PART SIX

The seasons change as we rumble through the gates and into a new memory

You are 4 years old, I am your grandparent and I’m holding your left hand. We are walking to your first day of Primary school. Cross the road and keep going straight along Mesnes Street. It’s a grey morning in September and you are fidgeting and uncomfortable in your new uniform. Shoes hurting and solid around your toes. You feel squashed. Scared about being left alone. You wonder how fast you can run in those shoes. You squeeze my hand as hard as you can and that calms you down and helps you to breath again. I promise to take you to the park again after school if you are good in your lessons today. Why do you feel so scared of going to school today. New things. New people. Different place. All scary!

You try to focus on the sounds around you. You can hear the sounds of the cars. The rhythm of your footsteps. The crunching leaves under your feet. Another kid bouncing a ball. Birds in the sky. Pigeon wings flapping, Keys jangle, Someone laughs, Car door shuts.… they fall into rhythm.

the music is jolly and plays the sounds in an interesting rhythm

The new beat makes you feel excited. It pushes you forward. We are heading towards the traffic lights. We need to cross over the road and keep heading forward. Towards the town centre. You like to press the buttons and wait for the green man before you cross. I taught you that. Cross the road toward the Market.