Page 67 of When You Rescued Me

Samuel followed after him, his hand clasping the boy’s thin arm in a firm grip.

“I shall return Hannah to you momentarily, sir,” Samuel said. And then he led Alfie and Hannah away from the carriage and toward a small gate set in a gap between the tall hedgerows.

Chapter 25

The moment Samuel opened the gate leading to the Marine Society, memories assailed him. How many times had he walked the short path that led from this gate to the front door? How many times during the few months that he’d lived here had he wished to escape? And then, years later, how many times had he thanked God that he’d stayed and found his way?

Beside him, Alfie sniffled. The boy was trembling. Samuel could feel it through the thin jacket sleeve beneath his hand. Dropping into a crouch, he turned Alfie so the boy was facing him. Samuel could not see his features clearly in the darkness, but the moon and stars illuminated the glisten of tears on the boy’s pale face.

“I understand that you are scared, Alfie,” he said.

“I’m not s-scared,” Alfie replied.

“Well, I was when I was brought to the Marine Society,” Samuel said.

Alfie peered at him. “Why did ya come ’ere, then?”

“Unlike you, I had no choice.” Samuel let that sink in for a moment before continuing. “Years ago, I was much like you: a young pickpocket in a gang full of fair-weather friends. I was caught stealing a watch, but rather than carting me off to the Old Bailey, the Blind Beak sent me here.” He set his free hand on Alfie’s shoulder. “I’d be lying if I told you it was easy. It wasn’t. But I can promise you that if you work hard and do your best to keep the rules, you’ll be offered the chance to really make something of your life.”

“To be a toff? Like you?”

Lowering his hand, Samuel grimaced. “I’m no toff, Alfie. Never will be. But because of the start I received at this place, I joined the navy and traveled the world. Along the way, I met a great many admirable people. That’s not to say I didn’t ever endure hardships or encounter bullies and scoundrels. I did. By the boatload. But I made every effort to overcome the challenges and avoid disreputable men, and doing so has served me well.”

Alfie looked over his shoulder at the building behind him. “I dunno if I can do that.”

“You shall never know unless you try.” Hannah bent down so that she, too, was at Alfie’s level. “Will you try, Alfie? For me?”

The boy was silent for a moment. “I don’ like boats, miss,” he said quietly. “Or water, come t’ that. But ya saved me life, an’ I reckon that means I owe ya somethin’.”

“A wise man once told me to view change as a new chance,” Samuel said. “If you remember that, especially when you are asked to do something that you’ve never done before, it will make all the difference.”

“Like if I’m on a boat in th’ middle o’ th’ sea?” Alfie asked.

“A ship,” Samuel corrected him. “And yes, just like that.”

Alfie wiped his nose with his sleeve again. “I’ll try,” he said. “Fer the lady’s sake.”

“You are very brave, Alfie,” Hannah said.

“Not me. Charlie says I’m a milksop.”

Samuel could think of several colorful and pertinent adjectives to describe Charlie, but he settled on one that was fit for Hannah’s ears. “Charlie is a coward. And cowards spend their whole lives telling others what to do because they’re not brave enough to do it themselves.”

“That’s right,” Hannah said. “You are no milksop, Alfie. In fact, I believe you are braver than me.”

“But not braver than ’im,” Alfie said, pointing to Samuel. “Cause ’e already came ’ere.”

Hannah nodded. “I’m beginning to think that no one is quite so brave as Mr. Ross. But perhaps, after you have proven yourself as he did, you might come close.”

As much as he wished it otherwise, Samuel assumed that Hannah’s praise was motivated solely by her desire to encourage Alfie. Samuel could easily have refuted her claims. Not only was he undeserving of her accolades, but she had also completely diminished her own bravery. Her selfless courage during Alfie’s rescue would be seared into his memory forever. This was not the time for that discussion, however. “Are you ready to be brave, Alfie?” he asked.

After only a slight hesitation, the boy nodded.

“Good lad!” Samuel rose, and with Hannah on Alfie’s other side, they approached the door.

Moonlight reflected off the brass door knocker, and Samuel rapped it firmly three times. Although the sky was dark, it could not be much past seven o’clock, and he doubted that everyone inside had retired for the night.

He was proved right in relatively short order. The sound of a bolt being drawn back reached them through the door. Moments later, the door swung open to reveal a stooped gentleman carrying a lantern. The porter had aged considerably since Samuel’s time at the Marine Society, but there was no mistaking the crusty gentleman.