I realised I had left my purse at home after the cashier had totalled my trolley load of shopping last night. I summoned the cavalry (my husband on his pushbike bearing my debit card) and promised her I would pay in 15 minutes.
Satisfied but not at all smiley she used her thumb to direct me to a bench by the tills. There were two other people sat on it already. When I joined them the man nearest said ” Coppers coming for you an’all?” “No! I forgot my purse” I informed him. Thinking back I said it in a very Sunday School voice. The woman sat on the far end was using her stomach to keep her knees warm , cackled “Good one, that. You want me to keep him busy so you can run out? I do a real good faint.”
‘Him’ was a seven foot tall bald guard who looked like he’d varnished the top of his pointy head, and was obviously on naughty bench duty. Just his stare made me want to confess to something I hadn’t done.
I declined her kind offer and then she asked could I maybe faint for her instead?
By the time my husband arrived the three people on the bench didn’t even notice me leaving. They were busy bragging about the largest stuff they had ever got away with nicking. A rose bush, 2 tins of Celebrations and a catering size pizza were apparently among their recent hauls.
The security guard frowned at me as I walked by and I felt compelled to confess that I’d nicked a rubber from Woolworths in 1968, but swore I’d gone straight since then.
how kind of the shop to have a bench so you can sit down – that’s good customer service! I bet people forget money all time in shops. I feel sorry for the security staff as it must be knackering watching everyone.
A friend of mine, in similar circumstances, got to the till and realised she had no purse with her. The manager was called and he packed her off home and waived the payment.
I cannot tell you the store – sorry!!!
Julie, the bench was a nice surprise. I thought they’d shackle me to a wall until I’d paid.
Ginny, LUCKY!
Anna May x
Throw a faint to facilitate a runner? Amateurs!!! I saw a couple in S**nsb*rys once whose technique was much simpler. They loaded the conveyor belt to overflowing, piled the goods into the trolley and then, as the bill totalled up, one of them said “Oh, I’ve just remebered something” and walked back into the aisles. The queue (getting quite long by now) started tutting and making those grumbly “Some people!” noises. The one who remained, went with the “Oh, where HAS she got to?” look, and stared up one of the aisles . The cashier turned to see where she was looking. The queue turned to see where she was looking. And while they were turned, she calmly wheeled the trolley away and was out of the door before the cashier turned her head back.