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15 October 2014
WW2 - People's War

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A Wartime teenager's dilemma

by East Ayrshire Libraries

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Archive List > Childhood and Evacuation

Contributed byÌý
East Ayrshire Libraries
People in story:Ìý
Jean McMurdo (nee Gillies)
Location of story:Ìý
New Cumnock
Article ID:Ìý
A1153144
Contributed on:Ìý
22 August 2003

A Wartime Teenager's Dilemma.

Should I risk it? I know all the reasons I shouldn’t --- Gerry might come over again and everybody knows what happened at Clydebank. Nah! Why should anyone want to bomb New Cumnock? Well, maybe I could think of a reason or six. It’s such a dump for a teenager, especially on a Saturday night when there’s a great picture showing at Cumnock Picture House. Besides, now that I’m in with the Academy crowd, I want to be where they are -- and that’s at the flicks in Cumnock.
Should I risk it? My mother will kill me if she finds out, especially when she has expressly forbidden me even to think about it. Let’s see if I have enough money. A shilling, one and sixpence, two bob, half-a-crown. I’ll just make it – and be skint for the next week. Decision time!
Here comes the wee utility bus. How I hate these wooden seats! The spars leave a pattern on my you-know-what and I feel I need a good long stand even after the twenty minute journey to Cumnock.
The cinema seats are nice and comfy. They would make up for it – if I decide to go, that is. Should I risk it? Oh hang! She’ll never know. Hey driver haud the bus!
My that was a great film. I hope none o' the gang sees my red eyes. Wasn’t it sad when that laddie left his sweetheart to join the Army? I hope none of the boys in 4A do that. Och no!
They’re too young yet, but the A.T.C might give them ideas. Isn’t war a nuisance? It spoils everybody’s fun.
What’s that? Oh no! the air raid siren and I’m in CUMNOCK. My mother will kill me. Maybe it would be less painful if the Germans did; no I don’t really mean that. I must get home before she misses me. Now that must be the stupidest thing I’ve ever said. She’ll have been up to Mary’s to collect me. How do I get out of it this time?
Come on bus. Why can’t you be on time when my life is on the line? Is this it coming?
Traffic is hard to see. The driver just about needs a runner in front, waving a red flag. How is he supposed to be seen when the bus lights are shaded? It’ll be my lights that are shaded when my mother finds out where I’ve been.
Then goes the all clear. False alarm, it seems. And here is the bus at last. I’m sore already, just thinking about sitting in it.
This bus is taking ages. Should I get off at Pathhead and say I’ve been at June’s? No! I don’t like the blackout and it’s spooky walking that road alone, I’ll get off at my own stop.
What’s that? Oh no! It’s my mother I’m dead!!!!

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