the country.” They both turned their heads as the cab sped past the great arched gates. “It’s too bad you won’t be here in August to see the exhibition and go on the midway rides. On the other hand, it may not be operating this year. I heard on the news that the Ex may be closed down soon so the buildings can be used for armed forces training. But look over here, that’s Sunnyside Park. It’s a terrific beach and amusement park. Things don’t get into full swing until Victoria Day, so it’s about a month early yet.”
Looking out the window, Laura saw roller coasters and ferris wheels and other midway rides standing still along the shore and the colourful fronts of concession stands boarded up. Beyond them stood tall life-guard chairs on an empty beach and, in a gazebo, a family seemed to be setting up an early-spring picnic. Gulls swooped back and forth.
A hard knot had formed inside her stomach. Why had Grandpa sighed and stopped talking about her father? Her mom had said that her dad was in England, nowhere near the war. He wasn’t supposed to be in any danger. Was her mother wrong? The Blitz that Grandpa had begun talking about—where had she heard that word before? Then she remembered, and the knot inside hardened. Soon after the war started, some of the women in Rocky Falls saved up bits of material and got together to make quilts for people in the air-raid shelters. It was because of the Blitz, her mother had said, explaining that Nazi war planes dropped bombs over the English cities at night. Was her father then—?
The taxi made a turn and now the lake was behind them. “We’re getting close to home now,” said Grandpa. “This is Swansea. Used to be a village, but it’s pretty much a part of Toronto now.”
“Are there any kids in your neighbourhood, Grandpa?” asked Laura.
“Kids? Well, not really. Let’s see, who’s in the neighbourhood? Now that I think of it, I’m afraid it’s not a very exciting lot.”
The taxi began to wind up a steep hill, past thick bushes and trees, and for a moment it seemed to Laura that they were out in the country.
“That’s the Humber River, down there below all those bushes,” said Grandpa, pointing.
At the top of the hill, houses appeared on both sides of the road. “Here we have the Hastings,” said Grandpa, pointing to the one on the left. “They’re a family that’s very private. And over there are the Norberts. Their kids are grown and off to school. Right across the street is the Macdonalds’ place. The Reverend Ewan Macdonald, a retired Presbyterian minister. Poor man.”
Laura felt dejected. What was she going to do here with no one but old people and retired ministers?
“Why is he a poor man?” she asked.
“I’ll explain later. What’s more interesting is that his wife is—” But before he could finish, the cab came to a stop in front of a white house shaded by oak and maple trees.
Chapter Two
Opening the car door, Laura noticed there were tiny green shoots on the trees, unlike in Rocky Falls where the trees were still bare even though it was past the middle of April.
“Let’s see if Sam is around,” said Grandpa, breaking into her thoughts as he came around the side of the taxi, Laura’s suitcase in his hand. He opened the gate. “Aha! Here’s the official welcome.”
A brown and white spaniel bounded toward them, his big ears flapping. Laura put down her knapsack to stroke him as he jumped up at her.
Inside the front door of the house, she stopped and looked around. The house seemed larger and more grand than their house in Rocky Falls. One wall was lined with bookcases. In the living room, which was furnished with brocade sofas and soft white lamps, she spotted a familiar photograph on the mantelpiece. She and her mother were sitting side by side, smiling into the camera. Laura was dressed in her best blouse and skirt. Long braids hung down over her shoulders, with two big bows. Her mother had had the photograph taken for her father and had sent it to Grandpa as well. Laura hated the picture. She had wanted to wear her hair down, to look more grown-up. But her mother had been firm, saying, “I want your father to see you as you are now.”
“My two favourite ladies in all the world,” said Grandpa as Laura gazed at the photograph. “Now come, I want you to meet Bobbie, my housekeeper.”
At the back of the house, the kitchen was bright with gleaming linoleum on the floor, the walls lined with clean white cupboards. Standing at the stove was a slim, pretty woman, about the same age as Laura’s new teacher, who had come to Rocky Falls straight out of Teachers’ College. She wore bright red lipstick, and her curly brown hair was tied back with a yellow bow. She wore a white housedress splashed with brightly coloured flowers.
“Bobbie, this is the long-awaited Laura,” said Grandpa. He turned to Laura and said, “Bobbie does the cooking and house-cleaning for me. She has supper ready for us and will soon be going home for the day. But first, she’ll show you your room.”
Bobbie wiped her hands on a towel and came toward Laura. “Well, it is lovely to meet you. Here, give me your knapsack.” Her smile was warm, and she smelled of perfume.
Upstairs, Laura gasped with surprise as Bobbie opened the door to her bedroom. The room was filled with white wicker furniture. On the bed was a bedspread patterned with pink roses and festooned with pillows. Best of all was the window across from the bed. White muslin curtains covered the window and in front was a window seat, just like Laura had seen in movies. She ran to the window seat, knelt on the padded cushion, and pulled aside the curtains to look out.
Beyond their trees, on the other side of the street, Laura could see a house with timbered beams. The dark wooden front door gave the house an impenetrable look. It made her think of Grimms’ fairy tales and gingerbread houses. Laura shuddered but remained kneeling on the window seat and gazed at the house. Who did Grandpa say lived there?
“Let’s get you unpacked,” Bobbie said, and Laura turned back to the room. Bobbie set down an armful of towels and smoothed out the bedspread. She lifted Laura’s suitcase and set it on the bed. “May I take your things out?” Laura nodded, and Bobbie began putting her clothes on hangers. Laura noticed a small diamond ring on her left hand.
“What a shame for you, you poor dear, that there’s no one your age here,” said Bobbie. “I was saying to your grandfather the other day that you might be bored in this neighbourhood. He’ll not be much company, having to be at his office all day. His medical practice is much too big for a doctor in his late sixties, if you ask me. Patients are always hounding him for one thing or another. I hope you won’t get lost in the shuffle. Goodness knows, you won’t find much entertainment in me. I just go around all day cooking and cleaning and minding my own business.” She gave Laura a mournful look. “Even the old folk aren’t all that friendly in this part of the city if you ask me—your grandfather excepted, of course,” Bobbie went on. “He’s a gentleman if there ever was one. Do you have things to keep yourself amused?”
Laura opened her knapsack. “I’ve got a book to read,” she said, “and maybe Grandpa can take me to the library.”
“Maybe so,” said Bobbie. “Come to think of it...” She put her hand to her mouth. “No, no, why would I even think of suggesting it? It’s none of my business.” She opened a bureau drawer, a pile of clothes in her hand.
“What?” asked Laura.
“Well, not being much of a reader myself, I really wouldn’t
