Wednesday 10 October 2012

Hunting in pairs

On the day: 
04/10/2012 

On the way: 
The two little girls march up the road, nine or ten paces behind the mum and the pram. Skinny legs in white pedal-pushers swing in step with each other, each has matching corn rows resolving into a coiled plait on top of her head, and their matching red raincoats are covered in black and white hearts, with the taller girl's arm companionably around her sister's back. As one. 
Until the bus appears passing the top of the road. 
Mum spins round. "Catch the bus." 
No way. It's too far. 
One becomes two, legs pump, arms flail, topknots bob, and mum is left behind jogging with the pram. 
Across grey paving stones and tar Macadam they fly, round the corner, and they've reached the main road. The vehicle's lead has been sliced. 
Eyes burn, nostrils flare, breath comes fast through open jaws revealing white teeth, the velociraptors have scented their prey. The old routemastersaurus stands no chance.  

On the Pod: 
Seven - James 

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