Pastor Jim Brissey and his beautiful wife, Jean, who have the biggest, most generous hearts I’ve ever known. My husband and I have joined this couple a number of times on their regular visits to the local prisons where they give help and hope to despairing inmates. They also put on events for the homeless where they can be fed and clothed even while having their hair cut. You can contact them at their website www.highergroundministries.org should you wish to show any kind of support.

  Next I would like to thank Jim and Darlene for all their enthusiasm and support. Jim is a first-class artist and illustrator, who, having read my book, has taken to drawing the most wonderful and inspirational illustrations of my self-published younger book Princess Polly, as well as drawing pictures of my English tearoom in Wildwood.

  Next I move on to Pastor Steve Yates (a well-known pastor and motivational speaker) and his lovely wife, Chinita, and family for all the encouragement they have been to us in our ups and downs (especially the downs!).

  Next is a very special lady named Therese Gaudette. I met Therese when she invited me to speak at her Writers Club. She loved Polly Brown so much that she offered her services to help me with The Trouble With Polly Brown. Therese, I cannot thank you enough for all your help, support, and overwhelming encouragement. You, my dear, are such a blessing!

  I could not write these acknowledgments without making mention of a very extraordinary woman I have come to know and love called Jamie Clarke. This dedicated woman has for a number of years run a school for supposed no-hopers, and with her help and determination she has literally turned around the life of many an unfortunate child. I don’t think this supercharged passionate woman has the remotest understanding of what the word impossible means! She also runs a center that supplies food, clothing, and counseling for the homeless and destitute. Amazingly there is always a big smile on her face and a light in her eyes as she recounts some latest amazing miracle that just took place. You, my dear, are a star.

  I would like to make mention of Pastor Dan and Michele Binion. Michele works alongside me in our Polly’s Pantry Tearoom in Wildwood, Florida.

  I would also like to use this opportunity to say a special thank-you to Mike and Susie Collins, who took me in when, at seventeen years of age, I attempted to end everything. This amazing couple would see me through many storms in my life—and all this when they were trying to raise their own family, which turned out to be seven gorgeous girls and one boy. I have to add that this exceptional family has always reminded me of the Waltons!

  Next I want to give a big thank-you to Len and Stacie Pedrick and their whole family. They are a ray of sunshine in our lives. Whenever we need a meal and a hug, it’s to this couple we turn. Although I have to add that nearly all our visits require us to join them in lengthy karaoke sessions, as she and her young daughter Tori are mighty fine singers!

  Then there are Tom and Maura, another outstanding couple who travel the country as a singing duo. Maura is Irish, need I say more! They never fail to bring tears to my eyes, for their singing is truly inspirational. This delightful couple has hearts of pure gold and a real sweetheart of a mother who makes the best cup of tea outside of England. We really love you.

  Talking of Ireland, I want to say a big thank-you to two rather special ladies who originated from County Cork in Ireland. Yes, Kate O’Brien, you are the inspiration behind one of the main characters in my books. Your love and deep understanding of the downcast and downtrodden, as well as your incredible wit, have always brought a smile to my heart and face. You are a very special and gifted lady. Next I wish to say thank you to Olive Franklin for the hundreds of times she allowed me to share food at her table and the thousand or so hours she then freely counseled me until I finally learned to stand on my own two feet.

  Next I move on to Billy and Shannon and family for all their help and encouragement.

  Then I wish to personally thank a wonderful family who live in England and have done so much to help their community as well as support my son Reuben and my daughter Antonia. So Machelle, Jerome, Caleb, Teheillah, Micah, Koah, Sharmah, Beulah, Avodah, and Yehshaw, I cannot express how grateful I feel toward you and your family. You have shown yourself true by being there for my children when I was on the other side of the world. I hear nothing but praise when they talk about you and your family.

  I also wish to thank Rosalyn and the Women of Wildwood Charity group. I have just become a member of this amazing group of feisty ladies, most of whom are educators who raise money that gives youngsters the opportunity to continue on in their education. They also raise money to give a second-chance grant to some older deserving person who wants to make it through college.

  Next I would like to say a big thank-you to my special friends Dale and Carolyn, Derek and Darren. They befriended us when we knew hardly a soul over here.

  I would also like to mention my lovely Spanish friend and interpreter Kenilia Perez as well as Danny and their very two very precious girls Stephanie and Grace.

  Then there are Al and Vivienne Levine and their equally precious family. Vivienne is a dab hand at winning cookery competitions! We love you loads.

  We must also make mention of our dear friend Watchman, who is also a regular visitor in the schools and prisons and has his own school of rap for poor but talented musicians. You’re the best.

  Which brings me to our closest friends that I left behind in England. As well as David and Tisha Knowles, I wish to say the biggest thank-you to Steve and Georgie Bailey and their terrific family. Polly’s favorite teachers in book one are based on this exceptional couple! We had our children at the same time, and we’ve weathered many storms together.

  Next I want to thank Doctor Vija Sodera, a talented physician, author, and musician, and his family for their support and friendship.

  I also wish to say thank you to Jacinta here in Florida and her beautiful children. This single mother has most definitely been both an inspiration and help to me.

  Finally I wish to make mention of my two surviving brothers Francis and Vincent. I wish to honor both of them as they were, to quote Dickens, “my companions in misery.” I know we have grown apart, and I trust there will come a day when we will hold and hug each other once more; until such time, please know that I love you both.

  And last but not least I wish to thank the mayor of Wildwood, Mr. Ed Wolf, for his continued support. This kind man came up trumps when on more than one occasion we urgently needed his help and support.

  Lastly I would like to thank all my faithful customers who bring friend after friend to visit our Polly’s Pantry Royal Tearoom situated just outside the Villages retirement community here in Wildwood, Florida. I want to thank so many of you for sending me personal gifts such as the hand-sewn apron with Polly’s Pantry on the front, and the Harrods teddy bear, just to mention a few. There have been too many gifts and letters to make mention of them all, but I assure you now that these acts of human kindness never fail to touch me deeply.

  We would also like to thank Allen Quain and all the staff at Creation House who have worked so hard to produce this book.

  CONTENTS

  1 Back at the Castle

  2 The Chocolate-Sealed Letter

  3 The Eulogy of Stanley Horlicks

  4 Another Brick in the Wall

  5 No Jolly Eyeballs

  6 Let’s Get Together

  7 Miss Scrimp ’N’ Save

  8 The Lost Ring

  9 Please Try My Jam Roly-Poly

  10 Are You a Fan of Earl Grey? />
  11 Deliver Us From Gluttony

  12 Rule Britannia

  13 The Forbidden Tunnel

  14 Help Me Make It Through the Night

  15 Will Meets the Likely Lads

  16 Nothing but the Truth

  17 PC Inkblot to the Rescue

  18 The Much-Dreaded School Report

  19 Polly Takes a Polygraph

  20 Good-Bye, Polly, Good-Bye

  21 It’s a Mad World

  22 Jingle All the Way

  23 Help! I Need Somebody

  24 Goodwill to All Men

  25 Lady Butterkist to the Rescue

  26 The Trouble With Tea

  27 Piddles Provides a Miracle

  28 Polly’s Miraculous Recovery

  29 Blenkinsopp to the Rescue

  30 The Tea Party

  31 Now Everyone Wants a Piece of the Action

  32 Please Release Me, Let Me Go

  33 George’s Gurgling Guts

  34 Let’s Get on With the Show

  35 Beauty Is in the Eye of the Beholder

  36 Show Me the Way to Go Home

  37 James and Polly Get Reacquainted

  38 The Land of the Tiddy Oggy

  39 Poor, Poor Dr. Ninkumpoop

  40 Let’s Get Sand Between Our Toes

  41 You Never Mess With Dear Aunt Bess

  42 Letters of Hope

  43 All Good Things Must Come to an End

  44 Now It’s Your Turn to Cry Like a Baby

  Contact the Author

  Chapter One

  BACK AT THE CASTLE

  ARE WE ALL sitting comfortably?” the aged storyteller politely inquired, his steely blue eyes content to survey the continuously growing crowd as they weaved in and out of the aisles in search of a spare seat. As he continued to wait for his audience to settle down, he allowed a quizzical, if somewhat bemused, look to slowly spread across his craggy, deeply lined face, which bore testimony to many past and personal tragedies.

  Needless to say there came a point when, with his patience wearing thin, he decided that this was indeed the perfect moment to bring the noisome crowd to order. He cleared his throat and began. “It has become most apparent that there are many newcomers amongst my audience, most of whom do not have youth on their side. So pray, would someone do me a great kindness in explaining this rather peculiar phenomenon?”