The Wombles

Litter picking was so satisfying in more ways than she thought

- JULIA DOUGLAS

Is everything OK, Ash?" her gran asked. "Of course. Why wouldn't it be?"

"Because you never visit unless there's something on your mind." "I do!" Ash flushed guiltily.

"No you don't," Gran smiled. "And that's fine. You're young and busy and that's the way it should be."

Ash smiled gratefully at the trim, smartly dressed older woman. She'd always found it easier to talk to her gran than her mum about personal things, perhaps because there was that little bit of extra distance between them.

"Actually, that's the trouble, being busy. Or rather, not busy," Ash sighed. "Ry broke up with me."

"Oh, no!" Gran slid a comforting hand across the countertop and clasped her granddaughter's hand.

"He was probably right to," Ash admitted. "We weren't really gelling. It's just having nothing to do with myself at the weekend that's getting me down. All my friends are with boyfriends and fiances."

"You could always come Wombling with me, tomorrow," Gran suggested.

"Wombling?"