Overheard on a street

As I emerged out of a local supermarket store yesterday afternoon, I passed a mother coming towards me who had just alighted from a single-decker red bus accompanied by three small girls, the youngest of which she was propelling in a push-chair along the pavement.

“You didn’t have to push Gemma [daughter No 2]…” the mother pointed out to daughter No 1, aged no more than four or five.

“Well, I didn’t want to …” responded the accused, “… but I also didn’t want to be left behind on the bus”.

A little later, contemplating the episode, I had a rush of warm feelings about this brief family exchange. I also felt that daughter No 1 should be watched – I think she could go far one day.