“What did you say, boy?” and again Matt answered in German. Tanner grabbed a handful of Matt’s hair and brought the cane down onto his back. Not once, but eleven times before June Bell could get to him, all the time screaming, “You dirty, stinking kraut!”
“Mr Tanner, stop for god sakes! He’s a child!” Grabbing his arm she managed to stop the onslaught. Tanner stormed off. Mrs Bell took Matt away, “I’m so sorry. I don’t know what came over him.”
Ten minutes later the bell went for home time. Matt and Ian walked to Alice’s house. They were both staying the night. Emma was due to have another baby, so Ian was staying with Alice for a few days.
“Okay boys, bath then tea. Who’s first?”
Alice’s bath was a tin one that hung on the wall outside until needed. Sitting in front of the fire it was
