... Somewhere underneath this high pitched medley of cries I can hear the voice of a girl softly sobbing and sighing as one child is placated only to leave more feeling jealous and neglected thus increasing the ferocity of their screaming complaints. The TV is suddenly blasted up to full volume and and angry, strained cry snaps in the air as it's turned down. Another tantrum begins.
I can't remember what she looks like the woman in there, you know when you have a vague idea of how a person looks and it's just like all the noticeable features melded together in a nonsensical way. No face, just features. Like the dolphin tattoo on her shoulder or the jogging bottoms she wears and the frown permanently etched on her face. I don't even know her name! It's amazing how anti-social society has become, it's like we're afraid to know each other anymore, afraid to build links with other people for fear that they'll just bugger off and leave and forget you. So it's easier not to bother at all I suppose. That or you don't want to get drawn into their messy, crappy lives because you've got enough of your own baggage to be going along with, without having to hear someone else wittering on about how cruel life is and how unfair their situation is and how hard-done-by they are. No, selfishness is the key to stress free living. Be sociopathic, that way no one can blame you for the shit hitting the fan.
And it certainly seems to have flown full pelt into her particular fan. Hundreds of kids, on benefit, no hope of ever actually leaving this estate and some bloke who's more out than in these days. Life is beautiful, don't you think?
God. This place is something else. If you could squeeze any more sob stories under one roof then I'd eat my hat! It's like an agony aunt column waiting to happen......Dear Mary, my husband is an abusive, cheating pig. He never looks after the kids and is shagging my best mate.....Dear Mary, I am an alcoholic, have no love life and the bailiffs are after me. Help.....Dear Mary, my boyfriend beats me up he gave me a black eye the other week and broke my ribs recently, what should I do???! ....Dear Mary, I'm 17 with two kids and feel I'm missing out on life. Is there a world beyond nappies and screaming kids?
Dear distressed of Leighton Court, I'm sorry to hear that your lives are all so futile but, hey look on the bright side...It's giro day tomorrow! You can all push off down the Kings Head and get pissed to karaoke on Malibu and Coke. Blot out those worries, bury them under the carpet and Domestic Violence...Try to get back after he's fallen asleep on the sofa with sick down his front and trousers round his ankles He'll get a surprise in the morning when he finds out he's pissed into his shoes! As for you, Alcoholic, life's probably better when you're pissed...Stay that way.
I think I have quite a knack for the old agony aunting! Seriously though, the state of the lives that these people have is desperate. It's like a new little window into them each time I climb past these doors and hear what's going on now. Still. I've got to my door now so I'll see what her upstairs is doing later. The old man to the right is watching Countdown. I think I'll go out tonight. These four walls are closing in already.