Page 63 of The Black Flamingo

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across to barricade the door.

I fling off my clothes. Squeeze

into the Speedos. I’m no Tom Daley

but I like what I see in my full-length mirror.

I turn to check out my butt,

twerk a little, giggle.

Uncle B drives us to the airport.

He and Mum chat the whole journey.

Anna and Daisy are in the back

seat next to me, Daisy in the middle.

I stare out of the window at nothing

in particular for the whole journey.

Anna and Daisy listen to Little Mix

from Daisy’s phone, one earpiece

each. They sing along to “Black Magic.”

I like the song but I don’t join in.

I always thought Uncle B would

take me on my first vacation.

I thought it would be Jamaica.

As I’m helping him unload our bags

from the trunk and onto the trolley,

I say, “Thank you for giving my mum

the money.” I don’t say,I wish

you were my dad instead of him.

On the plane we have three seats

next to each other and one across

the aisle. Anna wants the window

seat and Mum to sit beside her.

I tell Daisy to sit next to Mum and

I take the seat across the aisle with

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