A GIRL ON HER OWN .sx " QUEEN STREET at last , " sighed the plump woman as the train slackened speed .sx " What a time it's taken to reach Glasgow !sx " Morag Baxter gave her a surprised smile .sx She had not found the journey from Oban long or tedious .sx There had been so much to see .sx So much to think about .sx She had scarcely glanced at the magazines she had bought .sx Morag looked eagerly out of the window as the train drew into the station .sx She was excited but tried not to show it .sx After ten years , nearly half her lifetime , she was back in Glasgow .sx In a way she was returning home .sx No one would ever have taken Morag Baxter for a Glaswegian .sx There was a fresh country bloom in her cheeks and she spoke with an attractive Highland lilt .sx But for all that she felt she truly belonged to this great sprawling city .sx As an orphaned ward of Glasgow Corporation , she had spent the first eleven years of her life in the city .sx But Beechwood Children's Home , which had run on oiled wheels under Miss Simpson's motherly guidance , seemed like a dream now .sx Infinitely more real were the years she had spent in the north , eight of them boarding out on the Robertsons' farm and the last two living in digs in Oban .sx Morag's eyes clouded as she thought about these past two years .sx Nothing had been the same since Mrs Robertson died .sx Though time had softened Morag's grief , it had not helped her overcome the strange emptiness in her heart .sx It was as if her roots had been cut off .sx Although she had a good job , she felt Oban held nothing for her .sx It wasn't long before she began to think about Glasgow with a certain longing .sx After all , that was where she really belonged .sx So this year she had decided to spend her fortnight's holiday in the city .sx Miss Simpson , now retired from her post at Beechwood Home , had fixed up accommodation and promised to meet her at the station when she arrived .sx Everything was arranged .sx As the train jerked to a halt and she joined the throng of passengers on the platform , Morag felt a thrill of anticipation .sx She had saved up for a long time for this holiday and she meant to enjoy every minute of it .sx " Morag , my dear !sx " Miss Simpson , white-haired now and trim in silver-grey , met her at the barrier .sx " How nice you're looking !sx And so grown-up !sx " " It's a while since you saw me last , " the girl reminded her smilingly .sx " Almost two years .sx " Miss Simpson laid her hand lightly on Morag's arm to guide her from the station .sx " Come along and we'll have a cup of tea before I take you to Grove House and hand you over to Miss Whelan .sx " " Hand me over ?sx " Morag was faintly alarmed .sx " Is it a hostel ?sx " " Of course not !sx " The older woman's eyes were twinkling .sx " Grove House is an excellent hotel for young business women .sx Miss Whelan's an old friend of mine , so I've asked her to keep an eye on you .sx " She sighed as they paused at the kerb .sx " If only you could have come earlier I could have put you up at my flat .sx As it is , the removal men are coming on Monday and my sister expects me at Girvan .sx " Over tea in Fuller's Morag talked gaily about her plans .sx Miss Simpson smiled at her enthusiasm .sx It was a pleasure to meet her one-time charge again .sx She was only sorry she would not see more of her on this visit .sx Time passed so quickly .sx She could hardly believe it was twenty-one years since Morag had been placed in her charge at Beechwood Home .sx Only five months old , and tragically bereft of both parents .sx Although extensive inquiries were made at the time no trace was found of any relatives .sx Miss Simpson had taken the child to her heart .sx She had watched her grow into a likeable , happy little girl .sx It had been like losing someone of her own when the Welfare Committee decided to board Morag out with foster-parents in the north .sx It had all been for the best , of course .sx A home where she could become one of the family was better than the best institution .sx Mrs Robertson already had two orphaned children in her care at Balamore Farm , near Oban , and Morag made a welcome addition to the family .sx She had settled down happily at the farm .sx Her schooling over , she found a job in an Oban shop .sx Later , when Mrs Robertson felt less able to cope with three charges , Alison and Johnny Pedon returned to Glasgow .sx But Morag chose to remain in the north .sx She was nineteen when Mrs Robertson died .sx Miss Simpson had travelled from Glasgow to talk over her future with Mr Robertson and the local Welfare Officer .sx Agreeing that Morag should stay in Oban , they had found suitable lodgings for her in the town .sx Mr Robertson himself was giving up the farm and retiring to a cottage he had bought in Gairloch .sx It had seemed a wise decision at the time .sx Morag , bewildered and unhappy by this sudden change in the even tenor of her life , had raised no objections .sx But within the past year Miss Simpson fancied she detected a restless note in her letters .sx Now Morag had come to Glasgow for a holiday .sx Miss Simpson studied the girl seated across the table from her in the busy tea room .sx In the years since they had last met she had grown into a charming young woman , with attractive , auburn hair and wide , gold-flecked grey eyes .sx " I wish I weren't leaving you here on your own , my dear .sx " Miss Simpson sounded anxious .sx " Won't you be lonely ?sx " " I don't think so , " Morag replied .sx " Not more than anywhere else , " she added after a moment's pause .sx Miss Simpson glanced shrewdly at the girl .sx So she had been right .sx Morag was unhappy in Oban .sx " I wrote to Mrs Hendry and she's asked me out to Mosspark , " Morag went on , clearly trying to change the subject .sx " Isn't it kind of her ?sx I- I'll never forget all she did for me long ago .sx Then I'd like to go to all the theatres and look round the shops .sx I've got enough money for a completely new outfit and- " " You will need a full purse !sx " Miss Simpson laughed .sx " Have a good time then , dear .sx If you feel at a loose end after this week , you can always spend a few days with us at Girvan .sx " It was nearly five o'clock when they arrived at Grove House .sx It was a large , rambling building on a corner site in Queen's Drive , overlooking the park .sx Miss Whelan was a tall , fresh-complexioned woman .sx There was a glint of humour in her eyes that seemed to belie her rather forbidding manner .sx " Just in time for tea , Miss Baxter , " she remarked .sx " We have it early on Saturdays because the girls are always in a hurry to go out .sx Would you like to take your case to your room right away ?sx " Morag gave Miss Simpson a parting hug and promised to have lunch with her at her flat next day .sx Then she followed the maid upstairs .sx She was delighted with her room , eyeing with approval the built-in cupboards and the small wash basin that stood in one corner .sx The carpet was a delicate shade of blue , and the flowered curtains matched the bedspread .sx The tea-bell rang before Morag had time to change .sx She ran a comb through her hair , applied some fresh lipstick , and went downstairs .sx Miss Whelan took her along to the dining-room and introduced her to a slim , dark-haired girl at a corner table .sx " Miss Johnston has been here more than a year now , " she explained .sx " She'll soon make you feel at home .sx " Morag smiled hesitantly as she sat down , searching her mind for some way of starting a conversation .sx She need not have worried , for Kathy Johnston was refreshingly free from shyness .sx Within minutes she found out Morag was on holiday and went on to suggest what she should do and see in town .sx She broke off as they were joined by a slightly older girl with fluffy fairish hair and winged glasses that gave her an attractive , fawn-like appearance .sx " This is Jean MacLean , " said Kathy by way of introduction .sx " Morag Baxter comes from Oban , Jean .sx She's only here for a fortnight and- " " Give the poor girl a chance to get a word in !sx " Jean laughed .sx " Hullo , Morag !sx Nice to meet you !sx " Morag enjoyed the company of these two pleasant , friendly girls .sx She learned that Jean worked in a lawyer's office and was engaged to a young doctor doing his final year in hospital .sx Kathy Johnston was training as a junior buyer in Sturrock's , a large department store , and cheerfully admitted to having several boy friends .sx Both girls belonged out of town and only managed to visit their families occasionally at week-ends .sx Morag found her own reserve crumbling .sx Before the meal ended she had told her new friends a good deal about herself .sx Kathy's eyes widened sympathetically and she exchanged a glance with Jean .sx " Oban's a lovely place , of course , " she said slowly .sx " But don't you find it a bit lonely- especially in the winter ?sx " " Well , I didn't until just lately , " Morag replied , colouring a little .sx " And I don't have to stay there , you know .sx " Kathy gave her a questioning glance , but made no comment .sx Presently she and Jean took Morag into the lounge and told her about Grove House .sx " It's better than coping on your own in some flatlet , " Jean said emphatically .sx " You get decent meals and there are no dishes to wash afterwards .sx All you've got to do is pay your dues , keep your room tidy , and be back indoors at a reasonable hour .sx I reckon it's worth it .sx " " Miss Whelan's a dear too , " Kathy put in .sx " Even if she does like to see all your boy friends !sx " The door opened just then and some of the other residents came into the lounge .sx Morag glanced casually at them , then her gaze was riveted on the last one to enter- a tall , blonde girl in a black tailored suit .sx She stared uncertainly for a moment , then almost unbelievingly as recognition dawned in her eyes .sx " Alison !sx " Her exclamation made the other girl turn sharply .sx " I- I've wondered so often if we'd ever meet again , " Morag went on .sx " That's more than I ever did !sx " Alison Pedon told her , colouring guiltily as she spoke .sx " Do you two know each other ?sx " Kathy asked .sx " Oh , yes .sx " Alison pulled herself together and managed a cool smile .sx " We met several years ago when I was staying in Oban .sx What on earth are you doing here , Morag ?sx " " I'm on holiday .sx " Morag was puzzled .sx Staying in Oban ?sx Why , Alison and her younger brother , John , had lived with her at the Robertsons' farm for over six years !sx " I see .sx " Alison shrugged indifferently .sx " Well , I hope you enjoy yourself .sx Now you must excuse me .sx I'm expecting a phone call .sx " She turned on her heel and left the room .sx Somewhat disturbed Morag sat down .sx It was painfully obvious that her former companion was anything but pleased to see her .sx " Strange you should know Alison , " Kathy remarked , breaking the awkward silence .sx " I suppose you met her at her folk's hotel in Oban ?sx " Morag swallowed uneasily .sx Whatever had Alison been telling everyone ?sx Fortunately Jean hailed a friend at that moment and she was not called upon to answer Kathy .sx Then someone switched on the television and she took the chance to go upstairs to unpack .sx She had only been in her room a few moments when there was a knock on the door .sx It was Alison Pedon , her fine eyebrows drawn and her eyes fixed on Morag accusingly .sx " Why did you come here ?sx " she demanded as she brushed past Morag and came into the room .sx " To Grove House of all places !sx " Bridging The Years .sx MORAG shut the door .sx She had been embarrassed by Alison's rudeness a short time ago .sx [END]