It Sounds Like These Kids Could Really Benefit From An Education

I work in a cafe in the middle of a shopping centre with limited storage space behind the counter. Usually, I open on my own at 9:00 am, which is okay as most days there isn’t a huge breakfast rush or many school children. One day, three kids no older than ten come up to the counter.

Kid #1: *Holds up a bottle* “How much is this?”

Me: “€1.85.”

He counts out some change and sits at a table with the others. I go to clean up another table next to it.

Kid #2: “Hey, do you know where we could go so we wouldn’t get caught mitchin’?”

Mitching = skipping school.

Me: “Well, I’m not from around here, so I don’t know. Sorry.”

Kid #3: “Can we leave our bags here and get them when we’re goin’ home?”

Me: “Sorry, I’ve nowhere to put them and I’d get in trouble.”

Kid #1: “What about in there?”

[Kid #1] points to a cupboard currently full of till rolls, paper cups, rosters, pastries, uniforms, and other work-related stuff.

Me: “It’s full up. We haven’t any other storage space. Sorry.”

I kind of hope they were caught or had no choice but to go to school.