Slated: Phoebe

My complicated life

It was never normal at home even from when I was little. I never got tucked into bed at night. My parents never read to me or spent much time with me generally. I've gotten used to it but it still stings when I hear their footsteps going past my bedroom. My Uncle did it sometimes but he was usually drunk. My life wasn't great but I found refuge with animals. My dog Rex was a great comfort to me. He was my family. I always felt better when I snuggled down in bed with him. I loved my parents, but I just wished they would spend more time with me.

My mum was a small woman. Dainty in every way. She was also quiet. Her long brown hair often covered her beautiful, pale face. Her auburn eyes lit up her whole face. She wants to spend time with me but is controlled by my dad. He is a big man, not a single hair on his head. Head large muscles and isn't afraid to use them. He spends most of his time in the attic doing secret things I'm not allowed to know about. He has big blue eyes like Mum and me. He loves me but struggled to show it is what my mum always says.

Rex is a Rottweiler on the outside, but a teddy bear in the inside. My Uncle says I have a natural talent with animals. Once he even played for horse riding lessons for me. Sadly they had to stop when he was made redundant. I used to love riding. The wind flying through my hair, the rhythm of the horses footsteps.

I lived in a cottage down a small, winding lane. It had three bedrooms and I was in the smallest. Dad said he needed the other one for grown up stuff as well as the attic. My bedroom was nice anyhow. Mum had taken me to the shops with a £2000 budget to do up my room. I painted 3 of the walls teal colour and the other has a dog wallpaper on. I have a day bed on the corner and a wardrobe near the door. I have a dressing table underneath the window and a telly on the wall. It was simple, but I loved it.

When my dad found out about me and mum doing my room up he was furious. He told me it was irresponsible to waste money like that. He didn't get rid of anything though. He also said if I spent that much money on it I should spend equal time in there. So I did. It was dark so I snuggled up in bed and turned on my projector. Stars lit up my room. It looked magical and for a moment I felt normal. Rex snuggled up to me and all was peaceful. When I woke up i sighed. It was time for school.