Assumptions

This morning, the snow was thick on the ground. In Lambeth, the gritters had been out and ensured that all of the roads were clear and bustling with traffic. I live in Southwark however, and so I was up to my ankles in slush. This is a small price to pay, to ensure that we are a good enough distance from Brixton.

I decided to catch the train from West Dulwich for a change, and so I encountered Lawrence - a father from the children's school, who I do not usually get the opportunity to converse with.

'I hear congratulations are in order', he roared.

How on earth did he find out? I feel as though I am walking through Dulwich with a street sign on my head.

'Good old Freya', he continued.

'You are accepting (School 1) obviously', he continued.

'Why so?' I enquired... (He surely is not aware of Freya's strong views on the subject).

School 1 'is the most selective school around, isn't it?' he asked.

'270 children assessed and they only offer 8 places to the girls. Isn't that so?No-one would ever dare to turn down (School 1). Have you met the head master? An intimidating fellow', he continued.

'Well I like (School 2)'. I said.

Lawrence bellowed out a hearty laugh.

'You are surely not telling me you are going to choose School 2 over School 1?, he mocked.

'Why so?'

'They have rabbits, Freya likes rabbits', I said.

He laughed at me:

'Does your husband know this? Smart fellow he is, isn't he? Read engineering, I seem, to remember. I am sure he will set you straight.'

'Freya is just a child, she likes rabbits', I explained. 'We can't go wrong with either choice now surely, it is six of one and half a dozen of the other, and she likes rabbits', I began to justify myself in the manner of a little child.

Wait just a minute here, I don't have to explain myself to this PLONKER. Just because I am wearing a furry hat, it does not mean I am an air head. I want us to decide on the school, based on the needs of our baby, but now I am feeling petulant, and anxious. Freya does not even know about the rabbits yet, I just thought that School 2 seemed more fun.

How very dare he..........

Oh dear. We shall choose School 2 now, just because we can, and because mummy hates to be told what to do, we choose for Freya to have a childhood.