Keeping Mum

Monday, we’d overslept and were squeezed into the bathroom, all trying to get to the toothpaste at the same time. I’m not sure how I heard my phone over the screaming kids.
“Ethel’s gone AWOL again”
It was Dad with his usual to the point telephone manner. I said not to worry and that I’d try and nip over after the school run. Ethel was there though, pacing at the school gates, she’d wet herself.
“I’m waiting for me Mam” She told us and I ushered the kids into school not wanting to explain about Grandma to them just yet.