Listen to People the Whole Time

Writing advice from Maeve Binchy
"use your ears as a tape recorder and listen to people the whole time"
In Penney's yesterday everything was reduced
cut, slashed, cheap.
The harassed lady with the half empty trolley
had two children in tow,
her own I presumed,
each holding an inflated
balloon, hot air or helium,
I heard her say
"If you get lost I won't look for you"
twice.
The children didn't seem concerned
but I pretended I hadn't heard.