Home alone? It’s an open-and-shut case

THE programme Planet Child on ITV brought back memories of my own solo journey at the age of nine. During the war my junior school sent two pupils away each year to a convalescent home for a two-week holiday, and one year I was lucky enough to be chosen. Unfortunately, a few days after arriving, I developed jaundice and it was decided I should return home before I infected everyone. A telegram was sent to my mother informing her, telling her my arrival time and to meet me at Paddington station. I was put on a train and told that when I reached Paddington I was to wait for my mother at the barrier. After arriving safely, I sat on my little suitcase for some considerable time, but there was no sign of my mother. I bravely walked up to a passing policeman and asked him if he had seen my mum. He took me up a flight of stairs to the station master’s office where all my details

were announced over the loudspeakers. It was repeated a few times, but Mum didn’t arrive. The kind policeman asked me if I knew my way home and if I had any money. I said I knew the way, but didn’t have any money. He bought me a ticket, gave me a few pennies and saw me on to the train. Arriving at Ealing Broadway, I made my way across a busy road and then caught a bus home. There was no reply when I knocked on our front door so I walked round the alleyway to our back garden. The back door was also locked, which was most unusual in those days, so once again I walked back through the alleyways to the next road, making my way to my auntie’s house. Luckily she was at home, took one look at this jaundiced child, put me to bed and contacted my rather surprised and shocked mother, who had gone to stay with her sister. My father was in the Army. Throughout my long solo journey home, no one had approached me. Yes, there was a war on, but I felt perfectly safe and, in fact, rather proud of myself. I doubt that lovely policeman had money to spare, and I just wish I could have thanked him for his kindness. Can you imagine this happening today?

Mrs June Bournazian, Bexhill-on-Sea, E. Sussex.