the telegraph machine- chapter 1

Introduction•

Dear reader,

Before you start reading my Diary, I want to introduce myself and people who might be mentioned.

My name is Henriette Robert Smith, and I was born on the 11th of January 1894. If your too lazy to do the math, I'm sixteen years of age. My favourite colour is emerald green ,and when I'm older I would love study in a French college of fashion and then own my own fashion line. I love reading, sewing and swimming, especially swimming. However, I've always disliked writing, which might confuse you, because well ,your reading a diary that I have written.

 You see,Thomas bought me this diary last Christmas and I haven't thought about writing in it up until today. I have decided that I want to document my boring life, for I feel something extraordinary is going to happen soon- and I would love to be able to go back and read about my younger self when I am older and to show my children how I was when I was sixteen.

Here's a small list of people who might occur in this diary, to make it clearer for you.• Relationships•

Uncle Henry 45- my uncle(he has already passed away)

Adio Smith 19- my older brother

Thomas Sinclair 15-B̶e̶s̶t̶ ̶f̶r̶i̶e̶n̶d̶ -N̶/̶A̶. Best friend again :)

Diana Wilkinson 15- Enemy

Miss Wilkinson N/A- H̶e̶a̶d̶ ̶t̶e̶a̶c̶h̶e̶r̶ ex headteacher

Mr Edward Sinclair N/A- Thomas' father

Robert Smith 35- my father

Shelia Smith-35-my mother

Harriet Campbell-19- Adio's baby mother.

Adhira Kumara 16- close friend. 15.03.1910

Edmund Deeral-15 friend. 15.03.1910

Harley - 4 months- 14.03.1910

Harper 7-14.03 1910

Laurance Laurance 16-14 14.03.1910

M

rs Deeral- N/A- head of year, Edmunds mother. 15.03.1910

Miss brown- form tutor

Mr George.

Last but not least, my Diary starts on Wednesday the second of February 1910, in Morant bay- Jamaica. The weather is warm and the sun is shining bright like a massive diamond in the sky.

I hope you enjoy reading my diary

Love,

𝐻𝑒𝓃𝓇𝒾𝑒𝓉𝓉𝑒 𝒮𝓂𝒾𝓉𝒽 𝓍

•Wednesday 2nd February,1910•

Before dear uncle Henry passed away from Influenza last October, he bought a telegraph machine for Adio and I, so we could communicate with people faster. It was brown and gold and it was fairly dusty since it hasn't been used since He died 5 months ago. He would tell me:

"Henriette, you ave ta clean it and leave no dust on it for mi. I worked ard jus ta purchase dat for us. Maybe mama and papa would send a telegraph to you? Wouldn't that be nice? So to make it last, clean it every now and then eh?" he demanded.

Unfortunately ,I have not cleaned it since his passing. It was heavily coated in months worth of dust. Besides, we haven't received any messages from the telegraph machine since last November and I'm 100% sure it's broken.

I sighed and walked downstairs to the kitchen for dinner. I was really hungry, since I've been working with the animals on the farm all day today instead of going to school . Adio never remembers to do it, so I lift his weight a little to make sure everything is right and in place.

I looked in the pot hoping that there was stew waiting for me. There was nothing there.

"For goodness sake Adio, can you not even remember to cook dinner for us? Why do I have to do EVERYTHING?!"I shouted.

Adio is my older brother. He's older than me by three years, but clearly he doesn't act it. He is an alcoholic ,smoker, drug addict and many more. He spends his time drinking vodka and smoking stupid pipes instead of helping me on the farm. He also spends all our money on this one stupid girl called Harriet who's always leaving us broke. Harriet and Adio share two children together; they are twins actually. She always says she needs the money for her children-but I know she's using it for her own good.

Right now Adio was heavily drunk and he was smoking to the point that smoke filled up the whole room. He sat in his brown armchair in the living room that was covered in cigarette burns.

"Stew? Harriettth can you nat cook ya selff?" He slurred. He was really drunk.

"Firstly,My name's Henriette. Not Harriet. Harriet is That's that stupid girl you spent all our money on. Secondly,I've been on the farm ALL DAY, and you cant even cook a pot of stew?" I shouted.

He lit another cigarette and started smoking some more.

"Thirdly, I HAVE ASTHMA! CANT YOU EVEN THINK ABOUT MY HEALTH BEFORE YOU SMOKE!"

he starred at me for a good minute.

"Guh outside an get sum air fi yuh lungs," he slowly said.

"What do I eat then?" I asked

"Ask uncelluh he can cook ya dinnah,"

I looked at him with disbelief.

"Uncle is dead!"

This isn't a very good way to start my diary, but this how my life is on a day to day basis .I looked around and grabbed the nearest thing I could find, Which happened to be last vodka bottle from his drinking cabinet and smashed it on the floor with anger. It shattered into a million pieces, just like my heart.

I don't know why I did it, it just came to my head. The strong smell of vodka quickly spread around the room.it was disgusting. The room went completely quiet as Adio processed what I had just done .He stood up slowly in anger. My legs we shaking in fear. He was drunk, and I had just broken his vodka bottle, his very last one! He could finish me. I instantly regretted smashing the bottle.

"Adio I'm sorry!" I cried.

He started getting closer. I could feel is anger getting all over my skin and I could smell his vodka breath. Adio slapped me, right across the face

I screamed in pain and ran out our if the living room and sprinted up the stairs like a elephant. I could hear him chasing me up the stairs, as if I was a mouse and he was a hungry cat, but he was tripping everywhere since he was really drunk. Adio could really hurt me- He's 6'2 and very muscular.

I sprinted down the hallway trying to get to my bedroom as fast as I could. my bedrooms my safe space, its away from Adio. Adio was catching close to me, my heart started beating faster and faster . I opened the door and locked it with the lock, then pushed my dresser In front of the door for extra support. Adio crashed into my door, trying to break it down. He yelled at me and tried to open the door in anger, but he couldn't because the door was barricaded.

I dropped to the floor in tears ,I can't deal with my brother anymore. Adio makes my life a living hell ,and trying to make him happy is like walking on a tightrope- one wrong move and I'm dead. He's hurt me many times before and I was unfortunately starting to get used to it. Once ,he was heavily drunk and he had come back from the Casino. He had lost a 100,000 JMD bet (£500),which was a lot for us.

He got very upset and blamed it all on me, saying its my fault he lost. He went absolutely mental and strangled me to the point that I was seeing black blobs and my eyesight started blurring, he'd almost killed me.

I never forgot that day and never will, it was the day that i realised that he wasn't mentally okay .Also, Adio never does anything useful ,he just drinks and smokes and spends our money on Harriet, drugs etc. I'm only 16,but I feel like I've already taken the mother role.

I forgot about our real mother. She isn't dead, same with our father. They live in the United Kingdom. Glasgow, to be precise. When they had me and Adio they were young and still in school. So when I was 3, on my mum's 21st birthday they left us with our uncle and travelled the world. They went to Bhutan, Zanzibar, Australia-you name it. But they had a deep love for Glasgow, Scotland. They settled down and started a successful jam company. They never came back, even though they promised they would. However, last year we got a letter from them and they want to reconnect.

So they sent letters first,then uncle bought a telegraph machine and they started sending telegraphs. We haven't received one for months. Personally, I think something bad might have happened to them, but i can never be sure. The telegraph machine was sitting in my room next to my desk,waiting to me cleaned.

I should send a message first to maybe find out what's going on. Maybe they aren't okay, or maybe they don't want to talk to me anymore, They did abandon me here in Morant bay after all. I sighed and got my pyjamas on ready for bed.

It was a stupid thought anyways, they're probably okay living in their massive Modern Mansion in upper Glasgow with their stupid successful jam company , they just can't be bothered to check up on me. I sighed and listened to Adio drunkly leaving the house and walking down the street, He was definitely going to see Harriet.

I took a good look at the telegraph machine. Mother and father could help me with Adio's behaviour, for he is definitely struggling. They might not care,but theres a chance that they do. All I had to do was send a telegraph- I should just stand up and walk toward to machine and send a telegraph- easy peasy;buy My eyes fell heavy and the world started to darken.it was to late, I was already asleep.

•Thursday 3rd February 1910•

*Thump!*

A small stone was thrown through my window, it had hit me right in the torso. I moaned ,for I was in a very deep and enjoyable dream which I can no longer remember. The warm Jamaican sunrise hit my face as the sound of singing birds filled my ears. The smell of frying plantains danced around my nostrils, but I know they weren't cooked by Adio.   I got out of my bed and peeped out if the window to see who had thrown the stone. At first, I assumed it was one of Adio's drunk friends, for they have a reputation of being violent on the cuddle de sac. But it wasn't one of his drunk friends this time, it was Thomas.

"Henriette! I've bought you chocolate milk!" He shouted.

Thomas is my best friend,like best best friend. Like we can't be separated. When he came to Jamaica 7 years ago, we instantly became friends. He's my neighbour you see, we got on well at first sight.

Thomas is white and he's actually from Scotland. He has gorgeous short dark chocolate brown hair and this beautiful set of ocean blue eyes.He has a strong neckline and small pink lips.He's also 5'7. Thomas smiled and waved at me from the window,i waved back in excitement.

"Henriette Smith! Were going to be late if you don't come down!"

I pushed my chester draw out of the way of my door,and ran downstairs.

"Let me get dressed I'm coming!" I shouted whilst getting my bag packed ,my dress worn and teeth brushed .

Today,I decided to be fancy and wear this beautiful ankle length emerald dress my uncle and bought for me. It had frills on the on the torso and it came with emerald ribbons for my hair,which I had braided into to Dutch braids.I adored my self in the mirror one last time and opened the door to meet Thomas on the Porch.

"Henriette,"Adio called.

I turned around and saw him standing in the hallway,with and apple in his hand.

"You didn't eat,heres an apple,"

He walked towards me and gave me this bright red apple

"I'm sorry," he said with his head tilted towards the floor.

What is he apologising for this time? Constantly being drunk and making my home life a living hell or sitting around all day and being too lazy even cook dinner.He always says sorry,then makes the exact same mistake again.I don't forgive Adio and I don't think I ever will. I rolled my eyes at him and slammed the door on the way out.

"Wow Henriette, that dress is absolutely beautiful!"he purred. His eyes was all over my body , after all it was a really nice dress. It looks like this:



"Give me a spin," he giggled.

I got down to the pavement and span with the light breeze.

"It's exquisite,"he charmed.

"Why thank you thomas," i giggled.

He opened his arm in a linking position.

"Shall we?" He asked

"We shall indeed,"

I linked my arm with his and we walked to school

When people think of my and Thomas,they automatically think that we are in romantically attracted to each other,but I'm going to make one thing clear:me and Thomas don't have any feelings for each other at all. He is rather handsome,and he's bitter sweet, but still, i would never even think about him in a romantic way.I don't exactly know what Romance is and I don't know how it feels, but I know it is nothing I feel towards Thomas.

" I Heard you screaming last night,"Thomas said

"What did he do now?"

He looked at me with a concerned look on his face. He held my hand and sat me down on a rock next to him.

"He- Well he didn't cook dinner. So i got mad and smashed his vodka. He got upset and slapped me across the face."

Thomas held my hand and gave me a warm bottle of chocolate milk.

"You can come to mine whenever you want,Adio has changed a lot this year- so anytime you feel unsafe just walk along to my house,you know where it is,"he smiled.

I smiled back at him and drank the drink he gave me.

He's sweet. Thomas is really sweet.

We had finally arrived at school at about 7:45: 15 minutes earlier than our first lesson,which was english. The walk to school was about 30 minutes,for nor Thomas or I are fast walkers.We sat at the river that was next to the school. He put his arm around my shoulder and i kneeled my head on his,as we always did.

"Remember when we would swim to the end of this river,"i giggled

He smiled.

"Yeah and I'd grab your toes pretending to be a crocodile,"he laughed.

"Uncle henry wasn't every happy with me,"

We laughed again. I liked times like this,when me and Thomas would just sit down and laugh at things. It made me feel calm, and it shut out all distractions and worries.He also had a very contagious laugh,which always cheered me up on a gloomy day.I looked up at him and he looked at me,just thanking God for giving me such a wonderful best-friend. Thomas' pupils went large and his checks has gone red.

He started leaning forwards a little,it was slow but he was moving.I was so confused- was he trying to kiss me?he was getting so close to me.So i pulled myself back away from him,I didn't want to kiss him- for I would get pregnant.

"So how's the love birds doing! "Diana shouted.

He jumped in shock and took his arm away from my shoulder.

"Diana, were not lovebirds, he's my best friend."i sighed.

I stood up and brushed the dirt off my dress. Thomas stood up with me, he looked kind of upset but He didn't say anything.

Diana Wilkinson was the daughter of the headmistress. She's beautiful-on the outside only.shed do anything for trouble. She was the short popular girl in the whole of form 4 , everything just had to evolve around her, which I absolutely hated.

"So your telling me Thomas Sinclair, hasn't got a girl?"she asked.

I panicked I little. Whys Diana so interested in Thomas? It is not her right to be interested in my- I mean Thomas.

"He does," I said

Diana and Thomas looked at me.

"Who then?" Dianna giggled.

Thomas obviously wanted to know who as well,since he's never had a girl.

"I- i-,"

Diana sighed and got close to Thomas. Then,she somehow had the courage to put her dry small lips on Thomas' lips. She had kissed Thomas,and to make it worse it just happened to be right Infront of me. I had felt a odd feeling swift my body; the sight of her kissing Thomas didn't sit right with me.

"Diana what are you doing?!"I exclaimed.

I pulled Thomas towards me,away from her.

"Ya jealous?" She laughed.

"I..i...no!"I shouted.

At his point everyone was around us.

I stood trying to think about what else to say,for I was definitely NOT jealous .Everyone was laughing at me at this point. Diana had made the world evolve around her once again. I had nothing to say,but I had something to do.I grabbed Diana by the arm and pulled her to me. She fought back and tried to wiggle out,but my grip was too strong. I spun her and threw her into the river.

Everyone went quiet. The river was 8 foot deep and Diana was struggling to swim. I was shocked myself,I've never physically thrown someone in the river. Her little head was bobbing up and down,her hair went from straightened to afro because it had been touched with water.she screamed in fear. I stood still watching her drown.

"Henriette what are you doing?!"

Thomas shouted as he jumped into the river. Diana's head was under the water for quite a long time now.I hoped and waited for someone's head to bob up from the river,but no one did.After waiting 30 seconds Thomas's head came back up,but not with Diana .No way- did I kill her? My heart started racing. Diana wasn't coming up from the river and it had been a minute,she could be lifeless by now.

Diana still wasn't coming up, and the clock was ticking. Henriette the murderer!I don't like how that's sounds,but that's probably what I am. Diana's definitely dead,she's not coming up. She's probably being eaten my crocodiles or being swifted down the river.My heart was beating even FASTER this time. A few seconds later she came back up from the blue, Choking on water .

Thomas got out of the river, shivering because it was early February,and the river was extremely cold.

"Why would you do that?!"Thomas shouted.

"You could have killed her!"

I was lost for words. I didn't think before I threw her in,i just did it. Her getting close to Thomas was making me uncomfortable,Thomas is mine and mine only,we've been best-friends since we were nine.

"She kissed you!I just thought-"I started.

"Well you didn't think!I can't swim!" Diana sobbed.

Thomas helped Diana get out If the water.

"Let's get you dried inside,"he said to Diana.

Everyone looked at me with disgust,and walked to their first lesson.

Miss Wilkinson's office.

"You could have killed my daughter! Henriette Smith- YOU COULD HAVE KILLED MY DAUGHTER!"miss Wilkinson screamed .

She took a ruler from her desk and slapped it across my knuckles. It hurt so bad,but I couldn't cry.

Diana's mother is the head teacher of the upper part of our school. Diana had told her about the incident so I have called to her office. Miss Wilkinson wasn't like her daughter- Diana was built with a more slim figure and small lips with small eyes,but her mother was chubbier and had a massive pair of lips,with massive eyes. But miss Wilkinson was very sweet on the inside,If your on her right side.

"What was the reason?"

I don't know why Diana kissing Thomas hurt me. I don't have any feelings for him and I'm sure I'll never will.we are just friends. Why would she kiss him anyways? She's going to be 15 and pregnant?!

"She got herself pregnant then Thomas will be the father!I don't want Thomas to be a dad!"I exclaimed.

Mrs Wilkinson's face dropped.

"IM GOING TO BE WHAT?!"Diana cried.

"My uncle had a deep chat with me on my 15th birthday last year- if you kiss a boy,you get pregnant! He demanded me to not kiss any boy and I didn't.because I don't want to be pregnant!"

Diana's face was bright red and she bursted out in tears.

"IM PREGNANT?!" She cried.

"Mama told me i just wished for one and it came!"

I can't believe she Didn't know where children came from. She's an Imbecile- she really thought you just wished for a baby and it came? She believed THAT? It doesn't even sound scientifically correct. Everyone should have been taught that You kiss a boy,and nine months later a baby comes out of your mouth. Adio told me about that bit.

"Well your mama is wrong. I've seen Adio kiss Harriet two times- and now I've got twin Niece's,"

"No no no, Diana your not pregnant-you have to be married...,"

mrs Wilkinson explained.

"But Adio has two..."I started

"...But we are getting off topic Henriette Smith,"she continued.

She ushered for Diana to leave the room.

"I don't know what to do with you Henriette,but I'm going to have to talk to your family..."

I exhaled. Just a talk to Adio. He's to drunk to even know what's going on.

"...in Scotland,"

I gasped. Scotland- that can only mean... Mother and father!why mother and father?!

"And on top of that you are permanently expelled."

I was shocked. Permanently expelled- for pushing a girl into the river.

"I'm Sorry,but why do you need to talk to my parents? Do you even know them?" I asked

"In matter of fact your parents and I have a close bond miss Smith. They send telegraphs every week to check on your behaviour,and I always send them a letter of your report."

I was shocked,they can't even keep up with me but they can keep up with my school? That's upsetting.

"So, Miss smith, please back your bag and go to your classroom and clear out your locker."miss Wilkinson demanded.

She pointed her chubby finger towards the door,so i got up and left her office.

This wasn't the first time I was expelled from school,this would be my third i think. I was expelled in form 1 for fighting other students,form 3 for setting a teachers desk on fire and now form 4,for pushing a girl in the river. I knew everyone would be staring at me when I came in, for i have literally almost killed someone. What would Thomas think of me now? Would be even want to still be friends?

I walked in slowly into our maths class. Diana had a new pink dress on and she sat in MY seat- next to Thomas. They were giggling and cracking jokes.I don't know what it is,but seeing Thomas with someone else makes me a bit... jealous. The whole class had there eyes on me, especially Diana.

"Miss Smith,do you need anything?" The teacher asked.

"I need to collect my stuff,I've been expelled."

Everyone gasped,as if they didn't see it coming but Thomas was completely expressionless. I slowly walked to the back of the classroom to collect my bag,and clear my stuff from the locker.

In my locker,there was:my text books,for i have been study business

And textiles so i can start my own fashion line,a mouldy apple,my P.E kit and a photo album,which Thomas bought for me for my 16th in early January. It had photos of a photo shoot we had in early September,with uncle Henry.It was such a sweet gift,I truly loved it. He knew I loved uncle Henry and I wasn't getting over his death well. He knew how to help and comfort me. I looked behind and saw him and Diana giggling again.

I don't like it,I don't like it at all. It's supposed to be Henriette and Thomas, not Thomas and Diana. It drove me crazy, really crazy. I slammed the door of the locker shut which startled the class. I grabbed my things and left the room in anger. I don't like seeing Thomas with Diana,it looks like he's betrayed me.

"Henriette!" I heard someone shout.

It was Thomas,he was running behind me. I ran out of  the school building,not listening to Thomas' calls.I don't want to talk to him. Not one bit.

"Henriette!wait up! Let's talk about this!" He shouted.

"You have asthma calm down!"

I didn't listen to him. I don't need too.

"JUST GO!GO HAVE FUN WITH DIANA!"I cried.

He looked extremely confused,but he slowed down and stopped chasing after me,for I was going home any he still had to be in school. I was angry and upset over something stupid, but I don't like the fact that Diana was getting close to Thomas. I just want to get home as fast as possible,so I sprinted all the way there  Eventually,I started feeling like I was running out of air, I was only 2 minutes away from home,so i walked the rest of the way.

I started to think about my parents,what would they say when they find out I've been expelled. They never send telegraph's to me and Adio,but they have all the time in the world to send telegraph's to Miss Wilkinson. Also, what are my parents going to do? Make me live with them? They live a 30 day   ocean liner sail away- they're not going to take a boat just to tell me off.

I got to the porch of the house and sat on the bench. I was extremely tired. With everything that's going on i deserve a nap to clear my head and calm down a little .I went inside to check on Adio,since he still acts like a child. He wasn't in the living room- he was probably still asleep. I crept up the stairs to go to my bedroom for my nap.

"Adio?" I called

No response. Where could this guy be?i sighed and opened my bedroom door to be horrified.

"ADIO WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!"

He was on my bed with Harriet. They we kissing. Ew! They jumped off my bed in shock.

"My bed broke so i just... Why are you so early?" He asked.

"I got expelled,and please leave!"

Adio and Harriet left the room without saying a word. They left vodka bottles all over the floor of my bedroom,and my bed was filled with cigarette stains and white powder,from the drugs they they're so irresponsible, drinking and taking drugs,and now kissing? Does she want another child?! I was so mad,i just want to sleep and now I've got to clean up this?!

i was just so tired and could not be bothered,so i slept on the chair to my sewing desk. Next to the sewing desk,that was where the grand telegraph machine was. My hand was on the desk and i kneeled my head on top of it. It was uncomfortable ,but I really need to get a nap to calm down so I had to make use. The world was shutting again,and I was almost asleep...

*Ping!*

My head shot up in a split second. What was that?what was that rather peculiar noise?

*Ping!**ping**ping*

I looked around trying to find out what it was.

*Ping*

I assumed it was Adio playing tricks on me,but it wasn't that. It was the telegraph machine- I had received a telegraph.i looked at the machine whilst it was still pining,it sounded like a weird melody. I generally thought this machine was broken,but it clearly was in splendid quality if it was still able to send telegraphs. After a whole 10 minutes it stopped,and I picked up the paper to read it. It was in Morse code,so I will translate it for you to make it easier.

It read:

Dear Henriette Smith,

We have just received a telegraph about your exclusion at Saint Mary secondary school. We are absolutely distraught at the fact you have almost taken a girls life.we are also extremely upset at the fact this has been your 3rd exclusion in Jamaica, So we have decided,that you are now spending the rest of form 4 and 5 with us in Glasgow Scotland,so we can keep a better eye on you. We have already started applying for your new school in Glasgow. So on the 11th of February 1910, you are to board a ship to Portsmouth, England,where we shall meet and take a train to Glasgow,on the 12th of march 1910. We are dreadfully sorry about the fact we haven't given you a lot of time to prepare,but we need to sort your behaviour now before we you go to college,or get married. So please back your bags and get ready for you Ship in a few days, when you go on the ship please say your Robert Smith's daughter,and he will let you on without a ticket. Send Adio our blessings,

Sincerely,

Robert and Shelia Smith.

I was stunned- my parents want me to go live with them in Scotland.

I, Henriette Smith is going to Scotland!