The Two-Pound Tram

Wilfred and Duncan are brothers born in the 1920s.  Duncan was the eldest of the two.  The boys had a dream of owning a tram, all due to an advertisement they had seen in the Daily Mail.  They were available in London for the sum of £2.

Unfortunately, Duncan became seriously ill, and lost the power of speech.  He was unable to regain it, however the two boys did develop a secret form of communication.  Their lives change when their mother leaves home.  Their father comes to resent them.

They have an interest in collecting butterflies, and as a result meet a Viennese  neighbour who also collects butterflies.  An incident occurred when Duncan was sixteen that led to the boys leaving home.  With their meagre savings, they headed for London.

They didn’t get the tram they had wanted, but ended up with a horse drawn antique.  They also found a horse to pull it.  They then found themselves on the road to Canterbury.  Just outside of Canterbury they also found themselves a load of passengers and establishing a new business.  Later an incident forced the boys to move on, however with a girl the same age as Duncan.  Heather, now known as Hattie, had joined the team as they headed towards Brighton and eventually home.

In Worthing, they settle with the old tram on the property of their Viennese friend.  Later, he purchases a proper tram for them to operate in Worthing.  Unfortunately, the outbreak of the war turned things upside down.

Author William Newton continues the story of Wilfred, Duncan, Hattie and the tram as the war progresses and on into the future.  Newton’s story is a good read, and a different type of historical novel.  I found it to be a relaxing read, but not without its own surprises.  This was a short book, but thoroughly enjoyable.