Read The Sky is Falling for Free Online

to Creature,” ordered Gavin. Dad shook the elephant’s trunk solemnly.
    He handed Norah a twisted white bag. “Sweets for the train,” he winked. “Now remember what I told you. And have a safe and happy journey, my brave Norah.” He kissed her quickly and turned his head, but Norah had seen his tears.
    She stomped after her mother onto the train. If Dad was so upset, then why was he doing this to her? She glared at the Smiths in the opposite seat, chattering to their father, who was able to spare the time to come to London.
    Steam drifted by the window and Norah could hardly make out her father’s waving arm. When the mist cleared, she waved back and forced herself to smile.
    F OR THE NEXT TWO HOURS , Norah almost forgot why they were going to London. The only other time she had been was the Christmas before last, when Muriel and Tibby had taken her to see Peter Pan . This journey seemedthe same. The train still chuffed along sounding important, they still waited until after Ashford to eat their sandwiches and she couldn’t shake off the familiar train feeling of having a treat.
    But there were differences too: the large number of men and women in uniform, the whited-out station signs they passed and the fine netting on the windows in case of flying glass. There was only a small hole left in the middle to peek through.
    And this time she didn’t even see London. They went straight from one train station to another via the underground. Dozens of other children and parents waited for the train north. The children were all, like Norah, carrying luggage and coats and gas mask cases, and they all had large labels attached to them, as if they were going to be sent through the post. Some of the younger ones, like Gavin and Lucy, also clutched stuffed animals or dolls. Most of the crowd babbled in high, excited voices; others were quiet and wary. “Is Your Journey Really Necessary?” asked a poster on the wall.
    Norah was introduced to a fat, flustered woman called Miss Nott. “I’m your train escort,” she explained. She consulted a list. “Is this all the Kent and Sussex children? Say goodbye, then—we must go on board.”
    The train waited, a snorting black dragon. Norah gulped and took her mother’s hand.
    â€œOh, Norah …” Mum smoothed Norah’s hair, refastened it at the side, and pulled down her felt hat. “Hang onto your coats carefully,” she said. “Remember that yourfive pounds and your papers are sewn inside.” She kissed Norah’s forehead. “Make sure you both clean your teeth every night.” All she said to Gavin was a choked “Goodbye, pet—you take care of Creature.” Then she helped him on with his rucksack and put his hand in Norah’s.
    â€œCome on,” muttered Norah, pulling Gavin’s arm as Miss Nott beckoned.
    â€œAre we going on the other train now?” asked Gavin with delight. They were whisked into the compartment with the rest of their group and couldn’t get close enough to the window to wave goodbye.

6
    â€œAre We Downhearted?”
    T he eight children under the charge of Miss Nott were crammed into one compartment. Derek was the eldest and Gavin the youngest. Two of the children across from Norah were boys around Lucy’s age. They had brought along cards, and Lucy and Gavin joined their game of snap on the floor. The other stranger was a cheerful older girl called Margery. She tried to talk to them, but Dulcie was too shy to answer and Norah didn’t feel like being friendly.
    She read all her comics, and then there was nothing to do. She couldn’t even look out the window, which had been closed and blacked out for the evening. “Do you know where we’re going?” she asked Derek. He was also being unsociable, his face hidden behind his book.
    Derek looked insulted at being spoken to by someone his sister’s age. “Liverpool, I