Social Cupcaking

Tavistock Road overflows with people, more people than live on the street. Mr and Mrs Hayes have set up games of hoopla, coconut toss and races down the road. Mrs Strawn has baked more shortbreads than Maggie could count.

She hesitates but with a smile from Mum makes her way out. Her cupcakes have smiles on, drawn on with too much icing.

She holds out the box and says her rehearsed line, “Happy end of quarantine!”

Mx Bradwell and Ms Reydon take them with warm smiles, the same response most give her until only 5 cupcakes remain.

She reaches a small group with Mr Pritchard, the Mallory brothers and Miss Finch. Mr Pritchard looks at the box. The cupcakes are clustered together, their icing beginning to melt.

“Oh no, can’t take those,” he says. “Social distancing, remember? Those cupcakes are just too close.”

Her smile wavers, as do the other neighbours.

Yes, we do remember.