Chapter 3 – Memories of the past

"Here we are", Sister Agnes gestured to an unassuming white building that stood sandwiched between taller buildings that stole it's light and bathed the area around it in darknes.

Matt Wheeler looked unimpressed noting the white exterior seemed to be stained with a type of mould. This building is very old", Sister Agnes told them, 'but it has character". So far that character screamed rundown to Matt but he bit his tongue as Honey remarked, "it's so quaint".

The sister seemed to have a secret smile on her face as she led them to the door, "come on in", she invited.

Bill knew what the smile was about, "this has always been my favourite part", he stated as he slowly moved forward .

He almost banged into the others as they'd stopped inside. "Daddy it's so beautiful", Honey Wheeler exclaimed. Bill slipped silently into one of the rows of pews that stretched along the chapel and sat as memories assailed him.

"What we came into was the rear of the chapel, I know it's odd to come in the back of the building but this place was designed like that for a reason", Sister Agens remarked. "It gives everyone pleasure to find this chapel hidden in what they think is just a plain building".

Simon and Dan had slid alongside Bill with Simon placing one hand on his brother in laws arm, "what is it", he asked gently. "I remember coming here with Patty and the other children to hear prayer every Sunday morning", he remarked. He lowered his tone somewhat, "though I must admit I just mouthed the words and spent my time looking at her", he pointed upward toward the huge stained glass window that adorned the far end of the chapel. "I remember her too", Simon told him softly, "the sun always threw beautiful rainbows onto the floor and Patty and I would stand in them", his voice was wistful and sad prompting Bill to squeeze his hand firmly.

Dragging his thought back to the present Simon looked up at the angel and felt almost a stab of pain

Several gaping holes marred her surface with one right over where her beautiful face would have been. Seeing the look in his eyes, Sister Agnes told them, "we'd like to get her repaired by the cost was astronomical ". "She is still beautiful", Di Lynch told them. "This is all lovely, she gestured around them.

Matt Wheeler had to admit that this chapel did have a certain charm with its polished wooden floors high gabled ceilings and long dangling chandelier lights . But his expert eye could see that beneath the surface the place looked tired and in need of refurbishment.

"Come this way and I'll show you all where to stay", the Sister remarked as she led them toward a door on the wall under the huge window.

They walked out and turned to admire the front of the chapel where a large cross stood atop the highest point of the roof. "It is like the secret garden", Trixie remarked as she looked around at the courtyard around them. Flowers beds circled the large rectangular place and it would have been stunning in the summer when the trees and flowers bloomed. Now icicles hung from the trees looking like white crystal ornaments. It was almost eerily lovely and even Matt had to admit he was moved. Moving forward they approached some free standing buildings, "the boys dormitories", Bill whispered softly as he pointed to the left, "and the girls dormitories" Simon gestured right. Dan smiled , "dad how'd you know where the girls sleep", he teased. Bill looked over with a raised eyebrow ," the girls dorms were out of bounds to boys", he remarked. Simon actually began to blush. "Did you sneak in", Bill prodded. "Yes I did once", Simon admitted. "Dad", Dan gasped. "I don't think I even want to know what you did once you got in there", Bill confessed as a blush crept up onto his own face.

Seeing Matt Wheeler looking at him rather sternly Simon leant forward so Bill and Dan were the only ones who could hear him, "I spent time scrubbing all the floor boards because Sister Agnes caught me", he confessed. "All that working gave me blisters and I never tried to sneak in again". Bill to his surprise found himself laughing heartily, "I remember having to scrub a few floorboards myself when I did some bad things", he remarked. So far he reflected the memories were more bittersweet than actually painful.

"Girls that dormitory over there is vacant at the moment", Sister Agnes pointed a second building just poking out from behind the first. "Boys that one is yours", she indicated the front dormitory. "Mr Wheeler, Simon, Billy, you can stay in the main building", she told them. Bill looked toward one of the boys dormitories , "can I stay there", he asked. Sister Agnes smiled, "that one needs some work, but it is vacant", she remarked. "Then that's where I want to be", Bill decided. Make that two of us", Simon stated reflecting that he'd rather stay with Bill than Mr Wheeler.

"Dinner is at 630, just follow the sound of the gong", Sister Agnes told them. "Where are all the children", Jim asked softly looking around them. "At this time of year a lot of them are spending time with friends families, a few regulars are about and probably in the games room. "I'm sure you'll meet them all later", she confirmed.

Honey, Di and Trixie hurried toward the dormitory and flung open the door. Honey's eyes welled up almost immediately as she looked around the cramped space within. Beds filled almost every available space leaving only a small bit of floor. There was also very little room for personal items with each bed only having two drawers underneath. 'It is so sad that some children spend their lives here", Honey whispered as she felt guilty about her own life of wealth and comfort.

"It is sad and that is why we have to ensure the children still have a home", Trixie told her friends.

"Daddy won't let the place be pulled down", Honey said firmly. "But the order has already been signed , what if he can't stop the demolition happening", Di asked.

Honey and Trixie were quiet as they thought over that comment. "Perhaps the answer is finding this mysterious benefactor", Trixie concluded. "How are we going to do that", Honey asked her friend.

"We are going to find a way", Trixie told her in a firm voice. Bill was having a similar conversation with Simon while Dan was encouraging Brian, Mart and Jim. Soon Sister Agnes had a group of willing helpers .