Mary and Me (3/3) By Leah Scarpati

(1/3), (2/3), (3/3),

An hour into the journey, the children were becoming restless and the teachers became pacifiers. Billy had started the journey pointing out to Mary the barrage balloons that they could see in the sky and Kitty Jones smiled ruefully as she realised that some of these children really were oblivious to the reasons why they were going away. Paper bags had been handed out to each child, containing three biscuits and a miniature bottle of milk. All that remained of Billy's snack were the crumbs down his front and the milk moustache on his top lip, which he seemed intent on leaving there.

'Are we nearly there yet?' He asked. 'Not long now,' answered Mrs Jones as her eyes skimmed fields and reddening autumn trees. By the time Billy's stomach began to growl with hunger again, the train was beginning to slow and the children eagerly began to look out of the windows at their new destination. Mary had fallen asleep and rested her head in Billy's lap.

'Okay now children,' Mrs Jones called as she walked up and down the carriage. 'Make sure you have all of your suitcases and other belongings. If you have taken your coat off, can you make sure you put it on before we get off the train.' 'Wake up sleepy head,' Billy shook his sister awake. Mary looked out of the window and saw the interior of the station, 'Are we home again? Where's Mam?' She asked sleepily. Billy was sure they weren't home but he didn't know where they were. Mrs Jones voice drowned out his reply.

'I want you all to stand in single file like we do at school, and get off the train in an orderly fashion. Do you all understand?' 'Yes, Mrs Jones!' The children chanted. The train pulled to a stop as the children followed their instructions, putting on their coats and gathering their belongings. Billy didn't know who they were, but a large group of people were waiting for them outside the train. They peered in the windows and chatted to each other. * * *

Photo courtesy Liverpool Record Office, Liverpool Libraries

'I'll take that taller lad at the back.' A woman casually ordered, surveying the sea of bemused faces in front of her. 'I'll take those twins there,' one man said. 'No, the blonde ones.' 'We'll take this young lad here,' a woman said, looking at Billy. 'William and his sister must be placed together,' he heard Mrs Jones say and she walked over to the middle aged woman and her husband and spoke to them out of Billy's ear shot. Billy felt lost.

All around him, people were staring, pointing and talking to their teachers or Policemen about them. Some children had already left the station with their new 'foster families', he had heard them called. 'Billy. Mary,' Mrs Jones walked over to them with the couple. 'This is Mr and Mrs Watson.' Mr and Mrs Watson did not say hello.

Mary's hand clenched Billy's. 'You two will be staying with them for a little while.' Billy clenched her hand back. 'I'll pop round in a couple of days to see how you are settling in. Okay?' Mrs Jones placed her hand on Billy's shoulder. 'Off you go then.' Billy knew he had to be a big, strong lad and look after Mary as his Mother had told him, so he didn't show that he was scared. Instead he held his head high, held Mary's hand tight and followed the couple out of the station, wondering where they would be taking them.

Copyright © Leah Scarpati 2009

thisisUll.com Featured Writer Leah Scarpati
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