A BRIEF ENCOUNTER

Bruno is worrying ! It's nearly time to close the shop and although trades been good , only opening after school is not enough !

He really needs to be here all day! especially on Fridays and Saturdays when it can get very busy and they can make lots of sales.

He looks at the milkshake he'd promised himself if he sold enough but now he doesn't have the heart to drink it.. he may have to give 'uncle' Alfonso a call.....

Suddenly he realises that it's gone a little dark , then senses someone watching him!

" Hello Bruno " says a cheerful voice " I hope I'm in time to get some shopping done before you close? "
Stunned Bruno stumbles over his words.. " Oh.. no.. I mean .. Yes .. of course Miss Vivian.. anything for you!" his voice ends on a near whisper.

" Oh your an Angel Bruno! I only got home about an hour ago and I just must start some Christmas shopping " the vision turns towards the inner part of the shop " I hope you have plenty of things left and how is Granny ? "

Miss Vivian stands over at the Christmas card display, sorting through the cards, while Bruno tries to find his tongue!

" I.. I..  I saw your film 19 and a half steps.. last week " says Bruno he voice just a little starstruck, even though he's known Vivian all his life, why she even baby sat him a time or two!  " Granny's got the flu, so she's up in bed at the moment "
" Oh dear!" says Miss Vivian " you must give her my love and tell her I'll send along some of the medicine they make me take on set if I start to feel a cold coming, it's wonderful stuff" Vivian says as she scans cards selecting some to take with her.

In no time at all Miss Vivian's placed a pile of goods on the counter and Bruno's totting them up. " Did you enjoy the film Bruno " asks Vivian anxiously
" Yes! " says Bruno forgetting to be shy " I loved the part in the train station with the clock! wonderful "
Miss Vivian blushes " Oh I'm so pleased " she carries on excitedly " You must see my new film when it comes out ! It's called Gone with the Bins! all about a child left out with the rubbish and saved by the binman !"
" Really!"
" Yes but when she , that's me . grows up her mother returns to try and claim her ! and only , although I don't know it, so she can get part of my plantation that's been left to me by my paternal grandfather!"
"Wow that sounds exciting ! " says Bruno getting shy again " did... did you have to get in a bin full of rubbish? "
Miss Vivian laughs, a pretty tinkling sound that makes Bruno smile " No ! thank goodness! I play the child when she's older another much younger actress did that part , although they didn't make the rubbish horrid and smelly, it was all done so it appeared to be horrid"

Taking most of her purchases Miss Vivian heads for the door asking Bruno to send the other things on later. Bruno says he'll drop them off after tea.

"and Bruno " says Miss Vivian without turning " Whatever you are worrying about it will be okay! "
" Will it? " ask Bruno wistfully

" yes it will " says Miss Vivian firmly

" After all tomorrow is another day "

 and then she's gone leaving a slightly shell shocked Bruno in her wake.

But seeing Miss Vivian had given Bruno an idea....

Could he do it?.... and if so how would he do it......

Suddenly he starts moving talking aloud  " first I must close the shop and get Granny some tea, then I need to find that old trunk... "



To be continued.....




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