As I scribbled a funny doodle on the whiteboard, my class erupted in laughter. It was 2017 and, as an English teacher, I knew how to read a room full of teenagers. ‘All right, settle down,’ I chuckled. I loved being a teacher – but the best part was making the kids laugh.
It was always my nature to be the class clown, ever since my own school days – even if playing the comedian did result in me getting expelled when I was 15 for my ‘disruptive behaviour’! I wondered if one day I might be a comedian, telling jokes on stage. But after leaving school, life took hold and my comedy dreams were pushed aside.
QUIET AMBITIONS
I gave birth to my first son in December 1987, shortly after graduating from university. I moved to London, and in 1994 married my first husband. Two more children followed – another son in March 1995, then a daughter in May 1998. I loved being a mum, but when the kids were all in school, in 2004, I started work as an English teacher.
Denne historien er fra July 17, 2023-utgaven av WOMAN'S OWN.
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Denne historien er fra July 17, 2023-utgaven av WOMAN'S OWN.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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FAST & THRIFTY DINNERS
Filling family meals to save you time and money
ARE VIRAL FITNESS TRENDS WORTH THE HYPE?
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GO OUT OF SEASON
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MY LIFE IN MUSIC
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THE DECISION THAT CHANGED MY LIFE
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MY TOY ΒΟΥ KEEPS ME YOUNG
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'THAT'S NOT MY BABY'
Lying in the hospital bed, my husband Michael had tears of happiness in his eyes as he showed me a photo on his phone. 'Here she is,' he said proudly. 'This is our beautiful baby girl.'I stared at the photo and shook my head. 'No, that's not my baby,' I said. 'There must be a mistake.'It was August 2010 and I'd not long before had an emergency caesarean. I'd not had a chance to see Winnie when she arrived as she'd been whisked away for tests because she was nearly two months premature.
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