'Lost Without You'

Last week, I was at work, feeling awfully sore and tired. I was slowly (but surely) re-stocking the shelves of the exercise book aisle.

I felt as if nothing short of copius amounts of chocolate, codine and cuddles with cute puppies could make me feel better. Just as I slumped down to pick up another slab of 1B5's, I heard a cry from the next aisle.



A child's voice hollered, "Gwaaaandaaaaaaad!"



Taking a breif moment, to mentally re-live my own horror of being "lost" in a shop once, I realised the urgency of this S.O.S, and "rushed" round the corner, literally, as quick as I could.



I was met by a wide-eyed cutie, with pigtails, wearing a school uniform, roughly 5 or 6 years old.



I lent down and asked, "Are you lost sweetheart?"



"Yesssss, I can't find my Gwandad!"



We exchanged names, and decided we'd go and look for her Grandad together.



I slooooowly stood up straight, trying not to inflict more pain on to myself via my weak, weak back.



As we started to walk, I felt a warm, little, hand grab nervously on to mine. And suddenly, I didn't feel so awful. I felt happy.It feels so nice to be wanted, depended on and trusted. I smiled to myslef. And spotted and older gentleman in the corner.

"Is that your Grandad over there?" I asked.



Suddenly, this angelic little blossom holding my hand, did not feel so vunerable. I think what she was feeling could be accuratley described as....pretty ticked off.



"Yessss! That's him" she screeched accusingly.



Suddenly I was being dragged over to the far corner of the shop by this little girl.

As we reached Grandad, I was just about to open my mouth to let him know I had "found" his grandaughter, but the little one spoke up for herself.



She gave him a right telling off



"Gwandad! I was lost! And I was calling you but you didn't come back, and I was all alone, and, and the lady found me."



A bit embarassed, poor Grandad just looked at the ground.



"I was scared Gwandad! Aaaaand now, i'm allowed to get the colouring book aaaaand the lollies", the little lady demanded.



Grandad surrended, "Ok, then love."



I wondered, where did this little lady learn to negotiate? Well, one thing's for sure, it certainly wasn't from Grandad.