‘Shall we head off, Pips?’
Pippa sighed. ‘I s’pose.’ She paused, an idea brewing. ‘Will you play Monopoly with me when we get home?’
Mum noted the greying sky and shunned a little nub of worry that was trying to make its way in. She took a breath and looked at her daughter. ‘I’ll have to get the washing in off the line, but after that, yes, I don’t see why not. So long as I can buy the railway stations.’
‘Mum, you can’t always get them, you know.’
‘And why not?’
Pippa rolled her eyes. ‘Well, it’s not fair, is it?’
‘Says she, who always racks up hotels on premium real estate!’
‘M-u-u-m!’
‘All’s fair in love and Monopoly, Pippa-Poppa. Race you to the car!’