Small comfort

'The thing is - nature is so exact, it hurts exactly as much as it is worth, so in a way one relishes the pain, I think.  If it didn't matter, it wouldn't matter.'

from Levels of Life, Julian Barnes

Eavesdropping

Overheard conversation.

'Don't worry Alice,' she consoles. 'Maybe we can get you a new mummy.'

***

Mumbled.

'I wish that Reuben would turn into a pumpkin turnip. A SMALL pumpkin turnip.'

***

Office chat. On moving to a larger home.

'I was only ever going to have one child.'

'But you fell at the first hurdle there!'

Oh thank you. Random work colleague. For remembering. That there were two babies, all these years later.

I didn't say anything. I think you felt awkward. But I smiled.