THE NATIONAL CHILDREN’S HOME

ARRIVAL

 The day came for leaving London. My possessions fitted into one suitcase. The main content was clothing; I was taking both play and school clothes with me. For the journey, I was dressed in my best clothes. A few model cars that I had been given for my eighth birthday, plus a few comics and the odd book took up any space that remained in the case; it would be too heavy to carry if I had put all my books in. These I would be able to have later. There was no fear of leaving. It was explained that in a month or so I would be able to have a visit, and a short time later, there would be some holidays and I might be able to come back to London for a short stay.

It was quite a walk to the station with my mother carrying the case. We were heading off just after lunch, which would give me a little while to settle in before my mother had to return. Once on the train, we had most of the compartment to ourselves. As I was going to live in the same town as my three sets of aunts and uncles, having visited them before, I knew roughly how long a journey to expect. When I had settled in at my new location, I would probably be able to go to my aunt’s and uncle’s for tea occasionally, as they would be living quite close.

During the journey my mother told me it might be best not to tell the other children that I was going to live with, about the various schools I had attended, and possibly, it was best that I did not mention anything about where I had been during the Christmas holidays.

Eventually we arrived; it was a short ride by taxi to my new home. Having been told it was called Highfield, with all the excitement, I never noticed the sign at the front that read Children’s Home and Orphanage.

On my arrival, it looked like a large park surrounded by houses. Once we had visited the main office building, I was now taken with my mother to the flat I was going to live in. Each large house I was told had four flats in each. I would soon get to make friends with many other boys and girls who lived in the flats. If I wanted to know which flat I was in, it would be very easy for me to remember, as it was the first upper flat at the end of the row.
I was introduced to a lady who seemed almost as old as my grandmother, and should be addressed as ‘Sister’ rather than ‘Miss’.
 The Sister gave us a short tour of the flat, and then I was shown the bedroom and the bed that would be mine. 

As this was a school day, all the others from the flat were at school. I would share the room with three other boys who were slightly older. They would be able to show me where everything was kept. As well as the boys there were also three girls who lived in this flat; I would meet everyone later.

From the bedroom window, Sister pointed across a large grassed area to where some swings were, and suggested I go over and play for a short while, while she chatted with my mother over a cup of tea. It was put in such a way as not to really offer any alternative. If Sister wanted to talk to my mother without me around, I knew it would give my mother the opportunity to tell her about my temper and behaviour.

Before I left the flat, I was shown where the boys’ bathroom and lavatory was. Sister mentioned that it was best to go before going out as it saved coming back later and dragging mud indoors. I was soon down the stairs and walking across the neat grass. I was quite happy playing on the equipment alone; in London, the parks I could go to were quite a long walk away – having come to a place where there was a park so near was great.

Quite a high slide, although not the highest I had ever been on, was the first item to conquer, followed by a roundabout and some swings. The metal rocking horse and the bars were not bothered with at this stage; the climbing frame then occupied me for most of the time. I was not really bored, but I thought I should be going back. I looked at a small building next to this playground; from the sound, I could guess that this was the school for the youngest children.

Heading back across the grass, I met my mother starting out from the flat. I was told that she had to get back to London now; I should go in now, as Sister had told her that the others would soon be back from school and they would want to meet me. She would visit me soon, so I should be a good boy and do whatever Sister told me to do. After a hug and a kiss, my mother headed off down a path and was gone. I was sad, but I was a big boy of eight and I was not going to cry. I headed up to the flat where Sister was waiting. I was on the verge of tears, but none came. It was not fear or disappointment, it was that everything was so different from how I imagined. That there would be almost two hundred other children here was not something I had expected; I thought I was going to live with six other children. 

It was suggested by Sister that I might want to change into my play clothes as the others would be going to change out of their school clothes when they returned. My case was unpacked; the clothes were checked to see that my name was inside each item. Sister showed me the drawers that I could use. A few toys and books I had with me were left in my case; these could be put away later.

I was told that my bed had a rubber sheet on top of the mattress. I was pleased about my bed already having a rubber sheet on it, as it saved having to ask Sister if I could have one. During the train journey today, I had been reminded about the few problems of last year, and if I was asked, did I wet the bed I was to say that it did happen. I decided that as the question had not actually been asked, there was no need to say anything. I wondered if the others would tease me if I wet the bed.

There was a slam of a door somewhere in the flat, followed by someone running. The door opened quickly and a boy of about my age rushed in. Possibly he did not expect to find anyone here, as the running became a walk. I was now introduced to Lenton.

If I had any fears about starting a new school where others might tease me over my lightly tanned complexion, I need not have had any worries. Lenton had similar looks to myself, although his hair was in short tight curls. Sister now suggested that he show me around the flat until the tea was ready. For the short time while Lenton changed into his play clothes, I was questioned as to where I came from, how old I was and did I like fighting, plus a range of other matters. I was asked if I had brought any toys and if Sister had already seen them; I pointed to my case and mentioned that I had been told that I could put them away later.

Sister had quickly put away my clothes. All that had remained in the case were my toys and comics. I was led back to the day room and shown where an empty locker was, and my toys were soon put away.

Sister would explain all the rules to me. I was given a few hints: no knives, cigarettes, matches, money, food; you could keep sweets, but don’t complain if they go missing. There were shouts from the main corridor; I was informed that the others were back.  We returned to the bedroom; it was easy to see that the other two boys were a few years older than we were. Soon I was told their names, and who could beat up whom, but this last fact seemed to be argued over slightly between them.

Lenton suggested that we go and see how soon tea would be ready; if we finished early, there might be time to go outside so I could be shown where everything was. He knew he did not have to do washing or wiping up and it was doubtful if Sister had put my name down this soon on the list. In time I would be doing my share; washing up was better than wiping up, but we all took a turn at each.

Both of us headed off to the bathroom. Lenton hinted it was best to make sure you went before you sat down at the table. Although Sister did not actually ban you from leaving the table to go to the toilet, you might find on your return that your share of any cake or pudding had been given out. It was best to try and sit through the pain rather than leave the table. It was also necessary to make sure your hands were clean; you would be sent back if they were not to her liking.

Continued.

Please click on link

http://www.philipastrangechild.com/page_1170414484046.html