A woman arrives with a pushchair, it's huge wheels bumping and awkwardly catching chair legs, dislodging them from their under-table positions, she's loaded down with shopping bags, there's a disc shaped, pink balloon tied to the chair, it's circumference wreathed in a sparkly purple frill, one side a smiling cartoon faced sun. It's trying to float away and strains at its tether. She's wearing calf-kissing, bias-cut skirt that flicks up at the hem lending a feminine air to her sombre uniform of black. The straps of her Gladiator sandals marching up her ankles look incongruous and well, quite frankly, ugly but the cardigan ― looks like cashmere from here― drapes softly around her shoulders hugging and caressing. She has fascinatingly blonde hair, rippling with highlights of light ash, gold and pale yellow. Bobbed and chic it seems to flow, settling back perfectly into position with her every movement. I wish mine was like that.

The barista brings her order to the table, frothy cappuccino and the pink-faced baby chuckles, finding amusement in the balloon. Strong hands release her from her restraints, lifting gently, the baby flies through the air,—another chuckle—tiny feet kicking as the woman brings her to rest precariously but expertly balanced on a black-clad knee. The woman's right wrist twists awkwardly inward pointing a milk bottle and as its teat nears the gurgling mouth- the child wriggles with wobbly headedness of a newborn. Its eyes are crossed and unfocussed, tiny fingers reaching and clutching, testing the air then they form pugilistic little fists, pounding with delight as teat and lips connect. Baby settled and suckling, mother holds a phone in her left hand, a Blackberry, I think, she laboriously writes a text message with one thumb; coffee and baby momentarily forgotten. There's a tension about her small frame and she looks troubled, her jawline tight, muscles of her face working. A deep frown creases her brow, maybe it's bad news or just concentration. I wonder if this is what they mean when they talk about balancing home and career.