However readers of the eventual short story do have one advantage – they know that a “date” will be forthcoming. The italic paras start to hint at what sort of a man Larry is.
Months ago the shopping lists were scribbled in pencil. Then, carefully, in pen. Then in pen and in capital letters. Then enlarged on the laptop and printed out on a full A4 sheet. Ma saying, “You can’t snivel now even if you do forget your glasses.”
But glasses didn’t solve all Larry’s problems. Potatoes were of course potatoes. And tooth-paste was tooth-paste. But what was Ainsley Harriot lemon grass? Last week he’d returned home lacking this very item, defeated, terrified of asking a shelf-stacker in case he made a fool of himself. Ma had shrieked her displeasure, grabbed the car keys and stamped off.
Back in ten minutes, still angry. At least she hadn’t insisted Larry walked back to Tesco. She could have.
I’m a Brit and this is a British story using a native vocabulary. In the past US readers of Tone Deaf have flapped their hands and wondered what certain words and locutions mean. Most Brits managed to read The Bridge of San Luis Rey, Cannery Row, and the Rabbit tetralogy without external help. Try Google if you must. Better still, visit us.
Story progress: 792 words written; 3200 words (approx.) to go