The Sky is Falling Read Online Free PDF

shoulder as they watched the planes soar over.
    There was fighting on and off for the rest of the day. Norah was made to stay either inside the shelter or in the house, helping to pack. They were only allowed to take one piece of luggage each.
    â€œI can’t fit in any more,” sighed Mum that night. She sat on the end of Norah’s bed, folding the last of the freshly washed and ironed clothes into the small brown suitcase. “I hope I’ve packed enough woollies. We’ll send more clothes to you later.”
    She glanced around Norah’s room. It had belonged to Muriel and Tibby, but Norah had claimed it after they left. Three neglected dolls sat demurely under the window. The ceiling was hung with balsa-wood aeroplanes, twisting slightly in the warm night air. Mum looked back at Norah, already in bed and escaping into a Hotspur comic.
    â€œIs there anything else you want to take? One of your planes, perhaps?”
    â€œNo thank you,” said Norah stiffly. She had already packed her shrapnel and a few comics. Mum was in disguise again, as bright and cheerful as if this weren’t Norah’s last night at home.
    â€œI wish I knew more about Canada to tell you. I imagine it will be beautiful, though—like Anne of Green Gables . And the Dionne Quintuplets live in Canada. Just imagine, five little girls exactly alike! Perhaps you’ll see them!”
    She looked desperate when Norah didn’t answer. “Wait …” Mum left the room and returned in a few seconds with the family photograph that always stood on the mantelpiece. “I want you to have this, Norah. I’ll wrap it in your blue jersey.”
    Norah just grunted. Mum sat down again, patted her hand and sighed. “I know you’re angry with us. I don’t blame you, but wait until you get on the ship and start having a good time! It won’t be as bad as you think, I promise. I wish I knew who will be taking care of you, but Dad’s right—they’re sure to be kind. Just don’t judge them too soon. You know how stubborn you can be.” She smiled. “And try not to lose your temper. You’ve inherited that from me, I’m afraid. But you’ve always been so sure of yourself, I’m not really worried about you, Norah. You’re tough, but Gavin isn’t. He’s so sensitive, and he’s very young to be going so far away. You’ll have to take especially good care of him.” Her voice broke.
    Norah yawned deliberately. “I’m going to sleep now.” She flopped over and buried her face in her pillow. What about her ? She, too, was young to be going so far away,wasn’t she? Gavin had always been Mum’s favourite, though, just as Norah was Dad’s.
    Mum kissed the back of Norah’s neck. “Good-night, sweetheart. Go right to sleep—you have a big day tomorrow.”
    T HE SMITHS were supposed to pick them up after dinner. Norah spent the morning hanging about outside the house. She looked for the hedgehog they left bowls of milk for, but he had disappeared—perhaps the air-raid sirens had frightened him away. She filled the stirrup-pump with water from the red fire bucket by the back door and sprinkled the carrots with it. Finally she sat glumly on the step and watched the silly chickens scratching in the dirt.
    Mum made her and Gavin have a bath before dinner. She washed their hair, cut their nails and dressed them in clean clothes from the skin out. Dad had polished their shoes until they were as glossy as chestnuts. When he arrived home for dinner, they sat down to an extra-special meal. But Norah could only push her fishcakes around her plate.
    â€œThe Smiths’ car is going to be awfully crowded,” said Dad. “Why don’t you cycle into town with me, Norah? If we leave now, we’ll have plenty of time before the train.”
    â€œOh, yes, please!” she said. In the holidays she often went into