Re: All the Fun of the Fair
Hello Love” said the man “Would you like a sweet”? “ Oh yes I love sweets and Candy Floss”
said Betty. He handed her a sweet saying “ Come for a little walk with me and you can have lots more sweets and Candy Floss as well .I know your Mummy and she said it’s alright “
“Did she” said Betty smiling. Taking her hand he said “Let’s go across the Road to the Park and we can eat our sweets.” “Aren’t you a pretty girl,” the man said. Trustingly she let him take her hand and they proceeded out of the Fairground towards the very wide Road next to the Town Hall steps lead up the Park and the past ornate Shrubs onto a grassy patch It was now a very busy and bustling scene and no one took any notice of a man holding a happy looking small child’s hand, walking at a leisurely pace
Finally Mummy came over with the steaming cup of Black Peas. Everything else was forgotten.
I watched the bright sun disappear behind a purple tinted cloud and felt a sense of unease.
I was watching lots of familiar faces coming in and out of the entrance and exit gates,
when I thought I saw Betty walking towards the exit holding the man’s hand. That must be her Uncle I thought I wondered where they are going and where her Mummy was” Yes! It was Betty, as I recognized her dress. I felt puzzled, and was going to tell Mummy as soon as she sat down
Suddenly there was a commotion, and Betty’s Mother very distraught was calling “BETTY! BETTY! Where are you? “Oh! God where is she” Mother went over to her immediately.
“What’s the matter love” she a said now concerned.” It’s Betty I can’t find Betty” She was right here and I was getting her sister off the Roundabout, now she’s had gone!, I only took my eyes of her for a minute” “Look love, we’ll find her, She can’t be far away “ turning to me she said “Come on ,let’s find Betty”.. “ Mummy, I saw Betty go across the Road with her Uncle. Oh! My God she hasn’t got an Uncle”, said her Mummy. “When did you see them?”
“When I came and sat here”. “That was 5 minutes ago said Mother”. Quick!! Let’s get the Police!! The Police Van is just over there.
The man with the little girl walked up the steps and on to the grassy bank looking round and scanning the horizon said “Let’s sit down up there on the grass and you can have another sweet. They walked a little way and he sat down indicating to her to sit next to him, this Betty did she was rather tired. In the distance, there was a row of Cottages barely discernible surrounded by 5 ft. fences in front of which were doted trees and shrubs.
The man stroked her hair and kissed her cheek, “You are so pretty. Shall we play a game”.
Betty now thinking of her Mother became upset.” No! I want Mummy! I want to go back”
He kissed her cheek again and looking at her with his tobacco stained teeth and he smelled of beer, she wiped her face with her hand. “ Don’t do that he said crossly”
In the center Cottage Mrs Aspinall, ‘Connie’, went into her garden and a small Dog followed her.
A .Jack Russell Terrier’, She looked down at the dog and said “Now Cracker we will go for a walk in a minute when you’ve got your lead on” He wagged his tail and growled …Grrrrrrr….
Recently they had to watch that he did not get out of the garden if anyone left the back gate open, as the last man he chased appeared at the Back door with his trousers hanging off him, torn from waist to ankle. Her Husband Jim was there and had to apologies profusely lend him some trousers, and offered to replace the ripped ones. The man was ready to make a complaint but they calmed him down and Cracked slunk out of the room.
Waiting for Jim she looked over the fence, and noticed a man on the grass with a small girl.
Father and Daughter having a rest she thought. She saw the man kiss the girl, and thought that was rather an affectionate display for a Father
“Jim” She called come and look at this
As they watched the man was trying to force the girl to lay down and grabbing when he grabbed her shoulders she let out a cry ““ Ooh!! Mummy!! I want Mummy!!. “That’s never right,” said Jim “Come on Cracker”! Fetch!.
The Dog pricked up its ears and ran out of the gate with Jim and Connie they all chased up to the man and the distressed girl. Nearing them Jim said “Stay Cracker” who sat down, tail wagging.
.
“What the frigging hell a do you think you are doing to that lass frightening her like that”
said Jim
The man brazened it out and said, “She’s my niece, we are having a sit down”
Betty crying held her arms up to Connie saying “ I Want Mummy” Let me go back to Mummy” “ Do you know this man “asked Connie “ No he gave me sweeties”
Jim still had the dog lead in his hand and said to Cracker “ Fetch” and the Dog immediately nipped the man’s ankle and hung on to his trousers not letting go.
” You Bloody Tow Rag “ and after a struggle pushed him face down on the grass and tied his hands behind his back with the Dog lead
“ Let me go “he shouted I never touched her” You are going nowhere we are getting the Police, replied Jim.
“What’s your name love”? asked Connie “Betty ”. “Where is your Mummy?“ “She’s on the Fairground ” she sobbed “”Come On Love .Well take you back to Mummy
They were just about to set off when into view and a WPC and Policeman.
“Have you seen a little girl” they called out “She’s gone missing from the Fairground”
“Is it Betty? and she is looking for her Mummy”? Said Connie and pointing to the prostrate man said “We just arrived in the nick of time as he was trying to push her down”
The Policeman looked at the man saying “Oh! No! Not you again! You’re in big trouble now abducting a child and causing a Police search.
“He’s’ not long out of the nick. Never learn will you “and bending down he put hand cuffs on the protesting man. “Save it for the Judge” There’s a Car Waiting on the Road
They all walked slowly to the Fair, Betty obviously very tired, Connie then picked her up and carried her
“Will Mummy shout at me” “No love, she just wants you to see you again”
” We will take them all home and settle them said the WPC
Suddenly I saw the WPC and a woman carrying Betty approaching.
“Mummy Betty is here, she’s not lost” She flew to her Mother’s arms sobbing and after a tearful reunion, they were taken home in a Police Car.
Mother offered to go with them but was advised to leave it until they had recovered and given advice by the Police.
To be continued