Just an Ordinary Girl

20 - The Day of the Victorious Underdog

My grandparents were religious folk and had all the best intentions. My grandmother I adored and I will be the first to admit that I saw her through rose tinted spectacles. Now, don't you go dishing my Nan, because she was the best, all hands down, may she rest in peace and I miss her every single day. So, because I saw my grandmother in such high esteem, I listened to everything she said and never wanted to disappoint her. The reason for explaining this will become clearer later in the chapter.

The girls at junior school had a tendency to be unkind. Whilst they had mothers who preened and gleaned every article they wore and their hair was brushed to sheen, my hair looked like a gypsy, long and unruly, rarely brushed and I rocked up in clothes that were whatever came to hand. Always, I was the outsider, the one who talked to the oldies down my street, as I was comfortable with them, due to spending considerable time with my grandparents.

There was one best friend at school, let's call her Charlotte and she was my friend throughout infants and junior school but then another girl called Penny Dearie came into our group who disrupted the dynamics of our relationship. Charlotte was scared to disagree with Penny's choice to freeze me out of all conversations and activities.

Penny punched me and she did every break time. Frozen out of my social circle, I sat on the bench by myself. Books were my friend and I carried one always in my school satchel. They never disappointed me unlike other children, who did. I was hurt so many times that my bruising became considerable and my father had it documented by another doctor. The headmaster was informed but the school felt their hands were tied and they couldn't do anything.