

In such an overwhelming environment, this is can be a lifeline, because the most anxious thought in my head when I’m heading towards a café or coffee shop, and standing in the queue, is, “Where the hell am I going to sit?” This has become more pressing now with the pram because it will only fit in certain places without blocking a whole walkway, and quite often other groups of people send a scout ahead of the main party to find and reserve the best tables. Now that I have a pram, he still pulls me out of the queue and helps me find a table. It was very kind and very much appreciated. When I was pregnant, he used to pull me out of the queue, sit me down at a table and bring my coffee to me. The particular branch we go to has a very kind and active manager who does his best to keep the traffic flowing through a narrow doorway in a busy town centre.


When we go into town with my stepchildren, I consider it to be my reward to pick up a large cappuccino, either to drink in or to take home. In particular I am very fond of strong coffee from a well-known chain of coffee shops that sprinkle a chocolate bean logo on the foam.
