Eastmouth - Alison Moore

Eastmouth
- Alison Moore

Alison Moore (1971), is a novelist and a short story writer. “Eastmouth is one story out of three short stories, - though written by three different authors. (The Spectral Book of Horror Stories)
The story takes place in south England, Eastmouth; where a young girl named Sonia, feels trapped and alone; even though all the attention is drawn to her. Sonia is pregnant, which makes every decision harder for her, which includes leaving Peter (her boyfriend), and his parents behind. Assuming, the fictional story happens over a weekend.

Every event is from Sonia; who is the main character, is from her point of view. Sonia isn’t very traditional, she’s considered and described as a free spirit. She isn’t scared of trying something different or taking chances in life. Her mind is very open and she wants to travel and experience the world. Peter, who is her boyfriend (secondary, static character), is not considered optional as her forever and always. Clearly, they are two completely different people. Sonia has a bag with “I love Las Vegas” written on a tag, while Peter on the other hand, has his parents phone-numbers and home address written on his. (line. 64-67).

   While they were having dinner, she told them about her job application up North, “If I get the job, I'll save up for a while and then I want to go to Las Vegas." She mentions pictures she's seen of the place, all the lights.” (line. 37-38) Peters father (static secondary character), considered conservative, doesn’t agree with Sonia’s dreams or ambitions when it comes to the dream of Vegas.  It's a lot hotter there, though. It wouldn't suit me. We stick to England, the south coast.” (line. 40-41) Peter’s mother (static secondary character), who surely does not know of privacy, doesn’t like the fact that Sonia has applied for a job up North either. Sonia was desperately waiting for an answer, but Peter’s mother was up ahead and faked being Sonia on the phone, refusing the job. (line. 72-74) Sonia overheard the phone-call, while waiting in the bathroom. Also, Peter’s mother criticizes Sonia’s jacket, right when she arrives at the door. “Blue and green, should never be seen” (line. 32) Apparently, before she goes to bed, she looks at the backpack and realizes that Peter’s mother had changed the letters on her bag from “I love Vegas”, to “I love Eastmouth”. (line 86-87) She also considered Sonia’s trash and found the pregnancy test. She hasn’t told Peter about the chance of being pregnant yet. “… when she came out of the bathroom with the plastic stick still in her hand, Peter's mother was standing there, and that when, after breakfast, she looked for the stick, it had been moved.” (line. 140-142)
Peter’s mother is a curious and disrespectful woman, who thinks she knows what’s for the best.

Also, Peter loves the old traditional way of life and how things get done around Eastmouth. When they were out to eat at the Grand, they were introduced as “Mr. and Mrs. Webster”, - Sonia tried to correct, but didn’t get the chance to. Peter’s father proposed to Peter’s mother at this restaurant, which Peter finds settle, but Sonia on the other hand, isn’t clearly a fan. “Sonia, looking around at the decor, says to Peter, "I doubt they've changed a thing since your parents first came here." Peter touches the flock wallpaper' and says, "That's a nice thought".” (line. 130-132)