PART SEVEN

There is a loud thunder clap and it begins to rain

You are 22 years old. I am holding your right hand. You can feel my fingers wrapped warm in woolly gloves. It's wintertime and every day is a day closer to Christmas. I’m looking at you and I know exactly how you’re feeling. I am your sibling after all. You’ve got that rumbling in your gut that makes you feel a little sick. I squeeze your hand because I know it’s all going to be okay. Can you feel me squeezing? You’re walking anxiously up Mesnes street, closer and closer to the high street shops. You have been saving up for a gift for your partner. It’s your first Christmas together. You want it to be special. But last week I was struggling with the food shop, and you offered to chip in and help me out. Now what do you get them you start to think. Whatever it is, you don’t think it will be good enough.

Keep walking along the street and admire the buildings around you, dripping in snow that’s slowly melting to mush. It reminds you of the drinks we used to get from Empire Cinema. Remember we always used to share one when we would go every weekend? Sugary ice that would turn our tongues blue.

It’s a freezing cold day today, but you can still feel beads of sweat against your neck. You wish we were kids again, back in the cinema stuffing our cheeks with popcorn. Your hand begins to tremble a little. I tell you it doesn’t matter what you get them, they will love it either way. It’s the thought that counts. Between cars passing by, you spot flashes of shoppers shuffling away to their next unknown destination. A kaleidoscope of Primark bags and JD shoe boxes fills your eyes.

Keep going just a little further.