I looked at her stomach for a moment. “Congratulations,” I heard myself say to the friendly-looking customer who entered my shop. She turned to me in a flash, looked at me fiercely, and walked right up to me. Suddenly there was no sign of that kindness anymore. Evil eyes peered through me. There was silence for a few seconds, it seemed like minutes. “With what?” she asked sharply. I felt the mood linger and tried to swallow my words, without success. “Well…with your pregnancy,” I said falteringly. "I'm not pregnant," she said menacingly and took a step closer. Suddenly, laughing, I put my hand on her shoulder, looked straight into her eyes, and offered my heartfelt apologies for my misjudgment. A smile appeared on her face, "apologies accepted." phew!