Queue

At the grocery store checkout, I wonder at the young till girl: why she bothers with the hair highlights; the obviously time-consuming make-up routine: foundation; blusher; lip gloss; mascara lashes; painted nails; and, shader lids. The weekend job, school exams, university fees, interviews, below inflation wage settlements, kids, index-linked mortgage, marriage, divorce and rising bills. In time - glancing round at the other blue-rinse checkouts - she'll be back at the till. And that's the optimistic prognosis in this town.

Loyalty Card?

No.