Rummy Granddad and the Glistening Nipple
By Casey Douglass
Picture used freely from the excellent Gratisography site. It is likely "a" granddad though, not "the" granddad mentioned below. |
I went into Norwich
yesterday, struggling against the aches, pain and fatigue that follow
me everywhere like some kind of lice-infestation. There was a charity
run or bike-ride happening which meant lots of glistening crowd
barriers and road closed signs glinting in the sunlight. It appeared
to be over by the time I was in the area, but there were still plenty
of short-wearing sweaty people walking around looking happy. Well
done and all that, I thought, but you’ll all be extra hungry and
flock to the various eateries now. So I ate an early lunch in an
attempt to have some peace and quiet.
After eating and having
a browse, I found myself nursing a large 99 flake ice cream. I say
nursing in the sense of it needed protection from the hot sun, and I
happened to have a safe place close at hand, if only I could get it in there.
I was preoccupied with ice cream dynamics when I realised I was
walking behind a drunk. He wasn’t someone that “looked” like a
drunk though. He looked like someone's granddad who, while out
shopping, just thought he’d have a couple of drinks
before heading home. It wasn’t until he leaned his left shoulder
against the wall, stopped walking for a few moments, then pushed away
again that he drew my attention. That, and the sudden bout of singing.
Him, not me.