A small,

timid girl was beckoned into a home many years ago. Her parents left in the

rain. All the way home.

My parents

left me so I was taken in by the orphanage. Since that day I swore never to

speak again. I was dropped here on a rainy day, 6th of February 1969.

My parents told me my name and said that when they were wealthy enough to

afford me, they would get me back. It has been 9 years now and they haven’t

ever come back. I just can’t remember my name. They call me Elizabeth.

Many of the

children here don’t know life beyond these walls because we never ever are

allowed out. That’s why I plan on escaping. I know where I’ll go, not to my

parents but somewhere. Well. I shall prepare for the escape.

Lunch has

arrived. I make a run and dash into the hall. I straighten my beautiful sunhat

and take a deep breath. In and out. I tense my muscles and then release. I am

about to take my first step outside.

The lush

grass is wet and dewy. My eyes are blessed by the sun. The sky is azure and

kind. The clouds are fluffy and white. The air is warm and light. Nothing would

be better.

The cold,

icy gates are tracking me down. I slip under the generous gap and roll onto

clean air. Then, the grass is dry and itchy. My ears are cursed by the thunder.

The sky is dark and pitiless. The clouds are grey and limp. The air is heavy

and smoky. Nothing would be worse. I am out. All is grey.

Many hours

later I am still walking, dragging my feet behind me. Many did not speak to me

but I met one lady who was very kind to me and she said she had a place for me

to stay. When she asked for my name, a whisper of a word escaped my mouth. “Elizabeth,”

is what I said. She seemed so…

“Watch it!”

shouted an angry driver. I gripped onto her hand and we advanced across the

road. It came into view. It was truly magnificent! The large oak doors opened

and I bounced in. The guards instantly fell into a bow. So did the servants,

the butlers and even the maids did a curtsey. She told me to wait outside of

this magnificent room and she came out after a while. I was patient.

Elizabeth III