Shopping Day

Ah! Here she comes. I thought she would be in one of these days.
Now, what will she be wanting this time? Let me see, anniversary that's
what it is. Her daughter's wedding anniversary next week.
"Good morning Mrs. Hargraves. Lovely day isn't it? I've put the
anniversary cards over there in the corner this time. That's it,
yeeees. That was what you wanted wasn't it? I thought so."
Never speaks any more, poor old dear. We used to have such lovely chats
a couple of years ago. Not any more though. Getting senile, that's what
I think.
"Take your time dear. There's no hurry is there."
Just don't mess the display up again. I don't want to spend an hour
sorting all them cards out like I did last time.
Oh my! Look who's here now.
"Hello Mrs. Keats. Lovely day isn't it. What can I do for you
today?"
"Good morning Harriet. I just wanted the paper and - oooh I don't know
- I think I've got a bit of a sweet tooth today. I'll just take a bit
of chocolate as well."
That's your problem though isn't it? You've got a perpetual sweet
tooth, and it's never just a bit of chocolate.
"Okay dear, pick out what you want then. That's it is it? Let's see,
that's the daily and two large chocolate bars. Thank you, and there's
your change. Thank you very much. Bye bye then. Mind how you go."
Don't trip over, you'll never get back up again. Dear me, look at the
size of that backside. And all squeezed into a pair of jeans. I suppose
she thinks nobody knows that she goes to a different shop every day,
stupid woman. No wonder they've got no children. I'm surprised there's
room in the same bed for both her and her man.
"Hello Mr. Fraser. Lovely day isn't it. How are you today?"
"Very well, Harriet thank you. Your looking your usual charming self.
And how are you and your Bill getting on these days?"
"Oh well, can't complain you know. Bill is still having problems with
his back of course. I'll tell him you were asking for him, he'd like
that."
But he's not going out drinking with you any more. Last time he was
hung over for two days afterwards. He could hardly even get out of bed,
poor soul. Mind you, that's nothing unusual these days, the lazy
sod.
"You do that, Harriet my love. Now then, I want a packet of my ciggies
and today's paper."
"There you go then. Is that all?"
"Yes, there you are. I think that's right, just check it to make
sure."
"Yes, that's okay. Cheerio then. See you again soon I hope."
Nice man. Shame about where he spends his Friday nights. I'm sure he
doesn't need to. He could easily find another wife if he really wanted
to, I suppose.
Oh! Here we go. Bossy Bradford. Which committee is going to get the
pleasure of your company today I wonder?
"Hello Mrs. Bradford. Lovely day isn't it. My you do look hot and
bothered. Where are you off to in such a hurry then?"
"Morning Harriet. The paper please. Sorry, can't chat. In a bit of a
rush. Got to get down to the local Planning Committee meeting."
I see. That one is it this time. It's always something isn't it you
nosy bissum?
"What have they done this time then?"
"Not what they have done. It's what they want to do. They want to knock
down the old Frobisher barn, out on the main road. Can't be having that
you know. It's got historical worth that has. Been there for
centuries."
It's a smelly, dirty, rotten old hut. And it's falling down
anyway.
"Well, it is a bit dangerous don't you think?"
"That's cos they let it get dangerous so they could condemn it,
Harriet. Tara, I'll let you know what happened. Can't let them get away
with everything you know."
Fat chance of them getting anything done with you around. What's the
old lady up to? Oh no! She's taking them all out. On the third row now.
It'll take me ages to get them all sorted out again.
Hello, who's this? Ah! The Paterson boy.
"Hello young Rodney. What can I do for you today?"
"Looking for a get well card Mrs. B. It's alright, I know where they
are."
Mrs. B.!? Cheeky little tyke. Who's sick by the Patterson's then? I
haven't heard that someone was sick. Look at that. The old biddy's
dropped the cards all over the floor.
"Help Mrs. Hargraves pick the cards up, Rodney, there's a love. Old
ladies can't bend down as easily as they used to be able to, can they
Mrs. Hargraves?"
Still just smiles, never says a word. Of course, the card will be for
his friend who was in a bit of a fight a couple of weeks back.
"Who's the card for then. Is it for your mate, what's his name, Philip
isn't it. Did they get the ones that did that to him?"
"Nah, it was in the middle of town wasn't it. Just a bunch of yobboe's
who didn't like his face, poor bugger."
"I don't know. What's the world coming to when young people can't go
out and enjoy themselves of an evening, in peace. How is he now?"
"Not too good, Mrs. B. He's still in the hospital. The doctor's reckon
there could be something bust inside. I'm going to see him this
afternoon."
"Dear me. That's a pound twenty for the card. Thank you very much. Let
me know how he gets on, won't you."
"Will do. Bye then."
I wonder if it was just his face they didn't like? I have had my doubts
about those two young men for quite some time now.
Oh dearie me, what has she got on today? The slit in that skirt goes
all the way up to her bum. You can almost see her knickers with every
step she takes. If she's wearing knickers that is. And she's showing
her entire middle. If wasn't for that baby in its sling thing, she'd be
showing her belly button to all and sundry. That's disgraceful.
"Good morning Mrs. Jones. Lovely day isn't it. Oooh! Is that Tina. My
she has grown hasn't she. How old is she now?"
And did you ever find out who the father was.
"Morning Harriet. She's five months now. Getting too big to carry
around like this. I'll have to get her a buggy. You wouldn't happen to
know of anybody who's selling one would you?"
"Not off the top of my head, no. But I will keep my eyes open, and I'll
put the word out for you. How's your boy Dameon. Back in school is
he?"
Of course he is. He got taken back by the police didn't he, the nasty
little truant.
"Thanks, your a love. Yes, he had a bit of trouble with bullies, but
it's all sorted out now I hope."
"That's nice to hear, and what were you wanting today?"
"Just the paper and some sweets for the kids. What shall we have Tina.
Some of these for your brother, and you'll be wanting your favourites
won't you?"
"Oh! Don't you think she's a bit young for sweets?"
"I break them in half, and these melt quickly in her mouth anyway.
There's no harm."
"Well, you know best I suppose. Was there anything else?"
"No I don't think so. Yes there was. A birthday card for Dameon's
twelfth. He would never forgive me if I forgot that."
"Leave your stuff here then, I'll look after it."
We don't want you walking out without paying do we. Look at her,
dressed up like a teenager, and she must be what, thirty-five or
thirty-six at least. She's certainly not that much younger than me. And
I know where you was last weekend my girl. Showing your everything in
the disco to all those young men. Disgusting. It's no wonder you
couldn't keep your man.
"Oh! Mrs. Hargraves. I am sorry, I was in a dream world there. Have you
found a card. That's a nice one, unusual isn't it? That's, let me see,
eighty pee. Thank you, that's one pound and there's your change. Bye
now, look after yourself dear won't you."
All that work she's left me, for a miserable eighty pence. I ask you,
is it worth it?
"Here we are Harriet, we've chosen this one haven't we Tina. Was that
old Mrs. Hargraves just went out then? Nice to see her getting out and
about again."
"Oh she comes in here quite often. She buys all her cards from me,
Christmas, Easter, she never forgets a birthday or anniversary."
"Does she? That's a strange thing to do."
"Well I certainly don't think so. I find it very refreshing for someone
these days to remember their family the way she does." What is she
looking at me like that for? "I think that this world would be a much
better place if we all remembered our families as much as Mrs.
Hargraves does."
"Harriet, Mrs. Hargraves husband died about four years ago. Her son had
already passed away the year before, from a heart attack I believe. He
was never married. Her daughter, who was a good friend of mine, was
killed in a motorway pileup together with her man and two children,
almost three years ago now. Mrs. Hargraves doesn't have a family
anymore, Harriet. I thought you, of all people would know that."

1560 words