Peggy Larkin's War by Trevor Forest

Author:Trevor Forest
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: adventure, kids, childrens book, juvenile, kids fiction, family story, kids adventure, children fiction, kidlit, ww2 story, nice story
Publisher: Trevor Forest

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Peggy screamed and ran from the room. Mrs Henderson rushed down the stairs to see what all the fuss was about.

'There's a face, a man, at the window.'

Mrs Henderson picked up a thick walking stick from the hall and rushed to the front door. She flung it open and leapt out onto the steps with a yell. Finding no one there she stormed round the side of the building holding the stick above her head. When she reached the front of the house she was greeted by the coalman.

'Hello, Mrs Henderson, hope I didn't scare the young 'un just then. I was just checking to see if you were in.'

Mrs Henderson leant on the walking stick and laughed to herself. 'You did give her a bit of a fright, Bert. Come round to the door and I'll get my purse to pay you.'

***

Peggy felt stupid. Why had she screamed like that? She wasn't a little girl any more, she was ten now. Mrs Henderson took it all in good grace and put a hand on Peggy's shoulder as they walked to the kitchen.

'Better safe than sorry, Margaret. He isn't actually due until Monday so even I was surprised to see him.'

Peggy felt a little better after that. Mrs Henderson put the kettle on and made a nice cup of tea to settle their nerves.

***

After lunch Peggy waited in the lane for Alfie to arrive, he got there ten minutes late and apologised immediately.

'Sorry I'm late, someone left the gate open again. I had to find three missing cows.'

'It wasn't me this time,' said Peggy.

'I know,' laughed Alfie. 'It could have been our German spy. Mrs Brown says she saw a stranger hanging around in the fields early this morning.'

'Get her to tell PC Watson. He wouldn't believe me,' said Peggy.

'She said it's probably just a tramp looking for somewhere dry to sleep.' replied Alfie.

'He's no tramp,' said Peggy. 'He's up to no good.'

Alfie led her down the lane for a hundred yards then turned into the woods. They followed a narrow path between the trees until they came to a shallow stream. Alfie took off his boots and stepped into the water.

'Come on, cross here, it gets a bit deeper further on.'

Peggy took off her shoes and socks and stepped into the stream, the water was icy cold. 'Brrr, it's freezing,' she complained.

Peggy ran across the stream as fast as she could. She was sure her feet would turn to ice if she remained in the water too long. As she sat down on the bank to pull on her socks, Alfie passed her some large dock leaves.

'Dry your feet with those or you'll have wet socks.'

Peggy thanked him and rubbed at her feet to try to get some warmth back into them.

'Anyone would think you were country born and bred, Alfie.'

'I learn quickly, you have to where I live. It's not the friendliest of places.'

'It's pretty friendly in our part of London,' said Peggy. 'The houses aren't as nice as they are out here but most people get on with each other.

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