WRITERS ABROAD MAGAZINE: THE THIRD SPACE
WOLF AT THE DOOR
BY SUSAN CAREY
‘Oh, Mum. Do I really have to go and visit Granny?’ Charlotte was bent over her phone,
as if in prayer. ‘Luce just asked me to go down to Starbys and have coffee with her and
Arizona.’
‘It’s your turn to visit your grandmother. Your sister went last week.’
‘But Granny is so old and boring and forgetful.’
‘You’ll be old and boring and forgetful one day and glad of someone coming to visit
you and keep you company.’
‘Whatevs.’ Charlotte said as she got up from the L-shaped couch. ‘Can I wear my new
Converse trainers?’
‘No, put your Wellies on; it’s pouring outside. And wear your red poncho with the
hood.’
‘Duh, no, I wouldn’t be seen dead in that thing!’
Charlotte’s mum was already pulling the red plastic poncho out of its tiny fold-up
square. She put it over her daughter’s head who stood with her back bowed, like a horse
in the rain.
‘Don’t sulk. Stand up straight. And here’s the basket with Granny’s eggs, butter, bread,
milk and ham. That’ll keep her going till the weekend.’
3 | November 2016