I turned the page.

[…] “‘I have amazing news for you – and indeed for every bird-lover in the country,’”he whispered. […]

found again

It was my first day at Junior (Primary) school and I had picked a book to read, from the library shelves.

“Bennett! What are you doing ?”

“Reading, Miss” (I hadn’t heard the Headmistress come into class). “We were told to”, Miss.

“What have I been talking about?”

“Dunno, Miss.”

“Come here!” (six raps on the knuckles for not paying attention and six more for answering back). “Write out, in your best handwriting, ‘I must not read in class’. Twelve times!”

Did she know that my writing was awful. I could read, and spell almost anything, but write – I couldn’t write for toffee.

She kept the book.

I returned to my desk and stared out the window; a Green Woodpecker flew up into the trees bordering the grounds of the old Rectory. Overgrown and unkempt – a place of mystery and adventure. …

a secret garden

We turned the page.

[…] “‘As I suspected, the birds you saw and which I have been watching for fifteen minutes are Bee-eater.’”[…]

My son finally asleep, I stared out the window towards the blue line of distant hills. Thoughtfully, I put the book back on his bedroom shelves.

my childhood

Originally Published in the Blo͞o Outlier Journal Issue #2 Summer 2021

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found again
… a secret garden
my childhood