1. We are sheltered under the garden centre's great barn roof. There is a rush of sound and air as the rain comes down.
2. A mushroom, come from apparently nowhere, has risen up in the dry dark of the compost heap.
3. I just show up to travel well drinks, knowing no-one, and over a swift half I learn some useful things and hear some good stories.
1. I later discover that she took seriously my passing comment about picking up an ice lolly for her brother.
2. ...and strolling through the door, there's a face from the past remembered with gladness, and a face I thought was in Scotland.
3. We walk briskly home under the stars, feeling very pleased that we've been out for a swift pint and a hour or so of live music.
1. Cobwebs gleam where they catch the low-angled sun -- polygonal nets strung from brambles; gauzy dancefloors in the gorse.
2. Tipping the rest of the bag of epsom salts into the bath with a rainy swish.
3. The children bickering across me about things that just don't matter.
1. There is pink grapefruit juice at breakfast, which no one likes apart from me.
2. Sunday afternoon, and there's musicians sitting in the corner of the pub playing Irish tunes for us.
3. The moon isn't high enough during the eclipse, so we miss out on the spectacle of a blood-red moon with a bite taken out of it -- but we enjoy looking at the sky in hope, nonetheless.
1. Stirring the brewing coffee to break the floating crust and bring up the crema.
2. We have donuts to give the children at teatime.
3. The times when I have to pause in my reading aloud to explain the story.
1. The wind is thumping the rain against the house, but we don't have to go anywhere today.
2. In the park after supper I pick up a handful of conkers -- some still mottled and patched milk white.
3. Small dark bundle: she has put her dance clothes ready for tomorrow.
1. I promised myself I wouldn't moan and grumble about it -- but I do. And as if by magic, a very kind friend produces the required blazer (and also the next size up).
2. I'd forgotten that I'd added a tiramisu cake to the shopping order.
3. The elderberry syrup is now so thick that it coats the spoon.