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 