Marion’s Harbour Walk

Marion and Norman walk along the harbour with their class. They watch a ferry moving slowly towards the pier, where people are waiting behind a tall railing.

Suddenly, the ferry sounds its deep horn. Marion lifts her hands towards her ears and steps back from the railing, startled by the strong, low sound.

Norman stays beside her without pulling her closer to the view. “Would you like to move somewhere quieter?” he asks, leaving her room to answer.

Marion nods and tells Ms Reed that she needs a break. The teacher points to a sheltered garden a little way back from the busy pier.

They walk there together and find an empty bench. Marion sits where she can still see a strip of water between the bushes, without standing beside the ferry.

Norman takes out the small harbour map and waits beside her. After a while, Marion says she would like to look at the boats from the garden instead.

Ms Reed agrees and tells the rest of the group where they will be. Marion watches a little sailing boat cross the water while Norman finds it on the map.

When it is time to leave, Marion is ready to join the walk back. She has seen the harbour from a place that suited her, after telling someone what she needed.