Lockdown

You keep a secret safe, wrapped up in the back of a drawer in your mind, all tied up in metaphorical ribbon and string, for 14 years. And in the space of three days, it unravels. How did that happen?

I’ll tell you how.

I was up a ladder, that’s how. How come the phone always rings when you’re up a ladder? My landline hadn’t rung in months – they don’t now do they, landlines? People just call your mobile. If your landline rings, it’s either a wrong number or trouble.

I shouted at Billy to get it. Since lockdown he only appears at mealtimes and then he’s in his boxers.

“Billy,” I shouted again, and I banged on the kitchen ceiling with the roller. I was painting this bit where his dad used to sit and smoke. It was stained brown.

He thundered down