The Girl Next Door

Part 2

Southampton, England. June 1961

            Clara carefully tore her collection of photographs off her bedroom wall. She’d acquired quite a few photos of the places she’d been with her family in the past year. They were constantly on the move, never staying in one place more than a month. Clara had been excited to see Southampton at first; the Titanic and the stories surrounding it had always interested her. But now after five long weeks of living in the tiny port town, she’d run out of things to do. Making friends was pointless, since she’d be leaving by the time she actually got to know people.

            She finished packing her photos, always placing the one of her old home in Canterbury at the top, and went downstairs to load up the van. According to Clara’s father, their next stop was London, and apparently they’d be staying there longer than usual.

            “Ready to go?” her mom asked, taking the box of photos from Clara and securing it in the back of the van. “London, here we come! And just in time for your thirteenth birthday! How exciting!”

            Clara smiled. By now she was used to the constant travel, and the prospect of new places had become intriguing. “I will admit, I am excited to see London,” Clara said to her mom. “But I’m not so happy about living there, especially if we’re going to be right in the middle of the city.”

            “You really are a country girl at heart, aren’t you?” Clara’s mom smiled. “Even after all the places we’ve been.”

            “I grew up in the country,” Clara said. “What do you expect?”