Southend U3A

Writing for Fun

Clear Water - Maureen Rampersaud

January 2014

'Get on wiv it will ya.'

'Ow Mum, what's the point? If I wash in that water I'll be muckier than when I started.'

'I want none o' your cheek, I ain't having anyone saying that I ain't got standards . . . and do Fred while you're at it.'

Mum acted all brave, but as she waved me and Fred off at the station her face was streaked with tears.

'Bill, promise me you'll look after Fred. Don't let 'im out of your sight.'

As she disappeared into the steam and the past, I put my arm round Fred who grumbled, 'I don't wanna go to an ole farm. I wanna see the bombs an' 'planes an' that.'

There were kids everywhere on that train; we were all in the same boat . . . well train . . . Evacuees. Later I let my head rest against the window; the vibration mixed with the sight green fields and trees was strangely soothing. I saw the reflection of eyes staring at me. I turned round and saw a girl, about my age, smiling at me.

'Hello, I'm Kate.'

I cleared my throat and mumbled, 'Bill,' then I looked down, pink with embarrassment and made a show of tucking a blanket round my sleeping brother. I stared out of the window again. I wasn't used to talking to girls, even though I was nearly fifteen. Apart from Mum and the Aunts, we were a family of men and boys.

On arrival, we were given a pep talk by some sort of priest.

'You'll be allocated to different families in the area, but never fear, you'll see each other again in church on Sunday . . . which is compulsory!'

Eventually, Fred and I were called by a red faced, elderly Major-type.

'Right, Fred Redmond, you're with the Simpkins. Bill, you're with Mrs. Williams.'

'Hold up! I promised Mum I'd look out for Fred. We'll not be separated.' I towered over the jumped-up little twerp, which made him stammer a bit,

'I-I've n-never . . .' Just then, Kate stepped forward. 'He made a promise to his Mum. I'm sure the Rev there would agree that you shouldn't break a promise.'

'Oh for pity's sake, both of you go with Mrs. Williams. She's lost her husband, so you'd better behave yourselves!'

I mouthed a 'thank-you' to Kate and we were whisked off by Mrs. Williams. She was very quiet, with sad eyes, but she was kind. We must have been dirty and none too fragrant, but all she said was, 'There's a tin bath in front of the fire, towels and clean clothes. Give me a call when you're done and we'll have a bit of dinner.'

Fred and me looked down at the bath with amazement. We looked at each other.

'Bill, I can see the bottom, I can see through the water.'

'I know. City water's always cloudy, at least it is where we live. Clear water . . . we'll be like a couple of Water Babies!'

We chuckled. Mum always told us stories, I'm not sure where she'd heard that one. The three of us sat round the table and tried to get to know each other.

'Have you got any questions, boys?'

I cleared my throat, 'Um, what time is church on Sunday?'