****
Soon Jeffery and Arthur reached the gate at the front of the school and waited there for their friend. But there was no sign of him. Peter hadn't been to school since Monday, and they worried he might be sick. They decided not to wait any longer and entered the school grounds and turned to the right. Girls went to the left.
They went all the way around the 'L' shaped, two storied, red brick, building that housed Marwell Senior Secondary School. At the back, a large playground was divided by a wide, white, painted line. The northern half sitting along the short arm of the 'L' was for the girls only; the other half was for the boys. Although most of the lessons had mixed classes, the girls had their own entrance, the boys theirs.
They joined the boys who were huddled up against the building as they tried to get as much shelter as possible. The girls were always allowed to go inside early, but unless the weather was very bad with heavy rain or snow, the boys had to stay outside until the bell rang. The light drizzle that fell this day wasn't considered bad weather, They watched enviously as the girls went in as soon as they arrived. A friend, Ginger swung around the corner, her red-gold hair safely tucked beneath a satin scarf. She saw them and waved. They waved back to the jeers of the others.
Shortly after that, the bell rang and they rushed to get inside. Still Peter hadn't shown up.
Bomber Overhead Page 5