Sandy Wilkie in conversation with
Tess
Our main character Tess is a 9 year-old girl who moved 56 miles with her mum to Appin, Argyll, a couple of weeks before UK Lockdown. She came from a town where she had an established network of friends and evening/weekend activities. Appin is a beautiful coastal area but it is comparatively remote & rural. I’m her mum’s new partner, so I have been helping Tess settle into her new home and helping her with learning.
Note 1: March-May
“I’m Tess and I enjoy horses, country dancing, riding my bike and playing outside.”
“I don’t feel comfortable with lockdown, I wish I could be with my friends. I miss horse-riding.”
“I like lockdown cos I can see more of mum and I do less school. We have done nice things at home, that feels good.”
“I’ve used my mum’s phone and WhatsApp to speak to my friends & family. But I really want to go horse-riding with my friend Eva.”
“I’m doing okay with lockdown, but I’ll feel quite happy when it ends. I used to go to a lot of after-school clubs before lockdown, but now I’m not so sure I want to do that.”
Note 2: May- July
“Lockdown is bad now.”
“I get frustrated and angry sometimes. I don’t know why.”
“I am fed up of schoolwork at home, I just want to see my friends and play and stuff. Why can’t I go horse-riding?”
“I’m not sure I like living here, things would have been normal where I used to live. Yeah I know they wouldn’t have been really, but I moved here and then lockdown happened.”
“We seem to argue a lot at home, it makes me sad.”
“I’m looking forward to seeing my new friends. I just want things to be normal.”