Monthly Archives: April 2011

Frank and Corinne walk into town to have a drink, hang about celebrate his win that warm September evening the sinking sun sends long shadows gilds the top of the buildings. Frankie’s happy in the anonymous crowd the men in … Continue reading →

It’s a hot Saturday in early September the pool side is crowded with families fluttering like the red and blue bunting up above, the plastic snakes dividing the lanes. Frankie’s in Lane Two the whistle blows five boys dive and … Continue reading →

is tall and muscular her short hair flops over her eyes when she leans down to talk to kids messing about in the baths. She’s quiet, but the kids do what she says and she’s quick to notice bother and … Continue reading →

Corinne and Frankie are dolphins at Elswick pool. They meet on a Thursday evening and Saturday morning; they do lengths, widths front crawl, back crawl racing against the clock. Bev  the coach shouts the time checks their style: No pain, … Continue reading →

it’s warm, leaves on the trees whisper, Frank gets a coke, Corinne has chips, they share a swig for a chip and Frankie says: I’m gannin ter Australia On yer own? I’m gannin.  One day. And he looks out down … Continue reading →

In English, Miss Thoroughgood is talking about names where they come from what they mean. Frank looks it up, Frank means open, undisguised, speaking out but Miss Thoroughgood says: It comes from Francis – he was a saint a gentle … Continue reading →

Paddy and Dec get him and push him in it stinks of piss in there they pin Frankie’s arms pull his tie off drop it in the bog. Paddy undoes Frankie’s belt pulls his pants down knots the wet tie … Continue reading →

Frankie and Corinne talk as they’re walking to school under September light sieved through leaves Frankie’s in a shirt Corinne’s sleeves are pulled over her hands. He’s keeping an eye out for Paddy, an ambush, as he says to Corinne: … Continue reading →

Nan is Dad’s mam. She’s a strict Catholic, Catholic and strict: even Dad does what Nan says. When Frankie and Paddy were little they’d ask about Grandad: sometimes Dad said He was a Trawlerman lost at sea, or mebbes became … Continue reading →