Read Online Memories of You by Benita Brown - Free Book Online Page B

suit whom Joe presumed to be one of the teachers walked up and down the room to make sure everyone was behaving. Soon the woman in the white overall came round again and placed plates of sliced cake at intervals on the tables.
    As they finished their bread and butter the other boys began to reach for the cake. Soon there were only two slices left on the nearest plate and Joe made sure that Danny got a piece before reaching for his own.
    â€˜That’s mine,’ a wheezy voice said. ‘Pass it over.’
    Joe looked across the table and saw an overweight, pasty-looking boy sitting a little further down. There was already a piece of cake on the boy’s plate. ‘You’ve got a piece,’ Joe said. ‘This is mine.’
    He heard an intake of breath and was aware that the boys nearest to him had stopped talking. The fat lad scowled but didn’t say anything so Joe ate his cake and didn’t think any more about it at the time.
    Back in the dormitory Joe and Danny had hardly unpacked their belongings, stowing them in their bedside lockers, when the same teacher who had patrolled the dining room came in and called, ‘Lights out in five minutes. If you want the bathroom be quick about it.’
    There had been a scramble and soon everyone was in bed. After lights out there was some subdued whispering and Joe realized that Danny had hardly spoken since they had arrived at Haven House.
    â€˜You all right, Danny?’ he’d said quietly.
    â€˜Yep. What about you?’
    â€˜Yeah – I think we’ll be OK here.’
    Now, reflecting on his talk with Ginger, he realized he had said that to reassure his brother. He wasn’t sure if it was true. He’d already taken Mr Jenkins’ measure. The headmaster was a strange one but Joe didn’t think he’d be too much of a problem, there was enough food and the beds were clean and reasonably comfortable, so all in all he couldn’t figure out why he felt so uneasy.
    Â 
    When Helen woke up she knew she had been dreaming but all that remained of the dream was a profound feeling of loss. She had no idea what time it was but faint noises from downstairs told her that someone was up and stirring. She got up, made her bed and washed and dressed hurriedly before going downstairs, taking her coat and her schoolbag with her. Eva was in the kitchen seeing to the fire in the range. She turned her head and looked over her shoulder as Helen entered.
    â€˜My, you’re up early,’ she said. ‘It’s just past seven. If you expect me to make your breakfast you’ll have to wait until I’ve seen to this fire.’
    â€˜That’s all right. I can get my own breakfast.’
    â€˜Suit yourself.’ Eva shrugged and turned her attention back to the range.
    Helen watched her for a moment and then said, ‘What am I to have?’
    Eva sat back on her heels, wiped her forehead with the back of an arm, and sticking out her lower lip she blew upwards to shift a stray lock of hair. ‘Whatever you like,’ she said, then noticing Helen’s perplexity she grinned. ‘What do you usually have?’
    â€˜Depends – depended on what we had in the pantry. Porridge, bread and dripping, toast, a cup of Bovril, tea . . .’
    â€˜Well, you could have any of those, even the porridge if you can be bothered to make it yourself and if you make it with water. I usually has a thick slice of bread and dripping myself. I’ll join you as soon as I’ve washed me hands.’
    â€˜You have breakfast here?’
    â€˜Aye, all me meals. That works out cheaper for her than paying me a respectable wage.’
    Eva rose to her feet as the kettle began to boil. ‘I’ll make us a pot of tea. You go and get the milk and for God’s sake be quiet. There’ll be hell to pay if you wakes her up.’
    Helen slipped her school coat over the back of a chair and tucked her schoolbag underneath it.