The Railway Children

Of course, my mother never had favorites, but if she had favorites, it would be Roberta.

She was almost always at home, ready to play with the children and read to them, and help them do their homework.

They also had a father who was just perfect – never angry, never unfair, always ready to play – at least if at any time he was not ready, he always had a great reason for it, and explained the reason to the children so interesting and funny that they felt he had to do it.

So they were, but they didn't know how happy they were until the lovely life in the red Villa ended and they had to live a different life indeed.

Peter had a birthday – he turned 10

Then, either because of Peter's inexperience, or because of Phyllis's good intentions, or for some other reason, the move suddenly broke down with an explosion. All the people of Noah's ark that were fragile broke into pieces, but nothing else broke except the poor little engine and Peter's feelings.

It turned out to be true, though.