‘Fine, let’s go then. I’ll drive,’ Cat said, grabbing her car keys and following him out of the room.
By the time they had found a parking space and walked to the High Street a small crowd had gathered in front of the mini-market. Cat followed Nathan as he eased his way through the cluster of onlookers. She knew before they reached the cause of all this interest exactly who would be there. Already she could hear her great-aunt’s voice loudly denouncing the supermarket manager as a thug and a bully.
‘Picking on the elderly,’ Em’s voice declared indignantly. ‘He should be ashamed of himself. Yes, you, I’m talking about you.’ By this time Cat could see her great-aunt, standing precariously on a plastic chair someone had appropriated from one of thetables outside The Smugglers. She was pointing an accusing finger at Seth Parkinson, the minimart’s owner. Usually a large intimidating man, on this occasion he was trying desperately to calm things down, his face pink with frustration.
‘Miss Trevelyan, I assure you I was not picking on anyone. Your colleague,’ he pointed directly at Rosalind, who stood there looking indignant, ‘decided to re-arrange the shop.’
‘I did not,’ Rosalind chirped, her chins wobbling. ‘I was merely sorting out your fruit and veg section. Tomatoes are a fruit, not a vegetable. I was merely making room for them next to the apples and bananas where they belong.’
‘Pardon me, Mrs Myers, but how I run my establishment is absolutely no affair of yours. Traditionally tomatoes belong in the salad section.’
‘Well, that’s entirely the wrong place,’ Rosalind insisted, ‘so I thought it was about time I put things right. And I have to say, Mr Parkinson, if and when I cross your threshold in future, I won’t hesitate to do the same thing again.’
‘That’s why you’ve been banned.’ Now it was Seth’s turn to look smug. ‘You can’t shop here any longer.’
‘Bully!’ This from Aunt Em who appeared to have found a cucumber from somewhere and was brandishing it at him.
‘Aunt Em will you get down off that chair, please,’ Nathan said, entering into the fray.
‘I certainly will not.’ Em waved her cucumber at him. ‘I’m here to support my friends.’ She gestured towards Rosalind and her two companions who stood in a trio to one side of the mini-market entrance.
‘Let me have that.’ Nathan snatched it from her hand. ‘You’re making a complete exhibition of yourself.’
‘How dare you,’ Em said, making a failed attempt to rescue the green weapon. The chair wobbled dangerously.
‘Will you please get down, Aunt Em. I need to talk to you.’ Cat joined her brother, feeling a feminine voice might appeal more than Nathan’s rather gung-ho approach.
‘Cat, is that you, dear? What are you doing here?’ Em peered at her.
‘Trying to save our family any more embarrassment. How has it come to this? Where is your dignity, for heaven’s sake?’
‘Dignity?’ Em scoffed. ‘What use is that?’ She puffed out her chest. ‘Here I have a purpose.’
‘Purpose? Yes you have. Amusement value for the crowds.’ She waved her hand towards the onlookers. ‘Can’t you see them all laughing at you?’
Em stopped and took a look out into the sea of amused faces, some photographing or videoing her on their mobiles.
‘Aunt Em, if you don’t come down this minute, I’m calling the police,’ Nathan threatened as he handed the cucumber back to Seth.
‘The police?’ Em parroted. ‘You wouldn’t.’
‘I would. I think Mr Parkinson has every right to involve them. Obstruction, disturbing the peace. Theft of a cucumber.’
Em fell silent. For the first time since their arrival she actually looked worried.
‘Don’t listen to him,’ Rosalind’s voice boomed behind Nathan. ‘He doesn’t know what he’s talking about. You’re doing a great job.’
Nathan spun around to confront the large woman who was swathed in a pink and white striped dress that made her look like a circus tent. ‘Enough Mrs Myers,’ he shouted at her. Catching sight of the other two women who stood wide eyed and trembling behind her he added, ‘I’d like all of you to leave. Now.’
Rosalind faltered under the power of Nathan’s voice and his impressive height. She took a large gulp of air and turned on her heel muttering angrily.
‘Come, ladies,’ she beckoned and marched away leaving Em stranded on her chair. Gradually the small crowd began to disperse. Seth returned to his shop leaving Cat and Nathan to help Em down.
‘See how they run away and leave you,’ Cat said, watching them making a hasty exit down the High Street. ‘They’re cowards, all three of them.’
‘Ah I wondered where that was,’ Jed the landlord of The Smugglers said, appearing out of nowhere to claim his chair. ‘Everything okay, folks?’ He gave them a puzzled look.
‘Fine thanks.’ Nathan nodded. ‘Now then, Em, let’s get you home, shall we? We need to talk.’
