Almost everyone appeared together. I was now introduced to the two girls who were sisters. I would meet the older girl later and, as it was the helper’s day off, I would not meet her until the following day. A place at the table had been left for me; this would be my seat, unless Sister decided to change our positions. Before the meal started there was grace. It appeared that each of us took turns at each meal to say grace; my turn would soon come, and as the grace was very similar to school, I did not think I would have any problem when my turn eventually came.

At the side of my plate was a neatly folded serviette inside an orange ring the shape of a rabbit. Each of us had our own individual rings, with a different design or colour. The serviettes were to last for several meals.

Normally tea for me was a quiet affair. For most of the time my mother was busy; I had the meal on my own. When the other adults sat down for tea, if I was having my tea with them, I was expected to be quiet and eat my meal. Here it was different. Other than odd comments from Sister over not talking while your mouth was full, there were conversations going on all around me. It was not really like school. In a way it was meant to be friendlier than that, but having to now live with six other children was strange.

I was used to having bread and butter with some spread to go on it followed by cake if I had been good. Tea was now a lavish meal; we had a cooked meal as well as the tea I was used to. Sister made the comment that I would soon be fattened up a little. A disappointment was being given a cup of tea to drink; this was one item which I did not really like.

The boys were asking if I could be shown round the grounds after tea. The older pair it appeared were on washing and wiping duties, so it would be left to Lenton to show me around for a short while. There would not be much time as it would soon be dark, but I might get some idea of my new home.

As tea was finishing, Sister mentioned that I really should have a play coat for going outside; the raincoat I had brought with me was rather too good for play use. I could use that for the moment as long as I did not roll about on the ground or climb any trees. Lenton was now questioned as to where he was planning to take me. “Everywhere” was his reply. Sister seemed to accept that there was no real point in telling him where I should not be taken, as he was bound to show me that first. The meal was finally finished; the two eldest boys set about clearing the table and starting the washing up. There was the hint from Sister that if they were quick, there would still be time to find the pair of us outside.

There had been a light drizzle during tea, however it had not been heavy enough to postpone the tour of the grounds. There was the instruction from Sister that it was best if I was given a pair of wellingtons to go out in; if Lenton was going to show me around, he was bound to find mud. I was taken to the far end of the corridor. Lenton was there before us, and from a side cupboard he pulled out a pair of wellingtons and put them on. It seemed as if I had been here long enough to fend for myself.

Sister indicated that at the far back of the cupboard she was sure there was a spare pair that should fit me for the time being. I knelt down and reached to the back. Two pairs of boots came out; one was ordinary boys’ boots, but too small for me, the others were for a girl. I showed Sister the boys’ boots and remarked that they would be too small and that the other boots were for a girl. My only reason for telling Sister this was that I thought they belonged to one of the girls in the flat. In a rather cross manner I was questioned to whether the larger boots I had hold of would fit, and what size shoe did I take. Within moments, it was found these were the correct size for me. I was now given a lecture from Sister that I should be thankful for anything that was given to me.

It was easy to tell that the boots were for a girl; they were shiny and the shape of the toe was different from that for a boy. The biggest giveaway was that the lining was a tartan design rather than simple cream cotton. Soon I had them on my feet. Sister pinched the ends of the toes, remarking they would be all right for the moment. I was sent out with Lenton.

I was now told that Sister could get cross at times over the smallest thing. I did not really mind wearing girls’ wellingtons; they were a very comfortable fit compared to the short heavy dull boots that many of my school friends wore. I always chose the taller shiny style wellingtons as they were ideal for my long legs. There was nothing wrong with these boots except for the tartan lining.

I told Lenton I had already been over to the swings by the school. It was decided that I should be taken around the back of the flats and then we could work our way all round the grounds. The older two boys never found us; it was almost dark when Lenton decided it was time to go in. Normally we would be given a set time to go in at. The big clock on the office block was the one to use. All the Sisters went by this clock. Even if you had a watch, or the television told a different time, if you were in the grounds, the clock on the block was the correct time.
Lenton told me that if I was naughty, you were given either the slipper or the cane, it depended on what you had done wrong.

We arrived indoors; Sister seemed pleased that I had been happy going out and looking around. I was asked if everything was all right. Possibly, she had expected me to be in tears for not having my mother here, but as I had gone through this same event a few months ago, I was not going to burst into tears here.  I might feel a bit rotten but with girls around, I was not going to show how I felt.

Now Lenton introduced me to one of the many chores that would make up part of my daily life. Shoe cleaning was until now not something I had really had to bother with very often. My first introduction to it in earnest had been at the school I had stayed at during the holidays. At the end of the day our school shoes and other items had to be cleaned to high standards. Until then, I had never been made to clean my shoes and boots; on many occasions I had given them the final shine, but my mother had never trusted me with an open tin of polish. Both our play shoes and school shoes had to be given a good polish; Lenton mentioned that if you did not do a good job Sister would make you do it again until she was satisfied.

We finished at around the same time; it appeared that my shoes would pass inspection. Lenton told me the worst thing was trying to get a shine on play shoes after you have been outside playing football on wet days. The leather was often too damp to allow you to get a shine and you would get a telling off for not wearing your wellingtons. If you had been playing in the woods, every bit of mud had to be cleaned off before coming inside. There was a trough of water near the back door and a stiff brush; they had to be completely clean, as you needed to wear your wellingtons for some of our indoor chores. An old towel was in the shoe cupboard for drying them off before putting them away. 

Our chore over I was now told it was time for supper. We headed into the kitchen; some of the others were already there. I was now told that supper could vary. It might be a few biscuits or some cake; often it could be toast or something similar. For me toast and Marmite was fine; the others had a more sweet tooth and were eager to delve into the jam and chocolate spread. The drink we were allowed was milk. This we could have either cold or hot; if you were having it hot then chocolate powder or instant coffee could be added. I easily chose coffee, but made entirely with milk I found a little rich. I was more used to having it made with hot water and a little cold milk added. I realised that mentioning any preference at this point would soon get me into trouble. 

  Sister now judged that it was time for getting me ready for bed. Lenton was disappointed as for the next few days he was not going to be grouped with the two older boys for bedtimes, but with me until I became settled in the Home. There was slight questioning by Sister when I used the word dormitory when referring to the bedroom. She now asked me if I had been away to boarding school before coming here. Knowing what my mother had told me about not saying anything about the boarding school I had stayed at during Christmas, I got over the problem by telling Sister that when I first started school, my mother had gone to work at a school that took boarders. I was not actually told off, but it was suggested by her that it was best to use the word bedroom in front of the other boys.

Once in the bedroom, Sister explained that she had originally intended for me to start school on Monday, but as she was going to be busy on that day, I would have to be taken to school by her tomorrow, so that I could be shown where the school was and introduce me to my teacher. I should put my school clothes ready. Lenton spoke up and mentioned that he could take me, but it appeared I was going to the same school as most of the others, rather than to his school. However, Sister announced that she had been told to take me to the annexe part of the school rather than where the other four were. 

  We were packed off to the bathroom; I had brought a flannel, toothbrush, toothpaste and a towel with me. Lenton soon pounced on my tube of toothpaste and begged to use it. He explained that the Home provided toothpaste but it came in tins as a solid block, you had to wet it to get any of the paste onto your brush and the taste was horrible. Toothpaste in a tube was an absolute luxury; I was warned that the other two would use my toothpaste as well. It might be best not to say anything to Sister as she might take it away from me for being greedy. I was quite happy to share my toothpaste, but I was a little cross to see the amount that was spread across the full length of the brush. If all three were going to do this, the toothpaste would be gone within days; my mother had always made me put just enough on the end of the brush that would clean my teeth.

Eventually we returned to the bedroom, Sister was going through the drawers that had my clothes in. I was told that I really had everything I needed, but over the next few days, she would take a few measurements and add a few more play clothes to my drawer.

At night, I had been used to being told when to go off to bed, and then going to sleep. Even at the boarding school when it was time for bed, we went to bed, a final check was made by one of the staff that everyone was actually in bed and that was that. Here it appeared that prayers had to be said, the counterpane was folded down to the bottom of your bed and you could get in. Sister tucked the sides of your bed in so that no bedclothes were loose. I now found that once the bedclothes were tucked in, it was almost impossible to move. I was wished a good night by Sister. As this was my first night, I might feel a bit lonely, but I had Lenton for company and the other two would be joining us soon. The lights went out, and the door finally shut.

Lenton explained that when Sister tucked our bedclothes in, it was known as a cuddle. If I was uncomfortable, it was all right to loosen them a little. He mentioned that once the lights were out, we were meant to keep quiet but if you talked in whispers, everything was normally fine. A small glass panel in the wall was connected to Sister’s room; this allowed her to hear everything that was said in this room. 

  After the events of the day I was tired and was soon asleep. The other two boys came in later but I stayed asleep. At some point during the night I did wake up; everything seemed so odd for a few seconds, then I remembered where I now was. It was the grunts and snores of the other three that made me think I was back at the boarding school. From what I had seen so far, this place seemed a bit tame, although Sister seemed strict and would not tolerate any wrongdoing. There did not seem to be the activity of daring to do wrong things or the punishments that were threatened at every moment, that I had noticed whilst I was at the boarding school. Other than the occasional noise from the other three, it was generally silent. I missed the background noise of the London streets. I was not really on the point of tears, but how long I was to be here had never been explained. If I had been at the boarding school I knew I would have left at eleven; here it looked as if you stayed until you left school at about fifteen.

With Sister tucking me firmly into bed, I didn't know if I was allowed out of bed to visit the lavatory or not. I decided that it was worth the risk and made a quick visit. Soon I was back in bed, after wondering about the events of the following day for a short while, I went back to sleep.

Before coming to the Home, I had been used to getting up when I woke up. If it had been too early for breakfast or the like, I would have read my comics or amused myself until it was time to start the day.  I was told that here, we could only get up at the point that Sister told us to get up.

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Continued

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