THE WAVES GOT HIGHER AND HIGHER

The story title was inspired by my sister, Sally Lee, who wrote an amazing story as a child, which my family recorded with a soundtrack. We found it difficult to get past certain elements, such as a horse called Meanus, without collapsing into giggles.

It is based on a true childhood story – my parents had gone out on the night of the Guildford bombings and Sally and I were being babysat by our Nan. Luckily, Mum and Dad didn’t get into Guildford as planned, but I do remember being old enough to be worried.

“Nanny, what time will Mum and Dad be home?” Susie stood; hands behind her back.

“Oh, not for ages.”

“I want to read them my story.”

“Why don’t you read it to me? Then you can write it out neatly and give it to Dad for his birthday tomorrow?”

Susie jumped up, excitedly, “Okay.”

Jo, Susie’s sister, sighed. All she wanted was some peace and quiet to read her book in front of the fire. Jo had won the hearthrug fight and she lay flat on her stomach so her sister couldn’t get near.

Nanny and Susie sat on the settee as her sister’s voice squeaked, “…and the waves got higher and higher and rougher and rougher.” Jo returned to Little Women.

“Right, Susie, off to bed now. Don’t forget to brush your teeth.”

“I won’t.” Susie kissed her Nan and blew a raspberry at her sister.

Nanny stood up, “Shall we watch some television, Jo?”

They sat on the settee, laughing at Dick Emery and yawning at Petula Clark until a news report flashed up on the screen.

“We interrupt this programme to announce that there has been an explosion in a pub in Guildford.”

“That’s where Mum and Dad are!” Jo was wheezing and jumping from one foot to the other.

“Relax, Jo, they were going to a restaurant.”

“They might have gone to the pub first.”

As the announcer stated the pub was the Horse and Groom, Jo gripped her Nan’s arm.

“They go to that pub, sometimes”

“But they weren’t going there tonight.”

“I’m not going to bed until they’re back.”

“No, of course not, we’ll play cards to take our minds off it.

“Nanny,” a voice cried out from the bedroom. “I can’t sleep.”

Normally, Nanny would have made Susie stay in bed, but not tonight, and all three sat, playing Rummy,
huddled up in dressing gowns.

“I wish they’d phone,” Nanny said. “I expect the lines are busy.”

Jo and Susie looked at each other and held hands, even though Susie didn’t know why.

Suddenly, a car door slammed and there was the sound of a key in the door.

“What are you two still doing up?” Mum said.

Jo burst into tears and ran to hug her parents. “Haven’t you heard? Someone’s bombed the Horse and
Groom.”

Dad looked at Mum. “We were going there but it was too busy, so we went straight to the restaurant. It’s like hell in town.” He whispered in Nanny’s ear, “There’s been another one in Swan Lane.”

Out loud, he said, “Now girls, I think we should have hot cocoa and then you need to go to bed. It’s my
birthday tomorrow and I’m expecting breakfast in bed from you two.”

“Can I read you my story while we have our drinks,” Susie said. “It’s about a shipwreck and the waves…”

“Get higher and higher and rougher and rougher.” Jo put her arm around her sister. “Yes, let’s all hear Susie’s story while we have cocoa. It’s brilliant.”

© Janice Tyler, 2018