The Crafts

Pink Steel by Noel King I’m out. Leaving the high pressure of running my father’s family pub at night while being a teacher by day.

My son, Jeaic, has given me a list of seventeen milestones in his life I’ve already missed: his sixth birthday, his eighth birthday, the piano exams (Grade I) recital, the Kerins O’Rahilly under 10s county final and so many more. My son is only eleven-and-a-half years old.

A year ago his mother and I split. That’s another reason. She doesn’t have a new man in her life yet, that I know of. But before she does I want to be in control. I take Jeaic to his school then head to mine. He goes to an after school club till I collect him at 4.05. The rest of the evening is just me and Jeaic: his homework first, then a bit of sport plus a swim at ‘the complex’ perhaps, before dinner.

My biggest problem though is that I am seeing someone. And it’s not someone of the opposite sex. My 88