Before Daisy could respond, Miss Bailey spoke again. ’You are all aware that Spain’s civil war has ended. Those with relatives involved in that dreadful conflict will be relieved to hear of this development.’ Miss Bailey folded her notes and braced her shoulders under her woollen grey twin set. ‘However, since then our Prime Minister has offered Poland and France our assistance.’ Miss Bailey cleared her throat. ‘Today we are informed that preparations for a war with Germany are in motion. The army, airforce and navy are being doubled in strength. I am quite certain that members of your families will volunteer. Some have already done so and are waiting for their orders. This will affect many of your families, which in turn, will affect you. Many of you will be evacuated to safer regions.’
Sally whispered, ‘Told you so!’
Daisy frowned. ‘But Pops wouldn’t send me away.’
Sally shrugged. ’Me dad says he’s sending me to the country. Wish we could go together.’
Daisy stared at her friend. What did this mean? Did Pops and Mother know about evacuation?
‘The board of school governors,’ Miss Bailey explained, ‘are putting into place certain safety measures. Sadly, our school will close as from today.’
‘Crikey,’ muttered Sally. ‘That’s quick!’
‘But where will we go to learn our lessons?’
‘That’s just it,’ said Sally. ‘There ain’t nowhere on the island.’
‘We have written to your parents to explain,’ broke in Miss Bailey above the sudden chattering. ‘I should like all those pupils who know either one or both of your parents are at home, to leave the assembly hall quietly, gather your things and say good bye to your friends. Those who have no one at home to care for them will go to the exercise room, where Mr Gulliver and Mrs Jones are waiting and will be with you until four o’clock. Please stay calm and join the queue in an orderly line.’
Daisy watched her friends as they began hurrying to the doors, jostling and pushing. Could school really be shutting down?
Sally grabbed her arm. ‘Don’t just sit there, we’ve got to go.’
‘But - ‘
‘There ain’t no buts, Daisy. This is it. Dunno when we’ll see each other again.’
Daisy looked at her friend. Sally had been right all along. Or, at least, Mr Watson had been right.
Sally threw her arms around Daisy’s neck. ‘I’ll miss you.’
‘Me too.’
‘Remember the school anthem. Britain never will be slaves, right?’
Daisy held back the tears as she watched her friend leave. It seemed the whole school was disappearing before her eyes. Even Miss Bailey had vanished.
Suddenly Bobby was at her side.
‘Sally’s being evacuated,’ she complained. ‘I don’t know when I’ll see her again.’
‘Get your coat,’ said Bobby unsympathetically. ‘We have to meet Sammy at the gates.’
‘Why?’
‘He’s in trouble.’
‘But shouldn’t we tell Miss Bailey?’
Bobby rolled his eyes. ‘You really don’t get it do you? No one cares about Sammy, only us. Now hurry up, or else I’ll go on my own.’
CHAPTER 17
‘UNCLE LEO’S Riley is parked outside our house,’ said Bobby as they arrived in Poplar Park Row. ‘And Aunty Betty’s bicycle is by the wall.’
‘I’m going,’ said Sammy, taking a backward step.
‘No,’ insisted Bobby, catching hold of his arm. ‘I told you, Pops will sort something out. He always does. But first we need to get you cleaned up.’
‘Perhaps it’s a party,’ said Daisy hopefully, averting her eyes from the sad picture of a bedraggled and wounded Sammy. She didn’t have a strong stomach for bruises and bloody noses.
Bobby rolled his eyes. ‘Trust you to think of a party!’
‘Well, why shouldn’t there be?’
‘You’ll soon find out,’ Bobby warned. ‘Now listen. We’ll go down the hall to the kitchen first so Sammy can wash.’
Daisy didn’t like Bobby’s idea at all. Why shouldn’t there be an occasion to celebrate? Perhaps Uncle Leo had sold one of his photographs for lots of money? Or even more wonderful, perhaps Pops and Uncle Ed had discovered their new valve? Whatever it was, she was eager to find out, yet Bobby only seemed concerned with Sammy.
‘Come on,’ said Bobby tugging Sammy’s arm. ‘You can sit in the kitchen. No one will see you.’
Still Sammy didn’t move. Daisy was even more convinced this wasn’t a good idea. He’d followed them home with hunched shoulders, every now and then stopping and gasping for breath. There was even blood in his thin black hair - which was very thin indeed.
Bobby smiled at his friend. ‘Daisy stay with Sammy. I’ll go in and make sure the living room door’s closed.’
’Mother will give you something to eat, I’m sure,’ she said cheerfully when Bobby had gone. ‘You must be hungry.’
Sammy continued to stare, as if the mention of food meant nothing at all. Which was surprising to Daisy as he was so thin.
‘Perhaps my aunt has brought pastries,’ Daisy tried again. ‘Do you like rock cakes?’
There was no reply as Sammy edged away from her.
Did he even know what rock cakes were, Daisy wondered? So she stood in silence until Bobby returned.
‘The coast’s clear,’ he announced breathlessly. ‘You go first, Daisy.’
‘Why me?’
‘Because I said so. Now hurry up.’
Reluctantly Daisy made her way into the house. She heard familiar voices coming from the living room and considered an immediate detour. But fearing Bobby’s wrath, she continued to the kitchen.
All was quiet here, though there was definitely evidence of a meeting. Miss Ayling’s teacups, saucers and side plates were piled haphazardly on the draining board. The teapot was missing its cosy, suggesting there was no tea left to keep warm. Had the party ended she wondered?
Bobby soon followed, pulling Sammy with him. ‘I need a cloth,’ he told her. ‘Do you know where the medicines are kept?’
Daisy recoiled. Was she expected to remove the congealed blood from Sammy’s nose?
‘Oh, don’t look like that,’ Bobby snapped. ‘I’ll find them myself.’
Her brother gently drew the dirty raincoat from his friend’s shoulders. Carefully, he lifted Sammy’s shirt.
Daisy had never fainted before.
