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FAY AND THE DOWNSTAIRS JEW.

Fay met Baruch

by Arch Street

off of Meadow Rowhe was by

the bombed out ruins

across the way

firing his catapult

at tin cans

and empty bottles

she stood at his side

hands in the pockets

of her cardigan

fair hair held

in place by a slide

not firing at the birds

are you?

she asked

looking anxious

no just cans

and bottles

he said

she seemed relieved

and stepped closerhate to see things hurt

or killed

she said

he tucked the catapult

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into the belt

of his jeans

and wiped his hands

on the blue clothyour old man

let you out then?

he said

she looked about her

in case her father

was near at hand

to hear

my fathers off

for the day

she said

some church things

she added

good to have you here

Baruch said

he stared at her

taking in her hair

and eyes

and her mouth ajar

lips and small teeth

the patterned dresscoming to the knees

red on yellow

going to the flicks later

you want to come?

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he asked

she frowned in thought

where?

Camberwell Greenhe said

the picture house

is a fleapit

but the films good

she blinked

wiped her nose

no money

she said

Dad said to read

Mark Chapter 9

all through

before he gets home

and he will

question me

and if I dont know it

she became silent

and looked away

Baruch caught sight

of a bruise yellowing

on her right browhed not seen

until she moved

her hair by hand

to wipe her nose

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whens he back?

Baruch asked

late tonight

she saidbest not go

she looked across

the bomb site

towards the coal wharf

where horse drawn wagons

came and went

or coal lorries

along the small road

carrying their load

got time to take in

a film

he said

be back and study then

the Bible bit

she bit her lip

still got no money

she said

looking back at him

standing there

in jeans and blue shirtand mucked up hair

Ive got 2/6d

thatll do for us to go

and ride and see

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and ride on back

she hesitated

looked concerned

if I dont know St Mark 9therell be hell to pay

(strapped backside

more like he thought

but didnt say)

we can scan the pages

once were back

and gulp it down

and swot it up

he said

she stared

at her plimsolls

white ankle socks

the stones

and bricks

of the bomb site ground

tempted she said

ok

wanting to go

and be with him

she weighedthe balance

in her mind

pushing possible

punishment to the back

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of her mind

already he was walking

towards the bus stop

across the bombsitein casual pace

she followed

taking his hand in hers

unaware her father

from the top

of a bus

had seen

and taking note

knowing what to say

and do

she being

with that kid again

the downstairs Jew.