They laughed,

They laughed,

Two children in love with innocence

It was difficult to watch them frolic

Without artifice,

A total lack of self-consciousness,

Throwing themselves into each other

Bouncing back

Giggling uncontrollably,

Holding hands spinning

Twisting in and out of the floor displays,

As sedate diners sat at white-clothed tables

Trying not to stare

Without a smile.

There was a rumble of discontent from a red-faced man

Spluttering over a gateau

Splatters of chocolate stained his shirt.

The collar too tight for his neck

His stomach fighting to be free

Of restraint

Resentful of motherless children

Where was she?

The harridan.

The two tiny tots scampered around a waitress carrying a tiered tray

An afternoon tea for table five,

She looked for support

But mother was still absent

A little indisposed in corsetry

Being fitted for cup size

So much had changed since pregnancy.

The cheeky little tyke stole a chocolate eclair

Sharing it with his sister

Under a table

Until they were caught by their father

For a gentle rebuke

After all, they might have sticky fingers

But they also had honeyed feet.

Nothing was truly forbidden

If no one got hurt

Pranks were tolerated

Free thinking venerated

Father always covered the cost,

He could afford it

What else was hard-earned money for

But for his family

And everything always ended with laughter,

Just like Mary Poppins

Where was the harm

When life could be such fun