‘Mum, where on earth did you find Buddy?’
‘In the loft.’
‘I thought you got rid of it.’
‘Never, you loved it and so did I.’
Tabitha eagerly reached for one of its paws. ‘I love you Nanny – Buddy welcome home!’
It was only when she hugged her granddaughter that she faced her daughter once more.
The cafe was full of holiday makers, starting the day with traditional tea and scones. Pretty soon they would be walking around Windsor Castle. Paying extra for little versions of the Queen and red telephone boxes. Locals were getting ready for their weekly shop in Sainsbury’s and friends got together to chat over their morning cup of tea. For Martha, the only people that mattered sat right in front of her.
‘Thanks Mum, but I think it might need a wash,’ Laura half joked, trying her best to smile.
She was now glad of the hustle and bustle. Hoped it would hide lethargic limbs. She didn’t want to worry Laura with things that didn’t concern her anymore. Get-togethers were infrequent as it was, and tricky conversations always curdled the milk.
A sugary doughnut passed to Tabitha; Laura lowered her eyebrows. ‘You can take your cardigan off Mum. It’s not exactly cold in here.’
‘Laura, you know I feel the cold more than most.’ Martha said. Tea poured into cups she added sugar to both, ‘Now let’s eat this delicious looking cake. Take Tabitha to the park. It’s such a lovely day and it’s too nice to spend it indoors.’
They fed the ducks some out of date bread, sat on the park bench eating ice-cream in the cold. Took a brief stroll beside the river. When Laura asked a passing tourist to take a picture of all three of them, she wasn’t sure at first. However, it was such a beautiful snapshot, she asked for a copy for her purse.
Writer Ravenclaw 