From her bedroom window
Lydia could see
the grass and pigeons
and some boy
with a bow and arrow
she could hear
her mother shouting
at her father
her sister
still asleep
in the big bed behind
the tattooed arm
hanging from the bed
her mouth open
Lydia saw the boy turn
it was Benedict
his quiff of hair
an arrow in his bow
pointing downwards
he was mouthing words
and making gestures
with his free hand
she opened the window
letting in
the morning air
are you coming out?
Benedict asked
Lydia's sister
stirred in the bed
where are you going?
Lydia asked
thought I’d go
to one of the big
train stations
see the steam engines
he said
she looked back
at her sister
the blonde hair
over her face
a breast hanging
out of her nightie
which one?
she asked
he fired an arrow
at a pigeon
but it flew away
Victoria?
he said
I’ve no money
she said
he went
to pick up the arrow
stuck in the grass
he wiped mud
off the end
when are you going?
she asked
after lunch
he said
walking up
to her ground floor
window and peering in
at Lydia's sister
can you call for me?
she asked
sure
he said
will your mother
be ok about it?
last time
she almost
bit my head off
Lydia looked out
at the grass
and dandelions
growing
she'll be all right
she said
uncertain but trying
to convince him
ok
he said
I’ll call for you
he walked off
across the grass
holding his bow
and arrow
shut the blooming window
her sister said
turning over in bed
Lydia pulled down
the window
and watched
as Benedict
climbed the green
metal fence
and disappeared
from view
Lydia picked up
her sister's
dirty washing
for something
(in the meantime)
to do.