There’s something about stairs. They’re kind of magic because you walk up them and you’re somewhere else, usually on the first floor of your house. But it’s amazing isn’t it? I mean, you’re standing in the same place as your kitchen sink but you’re…well…up. We never had a proper landing in our old house so … Continue reading Banishing Thugs
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Doors
What’s your front door like? Mine’s green with a brass knocker. There’s a letter box that’s shiny and a handle that isn’t. There’s one of those outside lights that looks like a lantern, which I like to think is elegant but is mostly dusty and covered in cobwebs. (I’m a rubbish housewife because I’m either … Continue reading Doors
Play
You know when you get a trolley with a dodgy wheel? The realisation sort of creeps up on you, doesn’t it? First you’re scrabbling for a pound (Is that one? No, it’s a franc or a token for the Belarus metro). Then it won’t fit in the slot unless you press down, applying your full … Continue reading Play
Moths for Beginners
The sign must be for people who love the park but she wonders if anyone loves it that much – Trees? Butterflies? Pond Dipping for Adults? And then she sees it, right down at the end, handwritten, as if tacked on as an afterthought: Moths for Beginners. She laughs aloud, suddenly and inappropriately so it … Continue reading Moths for Beginners
Waiting Room
The Waiting Room There’s a blast of cold air as someone comes in. We all look up then quickly away. The woman is wearing a headscarf. From beneath the material, matted hair curls down in oily strands. She has a bruise on her forehead and her eyes are too big and too far apart. Oh … Continue reading Waiting Room
Power
You know that box on your laptop that pops up sometimes? Plug in or find another power source. You never really read it, do you? You hear it. Usually in a deep American drawl like that of Brad Pitt or the guy on Radio 4 that does the links. It’s in a wide, pale box … Continue reading Power
Name
“Name?”“I’m sorry?”The girl is blonde with a lilting voice, Norwegian or something. I’m too startled to speak. I’ve asked for a Caramel Macchiato and a blueberry muffin and she wants to know my name. I pause. I’m a bit funny about names. It’s because I’m a teacher and from another planet - the one where you … Continue reading Name
Queue
Frankly she was having a rant.“People don’t queue any more! We always used to queue in England. Now it’s a free-for-all. Where has all this pushing come from? Europe? America? It’s wrong, I say, all wrong!”I smile sympathetically and glance at my daughter who’s dragged me here - with heavy bags and sore feet in … Continue reading Queue
Safe
“This is a safety announcement. Due to today’s weather, please take extra care on the station platform. Surfaces may be slippery.” London Bridge is crowded despite the snow but the surfaces are clear and there’s not a hint of ice. People walk about. A young mum chases her child, uncomfortably close to the yellow line.“This … Continue reading Safe
Telling Tales
"In the tale, in the telling, we are all one blood. Take the tale in your teeth then and bite til the blood runs, hoping it's not poison and we will all come to the end together; and even to the beginning: living as we do in the middle." Ursula K Le Guin
stillwonderinghere 