They what?
said Gran
they said we weren’t

to run around the rain shelter
you replied
did they now?

Well if you want to run  
around the rain shelter
my dears you run around

and up Gran got
and trotted around
to the couple

on the other side
of the circular
rain shelter

and words were said
and niceties exchanged
and the couple

got up and left
but Granddad had sat
where he was

staring out at
the grey mist
over the sea

the exchanging
of niceties was not for him
he preferred the colour

of the seaside town flowers
in a nearby bed
or the smell of the salty sea

and when you
and your sister
and Gran returned

to where he was sitting
he said
Sorted it then

and Gran said
Of course
and Granddad said

Good and looked at
the white hair
of his wife

and the grey/blue eyes
that stared fixedly at him
and her plump short stature

and added
I knew you’d see them off
you’ve got more bite

than the bleeding dog at home
and Gran laughed
and you

and your sister
went off to run around
the rain shelter

the grey mist
distorting the sea
and deserted beach

but not the sound
of gulls or sea
rushing on the shore

or of Gran standing
in front of the couple
hands on hips

a string of words
and angry sounds
coming from her lips.