Supermarket observations

Against blustering winds and bursts of rain dotted with rays of sunshine, I made my way to the supermarket. Discovering that my cycle panniers fitted neatly onto the side of the trolley, I had time in the queue to look around while others piled on and off their purchases.

The man infront of me wore earphones, though from the flat look on his grey, aged face, it seemed as if he wasn't listening to anything, rather, blocking out any sound from outside. He wore an anorak over his creased linen jacket, and comfortable-looking leather shoes. He did not greet the man at the till, just asked for a bag and waited to load his shopping.

He bought two red apples, a small block of Sainsbury's cheddar, one tomato, and two of slices of ham. The teller passed the tomato to him as if it were a newly-born kitten. The unsmiling man did not say thankyou, and walked away.

Behind me were a young couple who jostled over who would carry the shopping. She unfolded a shopping bag and he said he could fit everything into his rucksack. They bought 40 plastic coat-hangers, kitchen roll and two bottles of fruit squash, the makings of a newly-acquired home. She, wearing a silk blouse and looking at her boyfriend adoringly, had an infectious giggle. After the sadness of the man's tomato, it was quite warming.