Monday 21 November 2016

GRANNY FORTUNA'S VILLAGE SHOP

The sky is grey and the air chilly so it's been quiet all morning at Granny's shop.


No one's been in for over half an hour! "Bruno " calls Granny " Where are you? "


"I'm here " says Bruno dragging in a large lantern " Why can we not have electric light out in the shed? "


"This thing weights a ton! and I does not give enough light to see into the corners!"


" I nearly fell over! and could have broken my neck !" Bruno say dramatically !


" Psk! " says Granny dismissively " Broken your neck ! You are young , you would just bounce! "

While Granny and Bruno argue back and forth as to just what could or could not happen to a young boy alone in a semi dark storeroom, lets look round the shop.


Granny has all the things one could need to tide you over.


even chocolate and cakes , lovely.


The sound of someone struggling to close the door against the wind cause Granny to break off her talk with Bruno and attend to the visitor.
" Good morning Granny " says James cheerfully " a little windy out there today "


Granny moves back to the counter agreeing that it is very windy outside " and what can I do for you today James "
"I'm in charge of Christmas at home this year, so I need some things for my cake making !"

" You are!" says Granny amazed then says carefully " of course you are and what do you need ? "
" Well I need some self raising flour, caster sugar, Sultana's or mixed fruit if you have it !"



" Of course I have it !" says Granny turning to the shelves to get the items for James , " Oh and some Demerara sugar , chocolate power "


Granny turns back with everything apart from the Demerara Sugar ! " What is this for? "
" baking cakes "
" Does it have to be Demerara ? Can it not be Muscovado ? or some such? "


" Well I don't know " ponders James " the receipt said demerara , so I suppose I should stick to that!"
"I will have to go look in the shed.. I mean storeroom, is there anything else? "


Bruno is over at the pick n mix , picking himself a nice piece from the dolly mixtures!


Granny stops and turns " Excuse me James it seems we have a thief in the shop! "
For a moment Bruno does not realise Granny is talking about him!


When he does he gets very annoyed " Who you calling a thief !"
" I am looking at him !" says Granny sternly
" You said I could have a sweet once I finished in the storeroom! "
"Did I? " mutters Granny before saying sternly " and have you finished! I think not! "


"That's because it never ends! " says Bruno angrily " Bruno do this! Bruno get that ! Bruno sweep the floor !"
" You impertinent child , thank goodness your dear mother never lived to see what you have become !"

" What A Slave!" shouts Bruno


James decides he'd best cough so they remember he's there! So he coughs loudly, Bruno starts and drops the sweet and Granny takes a deep breath.


Quietly Granny says " Bruno mind the store while I go look for some Demi sugar for master James "
Granny walks off muttering about children and their manners. Bruno watches her go blinking back tears.


Just for a moment there's an awkward silence while Bruno gets himself under control and James tries to think of something to say.
Then looking round he spots just the thing.


"Why that picture looks familiar? I wonder where I've seen it before? "
Voice slightly trembling Bruno answers " That's because it's your Mum's, she asked granny to get it framed and then said could we keep it here until all the works been done at your house"
"It does look good there " smiles James " where's the pink van? "
"That's coming next week " says Bruno his voice now much stronger and even " Don't know where Granny's going keep that one! "



Turning James smiles at Bruno, Bruno smiles back shyly " Is this your Christmas range? "
" Some of it. there's more coming next week "


"These are great " James looks at the items. He tells Bruno all about how he's 'doing' Christmas this year and all the things he's got planned. Bruno thinks it sounds wonderful


Shyly Bruno points to a set at the back of the display " This might be good, it's a set of alphabet stamps with green and red ink "
" That's just perfect " says James looking it over " I'll have that to, please"


It's quite heavy so the boys carry it together to the counter where James stops to look at the Christmas crackers " Do you have any more? "
" Granny's taking orders , they'll be ready for Christmas "
" I'll work out how many I'll need and let you know "


Suddenly Granny appears at James shoulder " No demi sugar I'm afraid I could get some in? "
" Not to worry I'll check the receipt and see if I can use a different one"


" Shall I get Bruno to deliver these ? " Granny asks
" Yes Please and can you put them on Mum's account? " James then remembers " Oh I'll take the Mixed fruit with me though"


" Bye Granny, Bruno . Oh and thanks for the idea Bruno " says James leaving.


" I'll go get the trolley " says Bruno quietly walking away, Granny watches feeling bad about calling him a thief but what to do to make amends !"


" BRUNO CATCH! " shouts Granny , just in time Bruno manages to catch the thing flying towards him


Looking at his hand he sees a dolly mixture " I'm sorry " says Granny gruffly turning back to the counter " You are a good boy Bruno and not a thief "
Bruno nods accepting Granny's apology and carries his sweet off with him in search of the trolley.


It's such a worry thinks ,Granny, having to look after, feed and clothe such a young boy, what will happen to him if I get ill ! we are only us two with no others.


" Is my book in yet!" asks a voice snapping Granny out of her worries, she looks up to see Valentine
" and what book is that? " she sighs


Valentine rolls his eyes " The one I ordered yesterday Alexander McQueen and the Scottish collection !"
"You came at 4.30 and I could not place the order until this morning, so no it's not in yet! Have some patience Valentine!"
" I know Granny but I so want to see all the fabulous clothes in there I have plans you know !"
" Do you now " smiles Granny " Well if they involve your mother before Christmas you have no chance !"


Hurrying away Valentine calls " I will do it all myself, I don't need any help from Mum thank goodness " he says cheerfully " Mind you I may need to ask Hattie a few things! I'll call in tomorrow "
"Tomorrow? "
" Just in case it arrives " and with that he's gone...


Maybe it's just as well there's just the two of them.. thinks Granny , I don't think I could cope with loads of children all wanting different things !  where that boy got to now ? I hope he's not sitting about doing nothing!
Granny decides she'd best go check....



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20 comments:

  1. What a lovely shop and a great story. I love all the little things you have 'in stock' and look forward to seeing what else arrives for Christmas. And what a sweet little boy Bruno is, he fits right in in this new role as shop boy doesn't he?
    xxx

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    1. Thanks Sharon. I have so much stuff that I could put into the shop once I manage to find it! But Granny's got lots coming in for Christmas 😊
      Bruno definitely likes working in the shop as long as his grand not to demanding! Xx

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  2. Poor Bruno! For a moment I was really worried that his lot would be the same as Granville's!!! But I see that Granny is nothing like Arkwright....she said sorry and gave Bruno a dolly mixture *phew*

    I really enjoyed this story, though I can't imagine what Valentine is up to!!!
    I am just going to look at the photos again now and enjoy seeing all the little details in the set.
    Thank you!

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    1. Would I do that to poor Bruno ! Arkwrights indeed ! 😀 No Granny is just a little worried about somethings,which will be revealed as we head towards Christmas.
      Glad you enjoyed the story and as to our Valentine, he just loves fashion and design and wants to be a designer once he's old enough.
      The shop will be filling up as Christmas approaches , so keep looking lots of goods to come.... If I can find half of them! X

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  3. Super shop and story line. Sounds like Valentine might be getting out a sewing machine soon if he is after a book on clothes.

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    1. Thanks 😀 This tale as far to go....
      I hope he knows how to use one if he's got plans on those lines! I'd best go check if our sewing machine still works since it's so under used!



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  4. What a fantastic post Dee! I adore the shop and all the things in it! It must of taken ages to set up...well done you...LOVE it!!

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    1. Thanks Simples :) Yes it did take a while, so I want to leave it up but that means finding somewhere else to do the 'house' photo's. I have a plan just need to see if it will work!! :)

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  5. Poor old Bruno! There's an air of 'Open All Hours' here! Tell Bruno beware of the till, just in case.....

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    1. poor Bruno indeed, but thankfully no finger snapping tills here ! :)

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  6. Fabulous characters. Love them all! Granny really looks the part & Bruno is every inch the shop boy. Super props!! I must make a note of what Valentino is wearing because I think he is dreaming of a new outfit. Love the storyline, Dee. Thanks for a day brightener...Carol from Canada

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    1. So glad you love them :) I have to say that I thought Bruno would suit a shop boy apron! lol Valentine's up to something!
      Happy to have brightened your day :) xx

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  7. James is such a sweet, sensitive boy. He seems to have a knack to just say and do the exact right things to help others. I love how he was so kind to little Bruno, and worked to cheer him up. I'm glad that he is still around the Village. I have a feeling that he will be the perfect Village Christmas Elf (though I better not say that too loudly, so that I don't risk angering the formidable young Elfine). I am sorry that I haven't written in so long, but I still follow your wonderful blog avidly, and am currently being crowded by my Sasha children trying to look over my shoulder and make comments. The shop is so sweet, and your characters are intriguing, as always. I absolutely love your attention to detail. Those little Toblerone bars look absolutely scrumptious! They are some of my favorite chocolates. I wish you luck, especially with whatever Valentine is planning, and thank you for the smile and giving an American Sasha addict another thing to be thankful for as Thanksgiving approaches. Have a great day.

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    1. Hi Elizabeth Lovely to hear from you :) James is a sweet child and likes everyone to be happy.
      Yes best not to say the word elf too loudly ! I hope your Sasha children will enjoy this Christmas tale.
      I hope also that you had a lovely Thanksgiving and all is well with you.

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  8. Great story Dee and with the promise of more to come!
    I'm wondering does Bruno need a head torch for seeing into those dark corners and leaving his hands free?
    I'm also sure your toblerones are the full value ones and not those with more space than chocolate!

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    1. Thank you Rosie :) Yes this little tale is for Christmas so will run a while longer!
      I will recommend a head torch for Bruno to Granny , hopefully she'll think it a good idea!
      Of course only the best full chocolate /no spaces Toblerone's are sold in Granny Fortuna's shop! :)

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  9. How I miss those local little family run corner shops where you and your everyday needs were so well known that they practically knew what you needed before you even asked.
    (There was usually a monthly family credit tag behind the counter which was so helpful when we, as children, were occasionally asked to get on our bicycles and ride to the local village to get the 'odd run out of' or now needed household item.)
    Super little miniature copies of so many everyday packaged/tinned items and all so beautifully set up.
    Adore little Bruno, a perfect shop boy assistant.
    Give me this old fashioned polite service in small village shops over these huge, bland supermarkets any day.
    PS. Totally agree about the NEW Toblerones with all those wide spaces! IMO it basically amounts to cheating!

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    1. Those were the days Kendal :) We still have a little village shop here which struggles to make ends meet since they took away the post office that they used to run within it.
      But so far it's managed to survive and I suppose it as much as I can.
      Glad you enjoyed seeing all the little shop items :)

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  10. A wonderful post and story showing this fabulous shop! I am fascinated at the store set up and all the perfect little items. Also nice to see Granny and Bruno with James and Valentine. It is good to mix up the dolls I think and it is nice to be reminded that Grannys should apologize when they make mistakes. As wonderful as Grannys are, they are still human and make mistakes. 😉 xxx

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    1. Thank you Ginger :) That's a good thing about having more than just Sasha's , you are then able to call on other dolls who look that part ;) Yes even Granny can get it wrong sometimes :) xxx

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