With the tide at last beginning to recede, Sarah ran the boat aground by the bridge, next to a little blue and white rowing boat. Climbing out and rushing towards the Primary School, she jumped as thunder and lighting filled the air. Would the building offer any protection? James had talked of how schools were used in the war. Shaldon’s school was listed as an emergency centre. The children had been taught what to do in air-raids; although Sarah wondered whether the Board of Education’s advice: not leave the school, lie on the floor, and keep away from windows, was quite sufficient.

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Sarah looked around the site but everything was locked. The rain and wind slowed, as if holding breath. There was nothing unusual to see. There were noticeboards outside of course and an invitation to follow a poetry trail designed by the pupils.

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Apparently, over 200 children were evacuated from London’s Acton Primary to live in Teignmouth. The Morgan Giles shipyard was just across the river. Sarah had run past Morgan’s Quay to get to the boat. With it supplying over 100 vessels for the Admiralty, as well as working as an American repair base; Sarah wondered how safe the children would have been. There were many additional targets here. Bombs fell on Bitton House, the hospital, the bridge, the coastal railway; as well as the pier. How the air defences were desperately needed.  James had said there were lights and antiaircraft guns positioned on the Ness, and along both coastline and river, in an attempt to stop the bombers. Particularly vicious were those carrying incendiary bombs. Masks had been distributed in case of gas attack, so that people could safely breathe. How awful it must have been.​