This novel takes you straight into the mind of Wheeler. Her spoken and thought Caribbean words and phrases make you work hard to cope with her emotions - as she's consumed with bewilderment, pain and longing at the way her mother has abandoned them and gone to England. A mirror-image of the greats of the Windrush generation literature, it offers a counterpart document of childhood trauma, loss, anger and courage and it tugged at my heart.
Afternoons, Wheeler and Donelle found themselves drawn to the shade of the massive poui trees north of the Guide Hall wall, the exposed rootbed like a risen underground map. They pitted themselves against the roots, seeking pockets of comfort in the thin afternoon shade. No hint of cooling even as the soft, black nights drew near.
One sweltering morning, before the hot spell ended, Wheeler's mind returned to something more discomforting than the heat.
Who tell Floyd dey see her when she go in d'bread shop? Floyd ain in d'band practice. He di' come back from work late. She di' see people wining t'd'band. She di' cross d'gap way t'd'side.
Y'tink people in see you?
She dint tink nobody see her! When dey see her? When she going or when she come out?
