by Kit Pearson
“I think you should all have Christmas with us this year,” smiled Aunt Dorothy. “Would you like that, Norah? You could come on the train. After all, you should see Montreal before you leave Canada.”
“That would be fun,” said Norah. She grinned at Janet. “You can play me all your new Frankie records.”
“Next summer I’ll take you all on a canoe trip to Algonquin Park,” said Flo. “If I’m not in the RCAF by then,” she added, avoiding her mother’s look.
“Nor-ah … Aunt Florence says it’s our turn first,” called Gavin from the dock.
After an almost sleepless night, Norah had risen at dawn, circled the island and said her customary goodbye to every rock and tree. She had kissed all the Elders and now she hugged Janet and Flo.
“What about me?” demanded Clare. They stared at each other, then each managed a tight smile.
Then Norah looked around to say goodbye to Andrew. She found him at the far end of the verandah, putting up the last shutter. His ugly uniform still made her quake. In the daylight she noticed the white strip of skin around his haircut where his tan stopped.
Andrew turned around. Norah’s heart thumped so loudly she was sure he could hear it. She had rehearsed her last words all night but all she could manage was, “Goodbye, Andrew.”
He took her hand, smiling ruefully. “Goodbye, Norah. I’ll see you in Toronto.” She sped down to the dock.
Gairloch receded into the distance. Aunt Mary sat in the stern of the boat and looked sadly back at the island. Gavin clutched Bosley. Norah’s eyes were fixed on the tall boy who stood on the verandah of the cottage and waved after them, looking smaller and more fragile every second.
“Do you think we will be back next summer?” Gavin whispered to her after they had landed at Ford’s Bay.
“I’m sure we will,” said Norah, as much to reassure herself as him. “Don’t worry about it any more, Gavin. Let’s just enjoy being in Canada. Think of school—you’ll be glad to see your friends, won’t you?”
“Sure! And wait until they meet Boz! Will you like seeing your friends?”
Norah nodded. She crouched by the shore and dabbled her hands in the lake one last time, while the others walked towards the car. She wondered how Paige’s summer in Cape Cod had been, and if Bernard and his mother had been able to get away from the hot city. Then she pictured describing her summer to them. There was so much of it she’d never be able to explain.
What would the next years bring? Andrew would go off to the war … and surely, she prayed, return. She and Gavin would go back to England. Now that she had someone new to worry about, the future seemed more scary and uncertain than ever.
But one thing wasn’t uncertain. She would always love him, she told herself fiercely. It was just like her favourite song; he would never know how much. Whatever the future brought, all she could do was hold on to the hope that, one day, he would know—and love her back.
I’m only thirteen, thought Norah. I can wait.
“Norah Stoakes!” called Aunt Florence’s exasperated voice. “Are you going to stand there daydreaming all day?”
Norah ran to the car and climbed in. “Sorry,” she said cheerfully. “Aunt Florence … when we get back to Toronto, could you buy me a pair of saddle shoes?”
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
For their encouragement, advice, memories and cottages, many thanks to: Sue Alderson; Miza Jean-marie; Mary and George Johnson; Carol, Paul, Mollie and Connie Johnson; Vicki, Stuart, Sanders—and Bosley!—Lazier; Claire Mackay; Hugh, Anne and Matthew Mackenzie; Lee, Mike and Megan Mackenzie; Kay and Sandy Pearson; Linda Shineton and Gordon Mitchell; Hope Thomson, and Calla and Josie Haynes; and Maggie Wedd.
PERMISSIONS
“BEER BARREL POLKA” by Lew Brown, Wladimir A. Timm, Jaromir Vejvoda & Vasek Zernan “SKODA LASKY” © 1934 Shapiro, Bernstein & Co., Inc. New York. © 1939 Shapiro, Bernstein & Co., Inc. New York. Copyright Renewed. Used by Permission.
“THE WHITE CLIFFS OF DOVER” by Nat Burton & Walter Kent © 1941 Shapiro, Bernstein & Co., Inc. New York & Walter Kent Music. Copyright Renewed. Used by Permission.
“YOU’LL NEVER KNOW” (Harry Warren, Mack Gordon) © 1943 WB MUSIC CORP. (Renewed) All Rights Reserved. Used by Permission.
“I’LL BE SEEING YOU” by Irving Kahal and Sammy Fain. Copyright © 1938 by Williamson Music. Copyright Renewed. International Copyright Secured. Used by Permission. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. All rights relating to the interest of Irving Kahal in Canada and the reversionary territories controlled by BIENSTOCK PUBLISHING CO. on behalf of REDWOOD MUSIC LTD.
THE LONG AWAITED NEW NOVEL BY KIT PEARSON IS NOW AVAILABLE!
A Perfect Gentle Knight tells the story of the six Bell children, each of them coping in different ways in the aftermath of their mother’s death. Seen through the eyes of eleven-year-old Corrie, the story illustrates how a rich fantasy life can sometimes get in the way of reality. While elder sister Roz is growing up and out of the desire for fantasy games, eldest brother Sebastian, who fancies himself Sir Lancelot in their Round Table Game, continues to need them as much as ever, creating tension in the family. Corrie becomes concerned and worries that Sebastian may have lost his grip on what’s real.
“Pearson's books are a window to another age.… Pearson has shown her ability … with grace, sensitivity and a good grasp of what moves and motivates children in any era.”—Toronto Star
www.kitpearson.ca
ALSO IN THE GUESTS OF WAR TRILOGY!
WINNER OF THE MR. CHRISTIE BOOK AWARD, THE GEOFFREY BILSON AWARD FOR HISTORICAL FICTION FOR YOUNG PEOPLE, AND THE CANADIAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION'S BOOK OF THE YEAR FOR CHILDREN
It is the summer of 1940, and all of England fears an invasion by Hitler's army. Still, ten-year-old Norah Stoakes is shocked when her parents decide to send her and her younger brother, Gavin, to Canada as war guests. Travelling across the ocean is an adventure, but Norah's new life in Canada is a bigger challenge that she ever expected. Until, that is, Norah discovers a surprising responsibility that helps her accept her new country and her new home.
WINNER OF THE IODE VIOLET DOWNEY AWARD AND THE GEOFFREY BILSON AWARD FOR HISTORICAL FICTION FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
It has been five years since Norah and Gavin arrived in Canada, and how that the war is ending, they will soon be going back to England. Norah is eager to see her parents again, but ten-year-old Gavin barely remembers them. He doesn't want to leave his Canadian family, his two best friends, and his dog. Then something happens that forces Gavin to make the most difficult decision of his life.
“A first rate trilogy…”
—The Globe and Mail
www.kitpearson.ca
