It began as an ordinary day in Dursleyville. It was crisp, crunchy and sunny. Just perfect weather for wearing a quirky grey poncho from the op shop.
So while there were plenty of dramas at the day job, I did not expect them to continue after leaving the building. By then it was nearly 4pm and the skies had gotten grey and overcast. It did not look like suitable walking weather and certainly not the sort for sitting in a park listening to the birds or reading the latest instalment of ratty badness from James Herbert. Decided instead to catch the train to the city, drop into the bottle shop to get something for Father’s Day and get back to the Lair within the 2 hours that the train ticket was valid. After all there was lots of seeds and weeds at the Lair to be planted and watered.
It’s a nasty poky bottle shop owned by one of the big 2 supermarkets. I normally never darken the door of the place unless there are special offers advertised because it is usually ridiculously expensive.
But a bottle of reserve port and a big juicy South Australian red from a reputable brand name for $35 was a very good deal indeed and I was half expecting that they would be all sold out.
Soon I was wishing they were. For when I’d stored the stash safely in my back pack and went to pick up my green frog and turtle adorned shopping bag from the floor before leaving the store, I suddenly realised that it had simply vanished. Not of its own accord I am sure but with a bit of help.
( Rat bags and sneaking thieves )