Will's Journey
Chapter Three
The Journey
Disclaimer: Nothing you might recognise belongs to me
The train journey was long and many of the children grew restless at each passing hour. Willie kept his head bent and avoided looking at anybody else- he just stared out of the window seeing nothing.
When half past twelve eventually rolled around Mr. Barrett came stamping along the train.
"Listen up! It's now lunchtime. Get out your lunches that your parents have given you. Do not make a mess or you will feel my cane against your skin! Is that understood?" he roared,
"Yes Mr. Barrett," chorused the school children, rustling around to retrieve their packed lunches.
Mrs Beech hadn't given Willie any food. He didn't dare look in his plastic bag because Mum had told him not to. She would find out if he had and then he would be beaten again. He unconsciously rubbed his arm where a deep welt was and felt the hollowness in his stomach deepen. He hadn't eaten anything that morning and last night, it was only a dry piece of bread. He was very thirsty though and longed for a cup of water. He glanced inconspicuously around where all the other children munched sandwiches prepared lovingly for them by their parents. Willie felt hot tears press against his eye lids but blinked them back furiously. He knew it was his own fault that his mother didn't love him. He was evil.
At around half past four the train slowed down and finally stopped with a snort. Willie glanced out of the window and saw a few grey buildings and a sign with writing on. He couldn't understand it though as he couldn't read.
In about ten minutes, Mr Barrett began to shepherd children off the train, a compartment at a time. Finally he came towards Willie's compartment.
"Stand up and form an orderly queue!" he snapped. The children jumped to do as he said. Willie ended up at the back. The children disembarked the stuffy train and breathed in the cold air outside. It was a relief to be outside again.
"Stand still, stand still!" bellowed Mr Barrett. Very slowly, the teacher began to divide the crowd of school children into smaller groups. Willie was put in a group with a dark haired girl with a teddy bear and several other children, each of them shivering. They stood there, with the autumn leaves swirling around their feet for half an hour before a harassed middle aged woman in a green coat and felt hat hurried towards them.
"Excuse me! Who's in charge here?" she asked, loudly,
"That would be me," replied Mr Barrett,
"Ah, good afternoon sir, welcome to Weirwold. I am the Billeting Officer for Little Weirwold a few miles down the road. I am here to take a group of evacuees there," explained the lady,
"Right," grunted Mr Barrett, "Take this lot."
He was pointing at Willie's group. They shied together nervously.
"Very well, sir. Come along children. Say goodbye to your teacher!"
"Goodbye Mr Barrett," the group whispered. The followed the Billeting Officer into a large square where a market was currently being held.
"Stand here for a minute please. Stay together!" instructed the lady.
Willie watched with wide eyes at she walked quickly towards a horse and cart. A man was sitting in the cart, apparently waiting. The lady and man had a quick discussion and then the lady returned.
"Come along. We're travelling to Little Weirwold, where you will be staying, by horse and cart."
A nervous but excited murmur drifted around the group as they climbed awkwardly into the cart and settled down. The man clicked to the horse and they jogged off past a river sheltered by overhanging trees.