Instant KarmaChristmas Day 1971
She wore the boots to chapel, and I sat uneasily between her and my sisters pretending to concentrate on the service.
My siblings deciding to begin a game that involved sliding me with precision timed nudges along the pew closer to Maggie, in some sort of Christmas sandwich fun time, agitating me.
Berna then leaning across Karen to have a whispered talk with Maggie, who leaned across me. Her musk tickling my nose and her hands using my lap as a lean-to, to whisper back, and Karen trying not to laugh.
I didn't find any of it funny but it was Christmas and to see Karen smiling meant more to me than any festive gift, and pretended to be cool with it.
My excuses to avoid going to the Doyle home for breakfast weren't being bought.
''No one should be alone o
