Page 128 - My Home on the Earth

through lanes and alleyways, passing smaller shops and outlets. One was a laundry and it was empty. On top of the empty washing machines sat discarded boxes of powder and bottles of gel. As the shop was unattended, he assumed visible cameras would be in place but a nifty and crafty look around proved otherwise. He had but one chance to get in and get out. Taking a deep breath, he dived through the door, opened his rucksack and filled it with plastic bottles and boxes of powder. To a passer-by, he could have been inside collecting a load of family washing, and left with his gel and powder. It felt unreal, but John was sensible enough to know he could be caught another time. Although the containers were almost empty, he had enough for his needs. His thoughts turned to his second objective: liquid soap. It was available in public toilets but screwed to the wall. Some caf és provided plastic dispensers, but he couldn’t go in because he didn’t have any money for a drink.
Rather than loiter in the town any longer, he made his way back to the bus station. Crossing the main road, he noticed his loose shoelace. When he reached the other side he sat on the pavement with his back to a wall to tie it up. A fifty-pence piece landed in his lap and he stared after the man who dropped it. As John held it in his open hand and marvelled at his good fortune, a second coin fell beside him. This time a pound coin. Within the space of four minutes, he’d amassed a total of five pounds and twenty pence. Shoving the coins in his pocket, he stood up and hot-footed it to a bargain store where he purchased blue
122