.

Some parents are evil. Some are good.

Some are good but haven't a clue about upbringing kids, as in my case. They're sick themselves. They mean well, but ultimately they bring children into the world that grow up in chaotic and dysfunctional families.

I once had a huge row with my parents on the way to the airport. They dropped us off and I went trembling into the building. Fuming. Angry. Feeling sick. The same after every screaming argument with them.

Something very strange happened in that building. In fact two very strange things.

The first was that I was refused beer at a bar. I had never in my life been refused ordering a beer. What did the barman see? Someone suspicious and unstable? Or was it just the few scratches on my wrists from last minute trimming of some brambles in our garden?

The second strange thing happened during my visit to the WHSmith to buy some drinks and snacks and browse the books.


I looked at the display of bestsellers in front of me. And then I saw it.