Here’s another excerpt from my story, set in the early 50’s, about Peggy, a young girl who goes with her sister Barbara to stay with her grandma who lives by the sea.
When we got back to Granny’s the postman was just closing the gate. He called hello to us and said he’d put a couple of letters through her front door. It sounded funny saying through her door but she has a letter box in the door. We don’t have a letter box. If mummy has any letters they are put on a tray on the cupboard in the entrance hall.
“I wonder who’s been writing to me? Maybe it’s mummy wanting to say hello to her girls!”
Supposing it was mummy and she says she is going to come and take us home? I felt a great shock and I felt frightened – yes I felt frightened and upset that our lovely holiday was almost over.
Barbara was saying something to granny but I wasn’t even listening as granny found her key and opened the door.
“In we go and look! A letter from mummy!” and granny bent down and picked up her letters.
“”Oh good, are we going home?” said Barbara and she sat on the floor to take her sandals off.
Granny didn’t say anything but took her coat and hat off and hung them on the peg. I can’t tell you how upset I felt. I read that in a book, the narrator says they can’t tell you something and then they tell you. I was really upset but I grit my teeth and took a deep breath.
“Granny, can I make you a cup of tea? When I was on Mr Benbow’s boat I made a cup of tea for him and Ben.” I was trying to be mature, which means grown up.
Granny thanked me and said it was just what she needed and I went to put the kettle over the fire.
“Can you manage, Peggy, do be careful!”
Maybe Granny would write back and say I was so helpful she needed me to stay longer. One of the girls in my class at school lives with her granny who can’t walk very well and the girl has to do lots of jobs to help her. My granny can walk very well and she walks really fast and –
“Peggy, the kettle is singing! Are you sure you can manage?”
Oh dear, I’d let my mind wander and I quickly told Granny that yes I could manage. I was really careful, I didn’t want to burn myself of course but I wanted to show Granny that I could do it.
“While we’re waiting for it to brew, come and sit beside me and I will tell you what Mummy says in her letter. Barbara, do you want to sit on my knee?”
I wanted to see Mummy again, but I wanted to stay with Granny for longer.
“Well, Mummy has gone away for a little holiday and has asked me if you can stay for a few more days. Would you like that, girls?”
“When will mummy come back?” Brenda asked, please don’t make a fuss, Barbara , please don’t!
“Soon, Barbara, in a few more days, so I thought we could go to the big town and maybe see if we can find a little present for you and for mummy.”
“Thank you, Granny, I want to go to the big town!”
“And Peggy? Mr Benbow wondered if you would like to spend the day with him and Ben, would you like that?”
“Thank you Granny, that’s beyond my wildest dreams!” Granny laughed in a happy way and kissed me and Barbara and said it was beyond her wildest dreams too.
Lois Elsden 