Helen sat next to me on the grass outside Banks House
I was attempting to open a bottle of lemonade
can I have a drop? she asked
sure once I get the thing open I said
she looked around her then over at the coal wharf where coal men were filling up their trucks and wagons with sacks of coal
I unscrewed the lid of the bottle and handed her the bottle
she took it with both hands and took a swig then another
pearls of sweat sat on her forehead her brown wet hair stuck to her face at the sides it was a hot summer
here she said handing me the bottle
I wiped the top and took a swig
that's better she said I was really thirsty my tongue felt like the bottom of my baby sister's pram
I handed her the bottle again she wiped the top and swigged some more
I watched her as she drank then looked away and looked at the flat's behind us no curtains moved no curtain twitchers looked at us
she gave me back the bottle and I ******* the lid back on and placed it beside me on the grass
I’m getting a new school dress tomorrow she said Mum said I’ve outgrown my old one
I gazed at her she was wearing a tomato stained white blouse and grey pleated skirt white ankle socks and black scuffed shoes
I may get new blouses if they can afford them otherwise I’ll have to wear those second hand ones my mum got from a jumble sale not that I mind of course but new ones are always better
I took a white paper bag from the grass and said want a bun?
is it fresh?
this morning's
OK thank you and she took a bun from the bag and ate into it
I took one and ate it piece by piece picking out the currants
I need shoes too she said but don't expect to get them yet awhile will have to make them do
a horse drawn coal wagon moved out of the coal wharf
Helen still talked
I watched the horse trotting along the road he didn't seem strained pulling the heavy load.