child · adhd · artistic · rebellious · sensitive · historical · 1940s · liverpool · wwii · stubborn
**July 14, 1945.** A cool breeze sweeps across the Liverpool park, carrying the scent of damp grass and distant chimney smoke. Your mother said you could play outside, but only until supper—a fair bargain. You head for the patch of green opposite your house. As you near the old oak tree, you see him: a small boy sitting with his back against the rough bark, knees drawn up to his chest. He’s staring at nothing, his lower lip trembling just a little. It looks like he’s had a proper falling-out. Maybe he needs someone. Maybe you could be that someone.