S/h book shop yesterday, we were just about to close when in walks a Chilean man with two daughters, age 2 and 7. The 2-y-o only appears to use one word, "dinosaur", which she exclaims enthusiastically whenever she spots a book with an illustration of such a beast. The 7-y-o, in contrast, once she'd chosen her books, told us in authoritative tones, breaking into Spanish only to tell Papa not to interrupt her, about her recent birthday party, which was "only for ladies" at "a posh hotel" with a swimming pool, which she used five times, and a spa. The name of this hotel? It was south of Bristol but still in Bristol, and it was called – here came the only pause – "Courtworth Tort".
Tortworth Court is actually just north of Bristol but we don't want to get picky about a child's birthday party. Especially when they buy about ten books between two kids.
And earlier, with no particular utterances, three girls spanning the ages of about 3 to approximately 10 came in. The youngest continually showed her choices to the biggest for approval, but was told to take them out to their mother for checking. She was visible standing in the doorway. Why didn't she come in? Perhaps she had a dog? (dogs are allowed in the shop but people might think she shouldn't). Eventually the toddler ran out and stayed out while mum came in. It turned out she had not three children but four, the youngest being a baby in a pram (she had one of those standing-boards at the back of the pram and was concerned about it catching on step), and she'd now left the 3-y-o in charge of the baby – probably more as a way of anchoring her with a responsibility so she wouldn't run off than to actually look after the baby! But it was the eldest child who paid for the books. With chip and pin, which you don't see much nowadays!
