‘Ours are in the stair cupboard,’ said Mother. ‘What a nuisance!’
‘Can anyone hear planes?’
‘Not a thing.’
‘Or the emergency services?’
‘Quite the opposite. Just a rather odd silence.’
‘I hope my family are safe,’ said Amelia in a timid voice. Daisy saw she was clinging to Matt. Her big brown eyes looked even bigger in the candle glow with their thick, dewy lashes. Deep red glints trailed in her long brown hair against the creamy smoothness of her skin. Daisy thought yet again that she hadn’t seen many girls any prettier; Amelia’s tiny nose hadn’t a freckle to spoil it. Her high cheekbones set in her heart-shaped face was like an image cut out from one of Mother’s magazines.
‘Like us, they’ll be in their shelter,’ Matt assured her.
‘Mother dreaded this day,’ Amelia whispered. ‘And now it’s come.’
‘There’s no sound of bombers,’ Pops said hopefully. ‘They may have gone in another direction.’
Daisy looked at Bobby who sat beside her on the lumpy tarpaulin. He was staring at the shiny surface of the corrugated roof. Already the condensation had formed droplets from so many people breathing in a confined space. The wood to make the bunk beds provided temporary seating together with a cupboard that was to be used for food and drink. The air was stuffy and Bobby drew his hands across his eyes, blinking at his surroundings.
‘I should have been more prepared,’ said Mother anxiously. ‘We’ll need cloths to wash these wet walls and disinfectant to prevent mould.’ She turned to Aunt Minnie. ‘When the men were digging the hole I thought, this can’t be happening. Not in our lovely garden under the fruit trees. But today it seems very real.’
‘We’ll soon get ourselves sorted out,’ consoled Pops. ‘Matt and I will soon have the place ship-shape.’
‘We haven’t even got a shelter,’ said Will, wriggling to free himself from his father’s firm grasp. ‘Only the tube.’
‘At least we’re close to the underground,’ replied Aunt Minnie. ‘But I won’t care for the awful dash there’s bound to be.’
‘We’ll share our Anderson with the couple next door, won’t we darling?’ said Uncle Ed, squeezing Aunt Betty’s shoulder.
‘Yes,’ agreed Aunt Betty, stiffly. ‘I suppose so.’
’It’s a small size, but enough for the four of us. Nice to get to know our neighbours better.’
Daisy studied Uncle Ed in the glow of the candlelight. He wore a troubled frown but was prevented from replying by the sudden wail of the all-clear siren.
It was as though no one knew quite what to do.
’What do you make of that?’ said Pops bewilderedly.
‘Most peculiar,’ agreed Uncle Leo. ‘Must have been a practice run.’
‘Let’s take a look.’ Pops took down the blanket from the door and heaved it open.
‘Daylight!’ gasped Aunt Betty, quickly unravelling herself from Uncle Ed.
‘That settles it,’ Mother decided, looking shaken as she climbed out. ‘You two are going to Grandma’s tomorrow.’
‘We don’t want to go,’ wailed Daisy. ‘It’s not fair!’
‘Daisy, don’t cause a fuss now.’
‘But the planes could easily fly over Wattcombe instead of London!’
‘No dramas Daisy,’ scolded Pops and planted a firm hand on her shoulder. ‘Your mother and I have decided.’
CHAPTER 22
THE FOLLOWING morning Daisy stood with Bobby in the hall, dressed in their winter clothes.
Mother drew the tip of her pencil over the list she had made. ’Have I forgotten to pack anything?‘
‘I don’t need half as much,’ protested Daisy. Her arms ached from carrying her case downstairs. ‘We’re only staying for a short while.’
‘Better to have more than less,’ replied Mother. ‘The bus arrives in half an hour, so let’s hurry.’
‘Will the driver know the way?’ Daisy asked as they set off.
‘I’m sure he has a map.’
‘I wish Pops could see us off too.’
Mother only shrugged. ‘He has another of his important meetings. In any event, we shall be up to see you next weekend.’
Daisy knew she would miss the new friends she had made whilst playing in the streets close to home. Like Iris Brown and her brother Sidney, whose parents owned a confectionary shop in Poplar and were very generous when sharing their sweets. Her other two friends, the twins Gary and Grace Mellish, were twelve. Like Sally’s dad, their father was a dock labourer. They lived in a house near the allotments and knew all the good hiding places.
Grace and Gary and Iris and Sidney were going to a new school in Poplar away from the docks. When Daisy had asked Pops why she and Bobby couldn’t go to this school too, he had said the arrangement was not long term. To leave one school and start another only to repeat the process over again, he insisted, was not good for their education.
The bus arrived, rattling its way to the appointed stop.
‘I love you,’ said Mother, kissing them both. ‘We’ll see you very soon.’
Daisy watched Bobby climb aboard. She could see the many faces at the windows. Children of all ages, peering out, their noses squashed up to the glass. She wondered if this was the bus that Sally had caught and if so, where it might have taken her friend?
Mother urged Daisy up the step. ‘Pops sent a letter ahead. Look out for Aunt Pat.’
Daisy joined Bobby in the aisle. There was no room to sit down. Every seat was occupied. The din the evacuees were making was deafening. Daisy’s courage failed her. She made a desperate attempt to return to the door before it was closed.
‘Stand back!’ the driver ordered.
The bus began to move. It chugged and vibrated so fiercely that Daisy dropped her case and grabbed the nearest rail. She saw Mother waving and felt a lump in her chest. Mother held a handkerchief in her hand.
A sure sign that things were not as they were supposed to be.
‘How far is it to Wattcombe?’ Daisy asked her brother. She felt hot and cramped as they stood in the aisle. It didn’t take her long to realise that she didn’t want to stand
