Weekly Shop

The supermarket queue edged forward imperceptibly. In front, a week’s worth of groceries that just wouldn’t scan. The tired toddler in the trolley behind finished another packet of crisps. The Mum made a big thing of putting the packet, empty on the conveyor belt.

My wine rolled forward. The child’s grizzle went up a notch. The card reader stopped working. My wine called to me. I had to quiet it. I lifted it, unscrewing as I raised it.

And I drank.

Thirstily.

Then without fuss, I put the empty bottle on the conveyor belt and checked my phone for messages.