“Mum! Claire keeps saying rude words!” Ethel said.

“I don’t!” Claire said.

“You do!” Tina said.

“Well, yes, I do! But I don’t care!” Claire said. “All I said was that Tina’s stupid car game was a load of old crap.”

“Claire you shouldn’t say things like that,” Agnes said. “You know Tina likes that car game.”

“Actually, it is kind of rubbish,” Tina said.

“We don’t even know what we’re doing most of the time,” Ethel said.

“Oh,” Agnes said. “So why are you upset with Claire then.”

“Cause she said…” Tina said. “She said that rude word Mum!”

“Daniel might have heard!” Ethel said.

“I was an aeroplane,” Daniel said. “And then I was the dolls’ best friend.” He looked at the cat to make sure she wasn’t jealous. “And then I was a spaceship.”

“See?” Claire said. “Spaceship’s don’t get upset by rude words.”

“Not even intelligent spaceships,” Daniel said, nodding sagely.

“Well, I’m glad this has all been sorted out,” Agnes said. “Also I didn’t even realise crap was a rude word.”

“Mum!” Tina and Ethel gasped, utterly shocked, as Daniel ran from the room screaming.

__________

Notes:

1. Written on July 28th, 2023