"Mama," a squeaky voice interrupts Mrs Weaver's thoughts, "I want."
Her first thoughts were I wants don't get. Her mother always said that and refused to buy these things we naturally thought we needed. However, she knew if she tugged on her dad's little finger, like Alice Grace was doing to hers now, he would cave in and sneak in whatever said toy we asked for. Mrs Weaver looks down at the little girl tugging at her hand. Her soft brown hair is flowing into waves around her face and her sky blue eyes are widening. "Please Mama," Alice Grace quickly adds as finally her mother seems to have noticed her talking.
Mrs Weaver sighs. She does not even realise what toy Alice Grace is pointing at. Mama. That word still stings. Every day Alice Grace grows into this beautiful little girl who looks nothing like her 'mama'. Mrs Weaver feels her hair fall flat against the side of her cheek. It's thinning out now but you still know its blonde in colour. Her eyes are like green jewels. But Alice Grace does not comment on how different she looks to her mother. Mrs Weaver tries to smile at her daughter. Yes, she must stop thinking of Alice Grace as belonging to someone else. She has never neglected Alice Grace at all.
"Which toy do you want?" Mrs Weaver asks.
"Tha' one," Alice Grace points again.
"Go and get it please," Mrs Weaver requests. Alice Grace does as she is told and quickly scoops up the toy and places it carefully in her mother's hand. It is a soft doll with long blonde hair, pink top and black trousers.
"Her eyes green like yours mama," Alice Grace remarks. Mrs Weaver looks down again and notices that her daughter is right. How strange. Normally dolls have brown or blue eyes. She smiles and places the doll carefully into the trolley.
"A treat as long as your good and help me with the rest of our shopping."
Alice Grace grins and plants a kiss on her mother's lips. "Than' you mama." She grabs hold of her mother's hand as they carry on with their shopping. Her little feet skip along.
