SHOP PINCHING

It was very hot and the shop was packed with Christmas shoppers. Near me, a harassed young father was trying to control his wayward daughter, aged about three. “If you do that again,” he threatened, “I’ll pinch you!” Off went three-yearold unruffled and Dad grabbed a hand. “Now I AM going to pinch your bottom … hard,” he said. “Please, not too hard,” I pleaded. The father had taken MY hand and my bottom was in line for a pinching. As they are not local folk, neither of us is likely to be embarrassed by coming face-to-face on any future occasion. Cuddles, Levin, March 1, 1971