She had no shame

'COME on Love, it’ll be fun, move your arse!’ Mum coaxes. She’s laughing but I pull a face. I don’t want to go.

Squirming with embarrassment as my mother entertains more drunken women at another 40th birthday party is not my idea of a good time.

I’d rather be at home with my music. One day I want to go to college, but it’s been a struggle.

We had to sell my clarinet when Dad lost his job and the tuition fees are out of our reach. I still study, but now with a clarinet borrowed from school.

‘“Your talent would shine if you were blowing down a bog roll, Amy” Mum told me with customary aplomb.