SHADOWFALL

By Tessa Harvey


    Oliver Sykes bent to move some ketchup (tomato sauce) boxes. He was very careful how he moved heavy objects. Almost old enough to retire, he valued keeping healthy. He and Ada were watchful how they ate also. This job was only part-time but the boss, nearing seventy, gave him as much work as he could.
    A smartly dressed city lady entered through the doors, flyscreen streamers of red, yellow and white. For a few seconds she stood, trying to adjust her eyes to the dimness of the shop. Clutching a briefcase the lady scanned the ice-cream section, the baked loaves and buns, the food tins, the sweets, and came to rest finally on the owner. 
Mr. Aultbaum?' she queried, "my name is Felicity Drew. I represent my firm of business lawyers." Felicity held up her identity lanyard hanging over her suit. "Nope, wrong man. Mr Aultbaum - Ollie is just over there. Here lad!" he called, though he was only a few years older. "Take a break and come back later. I can manage until lunch."

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