family – The Paps Life

All the M’s

‘There are three main words I can sum lockdown up in-Mum, masks and memory teddies.’ Ged laughs. Her Glaswegian accent is a treat to listen to, and I lean nearer to the screen. ‘Mum is now 92 and went into a care home about a year ago with vascular dementia. I don’t think I’d haveContinue reading “All the M’s”

Chef with a heart

Ben, or Coops, as he’s more widely known, runs a hospitality and events consultancy, and work just disappeared when COVID19 hit. He says: ‘There’s no restaurants open, no hotels that want consultancy and no events going on in the British summer. My cash cow from May until the end of September, gone. I thought shit,Continue reading “Chef with a heart”

Little House on The Lincolnshire Wolds

‘I thought it was going to be like Little House on the Prairie. You know, rolling around in hills all day frolicking and baking. Actually it was nothing like that at all.’ Vic is sat outside, making the most of a warm June evening in the UK. ‘I think I was a little bit unrealisticContinue reading “Little House on The Lincolnshire Wolds”

What I would’ve done…

This week I should have been heading to the airport, steeling myself for the 29 hour journey to London via Singapore. My bag would’ve been light, ready to bring back belongings I haven’t seen for nearly three years. I’d have enjoyed the two flights, excited about my trip and the novelty of flying, despite theContinue reading “What I would’ve done…”

Diazepam and dog walks

Alex pops onto the screen. He has a beard. He starts talking and I hear some words about having sunburn and working in the garden but I’m distracted trying to figure out whether I’ve ever seen him with a beard. It’s a long time since I’ve seen him. ‘It’s really hard to explain. It feelsContinue reading “Diazepam and dog walks”

Experienced detachment

The face on screen is familiar, yet I’ve not seen or spoke to this guy in 23 years. He’s not aged, I think to myself, apart from he’s grown a beard. Definitely wouldn’t have been able to do that at sixteen. It’s not awkward though, and he starts talking. “In some ways, I think myContinue reading “Experienced detachment”

Birthday rollercoaster

It’s Laura’s birthday the day we speak, the 7th May, and she’s planning a chilled day with the family. Not that she can really do much else, she tells me, being in the middle of the UK lockdown. The way Laura pronounces the words ‘music’ and ‘avenue’ remind me of my Mum, and I haveContinue reading “Birthday rollercoaster”

Time is priceless

Pie comes into view on the screen, a baby strapped to his front. “Long time no speak Pie, look, you’ve had another child since I saw you last! In my head your first one is only about 9-days old.” As I say that a little face pops into view, all curly hair and loud voiceContinue reading “Time is priceless”

A year in moments #1 – the drainpipe and the eyebrow

My brother shouted down from the roof of the shed. “Chuck the drainpipe up to me.” We’d devised a game where he’d throw a marble (or some kind of ball, the memories are sketchy) through a piece of drainpipe from the top of the roof and I’d stand on the ground and try and catchContinue reading “A year in moments #1 – the drainpipe and the eyebrow”