The Swallows

Part 1

The first chapter:

Chapter 1- The Train Station.

The swallows weren’t there that morning.

The roads were quiet. Even though they were full of parents and children, there was only the odd whisper between the grieving families as we all made our way to the train station. My Mother’s eyes were red, but she took my hand firmly, with my brother on her other side.

It was a cold morning. The wind whistled around me, mildly but bitterly; bringing me back to the harsh reality when I tried to bury my head in my Mother’s duffle coat. I had a matching one, and so did my brother. They were itchy and heavy, and so old they moulted.  I took in my interest to pick at the brown thread, and my Mother didn’t stop me like she usually did. I looked into her face, to find her looking into mine. Not harshly or scornfully, but agonized. I wanted to comfort her, but couldn’t. Instead I squeezed her hand. She returned in a forced smile.

It was still dark. Frost licked the pavement. I remembered a time last year, where we walked down the street, happily and cheerfully, jumping on the frozen puddles, and shaking frosty trees. Father bought us a bun to share, with sweet pink icing and a sugar glaze. I remember biting into a fat chunk of muffin, the freshly baked taste, on that cold morning. We hadn’t been able to buy buns for ages. I remember falling over on the way back. We all laughed it off, then Father carried me back. It wasn’t funny when I fell over now, losing my grip on my Mother’s hand as my knees scraped the gravel. As my Mother helped me up, we both started sobbing. She pulled me and my brother in for a hug. Her coat rubbed an itch on my cheek, and my knees throbbed but it didn’t matter.

Mother wiped my nose, and kissed Charlie’s forehead. She led us down the street again. I stared down at my t-bar shoes as they scuffed along the concrete. They were my best pair. Bright red, with a white rim; I only used them for church. I wore my best white socks under them and my red dress. I thought it was odd to wear these clothes that day; especially where we were going.

I heard the wails of other children, whilst in the train station. I clutched my Mother harder in my gloves. An oily smell filled the air, as we made our way to the steel carriage. I buried my head in my Mother’s coat again and dragged my feet across the floor. When my Mother stopped walking, I knew what was coming. As thought, I felt a bony hand pull me away from my Mother.

 “Mabel Dunnen” Miss Smith anointed me, placing a card around my neck.

“Yes Miss” I whispered, but my hands reached back to my Mother.

“Say your goodbyes” Miss Smith nodded “The train will leave in a minute”

I froze, and for a few seconds we stood in a silent huddle before falling into a hug.

“I love you both so much” my mother choked out

“I don’t want to leave!” I murmured

 “but, there’s nothing to be worried about. It’s like an adventure; you’ll have a ball of a time. I know it; you’ll find a lovely family to keep you temporarily, till this little tiff gets sorted.”

“How longs temporaily?” I asked

“A couple of months at most, that’s all” she put on that fake smile she had earlier, and sighed “Take care, and don’t get into any trouble, I know you two” she kissed our foreheads before muttering “Don’t worry, I’ll be fine.”

“Mother, I’ll miss you” uttered Charlie

“Me too, but you’ll enjoy it”

“But what if we don’t?” I cried