The Boy with the Suitcase, page 30
Davey glanced back and saw that his dad was walking with his nice girlfriend and smiled to himself. Dad had always been one to take his time, but anyone could see Judy was aching with love for him. It was a good thing he’d spoken up. It would save them all a lot of time.
The small church was overflowing with guests and curious villagers, the ones who attended all weddings and funerals if there was room inside, although this time Judy’s family and friends had taken most of the pews. She looked radiant in white. Alice and Judy’s sister were standing just behind dressed in pale pink and holding little posies as well as the bride’s roses.
Davey had refused the offer of being a page but said he would be his father’s best man and was dressed in a smart navy-blue suit and shoes that shone so much you could see your face in them.
Rose had come up with Harry and looked happy and Davey reckoned that had turned out well. He didn’t know what had happened to her husband, but hoped for her sake that Reg Parker kept well away from her in future. He was fond of Rose, whom he no longer called aunt, but not as much as he was of Judy and Cousin Marie. They were special, like his dad and Alice – he loved his sister, and she was his number one for the moment. He’d had to stand up for her a few times at the school they were now at, which meant he was sporting the remains of a black eye for the wedding, but, as he’d said to his father, his opponent had two black eyes so he reckoned that was all right.
Harry was winking at him and looked as proud as punch. Something was going on there, but Davey wasn’t sure what, though he thought Rose might be in the family way. And she was older than his dad! Still a lot of women had babies in later life, it was just that he hadn’t expected it to happen to Rose – and he thought she was as surprised as he was. Davey chuckled to himself.
Bert had taught him so much and some of the books he’d given him to read had made Davey wiser about life, love and everything else, more than anyone realised. He wouldn’t need his dad to explain the facts of life to him when the time came, though he reckoned there was probably more to it than he’d read in the books.
Following the happy couple from the church, Davey wondered how long it would be before he had a baby brother or sister to care for. His father and Judy were going back to Portsmouth to continue their work, and he and Alice would live here with Cousin Marie until the end of the war. It suited them all for the moment. His father and Judy would visit often, and occasionally Alice and he might be taken to Portsmouth for a visit. Davey was looking forward to that – it would be a chance to see the ships and perhaps to mix with sailors. His father had asked if he wanted to join the Royal Navy when he left school, but Davey’s heart was with the merchant ships. He knew just what he wanted from life and, as the months passed and he grew taller, fitter, stronger and learned all he could, he knew that his exciting future was waiting just around the corner …
Keep Reading …
If you loved The Boy with the Suitcase, why not try one of Cathy’s other books …
Schoolboy Luke runs away to London, far from the abusive orphanage where he grew up. Longing to be part of the close-knit community, Luke volunteers to work with the local doctor and his wife. But not everyone wants the best for Luke and his new friends …
A dangerous man is looking for revenge, and Luke risks being pulled into the dark criminal underworld of the docks.
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Danny gets a terrible start in life and runs away from his drunken father when he thrashes him to within an inch of his life. But life on the streets is no better and he falls into the clutches of evil men.
Help comes in the form of Constable Jones, who is determined to help out the children who need it, and new friends Ron and Cassie. Can Danny’s dream of a loving home ever be a reality?
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About the Author
Cathy loves writing because it gives pleasure to others. She finds writing an extension of herself and it gives her great satisfaction. Cathy says, ‘There is nothing like seeing your book in print, because so much loving care has been given to bringing that book into being.’ Cathy lives in Cambridgeshire.
Also by Cathy Sharp
Halfpenny Street Orphans
The Orphans of Halfpenny Street
The Little Runaways
Christmas for the Halfpenny Orphans
The Boy with the Latch Key
An Orphan’s Courage
Children of the Warehouse
The Girl in the Ragged Shawl
The Barefoot Child
The Winter Orphan
East End Daughters
A Daughter’s Sorrow
A Daughter’s Choice
A Daughter’s Dream
Button Street Orphans
An Orphan’s Promise
An Orphan’s Sorrow
An Orphan’s Dream
The Lonely Orphan
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Cathy Sharp, The Boy with the Suitcase
