Couldn’t or wouldn’t

slings didn’t exist and by the time we’d shopped, lunched and were returning to the car, she had become a heavyweight.

“I can’t carry her anymore,” I said. “You’ll have to take her.”

My husband looked reluctant, but as the street where we’d parked appeared to be deserted, he reluctantly took the leaden little bundle from me but began to look panicky as we saw an elderly woman approaching.

Dressed in black from head to toe, although she was probably younger than I am now, she looked at us in amazement.

She continued to stare at us both, but concentrated mainly on my husband and child as we drew level with her. After we’d passed her, I glanced over my shoulder and saw that she’d turned, too, and was still looking at us.

“You see!” the child’s father hissed.

“I told you that men can’t carry babies!”

But that was a long time ago in what seems like another country. Especially when I see unashamed young men who are proud to hold babies in public.

‘F’ word came out, in Spanish, that was the last thing I had expected. I was in a state of mild disbelief when I arrived at the venue but together with 11 other international residents who do so much to make our international community more cohesive and compatible, I humbly accepted the accolade from An­ geles Muñoz and Remedios Bocanegra, whilst being recorded by my RTV Marbella cameras for our local news programme.

Following the presentation, I hurried off to the studios to find out that the footage had already been edited and aired and I was welcomed by a round of ap ­

I definitely felt quite chuffed but mixed with moments of imposter syndrome, so I wasn’t planning on writing about the award but then my dear John Smith of Euro Weekly thought I should. “That is a real Marbella Moment,” he said, “You can be humble but still get the info out there” so here it is and hopefully I hit the middle mark and don’t sound like I’m bragging, just sharing my good news. www.nicoleking.es