A Single Stone

by Louisa Adjoa Parker (Weymouth)

He misses the snow, but grows to love swimming every summer in the sea. It’s Saturday; they pack cafés with cigarette smoke, talking, tea and cakes. His friends are whispering about a castle. They decide to explore it and leave their mothers talking.

The castle is built of grey Portland stone from a monastery that was dismantled, brought here piece by piece. He wonders what it’s like to be a monk and have your house pulled down. They wander around, hearts racing, filling their pockets with stones.

A voice shouts, ‘You boys! Stop! Police!’ They run down steps like teeth, with footsteps behind them. He turns to see two red-faced policemen, holding on to their helmets. The boys duck out of the castle and along a path.

They are young and fit and can run forever. Laughing and panting, they arrive safely at his house. He finds a single stone in his pocket and puts it in his garden. He hopes his mother won’t wonder where it came from.

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What Louisa Adjoa Parker says about A Single Stone:

Inspired by talking to Steve, who at the age of 9, moved to Weymouth from Scotland along with hundreds of others who were moved from the Torpedo Experimental Establishment at Greenock.