Blackcurrant or orange squash

She takes a bottle of each.

Robinson’s blackcurrant.

Robinson’s orange squash.

The only brand name in her trolley.

No Pepsi, Persil or McCains

it’s ‘own brand’ everything

but Robinson’s blackcurrant squash

is what she tastes

when she’s in the therapist’s chair

when she talks about absence.

Walking home when no-one collected her

Standing in the phone box

No-one answers.

and she says to the therapist

I thought it would be easier

now I know he can’t hurt me anymore

but she closes her eyes and she’s seven years old

opening the cupboard next to the fridge

and is choosing whether to have

orange squash or blackcurrant,

her school rucksack still on both shoulders.