13th September 1939

I have written to the LMS asking them for a job in the Worth area.  I’ve told them how good I am at Maths and that I grew up on a station helping Dad out.  He was always sending me off on errands in the school holidays.  Mainly to stop me from tormenting the signalmen but I didn’t mention that.  But I told them that I know most of the fares from our station.  I hope that they don’t tell Dad to give me a job here though.  I put the letter in the post on my way back to work after dinner.  I hope they write back soon.

11th September 1939

I asked Mum and Dad over dinner if I could find a job and lodgings in Worth.  They said “What on earth for?”  They can’t understand just how much I need to get away.  I threatened to join the ATS.  Mum went a bit pale and it certainly quietened them down a bit.  Nothing more has been said.

9th September 1939

Dad still saying that he won’t sort me a job out with the LMS because I’m needed at Mrs Clay’s and he reckons that this war will all be over in a few weeks.  He says that our boys will catch Hitler no problem and Europe will all settle down again.  Didn’t he learn anything from last time?  He’s been reading too many Bulldog Drummonds on his day off.

8th September 1939

There’s been a lot of talk this week about people joining up.  It’s got me thinking – there’s going to be loads of jobs going spare if all the lads go off and join the forces.  Mum worked in the last war, they’re going to want us all to do our bit again I’m sure.  I’m sick of being here at home – so this might be my chance to escape.  Edith Turner’s got her own escape planned.  She’s getting married next weekend.  She got to go and live with her in-laws though which seems like leaving the frying pan for the fire to me.  I reckon she’s timed it all wrong.  Unless she’s in the family way which wouldn’t surprise me.

3rd September 1939

WAR!

Well, I wanted something more exciting to happen didn’t I?  It took long enough though.  Is it really two years since I last had something to write about?  Susan got married alright and has a baby which appeared just 7 months after the wedding!  Not such a golden girl then.  But that’s the only difference until now.  City kids have been coming through the station the past few days, I don’t think I’ve ever heard so many trains passing by.  One stopped and a few got off on Friday.  Dad fetched the junior Porter to go round with the disinfectant after them they smelled so strong.  I wonder how long it will last?

3rd August 1937

This diary is pointless.  There’s nothing to write.  I’m going to put it away until something more exciting happens.  See you when Clark Gable comes to town.

2nd August 1937

Fed up of hearing about weddings.  Fed up of working at Mrs Clay’s.

30th July 1937

Not been able to think of anything to write in this diary all week.  I’ve only opened it again today because Susan has announced her engagement to Billy the Butcher.  Mum’s beside herself at the idea of cheap or even free meat.  Dad’s a bit upset that his she’s not marrying into the LMS railway.  I think that’s his dream for both of us.  Or it was at any rate.  Perhaps I ought to make an effort to keep him happy.  Who could I go for?  No.  I can’t think that any of that lot on our station would be any fun.  Dad had better forget it.  I’ve got to be Susan’s bridesmaid.  I dread to think what she’ll make me wear.

23 July 1937

Tried talking Dad into getting me a job at the station.  He is the Station Master so surely he can find me something to do.  But he says that there’s plenty of lads needing work and they have to get any jobs that are going.  Both he and Mum agreed that it would be a waste of time getting anything more than shop work.  I presume they mean I’ll be getting married before too long but I’ve never even had a boyfriend yet.  Edith Turner’s on her fourth now. 

I am bored of Mrs Clay’s. I hate her.

20 July 1937

My first weekend of freedom has turned out to be my last, just as I guessed it might.  Dad popped his head round my bedroom door after he’d got the last train off and told me that he’d arranged from me to start at Mrs Clay’s on Monday – today.  Felt ever so disappointed, I thought that he might at least try to get me on the railways somehow or other.  I couldn’t see any exciting future working for Mrs Clay and I still can’t after today.  Weighing out butter and sugar is even more boring that I imagined.

So I had a blow-out over the weekend and took the train to Worth on Saturday to buy a new hat, then spent Sunday in the park listening to the band with Edith Turner.  Leaving school hasn’t knocked any sense into her.

17 July 1937

In celebration at finally leaving school I’ve been to Sidebottom’s and bought their biggest writing book.  And their biggest bag of toffees.  Now that I am set free into the world I have decided to start a diary.  Perhaps now I will have something to put in it other than “Barbara Morrison was extremely rude” or “I came top of the class in the mental arithmetic test”.  I feel quite excited about everything today.