The great thing about our wee cottage in Norn Iron is the pleasure of walking to the shop for newspapers, loo rolls and lightly salted crisps-the necessities of life. A pleasure denied in Hutton with 5 miles to the nearest paper. Also somehow the pressure is off in a shop such as Near Buy-it is one of those places that you can fumble through your pockets to get the exact sum for your purchases without sensing the impatience, rage and sc orn for crumbling fumblings so evident at the check out at Sir Morrisons where even the check out lady's outstretched hand is claw like with irritation at your inaptitude with 5ps and one pences. Today a couple of other customers smoked calmly at each other while I slowly counted out £11.13p into the warmly welcoming hand of the owners eldest daughter. I found myself with an empty pocket and 3p short. I could have resorted to a £20 note and cram my pockets with heavy specie again but the young lady preempted my move towards the wallet with an 'Ah Now; don't worry. I wouldn't chase you up the lane for 3 p!' Such a nice start to the day.
I left wondering what she would chase me up the lane for.
