Jimmy Bates sat astride the wall outside of the cottage hospital, one leg swinging either side. "How long is dad going to be in the hospital do you think Jack?"
"Dunno," replied Jack, who was sat on the grass, knees bent up under his chin as he plucked at the green blades wearily.
The twins had been coming every day trying to see their father following his accident down the pit, but so far all attempts had been foiled by the new matron.
"She's a witch that one; she doesn't miss a thing," he gumbled.
"Shh! She's coming out" whispered Jimmy and he jumped off the wall. They both ran around the corner where they could observe Matron without being seen. "Looks like she's going to the village."
"Aye. We might be able to get to see dad if she's out of the way." They watched as she started down the drive to the gates.
Jack crossed his fingers and closed his eyes, "Please go to the village; please go to the village," he kept repeating, willing her to go and give them time to try to get into the hospital and onto the ward to their father.
"There she goes Jack", said Jimmy excitedly, "off to the village. Come on, stay close behind me."
Getting through the gate and up the drive was the easy bit, now they stood before the heavy front door. "Just a minute Jimmy; what are we going to do when we get inside? We need a plan."
"No time for that, we'll have to make it up as we go along, now shut up and follow me."
As usual Jack followed his brother who invariably led him into trouble. Jimmy turned the large brass doorknob and gently pushed open the door, just enough to peep in and see Doctor Elliott disappearing around a corner. He decided to go in the same direction. "Come on", he beckoned Jack, "and be quick." Jack was feeling very nervous after having already been on the receiving end of Matron's tongue, but he obediently followed after Jimmy.
They turned the corner where the doctor had gone only to be confronted by two large doors, each had a small glass window which was too high up for them to see through.
"Here Jack, climb onto my back and look through." Jack climbed up. "Can you see anything?"
"No. You'll have to stand on tip toes."
Jimmy raised himself up onto his toes and Jack reached for the window opening but in doing so his weight shifted; Jimmy overbalanced and fell through the door landing at Doctor Elliott's feet.
"Good grief!" exclaimed the Doctor, "where did you two come from? It's a good job Matron didn't see you."
"Sorry, doctor, Mr Elliott sir," babbled Jack, "but we were only trying to see dad."
"Can we see him? Can we?" they both pleaded.
Doctor Elliott looked down at the two young ruffians before him. "Nurse," he called, "take these young gentlemen to see Mr Bates will you?"
"But Doctor, what about Matron?"
"What Matron doesn't know, she can't shout about now can she?"
"No, Doctor," she smiled. "Come along then you two."
Jimmy gave Jack a dig in the ribs and winked at him as they followed the nurse towards a bed surrounded by screens. "A couple of visitors for you Mr Bates," she announced and ushered them between the screens towards the bed.
The twins stopped when they saw their father; he looked so pale and his eyes were like dark pools edged with black from years of exposure to the coal dust. This surely couldn't be their big strong dad, could it?
"Well come on in, don't just stand there." It was such a relief to them when he spoke because at least it sounded like him.
"You've got five minutes," whispered the nurse, "don't tire him out."
"Thanks nurse," said Jack senior as the twins came to give him a big hug and he groaned.
"Does it hurt dad?" "How long will you be in here?" But Jack didn't have time to answer because just then voices could be heard coming towards them. Matron was telling Lord Smallwood not to tire Jack out. "Quick, under the bed both of you."
"Thank you Matron, you can leave me now," I would like a private word with Mr Bates."
"Yes, Your Lordship, but I must insist you don't tire him." "I won't," he replied.
Jimmy nudged Jack. "Told you she was a witch, I bet she flew back on her broomstick, how else could she get back so quick. And another thing, nobody's ever spoke to His Lordship like that before and got away with it." "Shh," Jack put his finger over his lips indicating to Jimmy to keep quiet.
Tobias Smallwood turned his attention to the pale figure lying in the bed. "Now Jack, how are you feeling today?"
"Much better Your Lordship."
"Good, because I've been speaking to Matron who tells me you'll be out of here in a couple of weeks or so. I've also spoken to Doctor Elliott who has said your injuries are such that you won't be able to go down the mine again."
Jack was dismayed to hear this; how would he provide for Jenny and the twins if he couldn't work down the mine, it was all he knew.
"However," said Tobias, "I have a proposition for you. I understand you came originally from working the mines in Newcastle. Now I don't know the conditions up there, but I have tried very hard since taking over the estate, to improve the working conditions for my miners, and that's where you come in. I need someone to whom the men will talk about anything which they consider to be important and I think you could be just the person. I'm not asking you to spy on the men but I am asking you to be their spokesman. Think about what I've said and I'll speak to you again once you're out of here. I'd better go now before Matron shows up again." Much to Jack's surprise Tobias took his hand and shook it. "I'll see you soon then," and he turned to leave.
"Oh! You can come out from under there now you two," he said casually as he continued towards the door.
"Must have eyes in his feet," said Jack as they came from under the bed.
"You'd better go now before you get into trouble, and look after your mam for me; don't give her any grief, you hear?"
"What? Us?" they came back innocently.
"Yes You."
As the boys left, their father thought about Lord Smallwood's proposition. He hadn't been expecting anything like this; he had been worrying abouth the future and how they would cope following the accident. Maybe Jenny was right, she always said Smallwood Village was special.