Many thanks to the readers of the latest chapter Hope all are still enjoying it. . – ML :)
Disclaimer – Characters belong to Michelle Magorian!
Chapter Four
He's woken up at three in the morning by the sound of William screaming. It's only when he sits up and realises that he's alone at home that it has been a nightmare. The scream had sounded so real. As if he had heard it coming from the lad's room upstairs.
He hasn't slept well all evening. The last thing he had heard on the wireless from the 10pm bulletin was that there had been some serious damage in the East End. In his mind he tries to think of where the boy's from. He knows the name of the place but he has no idea of where it is in London. The sense of worry that all is not right with the boy continues to grow. What if 'Depetteforrard' or whatever it's in the East End? What if something has happened to the boy? He shakes his head. The worst case scenarios don't bear thinking about.
He's woken up near enough every half an hour – that scream from the lad though is the final jolt.
By the time he gets up at half past three for the fire duty, he's already half made up his mind. He knows that he's got to go and find William himself. See that everything's ok. Perhaps then he might be able to sleep a little easier at night.
He completes his three hour Fire duty having had a good chat with Herbert Pullett who he'd relieved a good twenty minutes early. Once he's done he makes his way towards Alice Fletcher's house. She's his next-door neighbour and from the moment the boy went back, she's noticed he's been different. Not the way he was before the boy arrived, but certainly the spark's dampened a bit.
When he walks through her front door, she can almost guess he's worried about something.
"Tom?" she asks, "Tom is everything ok?"
He sits in a chair, not sure on how to respond.
"Is it something to do with William?" she asks. She's growing more concerned herself now. "
"Kind of" he admits. "I woke up last night thinking I could hear him screaming."
"Do you think he's ok?" Alice can see the anxiety in Tom's face.
"I'm not sure he admits."
"Them trains to London run today don't they?" he asks as Mrs Fletcher brings him over a cup of sweet tea.
Alice nods, "Yes, why?"
"I've got a good mind to go to London myself – find the boy, see that he's well like."
He spots the genuine look of worry on Alice's face.
"Tom are you sure?" she asks. He appreciates her concern. "You've never been to London before."
He nods, "I just think that if I can find William, and know that everything's alright with him then I'll be able to settle a bit easier at night, knowing he's ok.
Alice doesn't try to change his mind. She knows that she probably wouldn't be able to if she tried. "Take care" she tells him as he leaves the house. "I'll send the boys around to keep an eye on the house whilst your away".
He smiles gratefully before she interrupts him on the way out of the gate.
"Tom" she calls out.
He turns around.
"I hope you find him."