Come and Get me Please

Riverview Nursing Home
7th August 2000

Dear Miranda,
I am writing to you with the sad news of Phoebe's passing. She was a
lovely lady and I looked after her for many years.
Please find enclosed her personal belongings and keepsakes. I also
found letters from Brian, his school and from the children's home. I am
not sure if they are all there, but of course if I find anything else I
will forward it on to you.
Before she died Phoebe managed to write a letter and you will find that
enclosed also. I am sorry but I didn't know where else to send
them.
I hope you will be comforted to know that she is at peace now. The
funeral will take place next Thursday at 2 o/clock.
Regards,
Mary Reynolds.
Administrator.

1975
MUMMY
PlEESe come anD get mE mrs parsOns says that you are sick but I said
thaT you had the floo but you are beter now and thats you would come
and gEts mE soon I do not like it here I want to go home now pleese
I've been a good boy for ages can you come and get me please.
Lots of love
Brian Simpson aged 5 and 1/2

Haven Lodge Children's Home
July 1975
Mrs P Simpson
C/o Riverview Nursing Home

Dear Mrs Simpson,
I am writing to you concerning your son Brian. Please find enclosed his
school report. I realise that he has only been with us at the home a
short time, but I thought you might like a summary on how things are
going.
He has settled down here very well. I have put him in a room with
another boy of his own age and they have become great friends. I am
sure this will ease any worries you have. But please do not hesitate to
contact me if you have any concerns.
I will do my best to keep you informed as much as possible.
Yours Sincerely,

Ethel Parsons (Mrs)
Manager

Deansgate Infants School
School Report

Name: Brian George Simpson. End of school year 1974/75
Brian is doing very well in class considering the problems he has at
the moment. His writing is coming on fine and I have encouraged this.
Brian is a well-behaved polite boy and is a joy to teach.
Miss Sandra Conlan. Teacher.
-oOo-
Brian has not been with the school very long. He had a few problems at
first, but I understand from his teacher that he has settled down now.
His writing is improving all the time and his teacher is encouraging
this by suggesting he write to his mother, whom I understand is not
living with Brian at the moment.
I look forward to getting to know Brian over the coming year.

Mr. D. Davies. Headmaster.

1976,
Hello Mummy,
I am get really bigger now and I am tall as my best freind Mickey
Baker. So I can help you round the hose. I keep get picked on here. I
promise to be good.
Can I come home now pleese?
Lots of Love
Brian Simpson aged 6

June 1977
Dear Mummy,
Today we all went to the pictures to see the new Star Wars movie. It
was fantastic. Mickey Baker was allowed to go back home again so he
didn't come, this made him very sad.
I wrote a letter to Father Christmas and asked him to make you better
and I also asked him for a new bike but I didn't get either so I've
decided that I don't believe in him anymore.
Thank you very much for the jumper, and I hope you got my Easter card.
I made it myself.
Lots of love
Brian. X

Haven Lodge Children's Home
August 1977
Dear Mrs Simpson,
Please find enclosed, Brian's school report for the last year. I do not
believe that it is all bad news. I have spoken to his teacher Miss
Conlan and she assures me that Brian is behaving himself most of the
time. His roommate went home last week and although we tried to cheer
him up and took some of the children to the cinema, he has taken
Mickey's leaving quite badly. But I have put him in another room with
two other boys and hope this will resolve any problems.
I hope this letter find you much improved.

Mrs. E Parsons.
Home Manager

School Report for year ending 1976/77
Name: Brian George Simpson

Brian has had some problems since last year. His work has not improved
as much as I would have liked. I understand that he is having trouble
at the children's home. He has become very aggressive towards other
pupils and I hope to see an improvement in the coming year.
Sandra Conlan. Teacher.

-oOo-

Unfortunately it has not been a very good year for Brian. I know he
misses his mother. I have had to reprimand him on two occasions and
would like to see this stop, in the coming year. Overall his attitude
to his work could be improved.
Mr. D. Davies. Headmaster.

December 1977
Dear Mum,
I hope you are feeling much better. After Mickey went home Mrs Parsons
put me in a bigger room with Jack and Peter. They are a bit older than
me and they are always fighting.
Last week we all got sent to our rooms because Peter and Jack nicked
the photograph of you and me that I keep under my pillow. They said
that I was a baby and then they tore it up. So I punched Jack in the
head and pushed Peter down the stairs. Mrs Parson was very cross
because Peter broke his arm. So she put me in my own room, which is
brilliant.
Lots of love

Brian. X

1980
Dear Mum,
Why didn't you come and see me on my Birthday. I waited and waited by
the window all day. Mrs Parsons gave me a Birthday card with a
footballer on it and the number 10. She said that you might come, so I
waited. I suppose that you were sick again.
I am in the football team at school and I like it very much. I wanted
to be the goalkeeper but Mr James said I was too short. Please get well
soon so that I can come home
Lots of Love, Brian X

1980
Dear Mum,
It is nearly Christmas here and I helped put the Christmas tree up. We
are going to the town hall tonight to sing in a carol concert.
I came to visit you the other day to give you your Christmas present. I
made it myself, but the nurse would not let me in. I stood outside for
a long time. I tried to see you through the windows but I saw a lady
that looked like you, but I wasn't sure.
Can you arrange for me to visit please? I have lots of things to tell
you about and maybe if you see how big I have grown we can go
home.
Los of love
Brian X

January 1981
Dear Mum,
I haven't heard from you. I was hoping to visit you at Christmas but
you never said if it was ok. Jack says its because you are in the loony
bin and that you would never be coming home. I told him he was lying. I
told him you were feeling sick all the time because Dad left and baby
Phoebe Ann died. I told him it didn't matter because you still had me
and that you would be coming home very soon.
I really don't like it here. Perhaps you could ask Dad to come back and
see me.

Lots of love Brian X.
Ps I tried to ring you the other day but your nurse said you were
asleep. I will try and ring again next week.

Deansgate Infants School
April 1981
Dear Mrs Parsons,
RE: Brian George Simpson
I am writing to you concerning the above child who is in your care. It
has been brought to my notice that he has become very disruptive in
class. I know that the situation is very difficult and has been made
worse by a letter he carries around with him from a member of staff at
the nursing home.
His teacher Sandra Conlan has tried to talk to him. He has shown her
the letter and it states that his mother might never go home and that
he shouldn't expect too much in the future and get on with his life
without her. I think this was a cruel and unfeeling letter no matter
how well intentioned. Brian says that he never wants to see his mother
again.
This has come as a terrible shock for the lad and it is not surprising
that he has become disruptive. I would be grateful if we could meet up
to discuss what is the best way forward for Brian. Perhaps you could
contact me as soon as possible to arrange this.
Yours Sincerely.

Mr. Donald Davies.
Headmaster.
Copy to Mrs Simpson at Riverview Nursing Home

May 1981
Dear Mum,

I had a letter from your nurse and she told me that you were very sick
and that you would never be coming home. I don't know if that's true
but I just wanted you to know that Miss Conlan says that there is
always hope and you might get better one day. She says that if I wish
hard enough I might go home.

Mr Davies has made me a Prefect and I am in charge of the first years.
He says that I am responsible and that I am not too bossy.

Look after yourself,
Your loving son, Brian X

August 1982
Dear Mum,
Mrs Parsons left about a year ago. We now have a new manager. His name
is Mr. Jeffries. He seems ok. I don't have much to do with him. I still
play football though.
I will have to leave here soon they say that I am getting too big now.
I have to go another home that is for older boys. I will be very sad to
leave.
I hope you are well. Lots of Love Brian.

March 1988
Dear Mum,
I came by your place today, but I didn't go in. It reminded me that I
haven't heard from you for quite awhile and wondered if you were ok. I
have left Manor Boys home for good now and have a bedsit in town. I did
OK in my exams and have been able to get a job at a local garage. They
have taken me on as an apprentice and I have to attend college two days
a week. I really like it there.
I have met some really nice people at college and was surprised to see
girls as well as boys doing mechanics.
Anyway I must go, I am meeting a few mates down the pub.
I hope this letter finds you well, your son, Brian. X

1995
Dear Mum,
I have met a beautiful girl and I have asked her to marry me. We are
going to have a baby in June. If you could make it to the wedding it
would be great. It's on the 14th of April at 2/0clock.
I have a new job. I didn't take to repairing cars. I'm working at the
very first boys home that I went to. Mr Jeffries has retired now and I
will be working with a new head. Mrs Darnley. They say that I get on
with the younger ones really well and that I am a good listener.
I like it very much and they have given me a small flat where Miranda
and I can live with the new baby.
Hope to see you at the wedding. I will save a seat for you.
Lots of Love
Brian.
X

5th October 1995
Hello Mum,
I hope this letter finds you well. I enclose another photograph of baby
Phoebe. She is growing so fast and has changed since the last one. She
has your nose. She's such a good baby and laughs all the time.
Perhaps we could bring her to see you?
I know Miranda would like to meet you and I haven't seen you for along
time.
We are going away on a belated honeymoon. Miranda's mother lives in
Norfolk and we are taking Phoebe to meet her, so perhaps we could see
you on our return.
I have been promoted at work and I am now the deputy head. Isn't that a
turn up for the books!
Your loving son
Brian
X

November 1995
Dear Mrs Jennings,
I am writing to concerning, my late husbands mother. Mrs Phoebe Simpson
who I believe is in your care.
My husband Brian, along with myself and our baby daughter Phoebe, were
involved in an accident on the way back from my mother's home in
Norfolk.
My husband was killed, but my daughter and myself were unhurt. My
husband was the only living relative to his Mother, as I understand
that his father passed away a few years ago. Therefore I thought it was
only right that you should know.
Please let me know if there is anything I can do.
Yours sincerely,
Miranda Simpson (Mrs).

9th July 2000
My Dearest Son,
I wanted to write and tell you that, as you have been such a good boy,
you can come home now.
I am sorry that you got sent away but we can put that all behind us. I
want to go home now. Can you come and get me please.
Lots of love
Mummy
X X