At secondary school I was never really comfortable in my own skin. That probably goes for most teenagers, but it wasn't helped by the fact that the school I attended was, by and large, fee-paying. I was on an assisted place, which meant that because my parents didn't earn enough money my place was part-funded. We didn't have a car, didn't have a telephone, and had a black and white television. My friends had televisions in their bedrooms.
It took me quite a while to feel proud of my background. The first few years at school I felt envy towards the ease of the lifestyles my friends had. Meanwhile, I was also painfully aware of the mocking I got from others in the year.
A few people took me for who I was, including some people for whom it would have been easier to stay with the crowd and take the mickey. These days I wish I had been able to tell them how much I appreciated that.
The theme of envy and financial disparity is one that crops up in 'How Green Are Your Eyes', the second of the three parts in the coming-of-age trilogy that began with 'The Broken Bottle'. It's not the only reason the eyes are green though ...
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