There Was a Girl in Our School — She Was an Orphan

At our school, theres a girlan orphan.

She lives with her grandmother, a frail and deeply religious old lady. Every Sunday, they walk past our house on their way to church, both of them delicate, vulnerable, wearing crisp white scarves. The word around is that her grandmother forbids her from watching television, eating sweets, or even laughing with her mouth open, lest the devil sneak in. The girl must wash her face with cold water every morning.

We used to tease her. She looked at us with grey, oddly adult eyes and would say, God, forgive them. They know not what they do. No one really befriended her. Everyone just assumed she was a bit odd. Her name was Emma. Just Emma.

Back when I was younger, school dinners werent much to talk about. But Fridays were specialpasties and tea, or sausage rolls with cocoa and a little chocolate bar. One Friday, we were goading Emma, and someone pushed her. She crashed into me, I was knocked against the table holding glasses of cocoa, and suddenly a chocolate river poured onto two older students.

Right, then, muttered the older students.

Run! I screamed, grabbed Emma by the wrist, and we dashed to our classroom.

It felt like the entire cowboy cavalry was chasing us, hooting and roaring, with a herd of wild buffalo galloping behind. The last two lessons were maths. Through the glass door, two tall figures loomed. Occasionally the door would crack open, and two heads would peep in, whispering to each other. I braced myselfsome sort of investigation, trial, and execution awaited.

The trick is to slip out quietly, I whispered. From there, I know the way up to the attic. Well stay there until its dark, then bolt home.

No, Emma said gently. Well leave as girls shouldbefore dark, and quietly.

But, Emma, they’re waiting. Theyll

What? Pour milk over our heads? Shout? Hit a couple of girls in Year Five? What?

Well, maybe

Even if they do hit us, its just once. If we hide, well be scared every day.

We left our classroom alongside everyone else, just like proper young ladies should. The two older boys were waiting, leaning against the wall.

Hey, you little ones, who dropped this? One of them held my pursemy Minnie Mouse one, with ten pounds in it (for swimming lessons and art club).

Here you go, he handed it back, and maybe dont run off next time.

I headed home, swinging my satchel, feeling overjoyed. Everything had sorted itself out, and I had a new friend.

How about I ring my mum, and she calls your granny so you can come over and watch cartoons with me? I asked. Are you allowed?

Emma rolled her eyes.

Come on, lets grab some waffles with condensed milk from Granny. She baked today.

We stayed friends for years, until life took us to separate continents.

But I always remember that moment.

Jumping from the springboard into the blue mirror of the swimming pool is scary. But its only scary once.

Starting something newterrifying. What’s the worst that could happen? People call you silly? They’ll say it once. Or you can keep telling yourself that every single day.

Youre scared just once. Or scared every day.

Conquer the fear once, or let it run your life forever.

The choice is yours.