大象传媒

What can I remember of The War? I was only a small child, having been born at the end of 1938.

When war broke out my maternal grandfather was working in America and in time arranged for his two daughters and two granddaughters to join him in New Jersey. My father was serving in India and my uncle elsewhere abroad, so it seemed a good idea. Then my grandfather died but not before leaving me with some wonderful memories鈥攐f his kindness and patience, of his 鈥渄olly鈥� Geraldine with which he played every evening when he arrived home.

Then transpired a new beginning: My mother was the one to go out to work to earn the money to keep us all and my aunt remained at home to look after the children, myself aged then 3 and my cousin aged 5. I remember one day my cousin took me by the hand and marched me into the kitchen where our home help was working. 鈥淢y cousin doesn鈥檛 like ns.鈥� Said my cousin forcefully. My aunt heard this and summoned her daughter. 鈥淒on鈥檛 let me EVER hear you say that again. It is very, very rude. Now take Judy back and apologise to Mary鈥�. Duly done and she took me by the hand again and said to Mary 鈥淚鈥檓 very sorry Mary. My cousin does like ns.鈥�!! Why should I remember that?

Our financial arrangements were unusual in that the only money coming into the house was that earned by my mother and that ALL went into a common purse. If the children needed new shoes, my aunt would take the money to buy them. Similarly, if she, herself, wanted a new dress she took the money to buy it. Never once was there any discord, unpleasantness, jealousy or greed. It was an arrangement that worked out perfectly for the entire time we lived together. No wonder I always called my aunt 鈥渕y Deputy Mum鈥�

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