complimentary shopping

I am at the supermarket with too little time, a trolley full of necessities, tingle lubricant at half price and an excessive amount of chocolate.

He is at the till, rapidly scanning my choices and ready for a chat.

"How are you today?"

"oh, ok" i say, not feeling very positive.

He leans forward, conspiratorially.

"you're more than a little ok" he grins.

He is the other side of 70 years old, with three teeth and two missing fingertips, and is utterly charming. We chat about chess and India, ignoring the queue building.

"You've made my day" i say.

"I bet he says that to you every day" my cheerful cashier says.



If only.