Free Tin Hats and Gas Masks by Joan Moules Page B

mum?’
    A beam of light suddenly flashed on to the children and a deep voice said, ‘Over here, Bert.’ Then softly, ‘Don’t worry, we’ll have you out into daylight in a jiffy.’ The light from the torch swung round on to Johnny, on his hands and knees in the rubble that had been the restaurant.
    ‘You all right, son?’
    ‘Yes, but I can’t find me mum.’
    ‘Stay still while we get the little girl out, then we’ll look.’
    Another warden joined him, and together they lifted the beam that had trapped her. Five minutes later both children were in an ambulance en route for the hospital, Johnny protesting that he couldn’t go without his mother.
    ‘Tell me your name, son, and we’ll see you meet up, but we’ve got to get this ambulance away now. And don’t worry, we’ll tell her you’re both all right and where they’ve taken you.’
    The ambulance doors closed and Johnny and Annie, together with half a dozen others, all of them covered in dust and plaster, were on their way.
    At the hospital they set Annie’s broken arm, checked the cuts and grazes on them both, then told them to wait. A WVS lady came along within minutes and gave them a drink of cocoa each.
    Johnny turned to Annie. ‘How d’you feel, Annie?’
    ‘I’m – I’m not sure, Johnny. All right, I think. It doesn’t hurt now.’ She glanced down at her arm, encased from the wrist to just above the elbow in plaster.
    ‘D’you feel like coming with me to look for Mum? I’m bloody worried about her.’
    ‘D’you suppose …’ her eyes were dark with fright.
    ‘I don’t know, do I? And now they’ve fixed you up they aren’t going to bother – there’s people in worse states than us. But I’ve got to find her.’
    Annie was hesitant. ‘We ought to stay and let them find her, Johnny. It will disrupt things otherwise.’
    ‘You stay, then, I’m going to look for her.’
    ‘Johnny, wait for me, I’m coming with you.’
    In the waiting-room of the hospital where the staff had left the walking casualties of the bomb, several people watched the children go. Most of them looked dazed, and if they thought they ought to stop them none was yet thinking well enough to do so. The WVS ladies had moved on and Johnny and Annie walked quietly out.
    Johnny’s main thought was to get away from the hospital and back to the restaurant, where he was sure his mother was still somewhere in the building. Perhaps the wardens had dug her out by now, if so she would be going frantic looking for them, and if they hadn’t, then he must return to find her. Beyond that his mind refused to think.
    ‘I wonder where we are?’ he said to Annie. ‘I don’t suppose they brought us far, do you?’
    ‘The – the restaurant was – was just off Oxford Street, Johnny. Maybe we should ask someone.’
    It was dark now and Johnny stopped the first person he heard and dimly saw coming along.
    ‘Oxford Street. Turn right at the next corner and keepstraight on. It’s a long road though. Which part do you want?’
    ‘Near the Palladium.’
    ‘I should catch a bus, son. Any one along here will take you. Does your mother know you’re out?’
    ‘Oh yes,’ Johnny answered quickly. ‘We’re going to meet her now.’
    They had been walking for about five minutes when Annie said, ‘Johnny, I feel bad. I think I’m going to faint.’
    ‘Oh Gawd. Annie, you mustn’t. Look we’re nearly there. Hang on to me.’
    ‘Let me stand still for a minute. I’m so cold.’
    Johnny was frightened. Suppose Annie died on him. Whatever was he going to do. Well, for one thing he was going to find his mother. Perhaps he should have left Annie at the hospital. Maybe she was injured worse than he knew.
    ‘Annie. D’you feel better, gal?’
    ‘Yes. I’m all right now, but don’t walk so quickly, Johnny. I expect it’s the shock. I’ve never fainted, but I came over so queer then, I thought perhaps that was what was happening to me.’
    ‘Hullo then, and where are you