The First Time I Saw You

by Emma Cooper

It is at this moment that I realise. I am standing in front of my burly neighbour wearing a pair of cut-at-the-seams leggings, a rubber glove and a black bra from which my newly enlarged bosoms are heaving out. ‘Oh God!’

‘For the love of all things that are holy, Sarah! I almost had a Tena lady moment!’

‘Jesus, she hasn’t used “Rupert” for a long time.’ I can hear the smug smile in Sarah’s voice. ‘You’re properly in the shit.’

My da. He always manages to save me. One way or another.

Love surrounds us. Just because we can’t see . . . it doesn’t mean it’s not there.