Josie Under Fire (12 page)
Authors: Ann Turnbull
Edith and Josie were sitting in the walnut tree. Above them the roof was missing a good many tiles, and below, the garden was still full of debris, although the strip of fencing had been removed and the smaller rubbish collected into a pile for burning. The tree rose unharmed above it all. It had no new leaves yet but the tight buds held a promise of spring.
“You impressed her, then,” Josie said. She felt rather jealous. Her own tea-making expertise, though much appreciated, was unlikely to have made their new friend feel Josie was destined for great things.
But Edith said, “Oh, so did you! I asked her what she thought you would do, and she said, ‘I don’t know, Edith. But I do know that Josie will always try to do the
right
thing.’”
“That’s not a job,” said Josie. But she felt pleased, all the same.
She had introduced Ted to Miss Rutherford; and she knew Miss Rutherford had taken a liking to him. The two of them had talked for a long time about the suffragettes, and the white poppy movement, and the need for change in the world.
Peter and Ted had both slept for most of Thursday morning, then joined the rest of the family and Miss Rutherford for lunch before setting off on their separate journeys in the late afternoon: Ted to Dagenham to see his mother and grandmother; Peter to his base in Norfolk.
Peter came to say goodbye to Josie, and told her, “You’ll speak up for your brother, won’t you, Josie? He’s a brave chap.”
She nodded. “Because he rescued that trapped man.”
“No, not because of that. That
was
brave, but – well, as he said, it had to be done, and he just happened to be there. But to be a C.O., to stand up for your beliefs when everyone else is rushing into war, to risk ridicule and hatred and put up with it day after day: that’s truly brave. I know
I
couldn’t do it. You should be proud of him.”
I am, thought Josie. And I
will
speak up for him. It would be difficult, she knew; but if Peter and Ted could be brave, so could she.
Edith interrupted her thoughts. “It was fun yesterday, wasn’t it? All that first aid and organizing and washing-up?” She added guiltily, “Of course I know it was dreadful really, but – well, it was exciting and we were all part of it and I felt
useful
. Usually Mummy treats me like a baby because I’m the youngest and Peter and Moira have always been so” – she rolled her eyes – “
wonderfully
clever and well behaved. But they all needed us yesterday, didn’t they?”
“Yes. It was good. Better than games.”
“Better than collecting shrapnel and going on that stupid bomb site. I shan’t go there again.” She looked sidelong at Josie. “And I won’t let the others call you names again. I promise.”
“Thanks.” Josie smiled.
“We were horrible to Alice Hampton, weren’t we?” Edith said.
“Yes.”
“I feel bad about it. Do you think, if we told her we were really, really sorry, that she’d forgive us, and be friends?”
“I don’t know.” Josie had a feeling it wouldn’t be as easy as that. But – “I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to try.”
Maybe, she thought, if Alice could be drawn out of her shell, she would turn out to be less peculiar and more interesting than they’d thought. She might even be fun.
“Only – I shan’t be around,” she said. “Not for long, anyway.”
Her mother had phoned yesterday, anxious after the night of bombing. She had said Granny was doing well, and Josie might be home in a couple of weeks.
Home. Back to her own neighbourhood, to the taunts and name calling. But I shan’t mind as much as I did, Josie realized; I’m stronger now. When she thought of all the things that had happened in the last two weeks she felt amazed, and thankful. Perhaps there
would
be time for her to make friends with Alice, after all.
Wartime abbreviations
During World War Two people used a great many abbreviations in everyday speech. On the Home Front, taking care of civilians, were the Air Raid Protection (ARP) wardens and the Women’s Voluntary Service (WVS). Women who joined the Forces might be in the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) or the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS); and bomber pilots such as Peter were in the Royal Air Force (RAF).
A stirrup pump was a device that civilians could keep at home and use to extinguish fires caused by incendiary bombs.
Author’s note
I have always been intrigued by old houses. I’ve lived in several, and like to imagine (and sometimes find out) who lived there before, and how the house has changed over time.
Number 6 Chelsea Walk, our imaginary house, is based on a real London house, and becomes home to three very different girls. In my story, Josie lives there in 1941, during the Blitz, and I found it fascinating to discover what really happened in Chelsea at that time and to bring some real events to her story, like the bombing of the local church. I hope you enjoy reading it, and recognizing the house and perhaps one or two characters from the earlier stories.
About the author
Ann Turnbull knew from an early age that she wanted to be a writer. After working as a secretary for many years, Ann returned to studying and started to train as a teacher. It was then that she rediscovered children’s literature and began writing for children herself. Her first novel was published in 1974 and she is now a full-time author. She has written more than twenty-five books for children and young adults, including
Pigeon Summer
, which was shortlisted for the Nestlé Smarties Book Prize, and
No Shame, No Fear
, shortlisted for the Guardian Children’s Fiction prize and the Whitbread Children’s Book Award.
Ann lives with her husband and their tabby cat, Claude, in the West Midlands.
To find out more about Ann Turnbull, you can visit her website:
www.annturnbull.com
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Collect
The Historical House
series
Mary Ann & Miss Mozart
1764
Ann Turnbull
Mary Ann’s greatest wish is to become an opera singer, but when she is told she must leave her Boarding School for Young Ladies, her singing dreams are shattered. Distraught, she comes up with a plan to stay at school, oblivious to the danger it will put her in…
Lizzie’s Wish
1857
Adèle Geras
When Lizzie’s stepfather sends her to stay with relatives in London, Lizzie struggles to adapt to her new life of stiff manners and formal pastimes. She lives for the daily letters from her mother, but when the letters suddenly stop, Lizzie sets out to discover the truth and finds herself on a rescue mission.
Cecily’s Portrait
1895
Adèle Geras
Cecily is enchanted when she meets Rosalind, a photographer, who seems to be the perfect match for Cecily’s lonely widowed father. But her father’s friend, the dull and dowdy Miss Braithwaite, keeps spoiling her plans to unite the pair. Will Cecily’s dreams ever come true?
Polly’s March
1914
Linda Newbery
When Polly discovers her new neighbours are suffragettes, fighting for women’s right to vote, she is determined to join their protest march. But her parents are scandalized. Will she dare to defy them and do what she thinks is right?
Josie Under Fire
1941
Ann Turnbull
When Josie goes to stay with her cousin, Edith, she tries to fit in by joining Edith and her friends in teasing a timid classmate. But when the bullying gets out of hand, Josie faces a dilemma: she knows what it feels like to be picked on, but if she takes a stand, will Edith tell everyone her secret?
Andie’s Moon
1969
Linda Newbery
Andie dreams of becoming an artist and loves living in Chelsea, with the fashion, music and art galleries along the trendy King’s Road. There’s even a real artist living in the flat downstairs. Could Andie’s paintings, inspired by the excitement of the first-ever moon landing, be good enough to win his approval?
For more fascinating stories go to
www.usborne.com/fiction
This ebook edition first published in 2015 by Usborne Publishing Ltd., Usborne House, 83-85 Saffron Hill, London EC1N 8RT, England.
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Copyright © Ann Turnbull, 2004.
The right of Ann Turnbull to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988.
Inside illustrations by Ian McNee.
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This is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents, and dialogues are products of the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
ePub ISBN 9781409590972