Eve of the Isle Read Online Free PDF Page A

sighedas she reflected on the two derelict cottages across the road. Families had lived there once, before the walls crumbled. Who were they and what were they like? Would someone one day ask that question of number three?
    Time wore on and the rain continued to fall. Eve had no idea what time it was; no one had a watch and Peg’s clock was downstairs on the mantel.
    As the hours passed all they could do was sit and wait. Eve had talked to Peg about the big clear up that was sure to take place when the water went down, but their conversation was short. A house flooded to this degree might stay partially flooded for weeks. And even if the water went down, there would be an unmentionable mess to remove. It was too big to consider and their spirits sank. The food was the only distraction and it would not last for ever. The water was rationed, the bucket was filling – and not just with rain. Their circumstances were dire.
    Every so often a noise outside could be heard and they’d rush to the window, but it seemed as if everyone had forgotten Isle Street. The house in the dip in particular.
    â€˜Why don’t someone help us?’ said Eve impatiently, going to the window again. ‘Someone must.’
    â€˜Is it raining again?’ asked Samuel, standing beside her and peering over the edge of the sill.
    â€˜No, it’s stopped for a while.’
    Just then they heard an echo. It was tiny at first, a lonely wail in the distance. And then it got louder.
    Eve gasped. ‘Look, it’s a boat!’
    They stared in wonder as a small clinker rowing boat appeared. ‘It’s Jimmy!’ they shouted as Peg and Albert joined them at the window.
    Everyone jumped up and down. ‘It’s Jimmy, and he’s come to save us!’
    Eve hoped that was true. But the boat was small and a bit lopsided. Eve pushed up the sash and a cold wind blew in their faces, but they didn’t care. Jimmy had come to their rescue!
    â€˜â€™Ang on a sec, I’ll have to tie up somewhere.’ Jimmy stood gingerly up in the boat. It banged against the wall of the cottage and he sat down again. Catching hold of the oars he slid them safely to the bottom of the boat.
    â€˜Jimmy! Jimmy!’ cried Samuel and Albert.
    â€˜â€™Ello, everyone.’
    â€˜Where the bleeding ’ell, have you been,’ Peg called down.
    â€˜Finding meself a decent boat,’ cried Jimmy as he gazed up. ‘They’re all out, rescuing people.’
    Eve calculated the height from the top window where they were all gathered down to the boat. It was too much of a drop to jump.
    â€˜How deep is it?’ she called as Jimmy caught hold of the submerged lamppost.
    â€˜About three feet I should think. Too deep to walk in, it would come up to your waist. And anyway, it’s filthy.’
    â€˜Oh, gawd,’ sighed Peg, beside Eve. ‘The drains must have gone.’
    â€˜Is it the Big Stink again?’ cried Albert.
    â€˜Dunno. But it won’t do us no good swimming in it.’
    Eve leaned forward. ‘Can you see in through the door, Jimmy, to the stairs? Could we jump from them to the boat?’
    â€˜You’d never get across. Tell you what, I’ll row round the side of the cottage, see if I can get up on the khazi roof below my window. Maybe there’s room for me to tie up and you could climb down.’
    Before Eve could reply, Jimmy had pushed off.
    â€˜I’m too old for all this,’ said Peg suddenly. ‘How am I going to shin down a roof at my age?’
    â€˜We’ll help you, Peg.’ The boys regarded her with concern.
    â€˜Sit down a minute on me bed,’ said Eve gently. ‘Me and the boys will go into Jimmy’s room first, see what the lookout is.’
    With shoulders hunched, Peg pulled her coat round her and disappeared behind the curtain. Eve knew that it would not be easy for Peg to negotiate the corrugated iron roof, much less jump from the