Love and Relationships
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Marigold
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Remember! You don’t have to understand all the words in a story to enjoy it.
I came out of school the next day and there was Marigold, waiting for me. She was standing near the other mothers but she stuck right out. Some of the kids in the playground were pointing at her. Even Owly Morris blinked through his bottleglasses and stood transfixed. For a moment it was as if I’d borrowed his thick specs and was seeing Marigold clearly for the first time. I saw a redhaired woman in a halter top and shorts, her white skin vividly tattooed, designs on her arms, her shoulders, her thighs, one ankle, even her foot. I knew several of the fathers had tattoos. One of the mothers had a tiny butterfly on her shoulder blade. But no one had tattoos like Marigold. She was beautiful. She was bizarre. She didn’t seem to notice that none of the mothers were talking to her. She jumped up and down, waving both hands when she saw me. “Dol! Dolly, hi! Yoohoo!” Now they weren’t just staring at Marigold. They were staring at me too. I felt as if I were on fire. I tried to smile at Marigold as I walked towards her. My lips got stuck on my teeth. I felt like I was wading through treacle. “Dol, quick!” Marigold shouted. I got quicker, because she was making such a noise. “Which one’s Tasha?” Marigold asked.
Vu
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JACQUELINE WILSON
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Jacqueline Wilson (1945–) is an English author. The extract “Marigold” is from her novel Illustrated Mum.
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STARTING POINT
Do you know anyone with a tattoo? Describe it. What does the tattoo say about the person you know? Do you know the story behind it? How do you feel about tattoos?
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stuck out skilte seg ut bottleglasses colabunner (tykke brilleglass) transfixed stivnet specs (spectacles) briller halter top overdel med bar rygg og knytebånd rundt halsen vividly her: fargerikt thighs lår bizarre bisarr, underlig notice legge merke til wading vade, vasse til langt opp på låret treacle sirup
