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In wartime, there were no school buses, so we had to use public
transport. We'd cycle from our house to the bus stop, one
and half mile I guess. If we were late, it'd leave without
us! In our school bags would be our packed lunch, homework
and, of course, our gas mask. It never had to be forgotten!
One
day, I did forget. It was the longest day of my life - I just
prayed they didn't do a gas test that day!
Now
on a Wednesday it was always games day at the Grammar School.
My sister wasn't well enough to do games, so she went home
early leaving me to go home alone. It was 5pm and pitch black
it was.
I
picked up my cycle at the usual time and set off but soon
got a puncture. One and half miles to go and hardly a house
in sight. Alone in that darkness, I was terrified!
Then
I heard the noise. The German bombers sounded different to
ours, their engines used to stutter. They must have been going
to Sheffield. I was mortified!
I
ran with the cycle, I only had a tiny light and remember panicking,
thinking the Germans would see it!
Well
eventually I did get home. I threw my cycle down, slammed
the door behind me. I was with my family.
I
was safe!
by
Betty Panton
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Betty's story