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Hi, welcome to my blog, I am a writer of short stories, children's and YA novels . An acceptance from People's Friend finally made me a published writer! Yeah, happy days! I have since had stories published in The Weekly News and The Last Laugh anthology. My main love is writing children's/YA novels...I'm now enduring a fruitless search for an agent... I also draw and paint, I like to draw animals (usually my adorable crazy cats!)Occasionally famous people and motorcycles.

Monday 7 January 2013

Overheard Conversations

I know a lot of short stories (or even longer ones) have come from a little tit-bit of overheard conversations, so it's always good to have an ear out!

Anyway, this is one I heard the other day at the supermarket:

Checkout lady says to customer:

"Hello, Happy New Year!"

Grumpy Old Man:

"Yes, Happy New Year." (Said without feeling)

Checkout Lady:

"Did you have a good time?"

Grumpy Old Man:

"No"

Checkout Lady:

"Oh, that's a shame."

Grumpy Old Man

"Yes we went away."

Checkout Lady:

"Oh, that's nice."

Grumpy Old Man

"Not really, there was only a double bed in out hotel room."

Checkout Lady (Looking a little wary):

"Oh."  (Meaning, please don't tell me any more)

Grumpy Old Man:

"Well I don't like sharing a bed, the wife takes up most of it, so I couldn't sleep."

Checkout Lady (trying to be positive):

"Aw.Well at least you got away for a little break."

Grumpy Old Man:

"Well, it was a waste of time, I put up with it for two nights, then we came home early."

Checkout Lady:

"Oh dear." (What else to say? She didn't want to sympathise)

Thankfully he was done then with his shopping and was on his merry way . The poor lady on the checkout looked at me as if to say, "I wish I hadn't asked!"

I mean, his poor wife! Imagine a husband announcing such a thing, his wife's holiday is cut short because he doesn't want to sleep next to her!

What a grump. He made Victor Meldrew look like a charming romantic.


I hope your' new year is off to a better start! :)











9 comments:

  1. To be fair, you haven't seen his wife. Maybe he's a saint to put up with her and the supermarket is his only respite. Then again, maybe he's just an grumpy old so and so.

    mood

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    Replies
    1. Hi
      Yes, that crossed my mind, but....no he was grumpy! :)

      Delete
  2. Thank you for sharing this lovely exchange, penandpaints.
    It's amazing, the personal details people tell to strangers! And it's also amazing how negative and miserable people are too. I think supermarket cashiers should all write books about these sorts of encounter. They must hear so many stories every day.
    When I worked in retail, I should have kept a note of all the odd things I was told. Now that I am at home writing, I don't often get to hear these lovely snippets!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Joanna, just lately I seem to have come across some very negative people. Maybe it's the time of year and the lack of sunshine?
      My daughter works in a shop and she always has little anecdotes, I tell her to write them down, I'm sure she could write a book!

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  3. Oh dear, I found myself feeling sorry for his wife!
    These snippets really do get you thinking don't they :-) x

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  4. We went away for New Year and my poor husband had to sleep next to me so I'm hoping the grumpy chap didn't look like a photographer.

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  5. Hahahah, to be fair I guess it must be hard if your SO bed hogs. I am a bed hogger. I sympathise with bed hogees the world over.

    Sounds like he was probs juuuust grumppyy though. ;-)

    ReplyDelete

I appreciate all your comments, thank you!