It rained
and Janice and I
stood under
the railway bridge

in Arch Street
with the coal wharf
on the left
the bomb site

on the right
the cobbled road
shining with the rainfall
horse drawn

coal wagons waiting
for the sacks
to be filled
a weak sun overhead

how long
will it last?
Janice asked
don't know

I said
looks like it's here
for a while
she looked up

at the darkening sky
Gran will be angry
if I’m late for lunch
she said

you have a choice
I said
go and get wet
but be on time

for lunch
but then Gran
will be angry
if I get my clothes wet

she said
well there you go
I said
what do you want

to get told off
for getting wet
or being late?
Janice ******* up

her nose
and put out a hand
to feel how
wet it was

it's quite heavy
she said
what shall I do?
either way

you'll get scolded
I said
she stood
with her hands

enfolding her arms
as if she were cold
I could come with you
I said

and explain
to your gran
Janice looked uncertain
what will your mother say

if you're late for lunch
or if you get wet?
she asked
nothing much

she’s used to me
getting wet
or being late
I said

the rain
came down harder
the sky got darker
the horses

on the wagons
became unsettled
let's go
I said

let's run
let's see
what happens
and so I took

her hand
and we ran out
into the pouring rain
through puddles

of water
over the cobbles
the rain soaking
into our clothes

and hair
her hand
still in mine
damp and slippery

getting
wet wet wet
I thinking
of what's for lunch?

and she thinking
of getting scolded
or spanked
I bet.