大象传媒

When Britain entered into WW2 I was having my own private battle, at the age of 5. It was my dreaded first day at school. At playtime we all went into the playground to have our first taste of freedom from our classroom. On walking over to join a group of girls and boys who had gathered in the corner I was horrified to hear one of them shout 'Don't play with her, she's got spots!' My face and arms were covered with freckles in those days. That did it for me - running for my life into another playground, I asked some large ladies, wearing navy blue knickers to direct me to the school gates. They were actually older girls aged about 12 who were playing netball in the senior playground.
I went through the gates and ran for about 15 minutes until I reached my front door. However, the door was locked as my mother had gone to the shops. It was a really lovely day, with bright sunshine and a neighbour, Mrs. Pickering, rescued me. She took me into her house and gave me chocolate and the 'third degree'. A short while later my mother returned from her shopping and was so angry with me. She said I could have been killed if there had been an air raid in progress. She slapped the back of my legs. I can still feel it, so it must have done me some good! She then marched me back into school. I managed to tolerate the infants and juniors and then passed my 11 plus exam and went on to be a secretary, but it was still the happiest day of my life when I actually left school at 16 years of age - FREE AT LAST.

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