Chapters:

1: Beginnings, 2: Doreen, 3: Moving On, 4: War, 5: Peace, 6: A Long Encounter, 7: Family

Chapter 2: Doreen A short but vital chapter: An important event took place in 1925. My sister, Doreen, was born. I was 7 and not very interested in this arrival, especially as sometimes I was made to push the pram up and down the street whilst my mother got on with the housework. Sadly when she was 10 months old she suddenly refused to take any food and was feverish. The doctor came, told my mother to keep her in bed – it was just a cold. When my parents woke next morning they found her dead in her cot. On the day of the funeral I was sent to neighbours. I really didn’t understand what was happening. When I went home in the evening I found my parents sitting silently in the “front” room – only occupied usually at Christmas or when special visitors came. I suppose at some time they must have talked to me about what had happened but I only remember the terrible silence. Years later my mother told me that she grieved for months until one day a friend said “You must pull yourself together and get on with your life – your little girl (me!) looks ill and you need to care for her”.

Chapters:

1: Beginnings, 2: Doreen, 3: Moving On, 4: War, 5: Peace, 6: A Long Encounter, 7: Family