The Circle Line

By Sarah Stevens

Ben has had enough! Too many changes and too much sadness for one 12 year old. With the loss of his father, he’s run away from the children’s home and has decided to stay put on the Circle Line in the London Underground, until he can decide what to do.

But he’s realising that it’s no place for a child to be living:

• Language: English
• Publisher: Conscious Dreams Publishing
• Release date: May 28, 2018
• ISBN: 9781912551224

Book preview

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The Circle Line

A dramatic underground adventure and a young boy’s quest to make the world a better place

By Sarah Stevens

The Circle Line

Children’s Fiction

Copyright © 2018: Sarah Stevens

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be produced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law.

First Printed in United Kingdom 2018

Published by Conscious Dreams Publishing

www.consciousdreamspublishing.com

Disclaimer: The events and characters in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to actual persons, living or dead, or to actual firms, is purely coincidental. The author of this book does not advocate or encourage in any way playing in the Underground. The author would like to make clear that playing in the Underground or crossing rail tracks is highly dangerous and is not advised in any way shape or form. The character and story is purely fictitious.

Edited by E. Lee Caleca and Wendy Yorke

Typeset by Oksana Kosovan

ISBN: 978-1-912551-22-4

Dedication

I would like to thank Fred for being my inspiration for publishing this book as his enthusiasm for it has been amazing.

Acknowledgments

I’d like to acknowledge Fred for being the first to read the book and suggesting I publish it.

I’d like to thank Emily Bleet, Theresa O’Sullivan, Janine Burton, Jessica Hackett, and Vicky Garside for their comments and support.

A thank you to Castlemorton Primary School children for all their wonderful feedback.

To my parents, Diana and Roy for your love and support over the years.

Thanks to Nicola and Sarennah Longworth-Cook for your support.

Thank you to the Conscious Dreams Publishing Team; my publisher, Daniella Blechner; my cover designer, Jae Thompson, my typesetter Oksana Kosovan and my editors Lee Caleca and Wendy Yorke.

What Children Are Saying About This Book

‘The story line was gripping – make sure you have enough time as you won’t be able to put the book down!’

~ Rebecca, 14

‘I like it because of all the action and the mystery. I was really surprised how it ended.’

~ Charlotte, 10

‘I really like this book. I like all the description and all the things Ben gets up to.’

~ Hannah, 9

‘I liked the book because it was very fast paced. I liked how Ben changed throughout the book.’

~ Evan,10

‘I liked it because it was really detailed and I can get bored when reading a book but I didn’t in this.’

~ Toby, 11

‘I thought it was a story that really could happen to a child. I felt for Ben when he was alone on the trains and having to deal with everything by himself.’

~ Marcus, 10

What Adults Are Saying About This Book

‘The Circle Line is brilliant. So well written and really gripping, makes you want to keep reading.’

~ Jessica Hackett, Literacy Advisor, Northamptonshire

‘Gripping, edgy and current with a great message.’

~ Emily Bleet, Deputy Head, Essex

‘The second you enter that tunnel you’re on a rollercoaster adventure! Exciting, fast and thought provoking. Kids will love this journey!’

~ Theresa O’Sullivan, Secondary literacy coordinator, Newham

‘The Circle line is a compelling, emotional read from start to finish –dealing with real issues of today’s society.’

~ Janine Burton, Primary Headteacher, Worcestershire

‘I love this story! Love the writing! It really is great!’

~ Vicky Garside. Primary Teacher, Redditch

Contents

Introduction

Chapter 1: Redbridge

Chapter 2: Dad

Chapter 3: Soho

Chapter 4: Loco Boy

Chapter 5: The Jumper

Chapter 6: St George’s

Chapter 7: Kings Cross

Chapter 8: The Backpacker

Chapter 9: Mum

About the Author

Introduction

Ben nose-dived over the platform edge and performed an awkward forward roll onto the track below. Heart pounding, shoulder aching, he pushed himself to his feet and began to run towards the dark tunnel entrance. He saw two small circles of light in the distance rapidly becoming larger. He increased his speed towards them. He heard anguished shouts from the platform behind him and he took one last look back before he headed in – faces of commuters, some with hands over their mouths, eyes frozen wide – were the last images he saw.

It’s okay! he tried to shout, hoping the afore-wind from the approaching train would carry his words to them.

By the time the train came through, at least one person on the platform was screaming.

Chapter 1: Redbridge

I’ve lived here for at least two weeks now. I know what the date is because I find Metro papers on the seats where people leave them. They flick through their tatty pages and I bet they don’t take it all in. So many bad things happening every day, every minute. I’m well out of it here! I’ve got my music. I’ve got my freedom and I don’t even have to read or write down here. It’s not like I need to! I do read some of the adverts and they are rubbish most of them. Usually about face cream or travel insurance. Don’t think I’ll need either of those for a while, especially as I rarely see the sun anymore. Actually, the travel insurance would be useful because I do get about a bit. Ha! Yeah and if those train boys ever got hold of me, I’d definitely need to be hospitalised. Perhaps I should borrow a mobile from one of the commuters and ring the number. Yep! Decided! That’s what I’ll do today. My mission! Then again, if I do that, they’ll want my address. I don’t think the Circle Line, London Underground will do, do you?

I’ve found the perfect person. She’s tall and thin and very, very unhappy. I heard her on her mobile phone. Talking about boyfriends and breakups and wondering what they were going to do. Honestly! Some people don’t care, man, that every other person in the carriage is looking at them. I was actually sitting opposite her and she did not care at all if anyone was looking at her. When she got up, I did too and I made like she’d