THREE
KIDS UNDER FOUR
Elizabeth pushed the pram uphill, her new baby asleep, two-year-old Debbie sucking her
thumb, little Mandy holding the handle. Elizabeth loved them all, of course she
did, but sometimes she wished…
She stopped
at the kerb as a lorry reversed, but Mandy kept walking – behind the lorry
where the driver wouldn’t see her!
Elizabeth’s whole
world shifted off-kilter. She couldn’t let the pram roll back, if she called Mandy she’d stop, if the child kept walking she might reach the other side
safely.
Time froze.
Then the
driver leaned out of his cab. ‘Don’t worry, mum – I’ve seen her.’
This actually happened to me. I can see it now - a fourth-hand Silver Cross pram with my tiny son at the top end, my 21month-old daughter at his feet, and my 3-year-old holding on. Fifty years later I can still feel the terror of that moment. I seem to recall going straight into the pub, pram full of kids and all, to spend my housekeeping money on a brandy!
Thanks to Roger Bultott for the photo and Rochelle for choosing it as this week's prompt. You can read other stories via her blog https://rochellewisoff.com/
2 is enough for me! I wonder how people cope sometimes.
ReplyDeleteI ended up having a surprise fourth!
DeletePhew!
ReplyDeleteThen there was the time my youngest wandered off along a Spanish beach...
DeleteI got shivers reading this. My son walked off a kerb while we were standing at a bus stop. Luckily the car was far enough away that it wasn't a problem, but it still makes my heart pound.
ReplyDeleteIt always will, believe me!
DeleteThis was so powerful, Liz, I'm not surprised it is based on reality. The moment of frantic calculation against the odds, and the strength of relief when the worst is avoided. I wish you hadn't given me this scare today, but I'm impressed with the way you did!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Elmo - it happened exactly like this, and I've never forgotten it.
DeleteI was so relieved to read those final few words!
ReplyDeleteNot nearly as relieved as I was to hear them!
DeleteSuch a shock to read, and I can't imagine how you managed!
ReplyDeleteMost of the time my three were lovely - just the occasional times when I wondered if I'd cope. Then seven years later I had an accidental fourth!
DeleteMy heart was in my throat, my head was throbbing and I had goosebumps! I am sooooo relieved the lorry driver saw her (and yours!!)
ReplyDeleteSorry to put you through all that, Dale, but you can understand why I needed that brandy!
DeleteAbsolutely!
DeleteIn an instant, life can change. Most of us have many such instants in our history, and, luckily, most of us survive them
ReplyDeleteI feel sorry for those who don't. Thanks for commenting, Neil.
DeleteOh
ReplyDeleteGeez, my heart was in my throat for this one.
Did you need a brandy too?
DeleteA heart stopping moment, and I am sure the brandy afterward was very much needed!
ReplyDeleteYou put the drama in the story, Liz. Well done. Impactful PS, too. Glad all was well and bless careful drivers.
ReplyDeleteHurrah for that driver in particular! Thanks Bill.
DeleteDear Liz,
ReplyDeleteYou had my heart stopping with yours. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thanks Rochelle, hope you've recovered now? 🙂
DeleteWhat a nightmare. So glad it ended as it did, especially as you say it really happened to you.
ReplyDeleteThanks Margirene, I still get flashbacks so it really is a nightmare!
DeleteI can see how that would be one of those moments that would be eternally burned into your psyche. I'm glad everything turned out well, especially since it's true.
ReplyDeleteBurned in is about right - thanks, Nobbin.
DeleteOh, wow - what a horrific moment. You've conveyed the terror really well.
ReplyDeleteThanks Penny.
Delete