THE THIN LADY with bright yellow hair elbowed her way through bemused crowds with a determined air. It was early morning but there were plenty of people about. Especially those pesky joggers who looked upon steps as a challenge rather than an obstacle to overcome. Having begun her journey down on the beach front, surmounting the various terraces upon which this part of Cherryball Flats was built presented a challenge indeed if one did not have a mind to it.
Finally she reached her chosen destination on a more gently sloping incline and turned into a narrow shaded lane still bright with whitewashed walls and posters even amid the shadows. It was easy enough to find the place because of the smell and sounds of slaughter.
The lady ignored all that and clumped up the wooden steps on the outside of the building before banging on a glass-panelled door so vehemently the squealing and death-rattles below halted for a moment, suggesting the slaughterer held his hand just to listen. It was possible to see that the writing on the door had altered a lot in recent months as if the occupants within needed to keep up with changing times. The most recent label said 'Fur Up For Fun,' which might mean anything really. Poor customer targeting, the lady thought.
The door opened abruptly and there was an added silence as visitor and occupant sized each other up.
'Hullo Lemon. What brings you to this part of paradise?' came a somewhat sullen query.
The sharp, angry face of Lemon Curl melted into a beatific smile most unexpected.
'Had a thought I have, Mully Craftit,' she said in a modified shriek. 'Been looking at all that beauty out there.' At this point the sounds of slaughter resumed in the butchery below but Lemon Curl pressed gamely on with her message. 'Someone said to me, strange little body with hair almost as beautiful as mine, there's way too much beauty for any single person to enjoy in a lifetime, so best enjoy what you can when you can.'
Then she held up a carrier bag full of tins.
'What say you we enjoy it together?'
'Who's that shrieking at the door?' a large lady bustled forward.
'Lemon Curl with an offering, Share,' Mully said sleepily.
'A merger?' and Share Wellin frowned suspiciously.
'More a mingling,' Lemon said. 'I got cream buns too,' and she held up another bag.
'Ooh,' Share replied, eyes wide. Suddenly the end of the world needed to be a long way off if such a feast were to be given the right kind of attention.
'Enter,' she said, shifting her vast bulk to one side. 'Oh, and mind the bones.'