“Travelling Light” by Andrew Campbell-Kearsey, Brighton

topic: BORDERS medium: TEXT

“Keep quiet, there’s a good boy.”

“But where’s Mummy?”

“She’ll be joining us later. She has to look after your little sister. You know how she needs her mother. You’re all grown up now and I need you to be a brave, young man for Daddy.”

David smiled. Even at the tender age of six he knew he was not properly grown up, but smiled at his father’s little joke. Also he
felt a little flattered at being thought of as older than his twin sister, who was fifteen minutes younger.

“I’m cold Daddy.”

“Well, snuggle up under my coat and I’ll carry on with our special story. Where had we got to?”

“The boy had just saved the family from the burning building and the mayor had just decided to eject a statue…..”

“Erect a statue in his honour. The boy’s parents were so proud of him that they cooked him his favourite pudding. Do you remember what that was?”

“Yes, treacle tart. That’s my favourite too. I remember when Granny used to make it for us. She let me help and she put flour on my nose. Why did she have to go to another country?”

“The doctor told her that she needed to go somewhere warmer. We’ll see her again soon, don’t you worry.”

“What happened next Daddy?”

“At school, all the children wanted to play with the boy. He had so many friends that it was a problem for him to choose who to play with.”

“He was very popular, like I used to be at school before they started saying bad things about me.”

“Yes. They were very silly weren’t they?”

“Is that why Mummy started giving us lessons at home?”

“Yes. Anyway, the boy was always kind to everyone and did everything his parents and teachers asked. He looked after sick animals and helped neighbours with all sorts of jobs.”

“I’m hungry Daddy.”

“Here, have half of this. You can’t have it all as we have a long way to go yet. Maybe it would be a good idea for you to have a little sleep now.”

“I’m not tired Daddy”, yawned David.

“Just rest your eyes a bit then and listen to the rest of the story.”

David didn’t hear any more of his story that night. His father marveled at the way his son could sleep in such overcrowded
conditions and although pleased for him, was also more than a little jealous.

“How much longer to go Daddy? I’ve looked out the window and all I can see is snow.”

“Not much more.”

“Will I really see all my cousins there?”

“Yes, and your uncles and aunts.”

“Will they have presents for me?”

“If you’re a good boy, yes.”

“Like the boy in our story?”

“He reminds me a little bit of you, but he never asked as many questions.”

They both laughed as his father tickled him. It made them forget the stench in the air, at least temporarily.

“So, the boy grew up and was very handsome. He was also very strong. He married a beautiful princess and…”

“Don’t say ‘And they lived happily ever after’, please”

“Why not?”

“Because that means it’s going to end and I don’t want it to finish yet.”

“Alright, what do you think happened next?”

“ Did they have some children?”

“Yes, a boy and a girl. The son always protected his sister.”

“Like I looked after Sarah when those men threw stones at her?”

“That’s right.”

“I’m thirsty Daddy.”

His father manoeuvred his body so he could squeeze his hand through the crack between the door and the floor. He produced a handful of grey, icy snow which he dripped into his son’s mouth. David was looking forward to wearing new clothes when they met up with the rest of the family. Normally his mother had nagged him to change every day but after almost a whole week, even he felt it was time to put on different ones.

“Why is it so cold Daddy? Maybe if we ask the man in the uniform he will make a fire for us.”

“No, it’s a game David. We have to see how long we can go without speaking to the man or even looking at him.”

David tried to be grown up for his father’s sake but at times he couldn’t overcome his hunger and thirst. Feeling bitterly cold was the greatest hardship. Once he woke up in the night. His father must have had something in his eye as there was a lone tear on his cheek. His father was muttering things in that funny language David never fully understood.

His mother had been very pleased with him as he had recently learned how to tell the time from the big clock in the hallway. That did not help him now as he had lost all track of time as he had been huddled with his father in the dark for what had seemed a lifetime. He had long grown accustomed to the smell which was ten times worse than when their toilet had got blocked up at home.

There was a deafening screech of machinery coming from under their carriage and then the train stopped and everyone jolted backwards.

“We’re there now David. Hold my hand.”

Bones creaked as bodies began to stand up. Some didn’t. Those ones were trampled on in the rush to get out into the fresh air. David looked around for members of his family to greet them. They must have been hiding. Perhaps they were at the end of the path they were walking towards. As they went under an arch of wrought iron, he gazed up at the letters they spelt out. He would ask Daddy what ‘ARBEIT’ meant later. He was too busy thinking about the presents he would be getting.