BLACK MARKET
“How much? It’s only a cabbage!”
“Suit yourself - it’s no skin off my nose.”
“I’ll take it, but it’s daylight robbery.”
“It was moonlight, actually. How are you off for
spuds?”
“I could use a few kilos.”
“I’m rationing them – I can only let you have two.”
Danielle scuttled indoors before the neighbours saw
her buying black market vegetables, but if her husband didn’t get his meat and
two veg her life wouldn’t be worth living. She turned on the television, hoping
to hear better news about the virus.
Self-isolation with a bad-tempered man was worse than a
prison sentence.
...............................................................................................
Roger Bultot's photo of empty shelves is chillingly apposite in view of the reported stock-piling some people are doing right now. Even I bought a carton of long-life milk 'just in case'. And we're being careful to wash our hands more often, but we're not panicking - more people died this week from a dozen other causes than of Covid-19.
MORE EXCITING in my life this week is that the third book in my LIVING ROCK series is now published. You can buy LANDSLIDE on Amazon in print or ebook by clicking on the cover image on the right. If you haven't read the first two books yet, A VOLCANIC RACE and WOLF PACK are still there waiting for you!
Oh dear... Just when she thought it was as bad as it could get!
ReplyDeletePrices are going up even as we write!
DeleteA timely story, Liz. I suspect the murder rate will go up
ReplyDeleteAll grist to our writing mills, Neil.
DeleteNice one, enjoyed it - from a good tempered man :)
ReplyDeleteIs that your wife's opinion or just yours?
DeleteShape of things to come in today's climate? Let's hope not!
ReplyDeleteI was in Tesco's today and toilet rolls were selling as fast as they could bring them out of the stockroom!
DeleteI wish her man was a bit more understanding!
ReplyDeleteHe should be, particularly under the circumstances.
Deletei suggest that the old man goes shopping for a change. :)
ReplyDeleteI bet if she were the one having to self-isolate he wouldn't be so good...
ReplyDeleteThey're stuck with each other.
DeleteI wonder if there's any black market hand gel out there yet? Nice one Liz.
ReplyDeleteYou could probably buy some fake stuff on the internet - from China, maybe?
DeleteGood dialogue for a grim story, Liz
ReplyDeleteThank you, CEA.
DeleteDear Liz,
ReplyDeleteThat last line is true under any circumstances. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Not all marriages are made in heaven!
DeleteMaybe Dannielle should send her husband to purchase the vegetables. Sad but true, so many 'Old Men' are squatting in our local supermarket for toilet paper. Don't know who they are afraid of most, the virus or their wives. :)
ReplyDeleteApparently our local Tesco ran out of toilet paper and pasta yesterday - and frozen pizzas!!
DeleteFelt her tension, loved the twist, Liz!
ReplyDeleteThanks Brenda!
DeleteI wonder if it will come to that... but there will be those trying to profit from the rest of us.
ReplyDeleteThere always are unfortunately.
Delete