Writing for Fun
July 2019
Cashflow - Maureen Rampersaud
The crash of the front door closing woke Sarah from her dream. She was on a yacht, sailing single-handed from Penzance to the Bahamas, the cheering crowds were cut short by her vindictive younger sister leaving the house for school. Sarah had finished her G.C.S.E.s and wasn’t required to attend school now until September. She had been boasting loudly last night about lying in until midday ... her sister obviously was not impressed ... neither were her parents, who made it clear that they expected her to get a summer job, pronto!
She trailed round the High Street shops with no luck until, in desperation, she tried the bookshop. Yes, the boy who was working there had just walked out and they would like her to start as soon as they could arrange it. Sarah was pleased that that she had actually had found something but disappointed that it was in a dull old bookshop. She had imagined herself serving burgers or selling stylish clothes ... anywhere where she might meet young people ... only old people went into bookshops. Still she hadn’t much choice, her cash flow was only flowing one way at the moment.
By day three, she knew where everything was and she felt a little more optimistic about the job. Things changed on day four when Mrs. Golding walked into the shop.
‘You! Young woman! Get me ‘The Children’s Book’ by A.S. Byatt, and make it snappy. I’m due at the Bridge Club.’
Sarah rushed off, trying to look as if she knew what she was doing. While crouching on all fours, scrutinizing the bottom shelf below the Peppa Pig display, the large framed Mrs. Golding loomed over her.
‘You stupid girl! This is a modern masterpiece by a prize-winning novelist, do you really think it would be rubbing shoulders with Zog the dragon? Fetch the manager!’
After a dressing down by Mr. Osgood, she was rather disappointed that he hadn’t fired her.
‘And by the way, her grandson will be picking up the book in question tomorrow at ten o’clock. Make sure you don’t make a pig’s ear of that!’
That night, Sarah didn’t dream of the Bahamas but that she had turned into Peppa Pig and Zog, the dragon, was about to turn her into crackling.
The next morning at nine forty-five she was approached by a spotty youth but he was looking for ‘The Anglo-Saxon World’. Mr. Osgood overheard and ushered him to his counter, ‘You’ll have to order that one, I’m afraid, it’ll be here tomorrow, but an excellent choice young man.’
Sarah sighed as she inspected the cover of ‘The Children’s Book’. Above a strange half-woman, half-dragonfly was written, ‘Shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize 2009’. Yes, the old bat was right, she was stupid.
‘Excuse me’, Sarah gazed up at a boy who was six foot of gorgeousness, dark eyes, black shoulder-length hair and a smile that would melt what was left of the Arctic after global warming.
‘I’ve come to collect my Granny’s book.’
Sarah was aghast and showed it.
‘Ah, I see that you’ve encountered her sunny disposition. Don’t worry, I don’t take after that side of the family.’
Sarah blushed as she handed over the book. Having concluded his business with the spotty youth, Mr. Osgood made his presence known, ‘I hope everything is to your satisfaction, this time.’
This young lady has given exemplary service, Mr. Osgood. In fact, I hope she will be free tomorrow to help me order my university books for September.’
As the young man left the shop, Mr. Osgood looked puzzled but Sarah couldn’t suppress a wide grin. She might start reading a bit more!