Findings

Finding out. Finding out that mashed potato must be boiled before it is mashed. First. Finding out that some women have babies and sometimes those babies are too difficult for those women to look after. Finding out that some homes are different. This is not right. Finding out that some things are not to be said to some people. Finding out that some old men are shaky because they are old and some old men are shaky because they drink.

Finding out that books are friends. Three four five books in a week. Finding out arkwardness. Secondary-school shyness. Bunson burners and brand-new folders. Walking to school with someone you like. A lot. Finding out they think she is above-average-in-her-class. Finding out that you don't just wake one up day as an Olympic ice-skater.

Finding out music. Bob Marley and Stevie Wonder. Finding out that hair on your head might be ok, but hair on your legs is definitely not ok. Finding out a boy's lips and the inside of his mouth. Embarrassing and public.

Finding out that some mothers want to overdose. They want to die. They want to be loved. They want to be cruel. They want to be kind. Finding out that some people are confused. Those people are scared. Finding out that people don't change because you want them to. They don't stop crying just because you pray that they will.

Finding out that some people think you're cool because of the clothes you wear. And some people think you're weird because of the clothes you wear. Some people don't know their own ideas. Finding out that some people are normal. Some people's kitchens are warm and calm. They smell lemony. They have toast on the table.

Finding out that some people smoke dope. Some people do their own thing. They laugh and listen to music. They sit by their open fire. They have colourful things on the wall. Finding out that they were all friends in the seventies and now here they all are. They have photos and old jokes. Finding out that some mothers used to be pretty. They used to have fun. Finding out there are stories that go way back. Finding out there are different sides to people. Finding out just how many different sides there can be.