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24.2.22

THREE KIDS UNDER FOUR

 

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.’

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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/

30 comments:

  1. 2 is enough for me! I wonder how people cope sometimes.

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  2. Replies
    1. Then there was the time my youngest wandered off along a Spanish beach...

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  3. I 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.

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  4. This 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!

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    1. Thank you, Elmo - it happened exactly like this, and I've never forgotten it.

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  5. I was so relieved to read those final few words!

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    1. Not nearly as relieved as I was to hear them!

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  6. Such a shock to read, and I can't imagine how you managed!

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    1. Most 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!

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  7. My heart was in my throat, my head was throbbing and I had goosebumps! I am sooooo relieved the lorry driver saw her (and yours!!)

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    1. Sorry to put you through all that, Dale, but you can understand why I needed that brandy!

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  8. In an instant, life can change. Most of us have many such instants in our history, and, luckily, most of us survive them

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    1. I feel sorry for those who don't. Thanks for commenting, Neil.

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  9. Oh
    Geez, my heart was in my throat for this one.

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  10. A heart stopping moment, and I am sure the brandy afterward was very much needed!

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  11. You put the drama in the story, Liz. Well done. Impactful PS, too. Glad all was well and bless careful drivers.

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    1. Hurrah for that driver in particular! Thanks Bill.

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  12. Dear Liz,

    You had my heart stopping with yours. Well done.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

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    1. Thanks Rochelle, hope you've recovered now? 🙂

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  13. What a nightmare. So glad it ended as it did, especially as you say it really happened to you.

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    1. Thanks Margirene, I still get flashbacks so it really is a nightmare!

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  14. I 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.

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    1. Burned in is about right - thanks, Nobbin.

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  15. Oh, wow - what a horrific moment. You've conveyed the terror really well.

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