People Watching

I look around. Businessmen discuss business. A pretty waitress pours coffee. An older man reads by the window.

I check my watch.

A young couple hover at the doorway, deciding whether to wait for a seat or try somewhere else. A woman inches past them, clutching a little girl. She greets the man at the window and apologises for being late. He lifts the little girl, who giggles excitedly, onto his lap and she wraps her arms around his shoulders.

I curse, pick up my bag, and leave.

No children.

The young couple walk over to the now empty table.