One of the bedrooms

Part 9 of the history of my life in care at the National Children's Home. 1965-1968

 

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Sister now judged that it was time for getting me ready for bed. Lenton was disappointed as for the next few days he was not going to be grouped with the two older boys for bedtimes, but with me until I became settled in the Home. There was slight questioning by Sister when I used the word dormitory when referring to the bedroom. She now asked me if I had been away to boarding school before coming here. Knowing what my mother had told me about not saying anything about the boarding school I had stayed at during Christmas, I got over the problem by telling Sister that when I first started school, my mother had gone to work at a school that took boarders. I was not actually told off, but it was suggested by her that it was best to use the word bedroom in front of the other boys.

 

Once in the bedroom, Sister explained that she had originally intended for me to start school on Monday, but as she was going to be busy on that day, I would have to be taken to school by her tomorrow, so that I could be shown where the school was and introduce me to my teacher. I should put my school clothes ready. Lenton spoke up and mentioned that he could take me, but it appeared I was going to the same school as most of the others, rather than to his school. However, Sister announced that she had been told to take me to the annexe part of the school rather than where the other four were.

 

We were packed off to the bathroom; I had brought a flannel, toothbrush, toothpaste and a towel with me. Lenton soon pounced on my tube of toothpaste and begged to use it. He explained that the Home provided toothpaste but it came in tins as a solid block, you had to wet it to get any of the paste onto your brush and the taste was horrible. Toothpaste in a tube was an absolute luxury; I was warned that the other two would use my toothpaste as well. It might be best not to say anything to Sister as she might take it away from me for being greedy. I was quite happy to share my toothpaste, but I was a little cross to see the amount that was spread across the full length of the brush. If all three were going to do this, the toothpaste would be gone within days; my mother had always made me put just enough on the end of the brush that would clean my teeth.

 

Eventually we returned to the bedroom, Sister was going through the drawers that had my clothes in. I was told that I really had everything I needed, except for a pair of waterproof pants that were now added to one of the draws, over the next few days, she would take a few measurements and add a few more play clothes to my drawer.

 

 

 

At night, I had been used to being told when to go off to bed, and then going to sleep. Even at the boarding school when it was time for bed, we went to bed, a final check was made by one of the staff that everyone was actually in bed and that was that. Here it appeared that prayers had to be said, the counterpane was folded down to the bottom of your bed and you could get in. Sister tucked the sides of your bed in so that no bedclothes were loose. I now found that once the bedclothes were tucked in, it was almost impossible to move. I was wished a good night by Sister. As this was my first night, I might feel a bit lonely, but I had Lenton for company and the other two would be joining us soon. The lights went out, and the door finally shut.

 

Lenton explained that when Sister tucked our bedclothes in, it was known as a cuddle. If I was uncomfortable, it was all right to loosen them a little. He mentioned that once the lights were out, we were meant to keep quiet but if you talked in whispers, everything was normally fine. A small glass panel in the wall was connected to Sister’s room; this allowed her to hear everything that was said in this room.

 

After the events of the day I was tired and was soon asleep. The other two boys came in later but I stayed asleep. At some point during the night I did wake up; everything seemed so odd for a few seconds, then I remembered where I now was. It was the grunts and snores of the other three that made me think I was back at the boarding school. From what I had seen so far, this place seemed a bit tame, although Sister seemed strict and would not tolerate any wrongdoing. There did not seem to be the activity of daring to do wrong things or the punishments that were threatened at every moment, that I had noticed whilst I was at the boarding school. Other than the occasional noise from the other three, it was generally silent. I missed the background noise of the London streets. I was not really on the point of tears, but how long I was to be here had never been explained. If I had been at the boarding school I knew I would have left at eleven; here it looked as if you stayed until you left school at about fifteen.

With Sister tucking me firmly into bed, I didn't know if I was allowed out of bed to visit the lavatory or not. I decided that it was not worth the risk of a wet bed and made a quick visit to the toilet, soon I was back in bed. After wondering about the events of the following day for a short while, I went back to sleep.

 

Before coming to the Home, I had been used to getting up when I woke up. If it had been too early for breakfast or the like, I would have read my comics or amused myself with a puzzle until it was time to start the day. I was told that here, we could only get up at the point that Sister told us to get up.

Done