Marita Conlon-McKenna

Anna nodded meekly,

Ever since the divorce

She had no intention

who she’d hardly ever met.

Her dad looked unsure, like he wanted to say something else to her but didn’t know where to begin.

The more her dad chattered on about his new family, the more Anna felt alone,

spiky hawthorn, seagulls,

all whirled together.

She was so out of place.

swung onto the gravel