PRIOR TO PADDINGTON 1958

A BOY AND GIRL IN LONDON IN 1958

Lydia's
at the door
my mum said

I was in
the front room
eating up

my breakfast
she's early
I go show

her in then
my mum said
Lydia

comes shyly
behind Mum
want a drink

Lydia?
Mum asked her
no thank you

Lydia
uttered softy
she sat down

beside me
as I ate
you're early

couldn't you
stay asleep?
they're rowing

Mum and Dad
and my slush
sister and

her boyfriend
were snoring
in my room

Lydia
said to me
want to share

my breakfast?
it's Cornflakes
I asked her

no thank you
where are we
going to?

see some trains?
where about?
Paddington

train station
is it far?
no only

a tube ride
away Lyd
we can see

the big trains
the steam trains
she uttered

I ate up
my breakfast
and watched her

take a slice
of buttered
toast and eat

she had on
a green dress
(slightly stained)

ankle socks
and sandals
on her feet.