‘I THOUGHT I’D ALWAYS BE BIG’

Walking into school, I tried to be proud of my bare legs. Usually too self-conscious to put my chunky calves on display, it was the first time I’d worn a skirt in months.

I could already feel my classmates’ gazes so I hurried along the corridor, breathing a sigh of relief when I made it to the classroom. But then, I heard it: ‘Look at Donna’s fat legs!’ a boy in my class shouted across the room, making sure everyone could hear. They all turned to look at me, bursting into laughter at my expense.

Any self-confidence I’d had minutes earlier evaporated and never