Janice’s gran
had left the room

to fetch another
*** of tea

and Janice said
Are you coming on

the day trip to the seaside?
I’m not sure

you replied
Oh please do

Janice said
Then we can be together

and I won’t have to spend time
with those giggly girls

from the gospel group
you looked at her fair hair

and the way her eyes
were on you

and how precise
her lips were

when she spoke
I’m not sure my parents

can afford it
you said

Oh it’s free for kids
whose parents are poor

she said
And after all

it’s part of the point
of the whole thing

to show Christian values
and so on

and she smiled
and put her hand

on yours
under the table

as her gran came in
with the teapot

What are you two
talking about?

Gran asked
putting the teapot

down on the table
Janice’s hand

squeezed yours
under the table

Oh just about the day trip
to the seaside

Janice said
Are you going too?

her gran asked you
you hesitated

and then said
Yes I think so

and Janice looked at you
her blue eyes bright

and she said
Isn’t that good Gran?

Yes indeed
her gran said

and poured tea
into your cup

and added milk
and sugar

and Janice’s hand
left yours

and the absence
of the warmth

of her hand
felt like

a dying world
in a vast galaxy

or drowning
in a deep blue sea.