Peggy's Letters Read Online Free

a worried frown, and I see why. His air-raid shelter is a narrow bed in a reinforced cupboard under the stairs. It’s made for one person.
    â€œWe can all fit in if we squish up really tight,” I say picking up Tommy.
    â€œI’ll stay out,” says Grandad.
    â€œNo, look. Tommy, we’re going to play sardines under the stairs. That means we have to squeeze in tight. Like this.” I give him a bear hug. “Bubble, bubble, bubble.” I carry him over to the cupboard and push him under the slanty part.
    â€œBub, bub, bub,” says Tommy.
    â€œTommy, you’re the best sardine I’ve ever seen.” I slide in next to him. The ceiling is so low that I have to sit with my head on one side. Mum squishes up next to me, and there’s just enough room for Grandad on the end.
    â€œThere, we all fit,” says Mum.
    My ears strain to catch the first drone of bomber planes or the sound of the ack-ack guns, but all I can hear is our breathing. The smell of sausages drifts intothe under-the-stairs shelter. Our food is getting cold.
    Is there time?
    â€œStay here, Tommy.”
    I duck out of the cupboard and make a dash for the kitchen.
    â€œCome back,” calls Mum
    â€œWhat do you think you’re doing, girl? Get under the stairs!” yells Grandad.
    I pick up two plates of dinner and carry them as fast and as carefully as I can back to Grandad and Mum.
    Mum cheers, and Tommy claps his hands.
    â€œGood for you, girl,” says Grandad.
    I race back for my plate and Tommy’s dish
    â€œWe have sausages for tea, and it’s going to take more than Mr. Hitler and his blinkin’ bombs to stop us eating them,” says Grandad.
    I squeeze back into my space. Mum hands me a spoon so that I can feed Tommy. This is going to be messy.
    Moments later the single note of the all-clear sounds. It was a false alarm.
    Grandad moves to stand up. It’s hard for him with his bad hip, but I don’t think he’d like me giving him a boost.
    â€œTommy and I are going to finish our picnic here,” I declare.
    â€œMe too,” says Mum.
    â€œWell, I’d better stay as well,” says Grandad leaning back against the wall.
    When he smiles, he looks like Dad.
    â€œIf you think about it, those sausages saved your lives,” he says.
    â€œSaved by a sausage,” I announce with a giggle. Mum joins in. I feel cozy and safe. Maybe it’s not going to be so bad living here after all.
    Dear Dad
    Mum said my under-the-stairs sausage picnic broke the ice, but I’m not sure. We’ve been at Grandad’s for two weeks, and I can’t seem to do anything without Grandad grumbling and Mum fussing.
    Yesterday Mum picked up our utility coupons. We now have extra points to replace the clothes we lost. She thought
we’d get the best deal down the market. So we spent a lovely morning looking at all the stalls. I now have a navy gymslip, a gray blouse and cardigan, two nighties and some underwear. Mum found herself a new dress. She looks really pretty in it. I still feel like a visitor. Being good is awfully hard work.
    Tomorrow I start my new school. I wish Nora was coming with me.
    Love Peggy

7
    Mum finishes filling in the form and hands it back to Mrs. Mashman, the headmistress.
    â€œWe’d better go now,” Mum says to me.
    I’m hugging Tommy tight. I want them both to stay. Mum holds out her arms, and Tommy jumps into them. Babies are so lucky.
    â€œSee you this afternoon,” I say in a small voice. “Bye, Tommy. Bye, Mum.”
    â€œBye, luv.”
    â€œGood-bye, Mrs. Fisher,” says the headmistress firmly.
    Mum turns toward the door, and Mrs. Mashman turns toward me. Her beadyeyes peer at me through thick round glasses.
    â€œFollow me, Peggy Fisher. Your classroom is this way.” She marches out of the office.
    Through the window, I can see Mum and Tommy walking across the playground. I wave, but they have their backs