1. HOTS
OFF THE PRESS 2012
This is a magazine containing
contributions from children and young
people being taught by Edinburgh’s
Hospital and Outreach Teaching Service.
These children and young people might be:
• in the Royal Hospital for Sick Children
• in the Schoolroom, CAMHS, Tipperlinn
• Looked After (and Accommodated)
• Gypsy/Traveller/Roma
• excluded from school
• taught at home due to their medical condition
• taught in one of our Education Groups
• part of the Young Mums’ Unit
We hope you enjoy the magazine.
Any feedback is always welcome.
Thank you and well done to all our contributors.

2. Disaster Story
suppose, lunch now?” she
asked sweetly.
No reply.
The Long Weekend “What about pancakes, or
toast and coffee? Ok then
don’t answer me and I will just
by Eve Watson make pancakes for myself,”
she jested and threw a pillow
at her silent husband. She
“Briiing, briiing.” The painful Deciding that it would be giggled and left the room,
screech of the alarm clock foolish to lie in bed for heading down the long
shrilly shrieked. It screamed an entire day the young hallway toward the kitchen. A
throughout the apartment. It woman climbed out of bed, deadly silence occupied the
continued to echo around the untangling herself from the apartment. No sound carried
silent rooms, refusing to give white sheets that wrapped from their neighbours, above
up until it had been heard. around her like a toga. or below. Even the muffled
sounds of the wife’s footsteps
In one room a woman stirred “What would you like for were like silent whispers at a
in her cold bed. She threw breakfast darling…or I funeral.
her duvet from her and thrust
her arms over the edge of
the mattress, hand searching
blindly for the alarm clock. Her
hands fell on neglected dinner
dishes, cold cups of tea and
a full ash tray. She found the
alarm clock and turned it off.
This was her long weekend.
She threw herself back
onto the bed and lovingly
wrapped her arms around
her husband. She pressed
her ear to his stony chest and
closed her eyes for a short
moment listening to her silent
apartment. She opened her
eyes once more and glanced
about the shadowy room. A
dim, grey light was cast across
the room, from the window,
illuminating the used dishes
laid in odd piles and the
couple lying awkwardly upon
the bed. It was raining; rain
tapped against the window
pane like tiny fingers.
2

3. The house was cold, dead tore her eyes away from the bed with him once more,
cold. The young woman headline and shook herself. lifting one of his stiff arms. It
should have been shivering The sudden rush of realisation dangled awkwardly around
slightly as she walked in bare postponed for another day as her shoulder. Her husband’s
feet across the cold kitchen the wife tossed the dated paper skin was pale and pasty and
tiles, popping stale slices back to the floor. The woman his hand which brushed her
of bread in the toaster and went to collect the bread from cheek slightly had no grip. The
rummaging in cupboards for the toaster. She picked the wife continued to ignore these
coffee granules. She took no butter from the fridge and abnormalities and simply
notice and simply began to stared in at the refrigerator. It reached for a piece of toast
hum happily as she worked. looked bare and empty. Like from the plate balanced on
everything in the house, it her partner’s unresponsive
In the other room a cockroach suffered recent neglect. chest.
scuttled across the dark
floorboards, to hopefully The woman suddenly gave She imagined that his grip
inspect some stale, week- a violent cough that lasted was tight on her and that he
old pancakes. It was small several long seconds then was holding her and making
and insignificant in the still doubled over in pain coughing her safe. That he was alive and
room; it might have been the and retching. She grabbed her healthy and that his warm
only living thing for miles. It sides as she trembled with the body and steady heartbeat
scuttled about the plates. In force of each cough. After this was close to her own. The
the other room the woman let brief coughing fit she raised wife found these thoughts
out a few violent coughs that one bony hand to wipe her comforting, though none of
echoed through the house. mouth. She shook herself and them remained true.
The husband remained still continued as if she had simply
and utterly quiet. let out a tiny hiccup. If she had continued to
read the newspaper article
In the kitchen the woman She buttered her toast, which which lay in her hall way
tapped her foot upon the cold was flecked with spots of grey and was able to comprehend
tiles waiting for the toast to mould, and made her way the news it displayed she
brown. She continued to hum back to the bedroom. would have read “…an
tunelessly. outbreak of a deadly disease
that spreads quickly and
“Oh I almost forgot, the paper,”
Her husband’s more extensively across
started the woman. She left skin was pale and the country, the epidemic
the kitchen to walk to the front sweeps over the houses
door. She reached down to
pasty and his hand and homes of Britain…a
pick up the paper. She flicked which brushed her quarantine has been called…
casually through the black no hope of survival to those
cheek slightly had
and white contents and then suffering“. But she could not
paused to stare at the headline. no grip. comprehend. It was simple
It read: “Deadly epidemic to continue with every day
spreads across country”. She She greeted her husband life. It was easy in fact, to live
stared for a few minutes, with a wide grin. He lay still, in her apartment in denial,
almost taking in the printed his wife propped him up their little patch of heaven. It
words. Her smile faltered for against the bed post, with was not possible to cope with
a few seconds. There was some effort she succeeded. the death of her dear one, her
a sudden “pop!” that came She then placed the hot plate husband, the one she refused
from the kitchen. The woman on his front and climbed into to live without.
3

4. How to Make a 3D Card
by DC and MC
You need two sheets of card.
Fold them in half.
Draw lines on the folded edge of one folded card – picture 1.
Cut carefully along the solid lines.
Fold back and forward along the dotted lines – picture 2.
Lay the card flat and colour your card.
Lift the card and push out the ‘steps’.
Glue the two cards together – picture 3.
Glue your own pictures to the front of the ‘steps’.
Decorate as you wish.
Your card is finished!
4

5. My Education
by Steven Bangham
I started with HOTS in P7 the for equipment such as hoists,
year before I went to Balerno slings and other extras to be
High School. I had missed in place. During this time the
out on four years of primary HOTS teachers managed to
school and HOTS helped help me keep up with English about 5 months for it to be
me catch up, so that I was Maths and German work, so adjusted. During 5th year I
able to attend high school that I only had to catch up on was off because the school
knowing what was going on other subjects. Because I get lift was broken and took over
and managing the work. When bad back pain sitting up in a month to get fixed. I also
Balerno had the induction my chair too long, I was never missed some time due to
days, the Maths teacher set able to attend school full quite frequent illness. When
a target and I managed to do time, so my outreach teachers I had these problems, HOTS
more questions than anyone came out to the house three helped me out of school and
else in the class, and I got times a week. Despite all Balerno Support for Learning
them all correct. The whole these problems, I was really Department helped me catch
class turned round and looked pleased to get seven special up in school. So I was able to
at me with disbelief! certificates in S1 and 2. pass Maths, English German
and Geography Standard
I had lots of difficulties from I continued to miss quite a lot Grades, and in my last year I
the start of high school. I of school as the years went passed Intermediate 1 Media
wasn’t able to start until late on. In S3 I had grown out of and Intermediate 2 Maths
October because I had to wait my wheelchair and it took (with an A pass!)
My most memorable day
was the day of the Balerno
Leavers’ Ceremony, when
I got The Currie, Balerno
and District Round Table
silver trophy, an award for
excellence. I also won an
Oscar which said that I had
“displayed great strength of
character and determination
in dealing with considerable
challenges”. I was surprised
and overwhelmed to get these
two awards, and I am very
proud that I was able to attend
school and pleased that I got
the support to make the best
of it.
5

6. Alone
centre of the room and a pile
of logs still sat neatly in place
next to the fire. Her mother’s
dresser lay overturned on the
floor, near where Anna sat.
by Naomi Smith
If a stranger had walked into
She shivered and her teeth this house they would have
chattered as yet another known that whoever once Anna on to her bedroom on
gust of icy cool wind blew lived here had been forced to the left and a bathroom to
in her direction. The entire leave with some urgency. They the right. Between these two
house was cold. Cold and would also notice the teapot, doorways was a large window,
abandoned, just like her. Anna half-full cups and plate of big enough for a fully-grown
raised her head to peer out the now-inedible biscuits that man to fit comfortably within
window from her cross-legged still lay on the dining room the strong oak frame. From
position on the floor, in the far table. Half-packed suitcases out of this window could
corner of the room. Directly could be found within almost be seen the entire stretch of
opposite she could see the every bedroom in the house. land in front of the house
window with its fractured An escape seemed to be and during the day a view
panes and the shattered glass. imminent, but time was stolen of glorious snow-tipped
A once immaculate ivory net and just like Anna’s family, was hills rose in the distance. It
curtain trailed dirty and frayed now lost. was beautiful in the clear
along the floor. Out of the light of day, but during the
window little could be seen Anna made her way through night Anna’s thoughts were
for the night was dark and the the long hallway for the shrouded by troublesome
vast area surrounding the old seventh time that hour. fears of what lay put there.
farmhouse was empty and With each step she tried to Yet in many ways it had been
lifeless for miles around. regain a memory from when the isolated landscape that
everything was normal and of had protected Anna’s family
For a young girl to be left the time when, at any given for so long. Now that Anna
alone in an empty house, moment she could retreat was alone, she couldn’t even
one would have expected back into the safe lull of begin to contemplate the
Anna to be scared. One would family and home. She couldn’t possibilities that surrounded
expect her to be longing for remember exactly when that her.
a comfort. But twelve year- was because ever since that
old Anna was not scared, time the days and nights had Peering down from the
she simply felt detached and merged into one and to Anna window, the entrance to the
confused. As she sat in the the rest of the world was dead. house could be seen. From the
house that once used to be She didn’t care about what outside it looked to Anna as
her home, she felt an aching may be happening out with it always had, apart from the
longing for what used to be. her own situation. large Swastika flag that hung
The room she sat in once in the doorway. Anna knew
belonged to her mother and She stood at the end of the that her father would have
father. It would no longer be long narrow hallway, once an felt so ashamed to see it. He
recognisable as theirs, for the area of laughter and fun. Now was a wonderfully kind and
dirt and mirror shards that it felt to Anna, like a foreign loving man, but the look that
were sprinkled all over the environment, enclosed and had appeared in his eyes every
floor. However the large oak claustrophobic. It did however time ‘Nazis’ were mentioned
bed still sat proudly in the still serve its purpose and led let Anna know that the only
6

7. Barge
true hatred in his heart was
purely for them.
It was too late for Anna to
think about all of that now.
Dear Captain and Crew,
Anna’s father was gone as
were her mother and three I’m writing this letter to say thanks for the wonderful barge
elder brothers. What Anna had trip you took me on before Christmas. It was a fun day and
to worry about was where her I really enjoyed myself especially when Santa dropped in. It
family could be and why they was also quite exciting when the barge got blown against the
were taking so long. It had bank, and had to be pushed off using a long pole. Thank you
felt like an eternity so far. She again for making it such a pleasant day.
wondered if they would ever
return to her as her mother I hope one day to sail with you on the barge again.
had promised. As she thought
of the last few seconds shared Omar
between them before they had
parted she could almost smell
her mother’s perfume and feel
her cool skin as she released
Anna’s hand from her grasp
and whispered, “We’ll be back
soon Anna, I promise.”
An hour before the Gestapo
had arrived Anna’s mother
had given her clear
instructions, “Stay at home,
stay safe and keep hidden.
God will be with you and
protect you until our return.”
Anna knew that no matter
how long it took for their
return she would never give
up on them. She would wait
forever.
As her eyes grew heavy and
tired, Anna retreated to her
bedroom where she knelt
before her bed, lit her Shabbat
and prayed to God as she did
every night. She then slipped
underneath her bed into the
safe nest she had created for
herself to get some rest and
anticipate what tomorrow
may bring.

8. Just before Christmas some of our young people produced a short animated film. They wrote the
script, constructed the set, made plasticine models, filmed, added sound and edited.
This is the sonnet which introduced the film.
The Credit Crunch Christmas
by Xavi Laird
It’s the news at ten and my name’s Trevor Scott.
The credit crunch is really hitting here.
Many families do not have a lot
Of money as Christmas time is drawing near.
The household and home of Elle and Bob –
Two loving parents to young Jack and Jade
Unfairness and fate cost poor Bob his Job
As all spirit and confidence begins to fade
Listening in to his mum and dad talk, Jack
Seeks Santa’s help to save misery and tears
So Santa sends elves to fill up his sack
To save Jack’s generation from horror and fear
The thoughts and the faith of a boy who is ten
Won over the hearts of two merry elf men.
8

9. ipad App Review
By Louis Hainsworth
Since I came into hospital, I get the answers and that forces AB Maths is more or less the
have been using the teacher’s me to think hard and quickly. same as Maths Expert but it
ipad to help me with my This game reinforces my tables is designed more for children
work. I have pushed my knowledge and my addition who are less confident with
mum to buy me my own and subtraction bonds. their maths. It gives you
ipad for Christmas because I choices of which type of
thought it was a good piece of calculation you want to use
The sounds are
technology for school and for and in particular, with times
fun. I have used a number of very clear and it tables, you can choose which
apps but this review is about makes different table you want to work with.
two I have found particularly You can either have a choice
useful. noises depending of four possible answers so
on whether I’ve got you can see which one is the
Maths Expert and AB Maths most likely or you can opt to
are my favourite educational
the answer right or key in the answer yourself,
apps. Maths Expert helps me wrong. which is what I prefer to do.
learn and improve my tables,
addition and subtraction. The I particularly like puzzles and It’s not as challenging as
images spin and move on the because of this, I find this app Maths Expert but it still helps
screen as you try to calculate a lot of fun but challenging. me with my mental maths
the answers from lowest to The sounds are very clear because there is a time limit
highest. My mental addition, and it makes different noises on this game as well.
subtraction and times tables depending on whether I’ve got
are benefiting because there the answer right or wrong. I would score this app 9/10.
is a limited amount of time to I would score this app 9.5/10
9

10. A Mascot for
It felt weird seeing the pitch
from that view. I sat in the
dugouts and had my picture
taken with my Mum, Dad and
Hibs!
Gran. I also sat in the fourth
official’s seat.
“This is the ball that Steven
Fletcher will score with.”
by Liam Watson
It wasn’t long until kick off. I
moved on into the boot room. waited in the tunnel for the
All the players’ football boots players to get ready. I was
were here. There must have really excited and I couldn’t
been about thirty pairs of wait to go onto the pitch.
boots and all of them were Finally the players came out
stinking of muck. There were and I lined up in the tunnel.
very nice pairs in there and The Celtic captain Steven
some huge ones and some McManus shook my hand and
small ones. wished me good luck and I
replied back by saying “You
On the 23 September 2007 I After that we went to see the will be the one that needs the
was a mascot for Hibs when dressing room. When we got luck.” He just laughed back.
they were against Celtic there I got a surprise. It was The referee let me hold the
at Easter Road. I went up a mess! Trainers were all over ball and I bounced it and said
an hour and a half before the place and there were “This is the ball that Steven
kick off. When I got there I jumpers, tops, trousers, and Fletcher will score with.”
was full of excitement. The socks everywhere as well. The Hibs captain Rob Jones
education organiser met us All the match day tops were took my hand and led me on
and started the tour. As soon hanging up on the wall. I had to the pitch. The noise was
as I opened the double green my picture taken beside all tremendous, all four stands
doors to begin the tour I saw my favourite players’ tops. up and singing, clapping their
my favourite player Scott At the back of the dressing hands. Rob Jones let go of my
Brown. He was a Celtic player room there was all the baths, hand and ran to the corner
but he used to play for Hibs. showers and toilets. There flag to greet the fans. I ran
I couldn’t believe it I was so were ten baths and fifteen to the centre circle myself. It
happy and excited. showers. It was very noisy felt amazing, like I was a Hibs
because the radio was on player myself. Rob Jones came
The tour began with the full blast! The manager, John back and shook hands with
interview room. This was Collins and goal keeper, the Celtic captain and referee.
the room where all the TV Makalambie came into the The referee tossed a £1 coin
interviewing was done. It was dressing room. They had to see who got kick off and
so small and simple. All that photos taken with us and after gave me the pound coin.
was in the room was a TV, an spoke to us. John Collins I got my picture taken with
advertising wall, one camera showed us his office. It had Rob Jones, Steven McManus,
and a bottle of champagne. It nice luxury furniture and the referee and two linesmen.
was as small as my bathroom; a huge 50 inch TV. I moved Afterwards I ran back to the
I was expecting something on to the dugouts where the tunnel absolutely thrilled to
completely different. We manager and substitutes sit. bits.
10

11. The Black
At last the game started. Hibs
started great they chased
everything and gave Celtic
Sonnet
no time on the ball. The first
chance brought the first
goal and it was a Hibs goal.
Steven Fletcher from about
thirty yards out hit a poor
shot but Celtic keeper Arthur By Calum Baxter
Boruc let the ball through his
legs. The stadium erupted. I
thought it was Arthur’s Seat Bullies. Grief. Love Lost. Workload. Time. Sadness.
erupting! What I said actually Black thoughts, behind my back, caught up with me,
happened, Steven Fletcher
scored with the ball I had Tormenting me, I just could not break free.
bounced. The game moved
The truth is I had suffered, I confess
on and Celtic levelled. On the
stroke of half time Hibs scored My life, much like my room, it was a mess.
a second goal. The place went
Churchill’s Black Dog would not heel, I could see
even wilder as it was a brilliant
individual goal by the right No end. No light. Nowhere for me to be –
back. Into the second half and
the game changed. Suddenly Except in my own made up world I guess.
Celtic were all over Hibs and The long road to recovery, like chess,
equalised for a second time.
The stadium was silenced Logic and careful planning is the key.
apart from the Celtic end. As With support from others, I could be we.
the game went on I thought
Celtic were going to win but This is my goal, the long road to success,
in the last ten minutes a
I needed the help and we all agreed,
shot from Dean Sheils was
spilled again by the Celtic That Churchill’s Black Dog is now on a lead.
goal keeper. I couldn’t believe
it, Hibs were winning after
their poor performance in the
second half. That was it Celtic
couldn’t equalise for a third
time and Hibs won 3–2. I gave
a huge sigh of relief.
It was the end of my special
day. Everything went perfectly.
The score made it even better;
it really was the icing on the
cake. I felt so lucky that I was
picked to be a mascot for
Hibs. I felt really happy and I
will remember it as one of the
best days of my life.
11

12. Fun Stuff
by Cherie Warrender
My article is about The Santa cruise was offered got on the boat we were offered
by a charity called “The tea and juice and had a quiz
some of the activities
Seagull Trust”. The Seagull where you were given a sheet of
that we do in the trust provides free canal paper and you were to look out
HOTS group… cruises for groups of children for cartoon characters that were
and adults of any age. along the bank of the Canal and
Some of the HOTS teachers write their names down.
and pupils got the chance to The boat left from the
try something different by Edinburgh Canal Centre in Everyone got the chance to
going out on a boat on the Ratho and travelled towards the steer the boat and we narrowly
Union canal before Christmas. Almond Aqueduct. When we avoided getting stuck. We had
12

13. to use a metal pole (barge Jordan wrote this for a competition run by Radio Lollipop in
pole) to push the boat away the Royal Hospital for Sick Children. He won first prize – tickets
from the side as the boat got to see Jeff Kinney, author of the highly successful “Diary of a
too close to the edge. Santa Wimpy Kid”.
came on board but it was only
Scott dressed up. (Obviously).
Each of the pupils got a Dear Diary
present from Santa (Scott) on
the boat. It was more fun that I have had the most amazing day – the day I was due back
I thought it would be and we into hospital.
are thinking about going back
in the summer.
It was a sunny afternoon and my mum and her boyfriend
Scott took me to the driving range at St. Andrews – ‘The
Another activity we did
Home of Golf’. I hit some balls then we decided to have
before Christmas was card
a go on the pitch and putt outside. It was very quiet, just
making. We had blank cards
and decorated them using a mum, Scott and me. Oh! and one other family.
technique called decoupage.
As we got closer Scott realised the father of the other family
was the one and only Colin Montgomerie! (At this point I
I have started to was in the bunker so I didn’t know.) Scott approached Colin
make extra cards and went on about how much I love golf and that Colin
in my own time was my idol, while I was trying to get out of the bunker.
I couldn’t get out but I glimpsed Scott and Colin walking
and I have earned over in my direction out of the corner of my eye.
some money by
selling them at Just as they reached me I got one ball out and right next
to the hole. Colin saw! He came over to me, said “Hi,” and
£1.50 each. shook my hand.
This is when you have a
picture that you build up
“You have massive hands,” I told him.
using double sided sticky
foam pads. After you build it He laughed. “These bunkers are much higher than the ones
all up it looks 3D. I made cards we get on tour. You must be quite good if you can get out of
for family and friends and these. You will have no problem if you get on the tour when
they really liked them. I have you are older.”
started to make extra cards
in my own time and I have Scott felt well jealous because he didn’t get to shake Colin’s
earned some money by selling hand and he just spoke to me.
them at £1.50 each.
Colin wished me well and told me that he would come
It has been a lot of fun getting and give me a pitch and putt competition when I got out
chances to do things I have
of hospital. I got my picture taken with him. It is now
never even thought about
laminated and stuck on my wall.
doing before and I enjoyed it
more than the usual lessons.
Jordan Laing
13

14. Eden’s Haikus Animal Haikus
Wonder what it’s like, by Callum McIntyre
Inside, outside, upside down,
A fly on a wall Beaver
A busy builder
And a woodcutter as well
Never leaves his work
Scarecrows can’t walk, Scare-
Crows can’t talk. Scarecrows don’t have
Beating hearts. Short straw.
Ferret
Pink eyes, cream body
Chasing down rabbits for men
Bred from the polecat
They’re trapped, teeth baring,
Crazy eyes staring – pleading?
Animals in Zoos.
Wolf
There’s one to the right
Time isn’t passing Howling loudly in the woods
But I always watch the clock I hope he has food
Hoping it will tock
Everybody wants Centipede
To be so American Such a lot of legs
– What is wrong with us? His name means one hundred feet
But I’m not so sure
14

15. 15

16. Every year Edinburgh welcomes visits from the ‘shows’, a
travelling fairground which brings colour and excitement Being a
to the city. Behind the scenes of the music and the bright
lights are the families who run them, families who enjoy
a long history of travelling across Scotland’s towns and
Travelling
cities. Over the winter the Showmen and their families
settle in one place, spending their time repairing and
Showman
restoring their rides to pristine condition ready for
I like being a travelling
the new season’s work. During that time, the children
Showman because I meet
attend a local school but when travelling begins, usually people and see lots of
around the end of March until the end of October, the things. We’re just like normal
children have to be home schooled using the pack of people except that we travel
work their class teacher prepares for them. If the fair sometimes, usually from
arrives in Edinburgh during term time, every effort is April through to October.
made to contact the families and arrange a visit to their Most Travellers are good
at maths because we help
‘wagon’ (caravan) to help the children with their work.
with the rides. It’s hard
This additional teaching is very much welcomed by the
being a travelling Showman
families. The following articles are from two of the ‘show’ sometimes because I have
children who were in Edinburgh in May last year. to spend a lot of time in the

17. car. One time it was 10 hours!
Sometimes I get picked on but
I never let it get me down. But
Blue
then there are good times. I Blue is the sea
get to meet up with friends on With big loud waves
the fairground that I haven’t Blue is the sky
seen since the last year and
Above us all around the world
that’s why I like being a
Blue is the denim
travelling Showman.
The colour of jeans
Nina Slater Blue is the bag
That carries my school books
My name is Dior Slater and I Blue is the colour
am seven years old and I live Of my brother’s room
on a funfair. My family are Blue is the blanket
Show people. I have a ride So soft and warm
called A Miami. It goes high Blue is the bells
in the sky round in circles. My On the blossoming flowers
daddy watches the ride and I
Blue is the berries
sometimes help and talk on
So juicy and sweet
the mike. My mammy has a
Ghost Train. I love travelling BLUE
and I live in a big wagon.
By Nina Slater, age 10. Fairground Traveller
Dior Slater
17

18. My Favourite Walk
by Lauren Scott
I was walking through the air. Tara gave me a curious
forest to the sounds of nature look and strolled off into the
and I was no longer a threat to mist. Her black figure slowly
the forest but a friend. became more and more
visible on the mossy hillside.
A small burn trickled past me It was only then that I realised
containing many small shoals the sun was battling through
of fish and brightly coloured the groggy clouds warming
It was still early morning stones within the water. Then the atmosphere and gently
and the sun had hidden its Tara raised her curious head lifting the mist.
face behind a light blanket and picked up her ears with
excitement, her tail beating
of clouds. Nature was silent.
frantically. I raised my head
looking up at the
The tall beech trees gave a
small groan as a gentle breeze to see the exit to the forest sun pushing the
was ahead of us and then I
whistled through their bright
knew we would be close to my
grey clouds and
green leaves causing the trees
to give a loud echoing creak all favourite hill in the whole of mist out of the way,
through the forest. I stepped Earlston.
down the last step and placed And then just ahead of me
a foot into the earthy soil at I gave Tara a race but I knew I awaiting me the summit of
the entrance of the forest. was no match for her. She was the hill! My heart skipped into
faster than me within seconds. my throat and excitement
I was cautious; the early I had no chance of catching bubbled into my chest as I
morning mist lurked around up with her until she finally ran passing Tara as she trotted
the floor of the woods. It came to a halt at the forest upwards after me. I suddenly
seemed to go on for miles exit panting and tail wagging left the exhaustion I had felt
ahead. madly. I stopped by her side and before I knew it I was
breathing hard but excited. there, standing on the face of
I reached down and let my the earth, looking up at the
dog Tara slowly off the lead I gazed upwards. Ahead of me sun pushing the grey clouds
and at that moment she was a wonderfully shaped path and mist out of the way,
didn’t hesitate for a second- winding up a silent still hill. I revealing a great warming ray
she bounded ahead of me knew the hill at once I had been of beauty onto the world.
galloping over leaves and there before but still it seemed
snapping fallen branches. And unfamiliar, a large thick blanket And then suddenly the clouds
at that very second the forest of mist covered the summit. and mist were gone, dissolved
suddenly awoke and came into the air leaving no trace of
into life. Birds whistled and I stepped forwards crunching their presence. I knew I was
sung, flowers came into bloom a twig. Moving upwards I here. The place I had been
rabbits and squirrels came could feel the chill of the mist looking for. I was standing on
out of hiding and scampered upon my skin as the morning my favourite hill in the whole
along the forest floor. mist lingered lazily in the of Earlston.
18

19. Dunnocks on Arthur’s Seat
The wind whistled when I flew over yellow gorse,
Collecting twigs, to
Make a home.
The hail hammered while I gave birth to my,
Not yet born family, trapped
Inside fragile blue cells.
The sun blazed down while I sat on my eggs,
Watching two legged monsters,
Laughing, chatting and climbing around the mountain.
The sun smiled when my chicks broke through their shells,
Playing their flutes,
For the first time.
The rain meant that worms slithered across thick black mud,
And I could return to the castle ruins,
With my beak full.
The night had fallen when I scolded my chicks into silence,
Because a fox was,
Sniffing around.
The storm was howling when I found the runt,
With no breath left,
In his silent corpse.
The late snow drifted down while I taught my chicks to fly,
Bobbing up and down clumsily,
Little brown specks over the great city…
…then they flew away.
Selina Sode-Woodhead
19

20. Dream or no dream
by Bradley Kinnell
I could hear my heart thumping against my chest. My body froze like a statue. Outside the street lamps were off – it
was pitch black.
The time was quickly going past and I needed to be ready for my friend’s party. He had begged me for weeks to
come and eventually I agreed as it sounded like a good idea.
I met up with a few people including my best friend who was smelling of his new aftershave. He had his hair dyed
blue for the party but it had gone wrong and he looked like smurf.
The taxi had just appeared and we were soon on our way to the party. We arrived on time and were greeted at the
front door by my friends. The party had been going for two hours straight.
When the party was over we realised that we had no money to get home so we had no option but to walk the four
miles. Off we went on our journey home feeling disappointed that we had forgotten our money for the return taxi.
“Come here!” was shouted by a boy in a crowd of about twenty people chasing after a man who was running as fast
as he could down the street to escape the crowd.
We found ourselves surrounded by the boys who were chanting and yelling. The bomb had dropped – I was
terrified. I woke up the next morning with a black eye and three of my front teeth missing. To this day I still don’t
know what happened......
20

21. Amy’s Story
children running down a big
hill in the distance. They were
waving and shouting “Hello!”
Half an hour later the four of
by Joy Kennedy us arrived at a super cottage.
It had brightened up. The
sun was peeking out from
the clouds and the wind had
stopped blowing. There were
daisies, buttercups and roses
in the front garden. We walked
to a door at the side of the
cottage past some red poppies.
The scent of lavender was so
strong I sneezed.
“Bless you,” said Lily.
“Bless you,” said Joe. Barney
barked at a bird in the air
and jumped to try and get it.
(Joy wrote this story about down my face. I started to Everyone started laughing.
a wee girl called Amy being walk towards a field with a
evacuated during the Second deer in it. She was all alone Just then a man came out of
World War. Joy tries to show and soaking wet. Nobody was the door. He was wearing a
the reader how Amy feels by looking after her. Her black black top and he was frowning
describing the village she is eyes were staring at me. at me. I shivered. Then he
sent to and the family she is to started smiling and laughing.
stay with.) Suddenly I heard a lady’s voice He had just been teasing me.
behind me. I turned around.
I arrived at Longniddrie train She had nice black hair, nice “You must be Amy,” he said.
station yesterday. It was grey, makeup and a smiley face. “Let me show you where your
rainy and cold. The wind was room is”.
so strong that it bent the trees “Hi Amy,” she said.
sideways. There was only one He took my big, old, tatty
shop and the big window Just then a wee cocker spaniel suitcase from me. I was going
was cracked. The tears ran pup ran up to me, jumped up, to like it here…
and licked me in the face.
“Aaaawwwww!” I said, “What
is its name?”
“Barney.”
Barney was running round
in circles chasing his tail. I
started to giggle. Then I saw two
21

22. The Secrets
Hidden
Within
By Lorna Ross
young girl sitting in the back unusually big hands and there
It was a cold dark night and of the car, as she desperately was something about her that
the air was thick and a damp wanted to know where she was gave Sarah a great sense of
mist gathered around the old going. As Sarah gazed out of the unease - and it wasn’t just her
grey stone building which sun lit window she couldn’t help unfortunate look.
stood proud in front of the but panic about the uncertainty
young woman. She was looking of the days to come as she Standing in the main entrance
around for the spot where knew from experience that care Sarah was surprised when she
she had buried her mother’s homes were not nice places. looked around to see that the
precious silver locket which inside of the building was not
meant ever so much to her. Sarah had been travelling what she had imagined from
The young woman who was for three long hours now the exquisite exterior. The floor
now freezing and soaked and had passed many busy was covered in a carpet which
through to the skin shuddered crowded cities and many small had obviously been there a
as she thought back to how picturesque villages which long time as Sarah could no
the building used to look. It all had their own story to tell. longer tell what colour it was
was once a very grand and But now there was no sign meant to be; the walls were a
beautiful building which any of human society, only great grotty grey colour and there
person would be overjoyed to big trees and fields filled with were only a few lumpy looking
own. Every year in early spring golden flowers which danced in chairs lined up against the bare
the brightly coloured flowers the gentle breeze. Only minutes walls. Sarah’s thoughts were else
would bloom and the garden later Sarah found herself being where as she was trying to listen
would come alive. So why you jerked to one side as the car in to the two women having
ask did the young woman took a sharp left and continued a conversation in front of her.
shudder when she thought back up a very long uneven gravel Lisa, Sarah’s social worker who
on the house and the beauty road which led up to a breath had driven her out to Mullberry
that surrounded it? The fact taking old fashioned building. House, was a very pretty young
was she was not shuddering lady with a petite frame and fair
at the house’s appearance she The car came to a halt and a hair, but right at that moment
was simply thinking about how woman appeared standing Lisa looked more beautiful than
the exterior of the house had outside the impressive double ever as she was standing next
hidden all the terrible secrets door entrance. Sarah got out of to Miss Rankin the woman who
within. the car and was gently ushered had met them at the door. Sarah
towards the main door. She was asked to sit on one of the
It was the late summer of 1979 noticed that the woman, who few chairs against the wall while
and the sun was lying low and from a distance had looked Lisa and Miss Rankin went to
hitting off the glass of the car very average was a lot stranger her office and sorted out the
window making it incredibly in appearance close up. The last of the paperwork. It was
hard to see out of which was woman had a long misshapen about ten minutes later when
very frustrating for Sarah, the face with a large nose and the office door finally reopened
22

23. John Barrowman
and Lisa stepped out and tried
to give Sarah a reassuring smile,
but it was easy to see that the
smile had not been real and Lisa
was unsure about leaving the
vulnerable little girl here.
Concert Review
After Lisa had left Miss Rankin by Lily Hambelton
led Sarah through many
corridors until they came to a
stop outside a door with the John Barrowman was a great In the middle of the song the
number 20 on it. Miss Rankin success last night – very boys changed into smart suits
opened the door and to Sarah’s entertaining lots of very good and ties and the girls wore
surprise there were four beds. songs and jokes and brilliant dresses. John Barrowman
She was taken over to the bed dancers. Loved the concert. changed his outfits 5 times
in the far left corner where Got to sing along to some of during the production.
Miss Rankin picked up Sarah’s the songs. Overall it was an amazing
tattered old bag and handed night.
over a uniform which she was First he sang Celebration Time
then told to put on and to find Come On, then he sang Listen
her way down to the dining to the Music and Firework by
room on time for dinner or Katy Perry. As the night went
she would simply have to go on he told us all about his
without. family life and his parents and
about the new albums he had
Sarah sank onto her bed out and his books.
clutching the locket around her
neck. She sighed as she looked He sang the famous song the
around the gloomy room and YMCA and we all joined in
like the rest of the building it singing and dancing on our
was very bland, there were four feet. He made us feel proud
metal beds with very thin limp to be Scottish so he sang
mattresses and a old worn out Auld Lang Syne and Loch
blanket on each and by the Lomond. Also he sang a very
side of the each bed there was moving edition of You Raise
a small set of wooden drawers. Me Up from the popular band
The only clue that anyone Westlife.
actually stayed in the room
were the teddies and dolls that The stage was amazing and
singularly lay against each very colourful. There were
pillow. Sarah got changed into flashing lights and there
her uniform which was not were 4 dancers 2 boys and
the least bit flattering: it was 2 girls. They wore loads of
ill fitting and miscoloured and different costumes like in
swamped Sarah’s slender frame the Hollywood song where
and drained the colour from her the boy dancers wore just
rose tinted cheeks. swimming trunks and goggles
and snorkels. The girl dancers
END OF PART ONE wore swimming costumes.
23

24. The Wonders of
the World
by Remedios Ayton
Lisa Silver was not only their
boss, she had also founded
the company in the 80s,
built it up from nothing.
In her early fifties now she
was avoided by most of
her employees as she had
a temper to be feared. Her
relationship with Arthur was
known as ‘stormy’ to say the
least, they constantly had
shouting matches across the
office and Lisa was known to
throw things across the room.
After his death everything
Once the plane took off I felt probably the most interesting changed. Lisa Silver closed
calmer. I had got away with thing he ever did. down the agency. She was a
murder, double murder I should disappointment. How anyone
say. I felt no guilt, no regret, only It really was an obvious could be scared of her I’ll
a smug satisfaction. They did murder. The police didn’t think never know. They said she
deserve it after all. so but how many people fall was a broken woman, guilt
accidentally out of top storey and regret do that. She should
Arthur always thought that windows at work? If they had have told him earlier. She had
he was so special, he was the looked into it they would have told me, blurted it out in a
best of the best. His life was found suspects as well. tearful confession. She was
complete: happily married, young and poor, trying to set
a highflier at an advertising Arthur had a co-worker, up a company. She couldn’t
agency and still in his twenties. Richard Watt, who hated him. look after a child, so she put
It didn’t even cross his mind that They had the same job title him up for adoption. She
he was just like thousands of but it was clear that Arthur stayed in contact with the
other young men who all think was heading for the top, adoptive parents and when
exactly the same thing, only to while Richard was headed for Arthur was introduced to her
look back in twenty years and a dingy back office. He was as a new employee she knew.
realise that they had wasted always in Arthur’s shadow. It turned out that she had
their lives in offices while the According to Richard their wanted him to inherit the
wonders of the world passed boss favoured Arthur: that agency, well that’s what sons
them by. Being murdered was made everyone laugh. are for after all.
24

25. unhappiness, my longing
for something different. It
was a nice day, bright, sunny
and clear, but with a certain
crispness in the air. Autumn
was coming. When Arthur
opened one of the windows
the wind was strong. He told
me it was because we were
so high up. As if I didn’t know
that already, I’m not stupid
and I told him so. He laughed,
told me that of course I
wasn’t and leaned out of
the window. I was suddenly
extremely angry. Angry at
Richard moved on to another I think after I married Arthur his condescension. Angry
faceless company, to find I realised what I wanted. I that he was so arrogant that
another co-worker to envy wanted to fly around the he didn’t even think about
and another boss to blame world. I wanted to see the the possibility of falling. So
for his own lack of talent. He wonders of the world. I I walked up behind him and
was nothing but petty and wanted to do what I wanted gave him a push. I could
incompetent, completely to do, and I wanted to do it have turned away and left
harmless. alone. I definitely did not want rather than watching, but
to be Crystal, Arthur’s loving I was curious, it was as if I
Now I should get on to the wife, any more. I needed to get was hypnotised. At first it
second murder, it happened a a new identity, a new life. So I seemed that the wind would
little earlier, but no one even did. The one good thing about catch him, but he just fell
noticed. Crystal, Arthur’s wife, Arthur? His insurance. I could forward as if this world had no
was seen as young, kind but have just left him, but after all power over him. It looked so
not too bright. She had been those years of listening to his beautiful that I thought about
Arthur’s assistant but had left self assured speeches I just letting myself fall. Then he hit
work after they got married, that couldn’t stand it anymore, so I the concrete. So I didn’t.
was what Arthur wanted. When killed him. It was easier than I
Crystal suddenly disappeared thought it would be. “Here is your champagne, Ms
no one realised anything was Sine. Celebrating are you?”
wrong. I’m glad I killed her, I He had just been given a new
hated her more than I hated office, courtesy of Lisa Silver “Thank you. And yes, I am
Arthur. He was arrogant and of course, so he invited me in celebrating.”
dismissive, but she let him be. to see it. He was supposed to
be working so he sneaked me God, I love first class.
“Excuse me but is there in. It was on one of the top
anything I can get you Ms…?” floors and two of the sides,
from floor to ceiling, were
“Sine, Grace Sine. And yes glass windows overlooking the
there is, I would like some city, the view was amazing.
champagne.” Even I had to admit that.
I had begun to change by
“Certainly.” then, began to recognise my
25

26. Happy Birthday Mum
Happy Birthday Mum
Hoping you have fun
Drinking coke and
a cup of tea,
You’ll be as happy as can be.
Happy Birthday Mum
by Dylan Sinclair
26

27. The End
she answers the buzzer and their foreign accent anyway.
reassures me that she is fine Eventually, they leave. Jess
so I can get out of this place. looks more relaxed and carries
But of course, hooligans have on sleeping in her own little
broken the lock and made world. My memory crawls
By Amber Kelly the flats accessible. Typical. back to when I found her. The
God, it stinks in this place; banging of her vandalised
Blackness engulfs me. The the stench of urine and sweat door, the kicking down of
pain is quickly being erased envelops my nostrils. I nearly her door, the discovery of
from my body. No more hurt, gag. Ninth floor and yet I still her lifeless body, surrounded
no more nothing. The dullness take the stairs. I can hear by needles and tablets. The
is reassuring; is death really grunts from the lift. I wouldn’t phone she had used to call
this easy? No one can harm want to disturb. The stairs me was lying there too, as if
me, or stop me. It’s peaceful are also littered in adverts she had dropped it next to her
here. Serene. and pee. It is like animals live after ending the call to me. I
here though I’m under the remember shaking her, trying
I pull up next to the impression that even rats have to shake the unconsciousness
littered kerb, covered in better conditions than these. I out of her, the drugs out
advertisements for take-aways hear someone descending the of her. Anger was the most
and cash loans, as if this scum stairs as I climb them. Better recognisable emotion I recall
could afford luxuries. How can make sure my car keys and feeling. Grief was another. So
people live here? Especially wallet are tucked out of sight. was determination. Grief for
someone as intelligent as Jess. It is just a kid, with a dog and the sister I had lost; the pretty,
I constantly wonder how she a cigarette hanging from his smart young girl and grief
ever began this life; we had dirty mouth. People like this for the woman she was now
the same upbringing yet I shouldn’t have kids, why fuse with life edging its way out
don’t live in a filthy scheme. I together DNA from scum to of her clammy body. I vowed
live a respectful life. I suppose re-enact themselves as young to make her survive and be a
there is always a weird one in people. He may be only about healthy woman. She needed
every family; I don’t know why fourteen but he still manages care, love and attention. Not
I even bother sometimes. Is to barge past me rather easily heroin, alcohol and cigarettes.
there any point in my being even though there is plenty I sit and tell her my plans
here? She doesn’t talk to me of room on the stairs. Eighth for the future; she just lies
when I visit, simply sits and floor, almost there. there. Is she listening? I’m
stares into the distance with not sure. She might be. I feel
her sunken, dark eyes and a Who dares to interrupt my better for telling her anyway.
bemused expression on her heaven? I enjoy it here, yet I watch the heart monitor
sallow skinned face. But the someone insists on disturbing beeping steadily on, reassured
phone call… it was too weird. my serenity. I wish they would by it. They weren’t sure she
Her laughing. It is extremely go… What is that noise? Beep, would survive. Her body was
unusual to even see her smile. beep, beep. Just go, leave me overloaded. I desperately
I seem to think her face would alone. I was happy there. Now hope she pulls through. I wish
crack with an attempt. No, she voices too? Can this get much I had done more.
isn’t that bad. Yet. But she is worse?
getting worse. The world invites me to
Groggily, her eyes flickered. rejoin it. My body invites me
I eventually find her block of She looks annoyed. The nurses to occupy it once again. But
flats, menacingly towering are babbling to me but I don’t I refuse. I’m happy here; it’s
over me, inwardly hoping that take it in. I can’t understand peaceful. Serene.
27

28. How We Made Our Dress-Up Dolls
By FR and DC
We made our dolls out of pink card. Then we made clothes for them and coloured their clothes. We
fixed the clothes on with blutac. We enjoyed making the dolls.
28

29. Going back to
I played Maths Bingo, wrote
stories on the Book Creator
and drew pictures on Doodle
Buddy. My favourite thing
School though was going to the play
room. It had lots of toys and I
made some friends. One boy
was called Callum and he was
really funny. He liked Horrid
by Ethan Allan, Age 7 Henry. I also had some visitors
coming to see me. My uncles,
aunties and granny and
granddads came too. It made
me really happy. They bought
presents for me.
Horrid
Henry in the
Hospital
by Callum Murray,
Age 7
Horrid Henry came for a
sleep over with me and I
was in Ward 2. It was the
8 September. We stayed up
to the crack of dawn. We
got up to mischief. We ran
about, kicked footballs,
On Friday I went back to station in Edinburgh and the played golf and bounced
school to see my friends museum. The museum was on beds. AAAAH! Suddenly
for the first time in ages. really cool. When I have been we broke the bed. Kerry
We played with bricks and in hospital I had a teacher the nurse was cross! She
we made a shed. We had a every day. At first I didn’t like gave Horrid Henry a row.
story then mum came to it because I didn’t know my First we
pick me up. On Monday I am teacher and I was scared. I had fudges
going back to school for the felt better quickly because and then
morning again and if I feel she had an ipad. I did lots of caramels
well enough I will be able to things on the ipad I played and then
go back more regularly. For cut the rope, angry birds we went to
the last few months I have and a motorbike game as a sleep.
stayed in the hospital most of reward for working hard but
the time. I got to visit the fire I also used it for doing work.
29

30. Is Christmas All It
of decoration and something
to do while the family wait
on this glorious feast, which
Is Made Out To Be ?
usually leaves one spending
the next year on the treadmill.
Dinner is followed by board
games, or in these days, Wii
games with the children and
Tiffany Hutchinson adults having a laugh. Photos
are taken a lot on Christmas
day of families playing
Nobody can deny that not the most valuable thing games, opening presents to
Christmas is a magical time in life, it is love and humanity. leave a lovely memory. The
of year from the lights on the There are many nativity plays traditional way is, arguably,
Christmas tree to the snow educating us about what the loveliest way to spend
on the rooftops. The town is happened at this special Christmas.
covered in wonderful sights event whilst churches across
and smells; the musky mulled the world hold candlelit But, with the state the
wine; the sweet smell of services to mark the birth of economy is in at this moment
doughnuts; cinnamon dust Jesus and Christians often in time, financial difficulties
floating in the air, greeting the go out carol singing to the are becoming more and more
smiling faces aboard the big public. Even though it is a day apparent and Christmas can
wheel. Christmas has been a of Christianity, atheists and be quite overwhelming with
tradition, in many countries, some other people around presents being the expected
for years to celebrate the the world celebrate Christmas thing. For the vulnerable
birth of Jesus. Yet, there are with all the traditional parts people finding themselves
problems beginning to show to go with it bringing joy to stressed there are services
with this special event. many people around the that claim to save people
world. from becoming in debt.
An amazing thing about These services are called
Christmas is how important Another lovely thing about “Pay Day Lenders” and are
it is to many religious people. Christmas is that it is the really not what they claim
Christmas originates from one time of the year where to be. For a simple loan of a
Christianity’s belief that Jesus people almost definitely get hundred pounds you could
was born on this day, the 25th to see family members they be expected to pay up to 25
of December. This is such a have probably not seen since pounds for just thirty days
significant celebration for the the Christmas before. Many which all adds up to an
Christian society and for them families join together for annual percentage rate of
Christmas is not about large Christmas dinner including 1730 percent. These “legal
gifts, it is about God’s son elderly family members loan sharks” could actually
being born into the world and who may not see a lot of be charging more than the
this makes it really emotional family. The Christmas dinner illegal street lenders and
for them. The Bible says how usually consists of turkey the online pay day lender
an ordinary couple walked with stuffing served with Wonga is the one that really
miles, with the woman in the traditional Christmas does charge the most. So for
labour, managed to find a run trimmings, cranberry sauce Christmas shoppers seeing all
down stable and this is where and a mountain of roast of these adverts as a way out it
the birth of Jesus happened. potatoes. Crackers are placed really is not and they can get
This suggests that money is all around the table for a bit sucked into a spiral of debt.
30

31. The pressure to get these these times and when done winter nights. They will go
expensive presents for family properly, Christmas will be around the elderly people’s
and friends can make people an amazing time of year for homes and spend time with
really quite depressed. everyone. them when they are lonely,
and most elderly people are
This needn’t be the case as However, some people provided with a Christmas
people could alternatively do not find it so amazing. dinner in the centres that are
go to a Credit Union which There are many homeless open for Christmas which
is much cheaper and and elderly people who gives them a chance to make
more trustworthy. These can find themselves alone new friends and enjoy the
predicaments can be avoided at Christmas without food, happy atmosphere. The
if you think carefully before warmth and company. Salvation Army will go around
Christmas though. Christmas This can lead to a very looking for homeless people
dinners can be a lot cheaper if depressing Christmas where on the streets to give hot food
people would go to alternative the homeless may be on the to and invite them to spend
shops such as Aldi or Lidl and streets without a bed in the the day in the centres and, if
the quality is really just the bitter winter weather. The people have donated enough,
same. Websites online hold elderly may have nowhere there may even be a bed
reviews for different brands’ to go and unable to even for the week. Poor families
food and it turns out that make themselves a Christmas are visited and given some
Aldi and Lidl have, arguably, dinner. Some families end festive food and small gifts
the best quality for price so up having no Christmas at all for the children. People often
Christmas dinner should not since money is so tight they say that there is an amazing
be anything to worry about are unable to buy the children atmosphere and a great sense
when one sits down with presents like any other family. of community and most of all
cheap wine having everyone it is a chance for the homeless
compliment the expensive people to get their life back on
taste! Children’s toys can be
They will go track. It sure is a happy time
really quite cheap such as around the elderly for everyone.
board games which can only
cost ten pounds and with
people’s homes and So, a lot of teenagers out there
these types of toys the parents spend time with may just be excited about
can spend quality time with getting their new Blackberry
them when they
their children. Barbie dolls model phone, their upgraded
are another one that surely are lonely GHD hair straighteners
all girls remember getting and “the awesome new
into a state of excitement But, there are certain Playstation” but nothing
when they see the beautifully organisations that can help compares to the wonderful
dressed doll appearing under with these things, such as the sense of community
the wrapping paper as if it Salvation Army. The Salvation at Christmas time. The
cost a lot more than £15 out Army consists of wonderful Christmas feeling is magical,
of Toys R Us. Teenagers can people of all backgrounds all it takes is a walk outside
be trickier but if parents sit willing to give up Christmas to show how wonderful this
with them and discuss what time for others in desperate time of year is. With all the
the options are before they go need. Everyone helping is amazing things that happen
ahead and set their mind on Christian but more than that, at Christmas, material objects
what they want, things can be they have the wonderful are not important; it is the
a whole lot calmer. Planning caring personalities that spirit of the people that is the
ahead is the best option at shine light into the dark greatest gift of all.
31

32. 32