The Sky is Falling Read Online Free PDF Page B

Gilden with her father.
    â€œBut you’ll get your dress dirty,” protested her mother. “I want you to look nice. You know how tidy Dulcie and Lucy always are.”
    â€œShe’ll get grubby on the train anyhow,” said Dad. “Say goodbye to Grandad and we’ll leave now.”
    But Grandad was nowhere to be found. “We already said goodbye,” mumbled Norah. Last night he had hugged her fiercely and pressed a sixpence into her hand. “You keep fighting, young one,” he whispered. Norah couldn’t answer. It seemed so unfair that Grandad had come to live with them just as she had to leave.
    She and Dad rode down the main street side by side. Norah tried to fix the familiar landmarks in her mind. The village pond, where she and Tom fished for tench. The wide green that was now littered with old bedsprings, hayricks and kitchen ranges to stop enemy planes from landing. Tom’s mother’s shop, where she spent most of her pocket money on sweets and comics.
    As they reached the edge of the village and Mrs. Chandler’s house, she kept her head down in case the Skywatchers were in the Lookout, watching her go by. She hadn’t seen them again; there were enough goodbyes to say as it was.
    They rode through the peaceful countryside in silence. The early afternoon sky was overcast and grey. “Maybe it will rain at last,” said Dad. “There won’t be any fighting today.” Norah looked up automatically, but there was only a flock of black and white lapwings overhead, veering like Spitfires and crying plaintively.
    â€œLet’s rest here a minute.” Dad pulled over to the stile leading to Stumble Wood. Norah leaned her bicycle against it and Dad lifted her up to sit on top. Acloud of white butterflies hovered in the cool air.
    â€œHow will you get my bicycle back to Ringden?” she asked, gazing sadly at its worn leather seat. It was old, black and ugly, a hand-me-down from Tibby, but it was her favourite possession.
    â€œSomeone from work can ride it back. Don’t worry, I’ll keep it shipshape for your return. Now, Norah …”
    Norah tried to avoid his eyes; not another pep talk.
    â€œI want you to remember three things,” said Dad gravely. “Most important, of course, is to take care of Gavin. I don’t think he really knows he’s going away from us and perhaps that’s for the best. But when he realizes, he may become very upset—you’ll have to comfort him. The second is that you aren’t just going to Canada as yourself. You’re representing England. If you’re impolite or ungrateful, the Canadians will think that’s what English children are like. So remember your manners and whenever you’re in doubt, think of how Mum and I would expect you to behave. And third …” He finally smiled, “Have a good time! I know you will. Just think, you’re the first one in the family to go overseas! I wish I’d had the opportunity to travel more when I was young.”
    He really was envious, Norah realized, not just jollying her along. Dad had worked for most of his life as a bookkeeper in the tannery in Gilden; the only time he’d been away was in the first war.
    Norah swallowed hard. “Oh, Dad … do I have to go?”
    Dad looked sympathetic, but said softly, “Yes, Norah—you have to go. I’m sorry, but you just have tobelieve me when I tell you it’s for the best. Come along now, we’d better carry on.”
    They reached the Gilden railway station just as the Smiths’ blue car drew up. Dulcie and Lucy jumped out, wearing smocked pink dresses and pink straw hats. Derek was in his grammar school uniform. Gavin rushed over to the engine.
    â€œI wish I could come to London with you,” said Dad. He pulled Gavin back from the tracks and picked him up. “Goodbye, old man. You do exactly what Norah says.”
    â€œSay goodbye