"Oh, Nanna, look!"
Nanna smiled, looking at me with a tenderness felt but rarely shown, Grandpa being the more effusive of the two grandparents. This day was the exception. We entered the shoe shop. I fancied a pair of red leather lace-up shoes that were displayed outside. Since I had health problems and therefore 'funny' feet, the style may not suit me. The sales lady was empathic. She could see the excitement in my face. Nanna sat beside me, letting me make the decisions. In other words, if the shoes were comfortable, Nanna could afford the cost. My eyes were shining. I looked like everyone else with fancy shoes, and I sensed that Nanna would deal with Mummy. Even at three years old I also sensed that Mummy was too protective.

"Can we have ice cream?" I asked
There was a cafe, run by two brothers and always busy. When we visited, Nanna always gave me the money, and I had to ask for what I wanted. She stood behind me, saying nothing. Ice cream in a cone; was often called a 'pokey hat'; in other words, it resembled an upside-down pointed hat.

Happily, the shoes were comfortable. I danced my way back to Nanna's house. Mummy was delighted but concerned. I wore those shoes at every opportunity until I grew out of them.

Sadly, Nanna did not have much longer to live, so my education in independence was curtailed. Fear not, I still love ice cream, but the pokey hats are out of fashion, as are red leather lace-up shoes. Oh well, I am much older than three now!