Story 22 – Postcards from Brenda

Postmark 11th June 1962 – Bognor Regis

Mum,

Jane and I arrived safely this morning.

The train journey was fine.

The sky here is so blue, its very nice.

Butlins is very big, lots of people around. Not explored yet.

I bought a big bundle of postcards, like you said. I will let you know how we get on.

Love Brenda

Postmark 11th June 1962 – Bognor Regis

Jane, 

The bloody train was horrible, packed with people coming down here for the sun too.

Mary spent the whole journey telling dirty jokes, you should have see the looks we got from nosy old biddies.

This place is huge, but with the sun out there’s lots of lads with their shirts off.

Mum made me buy a load of these postcards and sent me with a big book of stamps to keep her updated. I’ve got more than I need for the fortnight, so I thought I’d send you lots too.

Just to make you jealous.

Ha Ha.

Bren

Postmark 12th June 1962 – Bognor Regis

Mum,

Our chalet is nice.

The sun is still shining.

I enjoyed the food in the restaurant last night.

We missed the band last night because we were tired, but hope to see them tonight.

Love Brenda

Postmark 12th June 1962 – Bognor Regis

Jane,

Well, Mary works fast.

No sooner did we put our bags in the chalet than she’s met a couple of lads an they’ve invited us down the beach.

So we spent last night on the beach getting merry, as Mum calls it, with them. Fred and Tim they were.

Pretty boys, but dull.

Mary lost interest in them too, but they had drinks, so we stayed a while.

Doubt we’ll bother with them today.

Bren

Postmark 13th June 1962 – Bognor Regis

Mum,

The band was very good last night.

We had a lot of fun in the outdoor pool yesterday.

We are having a good time.

Love Brenda

Postmark 13th June 1962 – Bognor Regis

Jane,

Well, Mary had a lot of fun in the outdoor pool yesterday, with Tim of all people! Apparently he’s nicer than I give him credit for.

I can’t be doing with Fred though.

The sky is still so blue here, its like a painting. I can’t see how people get bored of this and want to go home.

I could stay here much longer than we’re supposed to. Bound to be a job in town.

I’m definitely thinking about it.

Bren

Postmark 14th June 1962 – Bognor Regis

Mum,

Mary has made plenty of friends here.

I’ve found a few people to chat to.

Still lovely weather.

Haven’t won a game yet, but I’m trying!

Love Brenda

Postmark 14th June 1962 – Bognor Regis

Jane,

Can you believe it? Mary’s only gone and got herself smitten with that Tim!

I have to find my own entertainment. And all the games they play here are so silly that I don’t want to by myself.

I think I will take myself off into town. Have a walk along the beach.

The pier is supposed to be nice.

It will give me a chance to have a look at the locals at least, see if I can find some more reasons to stay.

Ha!

Bren

Postmark 15th June 1962 – Bognor Regis

Mum,

I have made some new friends, we have had fun swimming.

Tonight we are all going dancing.

Love Brenda

Postmark 15th June 1962 – Bognor Regis

Jane,

Well, going in to town was a good idea.

I met a man called George who is staying in one of the B&Bs.

Oh, he’s lovely. Really well spoken and he’s got this car, a BMW, its dead fancy.

Mary’s off with Tim again, so I’m going back into town and George says he’ll take me for dinner.

I think he might be a banker, he’s got the togs and looks posh.

Forget what I said about staying here.

I’m going to run away with him.

Ha Ha

Bren

Postmark 18th June 1962 – Bognor Regis

Mum,

Have been having a nice time being shown around the town by some locals I met.

The pier is very nice.

The water is lovely and cool when you go in.

The sky is still picture perfect.

Love Brenda

Postmark 18th June 1962 – Bognor Regis

Jane,

George is so nice. He says he’s going to take me on a picnic tomorrow.

Apparently he knows a nice secluded bit of woodland.

Mary is still off with Tim, she doesn’t tell me where she is half the time.

I have not spent much time with her since Tuesday.

I think I’ll wear that green dress, you know the one.

Bren

Postmark 18th June 1962 – Bognor Regis

Mum,

Still sunny.

Food is great.

I came close to winning yesterday, maybe today.

Love Brenda.

Postmark 18th June 1962 – Bognor Regis

Jane,

Just a quick one.

George told me to bring everything with me. I think we might be going somewhere else after.

He’s is picking me up in a bit. I’m looking forward to riding in his car with the top down.

The car’s top, not mine.

Although…

Bren

Postmark 25th June 1962 – Angmering

Mum,

I’m Sorry.

Love Brenda

Postmark 25th June 1962 – Angmering

Jane,

He wasn’t as nice as I thought.

He took me to the woods, carrying the picnic basket.

When we got there, he did it.

Then he just left me.

I don’t think I can come home.

Bren

Postmark 3rd July 1962 – Worthing

Jane,

The sea seems different here.

I feel lost.

I’m sure Mary came home without me.

I couldn’t let her see me. I could not go back to Bognor.

Don’t worry about me. Look after my Mum, please.

Bren

Postmark 16th July 1962 – Brighton

Jane,

I saw George, he was in his car with another girl. She looks a bit like me, she had the same hair as I did.

I’m going to try to find her. See if I can help her.

Bren

Postmark 20th July 1962 – Hurstpierpoint

Jane,

I found the girl.

Her name is Samantha, she’s really nice.

George did the same thing to her.

We got lost in the woods but finally found a town.

Bren

Postmark 21st September 1962 – Horsham

Jane,

Samantha decided to move on. I miss her. She said she wants her Mum, I understand that.

But I have to follow George. I can’t let him do this again.

I miss you all.

Bren

Postmark 28th December 1962 – Twickenham

Jane,

I found him again.

I don’t think he is a banker at all. I think he’s a salesman.

I met Sandra but she went soon after.

Looks like he has a type, she looked like me too.

I hope you all managed to have a nice Christmas.

Bren

Postmark 20th February 1963 – Gillingham

Jane,

I got close enough that he saw me this time.

Ha!

That gave him a shock.

He drove off so fast he nearly hit another car.

I was too late to stop him doing it to Elizabeth, but she says she wants to help me. 

So I’ve got a travelling companion again.

Its nice not to be alone anymore.

Bren

Postmark 17th April 1963 – Margate

Jane,

We stopped him this time!

Elizabeth and I found him while he was talking to this girl on the beach.

We knew he meant to do the same to her because of how she looked, same hair as us.

Don’t know her name.

As soon as he saw us coming, he ran away without a by-your-leave.

She looked confused.

But that’s better than the other.

Bren

Postmark 30th August 1963 – Southampton

Jane,

Elizabeth has had enough.

She’s happy we saved that girl but is frustrated we can’t find him again.

She says she will stay with me tonight, but then she’s going.

I don’t blame her.

But I am very sad.

Love to you all.

Bren

Postmark 5th March – Angmering

Jane,

He was back in Bognor.

He took her to the same place he took me.

I was so angry.

At least she got away.

He didn’t

Bren

Postmark 9th March 1964 – Chichester

Jane,

I saw in the papers that they found me.

Sorry if that gave you a fright. The postcards and stamps were in my bag and I felt better writing to you.

Tell Mary it wasn’t her fault.

At least that girl, Trudy, led them back.

George didn’t stay long. Wasn’t given much choice.

The things that took him, they made me shudder.

Tell Mum I love her.

I think I’ll go now. 

Love, Bren

© Robert Spalding 2020