THE JOURNEY

THE JOURNEY  By Tessa Harvey     Suddenly the only other lady in the group muttered "silence!" The lights went out and almost as one they all melted back into deeper cover, but Thomas was still restless. Alice said something very softly and he became quiet at once.     Again the boy took the lead and the three men took turns carrying Thomas over their shoulders. It must have been very painful for him. He made no sound.     Within a short distance they came to an old abandoned building. It must have been used before as a refuge, as the group slipped inside through a door which opened easily.     The moon flittered intermittently through dark clouds. It felt as though a storm was building. One of the men risked a quick flick of his torch locating a trap door. The young woman helped them through, then closed them in.     "What about Lisette?" whispered the young boy anxiously. "She hides the trapdoor and herself," was the enigmatic rep...

THE JOURNEY  By Tessa Harvey     Alice felt she had been stumbling through the darkness for hours when the boy stopped so suddenly she fell against him.     Holding her with one arm, she made out he was trying to signal silence with the other.     Slowly she made out some shielded lights to her left and heard quiet voices, one voice rising louder than the rest. It was a man's voice, but broken, harsh, then almost incoherently mumbling.     Alice and her guide crept closer and joined four others - three men and a woman. They were variously trying to drip water down his throat and holding wet cloths against the young man's forehead. Alice could see he was young but his face was badly bruised and swollen. He was wearing an airman's uniform, British she thought, but it was ripped and she saw burn marks and other painful-looking injuries.     It was obvious he had been very badly beaten, but had somehow escaped. She wondered how.   ...

THE JOURNEY  By Tessa Harvey     The boy was waiting outside, shifting impatiently from one foot to the other.     "Please come," he said at once without preamble, "someone is very sick. You are needed, miss."     I recognised him as the youth who worked for the greengrocer, about fourteen or fifteen years old, small and dark-skinned. Usually he was busy, filling up produce as people took potatoes or other fruit and vegetables to buy, or organising shelves. I had never heard him speak before, though he appeared hard working and efficient.     He glanced at my feet. "You need stronger shoes." His tone was peremptory and I felt a little affronted. I think I had become too used to regarding myself as a person of importance to the community. Still, I hastily changed my shoes and stumbled after the boy, beginning to sense his urgency.     Why did they need me now? I wondered, after weeks of seemingly minor tasks. Alice did not know what ...

THE JOURNEY  By Tessa Harvey     Alice woke up late. The sun was streaming through the windows. Yesterday a strange letter had arrived from her parents. It was hard to believe, but a storm had apparently swept in when they were somewhere in the English Channel.     They were coming to try and find her in such a large city...Really parents were impossible! Usually her situations were quite temporary - perhaps parents needing a break from their children. This work for the colonel and his children had been much longer than average.     Somehow when her parents had been washed overboard in the storm, they reached a small lifeboat and now were looking after two small children for some reason.     What really upset Alice was her father's postscript. For hours last night she had pondered his words. Her brother was missing in action. That usually meant dead or a prisoner.     Could she pray, her parents had asked. What use was that she thou...

THE JOURNEY  By Tessa Harvey     The colonel never explained about his attack. There was talk of a fall. There were no recriminations. Nothing except a few days of rest. Then all was as before. But not quite.     Two days a week there was no need for a tutor or guardian. Wednesday was literally called midweek in German and a day of leisure, as was Sunday.     These days the children were taken to see grandparents, other relatives or simply trips to the hills, the sea or picnics.     These were precious days off for Alice. And days of immense disappointment. Alice was given mundane jobs by her    such as taking messages, some written, mostly verbal. She was loaned an old boneshaker of a bicycle. Optimistically she tried to enjoy these outings through small towns and pretty countryside.     Soon they will trust me, she told herself over and over and over again. Yet still she was treated with varying degrees of politeness as ...

THE JOURNEY  By Tessa Harvey     "Lock the door," he whispered hoarsely. Quickly Alice did as the colonel asked, hoping his present situation would not cause him to ask questions later about why she was seemingly out so late. She scurried around fetching warm water and towels so he did not drip blood everywhere.     "Do you know where the nurse sleeps?" Alice nodded. "Fetch her quietly. Do not wake the children - or the maids," he added, "then please go to your own bed. Frau Braun will help." Alice did as asked, wondering how and why he had been injured. She lay awake for a while, hoping French people would not suffer as a punishment for an injured German.     Somehow she would contact the people she had been going to meet. It was the baker and his wife who had asked if she wanted to help her own aunty as well as the locals who were loyal to France.     Alice was going to do all she could to help. Soon she would find out what was required.......

THE JOURNEY  By Tessa Harvey     Alice was very nervous, still unsure she was doing the right thing. To be honest, she was just plain scared.     However, she had made very discreet inquiries to people she valued and trusted. Tonight she was to go to Jean-Paul and Marie Closier's house. The colonel was still out, but she felt she had to take the risk. "Nothing ventured, nothing gained," she murmured softly - then repeated it as she crept to the front door. The children were not left alone.     A nurse and two maids lived in. They had bedrooms near the children or up in the attics. The latter were quite comfortable and kept warm when the weather was cold. The house was quiet and still.     Suddenly Alice froze. Someone was outside fumbling quietly, turning the doorknob. Mesmerised, the young girl watched, too afraid to move.     Guilt swept over her. She herself had just unlocked the door to go out. The door opened and Colonel Keller...

THE JOURNEY  By Tessa Harvey     Thomas watched as his dad stopped to lea n   on a gate leading to a low pasture. "Why did you think I might be in Intelligence, dad?"     They called me, Thomas. They asked for copies of your birth certificate and last school reports. You are legally old enough NOW to have enlisted. Also you are sure smart!"     Thomas laughed. "Well I suppose in some ways. Gormless in others!"     They heard voices. Josie was coming with the small children to meet them. Jenna and Josha were still very wary of the cows. The little boy stuck his thumb in his mouth and held his sister's hand. They stared intently as the animals placidly grazed.     "Say mum, could I borrow that letter Alice sent. Perhaps she wrote something that the senior officer could find helpful?!"     Josie smiled. "Your grandad was involved in cloak and dagger stuff." Thomas looked suddenly serious.      "He told us...

THE JOURNEY  By Tessa Harvey     Josie and Patrick had come home two days later, vastly relieved to find Thomas healthy and still on leave for another week. He did not like Josha and Jenna at first, feeling it too much for his parents, both in their early forties. But the children were very quiet and did everything they were asked, desperate to fit in and so admiring of this big man, following him around.     Soon he had them, one on each knee, reading his favourite stories from childhood.      Then a letter came from Alice. It was very stilted and formal. Thomas was puzzled by the reference to "little brother." Only a year separated them in age.     Patrick spoke to them as they went together to get milk and other groceries from the nearby shop. "Son, your sister is trying to protect you by making the German think you are of no consequence, a mere schoolboy." He paused. "I have an idea you work in Intelligence and if ever you can get wo...

THE JOURNEY  By Tessa Harvey     Paris, Occupied France, War Time       Colonel Keller strode into the small schoolroom as though he owned the place - which, in effect he did.     Quickly the four children rose to their feet and stood stiffly, waiting.  "Guten Morgen," he said, "Good Morning." They also answered him in German. He bade them sit down. "Lovely day, Miss Alice," he said, pronouncing her name the French way 'Aleece.' It was meant as a sneer.     Paris and much of France had swiftly fallen to the Germans - so swiftly that young Alice Phillips had been unable to escape.     She had written to her parents, Patrick and Josie, including a reference to her "little" brother. The colonel had of course checked the contents of the letter, but assured her it would be sent.     "We will control your small island soon enough," Hans Keller had stated firmly. "Meanwhile you teach my children." He had left the room, ...

THE JOURNEY   By Tessa Harvey     The telegram boy puffed and panted up the steep hill slope to the correct address. His bike wobbled as he sought to keep his balance. Net curtains twitched at windows following his progress uneasily.     The war was not going well, with many casualties already. The young lad's face brightened when he saw the soldier leaning over to open the gate.     "Sir!" he called, "telegram!" Well, this man was alive, not even wounded.      The boy handed over the message to the puzzled soldier and hastened away, pleased no-one was upset this time. Whistling, he swooped back down the hill. Nearly lunch time!     Thomas stood there holding the telegram, uncertain why it was addressed to him.      Next door the neighbour's door opened and Frances Redcliff peered out.     "How do, lad? Good news I hope! Your mum and dad were going to look for your Alice."     Thomas undid the...

THE JOURNEY  By Tessa Harvey     The small children were lifted up to the larger boat. They looked back at the adults, the only lifeline they had now in their rapidly changing world. Their little faces were pale and anxious, but already Josie was being helped up, then it was Patrick's turn.     When they reached the ship, he looked back but could see no bright scrap of orange in the turbulent waters, churning in a fresh storm. It was a miracle they were safe. Was their tiny life raft still afloat?     On board were familiar faces. Soon they realised that while the original vessel was foundering, some of the passengers had perished but many were saved by the tireless efforts of "The Valiant."     Josha and Jenna could see no-one they knew in the tumble of legs and bodies. It was bewildering, but soon order was restored and a four-berth cabin became their new temporary home. The crew kept them together.     No-one was allowed on deck ...

THE JOURNEY  By Tessa Harvey     The plane veered towards them. The adults cheered, even though they could not be heard by anyone in the aeroplane.     Mesmerised, the children watched it coming. "It didn't stop," wailed the little boy. "But it waved!!" His sister was in awe. She mimed a plane flying then dipping a wing, straightening and then lowering her other arm slightly.     Patrick explained that the people in the plane would send help - a ship.      "Was your father in our ship?" asked Josie softly. But it was Josh's turn to mime. Despite the lack of room, he pretended to march stiffly. "Men took our daddy," sighed Jenna. He didn't want to go. He reached for us."     But Patrick was watching the sky. Ominous, dark grey clouds were looming and the wind and waves were freshening. "But look!" cried Josie     A larger ship than their previous one was steaming towards them. It slowed, stopped and a boat was launched...

THE JOURNEY  By Tessa Harvey     A cool refreshing wind awakened them. At first Patrick was delighted, hoping to catch rainwater in their empty tins and the tin box.     But when he glanced outside, he saw distant dark clouds on the horizon and the sea was no longer calm at all, but boisterous.     Josie noticed but said nothing, not wanting to alarm the small ones. It had been so humid. Patrick had slept without his shirt. When his wife saw his side she smiled and her eyes danced.     "What's so funny, woman?" he asked, pretending to be annoyed. "Too handsome for you and me?!" He smiled, looking down at himself. Then he laughed aloud.     The children woke up, puzzled. Josie beckoned them nearer. She pointed to the almost square tin box outlining its shape with her fingers, then pointed to Patrick's side. Bluish bruises made the same pattern. So exhausted and battered, they had just fallen asleep any way they could.     T...

THE JOURNEY   By Tessa Harvey     But how could their small boat have survived? Had their ship been torn apart or still floated?     Joshua crawled over to Josie. Salty, thirsty, he whispered hopefully, his dark eyes fixed imploringly on her face. "Me too." The little girl crept over nearer the adults. "We opened our moufs when it rained. All gone now."     "Patrick, our captain was very efficient. Conscientious. Could there be supplies hid in the lifeboat?" Josie was hopeful but could see nothing. "Children," enthused Patrick, "look for a tin box!"     Jenna giggled. "Funny man. You are on box!" And so he was!!     With some banging and levering, the lid eased reluctantly open. Inside were smaller vessels with needed water. Others with hard, dry biscuits. They shared the water carefully, children first, with gratitude and thanks for a very careful captain and crew.      They had called and looked out of the boat, but...

THE JOURNEY By Tessa Harvey     Josie nudged her husband awake. "Patrick, "she whispered. She took her courage in both hands, leaned on her elbows and made herself look. Two small faces looked back at her.     "Lady awake," one said. "Is man nice?" asked the other, fearfully. "Yes," answered Josie, feeling she was part of a play being performed or in a strange dream. "Patrick is very friendly."     At his name Patrick startled. He saw the children. "Hello." His voice was soft. He felt their fear. "Are you alone?"     "Mama swimmed away," the little boy said, beginning to cry.     "No, Joshie, no. She sank." The little girl leaned over the side of the boat. "Deep," she uttered miserably. "Want to go home right now!"     The adults realised the children were possibly twins of perhaps three years. Their names were Jenna and Josh or Joshua. It seemed their mother had managed to dra...

THE JOURNEY  By Tessa Harvey     What would have taken minutes on a fine day became an exhausting struggle. The wind tore ferociously at their saturated clothing, whipping Josie's hair across her face. Patrick heard her whimpering but she never faltered. They were both silent now, dwarfed by the howling fury of the storm.     Trying to wedge his feet, Patrick finally pushed his wife under the ripping yellow tarpaulin of the tiny boat. The waves surged so hard, he banged his head sharply. He almost let go, but Josie had turned and was gripping his jacket hard.     With a strength they did not expect, he was hauled into the lifeboat.     "Tie yourself into the ropes, "he whispered, as for a few minutes the storm stilled. They could even hear desperate cries from the other people. Then the waves and wind pounded them again until they were battered into insensibility. They could not hear or speak or think.      The boat was torn fr...

THE JOURNEY   By Tessa Harvey     They were only sailing across the Channel. The French word for this stretch of water was 'sleeve' (La Marche). But a storm came unexpectedly. It was not forecast. The waves grew immense and frightening. Patrick and Josie clung tightly to the metal rails. Patrick noticed uneasily that at times the ship's propellor was forced out of the water by the force of the wind and high waves.     All the other passengers had been sent below decks but somehow they had been overlooked, tucked away in a corner near the lounge not far from the bow.     The waves were increasing in stature. Patrick felt very uneasy. They were very vulnerable. They had not expected such a perilous storm to be had.      Not far away was one of the few lifeboats. "Josie," he said, having to speak right into her ear to be heard, "we need to get into that lifeboat. Keep holding onto me and we can slowly crawl. Never let go."     Jo...

THE JOURNEY  By Tessa Harvey     A few weeks later both Patrick and Josie had arranged a fortnight's leave from work.     Patrick was responsible for keeping the noisy printing presses going at some very busy newspaper offices.     Despite earplugs, the loud torrent of sound from endless machines gave him headaches. He suspected he was slowly losing some hearing. This saddened him as Josie was so soft-spoken. He also loved listening to the local birds, especially in springtime, and the sound of wind in the pines nearby.     Despite their mature age, it was very exciting boarding a ship! They had written to both their children but had heard nothing from either.     Josie had left word with their neighbours on either side, just in case Thomas or Alice arrived to find an empty house. They did not take much luggage. It was not easy walking up the gangway, gripping the side ropes tightly. They listened to the crew calling and people sayi...

THE JOURNEY  By Tessa Harvey     Josie worked in a grocery store. It was hard work and she got very tired. Her feet hurt and she worried about Thomas and also about Alice, their daughter. She was abroad somewhere as an exchange student.      Alice worked part-time looking after other people's children. Buth when they wrote her, there were no replies.     One day nearing Christmas, Patrick talked to Josie after supper one evening. "Do you think you could get a week off work, Josie? I am owed some leave. Perhaps we could visit Alice as our son is away for a while. What do you think?"     Josie was overjoyed. With a little catch in her voice, she said she would love that. "You see," she explained very earnestly, "boys can look after themselves better than girls can."     Patrick smiled and hugged her warmly. He wasn't sure he agreed, but wisely said nothing.     War clouds were gathering, but not surely in "gay Paree?"

THE JOURNEY  By Tessa Harvey     A long time ago two people decided to go on a small cruise. Their son had wanted to be in the army for a while and as soon as he was old enough, he signed up. Thomas was actually too young, but nobody checked very hard.     By the time his parents tried to find him, he had already been posted to the other end of the country for basic training. The army recruiting office gave them their son's address. In those days people mostly wrote letters. Patrick and Josie tried to phone, but almost always could not get through. When they did eventually succeed, they were told their boy was out on something called "maneuvers." So they wrote to him instead.     Thomas wrote back very happy. Everybody said war was coming so he was going a long way away. He was not allowed to say where. "This is an amazing adventure," he wrote in his somewhat childish scrawl. "When I come back, there is leave and I will visit you."