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‘I’m sorry, sir, we don’t do credit.’ The shopkeeper’s assistant cringed and apologised.
‘Sure you do,’ the man said. ‘Hey, it’s okay,’ he said, smiling to spare her the embarrassment. ‘You’re new right? Solomon Tozer, look up his name.’
‘I don’t, sir, there’s not - ’ She startled as the shopkeeper came to stand behind her and take her place at the counter.
The customer didn’t react, though his friendly smile might have faltered for a moment, his charming blue eyes grown a little wider.
‘No credit,’ said the shopkeeper.
‘Wait, wait,’ the man said when the shopkeeper started to take back the items sitting on the counter. ‘My friend already paid for that,’ he said, glancing again at the assistant for support. ‘He was in a rush then, but now I’m back to pick them up. That’s what I was trying to say about credit.’
The shopkeeper turned to look at his assistant for confirmation. She winced unhappily, staring down at her skirts. Without looking, he reached suddenly over the counter to swipe at the man’s hand where he was holding it close to his hip out of sight.
Something fell and shattered all over the floor. Hickey turned to run.