P6/7 Scalloway Junior High School

18th March 1843          

I heard mam and dad speaking about mam having another baby.  Am a peerie bit worried aboot her especially since dad is gone away to the Greenland whaling for six months or more.

Dad has left me in charge o da house so I feel quite excited.  It might be a bit of a struggle without Marta but we’ll hiv tae manage.         

 I walked all the way tae Cova wi dads’ claes bag dis moarnin.  It was awful heavy but I didna let dad see yun. Joost afore he left, he said that I hid tae do everything that he would do aboot da house.  It’s leaving a lot o pressure on me but I think I can handle it.          

After dad hid left for Lerwick, I met Henry at da burn, spying on a troot.  We didna manage tae catch him but Henry was determined tae catch him and sat by da burn for aboot 2 hours.       

 I helped mam muck oot da kye byre efter dad hid gone.  We must hiv carried aboot a hunder kieshies o muck tae da midden.    I wis blyde o a cup o tae and me bed da night.  Mam is no doin so weel.  She is no her usual sell.  Hids no lang until the baby comes.    

This is going to be a very different 6 months for me.