A New Life

"So then Tom," his mother wept, "don't worry. I'll see you again." Tom

was shocked, he'd never seen his mother cry before. Even when Dad left

to help in the army, she had been very strong.

"But-but Mum," he bit his lip, holding back his tears, "I don't want

to go."

"I know, don't worry," then she started to cry more heavily while

singing "We'll meet again" to him, his favourite song.

Suddenly, a whistle rang loudly through his head, so Tom reluctantly

stepped on to the train, his name tag round his neck and watched while

his mother grew further and further away until she was no longer

visible through his tears.

Tom calmed himself down and tried as hard as he could to find the

positive points to this situation. Well, at least he was safe from

being blown to smithereens. That was all he could think of. He wasn't

even going to start with the negative points.

"Hello there, "a small boy who looked about eight had just come into

the compartment, "I can't wait, this will be great. Such a brilliant

holiday, Dad said it will be fun. I don't know why he hasn't come with

me, though."

Tom hadn't the heart to tell him that he'd probably never see his

father again.

"My name's William, what's yours?" The little boy said.

"Tom, nice to meet you William," he felt terrible, "so, do you know

where we're going?"

"No, but it will be good," said William excitedly.

The door to the compartment slid open and a girl Tom's age came in.

She was pale and looked very ill. She sat down and started mumbling to

herself, tears rolling down her cheeks.

"Why are you crying, "William laughed, "this is terribly exciting.

Holiday!...

... middle of paper ...

...acked. He got down off the tractor and let his hand

fall on Tom's shoulder.

"You're a genius lad," Mr Grundle's face broke into a smile, "oh lad.

Thank you so, so much. Come on, let's get inside and back to bed."

The next day, Tom woke up, got change and bounced down the stairs with

a large spring in his step.

"Tom," Mrs Grundle said carefully, "now, because of your parents, er,

well, we've been asked to take care of you, would that be okay with

you? We would be happy to take you in."

"Of course Joan," Tom was actually pleased to be asked to stay.

"You realise that you will have to stay for a long time, don't you?"

asked Mr Grundle, "as I get older, I'll need more help on the farm, is

that clear, Tom?"

"That would be great," Tom knew he would be fine, Mr Grundle had just

called him by his real name.