'Clover McGowan' by Jan Lloyd

Clover's Diary:


Mon April 19: I wish Mum was well, she wasn't too good today and complained of the pain in her legs. She didn't eat the dinner I cooked either and I'd left college early to make her what she likes! Carl is so grumpy and just sits looking at the telly, if only he'd make more of an effort to help Mum and give her some hope.

Tues April 20: Worked the lunch time shift at The Rainbow, missed college so will probably be in trouble but need the money. Mum seemed a bit brighter when I got home. A lady from Social Services had called and said she would get her a new wheelchair, maybe this will help to get her out more.

Fri April 23: Wheelchair arrived today. Mum was a bit more cheerful and Carl said he would take her out to the park. Hope he does as they don't go out much. Went to band practice and tried out some new songs, we're beginning to sound quite good!

Clover's Dilemma:

I had some good news today. The landlord at The Rainbow asked if our band could play at an 18th birthday party. There's a brilliant function room and hopefully there'll be lots of people there. I asked the rest of the band if they were up for it and they seemed quite excited apart from Melvin who thinks it's beneath him to play in a pub but I convinced him that all bands start small. Who knows this time next year we could be playing at Glastonbury! Talking of which I promised Mum I would go to Glastonbury with her on June 25th. The party is on June 26th! What am I going to do? Mum keeps on at me about making more of an effort and Keith the landlord is going to pay us £250 for the evening. I'm in a real quandary and struggling at college with loads of debt. We've made some demo CD's so we could sell them at the party to make extra cash. Mum is so looking forward to going to Glastonbury and keeps saying it maybe the last time she can get there. Oh the guilt, how am I going to tell her? Why should I feel guilty? I do all I can to help Mum. Why can't Carl go with her or Theo for that matter; he'll have finished college by then. I really want this band to work so I'll have to be brave and talk to Mum tonight.