Pied Off - Pt 2

Andy Rivers

George could feel the panic rising in his chest as he watched the clock over the counter strike four. He’d sent Penny home an hour ago to be on the safe side and had been front of shop ever since, ever-dependable Ray had cleared up in the back for him.

The tinkle of the bell froze him to the floor as his head jerked back towards the door, the fear subsided as he saw it was only Mrs Marshall from the sheltered housing place along the road. She often popped in before closing to see what was left and how cheaply she could get it for the rest of her friends and their communal room.

‘What can you do for me today then George?’

Always straight to business this old stick and no messing. George thought she was great.

He was about to go through the pretence of haggling with her before letting her have the lot for cost price when the bell went again and the atmosphere in the room became thick with tension.

Mrs Marshall turned, in the way that pensioners do, and stared at the interlopers.

‘You’re a big lad aren’t you?’