Running Away

A Memory of Horley.

Yes, I DID run away from school. I boarded, I hated it, I was unhappy, I wet the bed so was bullied and punished instead of being helped.
It was a showery April morning. I donned my own clothes with my school summer coat and hat and just walked!
I walked and I walked, hiding in bus shelters when it rained then setting off again as the sun came out.
I was making my way to my aunt who lived in Leatherhead. I was only 10 years old...just!
At one point I was fed up with the rain and saw a lady going into her home. I followed her and knocked on the door.
She answered and I spun a story about a day off school and I had to get to my aunt but had lost my bus money.
She was SO kind. She took me in and made me a cup of tea, and Rich Tea biscuits then gave me some bus money and showed me to the bus stop. Luckily I HAD been going in the right direction from the start.
I got to Leatherhead with a few spare pennies so bought myself a packet of biscuits, Teatime...the ones with the hard icing on the top. I ate a few then walked to see my aunt.
I arrived and saw my aunt in the kitchen, it was at the front, but was suddenly very unsure of myself. I ducked under the window and walked around the side of the house and down to the shed.
Joy of joys! My cousin's motorbike was there so I clambered on it to eat the remaining Teatime biscuits.
I clearly recall seeing my other cousin asleep on a Parker Knoll recliner chair with a kitten on his lap.
I also clearly heard the phone ring, my aunt answer it then saw her going out to look for me!
She came back in a sunny period when I was in the garden. I could have hidden, but I didn't. She saw me and quite calmly welcomed me in and asked if I fancied a cuppa.
My cousin was still there and had to 'entertain me' whilst she rang Daddy.
How did the school react?
You guessed...more punishment and NO attempt to really understand.
Ah well, What doesn't break you, makes you I guess!