poppy

After Midnight ~ J.J Cale

especially accompanied by three Carolina Reapers. I cried for a week (sitting on the loo with a red-hot burning rear end) after that little exploit! 'I'll just pop around to the Cosy Book Nook and see if they'll take me back. It'll be pretty touch and go, after your outburst but I'll do my best.' Rosie looked a little sheepish, but perked up saying, 'I'll give Clyde a ring.' Petunia and Bunty took one look at me and ...

I think I need to keep things in perspective. I feel a bit wobbly these days, Johnny, I'm sorry if I overreact sometimes.' 'It's alright, darling, I understand.' 'But if you're going to work there, I want Clyde back. He's on the dole and happy to do work experience so it's win win all round.' I groaned, was it all worth it if I had to put up with that little jerk again? I decided that ...

Down To Earth ~ Peter Gabriel

Tears In Heaven ~ Eric Clapton

was I supposed to be feeding him at this stage of the proceedings? Rosie was really getting quite dotty. I put it down to pregnancy hormones. 'If you keep coming and vetting every job I apply for in case some female you don't approve of works there, I'll never get a job! I was perfectly happy at the Cosy Book Nook. You had absolutely nothing to worry about with Petunia, she's just a silly, scatty thing. She doesn't hold a candle to you, darling, and never could.' 'Well, maybe I was being a little bit hasty. They did pay very well there.' Rosie was certainly going through a very unpredictable and volatile phase. 'Do you think,' she said ...

of tea?' I asked. 'We've come a long way.' Which wasn't strictly true but I thought it might diffuse the situation. 'Tea times are strictly adhered to here at Rooky's, 1100 hours and 1530 hours, on the dot,' stated Mr Quidzen. 'As it is only 1050 hours, you must contain yourself until then. The same goes for comfort breaks. They must be taken in your own time or pay will be docked.' 'I don't really think this position will suit, but thank you very much,' (for nothing)', I added under my breath. 'Johnny!' scolded Rosie, as I walked out, ...

off we trotted together. 'I need to vet the other staff if you're applying here. You're too open to flattery, Johnny. You mustn't encourage flirty girls, they're little minxes with their great big eyes and lispy ways.' I wasn't aware that I'd done any encouraging, and I was sure Petunia actually had quite squinty eyes behind her horn-rimmed spectacles. But it was no use arguing, I just said, 'Yes dear, I'll remember that in future,' and let my mind wander again. It was unfortunate that birds and cats ...

forget about ever going there again! If I find ...' And the tirade went on. I switched off at this stage and let my mind wander to happier things. I don't suppose there was anything to stop me baking a couple of spuds when I got home and we had a good supply of cottage cheese, sweet chilli sauce and spring onions ... I cheered up. I put Rosie's irascibility down to raging pregnancy hormones and let it all flow over my head. Maybe I could find another book store seeking employees. In fact, ...

Sixes and Sevens ~Robert Plant

Rosie inflated like an irate little puffer fish. 'You ... you ... shameless little hussy! How dare you proposition my husband! And under my very nose! Johnny, that's it, we're leaving now, right this very minute!' 'But what about my potato and cuppa? I haven't had my lunch yet!' She quelled me with a look and I reluctantly followed her. It was turning out to be a stink day, my dream job down the gurgler and deprived of a beautiful baked spud. Enough to make the most optimistic mouth and waggiest tail droop. I waved dejectedly to Bunty and shook my head sadly at Petunia. Maybe I could ...

Bunty would soon sort you out! 🤣

through her voice. 'You mean Loony Petunia? Don't you worry about her, she's a bit of a bird-brain, but she pays well. You know we could do with the extra money.' This was rather unkind to Petunia and quite untrue, but a green-eyed Rosie was a gasket-blowing Rosie and to be avoided at all costs. Unfortunately, Petunia was listening to our conversation through a crack in the door. She came bursting out and ...

justh perfecth!' 'Johnny, can I have a word in private, please?' asked Rosie. We went outside. She explained that while she encouraged me to have other interests outside the cat cafe, now she was pregnant she really needed extra help. If I was going to work elsewhere, she'd have to employ someone again and she was considering asking Clyde Piper to come back. 'What!! That slimy little worm?!!' I shouted. Bunty poked her head out the door, 'Steady on old chap, you'll frighten the horses!' 'Well it's up to you, but ...

a rather breathless Rosie. 'I just thought I'd call in and see how you were going, Johnny.' 'This is my ...my... wife, Rosie,' I explained. She gave me a sideways look but didn't correct me. 'I'm Bertha, but everyone calls me Bunty,' she boomed, 'sit your bum down and have a cuppa.' 'And I'm Pethunia. Johnny didnth tell me he wath married!' She sounded a little ...

Seven Spanish Angels ~ Ray Charles and Willie Nelson

part of the day had arrived ... lunchtime. A 'CLOSED FOR LUNCH' sign was hung in the door and we retired to a kitchen out the back which was furnished with a table, comfy chairs, a microwave, small oven, fridge and other paraphernalia necessary for the preparation of gastronomic delights. Bunty had potatoes baking, the kettle boiling and a monstrous teapot, adorned with a novelty knitted tea cosy, at the ready. 'Good ol' Yorkshire tea and cow's milk, you won't find any of that fancy muck round her!' I winked at Petunia, who blushed. 'Plump yourself down and take the weight off!' she ordered. I felt as if ...

and vegetarian sushi.' 'So it's a kind of book cafe, then?' 'Yeth, I'm in charge of food and Bun dosth online orderth. You can be on the counter.' The first customer was a furtive little man who sidled up and asked for Fifty Shades of Grey ... for a friend. Bunty overheard and boomed, 'You don't want any of that rubbish! Utter bilge. What you want is Judith Butler's Bodies That Matter. £25.99 Johnny, ring it up and wrap it for the fellow, there's a good chap!' 'Fellow' didn't really stand a chance, he scuttled out after paying and I didn't expect ...

Bette Davis Eyes ~ Kim Carnes

The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face ~ Roberta Flack (such a talented lady with a beautiful voice, sadly just passed away at 88)

Petunia. I could see food was going to form a large part of any conversations with her. By the look of Bunty, food played a big part in her life too. I was in heaven! 'That's nice, full of alpha and beta carotene, I believe. Great for the eyes and the old immune system.' 'I oncth had carotenemia from eathing too many,' she shared. 'Oh dear, but such a pretty colour.' 'That's whath I thought,' she giggled. 'Now what about tea?' I asked. 'We hath Frenth Earl Grey, Breakfath, ...

Remember The Days Of The Old Schoolyard ~ Cat Stevens

but my abtholute favourite ith baked potatoth with cottage cheeth and of coarth thweet chilli thauth! We makth them every day in our microwavth.' I told her she was a kindred spirit and I'd be straight round. Petunia was a sweet little thing, she reminded me of Rosie and I accepted the job immediately. 'And thith ith my right handth man,' she giggled. A buxom women dressed in green knickerbockers, fairisle vest and scarlet tie strode forward, seized my hand in a vicegrip and shook it vigorously and rather painfully. 'Bertha,' she boomed, 'but call me Bunty. All me friends do.' Surreptitiously massaging my crushed hand I asked about duties, hours ...

That looks like fun, Madeleine and very effective 😊

These Are the Days ~ Van Morrison