2. Leaving Poole (Fragment)

“Dear Lottie and family, I just went out to check if the neighbors had any blankets left. We ran out. We will pay them back, so scrape together some money. I will be back. Lottie, please don’t make me come home to your fainting. Also, Olivia be careful of those ashes. We can’t afford them getting into your eyes. Love, Charlotte.”

Lucy read as she jumped up, “Laurie, get your coat on! We will go outside for a bit to look through what got bombed next door!”

Lucy ran out the door.

“Guess we won’t have to pay them back,” Laurie shrugged. I knew he looked at me for approval to leave. I nodded, and seconds later he dashed out the door.

“Stay safe,” I whispered.

* * *

I must wake Lottie up! Her screaming is horrible! She must be having a nightmare or something.

“For goodness’ sake! STOP YELLING!!!!” I shouted. Lottie suddenly stopped screaming.

“Olivia? Where is— I have to— whoever—” she sounded tired and restless even though she’d fainted for an hour and a half.

“Relax, you tough cookie.” I bumped into her side with my elbow laughing. “Take a break. You took care of us overnight, let alone under a bed. Now it’s my turn,” I said as Lottie got herself up to sit at the dining table with me.

“I— where are Lucy and Laurie? Are you alright?” she asked as she hugged me closely. Elsie reached up to me and plopped down on my lap.

“Yes, I’m fine, why?” I asked.

Just then, Laurie and Lucy stormed in. Lucy sounded like she had been caught in a storm.

“…and she died, and—” she shouted in between sobs. It sounded like a song that only went up and down, but a loud and shaky one. Lottie stood up, and I wasn’t really sure what she really did, but I think she just took Lucy and hugged her tightly. As soon as Lottie started sobbing too, she let go of Lucy.

When Lucy got released from Lottie’s hug, she started fussing and kicking things. I started rocking Elsie just to get her to stop shaking. There was so much noise I couldn’t even hear myself think.

“STOP!!!” I screamed at the top of my lungs.