The Family from One End Street by Eve Garnett

Author:Eve Garnett
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9780141966656
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
Published: 2008-09-08T04:00:00+00:00

John sat in the Otwell-bound bus. It was nearly nine o’clock and almost dark outside. Inside, the lights shone brightly, and there was a mixed smell of oil and petrol and hot stuffiness that made one feel very sleepy. On the seat beside him were several parcels; his still slightly damp clothes; a basket of eggs, a Meccano set (prize for the Egg and Spoon race) and a tin containing a huge piece of the birthday cake, chocolate biscuits and other delicacies for his brothers and sisters, while in a pocket of Peter’s suit was a letter for Mrs Ruggles.

‘Give this to your mother directly you get home and I’m quite sure she won’t scold you/had been Mrs Lawrence’s last words as she said good-bye, and John was taking the very greatest care of it, patting his pocket at intervals to make sure it was still safely there. In his other pocket was the precious scout knife, and every now and then he would take it out, open the blades and other implements, gazing at them entranced, as if unable to believe so marvellous a thing were really his – it so very nearly hadn’t been!… one second later and it would now be travelling home with the Fierce One… he had grabbed just too late! And John dwelt lovingly on his triumph for at least the twentieth time. It was a tale to make the Gang sit up all right! A tale to make every member green with envy – and it wouldn’t be the only one he’d have to tell them! He began to go over the events of the day in his mind… Slipping out quick before Mum could cop them – that had been an exciting moment… then waiting in the Car Park… getting inside the car… looking up from the map and finding Mr Lawrence driving off… dinner on the road (with coffee)… Peter’s house and the mice and building that crane so quick; the shower bath (here John smiled to himself)… Mr Lawrence’s telegram… the tea… the sports… The Treasure Hunt… why, there’d be enough adventures for a dozen meetings!…

‘Wake up, young man, wake up!’ said a voice. John opened his eyes; someone was shaking him. ‘Wake up!’ Had it all been a dream then – was he no better than the sort of boys in adventure stories who did marvellous things and then, on the last page, the author would calmly say they’d dreamt them all?… ‘What a boy! Wake up do! – you’re John Ruggles, aren’t you – cove here asking for you!’ said the conductor, giving him another shake.

John struggled to his feet, blinking at the bright light. He fumbled in his pockets… yes, the knife was there… and the letter… and the parcels were on the seat… it was real all right! And there peering in at the door was Mr Ruggles! ‘Don’t see him!’ he was saying anxiously.

‘Here I am, Dad!’ cried John, collecting his parcels. And although Mr

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