* * *
Marian drove for two hours in the opposite direction of her intended route. She knew there was a large superstore off the motorway in a retail park. The bigger and more off the beaten track the better. She was putting the shopping bags in the car when she heard a voice.
“They need twice as much stuff as we do don’t they?”
She swung around. “WHAT?”
The woman was embarrassed.
“Babies.” The uneasy reply came. She nodded at the bags bulging with nappies, formula milk and baby wipes. “They don’t travel light do they?” She ventured a nervous giggle.
“Oh sorry, oh yes, sorry,” Marian laughed. It was genuine - it was relief. “Oh yes, far more than we do – for such small people.”
They both laughed and the awkwardness passed.
“She’s beautiful, what’s her name?”
Marian didn’t hesitate.
“Sarah, her name is Sarah.”
THE END
THE BALANCE
by Bob Atkinson
https://greyhartpress.com/meet-our-authors/bob-atkinson/