Shay.

"Miss Shay. Lucy's hungry."

Shay looked up from laying out plates to see the grubby faces of Betty Stewart and her little sister Lucy. "We're all hungry, Betty. Take Lucy and wash. Young ladies do not turn up for dinner with dirt all over their faces and hands." She put the last bowl down, and then crouched in front of the girls. "What have you been doing?"

"We was helping old Al clean up the back stables. He says he'll put up a rope so we's can 'ave a swing."

"We were, Betty. Not, we was, and it's Albert." Shay sighed, stood up and brushed loose hair away from her face with the back of her hand. "What is that man thinking letting you call him Al?"

"It's cause Lucy can't say it yet. It comes out all crooked when she says it, so Albert says Al is easier."

"I see." Shay sighed again. "I guess it's up to him what he gets called." She put a hand on each of the girl's backs and ushered them to the door. "Go and clean up, because as I said, no food will be served to ladies with grubby faces and hands." She made her way toward the kitchen to see if they needed more help.

"Ah... Shay." Sister Teresa caught her just as she headed down the hall. "I was just looking at our clothing supplies and had a thought." She put her hand on Shay's back and walked with her toward the kitchen. "Mary is a very good sewer. She's been teaching the girls to mend so nicely." The nun smiled. "I was in with them earlier, which is why I looked at the clothes we had in storage, and suddenly I had an epiphany."

"An epiphany?" Shay laughed as she added, "Another one, Sister." Every time Sister Teresa had an, epiphany, it cost someone money, usually Shay's father. He had become the orphanages most generous benefactor, and had encouraged other men of wealth to donate. Something Shay had not expected, but was very proud of.

"Yes." Sister Teresa blushed. "Another one."

"Well out with it, Sister and I'll see what I can do." Shay giggled and squeezed the older woman's hand.

"What if we made our own clothes?" The nun's face lit up. "If we could get rolls of fabric and have Mary teach the girls to sew properly. We could have new clothes for them, and teach them another skill, all for the price of some material."

"Oh... Sister Teresa, you come up with the best ideas." Shay glowed with enthusiasm. "I think that is a wonderful plan. I'll write to father tonight and see if he can find us some fabric." She patted the nun's hand before saying, "For now, I have to see how far away dinner is, and then round up the girls. Betty and Lucy were filthy. I can bet the rest of them are too. Albert has had them cleaning out the old stables." Shay spun on her heels and faced Sister Teresa full on. "Was that also one of your epiphanies?"

"Yes." Sister Teresa nodded and gave her a grin.

"And?" Shay held out her palms.

"We need more room. As it is, we have two girls per bed. If we could line the walls of the stables, we could bring in more children. I was thinking boys. There are so many living on the streets. It breaks my heart every time I go out."

"Mine too." Shay hung her head and sighed. "We need more money. I don't understand why more of the wealthy don't seem to care. You'd think they'd want a society where hunger, pain and crime didn't exist." She lifted her head and smiled. "Alas, we can only do what we can. I shall add this to my letter to father. Perhaps he could talk to some more of his business partners, or friends, and we'll be able to get the help that way. Now I have to see to the children."

Shay gave the nun a hug and headed down the hall. Her life had turned from mundane boredom, with occasional outings in Paris, to full steam ahead. She barely had a minute to herself.

Hannah's wedding was only nine weeks away and though she knew things would be in good hands while she was gone, she wanted to set the girls some school work, which they could continue with. Helen was very bright, and Shay had every faith that the girl could carry on, if instructions were left for her.

She also needed to go back to the dressmaker for a last fitting of her dress. Shay thought back to the first time she, Hannah and Mama had gone. They had come in from the country, and had a wonderful two days together. Shay had spent all her time with them, and had come back to chaos. There was no way she was going to let that happen again, so she had to be organised. Two weeks away was a long time.

Sister Teresa watched Shay bustle down the corridor. The girl was a gift from God, if ever there was one. Blue Maid's Orphanage had never looked better. In the months Shay had been with them, they had added five more beds which equated to ten more girls being able to live with a roof over their heads. The fact that Shay came with Mary and Albert was another added bonus. Though the girls called Albert, Old Al, he wasn't old at all. Thirty at most, Sister Teresa thought, and he was very good with his hands. He had repaired stools and tables, cupboard doors and beds. Now he was working on repairing the old stables.

It had solid walls and a big old anvil, which could be used in winter to warm up the place. Sister Teresa sat at her desk and looked down at the measurements Albert had taken. If the walls were lined so heat could be kept in, Blue Maid's Orphanage could double the number of children who had nowhere else to go. All she needed to do now, was work out how she would feed them.

Note: In the next chapter the word Bedawee is use. A Bedawee is the colonial term for Bedouin and will be used throughout this book.

Many thanks to @unknown1052000 who is a wealth of knowledge and has helped me many, many times in getting my historical facts right. Her expertise is invaluable and saying thank you just doesn't seem enough. xoxo

Photo taken from Victorian Age for Kids.