WITH HANNAH 1960

A 12 YEAR OLD BOY AND GIRL IN LONDON IN 1960

Sae whit did ye dae?
Hannah's mother asked
when Hannah returned
from swimming with Benny

ah went swimmin'
Hannah replied

so where's he noo?
her mother said
looking past
her daughter's head

he's in th' cludgie
Hannah said

what's the' matter
wi' heem?
her mother said frowning

he's havin' a pee
Hannah replied

whit ur ye dae efter?
her mother said

Benny came out
of the toilet
and stood by Hannah
everything all right?
he asked

never better
Hannah said
come on
let's go in my room
and I can show you
the new knife
my dad got me

whit ur ye daein'?
Mrs Scot said

we're going to my room
and I'm showing
Benny my new knife
Hannah said

weel dornt sit
oan th' scratcher
she said moodily
and walked off
to the kitchen

Benny and Hannah
went to her bedroom
and closed the door

I see your mum's
her usual happy self
Benny said quietly

o don't mind her
her bark is as bad
as her bite
and Hannah laughed
sit down
and I'll show you
the knife

but your mum said
not to sit on the bed
Benny said

what she can't see
won't hurt her
Hannah said

Benny watched her
as she went to a drawer
and sorted amongst
many knives
many of which
he'd seen before

there was a knock
at the door
whit ur ye tois daein'?
Mrs Scot said

I'm showing Benny something
Hannah replied

Mrs Scot walked off
and said nothing more

that'll get her thinking
Hannah said smiling

thinking about what?
Benny said

never mind
about what
if it gets her thinking
it's a good thing
Hannah said

sitting beside Benny
showing him
the new knife
on her single
bouncy bed.