Q for Quite a Day

Chapter 17

Schooldays became more pleasant for the orphans as Miss Apple proved to be a kind and considerate teacher and Sad even mastered Folk Dancing in Kindergarten.

Step and Tear were in class one day when Miss Apple turned on the wireless for the broadcast of “Tales of Many Lands”.  Someone had moved the dial and they caught the start of a news broadcast on another station.

“A man who attacked a husband and wife was released from prison today on appeal after serving two years for attempted murder.  His sentence was overturned on a technicality as there were no witnesses to the attacks and he was able to establish an alibi after the trial.”

Miss Apple quickly changed the station and the familiar music drew the children’s attention to life in India as they listened and studied their worksheets.

On the way home Step casually remarked on the news item.  Sad suddenly froze, rooted to the spot.

“What was his name?”

“I don’t know,” said Step.  “It just said he attacked a husband and wife.  It must have been more than two years ago.  They let him go because nobody saw it happen and now someone can vouch that he was somewhere else at the time of the murder.”

Sad was silent the rest of the way home.  He went straight to his room and lay face down on the bed.  Step looked in on him and asked if he was all right but there was no answer.  He had a sneaking suspicion that it was something to do with the released prisoner but felt unable to help.

“Let’s get hold of a newspaper in the morning,” suggested Tear.  “We might be able to find out more information. I know that Fred the gardener brings the Daily Telegraph with him in the mornings and leaves it on the back step while he works.  He comes back for it when he has his smoko.”

Step and Tear were up very early the next morning.  They met at the back step where the newspaper lay folded neatly on the cement.  The front page screamed loud headlines.

“ Prisoner Let Loose. Missing Witness in Danger”

The article went on to say that the only witness to the attack was a small boy who disappeared shortly after the event.  Police had not been able to trace him but now the suspected attacker was released, the boy’s life was in danger if he was found.

Step and Tear looked at each other. “It must be Sad!” said Step.  “He must have run away from the crime scene and then turned up at the orphanage refusing to speak until the fire caused him to start speaking again.”

“He should be safe here,” said Tear thoughtfully.  “Surely the prisoner wouldn’t suspect he was in an orphanage.”

“I think it’s an obvious place for him to be.  I wouldn’t be surprised if he was checking them all out now.”  Step looked scared.

“We need to make sure this is the person Sad is afraid of,” said Tear, pointing at the black and white photo of a man on the front page of the newspaper.

“What will Fred think if the front page is missing off his newspaper? said Step.

“Maybe the wind blew it away,” suggested Tear mischievously as she tore the picture out of the page.  “Let’s get out of here.”

Five minutes later Sad was staring at the photo with an anguished look on his face but refusing to speak.

“Just nod if you know this man,” said Step.

Sad nodded slowly.

“We have two choices,” said Step.  “One is we hide you in the attic if we see any strange men hanging around or two, we go to the police and they protect you until you testify in court and have him locked up behind bars again.

Tear commented that unless Sad could talk again there wasn’t much point going to the police.

“What do you want us to do?” she asked, looking into his face earnestly.

“Police,” His voice croaked like a rusty gate but at least he was talking again. “I can’t hide any more.”

The three children marched to Matron’s office and Step knocked loudly on the door.

Matron’s deep voice called them to come in.

Step placed the photo on her desk and poured out the whole story.  Tear added anything she thought he had left out but Sad remained silent and withdrawn, huddled in his own misery.

Matron looked at Sad and said in a kind voice, “If you want to testify we will do everything we can to keep you safe.  Is that what you want to do?”

Sad nodded glumly so Matron picked up the big black telephone receiver and dialled the number of the city police.

There were no police cars with sirens or men in uniform. About an hour after Matron’s phone call a green Holden sedan pulled up in front of the house and a man and a woman dressed in ordinary clothes climbed the steps to the front door.  Nurse Smiley ushered them inside and only then did they produce their police identification.  For about an hour they talked to Sad in Matron’s office before reappearing in the hallway.  Step and Tear had been watching from the landing of the staircase but had to move when they saw Nurse Smiley bringing Sad upstairs.

“Sad is going to live with some Foster Parents,” said Nurse Smiley brightly. “We’ll have to pack a suitcase.”

“Best of luck, Sad.  I know everything will be all right,” said Tear.

Step gave him a hug. “Look after yourself, mate.  We’ll be thinking of you.”

Step and Tear watched as their small friend left the orphanage with the two plain clothes police officers.  Would they ever see Sad again?

END OF CHAPTER 17