Laura Brown

my darkness hidden behind fizzy laughter and browned skin.

Then in winter I stay in let the tan fade my smile hidden beneath blankets and layers of knit.

The year is split between my cosy darkness and the harsh light of day parts of myself stored in vacuum packed bags under the bed.

I am in my head my body lies buried beneath fleece blankets unseen and unheard underwired bras in the drawer left untouched.

I am not sure which of these is the real me and which is undercover but the winter skin is the one I’m most comfortable in.

Kate Falvey

I. Age eleven, she hid her cotton brassiere