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Tempting Window.

The small dormitory was kept for the wet beds. Those unfortunate boys that could not hold their water during the night it was always a rush to get the sheets washed and hung out on the washing lines. When I say water I mean of course Urine. Efforts were made by some of the Foster Mothers who woke the boys up at certain times during the night and told them to use the toilets. Unfortunately there were no toilets in the Cottages one had to go out into the back yard. Why am I telling you this, well one evening I was accused of making too much noise, My punishment was to have to sleep in the small dormitory. The small dormitory always stank of urine. It was not very pleasant sleeping in such conditions. One good thing about the small dormitory a flat roof with drainpipes leading down to the ground. It was my idea to run away from this terrible place, I had, had enough of the rough treatment and of always being blamed when something went wrong. This was one of the occasions. I was blamed for making a noise and thus the small dormitory with the wet beds. In the small dormitory was a small window covered with a curtain that was in the Foster Mothers Bedroom. The Foster Mother could if she wanted look into the small Dormitory. I waited my chance and when all were asleep I got out of bed dressed and carefully opened the window leading out on to the flat roof. Quietly I made my way across the flat roof to where the drainpipe led down to the ground. I soon shinned down the drainpipe a short run to the wall surrounding the back field of the Medway Cottage Homes. I climbed over the wall. There was no one to be seen and Patterns Lane was deserted. I had not planned anything it was an on the spur of the moment decision.

I had nothing to eat. This was my biggest mistake nothing to eat and nothing to drink. I walked back to Patterns Lane climbed back over the wall and up the drainpipe on to the back roof. The window was still open. The boys were all fast asleep; I had to arrange things differently.

The next night I went to bed with the others and waited until all were fast asleep. Taking the Pillowcase from the pillow I went down stairs took the key from the back door and opened the larder. I filled my pillowcase with bread a slab of butter. Some cakes, a small piece of cheese, milk I filled in a bottle and walked out of the back door over the low wall and up Patterns Lane past Grooms the Bakers and on to Blue Bell Hill. I stayed for three days at Blue Bell Hill. I was I admit hungry and thirsty and decided to go back to the homes. I walked back to the homes and got over the wall the drainpipe was easily climbed and fortunately the dormitory window was open. I went to bed and got up with the other boys in the morning. Nothing was said about my days of absence. None of the boys mentioned anything. Whether this was because the Foster Mother had promised them some dire punishment or not is beyond me. Two weeks later on one of our Saturday walks we walked to Blue Bell Hill, I found my Pillowcase and took it back home with me. Bed linen was changed once a week and I was just in time with my pillowcase. This is an account of one of my runaways from the homes, I do not advise it to any young person that for some reason or other must reside in a home it is sometimes better to stay put says your scribbler Bern.