held between his ankles, very bright orange t-shirt,
plaid shorts I glance at him from the till.
Don’t know which suits me.
I ask him to wear each pair of sunglasses
and I’ll tell him. He does, I tell him.
Sunglasses cost £3.99. I count it.
Tell him he’s a pound short. Reluctantly,
he hands over the pound. He doesn’t
want a receipt. Ten minutes later he stands
at the bag end of my till.
I had five pounds. You owe me a pound.
I say I don’t. “Bastard.” he growls and leaves.
Next customer says “He had my sympathy,
until he said that.” I process her shopping.
