Chapter 7- Finding Hope, finding despair

"We'll have to organize several search parties", Brian announced, 'there are a lot of places to cover. "

"It's going to be harder since Hope can't speak and therefore can't call out to us", Honey remarked soberly.

Sister Agnes wasn't looking or listening to either of them she had her eyes firmly fixed on one person in the room. His heart beat faster as he saw the look in her eyes and knew what it meant, she was going to ask him one little question.

"We might only get once chance to find her in this weather", Sister Agnes told them, "so I need to use every advantage I've got. You need to find her dear one", she pointed at him.

The others all stared wondering why Sister Agnes was asking Simon Saunders to find Hope. Simon looked down at his shoes, there it was the question and he had to give an honest answer, even if it was one of the hardest things he'd ever had to say, "it won't work on someone I barely know", he told Sister Agnes.

Sister Agnes began to cry as she thought of Hope alone in the snow. Feeling for her obvious distress Simon decided he could only do one thing, 'I suppose I can try", he stated.

"Try what", Bill frowned, "Simon what is she going on about". There were of course any number of answers to that question but Bill still never expected Simon to say, "I can find people Bill".

"When I knew Dan was in Sleepyside but not specifically where I just concentrated upon his presence which led me to Maypenny's cottage." It's a gift I suppose and I'm going to try and use it to find Hope", Simon told them

They all looked rather stunned and disbelieving at him, just what he'd expected them to do. But then the voice of Sister Agnes cut through the others doubt, "he can do what he says", she confirmed. The looks now changed to ones of wonder. "I'm going to need something of hers", Simon told Sister Agnes.

Hurrying to the dormitory Sister Agnes pointed to a well worn teddy bear sitting on a bed, "she usually takes that everywhere. To leave it behind says how upset Hope was."

Simon took up the teddy bear and held it firmly in his arms then he closes his eyes and concentrated on an image of Hope. He felt nothing, please, please, let this work, he sent the thought out. Then warmth washed over him and he opened his eyes, "this way', he told them.

Walking side by side they moved out of the home and into the streets of the city hurrying as quickly as the frozen slippery ground would allow. "It's not far" Simon announced. All they could see though was whiteness as snowflakes continued to blanket the ground around them. Cars parked along the side of the road began to resemble large white boulders as they were coated with snow. There was not a sign of any person and Simon found himself beginning to worry. Then suddenly the sensation in his mind changed to one of extreme warmth, "she's here", he lifted his head to look around him at the cold street. Nothing around them suggested a hiding place for a small child prompting Brian to ask, "are you sure". A wave of doubt assailed him, what if he was wrong. Sister Agnes's was clutching her hands together continuously, a sign of her nervousness but when she looked at him her eyes were full of trust.

So he stretched out his thoughts yes he could feel the warmth of Hopes presence coming to him, "yes, she's here, somewhere", he confirmed.

"All I can see is snow and snow piles like that one", Di pointed to a small pile of snow lying on the ground. As they all stared at the pile a strong feeling came over Simon, "that's her", he announced rushing forward to shake the snow off the pile. Within seconds a cold looking Hope was revealed and Simon cradled her close letting his body heat warm her cold form. As he cuddled her Simon could feel her heart beating and relief washed over him, "she's alive", he stated

"Lets get her back quickly to the home, there is a doctor who lives nearby", Sister Agnes reported. They walked quickly back and lay Hope on a bed in the room that was the homes medical bay. Sister Joan rushed off to fetch the doctor while the others helped to warm Hope.

The doctor rushed into the room minutes later pulling out his stethoscope to listen to Hopes heart. After impatiently watching for a while, "Simon demanded, "Well how is she".

For an answer Hopes eyes flickered open, "she'll be alright", the doctor confirmed, but you were lucky you found her so quickly".""Luck had nothing to do with it", Dan responded. He was deeply proud of his father and showed it by giving him a firm hug. Hope turned her head scanning all of their faces but when she held out her hand there was no mistaking who she wanted. Simon took hold of her hand and gently stroked it in a comforting manner.

"That was so incredible", Trixie remarked as she brushed the tears that were forming from her eyes. "Yeah", Bill whispered, "what an astonishing gift", he regarded his brother in law with amazement. 'It doesn't always work out like that Bill", Simon whispered as he continued to hold Hope's hand. "So you've tried to find someone without success", Mart asked. Memories of the failure brought tears to Simon's eyes, "yes', he said softly. He locked eyes with Bill, "I tried to find you for Patty and failed". Bills mouth dropped open. "I thought I felt your presence and travelled with Patty to White Plains but we found no physical signs and questioning everyone we could find gave us no information. In the end I decided I must have been wrong". I am sorry Bill".

Bill Regan found himself sinking onto a nearby bed, Brian immediately came over to him noticing he was pale, "are you alright", he queried. "I was there", he whispered." Nobody saw me because as usual I was avoiding people and kept moving about. It was not your fault", he reassured Simon. "I could have found you", Simon wasn't quite ready to give up blaming himself. "In the end you did", Bill told him firmly.

Sister Agnes enfolded Simon in her arms, "bless you", she said simply.

Hope still clung to his hand and when he went to move away she pulled him back. "I don't think she is ever planning to let you go", Sister Agnes told him.

Simon bent over to kiss Hope's forehead, "I'm glad you are safe", he told the child.

"I love happy endings", Honey remarked through tears. But when she noticed who was standing at the door the thought of a happy ending vanished. Her father stood there with a look of utter defeat upon his face. "I'm sorry", he told them, "I failed".

Sister Agnes let out a little cry that prompted Bill to take her into his arms. "Harold Dalton will send the bulldozers in to have this place pulled down", Matt choked out.

He sank onto one of the beds, "I've always thought of myself as important, with the influence to get thinks done. This was one time when I found out that there is always someone more powerful than you.' I can honestly tell you that I wish I never got involved with Harold Dalton, he is an absolute bas….", he stopped remembering he was in the presence of nuns, "horrid man", Matt finished.

"But daddy, I can't believe there is nothing you can do", Honey regarded her father with her large brown eyes.

For an answer Matt turned to sister Agnes, "you claimed that Mr Dalton was not correct when he told me that some of the children here became criminals. He showed me papers to support that fact", Matt countered. "This information had certainly influenced his choices".

Sister Agnes pulled out of Bill's arms, " As I told you before ,it is not true, she said slowly. I know where every adopted child went and none of them are on the streets".

Matt looked thoughtful, "Harold does have money invested in a new venture planned for this site but if his is actually manufacturing false information to obtain support then it's fraud, he determined. "Perhaps I can stop him by exposing him".

Unless he also believes that information is true", Bill hedged. Matt swallowed, "I get the distinct feeling someone very powerful is trying to stop us helping the home ."

"All because of money, Dan stated sadly. "That and power", Matt remarked. "If they are prepared to fake documents then it shows how far they will go", he declared.

There was an almost ominous feeling lying in the air as he said that.