A SMILE IN A WHISTLE

Chapter 21

Carrots. Eggs. Butter. Apples. Cereals. Lemons. Fish.

She knew she had forgotten something on her list, but couldn't remember what...

Pasta. Yogurts. Sparkling water. Toothpaste. Cheese.

Nope, it wasn't coming back to her.

Sarah's mission on that Saturday morning was to fill up her kitchen cupboards. Lydia kept commenting every time she came round, horrified by their emptiness. Sarah decided to put an end to her remarks. Usually, she'd only buy what was necessary for her week; she wasn't much of a spender. Today, she'd do her shopping otherwise.

When choosing the best-looking apples in the fruit section, Josephine's brother suddenly appeared in the aisle in front of her. Carl was carrying a bag full of potatoes to his trolley. In an attempt to avoid conversing with him, Sarah quickly picked three random apples from the container, then marched away without looking back. However, her efforts would be in vain... As she arrived at the cash register, Carl followed right behind her.

"Hello! Sarah?" he called out, keen to talk to her.

Carl had shouted so loudly, Sarah couldn't even pretend she hadn't heard him. Everyone had noticed his strident, blaring voice. Even an elderly man with hearing aids in both ears turned around.

"Hello Carl," Sarah answered, politely.

"How lovely to see you here! How have you been?"

Sarah put her goods on the till counter. She hoped he would see that she was too busy to talk. He didn't and stepped closer.

"Do you need a hand?"

"No, thanks," she said, sharply.

"How have you been?" he repeated.

"Good, and you?"

"Yeah. Getting a few grubs!" said Carl, imitating Timon's voice from The Lion King.

Sarah smiled awkwardly. The apathetic cashier looked unimpressed too, and the elderly man nearby turned around again, thinking maybe his hearing aids were faulty.

"Did you enjoy your friend's birthday party, at The Dash?"

"Yes, it was nice."

"Great place, isn't it!"

"Apparently so..." Sarah replied sarcastically.

"Have you lived in this town for long?"

"Yes, it's been a while now."

"Me too! How come we haven't met here before?"

"I don't usually come to this supermarket," said Sarah.

That wasn't entirely true...

Sarah threw her purchases into her trolley and indicated to the cashier that she'd pay buy card. Meanwhile, Carl began to load his food onto the counter. Sarah spotted balloons and champagne amongst his beer, meat and potatoes.

"Looks like you're having a party..." she observed.

"Sam's thirty-ninth!"

In a split second, Sarah's legs began to jiggle.

"Wh– When is it?" she quivered.

"The tenth of October. We're planning a big surprise! It will do him some good I think, he's been awfully stressed by the wedding lately... Hasn't spoken much at all."

"Really?" she asked, curiously.

"A big party will help him get his mind off it! Would you like to come?"

"Erm... No. No. No," she repeated.

What she really wanted to say was "yes, yes, yes," but it wasn't a good idea to go where she knew she didn't belong. There would surely be all of Sam's friends, Josephine's friends and family... It wouldn't be right to go even though she was dying to see Sam.

"You know..." said Carl, "I could take you, if you want. I promise to bring you back home for midnight."

"Midnight?"

"You know, just like Cinderella... and Prince Charming," he winked.

The previously silent cashier suddenly burst out into a cacophonous laughter. He then had to hide his mockery by gradually fading his guffaw into a cough. The elderly man nearby shook his head, thinking even he had better pick-up lines than that! As for Sarah, she was a little embarrassed, and tried to refuse his nice invitation in a cordial manner.

"I'm– I'm not available. Sorry."

"Maybe some other time then..." Carl suggested, still confident.

Thankfully, the cashier passed the receipt over to Sarah, and she was free to go. She said goodbye to Carl with a friendly smile, then immediately walked out of the supermarket. She could barely feel her legs, still shaking from the sorrow she felt to be unable to see Sam. Especially on his birthday. He had been present many times at her parties when she was young; she wished she could return the favor. Jealousy had also taken over her mind... Josephine was the lucky woman who was getting to be part of all this! Sarah slung her bags of food in the boot of her red Punto and sat at the wheel. Tears began to build up in her eyes. Oh, come on Sarah! she told herself. It's about time you move past this!

She probably would have if she were sure that Sam didn't have feelings for her... But maybe the answer was right in front of her. After all, he was still planning to marry Josephine. Maybe that was all she needed to know.

"Damn it!" she cursed.

Chocolate.

She had forgotten to buy some chocolate. The perfect medicine for heartache like this.