The first time I realised I was eccentric, I had overheard a conversation between my auntie Susie (who I later found out was actually called Joyce), her neighbour and my Nan, Molly. They were talking about something being an “eyesore”.

Now, I had walked past this garden that had pelicans, little plastic birds, ladybirds climbing the walls….  There were colourful windmills pushed in the pots,  Flamingos in the borders and a very large panda bear tied in the hedge. I remember peering through the gaps in the gate, and looking at a magical fountain in the corner of the garden, with hand-painted pebbles next to frog ornaments and plastic fish… I was bewitched! It was magical!

I did not twig, until later on, that the “eyesore” was this magical garden I had walked by… I thought they were talking about my aunt’s garden, that was plain in comparison and had no magic or plastic animals. Only when they talked about the plastic ladybirds and the fish on sticks, did I understand that they thought this beautiful place was an “eyesore” and I was so confused. How could you not love this place?

The lady who owned the “eyesore” often sat amongst the magic, smiling and looking genuinely happy. When she moved there was some kind of “jingle” which I am not sure if came from her clothes or the garden, but either way I thought it was amazing. She smiled at me when I stared in awe at the magic in her garden, like maybe she could see that I got it too.

I heard them say that the lady was a little “eccentric” and I remember thinking “whatever eccentric is, I think I am too. This is the truth, the first time I realised I was eccentric.