Jenny's War Read Online Free PDF Page B

were, at times.’ He’d seen Billy’s gaze on his belt and now Joe forced a laugh as he touched it and added, ‘But this is just to hold me trousers up.’
    The tension in the room eased and one or two children giggled nervously. They’d never have dared to voice such a question, yet it had been in the back of some of their minds. Just how were these strangers going to treat them?
    Now, without any hesitation, Billy put his hand into the farmer’s and said, ‘Billy Harrington. I’d be pleased to come with yer, guv’nor.’
    Miss Chisholm sighed with relief. Billy was a ringleader amongst his peers and if he led the way with his polite acceptance of the man’s offer, then others would follow his example.
    ‘A’ ya got a brother to come wi’ ya?’ Joe Warren asked.
    Billy blinked, trying to work out what the man had asked. ‘No, I’ve no brothers or sisters. There’s only – only Dad and me. Me muvver’s dead.’
    Joe nodded. ‘I’m sorry, lad. Yar dad’ll likely miss ya.’
    Billy shrugged dismissively and the farmer could see that whatever the father was feeling, the son certainly wasn’t going to miss his home. Joe turned and raised his eyebrows to his wife. She gave a little nod and moved forward. ‘We can take two, Joe.’ Peggy Warren spoke in a soft, gentle voice. ‘Perhaps Billy would like a friend – someone he knows – to come along with him.’
    ‘My best friend’s Frankie Mills.’ Billy pointed to a boy standing at the back of the group of children. ‘But he’s lame, guv’nor. He had polio when he was little and he has to wear a leg iron.’ He beckoned to the boy. ‘Come and meet Mr Warren, Frankie.’
    The farmer looked down doubtfully as the children parted to let Frankie through to the front. He limped forward, his leg iron clanking on the wooden floor. Peggy touched her husband’s arm and whispered, ‘We’ll take him, Joe. We’ll look after him. There’ll be little jobs he can do. Best to let friends stay together. They’ll likely settle better.’
    ‘Aye, aye, you’re right, Peg. We’ll look after ’em both. Come along, you two. Let’s get you home.’
    He put his arm around Billy’s shoulders and held out his hand to Frankie. He glanced across the room at Mr Tomkins, who was busily writing down the details of the first placement on his clipboard. ‘Thank’ee, Mester Tomkins.’
    Mr Tomkins looked up and nodded. ‘I’ll be along in a day or so to see how things are.’
    ‘You’ll be welcome any time, Mr Tomkins, but you’ve no need to worry about these two. They’ll be fine with me and the missis.’
    Lucky Billy, Jenny thought, as she watched the two boys leaving with the farmer and his wife. Bet I don’t get anyone as nice as them.
    More folk were coming into the hall and moving down the lines of children. More choices were made and soon there were only three left without a billet. Jenny was one of them. She was standing alone now. The other children had moved away from the girl whose coat still reeked of vomit, whose hair was lank and greasy and who kept scratching her head every so often.
    The other two were picked and led away and now there was only Jenny left. Mr Tomkins conferred with Miss Chisholm in whispers, but Jenny’s sharp ears picked up every word.
    ‘I’ve only one place left for yesterday’s arrivals,’ Mr Tomkins said. ‘The two Miss Listers,’ he glanced worriedly at Jenny, ‘but I don’t think . . .’
    ‘She’s a good child really, given a bit of understanding. Nothing that a good bath and a change of clothes won’t sort out.’
    ‘Mm.’ Mr Tomkins was still doubtful. ‘Well, it’ll just have to do. There’s nowhere else at the moment and with another batch due tomorrow . . .’
    The three of them walked along the street. Jenny slipped her hand into Miss Chisholm’s. It wasn’t something she’d normally do. You just didn’t hold your teacher’s hand, but the girl couldn’t remember ever feeling so fearful. She’d