The rain had produced a mixture of holiday-makers killing time and locals sheltering until the bus came. A woman in a bright pink top was simultaneously talking on a mobile phone and buying a pair of evening sandals from the elderly volunteer on the till. Ben liked it in here. It was warm, and he enjoyed looking through the videos. But today he had no money. He’d paid the rent for his room, then spent the rest down the pub. There was no more now until he got the social on Monday. And today was Friday. Ben sighed. What he really needed was a nice warm sweater to see him through the winter. Idly he flicked through the rails. Grey Marks & Spencer sweatshirt – no, that was too big. Pringle V-neck jumper in – pink! No way. This was more like it: a dark brown polo-neck. New looking. Ben unhooked it from the rail. Heavy. That would really keep him warm. He felt the soft wool with his stubby fingers. The price ticket said £6 and he didn’t even have 6p.
