Read Online Beware This Boy by Maureen Jennings - Free Book Online Page A

thought you’d be sleeping round the clock.”
    “I’m a bit too het up at the moment, Granddad. No work today?”
    Joe hesitated. “There was a bad accident at the factory yesterday. An explosion in one of the danger sections. We’re closed down for today.”
    “Good Lord. Was anybody hurt?”
    “I’m afraid so. Three of the girls were killed and two badly injured. Two men hurt as well.”
    Brian stared at him. “Not Vanessa. You’d have told me if it was Vanessa, wouldn’t you?”
    “Course we would. But you would know one of the girls. Tess Deacon – she lived down the road.”
    “Tess! My God, that’s terrible. She was such a sweet kid.”
    “She was indeed.” Joe indicated the chair closer to the hearth, where a good fire was burning. “Here, sit yourself down.”
    “Does anybody know what happened, Granddad?”
    “Not yet. There’ll be an investigation, but it’s dangerous material we’re dealing with. One slip is all it takes.”
    His gran came bustling in with a tray, which she put on the table. When she saw Brian’s bare feet, she stopped.
    “Oh my goodness, we’ve got to get you some slippers. You’ll catch your death walking around like that. I know how cold it is upstairs. We can’t afford to light the fires up there.”
    “I’ll be all right. Granddad was just telling me about the factory.”
    Beatrice nodded. “Dreadful thing, simply dreadful. They’ve closed down for today but Eileen has gone in. I wish she hadn’t but you know how she is. She wanted to make sure everything had been cleaned up as could be cleaned up.”
    “She had to deal with the mess,” said Joe grimly.
    “And then to add to her troubles, I came into the picture,” said Brian.
    “Aye, lad. That you did.”
    “I’m sorry, Granddad. I didn’t know where else to turn. You know how Vanessa’s parents are about me. And Mum and Dad … well, to tell you the truth” – he tried a chuckle – “you know how Dad is. As a member of His Majesty’s postal service, he would probably feel it was his duty to turn me in.” Brian was afraid he would start to cry. He was aware that his hands were shaking, and he tucked them under his legs.
    Joe cleared his throat, obviously uncomfortable with such emotion. “We had a bit of a talk after you went to sleep, your gran and your aunt Eileen and me. Nobody in this family is going to turn you in, you can be sure of that.”
    “Thanks, Granddad.”
    “However – and there is a however – we thought it might be better for you in the long run if you did go back.”
    Brian burst out, “I can’t, I –”
    “Calm down, son, calm down. Fact is, you weren’t on the front line, so they won’t shoot you like they did in my day. You’ll get some time in the glasshouse but at least you won’t be onthe run for the duration. And the sooner you return the better.”
    “No, Granddad. If they throw you in jail, they make sure you get bad treatment. I know – I’ve heard all about it. They’d probably put me in solitary. I can’t go back.” He jumped up, knocking over the chair. “I understand if you can’t hide me. I can fend for myself if I have to.”
    “Don’t be daft, our Brian,” said Beatrice. “You’ll be caught in no time. What’ll you live on?”
    “Trust your gran to pick up on the important things,” said Joe calmly. “Come on, sit down, lad. You’re worse than a dog with fleas.”
    “Finish your tea, there’s a good boy,” said Beatrice. “Don’t forget it’s rationed nowadays. You can’t waste it.”
    “And if you’re not going to eat that toast, I will,” added Joe, pulling the plate towards him.
    Brian with some reluctance righted the chair and sat down. His grandfather nibbled on the toast.
    “We’ll have to find some way to keep you hidden.”
    “Hidden how?” His voice was high and tight.
    “We’ve got the room, no problem with that. You can stay in the spare, but there is the question of ration books. We’re going to