'The nature of things'

This is the story of Beth. And Beth's father, Jack. Her earliest memory is of her mother making a lot of noise. At first it makes her cry. Then her mother is there, picking her up and rocking her. Her mother is warm and soft. 'It's all right, it's all right Bethy.' She puts her hand up to feel the red stuff on her mother's mouth. It sticks to her fingers. Wet and warm. It tastes of salt when she puts them in her mouth. Her mother smiles and Bethy is happy. Then her father puts his hand, and it is a big hand, on her head and sings. 'Tu ra Lura Lura. Tu ra lu ra li. Tu ra lu ra lu ra.' He sings the lullaby. She likes the sound of his singing and it makes her sleepy. Beth falls asleep in her mother's arms but it is her father's voice in her head.