When I Was Seven

1. When I was seven

When I was seven my mum and dad split up. From four we were now three. It was a shock to us all.

A short time later, we found a new place to live. No. 73. My sister, my mum and me.

2

Now, I was the man of the house. At night, I checked the windows were closed. Then I checked the front door was locked. This made me feel safe. I was looking after us all. My sister, my mum and me.

I switched on the TV. The light and colours filled the dark gloom of the front room. Blues and reds, flickering and dancing across the walls.

3

The sound of the music!

The trumpets blasted loud. Two figures, blurred motion, the roar of the crowd.

I rushed to turn the sound down. They’re all asleep, dont wake them up! But in a heartbeat, I remembered: “Them” doesnt include my dad now so why not turn it up?

I didnt though, I panicked and turned the volume down. But even with the sound down low, something pulled me once again to the screen.

4

Something in my head went click; The movement, the colour, the image, the sound. Around the sun the earth spins round.

In that moment, there was a change. Something that I had missed before, something Id never seen. Watching. Listening. Hypnotised, by the action on the screen.

5

2. Changes

A short time after my voice started to change. When I wanted to speak, every other word I uttered was now staggered and strained. I started to stutter.

6

To make extra money, my mum tried bed and breakfast: B and B at no. 73.

A grumpy builder stayed one night. The sound of an electric razor in the morning. It felt strange to have a stranger in the house. My sister and me would have preferred a mouse. He complained about the lack of choice for breakfast. No more bed and breakfast.

No more B and B at no. 73

For my sister, my mum and me.

7

3. Disappointing adults – Dad

Dad worked in the town but lived in the countryside.

One day at a country fair Stalls rides

coconut shies legs, sweaty summer feet people moving and mingling everywhere

A woman shook my hand:

Hello, nice to meet you.

I ’ m your dad ’ s new girlfriend.

8

I swallowed down the heat in my face and hid in a cloud of candyfloss. It was easier not to speak. Instead, head lowered I turned away.

A few months later, that winter, together at a Christmas show. My dad and his girlfriend holding hands as the lights went dark I turned and faced my sister. She smiled. She didnt know. The lenses in her glasses flashed as the stage began to glow. On with the show.