Page 14 of The Black Flamingo

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that you are half black

and half white. Half Cypriot

and half Jamaican.

You are a full human

being. It’s never as simple

as being half and half.

You were born in Britain.

You need to make space

for what British means.

What it means to you

to be British, Cypriot,

and Jamaican, too; but

it’s only for you to decide.”

Sandcastles

At school, we play Kiss Chase.

When we were in the little playground we had

toys to play with but here in the big playground

we just have each other.

I usually chase Amber and Laura,

who slow down when I chase them,

and speed up when Callum runs after them,

but he always catches up, eventually.

Emily shakes her head at Callum

and says “Time out” when he runs toward her.

Emily and I have agreed not to kiss.

“Because best friends don’t kiss,” says Emily.

I don’t mind not kissing Emily.

I don’t tell Emily that

when no one else can see, behind the big tree,

I kiss Callum and Jamal and Toby.

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