FAR FAR AWAY 1957

A GIRL AND BOY AND HER MOTHER AND HER SISTER IN LONDON IN 1957

Where have you been?
Gloria asked

Paddington train station
Lydia said

on you own?

no with Benny

who's Benny?

Lydia sat on her bed
her big sister
was applying make up
to her face

a boy
Lydia said

boyfriend
at your age?
Gloria teased

Lydia stared
at her sister's
tight red skirt

he's a boy
Lydia said

what?
Mum and Dad
let you go?
Gloria said
gazing at her
9 year old sister
in the mirror's reflection

yes
Lydia said

what's he after?
Gloria said smirking

after?
what you mean after?
Lydia said frowning  

leave her alone you
Lydia's mum said
passing the open doorway
just because you
drop your underwear
to the nearest bloke
doesn't mean you can
get her to be like you
in any case
she's just 9
so it isn't right

just joking
Gloria said moodily

well it isn't a joke
her mother said
well Lydia
what did you do
with the Benny Boy?

watched trains
Lydia said

is that all?
Gloria said

yes and Benny
bought me
a glass of milk
and we shared
a big biscuit

big spender eh?
Gloria said

watched trains?
her mother said
all the time?

yes
Lydia said
all sorts
big trains
and smaller ones
lots of steam and noise
but we like that

Gloria said
glad my boyfriend
ain't like that
or I'd drop him
like dog's turds

her mother walked off
shaking her head

and Lydia went off
to the lounge
to watch TV
thinking of Benny
and the shared biscuit
and the promise
of going to Scotland
one day
far far away.