Double Drabble: Busybody

[bk_forever]

Title: Busybody
Author: badly_knitted
Characters: Meriel, Twins, Ianto, OFC.
Rating: G
Written For: Challenge 565: Kid / Kidding at tw100.
Spoilers: Nada.
Summary: Busybodies are everywhere, ready to offer unwanted criticism.
Disclaimer: I don’t own Torchwood, or the characters.
A/N: Double drabble.




Meriel stood outside the corner shop, keeping an eye on her baby brother and sister while her taddy was inside, buying milk because they’d run out at home.


“Oh, what adorable little ones!” a strange woman exclaimed, stopping by the stroller and leaning over, talking to the twins in baby talk.


Meriel frowned as Jenna’s face screwed up. Gareth, taking his cue from his sister, followed suit, getting ready to scream.


“They don’t like that,” Meriel said, trying to be polite.


“They’re just tired and hungry. Fancy leaving little kids like this all alone in the hot sun.”


Actually they were in shade and it wasn’t hot out. “They’re not alone,” Meriel pointed out. “I’m with them and Taddy’s in the shop. He’ll be out in a minute.”


Almost before she finished speaking Ianto came down the steps. “What’s going on?”


The woman huffed at him. “You shouldn’t leave your kids unattended. Look at the poor little mites, all upset!”


By now Gareth and Jenna were all smiles, kicking their feet. “Tadda!”


“The only thing upsetting them was you,” Meriel stated.


“What a rude child!”


“My daughter has better manners than you do,” Ianto said mildly, leaving the woman speechless.



The End

Comments

[raynewton.livejournal.com]

I've always made a point of never commenting on children I don't know. You don't always know the full story. I expect the woman meant well. Years ago I admit I phoned the police about a child left in a hot car. If I's done nothing and there had been a tragedy it would have haunted me. Sometimes a bystander is damned if they do and damned if they don't.

[bk_forever]

Babies or animals left in not cars are things that need to be reported immediately - it can save lives.

This woman might have meant well, but was more likely the kind that has to poke their nose in and tell parents everything they're doing wrong, even when they're not. "I know better than you, you're just a child, and I know better than YOU, you're a man and what can a man possibly know about caring for babies?"

Thank you!

[mscatmoon.livejournal.com]

Meriel should be commended for trying to be polite, having to deal with this rude person sticking her nose where it don't belong.

[bk_forever]

She takes after Ianto in having good manners, though she's inherited some of Jack's 'qualities' too. Ianto is proud of her for the way she handled the busybody with such calm confidence. She's quite the young lady even though she's only 8.

Thank you!