Michael Weston King – Sally Sparkles (Single)

£2.00

Whenever I visited my son and daughter-in-law, Ben and Lauren, come rain or shine, my granddaughters, Genie and Bebe, would plead for me to go into the back garden to play “Back Garden Olympics”.

This involved me sitting as judge and commentator, while they performed improvised, acrobatic routines on the trampoline, slide and swings. As judge, I’d give them scores. As commentator I’d theatrically announce each of them and, in true ring master style, commentate throughout each of their performances. It was such a joy to see their efforts increase with excitement, as my commentary became more astonished by their “world record breaking” routines. And then their triumphant faces at the inevitable full marks.

Big sister Genie’s routine, at the ripe old age of nine, would often involve a jump straight from her swing into a complicated gambol, followed by cartwheel and handstand, all of which were a little beyond the skills of little sister, Bebe. So when it was Bebe’s turn, I’d catch her as the leapt from her swing and fly her through the air, the full length of the garden, defying gravity, just like in her favourite musical, resulting in the thrill of matching Genie’s high score.

Her stage name for these performances was…….. “Sally Sparkles”