This tale is based on a true story told by Emma, a nursery schoolteacher in Drayton; names have been changed to protect the guilty.
Adam asked the teacher to help him get his shoes on at the end of a busy day. After quite a struggle with the shoes, which were a little tight, Emma finally got them on. ‘They’re on the wrong way round, Miss,’ mumbled Adam.
She realises that he is right; they are on the wrong feet. Staying calm she and swaps them over for him.
‘They’re not my shoes, Miss,’ Adam murmurs again.
Emma fights hard to keep her cool and asks Adam why he hadn’t told her before. She then kneels down again and helps him pull the shoes off.
‘These aren’t my shoes, they’re my brother’s and Mum told me not to tell anyone.’
At this point Emma can feel tears coming. She helps him back into his shoes. She gets him into his coat and wraps his scarf round his neck.
‘Where are your gloves, Adam?’ asks Emma quietly.
‘Oh, Miss, I always put them in my shoes!’
