1. HOTS
OFF THE PRESS 2011
This is a magazine containing
contributions from children and young
people being taught by Edinburgh’s
Hospital and Outreach Teaching Service.
These children and young people might be:
• in the Royal Hospital for Sick Children
• in the Young People’s Unit, Tipperlinn
• Looked After (and Accommodated)
• part of the Gypsy Traveller Teaching Group
• excluded from school
• taught at home due to their medical condition
• taught in one of our Education Groups
• part of the Young Mums’ Unit
We have produced magazines before, but this time we
decided to go for a more “professional” look. For this, many
thanks to the Learning Publications Unit – especially Tracey
Morrisey and Jackie Henrie.
We hope you enjoy the magazine.
Any feedback is always welcome.
Thank you and well done to all our contributors.

2. Chloe
Sudden she was out of the “You haven’t been yourself She sat down at the dinner
vicinity of her house. It didn’t recently honey. You know table and stared at the mixture
take her long to realise where you can tell me what’s up,” of foods merging together on
she was. They had taken her to her mother whispered the china plate. The pop of
where they had first met, truly sympathetically before pulling the bubbles rising to the top
By Rachael Temple- met, not in the way they had her in for a tight embrace. of her glass from the fizz of
Simpson for the last few months. She Chloe’s entire body tensed stiff her juice seemed louder than
stood on the pavement and with fear. Her tight fists made usual.
Chloe pressed hard against looked at the small shops on her nails dig into her palms so
the side of her head trying to the other side of the road. The that when she released them “It’s a trick! Can’t you see? She
barricade the taunting Voices signs that read “Eighty-two there were four pink crescents has only made your favourite
from entering her ears. Her sleeps till Christmas!” looked on each. meal so that you eat it. It’s
head pounded, heart raced peculiar next to the Halloween poisoned!” The eldest male
as she looked around her decorations. She remembered The figures were taking said smugly. He was still fairly
dark empty room. The severe this all too well. She watched control, now making her young, in his late teens. He leant
silence of the dark December a girl in worn jeans and a frightened of her own mother. against the wall, his lanky arms
night urged the Voices to get grey woollen jumper, her They told her that she would crossed against his chest and
louder and louder. With each locks neatly tucked inside the hurt her too, just like they had. legs stretched out.
syllable the volume seemed to hood with one escaped wisp Chloe’s mother and father dug
heighten. Before long Chloe’s of brown hair blowing in the in to the meal in front of them
head throbbed, heavier and fresh October breezes. She started to creep for a good few minutes before
heavier with the Voices getting down the hall but her father realised his daughter
louder as they started to talk Chloe noticed a group of five had not touched her plate.
over each other. The friendly slowly appearing out of the
as she turned her
Voices she once knew had darkness. Her heart started head the Voices “Thought this was your
of anxiety as suppertime breathing quicken and her to creep up her throat. It felt favourite? Not hungry? Don’t
merged into one monstrous
approached. She hated eyes squeeze shut as if it
were standing
beast. strange as she shouted out like it anymore? Goodness,
leaving the confined space would make her disappear. her own name “Chloe! Run!” behind her. kids these days change their
“Please! Leave me alone! of her room, rediscovering The Voice was unusually kind she shouted across the street. mind every five minutes!”
What do you want?” Chloe everyday that she was the only to her, “Why are you hiding It wasn’t just a girl, it was her. Chloe shook out of her mother’s Raymond, Chloe’s father,
screamed through sobs one they talked to, the only from me? I won’t hurt you, not Nor were they just five people, hold, trying not to notice the chuckled nervously. He knew
without parting her lips. one that could see them, she me,” the woman whispered they were the Voices. Chloe hurt on her face. “Come down something was wrong but
was the one that was different. soft as slowly falling snow. cried, trying to run towards for your tea then?” Siobhan acted his usual, joking self as if
She felt the impact of the Chloe fell into the cunning herself as she realised that asked flatly. She left the room everything was fine.
cold fist travel through the trap of the female figure and the headphones blaring with first and Chloe whispered
back of her head. There was a
The Voice was slowly opened her eyes. She music were preventing her “Please, leave me alone, at Chloe could see the strain on
momentary silence. unusually kind to looked at the face in front of hearing the warning of the least until after supper.” She his face attempting to keep his
her where she could see no Fives’ acts of destruction. pleaded before following her false appearance of happiness
her, “Why are you mother. She opened the door
“Shut up. Don’t make a scene. eyes, no nose, no mouth, just Though her legs were moving and stop his swirling worries
They won’t listen anyway,” hiding from me? a dark face. She felt strangely she seemed to become further just a crack and as fast as escaping.
the smallest Male Voice safe in the company of the away from herself until she she could, slipped out her of
growled down at her sitting The Voices began to let her Voice. The grip of the Voice was back in the corner of her room and shut the door tight “Don’t trust him. It’s not
on the floor. The Voices were know they wouldn’t make this started to slowly change. room. Chloe’s eyes welled at behind her, trying to trap the concern he’s trying to hide,
merely dark, daunting figures: easy for her, that she couldn’t Before Chloe could realise the memory. She looked up Five in her room. She started it’s guilt. He’s on our side too.”
featureless. hide it for much longer. The what was happening her scalp with a start to see her mother, to creep down the hall but as The young Voice notified her
only female of the five figures felt as if it were being pulled Siobhan, staring down at her, she turned her head the Voices all-knowingly.
Chloe’s eyes followed the placed her hands delicately off her skull. She screamed, brow merging together and were standing behind her. She
turning hands of the clock, on either side of Chloe’s head. she cried in panic, “Help! her forehead creasing with reluctantly walked down the Chloe continued to push her
stomach filling with bubbles A wave of fear made Chloe’s Mum?” concern. stairs, her troops following. food around her plate, her
2 3

3. The Solar System Song
mouth watering with hunger Reluctantly, she walked down
at the supposedly poisoned the stairs; if she stopped the
meal. She yawned hoping her Voices would begin to push
parents would believe her act her, although Chloe could
of tiredness. feel no hand.
“Hun, if you’re tired you can
(Goes to the tune of Yankie Doodle)
She didn’t know what they
just go to bed. You don’t need wanted which frightened her
to stay down here with us.” even more. She felt her hand
Siobhan smiled oblivious to reaching for the slightly ajar
her daughter’s worries. drawer in the kitchen. As the
drawer glided open Chloe Verse 1: Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars, Jupiter and Saturn,
Chloe crept up the stairs and tried to pull her hand back Uranus, Neptune, Pluto, these are all the planets.
shut the door slowly behind but the Voices wouldn’t let
her. Her room was no longer her and it continued to reach
a quiet, peaceful place to for the silver bladed knife.
CHORUS: In the solar system (4 times)
sleep, not with the shouting head in the dead silence. She
Chloe’s hand gripped the
five figures looming over her. felt her feet moving faster and
black handle uncontrollably.
faster, the door approaching,
Verse 2: There are comets, meteoroids and asteroids,
Even though the Voices were She frantically tried to stop
standing so close, when she no matter how hard she tried Satellites and constellations high up in the sky.
her movements, tried to sit on
reached out to push them to stop.
the floor, grab on to cabinets
away her arm never seemed but the Voices were stronger. CHORUS
long enough to touch them. The Voices took her to her
parents’ bed, on her mother’s
She spent hours on end sitting Chloe tried to side. The knife held tightly in Verse 3: All the planets go around the sun,
on the floor trying to block scream but the both hands was raised above And the moons, go around the planet.
out the screaming Voices but her head. Chloe tried to stop
it never worked. The more she figures stopped the the knife from becoming any
tried to block out the noises noise entering the closer to her mother but as CHORUS
the louder they became. she resisted against the force
house. The screams of the voices, overwhelming Verse 4: Constellations are made of stars,
As the dark of the night fell echoed through her pain shot through her limbs.
And the stars are little pieces, broken round the sun.
over the quiet street she head in the dead The tip of the knife came in
heard her mother and father contact with the mother’s
climb into bed. The Voices all silence. chest, the blade resting in the CHORUS
stared at Chloe once the deep gap where her ribs did not
breathing inched through Her legs moved like a machine quite meet.
the wall from the next room. up the stairs. They continued
By Catie Hynes
Chloe tried to swallow the to push Chloe up the stairs Siobhan’s eyes opened
despite her reluctance. One
Age 9
lump out of her throat. wide and glazed, eyelids
of the figures ran ahead and disappearing into her skull
“What are you going to make gripped the handle of Chloe’s as the knife sunk down into
me do now?” Chloe asked parents’ room. The door her chest. Chloe, in the (I used a rain stick for the chorus and a keyboard for each verse)
fearfully in a barely audible seemed to take forever to unbearable silence realised
whisper. open to the dark heat of the what they had made her do
room. Chloe tried to scream and the knife slowly twirled
The figures began to cackle but the figures stopped the in her fingers as the voices
maliciously. They took noise entering the house. The helped her decide what the
Chloe down to the kitchen. screams echoed through her blade would do next…
4 5

4. The following piece is an “extra chapter” for the Roddy Doyle short story “New Boy” which is about - No I’m just having a think,
a nine year old Rwandan refugee called Joseph who has started school in Ireland. It is written in he says. He thinks back to
the style of the original. when his father was still here
and what he was like. Then he
starts to write.
New Boy – Chapter 7 He describes how his father
looked, how kind he was
A Person to Admire
and what they used to do
together.
- Now, is everyone getting on
okay with their writing?, the
By Lauren Baptie teacher-lady asks.
He walks into the classroom. funny or serious and also He stares at his jotter page for - Yes, the class replies.
He sits at the table. Everyone remember your capitals and a while and wonders where to They have been writing for
is chatting. The teacher-lady punctuation. When you’re start. a while now. He thinks he’s
hands out the English jotters. finished I’ll have a little read finished, he puts his hand up.
through it then you can do - Joseph are you stuck?, says
- Now, hands in the air! a bit of peer assessment. Miss. - I’m finished Miss, he says.
This means you swap with
The children lift their hands. someone else and read - Let me have a little look, says
There is silence. each others work. You the teacher-lady.
can start writing now
- Today we are going to do and remember to ask She reads through his writing.
some writing. if you need help. He twiddles his thumbs while
he waits.
- Now hands down. The children start to
write. He starts to - Well done Joseph, that’s very - Okay he says. doesn’t think it’s untidy. He
All hands go down and the write also. He good writing. looks over at her; she’s reading
silence continues. has decided very quickly he thinks.
who he He smiles at the teacher-lady. He looks at her Once he’s finished reading
- The piece of writing is going is going writing and about the person she chose
to be about a person you to write He thinks the teacher-lady (her father). He walks over to
admire. about. He looks like she is about to cry instantly feels self her.
is going but he’s not sure.
conscious about
There are a few groans in the to write - I’m finished; it was very good
classroom. about his - Now you can swap with his own and hopes he says.
someone else who has
father.
finished.
she doesn’t think
- How long does it have to be?,
asks Christian. it’s untidy. - Thank you! It sounds like
He looks around the your father would be a good
classroom he is not sure if he He thinks the girl looks person to meet, she replies.
- Its not about quantity it’s
about quality, says Miss. wants someone else to read friendly and kind. She has two
Try to write about what about his father. pig tails and a jolly little face. He feels tears trickle down his
the person looks like, He looks at her writing and cheeks from his eyes and the
what their personality is - I’ll swap with you, says a girl instantly feels self conscious teachers concerned gaze on
like. For example if they’re in the corner. about his own and hopes she his back.
6 7

5. HOTS Film making
The children at Leith Walk Primary chose to create everything themselves, and used a collage
technique to make their film ‘The Dark Neighbourhood’, exploring the theme of making choices.
Children at Duddingston Primary School and Leith Walk Primary School have been exploring
their Health and Wellbeing taårgets through collaborative group work, and have made two very
different, but equally fantastic short animated films. The children have been involved in every step
of the film making process: creating the characters; planning the story; deciding what and where
to film; composing music for the score; recording narration; and adding computer visual and
audio effects. Both groups of children decided to take very different approaches, as you can see.
The children at Duddingston Primary have been exploring the theme of friendships, and have
created a wonderful animation using Lego – called Toy Story 4!
Alistair and Shaun creating their characters. Leo is concentrating hard.
Cameron and Jake brave the cold to film Camera man Zach and computer
outdoors. operator Melissa concentrate on filming.
One of the characters in the film has a Shaun takes frames for the movie.
light bulb moment!
The main character encounters a problem… Despite a nasty accident, the other characters
persevere to rescue their friend.
The characters choose to take control of their The three main characters make some hard
The team are clearly enjoying themselves! Could this be a happy ending? lives, and make some changes. choices.
8 9

6. Shrek
The Light Is…
A shimmering jewel
An open stretch
A glowing change
A gleaming planet
by Alex Muir
An undiscovered talent
A note of praise
Shrek and Donkey go to see Farquad to become a princess
A reflection of hope Farquad to get his home back again. But she is sad because
A burning desire but Farquad says he can only she is in love with Shrek.
A glittering dance if Shrek does a challenge for
him. He has to go and rescue At the end of the film, Shrek
A fragrant flower a princess called Fiona who is and Donkey ride the dragon
A magnificent melody stuck in a tower guarded by a to the church. Shrek goes in
Shrek is a creepy ogre who dragon. and everybody starts saying
lives in woods beside a “Booooh!”. Then Shrek said to
The Light is….Here
swamp. When Shrek gets to the tower Fiona “You are beautiful”. The
he starts fighting the dragon. sun goes down and Fiona turns
By Elle Tidder Lord Farquad is a little person He rescues the princess and into an ogre again. Farquad
who rules Duloc. He makes quickly takes her to Farquad. tries to put her in a tower but
Shrek really angry because But when they get to Duloc, it Dragon comes to the rescue
he sends loads of magical turns out that princess Fiona is and in the end Shrek and Fiona
The Dark Is… creatures to his swamp. really an ogre. She must marry kiss and get married.
An open Cavern
A pool of inky blackness
The wide unknown
A velvet blanket
An uncharted sorrow
Wide wings of fear
A shroud of despair
The world’s evening gown
A never ending night
Fields of Lost Hope
The Dark is….
Gone
By Elle Tidder
10 11

7. Left Out
were looking for shade near “Probably,” Mike said, but
one of the trees. Mike and Mike would always remember
his three friends were in the that day.
cool bike shed talking when
they started hearing excited Mike was reminded of the
screaming and shouting. So time when he was left out, as
By Ross they went out of the bike shed he shook hands firmly with
towards the playground and Alex.
noticed Alex was handing
out invitations to his end of “Hiya Mike how are you? Not
primary 7 party. Mike and seen you in ages mate,” Alex
his friends sat patiently on said.
a bench thinking they were
going to get an invitation to Mike just looked at him and
his party. They watched the said, “Yeh I’m good. You?”
pile get smaller and smaller.
Then there were no envelopes “I’m good, so what do you
left and Mike and his friends work as then?”
didn’t get an invitation. They
were all really upset. Their “I work as a lawyer.”
stomachs felt like they were couple of minutes later two were crying and hugging each
getting tied in knots and their girls walked past discussing other. Mike was hugging some “Wow that’s good,” Alex said.
eyes started stinging. the party saying how good it girls and said bye and went
would be. Mike was eaves- home sadly with the other “Alex, do you remember the
When Mike got home he told dropping to hear what they three boys. time in primary 7 when you
his mum about it and she was were saying. He couldn’t hear left me and three boys out of
shocked. “That’s a mean thing them that well because of the When the boys got home your party?”
to do. How could his mum shouting of all the kids but he Mike’s mum had prepared a
and dad let him do that? I’ll heard some of it. He told his special lunch, but they weren’t Alex’s smile disappeared. “Oh
organise something special friends and they were quite that hungry because their God,” said Alex. “I remember
for you four boys.” She then upset at what Mike was telling stomachs were sore as they now. Wow I am really sorry
arranged go-carting for all the them. They tried to make a were still upset. After lunch Mike I didn’t know what I was
boys who were left out, because conversation with each other they went go-carting and tried thinking.”
Mike had never been go- but they were too upset to to enjoy it but they didn’t have
carting, and had been talking talk. that much fun. They tried to “But why did you leave us
about it for quite a while. look happy, to please Mike’s out?” Mike asked.
The bell rang again for every mum, but they still looked
It was the end of a sweltering Mike was shocked because It was the last day of primary one to go in. Mike’s class went miserable. After the go-carting “I was scared of Liam because
day and Mike was leaving he was smiling looked really 7. The class was sitting down back in to watch the rest of the they went home. Mike’s mum I thought if I let you in my
his office in Haymarket. He friendly and had his hand out and relaxed watching “Toy film. After the film his teacher dropped the three boys off at party he would hate me and
hurried out the door in a rush ready to shake Mike’s hand. Story”. Mike tried to forget gave out cake and drinks, their homes. not talk to me.”
to get the train home on time. Mike was surprised because about the party until the bell but the cake and drinks just
It had been a scorching day Alex was quite horrible to him for break rang. The school ran reminded Mike about the “Did you enjoy that then?” “Oh I always thought you
so he decided to take his tie in primary 7. out noisily. Mike didn’t want party. His teacher and the she asked. never liked me.”
off and open his top button to speak to any one because head teacher gave a speech
to let some air in. Mike was It was summer then when he was afraid people might about how good the P7s were. “Yeh I did,” Mike mumbled. “No it wasn’t that. I did like
hurrying along the pavement they were in primary 7. It talk about the party. He was The bell rang and the teacher you then,” Alex said.”I feel
when he saw his old classmate was a hot day in the concrete just sitting with his friends and the head teacher all “I know you’re upset,” she terrible. I’m so sorry I left you
Alex walking towards him. playground and the children chatting about the film. A waved goodbye. All the girls said, “but you’ll get over it.” out and you’ve been hurt.”
12 13

8. A paper for an Outreach
Christmas Gibbons
to concentrate on their school
work as well as usual.
Teachers’ Handbook Living in a YPC is difficult
itself. For example people are
providing information coming and going and that
is unsettling. When people
by Adam Bojelian
about Looked After have difficulties some of them
express this through anger
Gibbons are fun at Christmas,
They don’t mind the snow,
Young People in YPCs and smash stuff up. This can
be upsetting to watch but
Gibbons are fun at Christmas,
staff always make sure the But there is something about them you don’t know.
other residents are OK. It is
By Sarah Thomson not surprising that school can They are Santa’s secret weapon,
be a difficulty because pupils They work on Christmas night,
Young People’s Centres are sitting chatting to someone. might find it hard to get up for Swinging across the roof tops,
places of safety for some young Although this might sound fun school or even think what’s They really are a sight.
people, but sometimes they are and exciting, it is not home the point in going to school
for the safety of others around and teachers should take this when they can just stay in the
Bringing lots of presents,
the young person. Some young into consideration. unit with the other residents
All around the world they go,
people are referred because who don’t go to school either.
More agile than the reindeers,
of substance abuse, not YPC staff try and make it as
being safe at home, fighting like home as possible. Their However, staff do encourage Swinging to and fro.
or aggressive behaviour and job is to keep residents safe, residents to work hard at
putting themselves or others at make sure all their needs are school and to attend regularly They are Santa’s secret posties
risk. As a result of this the unit met for example if they need and they help with any Bringing gifts wrapped in paper and ribbons,
can be unsettling at times and new clothes or want to join an homework that pupils need You thought the reindeers did this job,
teachers should take this into activity. At night if they can’t assistance with. Outreach Now you know it is the gibbons!
account. sleep night staff will make hot teachers should know of their
chocolate and marshmallows difficulties and try and support
The facilities in the YPC help and have a chat to make sure them in any way possible to get Christmas Gibbons was Adam has developed a Beckham, the Queen and J. K.
make the unit a place of they are OK. They also make them back into education and written by Adam Bojelian, technique of blinking to Rowling. He is hoping to travel
safety for the young people, sure there is a good variety of get their lives back on track. aged 11. HOTS support communicate. He responds to to London to collect his award,
and may help them get back dinners, lunch Adam’s education at home questions, and is able to select but if he is unable to then his
into education. Some of the and breakfasts as he awaits his place in a words from lists of up to 100 poem will be read on air.
facilities are a computer room each day. They mainstream school. His poem words. Adam has developed
which has two computers are good to sit the Christmas Gibbons is his technique so that he can When Adam was interviewed
with internet access and two and have a laugh remarkable for a boy of his age be blinking whole sentences by the Herald he said he was
sofas so that young people and a chat with. but what makes it all the more faster than his mother can “really, really excited” to win
can sit and talk to the person Staff are aware of remarkable is that Adam has a understand, and has developed his gold Blue Peter badge and
who is on the computer or young peoples range of health issues he deals a love for creating verse when asked about his move
even read a book. There are backgrounds with 24 hours a day. He uses a to a mainstream education,
lots of modern books. There is and can notify wheelchair and has extremely His poem was submitted to he gave a huge smile and
also a music room and it has outreach limited use of his hands. He Blue Peter and he is now one said he “absolutely loves” his
a set of drums, several guitars teachers of has a tracheotomy, is oxygen- of only 1000 people to receive school work. He said: “I think
and other instruments. They they are going dependent and also has a a Gold Blue Peter Badge in the it is brilliant, I love surprising
also have two big lounges through a seizure disorder. Although programme’s 52-year history. people with my poems and
for sitting watching TV or difficult time and registered blind, he has some Other famous people who have really like it when people
playing games or even just might not be able sight. received this award are David laugh at my funny poems.”
14 15

9. The Big Surprise Home’s You
The days leading up to my house for a family barbeque.
fifteenth birthday were We arrived at their house, the
somehow different from my next thing I knew I was being
younger childhood birthdays. led towards their old stable
The hoping and dreaming yard.
had disappeared. It was like
By Charlotte Hunter I had matured my whole way My dad took out his camera
Home can make you smile and weep
of thinking. I had not even and so did my mum. I
asked for anything but some thought this was a bit All the words you came to speak
clothes and some small extra suspicious. I turned the Under that roof under those stars
treats. I wasn’t even looking corner as we walked towards
forward to my birthday all that the field and there it was. Home is dangerous but home is safeå
much. It was almost like I had A horse. I felt my cheeks It can be a crude but calm embracåe
given up on my dream. That burning up in a bright red
Outside that door outside their minds
was probably why I hadn’t colour and my legs went like
noticed my family’s suspicious jelly, it was all pure shock.
behaviour, as they tried to No words came out of my Home is success but also failure
hide something from me. I mouth when I tried to speak. All the pictures on the wall
remember asking my mum The first things I was thinking All the dust beneath the hall,
one evening where dad had were, “Why is there a horse Beneath your never failing reach.
disappeared to, she replied, here?” and “Where did it
“He’s with granddad buying come from?” The beautiful
a new lawn mower.” If I had chestnut mare was walking
Home is ugly but home is beauty
been more aware, I would towards me. A great feeling The softly burning candles
have noticed the look on my of disbelief took over me. I Beside the smell of jasmine hide
sister’s face as she tried to hide didn’t know what to say when The hanging smell of stench override.
a guilty smile. my grandmother said that
that horse was all mine!. It
Home is everything Home is nothing
The first thing I noticed as with horses. Whether that I woke up as usual to a warm was the best feeling ever.
sunny day. I met my parents
Home is the ground beneath you
I stepped out of the car was was having riding lessons
the sweet smell of horses or helping friends who had in the sitting room and we did I still carry that feeling of Home is the sky above you.
that dominated the air. The horses. I’ve always enjoyed the whole opening presents disbelief today as I can’t quite
closer I walked to the stables them. My typical parents and celebrating my birthday believe that I really have my But most importantly Home is You.
the more excited I became. decided I was not able to bit. I got some pretty new very own horse. It’s been
I was introduced to a very provide the time and care a clothes and a couple of DVDs three months now that I have
Elle Tidder
handsome but cheeky little horse needs, never mind the but nothing special. There was had my horse Landy. She has
pony. His fur was so warm financial difficulties! I never nothing all that different from helped me get through some
and comforting to touch and gave up on my dream of one every other birthday apart real tough parts of my life.
his muzzle as soft as silk. He day owning my own pony from the strange anticipation I have been struggling with
looked massive compared though. That one horrible and excitement that was in anxiety and depression for the
to my six year old self, and word ‘no!’ was repeated so the air. After spending some last two years. The one thing
that made me quite nervous. many times to me when time at home, myself and that has kept me going is my
Never did I realise that this I asked the all important my family took a taxi to my horse. She inspires me to get
riding lesson would be question. The birthdays grandparents’ house. Again better and strive for my future.
lighting the spark of a life time and Christmases I was left the whole family were starting She has really changed my life.
hobby. unsatisfied with no pony. The to get me to ponder why they I don’t know how to thank my
many tantrums and tears I seemed so excited. I thought grandparents enough for the
Ever since I can remember, cried when trying to persuade that all we were doing was best birthday present I have
I have always been involved my parents. It all didn’t work. going to my grandparents’ ever had.
16 17

10. This Great World The Other World
A ray of sunshine It’s a scary meeting
The smell of fresh air A bottle of coke shaken up
A warm welcoming hug The corner you have been pushed into
It’s a beautiful place of happiness The black shadow that never leaves you alone
The floodlight that meets your eyes Where dark never meets light
Where light never meets dark The evil hole you stepped into
A 500 watt light bulb staring you in the eye The monster that meets you in his mysterious cave
You can hear the children’s laughter Your world that’s been trampled on
A girl singing her song…
Cold, black and silent.
Life
Death…
By Lucy Allan
By Lucy Allan
19

11. Chalk
He gave her a quizzical look his kitchen. He looked up but Huey stared at her in bemused shopping, she could get you
then said, “Middle cupboard I she was no longer there. silence. Who was this young one? You could do with some
think.” “Why don’t you come have woman? This girl? He almost photos up around here, it’s a
Memories
a look?” her voice wavered felt like he knew her but bit bare.”
She reached up to look and through the still midday air wasn’t quite sure, he certainly
as she did he caught sight of from another room. felt like he should know her. Huey nodded, unable to
the name badge pinned to her With her red auburn hair and conjure a reply. He knew her.
skirt. Della it read. What an He made his way through short denim skirt and pale Yet he really didn’t know her.
unusual name… to the front room. Sunlight skin and red rimmed tired Who was she? It was seemed
By Jo Gratton ebbed through the blinds and eyes and white cotton cardy probable that this was a
The tea ritual complete she shadows clouded the young over a baggy yellow vest top, dream, that if he reached out
Huey opened the door to the had crafted in design class a handed him a mug, it steamed woman’s form on the sofa. she seemed to be imprinted his hand it would go right
smiles of a young woman. couple of years ago. Or was it lightly and was burning to somewhere in his conscience through her, that she was a
Great, here comes the driver longer ago than that? the touch. He could smell “Sit down then, I haven’t got but jumbled up and ghost, that he was going mad;
of beetle drives and double cinnamon and other spices much time. This is just a short mismatched and crossed with but she was there, sitting,
glazing, he thought. But He motioned in front of her at wafting up. visit.” other people. He could not put staring, talking to him in his
instead the young woman the mugs. the shards together; instead front room on an afternoon in
just smiled and then, without “I have the photos by the way,” He sat; unsure if he should say they just rested unperturbed April.
word, stepped over his “No, not those ones, they’re she said suddenly. anything, unsure if he should in his mind. She seemed to still
threshold and wandered down dirty…” ask who she was or what she be yammering on about the “Well, I best be off. I left Jael
his corridor. Excuse me? Huey near jumped at her was doing but it seemed too photos though and he tried to at the crèche so I have to get
Really, he could have sworn words. He’d forgotten about late now. He’d allowed her in, look as if he understood what back. I’ll take her to see you
She ran her hand over the paint he’d cleaned them? the strange young woman in let her put the kettle on and she was going on about. She before we go home, you adore
splattered radiator, her nails told her where to find the clean fumbled onto the next picture, her,” she smiled.
tinkering on the metal. The mugs. He couldn’t very well ask pointing a dainty finger at yet
kitchen was on the left and she her to leave now. So instead he another face. That’s James, She stood up, slung her bag
made her way to it as if she’d just sat, silently waiting for her he heard. But Huey was not onto one shoulder and walked
been a ghost mooning over his to produce whatever she had interested in James. Instead he towards the door. Huey
life for years. What he found said she was going to show him. had noticed the tattoo on her followed, his legs obeying a
more curious though, as he I can’t remember. right index finger, a treble clef mind of their own. At the front
traipsed after her as in a dream, in black ink twirled itself on door Della stopped, clicking
was how she seemed to know From a brown leather bag Della one side from the first joint up it off the latch and opening
where just about everything produced a pack of photos. towards her pink painted nails. it wide to let the sun slip in.
was; without thinking she Flipping open the packet she How curious, have I seen that She stepped out and turned to
flicked the switch of the kettle pulled the wad of pictures out before? No, heard of it before? face him.
and went straight to the top and placed them on her lap.
right hand side cupboard for “What do you think of them “You don’t remember me, do
the tea bags. Chai tea bags to “So that’s Sandy and I on our then? You can keep them if you?” she said softly.
be precise. Then she turned to wedding day, there’s little Nina you like. We have copies back
the fridge for milk. as our flower girl. You remember home and the negatives too so He hung his head slightly,
Nina? Isn’t she sweet? She’s only you’re welcome to them.” staring at the ground and
“I can’t remember where you five, what a wee toot she is. wringing his hands for
keep the mugs?” she said. You know, Lexi’s little girl? Oh She gently pushed the packet moment. Then he looked up
and then this one is of us at the of photos into his hands. and shook his head.
This seemed the oddest of airport. The flight was manic,
questions since the mugs were Sandy was a nervous wreck. I “Maybe you could get a frame The young woman lent
perhaps the most obvious of told you he doesn’t like flying, for a few of them too? Or forward and kissed him on the
all, hanging on the homemade didn’t I? You probably don’t that nice lady, you know, the cheek, “Never mind. See you
wooden holder his daughter remember. Don’t worry.” one who helps you with the soon Dad.”
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12. Sponsored cycle raises £2000 for
Paul Davies Braveheart award
My Trip to London
by Luca (26.10.10)
to maintain a wide circle these prizes that his family
I went to London with my mum and my sister. It took 5 hours to get there by train. My favourite
of friends locally. He was and outreach teachers asked
places were Hammley’s and the London Dungeon. It was a good trip.
selected by his peers to be if he would like them to raise
awarded a special prize for money to have an award
bravery and inspiration in established in his name –
2009 and 2010 at the Currie an offer he accepted with
High School awards – both his characteristic grin and
very moving occasions. enthusiasm.
So in October Paul’s mum,
family and
godmother, and two of his
A sponsored cycle ride outreach teachers outreach teachers cycled over
has raised £2000 to fund a asked if he would 50 miles from Currie to the
special prize for bravery and Falkirk Wheel and back, and
inspiration, in honour of Paul like them to raise with the fantastic support of
Davies, a HOTS pupil between money to have an all the HOTS team and other
2006 and 2009, who sadly services in Westwood House
died in July of last year, after
award established raised £2000 to fund the Paul
a courageous battle against in his name Davies Braveheart Prize – in
leukaemia. recognition of Paul’s bravery
He so clearly wanted to make and determination to live life
Paul was an absolute a difference, and was so to the full.
inspiration. Throughout the encouraged by the award of
years of illness, he continued
to engage in his education
enthusiastically and with his
characteristic wicked sense of
humour. He was determined
to sit his exams, and did this
against all the odds, finishing
his Standard Grade English
at home, at 7.00pm in the
evening, having been in
hospital (accompanied by
an exam invigilator) on an
emergency visit for most of
the day!
Paul was an immense support
to other young people in
Sick Kids, and, despite all
the obstacles managed
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