Staring ahead, I tried to ignore the whispers and sniggers a few desks behind mine. But I felt their looks burning into my back.
Turning my head, I caught the eye of the ringleader.
‘Stop poking your tongue out at me!’ he cackled across the classroom.
His three mates fell about laughing.
I was only 9 with no idea how to stand up for myself, so I shrank down in my seat, wanting to disappear.
And I wasn't sticking my tongue out at him or anyone else.
I'd been born with a port wine stain across the left side of my upper body.
I shrank down in my seat, wanting to disappear
A birthmark covering my chest, shoulder, arms and face, parts of my neck, back, roof of my mouth, lips and tongue.
