Page 16 - The Spirit of Christmas 1940
P. 16

CHAPTER THREE


                        THE END OF ANOTHER DAY






             The cold, dark winter evening once again was upon Church
           Street.  It was the time that all Londoners dreaded.  Night attacks
           from the Luftwaffe were a regular occurance but the past few
           weeks, the raids had been coming earlier and earlier.  As soon as
           the daylight had faded, the South East of England became tense.


             The Station was still fairly busy with the evening trains returning
           passengers in and out of the city although many of the traders
           were closing for the day.  Best to get out of the open before the
           nightly raids begin.  Although, the underground station provided
           protection for people, the traders also needed to protect their trade
           stands as best as possible.  After all, after the bombs, life had to go
           on.


             Jimmy had just packed away his news stand and wandered
           over to the flower stall.  Rose, too was just packing up for the
           day.  She tended to stay open as long as possible to try to catch the
           commuters on their way home who maybe tempted to buy a bunch
           for their wives and girlfriends.  But business had been slowing
           down lately, especially with the earlier bombing runs.


            “Are you ready for home, Rosie?  I’ll walk you back, make sure
           you get back safe.”

             Rosie smiled at Jimmy’s concern for her.  “I will be in a few
           minutes Jimmy, I just need to get the last of the flowers in, cover
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