Polly Brown Read online

  Hodgekiss simply nodded. “That’s settled then, isn’t it?” Polly declared with a note of triumph.

  Suddenly, they were interrupted by the screech of Aunt Mildred’s high-pitched voice.

  “Polly, Polly, where are you? Come here right now, you little wretch!”

  “What on earth is that noise?” Hodgekiss curiously inquired.

  “Oh, nothing to concern yourself about,” said Polly. “It’s probably the cats having a squabble, or some of the children pushing the piano over the polished floors.”

  “There are no pianos or cats in this castle,” he winked.

  “Well, we have had pets in the past,” Polly replied rather defensively, for she was quite annoyed at being challenged. “But they have all died one way or another. You should see our back garden, Hodgekiss, for it is full of crosses made from twigs, and each spot marks the place where a bird, chicken, or mouse died and is now buried. So maybe there are no cats in the castle, but how would you know what we have indoors?” she rather rudely snapped.

  Hodgekiss remained silent, and Polly instantly felt very guilty at taking her frustration out on him by confronting him in such a harsh manner.

  “Look, I had better go back inside, Hodgekiss, or I will be in big trouble!”

  Hodgekiss nodded his agreement; for he knew that for Polly to ignore Aunt Mildred’s demands would indeed spell trouble.

  As Polly jumped up from the steps, Hodgekiss asked her to wait just a minute longer.

  “I have a little something for you,” he said, dipping a hand into his large, shabby coat pocket. He then pulled out a paper bag. “This is a birthday present, specially chosen by me for you, Polly,” he said with a smile.

  Polly seemed a little reluctant to take the gift from a man who obviously had so little in life, so she started to protest.

  “Please take it. It’s important to me that you have it,” he said with a hint of urgency in his voice.

  Polly, running out of time, finally put out her hand to accept the gift, for she did not wish to hurt his feelings. Slipping the wrapped gift into her pocket, she broke into a smile.

  “Thank you, Hodgekiss,” she said, gently touching his arm at the same time to show her gratitude. “Oh, and by the way, I love the purple and orange striped socks. Where on earth did you find them?”

  Hodgekiss looked down at his feet and saw that the socks were plain for all to see as they poked out of the end of his boots. He smiled again before answering her question.

  “I found two pairs of them in a dumpster last January, and what’s more, they were still in their Christmas wrapping. I guess they were some young lady’s unwanted Christmas present, but I love them since they keep each individual toe nicely warmed. I gave the other pair to my friend Ralph, and he’s equally delighted with his.”

  Polly laughed and then commented, “They look great, but I happen to know those particular style of socks are quite a struggle to put on. In fact, they’re far worse than gloves.”

  “Too true, Polly, and that’s probably the reason I haven’t taken them off once in the past six, or is it nine, months,” he admitted sheepishly, breaking into a big grin.

  “Well, remind me not to be around the day you decide to give your feet a little air.” She laughed as she pinched her nose firmly to make her point.

  Hodgekiss nodded and gave her tiny hand a squeeze as he said good-bye. Polly stood for a few moments watching as Hodgekiss limped slowly down the path and out of sight.

  Later that evening as Polly got herself ready for bed, she remembered the little parcel. She sat on the bed, and, after removing the brown string, eagerly tore off the brown wrapping paper. The gift revealed itself to be a book. Suddenly Polly heard footsteps approaching, so before she had time to read the title, she quickly switched off the light and hid well down in the bed, for she did not wish to be in any trouble. The knob of the door slowly turned, and a tall, shadowy figure stood in the doorway. Polly peeped from under the covers and could just about see the silhouette of Aunt Mildred standing in the doorway. With every child in the dormitory supposedly fast asleep, the shadow disappeared, and Polly, with ears pricked, listened intently as she heard Aunt Mildred’s footsteps heading down the corridor towards the creaky oak stairs. Polly waited a few more seconds before coming out from under the covers. Then she plumped up her thin pillow as best as she could and lay with her arms behind her head, staring into the darkness.

  Polly was very pleased that she had a new book to read, for she really loved books but rarely managed to read any. There were plenty of books in the castle, but most of them were locked up in the huge library, and the key to the library door hung on a large set of keys that swung to and fro from the oversized waist of Uncle Boritz!

  Eventually, Polly rolled over in the bed and cuddled up to her little companion, Langdon, in an effort to keep warm. Still, she found she could not sleep. Perhaps I am too cold, she reasoned. So she got out of bed and picked up Eton, her teddy bear, and placed him in the bed next to Langdon.

  “There. Now with three in the bed, I must surely get warm,” she announced loudly in a desperate bid to comfort herself. “Castles are, after all, such cold, drafty places,” she muttered before pulling her one thin blanket right up to her chin.

  Despite the cold, and as well as having endured a pretty miserable day, Polly felt a little glow inside that felt quite comforting.

  After much tossing and turning, sleep refused to come, so Polly found herself reflecting back on the day’s events. It was not long before she became aware that something was really troubling her. It was something about Hodgekiss. “How could he have picked a gift especially for her when they had only just met?” she wondered.

  After much worrying, Polly reluctantly switched on the bedside light and picked up the book. She read the title out loud, “The Ugly Duckling. Oh, that’s really great!” she cried. “So he too thinks I’m ugly!” Polly wiped away a tear and unceremoniously dumped the book onto the floor. “This only goes to show that Hodgekiss is just like the rest,” she whispered to herself as she cuddled up to Langdon and Eton. “Both of you are really the only friends I have in the whole wide world.”

  With that thought still in her head, Polly finally fell sound asleep.

  Chapter 2

  OLIVER THE CATERPILLAR

  MANY MONTHS ROLLED by, and numerous odd-looking, and always very smelly, gentlemen of the road knocked at the door to ask for food. Polly would find herself constantly disappointed that Hodgekiss had not bothered to call back. She had served up mountains of stale cheese and volumes of syrupy tea in his absence, and still there had been no sign of him. She hated to admit it, but although she had only met him briefly she really missed him, and soon she began to believe that there was a distinct possibility that he had died. The thought that he would have been alone, lying in some rubbish, only served to make her feel more anxious and sad than ever.

  Polly gave up all hope of ever seeing him again, but one day out of the blue the doorbell rang. Polly raced to the front door as usual, and upon opening it discovered Hodgekiss’s good friend Ralph sitting most comfortably at the bottom of the steps. Polly could hardly contain her excitement.

  “Ralph, it’s so good to see you,” she exclaimed rather breathlessly, for the run to the door was quite a marathon for her little legs.

  “Good to see you too, Polly,” responded Ralph with equal enthusiasm as he scratched his unshaven chin.

  Just like Hodgekiss, Ralph wore a long, severely stained trench coat, but his coat was green and far more frayed at the cuffs. His eyes matched his coat, although Polly was fairly certain that this was not a deliberate fashion statement on Ralph’s behalf; rather, he had picked it up when rummaging through a high mountain of clothes at a rummage sale. Just like his friend Hodgekiss, he too sported the most vulgar shoes, revealing bright orange- and lemon-colored striped socks through the large holes where all the leather stitching had come undone. His brown hair was wildly out of control, as
though a comb had never been run through it. Polly also observed that his nails were in desperate need of a manicure, for they were long and dirty. Unsightly was the word that immediately sprang to her mind.

  Ralph stood up and smiled rather sheepishly. “I’m in a bit of a hurry, Polly, but is there any chance of a nice cup of Rosie Lee and a sandwich?” he politely asked, giving her a little wink.

  “Coming right up!” Polly responded most enthusiastically as she then turned on her heels and raced back down the long corridor to the kitchen.

  She returned several minutes later with half a cup of piping hot, syrupy tea (the rest was slopped on the floor all down the highly-polished corridor, as usual) and a thick stale cheese sandwich. As she handed the large, chipped mug of tea to Ralph, she decided not to make small talk and came straight to the point with her long list of questions that needed an immediate answer. She drew a deep breath before launching headlong into her interrogation.

  “Ralph, have you seen Hodgekiss? I am really worried about him.” She did not wait for a reply before carrying on. “I mean, where on earth is he? What has he been doing these past few months? Has he been reported missing? What if he’s in need of help? What if he’s been run over by a double-decker bus? Worse still, what if a crane has accidentally been dropped on his head? What if…”

  Ralph smiled before rudely interrupting her. “Polly, please do me a favor and stop right there,” he ordered. “Hodgekiss is very definitely alive and most well.”

  Polly breathed a deep sigh of relief.

  “In fact, I am on my way to see him right now, and this is the reason I am in such a hurry. We have an appointment to meet at the cake shop. Apparently, four o’clock is the deadline if you wish to purchase a rather large bag of their stale cakes. Personally, I can’t wait to fill up on stale cakes, for it will certainly be a most splendid dessert after a moldy cheese sandwich!”

  Polly did not know whether to laugh or cry. She wanted to do both at the same time. She was relieved to hear that Hodgekiss was fine but upset that she had missed her pocket money, because she had forgotten it was Saturday. What troubled her most was that Hodgekiss had not only failed to pay her a visit but had the nerve to invite another person instead of her to join him at the baker’s shop. It had, after all, been her little secret that she had shared with him out of generosity of heart. The cheek of it! She had definitely lost all faith in him. She had spent these past weeks worrying about his health and safety, while he repaid her kindness by going behind her back to scoff cakes that she believed rightfully belonged to her.

  Ralph could clearly see her disappointment, but for some reason chose to ignore it. Polly felt pretty miffed and decided it was probably time to leave Ralph and go indoors.

  “Well, good-bye, Ralph. I really must go now, for I’m certain that I will be missed, and that will spell trouble,” she said, sounding quite disheartened. “But please remember to give Hodgekiss my best wishes, and I hope you both enjoy the cakes,” she muttered. What she really wanted to say was that she hoped they both choked on them!

  “Don’t leave just yet.” Ralph begged as he witnessed the look of disappointment on her face. “Hodgekiss hasn’t forgotten you, Polly. I promise you. In fact, he instructed me to ask how you are getting on with reading the book that he gave you as a gift on your eleventh birthday.”

  “Oh, that,” said Polly ruefully. “Well, I’m glad you asked, for if I’m allowed to be honest, I did not like it at all.”

  “Oh! And why is that?” Ralph asked with a deep frown on his face.

  Polly paused to collect her thoughts. “Well, the truth is, the ugly duckling turned into a beautiful, gracious swan, and it made me realize that I have absolutely no hope of anything so wonderful happening to me!” Polly felt like crying. “I feel so angry and sad at the same time, Ralph,” she admitted, sniffing as she spoke. “Hodgekiss was in very bad taste by giving me that book, which was my only birthday present. For it has only served to make me feel much worse. How could he do such a cruel thing to me?”

  Ralph broke out into a smile. “Hodgekiss told me you would say that.”

  “Well, he was right then, wasn’t he?” Polly declared angrily, at the same time feeling somewhat sorry for herself. “Stay right here while I go and fetch the book, and you can give it straight back to him,” she ordered.

  Ralph obliged, for he had no intention of going anywhere, at least not until he had finished his tea.

  “Oh, Polly,” he sighed. “You cannot see it now, but the truth is that you are fearfully and wonderfully made.” Ralph paused, waiting for Polly to respond. She preferred not to, choosing instead to hang her head in shame and remain silent. Ralph put his fingertips under her chin and tilted it upwards until their eyes met. “Polly, I don’t know whether this is the best time, but as I won’t be coming back for quite a while, I had better give it to you now.” He spoke quietly and almost apologetically.

  “Give me what, Ralph?” Polly asked, filled with curiosity.

  “Well, Hodgekiss asked me to give you something to look after for him.” Ralph reached into his hideously oversized shabby green coat.

  “Well, don’t keep me in suspense!” Polly demanded. “What precisely does he want me to look after for him?”

  Ralph hesitated slightly, for he was more than certain that this small request would be just as misunderstood as the last gift. He was not entirely convinced he could handle an outburst from such a young lady, who at times did little to endear herself to him.

  “Polly, it’s something Hodgekiss truly treasures, and there are few people he would entrust this most special thing to.”

  “Well, what does he want me to look after for safe keeping?” she asked, growing more curious by the minute.

  “It’s a special friend of his who needs to be babysat and constantly monitored,” said Ralph. “He knew you were the perfect one to be trusted with it, and that’s why I’m here today. So you won’t say no, will you?”

  Before Polly could give her answer, Ralph quickly grabbed her by the hand, forcing a small jam jar into her open palm.

  Polly’s eyes widened to the size of large saucers as she peeped into the jar and momentarily examined its contents. For, apart from some green leaves, there was something moving. A look of sheer horror crept over her face. It was a disgusting, black insect!

  “Yuck! It’s a maggot!” Polly shrieked in such high decibels that Ralph almost jumped out of his coat. “Here, take it back. Please take it back!” she pleaded, frantically turning her head away to one side so she would not have to look at the hideous little thing again. She then thrust the jar up to Ralph’s face. “I demand you take it back immediately!” she cried, suddenly feeling very faint.

  Ralph started to chuckle. “Oh Polly, what are you so afraid of? Why, it’s only a poor little caterpillar. It will do you no harm.”

  “I hate insects,” Polly angrily declared. “Is this his idea of a joke?”

  “No, not at all, Polly,” Ralph answered. “I am only following my good friend’s instructions. He wants you to take care of it for him. It is one of his favorite little creatures.”

  “Well, then he has rather poor taste in insects,” said Polly before somewhat officiously adding, “Tell him to look after it himself if he likes it that much!”

  Ralph sighed, and then with a hint of impatience said, “Look, Polly. Hodgekiss would do nothing to hurt or harm you. He just wants you to observe this little fellow and watch him grow.”

  After much debate, mainly on Polly’s side, she finally agreed to keep the caterpillar as long as her terms and conditions were adhered to.

  “First of all, I am only prepared to keep it for a matter of weeks, for I’m terribly squeamish when it comes to insects. Secondly, if Pitstop discovers its existence and devours it, then I will not be held responsible. And lastly, Hodgekiss must return and collect him from me as soon as possible,” she demanded rather petulantly, “or I will release this thing into a field,” she said
pointing directly at the innocent and defenseless insect that she found so offensive.

  “Just like you, Polly, that thing has a name,” said Ralph. “He’s called Oliver, and I am fairly certain he would rather be called by his name than by ‘that thing.’ Don’t you think so?”

  “OK, I will try hard to remember that in the future,” Polly airily replied.

  Ralph breathed a deep sigh of relief, for he was not at all used to dealing with such stubborn and difficult little girls. He would much prefer to be taken off this assignment!

  Polly went indoors with the jar, leaving Ralph to finish his tea. She returned later to pick up the mug and take it to the kitchen to be washed. As she picked it up, she noticed a stray white feather lying beside the abandoned mug. “How strange,” she thought to herself as she closed the heavy door behind her.

  Chapter 3

  THE COPPER KETTLE TEAROOM

  THE NEXT DAY was Sunday, and after the usual Sunday lunch—two thin slices of pork luncheon meat, a small boiled potato, and a spoonful of peas and carrots—Polly found herself still feeling very hungry. During lunchtime the children would all play games with the luncheon meat, waving it in front of each other’s faces since the slices were so thin that they could see through them. This was then followed by two canned peach slices, served with a dollop of custard. Polly could expect nothing more until a tea of bread and jam arrived on the table at six o’clock.