Image: Kaique Rocha pexels-photo-125532 escalator

Roger, our tour leader, organised for us to have a shopping day.

Joyce, my aged companion, was excited, as she loved shopping.

The mall Roger took us to was the largest in the southern hemisphere. He provided us with maps of the centre before we were let loose in order we find our way back to the pickup spot before our allotted time.

Joyce loved escalators and rode each one several times as they were huge and provided her with panoramic views of the various levels.

The food court was enormous with every conceivable ethnicity represented. Here Joyce left me to my own devices with strict instructions as to what I was not to eat. She had decided the centre was the ideal place for her to go in search of some new ‘unmentionables’ as she described her underwear.

I settled into a cream fruit tart knowing I had ample time to devour it before Joyce returned. It was delicious, and I enjoyed every mouthful.

An hour later Joyce returned ladened with shopping bags and a look of satisfaction. From the collection of bags, she took a small purse size bag and handed it to me.

“Socks,” she said, “you could do with a clean pair.”

Written for: https://flashfictionforthepracticalpractitioner.wordpress.com/2018/06/13/838/