A BIGGISH GIRL 1960

A BOY AND GIRL GO SWIMMING IN LONDON IN 1960

Hannah and Benny
went swimming
at the Bedlam Park
swimming pool

water cold
clear blue
(unless someone pissed
an orangey yellow
tang or tone)

they sat on the side
of the pool
after a while
in the water

gets cold
after a while
Benny said
looking at Hannah
in her bathing costume
of dark pink

does indeed
she said

your mother
(Mrs Scot)
didn't seem keen
you going swimming
with me
Benny said  

Hannah smiled
she said
wa gang swimmin'
wi' heem?
to me as we left
Hannah said

what did you say?
Benny said

coz ah loch heem
I told her

Benny smiled
don't know what
it means but it
sounds good
what did she say?

nae accoontin
fur taste
Hannah replied

good God
why doesn't she
like me?
Benny said

you're English
and a male
Hannah said
that's about it

what about your Dad
he's both?
Benny said

there you are
Hannah said
that's about it
anyway enough of her
let's get dried
and go get a drink
in the cafe
and you can tell me
about the Rob Roy book
you've bought
she said

o right
he said

and they walked back
to the changing rooms
and he got out
of his wet trunks and dried

and thought about
the slightly bulging chest
that he noticed
Hannah had

and wondered if
she was unwell
or was it just because
she was a biggish girl.