Read Online The Lights Go On Again by Kit Pearson - Free Book Online

thumbs.
    â€œMe too,” said Tim. “Was it a V-1 or a V-2 bomb?”
    â€œTim!” cried his parents, pulling him away.
    â€œHe hasn’t cried yet,” Aunt Mary was telling Paige’s mother. “We’re not sure it’s sunk in.”
    â€œHe doesn’t have to cry, Mary,” said Aunt Florence. “He hardly remembers his parents. I’m much more of a mother to him now.”
    Gavin chewed on a sandwich, the crumbs sticking in his throat. Aunt Florence was the only one who understood.

6
    Try to Remember
    O n Monday Norah said she couldn’t face school yet and no one made her go. Gavin, however, was out of the house as soon as he finished breakfast. He took his bike and didn’t pause to wait at the corner for Tim and Roger.
    After the bell he sat at his desk, lowering his flushed face, while Mrs. Moss told him in front of the whole class how sorry they were. At recess all of grade five avoided him, as if he had some disease. At lunchtime Tim and Roger gave him clumsy smiles, then quickly bicycled away.
    Finally Gavin couldn’t stand it. After school he went up to Tim and Roger at the bike stands.
    â€œHi.” He tried to smile nonchalantly, but his cheeks burned.
    â€œOh, hi, Gav,” mumbled Roger.
    â€œHow are you?” added Tim.
    â€œI’m all right. Look …” Gavin paused. Then he rushed out his words before he lost his nerve. “Look, let’s just forget about my parents. I mean, not forget about them … but let’s just act like before. Okay?”
    â€œOkay!” said Tim. “Do you want to go to the fort? One wall needs fixing.”
    â€œSure!” said Gavin.
    â€œUh-oh … Mick’s standing over there by the corner of the school,” whispered Roger.
    Tim swung his leg across his bike. “Who cares? All for one and one for all!”
    Gavin glanced at Mick. The bully was staring intensely, at him . He cycled fast to catch up with Tim and Roger.
    All week teachers and some of the older girls came up to Gavin to say they were sorry. But now that he had his friends back he didn’t mind as much. He was practised at smiling sadly and saying “thank you” every time someone mentioned his parents’ death. Otherwise he acted so normal that soon everyone at school seemed to forget about it.
    W HEN THE LETTER from Grandad finally arrived, Norah asked Aunt Florence to read it to them. She sat beside Gavin on the chesterfield, gripping his hand and crushing his fingers together.
    Aunt Florence’s voice was quiet and steady as she read:
    Dear Norah and Gavin,
    I find it very difficult to tell you about Jane and Arthur’s death, but it has to be done. There isn’t much to say about it. On Monday, March 12 your parents were having their noon meal at home. I was out at the pub when I heard the infernal ticking of a doodle-bug. We thought they were all over. There’s a few seconds of quiet before the damned thing drops. When the explosion came so close we all rushed out of the pub and I ran home.
    The house was smashed—just like my house in Camber was. So this is the second time I’ve escaped a Jerry bomb by being out. I want you to know I would gladly have gone in their place. It’s so bloody unfair that an old man like me survived and they went.
    They were killed instantly and would have felt no pain. Thank God you young ones weren’t there as well. I never wanted you to go to Canada but since it probably saved your lives, I’m glad you went.
    But now it’s time for you to come back. The war’s nearly over and you belong here. I know there still could be some danger, but everyone says that bomb was a fluke. We haven’t seen any since and anyway, lightning never strikes twice in the same place. I am living with Muriel but I’m planning to rebuild the house. There’s a lot that can be salvaged. I would like you both to live there with me.