Ingrid was still tender
where her father beat her
so she lay
not sat
on the grass
outside Banks House
by Bath Terrace
with Benedict
so her family
couldn't see her
Robin Hood
supposedly fired
his last arrow
at where
he wanted to be buried
Benedict said
read it in a book
I’m reading
she watched him
has he talked
the quiff of hair
the grin
and the hazel eye stare
where did it land?
she asked
in Sherwood Forest
some place
he said
was Maid Marian
with him at the end?
she asked
I think so
Benedict said
but kind of old then
I guess
best to die young then
she said
while you're still
good looking
and have love
held on
until the end
she looked
at his patterned
sleeveless jumper
the black short trousers
the grey socks
the 6 shooter gun
tucked into
an holster
belted
around his waist
guess so
he said
some do die young
Billy the Kid did
he added
she moved
and winced
her eyes closed briefly
he watched her
how's your old man
behaving?
Benedict said
she said nothing
but looked
towards the coal wharf
where lorries
and horse-drawn wagons
stood being loaded
with sacks of coal
a train past over
the railway bridge
cluttering noisily
like that is it?
he said been
up to his tricks again?
she looked at him
and then up
at the block of flats
behind them
I must have done
something wrong
she said
so he said
Benedict said
she looked at him
moving her legs
to get comfortable
he said I was asking for it
she said
I went by him
on the stairs
the other evening
and he gave me
the the hard man stare
I just grinned at him
she looked away
yes he said you did
she said
he doesn't like you
she added
ditto
Benedict said
she was silent
she looked
as a horse-drawn wagon
moved away
from the coal wharf
a man sitting on the top
holding reins
I like you through
she said softly
as the wagon went by
at the end
of the road
with its heavy load
we could have a ride
in the back
of a coal wagon
he said
good fun
do you like me?
she asked
of course I do
he said
I meet you
and talk to you
and we go places
don't we?
he said
yes we do
she said
how about a 1d drink
and an ice lolly ?
he said
she nodded
another train
steamed overhead
on the railway bridge
by the Duke of Wellington pub
and so they got up
from the grass
and walked back along
the grass
through the Square
he talking
about Robin Hood again
she looking at him
taking in
his words
sensing
the tenderness easing
as she walked
feeling close him
as he had one hand
on his six shooter gun
as he walked.