Free A Place Called Home by Dilly Court

wearing when she arrived. Soundly shod and filled with renewed energy she felt ready for anything.
    She had to struggle in order to reach the top bolt on the back door, but eventually she managed to wrench it open and she stepped outside into almost complete darkness. The sound of barking led her to the brick-built kennels, and Peckham’s white coat shone like a beacon as he jumped up and down, recognising her instantly. Sir William’s dogs, a yellow Labrador and a bouncy cocker spaniel, kept a wary eye on the mongrel. What he lacked in size he made up for in spirit and it was clear that he had established his position in the pecking order. Lucy opened the gate and he leapt out, barking ecstatically and running round in circles of sheer delight. She scooped him up in her arms. ‘Hush, now, you silly boy. Keep quiet until we’re well away from here. We’re going home.’
    She had hoped to escape through the yard, but the gate was padlocked and the walls were too high to climb. The only way out was to go through the house and she retraced her steps, holding Peckham close. ‘Please don’t make a sound,’ she whispered as she tiptoed through the maze of passageways, heading for the back stairs which would take her to the entrance hall. She had to dodge out of sight several times as servants hurried to and fro, but after several close encounters she emerged through the green baize door, and at the far end of the corridor she could see the hall lights blazing. The house above stairs was like a different country, far away from the stuffy heat of the kitchens and the seemingly endless toil of those who served their master. It was eerily quiet as she crept towards the pool of light where the passage opened out into the marble-tiled vestibule. She could see the front door and she broke into a run, but Peckham was suddenly alert and he wriggled free, leaping from her arms, barking frantically. She was about to remonstrate when someone caught her by the scruff of her neck. ‘And just where do you think you’re going, miss?’
    She uttered a cry of fright and Peckham flew at Bedwin, sinking his teeth into the pinstripe material of the butler’s trouser leg. Bedwin did not loosen his hold on Lucy as he hopped around on one leg, trying to shake the dog off, and a liveried footman appeared as if from nowhere. He tried to catch Peckham but the dog was too quick for him and avoided all attempts at capture.
    â€˜What in heaven’s name is going on?’ Sir William’s angry voice echoed round the entrance hall. He marched down the wide staircase, glaring angrily at Bedwin. ‘What’s the meaning of this?’
    Bedwin released Lucy. ‘I caught her trying to leave the house, sir.’ He turned to the footman, who was still running round in circles trying to grab Peckham. ‘Stop that, James.’
    Sir William descended slowly, coming to a halt by Lucy, who had dropped to her knees and was holding Peckham in a protective embrace. ‘You shouldn’t have locked him up with them big dogs,’ she said angrily. ‘He’s only little and he was scared.’
    James muttered something beneath his breath and received a reproving glance from his superior. ‘Go about your duties, James,’ Bedwin said icily. He turned to his master with an apologetic smile. ‘I’m very sorry for the disturbance, Sir William. It won’t happen again.’
    â€˜No, it won’t,’ Lucy said, finding her voice. ‘You can’t keep me locked up, mister. I ain’t your long lost granddaughter, and even if I am, I don’t want to live here. I want Granny.’ She stifled a sob, burying her face in Peckham’s furry coat. He smelled different now that he had been bathed, but his warm body was comforting and he belonged to her.
    â€˜Get up, child,’ Sir William said impatiently. ‘You’re going nowhere. You were present when I made