and you know how fussy he could be. Maybe Ireland would be a nice place for our next trip, although the sea can get awful rough. I am sorry Laurie has heard bad things about Swanage, and beach parties all night might not exactly be what weâre after. Iâm not sure I agree with her that teenagers seem to spoil things these days because of course they are only having a bit of fun. Perhaps we could go and join them, Lizzie. What do you think?
Yours aye,
Flo
17. letter from martin morris to mo griffiths
Dear Mo,
I shouldnât have done it. Iâm not daft. Of course I know I shouldnât have done it, but it was only going to be the once.
George was downstairs. I was on my way down myself to make a cup of tea when I heard him in the hallway, making some pronouncement about these pictures they have up on the walls in here. You know the sort. One is a box full of different knots, another is a whole lot of clay pipes with dates underneath. Theyâre supposed to stimulate us although it just makes me think weâre in the museum too. Theyâll be pinning us up soon. Martin Morris 2008 . I could hear Helen Elliott trying to get a word in edgeways but George wouldnât let her.
I hesitated at the landing just to catch my breath. But then I noticed I was leaning up against Georgeâs door and before I knew it, Iâd opened it and was taking a look inside.
His room is much bigger than mine but I was told when I came that I had the smallest room in the house. It suits me just fine. And if mine is empty like a monkâs cell, his is just as tidy. Everything in order, shipshape and Bristol-fashion. Remember you saying that once and me laughing at you? I wonder now if it was because thatâs how you had to be around him. You were always such a messy thing when you were with me. I was just thinking I couldnât see you in this room when I spotted your photograph on the bookcase.
Talk about a moth to a flame. I couldnât let that go, could I? So I took a few steps inside but then I heard the door shut behind me so I knew I was done in. What could I say if he caught me inside?
Still, I picked up your photograph. You were on some beach. Your hair, your glorious black hair, was tied up in a scarf but you were laughing. And I looked at your hands and they werenât clenched but they were wide open as if you were about to catch a ball or something. Perhaps it was one of the children you were playing with? George was standing behind you and he was smiling too. But not at the camera. At you.
I put it back quickly. I had been going to take it but it felt wrong now that George was in the shot too. I was hungry for something, though. Suddenly it seemed you were everywhere in the room now, and I needed to have a bit of you. I put my hand out and took the first thing I touched. It was a packet of seeds. I popped them in my pocket and left. My heart was thumping but when I got outside, I could hear George still droning on and on downstairs.
But then I heard a noise and when I looked around, the door to the room opposite was just shutting. Annabel Armstrong. If it had to be anyone it was a good thing it was her. Her mindâs going so no one would believe her word over mine. I rushed back to my room, my heart beating, and then I sat on my bed and looked at the seeds. Cornflowers.
Iâll plant them in the spring. And Iâll think of you when I do so. You laughing. I didnât see too much of that. We should have laughed more. All the things they robbed us of.
M
18. note from george griffiths to florence oliver
Dear Mrs. Oliver,
I know you have been in my room. When I came back on Thursday, I could distinctly smell your cologne and a picture had been knocked over. I have informed the authorities.
George Griffiths
19. letter from brenda lewis to nell baker
Dear Nell,
Thank you for your letter. I am sorry that your father has made claims about other residents to you, and I would indeed