BETTER THAN THE REST.A Poem by Terry CollettA BOY AND GIRL IN 1950S LONDON AND FRIENDSHIP.
Ingrid winced
as she sat on the stone steps of Banks House with Benedict after his tea of beans on toast and a glass of milk the early evening was still warm he never asked why she winced when she sat he guessed her old man had hit her again her eyes were red when he knocked her door a few minutes before to ask her out her father had gone by Benedict on the stairs 5 minutes before smoking his usual thin cigarette his cap pulled over one eye don't go far her mother said and shut the door have you had your tea? Benedict asked she nodded and put her hands on her knees he wondered if she had she looked so thin how about coming with me to the chippy? he said Mum said not to go far Ingrid said it isn't far he said it's only up Meadow Row and across the road she bit her lip saw your old man go out a little while ago he looked his usual happy self Benedict said she looked at her tatty plimsolls she winced as she moved well are you coming? he asked what if she calls me? I'll tell her I'm taking you to the chippy and be back soon he said she might say no Ingrid said she won't he said she never says no to me she looked at him nervously suppose she said you stay here and I 'll go say and he went up the stairs and she sat watching until he went from view she rubbed her thigh and tried to sit comfortably she said yes Benedict said coming down the stairs two at a time did she? Ingrid said as long as I was paying which I am of course I've got 6d that'll buy us a big bag to share she moved carefully on the stair and stood up and they went down the steps in silence passing Ingrid's big sister who was with the Spiv looking guy with the black and white shoes and greasy hair style and onto the Square Benedict told her his old man had made him a metal money box painted blue to keep my money in he said that's when he don't nick it to buy his cigarettes if he gets short still at least he made it I suppose she said my dad makes nothing and gives me nothing they went down the slope and by the grocer shop except a good hiding Benedict said she said nothing he gives you that he calls it discipline for being bad she said cruel git Benedict said she smiled they went by the noisy public house half way up Meadow Row she cringed in case her father was in there and went up and by the green grocer shop where Benedict got his mother's potatoes and cabbages they crossed the New Kent Road and into the chip shop where he asked for 6d per of chips and salt and vinegar and she waited by the wall hands by her side her hair held at the side by hair grips her eyes less red he brought the chips to the table along the wall and sat on the high stalls she wincing as she sat he looking at her sitting there her flowered stained cardigan her off white blouse and grey skirt coming to her knees and felt funny inside being there with her he and she both 9 years old he the fastest six shooter of the West and she his saloon girl his sidekick sweet heart better than the rest. © 2013 Terry Collett |
StatsAuthorTerry CollettUnited KingdomAboutTerry Collett has been writing since 1971 and published on and off since 1972. He has written poems, plays, and short stories. He is married with eight children and eight grandchildren. on January 27t.. more..Writing
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