BBC Sounds, Music, Radio, Podcasts.

Cobalt by Enom Fon and Dara Mortel.

Episode 1

I hate birthdays.

It's like, yeah, one year older, but also kind of one step closer to death.

Congratulations. Not to be morbid or anything, but the day I was born has always made me think of

the day I'll die. My birth was a difficult one. It was all, well, I wasn't there. I mean, I was,

but you know what I mean. I came out the wrong side up,

umbilical cord around my neck and apparently after 12 hours of mum screaming abuse at Dad

and digging her nails into his arm until she actually drew blood, they heard my cry for the first

time. And then, according to Mum, Dad whispered, thank you Lord, hence my name.

And then he burst out crying too. Imagine that. Dad crying. I arrived two days after his birthday.

Maita, my little present, he used to call me. Mom would get two cakes, chocolate for him, Victoria Spunge for me,

and we'd celebrate our birthdays together.

I tried to start the tradition again when I was in Cardiff.

I'd skip lectures, bring two cakes up, stay at Dad's for a few hours,

then catch the last train back.

It's obviously more difficult now I'm up in Berms, but this year, well, here I am.

His little present on his doorstep delivered first class on the three-hour long megabus

from Birmingham to Newport and he's not answering.

Hey, Dad. he's not answering hey dad the person you're trying to reach is not available

please leave a message

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