Jill Chaney

On Primrose Hill

Methuen & Co., 1962.

Ricky skipped across the road into Regent's Park, listening with delight to the sloshy noise his gumboots made on the wet pavement. It was just beginning to get dark, and a grey mist hung around the trees. He scuffled his feet in the piles of old leaves that lay limply on the ground. Then he opened his packet of potato crisps and walked along, crunching enjoyably, and trying to sing at the same time. He walked down to the water's edge and shouted at some ducks that were trying to go to sleep. They wouldn't look at him so he went on

On his way home Ricky passes a row of derelict houses, sneaks inside, and decides to do up one of the rooms as a hideout. A part-time job after school pays for the paint and equipment; returning home one evening he takes a different route, across Primrose Hill.

The trees were big and dark but there were friendly little lamps between them. His feet crunched on the gravel path. Several people were out with their dogs. He reached the top, and suddenly there was London spread out before him - lights from side to side as far as he could see

A friendly stranger points out the landmarks to him: later he is discovered to be occupying Ricky's hideaway. He confesses to being 'a sort of part-time tramp' and invites Ricky to join him. Adult readers may feel a bit uneasy at this point, but we are in Enid Blyton land: the tramp turns out to be a jolly good sort and their subsequent adventures are entirely innocent.