THE VILLAGE SCHOOL

Over the whole estate, things are changing week by week. Dutch Naval officers, some of them billeted in the village since June, are moving into the east wing. The ballroom is being converted into office and Cook has to provide for an extra ten mouths. The gardener plants more turnips, swedes, carrots and cabbages. Mrs Clemens enjoys the company of the charming young men and tries to keep up her entertaining standards in spite of the limited menu. Rationing is expected in the New Year and the farmʼs hay meadows, untouched for centuries, are ploughed up and planted with wheat and potatoes.

With the autumn comes the time for both Edward and Emily to return to school. Edward is trying on his new prep school uniform, a stiff too-big blazer with the Mount House badge, scratchy grey shorts and a striped tie. He wears long grey socks with shiny black brogues – and fidgets and squirms against his motherʼs desk. After a summer of bare feet, grazed knees and torn shorts, the transformation is understandably uncomfortable.

Emily is similarly attired. Mrs Clemens has kindly bought her a special school dress for summer and a gymslip for winter with hard black lace-up shoes. She heard her remarking to Mrs Brockenhurst after the W.V.S. meeting that it was ‘rather nice to shop for a little girl’s clothes for a change. Weʼre so lucky, she is a dear little thing, very polite and helpful and good company for Edward.’ That had made Emily feel more at home.

On the first day of term, Emilyʼs hair is put into two plaits tied with navy ribbons to match her gymslip. She is trying to be brave but wishes she was at home with Mum and going back to her old school where she knew all the other children in her class. She pulls up her pristine white socks and adjusts the sleeves of her crisp new blouse.

Mrs Clemens brushes a piece of fluff from her shoulder and says, ‘Edward will walk with you to the end of the drive, the village school is just across the road – Iʼm sure youʼll enjoy it. Youʼll probably meet the Byghan children from the farm.’

Edward pulls off his blazer and rushes over to hug Emily. ‘I wish I was coming with you. I donʼt want to go away to Mount House. Iʼll have to stay there ‘til Christmas time.’

‘Nonsense, Edward. You know how much you enjoy the rugby and being with all the other boys. Your father loved it there.’

Together, the two children walk down the long drive, now scattered with golden beech leaves, then, giving Edward one final wave before she turns resolutely away, Emily bravely crosses the road into the playground. The stone-built school is no bigger than a small house; her old one had towered up to three stories of brick with high windows. Two boys are kicking a football and a small knot of children turn to look at Emily.

‘Are you the new girl?’ asks one of the footballers, a boy with tousled dark hair and a green jumper with holes in the elbows. The others just stare until a little girl with a dripping nose comes up to say, ‘I like your ribbons.’

No one else is wearing a gymslip or shiny shoes. When the bell is rung, they line up, only 15 of them, an assortment of ages from five to 11 and they all troop into the single classroom. Miss Perkins helps the little ones to their chairs around a low table and comforts a little boy called Jago who is crying because he wants to see his big brother who is fighting the Germans. The rest of the class take their seats behind double desks with tip-up seats.

‘Emily, you can sit next to Moyanna, I think youʼre about the same age and sheʼll show you where everything is.’ Moyanna Byghan is a large girl with a wide smile and big hands, wearing a flowery frock and Wellington boots. She shuffles along the bench to make room for Emily.

‘I live near you,’ she whispers. ‘Youʼre the new girl at the big house. We live at the farm.’ Emily finishes her arithmetic quickly so Miss Perkins says she can go to help the little ones with their bricks and puzzles. Jago is happier now and snuggles up to Emily. Twin girls Tamsyn and Gwenna stroke her plaits and ask about London. Then the older childrenʼs task is to write about their summer holidays, while the little ones sing songs and have a story. Emily enjoys writing stories and quickly immerses herself in describing all her adventures with Edward and the frightening night-time air raids.

‘This is lovely work,’ says Miss Perkins, looking over Emily’s shoulder. Your spelling is so good. Well done – perhaps youʼd like to read it to the class.’

In the afternoon, the children bring out half-finished baskets and Moyanna shows Emily how to start weaving the willow. The weaving is difficult but Miss Perkins is kind and the class feels like a big family. Emily realizes that at Tregethlan she always feels unsure of what is expected of her and has to make such an effort to fit in. Here at the school she can relax.

After school, she crosses the road with the Byghan children, both hands held by the little twins as they skip along. Moyanna carries Jago on her back.

‘Can you come to play with me and Edward?’ Emily asks Moyanna, hopefully.

‘Oh no, weʼre not allowed up the big house. Iʼve got to help with the milking when I get home. My big brotherʼs away in the army so I help Dad. The little ones have to feed the hens and collect eggs and then thereʼs cabbages to cut for the lorry that comes tomorrow morning to take them to the town.’ ‘Maybe I can come to help sometime. Bye, see you tomorrow.’ As she walks up the drive, Emily muses on their different lives, living so close. Edward has nothing to do but amuse himself, while even the little Byghans are working before and after school. She resolves to ask if she may go the farm to help.

Chapter 22