“Well, I did join in with the singing. I didn’t ask any questions—I just went along with it… My mother had stopped singing, and she was crying… On the way, I said, ‘Why are you crying, Mother?’ She said, ‘Because we could sing better songs than those.” — Educating Rita I really loved Educating Rita when I first saw it, although “loved” might be a bit strong because, if I’m honest, I probably just agreed with whatever my older sister said at the time. She was the clever one.

Name: Bauble Mam to: BB and Barb Married to: Ballcock Status: At home. Works at the Bouncemas shop and cleans at the solicitors’ office Tagline: Keeps everything nice. Even when it isn’t. Most common saying: “It’s just easier this way.” Temperament: Soft. Reflective. Takes on whatever is in front of her. Shines, but doesn’t show herself. Believes keeping the peace is the same as doing the right thing. Lives in a version of life that feels nicer than it really is.

I started writing things down because my head felt too full. Like everything was crammed in there wrong and might spill out if I didn’t do something about it. Mr Eyeball said it helps, seeing your thoughts in black and white. Stops you telling yourself the same story over and over. I’m not sure about that yet. But I do know this—if I don’t write it down, it all just keeps going round and round. And I’ve got a feeling there’s more to all of this. I just haven’t worked out what

A teaser from my debut novella, about a girl who thinks too much and feels too much... This is the moment everything starts to change for her. ((Be honest… would you have tried them on? 👇) They were sitting on the top shelf above the suede cowboy jackets, like royalty. Honestly, I’m not fibbing, they were glowing as if they possessed a power! Sparkly red trainers. Me peepers nearly popped out me head just like Wile E. Coyote’s when he thinks he’s fooled the Road Runner for

Name: Barb Sister to: BB Mam and Dad: Bauble and Ballcock Status: At school Tagline: Knows exactly what’s going on. Says just enough to let you know she knows. Most common saying: “Nothing new there, then.” Temperament: Solid. Dense. Hard to shift once she’s made her mind up. Carries the weight of everything without saying much. Grew up too fast in a house where that’s what you do if you want an easier life. Additional notes: • Thinks she has the low-down on everyone • Corre

Name: Ballcock Married to: Bauble Children: Barb and BB Profession: Plumber Tagline: Always right. Just ask him. Most common saying: “People like us don’t do that sort of thing.” Temperament: Short fuse. Prone to blowing a gasket over minor inconveniences, especially anything involving DIY done by someone else. Additional notes: • Firmly believes he is exceptionally good at what he does (and sees no reason to question this) • Sees himself somewhere between James Bond and

The cursor is flashing at me. I was in the bath. Does it sound like the cursor is flashing at me in the bath? What I meant to say was when I was in the bath, I had loads of ideas of what I would start this blog with. I’d gone through it in my mind, but now I’m out the bath and sitting at the computer, the cursor flashing at me—and I’ve got nothing. I imagine this little cursor, like a tiny man, opening and closing his Mac at me. See, this is what stops me from getting anywher