The Duke’s Daughter (Option Number 1)
Lauren Ferro
7ST
I love it here. This beautiful patchwork of greens and mild yellows and pinks, its almost mesmerizing. The small streaks of blue that border some parts, make quiet noises as they ripple. Even thought I should hate it, I don’t. I can’t.
Even though I do miss my life of grandeur and elegance, and my beloved mother and father, this place...its simply splendid. It so peaceful and calming compared to the old city. I was sent here because of the cruel war raging around the cities and towns. It was very sad leaving all of that behind, and my parents were quite concerned, but they had absolutely no reason to be. I spend many of my afternoons with my evacuee family, eating sandwiches and buns, but other afternoons, I spend underneath the large trees, reading books or drawing. If it is warm, I go paddling in the streams with Ben and Laura. They are so much fun. But I shall not bore you with what happened many weeks, or maybe months, ago, I shall tell you the thrilling tale of what happened the other day, and why I am now climbing hurriedly into an old rowing boat with Ben and Laura.
It was a pleasant sunday evening, and my whole evacuee family were settling into a wonderful dinner. We were chatting and laughing when suddenly there was a knock on the door. No one ever knocked on our door unless it was the postman, the police or a lost soul. But there was no reason for any of those people to be knocking at this late hour.
Papa John, as we call him, stood up and walked to the door, he slowly opened the door a crack. A very small man stood outside with a bundle of things in his hand, he wore the dirtiest and smelliest clothing I had ever seen.

The Duke’s Daughter (Option Number 1)
Lauren Ferro
7ST
“E-excuse me, is the lady Francesca in this house?” He asked, his head hung low, his voice soft and quiet.
I was full of curiosity. I wanted to know who this man was, rbecause I had never seen him before. I rose up from the table. “Um, pardon me Papa John, but yes, I am here,” I said slowly, trying not to sound rude.
Mama Jane pulled my floral dress by the hem and i took it as a hint to sit back down.
“What were you thinking??” she whispered to me, clearly annoyed.”He could be any old ragamuffin, wanting to harm you!” I whispered an apology and sat silently again.
“Well, do come in. But how do we know we can trust you?”
Enquired Papa John.
“You have my word, kind sir.” Said the little man, bowing slightly. ***
We looked after the man, who we quickly found out was called . Mama Jane made him some new clothes, papa took him out hunting a few times. Then one night, I saw Albert downstairs on the phone, He was talking slowly and quietly, but still firmly.
“I want the men here by seven pm tomorrow! They need to be in all black----YES! You fool, of course they need a bag to put over the girls head! And they need rubber soled shoes.
Oh, and fake guns to threaten the family.” His eyes flickered

The Duke’s Daughter (Option Number 1)
Lauren Ferro
7ST
in my direction, so I retreated into my room again. I thought over what he had said. He was talking about me! When he

had stopped talking and was in his room again, I quietly tiptoed into Laura and Ben’s room. I shook them awake and told them everything I had heard.
“What!” Ben sounded furious.
“We have to run away,” said Laura. “We have a small rowing boat down by the river, and we could take some food from the pantry, oh me and Ben know the priest and his family from the next village, i’m sure they would understand.”
“Sounds like a plan.” Ben and I agreed.
The next morning we all stole some food from the pantry.
We made our bundle and left for the boat a few hours later.
And now I come to the present. We are in the priests small cottage in the next village.
“Thank you so much Father Tim, it was awfully kind of you to help us.” Said Ben.
“Well, thats no problem! My door is always open,” He said.
There was a knock on the door and Father tim opened it revealing Papa John and Mama Jane’s worried faces.