大象传媒

I was eight years old during War time and we seemed to spend all our time in Air Raid shelters.On this particular day I was in the shelter as usual,the sirens had been sounded and a penny in my pocket was burning a hole in it.I knew what I wanted and decided to sneak out.I walked casually down the road,not seeing a soul,till I came to Mrs Browns sweet shop.She sold baking powder in a newspaper twist and if you dipped a wet finger in it,it would be fizzy in your mouth.
I was just stood outside the shop ready to go in,when I saw the plane.I was frozen to the spot as it released five bombs over the Railway Station nearby.Just at that, Mrs Brown took hold of me by the scruff of the neck and yanked me inside.We scurried through the shop and had just reached he living room when the bombs exploded.The noise was deafening and we were soon covered from head to foot in soot and grime.We managed to get into her shelter behind the shop and slam the door.We were non the worse for our experience but quite a few were killed in the Station which was wrecked alongside a train which had just pulled into the Station.My Mother meanwhile was searching frantically for me, up and down the street.She even passed me not recognizing me in such a state.I copped a good hiding later but looking back I still didn't get my fizzy treat and I still had my penny in my pocket.

Later I became one of thousands of evacuees.My destination was Alne a Village near York at the home of a cobbler and his wife.It wasn't a happy time for me although it was different to the house I had just left.The cobbler put me to work stripping old shoes and boots ready for him to mend.After a few weeks my Mother came to visit. She knocked on the door and when the cobblers wife answered she said "I've come to see our Desmond,is he around?"(she always called me by my full name)."Yes" said the cobblers wife "Would you like a cup of tea?" "Oh yes please"said my Mother"I've been travelling for hours coming from Middlesbrough" "Well there is a Cafe just over the road"and shut the door.My Mother banged on the door and the cobblers wife opened it again and my mother said "I'll pack all Desmond things if you don't mind I'm taking him home with me",so at that we set off back, on the long road home to Middlesbrough.

Written with the help and cooperation of Mr Des Templeman by Ged Fleming Cleveland CSV Story Gatherer

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